Madam Hu was also vexed. Back then, when the Hu family's walls fell, everyone pushed. It was common knowledge that their family had committed transgressions, and much of their business was carved up.
She had to exert immense effort to slowly carve out a path for herself. Yet, her husband was useless, and her son was even more so. The entire large family relied on her, a single woman, to keep it afloat. This was already difficult enough, but her husband was also bringing home other women daily, hoping to have illegitimate children to compete with her son for the family fortune. He didn't even consider who was earning the money now.
In recent years, the Master had become increasingly shameless. Every time he went to the accounting office to withdraw money, if they refused, he would simply snatch it. If the accounting office was genuinely out of funds, he would directly search the house for valuable furnishings to pawn.
The household was in chaos, but they managed to get by. There were only six principal family members, and the expenses for the concubines were cut wherever possible. Their expenditure was relatively low, so over the years, some wealth had been accumulated.
However, business had recently become increasingly difficult. Shops selling the same goods as their family had appeared, offering more affordable prices and better quality products. Consequently, they were losing money. When she told the two elders of the household that times were hard and they should spend less, neither paid any heed.
The most valuable assets in the household were those few shops. The money had previously been used for inventory, and now the goods were piling up. The accounting office was truly out of funds. If the Master continued his recklessness, they might have to pawn household items.
Wu Caiwei's arrival in the neighboring prefectural city had two purposes: one was to avenge her father Liu, and reclaim the Liu family's belongings; the other was because there was a renowned physician in this city.
She had come with great admiration, hoping to learn medicine from this renowned doctor, though she was unsure if he would accept her.
She wanted to learn some skills to protect herself. She didn't know where she would end up in the next world, nor if she would encounter benefactors. If she were to carelessly lose her life there, it would be a significant loss. It was better to learn more skills; having the ability to protect herself would bring her peace of mind.
Indeed, as soon as she mentioned learning medicine to the old doctor, he shook his head repeatedly. He believed she was merely dabbling and that even if she learned, she wouldn't be able to treat patients. After all, treating illnesses involved observing, listening, questioning, and palpating, which inevitably required contact with the opposite sex. In ancient times, strict separation between men and women was observed.
In her spare time, between competing with the Hu family for business, Wu Caiwei spent her days at the old doctor's clinic. When the old doctor needed to organize medicinal herbs, she would eagerly help. When he needed to dispense medicine, she would quickly fetch it. When he had to make house calls, she would promptly carry his medicine box.
Disregarding the old doctor's cold remarks, she attended his clinic regardless of wind or rain, as long as she had time.
Two months later, the old doctor's attitude towards her gradually began to change. Although he did not formally accept her as an apprentice, he would explain things to her diligently. Wu Caiwei also studied very seriously. The old doctor often looked at her with a sigh of regret, saying, "If only you were a man, I would have a successor. But you are a woman."
"You are mistaken, Master. What's wrong with being a woman? We can treat women. Many ladies have ailments that are difficult for you to discuss. Wouldn't it be more convenient if they encountered a female doctor?" Wu Caiwei pouted disagreeably.
Although the old doctor said nothing aloud, from then on, when he encountered female patients, he would let Wu Caiwei examine them first, and then they would jointly analyze the condition and discuss prescriptions.
One day, as Wu Caiwei was leaving the old doctor's clinic, she encountered a servant-like woman who respectfully said, "Shopkeeper Liu, my mistress is in the opposite restaurant and wishes to see you."
"May I ask who your mistress is?" Wu Caiwei inquired politely, as she knew few mistresses in this city.
"My mistress is the wife of the Hu family from Guihua Hutong."
"Oh?" She hadn't expected to confront the Hu family yet, and the Hu family's wife had sought her out first. Could it be that she was unable to sit still after their business was being taken away?
As she mused, she followed the servant to a private room on the second floor.
"Shopkeeper Liu, I trust you are well. Please sit down and try the dishes I've ordered. I hope they suit your taste." As soon as she entered, Madam Hu greeted her warmly.
"Madam, I'm afraid your intentions today are not merely for the meal. I prefer to be straightforward, so please tell me directly why you invited me here today," Wu Caiwei said as she sat down, ignoring Madam Hu's awkwardness.
"Although business is conducted based on individual capability, I don't know if it's my imagination, but I always feel that Shopkeeper Liu has some grievance with our family. If not, consider this meal an apology. If so, I hope that through this meal today, we can turn our enmity into friendship," Madam Hu said cautiously.
"I've been here for several months. Madam, you only realize this now. Aren't you a bit slow to catch on?" Wu Caiwei said directly, unwilling to quibble with her.
"Is there some misunderstanding? In my memory, I do not know any business owner named Liu, and this is our first meeting today." As her premonition came true, coupled with Wu Caiwei's attitude, Madam Hu abandoned any hope.
"Madam truly has a forgetful nature. For years, you have comfortably spent the Liu family's money and long forgotten the Liu family. Yet, we, the Liu family, cannot forget you. We must reclaim what rightfully belongs to the Liu family." Wu Caiwei smiled at Madam Hu, watching her reaction with amusement.
Hearing her words, Madam Hu shot to her feet, "Are you Liu Qing's daughter?"
Seeing Wu Caiwei nod, Madam Hu spoke absentmindedly, "I should have known long ago. I should have known. Hu Jiayuan has cheated me my entire life. This is true retribution."
After meeting with Madam Hu, she accelerated her efforts to disrupt the Hu family's business.
As the sun set in the west and the number of pedestrians on the street decreased, Wu Caiwei, after discussing medicine with the old doctor, left the clinic and headed home.
To facilitate her medical studies, she had rented a house on a street behind the clinic. It only took her a short alley to get home, so she had no guards with her.
As soon as she entered the alley today, two burly men approached her, walking with purpose and malicious intent. Seeing their stance, Wu Caiwei turned to go back.
When she looked back, she found that the path she came from was also blocked, with two more burly men rushing towards her. Her mind raced, considering countermeasures.
There were many households nearby, and the street was only a dozen meters away. Therefore, they intended to finish quickly. They planned to gag her first, then tie her up, give her a beating, and dump her in the woods outside the city. Whether she survived or not would be their concern, as they were merely taking money to resolve trouble.
Wu Caiwei understood their intentions. As one of the burly men lunged to cover her mouth, she dodged, and before he could react, she plunged the hairpin she had just removed from her hair fiercely into his thigh. Simultaneously, she delivered a kick to the other man, creating an opening. While running, she shouted, "Robbery, robbery!"
Upon hearing this, the four men realized something was amiss and quickly retreated. At this time, every household was preparing dinner. Hearing the shouts, people came out to watch the commotion. Soon, someone recognized one of the men as a hoodlum from the south of the city who had just been released from prison.
Wu Caiwei ran out of the alley, feeling somewhat shaken. She didn't need to think to know who was behind it. The only one in this city who had animosity towards her was the Hu family. They had underestimated them. She wondered whether Hu Jiayuan had ordered it or Madam Hu. Regardless of who it was, she would not let them off. Sudan Novel Network
The next morning, she went to the yamen to file a complaint. The hoodlums from the south of the city were quickly apprehended. Under the magistrate's interrogation and a few lashes, the other three were also exposed.