Chapter 515 Her Choice
Seeing that Song Zhenzhu was still sulking, Li Sanniang suppressed her smile and got up to pour Song Zhenzhu another cup of hot tea.
"Why are you so temperamental, you little girl?"
Have a sip of tea to calm yourself down, and then I'll tell you slowly.
Song Zhenzhu was coaxed by Li Sanniang's gentle words and actually sat down again, picked up her teacup and took a sip. She looked at Li Sanniang, wanting to hear what reason she would have for not wanting to marry into the Duke of Ying's mansion.
“I am no longer a little girl like you; I am now a woman with a real little girl waiting for me at home.”
My understanding is completely different from yours. You think Xu Sanlang is perfect in every way, and that every woman in the world should love him.
But in my opinion, Xu Sanlangjun is truly not a suitable match.
Seeing that Song Zhenzhu was about to get angry again, Li Sanniang raised her hand in advance to signal, "Don't be in a hurry, let me finish speaking first."
So Song Zhenzhu shut up, looking annoyed, and waited to see what Li San Niang would say next.
"There's a saying that you, a lady from an official family, must know: what is honey to one is poison to another."
You've investigated me, so you should know that my ex-husband slept with his cousin while I was pregnant. Not only did I see it, but I was so shocked that I miscarried.
That's why I took my daughter and divorced her, and returned home. It's all thanks to my family's genuine love and care that I'm able to be here now, sharing these old, trivial matters with you.
Although Song Zhenzhu knew that Li Sanniang was a divorced woman who had returned home, she really didn't know that the inside story of her divorce was like this. Song Zhenzhu couldn't help but feel a little sympathy for Li Sanniang.
"Don't do that."
Li San Niang directly rejected Song Zhenzhu's pity and sympathy, refusing outright.
“You have investigated me, so you should know that I am the first female physician in Chang’an City.”
I have a talent for medicine, and I am particularly adept at it. I even became an apprentice of the former head of the Imperial Medical Bureau to learn acupuncture.
I have some influence with the medical alliance and even some officials in the Imperial Medical Bureau. Not to mention, I am the only female doctor. I have not only treated the county princess, but I have also met the princess of the prefecture.
Although my Li family is not as noble and prominent as yours, I am still someone whom others would greet with respect.
They would never disrespect me simply because I am their daughter.
Song Zhenzhu's expression became somewhat blank. She vaguely understood that what Li Sanniang was saying was very important, but she didn't know why.
"Therefore, I am able to make my own marriage arrangements after the divorce."
My parents love me dearly and only allow me to make my own decisions. They only wish for my peace and happiness.
And my decision for myself is that I will never remarry!
I am satisfied with my current life. I work in the clinic, relieving patients' pain and earning a salary.
I live in a house, and my dewdrops are right beside me, I can see them every day.
My parents, my elder brother and sister-in-law, and my nephews all love and cherish me.
This is the good life I've been dreaming of. Why am I so desperate to find a man, marry him, and leave my family, my dear?
If the Langxu family doesn't allow me to come out and work, wouldn't I be unable to even be a doctor?
What's the point of living that way, wearing gold and silver, eating and drinking in luxury?
Li San Niang's words made Song Zhenzhu's head visibly swell, and her brows furrowed so deeply they reached the top of her forehead.
Every word Li San Niang said was completely at odds with what Song Zhenzhu had heard from her mother and grandmother since childhood; in fact, they were practically irreconcilable.
Li San Niang only talked about "how I am, what I want to do, and what I can do," while Song Zhenzhu, from a young age, listened to what the female elders in her family said: "You will only do this or that after you find a good husband, marry into a good family, and give birth to a son for them."
Relying on oneself versus depending on others is a fundamental difference.
In a daze, Song Zhenzhu felt that what Li Sanniang said made sense, but she also felt that what her own mother and grandmother said seemed to be right as well.
Seeing Song Zhenzhu's bewildered expression, Li Sanniang smiled, picked up her teacup, took a sip, and gave Song Zhenzhu ample time to react.
Actually, apart from Qiu Xiang, even the maid standing behind Song Zhenzhu was somewhat puzzled.
However, the girl's face showed a thoughtful expression.
Although this girl was born into a family, her mother was a woman who managed Song Zhenzhu's affairs on the estate, so she had some knowledge.
The old woman once told the maid, "You must remember, a man who can't earn money and can't support his children is better off without."
For a woman to marry a man is nothing more than having food and clothing.
"If I'm going to follow a good-for-nothing, I might as well go out and earn my own living on my own."
Qiu Xiang, who grew up with a group of shady characters with warped values, couldn't understand why noble ladies like Song Zhenzhu thought that marrying a man and spending her life confined to the backyard to bear children and manage household chores was a great thing.
Even if those noble ladies had some free time and could go out to ride horses or stroll through the market, they still lost the freedom they originally had.
Qiu Xiang was used to being wild, and if she couldn't find a man who was just as "wild" as her, she would never be able to start a family with someone.
"You...you're right, really, I don't know how to say it, but it's not quite right."
Is there any woman in this world who doesn't seek a husband?
Even princesses marry twice or three times, let alone a commoner like you!
Song Zhenzhu seized on Li Sanniang's identity as a pretext, as if she had finally found a reason to use as leverage against Li Sanniang.
Li San Niang didn't care about Song Zhenzhu's two innocuous words. She just shook her head, smiled, and said, "I'm not saying this to persuade you, but simply to let you know that I have no intention of remarrying."
Whether it's Xu Sanlang or any other man, I will not marry him.
If Madam Song is truly interested in Third Master Xu, it would be better for her to exert her efforts on him than to try and win him over.
Besides, although I have no interest in Xu Sanlang, I have to admit that Xu Sanlang is first-rate in terms of appearance, family background, and character.
"Since Lady Song has taken a liking to such a fine young man, tell me, how could other noble ladies of similar or even more powerful and prestigious families not be interested in Third Young Master Xu?"
Li San Niang raised an eyebrow and said to Song Zhenzhu with a hint of schadenfreude, "You, you really picked the wrong person."
You should be worrying about the other noble ladies in Chang'an, not wasting your time on me!
After saying this, Li San Niang got up, bowed to Song Zhenzhu, and took her leave. "I have to be on duty this afternoon, so I won't say any more to Madam Song."
I'll come and bother you again another day.
Song Zhenzhu was about to get up to return the greeting when she was stunned by Li Sanniang's words. Why was she coming to visit?
Song Zhenzhu panicked, "I kept my search for Li Sanniang a secret from my mother. Oh no, is Li Sanniang going to come to my mother's house to complain about me?!"
Song Zhenzhu said in a panic, "Come to my door? There's no need for that. We've already talked a lot today. If you still have something to say, I'll come find you next time."
Li San Niang shook her head, insisting that Song Zhenzhu leave her address, saying that she would send Song Zhenzhu a visiting card in advance next time she visited.
Under Li San Niang's insistence, Song Zhenzhu had no choice but to leave the Song family's address and saw Li San Niang off with trepidation.
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