"Ah, don't worry, Madam. I have often healed those suffering from the same ailment as yours. I will create a prescription for the medicine." The physician received a fee of five silver coins. Nenek Bi bought the medicine according to the prescription, and Madam Hua drank the prepared concoction, soon feeling restored. She slept soundly, ate well, and recovered in a matter of days.
Overjoyed, she invited Physician Kiang to a feast to express her gratitude. Of course, the physician accepted with pleasure, as he had been smitten by his beautiful patient. Upon meeting the now-healthy Madam, whose cheeks were flush, eyes sparkled, and red lips curled in a smile, Physician Kiang was in awe. He was further delighted by the gift of three ounces of silver given by Ciu Hua, Madam Hua's servant, on her behalf. Madam Hua offered a cup of wine, saying,
"Thanks to your aid, I have completely recovered from my illness, Sin-she. As a token of thanks, please accept this cup of wine from me." "Ah, Madam. I merely did my duty as a physician." replied Physician Kiang. After drinking three cups of wine, Physician Kiang became slightly drunk, intoxicated not just by the wine, but more so by the sight of the young woman's figure. His courage bolstered, his words began to slip.
"May I ask how old you are now, Madam?" "Twenty-four years."
"How long has it been since your husband passed away?"
"He died in the eleventh month of last year due to lung disease. It's been eight months since his death." The young widow sighed deeply.
"Did you not call a physician, Madam?" "I once called Physician Hu from the Main Street."
"Ah, that Hu, known as the Demon Mouth? The pseudo-physician living in the house of the castrated Liu? He's a mere quack, never studied true medicine. Why did you call such a person?"
"I heard of him from the neighbors, and since my husband's death, I've never invited him again."
"Do you have any children, Madam?" "No"
"What a pity! Still so young and living alone. It's no wonder you're suffering, Madam. Have you ever considered remarrying?"
"Indeed, I have, and I hope to start a new household soon."
"May I know who the man is?"
"Master Shi Men, the owner of the medicine shop near the fortress."
"Ah! That man! But Madam, how could you choose him! As his family's physician, I am well aware of his condition. He is a man who bribes left and right, manipulating officials with his wealth. Aside from his many servants and female attendants, he always keeps five or six wives in his house. And if a wife no longer pleases him, he either beats her or sells her off. He is also the leader of a gang of rapists and kidnappers of girls and wives. It is fortunate that I am not too late to warn you, Madam. Marrying him is like sticking your head into a tiger's mouth, you will deeply regret it later. Moreover, he is recently involved in criminal matters that tarnish his daughter's father-in-law's name. Don't you know that both his daughter and son-in-law are now in hiding in his house? That's why the construction at his house has stopped. The local governor has received a notice from the capital about the exile sentence for the entire family of his son-in-law. Who knows, he may also be implicated, convicted, and his property confiscated? What would happen to his wives then? Their fate would be tragic."
Madam Hua was astounded and became restless. She remembered her belongings entrusted to Shi Men. Now she understood why Shi Men had been absent for so long. She envisioned that it would be more beneficial and comforting if she were to marry a kind, gentle, and pleasing man like Physician Kiang. But of course, she did not know if the physician would be willing to become her husband.
"I am very grateful for your advice," she said after a long silence and once her shock had subsided. "I would be happy to consider your suggestions if you could introduce a good and trustworthy husband from among your acquaintances."
"I will try to select one, but I do not know your preferences, Madam. What kind of man do you like?"
"His birth and status are not so important as long as he is in other respects like you." Hearing this, Physician Kiang could not contain his joy. He leapt from his seat and fell on his knees before the beautiful young widow.
"Ah, noble Madam. I cannot hide the fact that in my house, there is no woman living beside me. I lead a lonely and solitary life. If you would accept me, I would be extremely happy to accompany you for the rest of our lives." Madam Hua smiled sweetly.
Glossary
- Tabib: This Indonesian term refers to a doctor or physician, often one practicing traditional medicine.
- Nenek Bi: A character in the story, likely a servant or close associate of Madam Hua.
- Tabib Kiang: The primary character of this story, a physician smitten by his patient, Madam Hua.
- Ciu Hwa: Another character in the story, a servant of Madam Hua.
- Sin-she: An honorific used to address a doctor or physician in Chinese culture.
- Physician Hu: Another character in the story, a physician referred to as a quack by Tabib Kiang.
- Master Shi Men: The owner of a medicine shop and proposed suitor of Madam Hua, characterized negatively by Tabib Kiang.