Chapter 421 Vested Interests
As the sun set, Li Erlang emerged from the examination hall.
As soon as Fu came out, Li Erlang, who was carrying a basket, saw his brother Li Er standing not far away.
"Let's go home. I've asked the driver to stop the car up ahead."
Li Erxiong took the basket from Li Erlang and said this with a smile.
"Hey, Second Uncle, I'm a little hungry. Let's go home early. My mother must have made something delicious."
When the two returned to the Li family home by car, sure enough, Sister-in-law Li had prepared several dishes, including a fish soup, which was Li Erlang's favorite.
"I bought it at the morning market. They said it was fresh fish caught from the river. This bowl was specially reserved for you, and I added extra salt."
Sister-in-law Li invited Li Erlang to sit down and drink fish soup. Judging from the expression on Li Erlang's face, she knew that the exam must have gone well.
"The question wasn't difficult; they probably were afraid of not being able to select someone who was an expert in this field, which gave me an opportunity."
"I think I should be able to pass the exam." Li Erlang said this to the Li family only after he got home.
"No matter the outcome, you've been busy for so long, you should take a good rest these next few days." Li's mother looked at Li Erlang with concern, noticing the dark circles under his eyes.
After dinner, the family chatted for a few minutes and then dispersed.
After washing Lu Zhu'er's hands, face, and feet, and telling her a short story to lull her to sleep, Li San Niang graded two sets of homework for the midwives at the midwifery school by candlelight before finally getting into bed with the lampstand.
After blowing out the lamp, Li San Niang, who had been busy all day, closed her eyes but couldn't fall asleep.
My mind is full of this and that. One moment I'm thinking about how many of my patients haven't come for a follow-up visit in a long time, and I wonder how they are doing.
Then she started thinking about what to teach in the next lecture at the midwifery school and how to teach it.
They also had to consider the current situation of the Li family. Seeing that Li Dalang had been sent to the army, he would likely follow in his father's footsteps and become a military household, where he would make his way in the army.
As for Li Erlang, who just returned from the exam today, he has also found his path and seems to be heading towards officialdom.
As for Li Sanlang and Li Silang, they are still studying, so it's too early to talk about their future.
Li San Niang opened her eyes, looked at the roof beam, and thought that from now on, it would probably be her and her second brother Li who stayed with their parents.
Just as she was drifting off to sleep, Li Sanniang suddenly remembered what Dr. Liang had said to her and the young boy from Shaoyang the night before.
"I sent your junior brother to take the physician exam under the alliance so that he could practice medicine in the community, improve his medical skills, and heal the sick and save lives."
Master, I have my own selfish reasons; I don't want him to go to the Imperial Medical Academy in the future.
Of the disciples I previously took on, five are now serving as officials in the branches of the Imperial Medical Bureau in various prefectures. Although they are my students, after so many years, I find it hard to believe that they have remained unchanged despite the ups and downs of their official careers.
Once you enter the Imperial Medical Bureau, you'll have a rank, which means you'll be an official.
I served as the head of the Imperial Medical Bureau in the palace for eight years. During those eight years, every morning when I woke up, I felt like my head and neck were still connected, and I would think, "I hope tomorrow will be the same."
The palace is too treacherous, with too many powerful figures. If you're not cunning enough, you're really not suited to become a royal physician.
Although I was targeted and dragged into the palace to detoxify the princess, the moment I returned to those high palace walls, my heart started pounding wildly.
Li San Niang understood from Dr. Liang's words how terrified Dr. Liang had been for the past month or so, leading the young boy from Shaoyang to detoxify Princess Taiping in the palace. He probably slept with one eye open at night.
As she thought about it, Li San Niang realized that she was not skilled enough and not capable enough.
She recalled how, during the Lantern Festival, when Di Renjie asked her to solve the case of Princess Taiping's disappearance, the Prince Xiang had him keep an eye on her and forced her to go along to help.
Everyone has a temper.
Being forced by power is a very unpleasant experience.
Thinking about how she should continue to work hard, practice medicine diligently, and do everything well, Li San Niang finally fell into a deep sleep.
After having a bizarre and fantastical dream all night, Li San Niang woke up early in the morning feeling little relief from her fatigue. Despite her drowsiness, she forced herself to get up.
They ran laps around the yard with Li Erlang and Li Sanlang, and then lifted the stone lock for a while.
A good doctor must have a good physique!
After Li San Niang and Qiu Xiang boarded the carriage of the Nineteenth to go on duty, at the beginning of the 9th hour, a determined-looking woman arrived at the Women's Assistance Association next to the Li Family Medical Hall.
Dan Niang finally came knocking. (Appears in Chapters 414-415)
"...That's how it is. Da Ya and I can no longer stay in the Sun family."
They didn't treat us mother and children like human beings at all. They were heartless and cruel. Their own children were willing to sell their own mother to such a filthy place for money.
I came to this women's support group on Dr. Li's advice, hoping they could give me some advice on how to successfully divorce Sun Dalang.
Seeing the troubled expressions on Li's mother's face, Dan Niang, who was already feeling heavy-hearted, felt even more distressed now.
However, Danniang thought that since she was already here, even if there was no other way, she had already said what she could and couldn't say.
“The Sun family is now treating me like livestock, and they've started thinking about selling Daya. I doubt they have any good intentions towards Erya and the other younger girls either.”
If I were to propose a divorce now, the Sun family would certainly refuse.
Even if I don't want the dowry and return the two taels of silver I originally paid as betrothal gifts, the Sun family definitely won't agree.
I'd rather spend money to buy peace of mind, but my health is failing me. The majority of what I've earned in Chang'an these past few years has gone to my mother-in-law.
After listening to what Dan Niang said, Li's mother pondered for a while. Dan Niang waited anxiously for a bit before Li's mother spoke: "Our alliance has connections with the three outer cities. There are plenty of jobs available. As long as you are quick and efficient, you can earn a little, but enough to fill your stomach."
However, this matter of divorce is not easy to handle.
Go to the teahouse at the end of the street across the street, find a Mr. He, tell him your problem, and see if he has any solutions.
Seeing the doubt on Dan Niang's face, Sister-in-law Li said directly, "Mr. He is the one in our neighborhood who writes letters for people. He is well-versed in the law. With his advice, your divorce will be more likely to go through."
Our Women's Assistance Association and Mr. He had agreed beforehand that we would go to him for advice on how to handle any problems that arose.
Don't worry, you won't need to pay anything.
After carefully asking for the address, Dan Niang carried her basket and headed towards that street.
After seeing Danniang off, Sister-in-law Li was truly shocked. She said to her mother and the others, "Although it is said that having a son is to carry on the family line, I have never heard of anyone selling their daughter!"
This isn't a natural disaster or famine; we're simply starving.
That's their own child, their own blood! How could they be so heartless as to sell them off!
Sister-in-law Li really couldn't understand it. Before she got married, when she was in the Jiang family, the sons and daughters were treated the same. There was no such thing as being good to the sons but mistreating the daughters.
When Sister-in-law Li married into the Li family, she met Li San Niang, who was then pampered and adored by Li's parents.
Even though Li San Niang took Lu Zhu'er home after their divorce, she didn't look down on her at all.
As the only daughter in the family, Dewdrop was loved by everyone in the Li family, from top to bottom.
"Sigh, it's just a matter of vested interests; they don't treat people like human beings."
Dan Niang is good at making money and working. If Da Ya and the other young girls are fed and raised, they can be sold for money, which is a good business.
"Once Mr. He has come up with a plan, we'll help in any way we can. After all, Dan Niang never intended to give up on her child."
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