Chapter Seven, Deng Tuzi

What surprised Zhou Xuan deeply was that his newlywed wife, Miss Qin Que, was actually one of the fifteen students. Of course, she would not be coming today

Xiao Huixiang has a very good impression of Zhou Xuan, saying: "Perhaps, perhaps Young Master Zhou's fiancée has been dead for many days now, and he is no longer sad. Also, Miss, you are beautiful and have a good temperament; Young Master Zhou must have fallen in love with you at first sight."

Zhou Xuan found the blues harmonica under a locust tree by the well, tucked it into his back pocket, and returned to the front hall, holding Xiao Di's hand in silence.

Doctor Qin was to attend the state medical office, and Zhou Xuan expressed his desire to accompany his father-in-law. Doctor Qin readily agreed, unaware of the insidious intentions of this false son-in-law. Zhou Xuan aimed to flaunt his connection, ensuring that everyone knew he was the son-in-law of the Qin family, thereby shaping public opinion.

Upon hearing this, one of the fellows pounded his chest and exclaimed: "Why marry a foreigner? Wouldn't it be better to marry a local? Alas, how tragic! How painful!"

Miss Qin became angry: "You dead girl, what nonsense are you talking? By the way, you are so willing to speak for him, did he give you some kind of bribe?"

Zhou Xuan picked up his brother-in-law and asked, "Xiaodi, was that pink dress just now your sister's?"

Zhou Xuan was baffled and asked Xiao Huixiang: "Xiao Huixiang, why did Miss Qin scold me for no reason? A shameless lecher is just a shameless wolf; what have I done? I am very pure, after all. I haven't done anything. It's one thing for my own wife to refuse to consummate the marriage, but can I not even be looked at?"

All that could be heard were exclamations of "Oh," "Eh," and "Tsk tsk," filled with wonder, envy, and jealousy, a mix of myriad emotions

What is that called, and where is it worn

Ah, it is the son-in-law, um, Master Zhou

Inside and outside the medical office, there was a profound silence. It was only under the leadership of Assistant Professor Jiang that applause began to resonate, growing increasingly fervent. Miss Qin, renowned for her exceptional medical skills and noble ethics, is well-known among the people of Jiangzhou. After hearing Mr. Zhou Xuan's heartfelt declaration, everyone felt that Miss Qin had found a good husband to rely on for a lifetime. They collectively wished for Mr. Zhou Xuan and Miss Qin to grow old together and have children soon.

Brother-in-law, what are you doing here

Zhou Xuan's greatest characteristic in pursuing women is his courage to persist and not to be discouraged. Although he was just looked down upon by Qin Que, he finally saw her true appearance. It turns out that his wife is so beautiful, which makes it even more imperative that she does not go to Shouzhou. The lost face must be regained, by any means necessary, and he will never give up.

Although Zhou Xuan has had several girlfriends, he has never encountered one as pure and beautiful as this, which inevitably revealed his foolish side

There were still quite a few people waiting to see a doctor outside the state medical office. Fourteen medical students began treating patients. Zhou Xuan heard several people asking, "Why hasn't Miss Qin come today? Miss Qin's medical skills are the most outstanding; we want to wait for Miss Qin to treat us"

What is going on? Did women in the Southern Tang have such a high status? Can women also step out of the inner chambers to become civil servants? It has only been about twenty years since the historical divergence!

Miss Qin said, "Perhaps it is an attempt to deceive more people"

Zhou Xuanzheng clenched his fist, vowing to change Miss Qin's perception of him, as a clear, childlike voice rang out behind him

Shh, do not make a sound

Zhou Xuan was taken aback; it turned out to be Miss Qin's intimate nightgown. No wonder she called me a pervert. This is a disaster. She already had a poor impression of me, and now it has worsened. I am now labeled as both a fraud and a pervert. Oh, the injustice I face as a commoner!

Xiao Di nodded

Zhou Xuan felt a surge of joy in his heart: "I didn't expect that my esteemed wife is still a beloved and renowned physician among the people, haha, I like it"

Zhou Xuan smiled brightly and said, "I came to look for something, a harmonica that fell by the well." He straightforwardly walked towards the edge of the well, wanting to take the opportunity to see Miss Qin's appearance. Last night, she had either been hiding behind a fan or veiled, revealing only her figure but not her face. Zhou Xuan had learned from experience; many girls who looked good from behind turned out to be quite unattractive when seen from the front, which was a significant emotional blow. Therefore, this time he wanted to see clearly.

A medical student, annoyed by their noise, said: "Miss Qin got married yesterday and is in great joy; she will not be coming to see patients in the near future. You all should disperse quickly."

Zhou Xuan has now clarified what the title of his father-in-law, the director of the provincial medical office, entails. It is essentially the head of the health bureau and the hospital in Jiangzhou, with an annual salary of 80 taels of silver, equivalent to 40,000 RMB. In addition, there are various allowances amounting to over 20,000 RMB. The Qin family, consisting of four members, also supports around ten servants, maids, and attendants. An annual income of 60,000 RMB is absolutely insufficient, leading Zhou Xuan to believe that his father-in-law must have considerable gray income.

Little Fennel felt extremely wronged and began to cry: "No, Little Fennel did not, the young lady suspects Little Fennel, Little Fennel is very sad"

Having let something slip, Zhou Xuan quickly stopped himself. He laughed happily, feeling that he was truly talented, having used such extremely ambiguous terms as "twin trees entwined" and phrases that evoke intense imagination like "a night as husband and wife brings a hundred days of affection." This strongly implied to those present that he, Master Zhou Xuan, had already engaged in marital relations with Miss Qin Que, having performed the rites of marriage, and that their sexual life was quite harmonious

Then, the student from the *Illustrated* Medical Department whispered, "I heard he is an outsider, the wedding is rushed, probably related to the selection process, Miss Qin is unwilling to enter the palace."

Doctor Qin, upon hearing this, stepped out and shouted: "Idle people, do not disturb the medical office here. If you dare to speak recklessly again, I will have you taken to the local government for punishment." He then pointed at Zhou Xuan and said: "Let me introduce to you all, this is Young Master Zhou Xuan, my esteemed son-in-law."

Ah! Several well-groomed seekers of medical help were taken aback: "Who did you marry? Heaven, time waits for no one"

Qin Que's gaze swiftly shifted from Zhou Xuan's face to his waist, where she saw the pink garment tucked into his belt. Her expression changed from shyness to astonishment, and then to indignation. Biting her lower lip, she managed to squeeze out five words: "Shameless lecher."

Assistant Director Jiang led the applause, and the students joined in, congratulating Doctor Qin on his successful marriage.

At the Guanyin Bridge on the northern side of Jiangzhou City, Zhou Xuan and Doctor Qin still took the same carriage as yesterday. Besides the coachman, the family servant Lai Fu also accompanied them. Lai Fu had been kicked by Zhou Xuan last night, and now he held Zhou Xuan in great respect, honestly addressing him as 'son-in-law.' This is what one calls not knowing each other without a fight, or rather, not recognizing each other without a scuffle.

It is called a knee cover, worn inside the skirt, covering the knees and thighs

Having said that, she lightly lifted the hem of her skirt and swiftly walked past Zhou Xuan without even glancing at him.

Xiao Huixiang ignored Zhou Xuan, walked over, and yanked away the pink garment tucked at Zhou Xuan's waist, letting out a "humph" and rolling her eyes before leaving

Zhou Xuan hurriedly turned around and saw his brother-in-law, Qin Xiaodi, looking up with his little head and wide, bright eyes staring at him

Later, Zhou Xuan came to understand that the Southern Tang inherited the social system and literature of the Tang Dynasty, and the customs were relatively open. Although Emperor Li Yu was weak, he was generous and compassionate towards the common people, and he favored the young Empress Zhou, who was exceptionally beautiful and possessed a certain awareness of women's liberation. Under her advocacy, the status of women in the Southern Tang was higher than that during the Tang Dynasty. Adult women could receive land, although the amount was only half that of adult men. Women with technical expertise could engage in certain court positions without rank, such as students in the medical office or instructors in the weaving office. Skilled women could also serve as catchers, equivalent to constables or police.

Upon closer inspection, the ones who clamored the loudest for Qin Que to provide treatment were all young men with slicked-back hair and made-up faces. Each one was healthy and robust, full of vitality, dressed impeccably, and fanning themselves lightly, looking nothing like individuals who were ill

Zhou Xuan understood immediately; these few young men were taking advantage of the opportunity to seek medical attention to indulge in Qin Que's tofu. Wasn't it supposed to be about "observing, listening, inquiring, and feeling"? Listening to the song of the oriole, gazing at the delicate beauty, and with slender jade fingers resting on the pulse point, damn it, these young men were utterly captivated.

Zhou Xuan's heart felt cold and desolate; he did not expect Miss Qin to have such a poor impression of him. It was a failure, truly a great failure. It seems that smooth talk is ineffective with Miss Qin; he must bring out some real skills.

Zhou Xuan stood there foolishly, so beautiful, resembling Lin Qingxia in her youth. Her face is slightly longer than Lin Qingxia's, but her eyebrows and lips are very similar. Her complexion is fair and healthy, and her demeanor is elegant and serene

Those few who feigned illness walked away dejectedly like defeated roosters

Master Zhou, whose courtesy name is Jielun, hails from the great clan of Nanhai. The Zhou and Qin families have been family friends for generations. Master Zhou and my son, Qin Que, are betrothed by prior arrangement. Although this wedding is somewhat hastily arranged, their fates are indeed intertwined. Master Zhou is a paragon of elegance, with a dignified presence, a graceful figure, and a refined demeanor. He is articulate and exceptionally talented, making him a most suitable match for my son, Qin Que.

Zhou Xuan was praised profusely by his father-in-law, remaining composed and dignified, akin to a performer in the streets, he clasped his hands and said: "I am honored to be united in marriage with Miss Qin Que. Please take a look, this outfit I am wearing was personally sewn by my wife. This is what we call the bond of a couple after one night together. Here, I must express my gratitude to my father-in-law for raising such a wonderful daughter, and of course, I also want to thank my mother-in-law, my heartfelt thanks, and thanks to CCTV"

However, it was too late; Xiao Huixiang arrived in front of Zhou Xuan like a gust of wind

"A fraud?" "Xiao Huixiang is no longer crying. The master offered him one hundred taels of silver, but he refused it."

Zhou Xuan scratched the back of his head, not understanding where he had gone wrong. Even the very loyal Xiao Huixiang was ignoring him. The only one who had not left him was his brother-in-law, Qin Xiaodi

"Alright, alright," Miss Qin said, "Is it okay if I misspoke? Stop crying. I know that person is a complete pauper; what could he possibly give to others? I suspect he—he might be a fraud."

Jiangzhou is a large province of the Tang Dynasty, and the staffing of the provincial medical office includes one individual with a doctor's degree, one teaching assistant, and fifteen students. The roles of the individual with a doctor's degree and the teaching assistant are self-evident; even these fifteen students are public servants receiving salaries from the court. These students learn medical knowledge from the individual with a doctor's degree and the teaching assistant while also serving as doctors to treat the common people.

Miss Qin has already stepped out of the wooden basin, barefoot and wearing wooden clogs, one hand holding up the hem of her skirt, revealing two segments of her fair calves beneath the skirt. Upon seeing Zhou Xuan burst in, her face immediately turned red.

Zhou Xuan really wanted to hug Xiao Huixiang and give her a kiss. The little girl is quite considerate, willing to speak on my behalf. Very well, with many kind words, my friend will definitely not treat you poorly.