A Woman from a Minor Household in the Great Ming

Miaozhen is a transmigrated soul, originally a master's graduate in Traditional Chinese Medicine specializing in acupuncture and massage in modern times. After a tragic accident at her hospital job, she is reborn as the daughter of Xu Erpeng and Mei Shi in the Great Ming Dynasty. Her paternal grandparents, originally from Huguang, settled in Suzhou and opened a rice shop at Maple Bridge, which was later converted into a tea and snack shop by the third uncle. Miaozhen's father, Xu Erpeng, is a persistent scholar who failed the College Examination five times but earned a living writing storybooks. Despite his financial struggles, he is dedicated to passing the imperial examinations to elevate his family's status. Miaozhen, born with a red mole between her eyebrows, is recognized for her precocious intelligence and serves as the narrative focal point for the family's dynamics and social ascent.

The central conflict revolves around the Xu family's internal stratification and the disparity between the brothers. The eldest brother, Xu Yiming, holds a fake Imperial Academy Certificate purchased with dowry money from his deceased wife's family and served as a clerk in Yunnan. Upon his return, he displays arrogance and vanity, contrasting sharply with Xu Erpeng's humble diligence. The family lives in cramped quarters at Maple Bridge, leading to friction, particularly with the third uncle's wife, Bao Shi, who exploits the household help. A pivotal moment occurs when Mei Shi falls ill during her pregnancy, and a local physician prescribes incorrect medicine containing black atractylodes, which could induce abortion. Miaozhen, utilizing her modern medical knowledge, identifies the error and insists on consulting a renowned physician, saving her mother and unborn brother. This event solidifies her resolve to study gynecology and establishes her role as a protector of the family's well-being.

Following the birth of her brother, Jian, the family's fortunes begin to shift. Xu Erpeng passes the Suzhou Prefecture College Examination, achieving the status of Xiucai, which brings social recognition and validates his years of perseverance. Seizing this opportunity, he makes a bold financial gamble to purchase a three-courtyard residence in the bustling Changmen district, the heart of Suzhou's book-printing industry. He opens the Jinchang Confucian Bookstore, leveraging his connections as a writer and his new scholarly status to thrive in the competitive market. The move allows the family to escape the oppressive living conditions of the ancestral home and establish their own independent household, marking a significant turning point in their socioeconomic standing.

With improved finances, Xu Erpeng invests in his daughter's education, enrolling Miaozhen in a prestigious girls' school run by Chou Niangzi and arranging for her to study medicine under the renowned female physician Ru Shi. Miaozhen balances her academic pursuits with her medical training, demonstrating exceptional aptitude and dedication. Meanwhile, family tensions persist, particularly with Xu Siniang, the eldest uncle's daughter, who harbors jealousy and entitlement. Xu Laotai attempts to send Siniang to live with the second branch, hoping to burden them with her upkeep and dowry costs, but Xu Erpeng and Mei Shi firmly refuse, prioritizing their own daughter's future and stability. The narrative highlights the contrast between the two branches: the eldest brother's hollow status and financial dependence versus the second brother's genuine achievement and prudent management.

As the story progresses, Miaozhen continues to refine her medical skills under Ru Shi's tutelage, navigating the challenges of being a female physician in a patriarchal society. She forms friendships with her classmates at the girls' school, including Lin Xiaoxiao and Ma Yulan, while maintaining a careful distance from the manipulative schemes of her extended family. The family's bookstore becomes a source of steady income, allowing them to hire servants and improve their quality of life. Miaozhen's dual education in literature and medicine positions her as a unique figure capable of bridging traditional scholarly values with practical professional skills. The narrative concludes with the family settled in their new home, facing external social pressures and internal family dynamics, while Miaozhen prepares to further her studies and establish her own identity in the complex social landscape of Ming Dynasty Suzhou.