Chapter 343: Taking Medicine – The Daily Life of the Sickly Aunt in the Courtyard

Chapter 343: Taking Medicine – The Sickly Young Aunt’s Daily Drama in the Compound

No one else knew what Wang Qiaomei was thinking. If Auntie Zhou found out that her heart’s desire had been shattered, she would probably lose it!

But for now, she remained unaware. After being provoked by Lin Shu, Auntie Zhou became extra clingy toward Eldest Master Zhou that evening.

Eldest Master Zhou felt overwhelmed by her sudden enthusiasm.

Afterward, he asked, "What’s up with you tonight?"

"That Jiang Yang’s wife, that little witch, mocked me for not being able to get pregnant! I’ll show her—just you wait!"

Hearing this, Eldest Master Zhou also felt annoyed. He was quite confident in his abilities, and he had even taken plenty of tonics. Yet, despite their efforts for over a year, his new wife still hadn’t conceived. He was getting discouraged.

"Why don’t you go to the hospital for a check-up someday?" he suddenly suggested.

Auntie Zhou mulled it over and agreed. Though reluctant to admit it, she feared the issue might lie with her. Couldn’t hurt to check.

"...Fine!"

Auntie Zhou moved fast. The very next day, she went to the hospital.

"Doctor, how is it? Is there anything wrong with me?" she asked nervously.

The gynecologist was stunned to see a woman in her forties coming in for a fertility check-up. It wasn’t unheard of, but certainly rare.

"What’s wrong? Is there really a problem? Can I still get pregnant?" Auntie Zhou blurted out three questions.

The doctor was floored. "You’re here to check if you can still conceive?"

"Of course! What else would I be here for?" Auntie Zhou rolled her eyes.

"..."

Unbelievable. Just unbelievable.

She had seen women this age accidentally get pregnant, but never one actively seeking to conceive.

"Your health isn’t the best. You probably had it rough in your younger years. While pregnancy is still possible, going full-term would be difficult."

"What do you mean?" Auntie Zhou didn’t get it.

"I’m saying you might still conceive, though the chances are lower than before. However, due to your poor health, if your nutrition isn’t sufficient, the baby likely won’t survive."

These words echoed in Auntie Zhou’s head, making her head spin.

"Is there any way?"

"Look… Are you sure you want this?"

"I want one so bad! Doctor, please, help me!"

"Alright… I’ll prescribe some tonics to strengthen your body first."

"Yes, yes! Give me the medicine, quickly!" Hope flared up in Auntie Zhou’s heart. If the doctor could prescribe something, she still had a shot.

In the end, Auntie Zhou returned to the compound with a bunch of herbal medicine packets. Western meds cost too much, so the doctor—who also had training in traditional Chinese medicine—prescribed herbs instead. These basic tonics were right up her alley.

Auntie Zhou returned to the compound with a heavy heart, her mind racing the entire way about how to explain things to Old Man Zhou. Telling the truth outright was out of the question, but she couldn’t hide the medicine either—she needed a good excuse.

After thinking it through, she told Old Man Zhou about the checkup as soon as she got back, “The doctor said there’s nothing seriously wrong, just prescribed some medicine to help with conception. After taking it, the chances of getting pregnant will be higher.”

Old Man Zhou’s eyes lit up at the sight of the medicine. “Good, good, good!” he exclaimed.

Zhou Qin, standing nearby, also brightened. “Auntie Zhou, could my wife take this medicine?” He wanted Wang Qiaomei to get pregnant soon—otherwise, he felt like he’d be completely drained.

Wang Qiaomei, standing to the side, flickered her gaze, also considering the possibility of taking the medicine. Maybe it really could improve her chances of conceiving!

Auntie Zhou, of course, wasn’t about to give her medicine away. “This medicine isn’t for your wife,” she said. “The doctor tailored it specifically for my condition—it might not suit her. Medicine has to match the illness. Why don’t you go to the hospital for your own checkup?”

*Best if they find out she’s infertile,* Auntie Zhou thought darkly.

Zhou Qin hesitated. “…Alright, we’ll go for a checkup.”

Of course, it would be Wang Qiaomei getting checked—he wasn’t about to go himself. He was virile enough—how could *he* be the problem?

So, it must be Wang Qiaomei’s body that was the issue. That’s why she hadn’t gotten pregnant yet.

From that day on, the main house was filled with the scent of herbal medicine—a rather pungent aroma.

But Lin Qing was already used to it. Back when she first moved into the compound, she’d taken Chinese medicine for a long time too.

The smell reminded her that she still needed to visit that old Chinese doctor. Cen Xi hadn’t returned yet—could she go by herself?

Lost in thought, Lin Qing didn’t hear what Lin’s mother was saying.

Lin’s mother gently nudged her. “Nuan’nuan, what were you just thinking about?”

“N-nothing much. It’s just the smell of the medicine—it reminded me that I still need to see that old Chinese doctor.”

“Didn’t you say you’d wait for your husband to come back first?”

“Well, he hasn’t returned yet, so I thought maybe I could go look for him myself.”

“Do you even know where that old doctor lives?” her mother countered.

Lin Qing paused. “…” She actually didn’t.

“Heh! You don’t even know. Just wait patiently. There’s no rush—it’s not like it’s urgent.”

“Fine.” Lin Qing deflated. It seemed going alone wasn’t an option.

“Come on, your health is already much better. A little more waiting won’t hurt.”

“Yeah, I know.” Lin Qing also understood she had no choice but to wait.

“Why isn’t Dad back yet today?” she suddenly asked.

Lin’s father had gone fishing again, though he’d left late—around four or five in the afternoon, when the sun wasn’t as harsh. Otherwise, Lin’s mother wouldn’t have even let him leave the house in the first place.

Of course, Lin’s father wasn’t foolish enough to go fishing at noon. Even if he wanted to, there wouldn’t have been any fish biting, right?

When the sun was too strong, the river surface became scorching, and the fish would stay deep underwater—not easy to catch.

“He should be back any minute now,” Lin’s mother said, checking the time.

“Oh.” Honestly, sometimes Lin Qing marveled at her parents’ unspoken understanding. Though they never set a specific time, whenever she asked, her mother always seemed to know exactly when he’d return—it was strange but impressive.