Chapter 85 Women's Support Association

Li San Niang was stunned. She really didn't expect that Qi Zhi Die wanted her to treat all the women in the brothel.

Not to mention Li San Niang, Li's mother and Shen Qiu Niang also looked incredulous. No one could have imagined that Qi Zhi Die would have such a plan.

Dilibaier and Hongniang were still young and shy. They had experienced the coldness of the world at a young age and knew that their status was the lowest. Seeing the genuine surprise on Li Sanniang's face, they knew that Li Sanniang and Hongniang had been pushing their luck.

Having experienced much, Diliber knew that she was already incredibly lucky to have been saved by Li San Niang in Tuva by chance, and she really shouldn't have hoped for too much.

They made this request to Li Sanniang because they took advantage of her compassionate nature as a healer and deliberately approached her, hoping to exploit her pity to achieve their own goals. To put it bluntly, they shouldn't have come to her in the first place to ask.

Qi Zhidie noticed the surprise of Li's mother and Li San Niang, and then slowly and gracefully took out a handkerchief to wipe away the tears from the corners of her eyes. The more she wiped, the more tears flowed. She cried as she wiped, but she could still speak clearly: "Zhidie knows that I am of lowly status and should not have come to bother Li San Niangzi. But even ants cherish life, let alone humans? In the past month, no less than three corpses have been carried away from the back door of Qunfang Courtyard opposite Shihua Tower. How can I not be afraid?"

Without needing to be told, Li San Niang could tell that this Qunfang Courtyard was probably a larger brothel in Pingkang Ward than Shihualou, where Dilibier and the others were. The corpses carried out from the back door were probably women who had died from incurable illnesses or other causes.

Seeing the sadness and pity on Li San Niang's face after hearing this, Qi Zhi Die then took out a not-so-small purse from her sleeve and gestured for Hong Niang to take out the contents of the purse.

Then I saw several small gold cakes, a few gemstones, and a dazzling hair ornament, which the matchmaker placed on the table one by one.

"These are a small token of my appreciation from Zhi Die tonight, and I hope you will accept them, Madam Li. Regardless of whether you accept my request, I admire your compassionate heart as a healer. If you can lend a helping hand, I and the sisters of Shi Hua Lou will be eternally grateful and will repay you handsomely afterward."

After speaking, Qi Zhidie, along with Hongniang and Diliber, stood up and bowed in greeting.

Li's mother finally realized that Qi Zhidie, who was once the daughter of an official, was not to be underestimated. At first, she took advantage of Li San Niang's benevolent heart as a doctor and saw that Li San Niang was not the simple-minded type. Then she focused on Li San Niang's attraction to beauty. Later, she realized that her request was too much, so she showed her desire to live and try to gain sympathy. After appealing to her emotions, she tied them together with money and silver. She really used these methods very well.

Li's mother felt somewhat disgusted, not because of Qi Zhidie's petty tricks. Women in the brothel had a hard time surviving, and some of their methods were to make a living, which was understandable.

What disgusted Li's mother was that Qi Zhidie was using such methods against her own son, Li San Niang, who was the apple of her eye!

After watching the vivid and moving performance, Li's mother remained silent, waiting to see if Li San Niang had figured it out and whether she would go along with Qi Zhi Die's words or refuse firmly. It all depended on Li San Niang's choice.

No matter what Li San Niang chooses, Li's mother will understand.

If Li Sanniang chose to help, it would be something she had always wanted to do: to treat the women and give them the opportunity to receive medical care. Although treating the women of Pingkangfang might not conform to the general public's usual opinion, it was enough to be true to her conscience.

If Li San Niang chose not to help, it would be understandable. After all, secretly treating one or two women is a doctor's act of kindness, involving only a small risk. But treating all the women in the brothel is not as simple as just a small risk.

Li San Niang herself was also pondering whether to face the challenge head-on or go with the flow.

Li San Niang wasn't really that naive. She saw through Qi Zhi Die's singing, recitation, acting, and fighting. But Li San Niang also understood her original intention: she just didn't want to die and wanted to live a better life.

So what if these actions are unjust, dishonest, or shameful in order to survive?

Li San Niang had previously wanted to do something for the women of this time, and tonight, after hearing Qi Zhi Die's words, it was as if she suddenly grasped a glimmer of inspiration in her mind.

Originally, Li San Niang planned to start with her mother's profession—a midwife—and gradually work her way up, uniting the midwives in Chang'an City to create a group to help women.

But things always change faster than planned. Who would have thought that the women of Pingkangfang would come to our door seeking medical help tonight?

Therefore, Li Sanniang thought that it would be better to expand in multiple directions. Starting with midwives was one direction, and the women of Pingkangfang was another. Although their social status was different, their gender was the same. They were all women, and they were all struggling to survive at this time. Although they didn't interact much, they could work in two different directions, which was not a bad idea.

Li San Niang took a long time to think. Qi Zhi Die had still held out hope, but after a short while, she still hadn't received a response from Li San Niang. Qi Zhi Die began to lose heart, thinking, "It's all fate, it's all fate."

"It was Zhi Die who was abrupt, disturbing Li San Niangzi's peace. I..."

"If you want my help, you can, but I..."

I thought everything was settled, but then things took an unexpected turn!

Qi Zhidie was just about to say a few polite words and leave when she heard Li Sanniang agree to help!

"Third Sister, just say the word, and Zhidie will grant any request!"

Hearing this, Li San Niang smiled helplessly, then reassured her mother's worried gaze with a smile before continuing her previous statement: "I intend to establish an alliance with only women as members, aimed at helping women obtain medical assistance. If you wish to receive my help, you may join, but due to your special status, you will inevitably be placed on a secret register. If you agree, the gold and silver jewelry on the table will serve as your initial capital for joining this alliance. I will carefully consider the specific details later and distribute them to you in a booklet."

Li San Niang had this idea for a long time, but she always thought she would start taking action after joining the medical alliance. However, things happened so fast that she didn't expect the women of Pingkangfang to come to her first. Since that's the case, she might as well go with the flow and establish the alliance first.

Qi Zhidie only half understood what she was hearing, but she knew this was a great opportunity. As long as it didn't prevent the women in the brothel from getting help, she nodded vigorously and said, "Third Sister is kind, we are naturally willing. May I ask Third Sister, what is the name of this alliance?"

"Let's call it the Women's Helping Association, which aims to help and support each other among women."