Lady Tan's Circle of Women

Yunxian is a busy wife and mother. She also provides medical treatments to women who consult her and writes down notes on her cases. She tends to her mother-in-law every morning, bringing Lady Kuo tea supplied by Meiling’s husband, Kailoo, who is a tea merchant. Lady Kuo has a distinct cough and Yunxian suspects what ails her, but Yunxian knows Lady Kuo will not accept treatments from her and so does not volunteer her assistance.

Yunxian now has three daughters and is 29, a year older than her mother when she died. Maoren passed his imperial exams and is often away. Her two elder daughters, Yuelan and Chunlan, help Yunxian bind the feet of the youngest daughter, Ailan, who is five. One out of every 10 girls dies during the footbinding process, but the Yang family has not lost any girls, thanks to Yunxian.

Yunxian visits her grandmother, who is aging. They discuss Yifeng, who is married and has four sons. Grandmother continues to help Yunxian grow in medical expertise. Yunxian continues to see Meiling in secret. Meiling has become a respected midwife but does not have a child, which saddens her. Meiling thinks Yunxian should write a book about her medical cases, but Yunxian does not seek fame.