Chapter 411 My Conscience Is Torn
Lin Yuesha had no interest in the messy affairs of the Bai family. Madam Yan might not be as loving as she appeared; she was driven by self-interest and, to put it bluntly, selfish. She could abandon her daughter Bai Youran for her son Bai Dingfeng, and she could also fight against concubines for her own sake, putting Bai Dingfeng in an awkward position.
“When I was in the girls’ school, a nanny named Li gave me a recipe for a contraceptive soup.”
Bai Cha poured water from the teapot and talked about what she learned at the girls' school. Although the nannies didn't say it explicitly, she understood. As a maid, she had to help her master fight against concubines. In order to prevent illegitimate children from being born, contraceptive soup was indispensable.
"Just feeding a pregnant concubine a bowl of this is enough to make her abort the child in her womb."
At that time, Granny Li clearly emphasized the dosage. If the dosage was too high, it would cause pregnant women to bleed heavily. In mild cases, it would damage their health and make it difficult for them to conceive again. In severe cases, it could lead to the death of both mother and child.
The female doctor Yan helped her concubine maintain her pregnancy, ignoring her own aunt, Madam Yan. Bai Cha was filled with mixed emotions when she found out.
As a maid, one must always put the master first; in the future, one will inevitably have to do things that harm people's lives.
Bai Cha didn't want to, but she understood that almost all women from wealthy families had gone through this, and had no choice but to do so.
"So, if my husband's concubine becomes pregnant, you will also help me feed her contraceptive soup?"
Lin Yuesha tilted her head and looked at Bai Cha, asking a question.
Unlike the servant girl, Bai Cha, despite later becoming a maid, still couldn't learn those tricks and inevitably hesitated when it came to harming others.
"I think so."
Bai Cha thought for a moment, and finally nodded firmly. She didn't want to harm anyone, and had never even considered it, but if the concubine caused trouble and affected the relationship between the young lady and the son-in-law, she was willing to take drastic measures to get rid of the concubine.
Because she was the young lady's maid, she was on the young lady's side.
"Ha ha."
Lin Yuesha pinched Bai Cha's cheek and smiled when she saw Bai Cha's conflicted and shocked expression, "Don't worry, that day will never come."
"Why?"
Bai Cha was puzzled. She and Long Jing both knew that on this trip to the capital, Miss's marriage would likely be beyond her control. If Lord Lin were to marry Miss to a young master from a prominent family, those young masters would already have maids by their side who would teach them about human affairs before the wedding. These maids would be extremely arrogant because they had been with the young masters for a long time.
These kinds of maids who served as concubines were usually objects of fear and apprehension.
"Yes, Miss, why won't that day ever come?"
Unless she marries a farmer, any man with a decent income will have a bit of a flirtatious streak.
Longjing was interested in the topic and joined in.
Qingxing and Qi'er exchanged a glance, tacitly putting down their work and waiting for Lin Yuesha to answer their questions.
"Marriage is a major life event, and it is decided by parents and matchmakers. If I have the opportunity, I would like to marry a man I admire and be with him for life."
Lin Yuesha mentioned that she did not accept concubines or mistresses, and could not live under the same roof as these women. It felt like being in a brothel, where she herself would become lowly.
However, this only represents her thoughts; many things are beyond her control.
"Miss, what if you marry a philandering young man?"
Qingxing and Qi'er secretly chuckled. The little white rabbit, targeted by the wolf, had no hope of escaping. The little white rabbit was now grazing everywhere, waiting to be fattened up, and then it would be snatched away by the wolf. And their master was that wolf.
Lin Yuesha had no chance to marry the playboy; it was a predetermined ending.
Qi'er was just curious and joined in the commotion.
"What can we do then?"
Lin Yuesha pondered, finding the situation difficult. It was far too difficult to divorce someone who had married into a high-ranking family. To be the head mistress, to be a slave managing the household, to oversee the concubines' food, clothing, and daily necessities, and to arrange for her husband to live in the concubines' rooms on different days—she simply couldn't do it!
She can earn her own money, so she should live a carefree and unrestrained life, spending her own money. Why should she be taken advantage of by men after getting married, with them eyeing her dowry?
Lin Yuesha shook her head, "No, no!"
"But women always have to get married."
I've heard that some young ladies in the capital are favored by their elders and stay in the household for a few more years until they are seventeen or eighteen before getting married. But I've never heard of any of them staying in the household as old maids.
"High-class families value profit, but my parents and elder brother don't."
Lin Yuesha was very confident that as long as she could persevere, she would be free once her elder brother became an official and protected her.
If you meet someone suitable and pleasing to the eye, get married. Otherwise, you can live your life without getting married. At worst, you can find a beautiful place, buy land and a house, and live a carefree life.
Qingxing and Qi'er were shocked again, not because Lin Yuesha had the idea of not getting married, but because of the dependence on their master in her words.
“Miss, I think you shouldn’t trust the young master too much…”
Qingxing risked her life to offer her advice; she had been holding these words in for a long time, and her conscience told her that she had to give Lin Yuesha some pointers.
Lin Yuesha turned to look at Qingxing, her eyes filled with disbelief, as if accusing Qingxing of sowing discord.
Qingxing's face stiffened, and she forced a smile, saying, "What this servant means is, you shouldn't put too much pressure on the young master. What if he fails the exam...?"
It's too difficult! Qingxing couldn't explain it directly; she searched for a long time but couldn't find a reason.
The master is truly shrewd, employing one scheme after another. He has now become the young lady's most trusted confidant. She offered several indirect hints, but found herself unable to find a breakthrough.
"Oh, I see."
Lin Yuesha breathed a sigh of relief. Qingxing had just told her not to trust her older brother, and she still felt a little uncomfortable about it.
Although Xiao Qi will eventually get married and become family with his sister-in-law, she believes that the bond between siblings will not change.
"It's okay if you don't pass the exam. It's not like studying and taking the imperial examination is the only way to go."
Lin Yuesha waved her hand, not caring at all. If she didn't pass the exam, there was still her. She could make money through business, and she wouldn't be short of food.
Qi'er grinned, almost bursting into tears. Not only did the young lady trust the master, but the two siblings were also very close, and the young lady was even going to take care of him!
Ever since the pockmarked face disguise has repeatedly backfired, Qingxing and Qi'er have been on Lin Yuesha's guard, simply because Baiying's big mouth revealed too much to Hongtao.
This time, the two chose to keep their trip to the capital a secret from Granny Lin. They tricked her into giving them a carriage and then left. By the time Granny Lin realized what was happening, the group had already gone far away.
The carriage swayed back and forth, but thanks to the shock absorption system Xiao Dazhuang had built, which widened the wheels, the ride wasn't so bumpy.
The carriage was stuffy and hot. Lin Yuesha drank three bowls of cold tea. When she came out of the compartment, she breathed a sigh of relief.
The idea of relieving oneself in the carriage without delaying the journey was brilliant. However, thinking of what Xiao Dazhuang had said about fertilizing the entire journey, she couldn't help but twitch her lips. He was right.
"Bang bang..."
Lin Yuesha was picking up her teacup when she suddenly heard a muffled thud. She paused and asked, "What was that sound?"
Qingxing opened the carriage window and peeked out, then replied, "Miss, it's Doctor Yan's carriage that has stopped."
A carriage collided with Dr. Yan's carriage, forcing the entire group to stop to avoid getting separated.
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