Chapter 525 The Life of a Young Woman
Life is like wheat in the field. From sprouting, taking root, and growing leaves, it will eventually grow into joints, ears, and grains, and become fruitful.
Life in Chang'an City was still as lively as ever. Iced drinks appeared on the streets, and ice bowls made from ice blocks stored from last winter were also being sold.
It's just that they're sold in all the major restaurants. Although they're not cheap, there's no shortage of rich people in Chang'an.
Other small and medium-sized shops that don't have a prestigious reputation simply sell drinks with a few pieces of ice added.
However, Li San Niang was willing to spend money. She ordered ten bowls of iced food at the restaurant. Although it was impossible for each member of the Li family to have a bowl, two or three people could share a bowl and have a taste of something new.
Since it was a cold food, Li San Niang only let Lu Zhu'er taste three or four bites before stopping her from eating any more.
"When the dewdrops get bigger, they can eat a few more bites."
Dewdrop's eyes were still fixed on the bowl of ice, but she didn't insist on eating more. She just sighed like a little adult, "Oh, Mother, I eat so much every day, why am I not growing taller?"
"Haha, we have to take it slow. It's always good to eat on time."
However, there was a bowl of ice in front of Li San Niang, but this bowl was much more exquisite than the one she bought in the restaurant.
Even before Li San Niang had tasted it, she could tell from the smell that it contained whipped cream, giving it a unique milky aroma.
Song Zhenzhu looked at Li Sanniang with a smug expression, "Doctor Li, please try this. It's my cook's specialty, and even the palace eats it this way."
Yes, Li San Niang sent a visiting card to Song Zhenzhu in advance and arranged a date to visit the Song family.
Logically speaking, given Li San Niang's status and her profession as a female doctor, she wouldn't usually gravitate towards other people's homes without permission.
The saying "a doctor doesn't knock on the door" perfectly illustrates this point.
However, firstly, Li San Niang's current status is no longer that of a lowly female doctor who can be bullied by everyone. At the very least, she is a useful female doctor recognized by the Imperial Medical Bureau and has some influence outside.
Therefore, when doing things, there are not as many concerns as before.
Secondly, Song Zhenzhu had repeatedly approached Li Sanniang about Xu Jingzhen's matter, and since Song Zhenzhu was in the wrong, she didn't dare to truly refuse Li Sanniang's requests.
Thirdly, doctors should have a compassionate heart. Since Song Zhenzhu had registered and come to see Li Sanniang for treatment that day, and Li Sanniang could also see that something was wrong, how could she really remain silent?
(Chapter 513 plot)
Of course, Li San Niang wasn't necessarily eager to be a saint. She had considered Song Zhenzhu's temperament and behavior, and figured that the Song family's upbringing seemed decent enough that they wouldn't be so easily angered as to take lives.
Furthermore, at this time, if a young woman has a physical ailment, like Sun Chunlan (Chapter 276, the Stone Woman), and remains unmarried at a certain age, her family will not only collect an extra amount of money similar to a "single tax," but neighbors, relatives, and even strangers will all ask, "Why isn't she married yet?" when they see a young woman in your family who is not yet of marriageable age.
Behind their backs, who knows what kind of slander and insults they might have made up?
Especially for daughters of high-ranking families, face is highly valued. In a patriarchal society, women are defined by only two values: one is the well-known sexual value, and the other is the value of procreation.
Of course, a career woman like Li San Niang wouldn't think that women are only like that.
But at this time, most men and women thought the same way: in the eyes of many noble families, the common people were just leeks that provided for their luxurious lives.
Among them, men, relying on their innate strength, could farm and fight, thus having a slightly higher status than women, but this was extremely limited, and they were ultimately both at the bottom of society.
In fact, some people in positions of power see them all as mere tools.
Yes, at this time, the mainstream culture of the Tang Dynasty was still open and inclusive, and the restrictions on women were not as severe as those in the Song, Ming, or even Qing Dynasties.
However, the primary prerequisite for remarrying twice or three times is that you must first marry once.
Emperor Wu was indeed powerful, ruling the world of the Tang Dynasty. However, there was only one Emperor Wu in the world. Moreover, even without the advantage of time travel, Emperor Wu was able to become emperor by relying on his husband's authority. It was on this basis that he achieved his ascension to the throne through favorable timing, location, and popular support.
According to official history, wasn't Emperor Wu forced to abdicate and return the throne to the Li Tang dynasty in his later years?
Therefore, Li San Niang decided to go to Song Zhenzhu's house to tell Song Zhenzhu and her mother what she knew, to offer some advice, and to fulfill her duty as a doctor.
Furthermore, Song Zhenzhu's situation is not without room for improvement; there is a certain probability that she can marry, become pregnant, and give birth like a normal woman.
Li San Niang came to the door simply to remind them to be careful.
Don't let yourself end up unable to conceive and then keep trying to have children, wasting your life.
"Thank you so much, Madam Song. I have never tasted such delicious snacks before."
With a haughty expression, Song Zhenzhu saw that Li Sanniang liked it and was about to tell the maid to bring another bowl.
Li San Niang quickly stopped him, saying, "Although it tastes delicious, it's best for a young lady to eat less of cold foods."
Only then did Song Zhenzhu give up.
The two started chatting about this small thing and then moved on to the recent sweltering weather, discussing which fabrics are the lightest and coolest to wear in the summer.
"I didn't know there was such a fabric. That's great. I'll definitely go to the shop to take a look and make clothes for my son."
After drinking a cup of tea, Li San Niang felt that the pleasantries had been exchanged properly before turning the conversation to what she wanted to say.
"I wonder if Madam Song is at home?"
As a junior, I should extend my greetings to Madam Song upon arriving at your residence today.
Song Zhenzhu was speechless. First, she didn't expect that Li Sanniang would actually send a visiting card to her door, and now she didn't expect that Li Sanniang would actually want to see her mother!
"It's over, it's over, what should we do?"
Is Li San Niang going to tell my mother about me?
Really?
Really?
What should I do? If she complains to my mother, she'll definitely make me kneel in the ancestral hall.
Li San Niang couldn't help but find it amusing that Song Zhenzhu pretended not to care, but was actually twisting her dress so tightly that it looked like a pretzel.
However, Li San Niang still comforted Song Zhenzhu, saying, "Madam Song, there's no need to worry. The matter between us is only known between the two of us. I've come here today because I really have something I want to say to you, Madam Song. Please allow me to meet with you, Madam Song."
After Li San Niang said that, Song Zhenzhu's fear did not lessen at all. "If it's not this, what else could it be?"
Why would Li San Niang insist on seeing my mother, whom I've only met twice and who was the one who went to her house to visit?
When younger generations visit, they are expected to pay respects to their elders, but this is mostly the case in families related by marriage.
Li San Niang has no relation to the Song family and is merely a guest of Song Zhenzhu, so there's no need for her to act this way.
But since Li San Niang insisted, how could Song Zhenzhu really stop her from seeing anyone?
Therefore, a quarter of an hour later, Li San Niang followed Song Zhenzhu's footsteps and met Song Zhenzhu's mother, Madam Song, in the main hall of another courtyard.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com