Chapter 273 The Gears of Fate
Li San Niang didn't know what "left a name above" meant.
However, as things stand, whatever it means doesn't affect what Li San Niang is going to do, so it doesn't matter. If she leaves a name, she leaves a name; whether it's good or bad, she can only accept it.
After the two finished talking, they debated for a while about what to do next. Before nightfall, Li San Niang went to see Jiu Niang.
After taking her pulse, Li San Niang pressed on Jiu Niang's instep. Each press left a small dent, indicating severe edema.
"I need to control my water intake; it's putting a lot of strain on my body, and my kidneys are already struggling to function properly."
Li San Niang said this to Song Yulang, who was standing to the side holding a bowl of sweet dumplings.
Faced with Li San Niang's suggestion, Song Yulang picked up the spoon and ate two mouthfuls from the bowl: "I dare not give any to Jiu Niang, I've already eaten it myself."
Li San Niang used a cushion to elevate Jiu Niang's feet, gave her a few more instructions, and then withdrew.
After leaving the house, Li San Niang returned to the room where she had discussed matters with Mr. Bu Ke. After waiting for a while, Qi Zhi Die and Song Yu Lang arrived.
"This is the only way for now. We have to make sure the baby stays in the womb for at least nine months. Otherwise, even if we force the baby to be born, there is a high probability that the baby will not survive."
Starting next month, I will be giving Jiu Niang medicine. It's medicine to help the child absorb nutrients, and Jiu Niang's pain will only be more severe than it is now. You'd better be prepared.”
Qi Zhidie's tears were unstoppable, but this silent weeping was the most heartbreaking.
Li San Niang had said all sorts of nice and harsh things, and really didn't know how to comfort her, so she remained silent and simply patted Qi Zhi Die's arm to comfort her.
...
The next evening, after finishing her shift and returning home, Li San Niang and Lu Zhu'er had a sweet kiss. Watching Lu Zhu'er happily eating the meat-filled fried bun, she thought to herself, no wonder all mothers are so attached to their children. This child is so sweet and lovely, how could they not miss her?
"Sister-in-law, I bought a lot. Please save two for my brother so he can have some when he comes back tonight."
Sister-in-law Li picked out two of the dozen or so meat-filled sesame seed cakes that Li San Niang had bought, and put them separately in the steamer, to save for Brother Li to use when he came back at night.
Taking advantage of this brief moment, Li San Niang spoke with her mother, Li Da Sao, and Li Er Sao, who was holding Xiao Wu Lang, about what she had discussed with Mr. Bu Ke at Shi Hua Lou the previous night.
"...That's right. I agreed to write down the method and give it to them. Once their brewing and sheep-raising businesses are up and running, they can give priority to members of our Women's Assistance Association."
Now, apart from the midwife's exam in ten days, everything else can be connected.
If Mother has some free time, she might visit the orphanage. The women, children, and elderly there can all join our association. This would not only give them a way to make a living, but it would also be a help to us.”
After thinking it over, Li's mother felt that since Li San Niang had already gotten involved with the Bad Guys, she couldn't let her lose face.
"I was thinking that when I get back, I'll go with your eldest and second sisters-in-law to talk to Dr. Gao, the family of the scholar you saved, your uncle, and Madam Qian."
This is considered as giving face to those in higher positions.
In the meantime, I talked to the midwives I knew and asked them to put in a good word for me; that should be fine.
Finally, let's announce this in the streets again: next time your second brother brings your second sister-in-law back to Wu Family Village, let Wu Village Chief help mediate. Within a month, quite a few people should be coming to our family's alliance."
Li San Niang nodded repeatedly as she listened: "Mother is indeed wise and experienced. With such a well-thought-out plan, what else could I possibly worry about?"
From now on, we'll rely on my mother and my two sisters-in-law!
Regardless of what happens to this alliance in the future, I believe this is a great act of merit. Since we have the ability, let's do it. Whether it's good or bad afterward, justice will prevail.
In the following days, the women of the Li family were extremely busy, and even their precious daughter, Luzhu, spent these days either with her second brother Li or with her father at home.
Brother Li also had to take care of his little darling, Xiao Wulang. Fortunately, Brother Li was very skilled at taking care of children, and Sister-in-law Li also cared about her little boy. Whenever she had to go out, she would rush back to feed him.
Li Sanniang was busy with her shifts during the day, and when she came back from her shifts, she would stay up late in the side hall, burning the midnight oil and using up a lot of paper, trying her best to write about the smallpox vaccination as perfectly as possible.
Because she wanted to do this well, Li San Niang even made things more difficult for herself. She wrote ten questions and ten answers about finding sick cows, extracting cowpox, and subsequent human trials. She added her own drama by setting up questions and then answering them herself.
These past few days, Li's mother has been taking Li's eldest sister-in-law and second sister-in-law back and forth. Fortunately, Li's third sister-in-law's shift starts early and ends late, so the family can still use the 19-minute car. Otherwise, given how busy Li's mother is, it would probably be better to hire a separate car for them.
During this time, Wu Qiaolan and Bao Ya, who were staying at the Li family's house, were of great help. Li's father and second brother were always busy with the clinic and medicine cabinet, so Bao Ya, the little adult, acted as the guardian of Lu Zhu'er and Xiao Wulang.
Wu Qiaolan also took the initiative to help with cooking and washing, which was a great help to Li's mother, sister-in-law Li, and sister-in-law Li.
In the meantime, Li San Niang also thought of Shen Qiu Niang and Tuva Lai, as well as their half-brother, Bai Zi Yi, a Hu person.
Through Shen Qiuniang's connection, Li Sanniang wanted Bai Ziyi to see if they could trade sheep from the Western Regions. In that case, besides the byproduct of sheep gut, wool, cashmere, sheepskin, and mutton could all be traded.
However, due to being busy for several days, Dr. Liang had some complaints.
"My child, you can't learn this acupuncture technique by working on it sporadically. This medical skill is like rowing against the current; if you don't advance, you fall behind."
I know you're busy with important matters, but since you've started learning acupuncture from me, you can't afford to waste a single day."
Li Sanniang listened attentively to the reprimand, but seeing the smug smile on the face of the young boy from Shaoyang behind her, she really wanted to flick him on the head.
Thanks to the hard work of Li's mother and the others, in the past few days, not only did Qian Niangzi bring Qian Xiaolang to the Li family, but also Qiu Niangzi, who had been taking orders from Li San Niang, and Song Saozi, who had always been jealous of Li Er Sao's good fortune, also came to the Li family's door with a basket of steamed cakes.
"Lan Niang, what kind of people does your 'Mother-in-Law Support Association' take in? Do you think I, a widow, am qualified to take in a young woman?"
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