"Miss, Doctor Du has arrived."
Zijuan arrived just in time, and Xiangwan quickly had someone invite him over to take Yuan Xiqing's pulse.
"Madam, have you been taking your pregnancy-preserving medicine on time?" Doctor Du asked cautiously after taking her pulse.
“Our aunt has been getting her medicine according to your prescription and has been taking it on time,” Ah Hong, Yuan Xiqing’s maid, hurriedly said.
“That’s strange…” Doctor Du frowned.
"Dr. Du, I'm fine. I'll take my medicine on time, no need for you to worry," Yuan Xiqing politely declined.
"Since everything is alright, Xiao Liu, take Doctor Du back to the clinic."
Cao Xinqian clearly did not welcome Du Wei staying here.
Something was amiss; Du Wei sensed something was wrong as soon as he entered. He also wanted to leave as soon as possible to avoid getting involved in unnecessary trouble.
Since we've already come all this way, wouldn't it be a waste of our feelings to just leave like this?
"Wait, now that Doctor Du is here, please treat us all. If we're sick, we'll get treatment; if we're not, it'll put our minds at ease. Father, you wouldn't refuse such a small request, would you?"
As she spoke, Xiang Wan stretched out her arm, signaling Du Wei to take her pulse.
She was well aware of her health condition. Sure enough, after a short while, Du Wei told her that she was fine and just needed to eat more warm and nourishing foods.
Cao Ruwan took Xiang Wan's pulse after Du Wei, but Du Wei took a little longer to take her pulse and looked at Cao Ruwan with a very strange expression.
"This young lady seems to be somewhat unable to tolerate strong tonics. She must eat a light diet for the next few days and adjust her diet before taking her pulse again."
Under Du Wei's gaze, Cao Ruwan blushed slightly, then curtsied and thanked him.
The two young ladies have already had their pulses checked; now it's Ji Meiniang's turn.
Xiang Wan had considered asking a doctor to examine Ji Meiniang, but there was nothing wrong with her, and Cao Xinqian wouldn't agree to it even if she wanted to, let alone if she did.
The Cao family always consulted Dr. Ji Xian from Sheng Yi Tang for medical treatment; it was Dr. Ji who treated Yuan Xiqing at noon. Ji Meiniang trusted him quite a bit. When Xiang Wan transmigrated, if Dr. Ji Xian hadn't been away from Sheng Yi Tang and if Zijuan hadn't been so anxious to find a doctor, Du Wei wouldn't have been invited to the Cao family.
Therefore, when Xiang Wan looked at Ji Meiniang expectantly, her expression was one of reluctance. However, seeing that Cao Xinqian hadn't even glanced at her, she stubbornly revealed her wrist.
Seeing her behavior, Xiang Wan sighed inwardly. It seemed that Ji Meiniang hadn't completely given up on Cao Xinqian.
Du Wei felt her pulse, his brow furrowed. After a long while, he asked Ji Meiniang to extend her other wrist.
"Dr. Du, how is my mother's health? Is she overworked and lacking energy?"
Xiang Wan was certain that Du Wei wouldn't be able to detect her true pulse, but as long as Ji Meiniang became suspicious of her physical condition, that would be enough.
Du Wei examined Ji Meiniang's complexion carefully again, then stood up and said, "Madam is well, but her pulse... seems a bit off, perhaps beyond my capabilities. If Madam is unwell, I hope you will seek another expert. Farewell!"
After saying that, he picked up his medical kit and ran out without looking back, as if someone was chasing him. He didn't even take the consultation fee that Xiang Wan had asked Zijuan to give him.
"Hmph, quack doctor. He couldn't even diagnose a pregnant woman like Xiqing, but he says there's something wrong with a healthy person. From now on, don't invite people like this into the manor again."
Cao Xinqian looked displeased, and also annoyed with Du Wei for ruining his good opportunity to write the letter of divorce.
“Cao Xinqian, I’m fine, why are you so angry? Even your precious daughter said it was an accident, what more do you want? If you take this to the ancestral hall, I can charge you with favoring your concubine over your wife and have the elders punish you. Enough is enough, I’m not someone you can bully. Wang Ma, let’s go.”
As Ji Meiniang spoke, she got up and walked towards the main courtyard, ignoring the large group of people who had fallen behind her.
This swift and decisive action infuriated Cao Xinqian. He was furious that Ji Meiniang disregarded his dignity, and at the same time, he cursed Cao Ruwan for being spineless, completely severing ties with Ji Meiniang with just a few words.
Xiang Wan didn't pay attention to what happened to them afterward. She simply had dinner quietly with Ji Meiniang and then strolled around the courtyard with her to aid digestion.
The night was chilly, the moon was hidden behind the clouds, and even a thick cloak couldn't keep out the ever-present cold wind.
Xiang Wan's cheeks were freezing cold, and she couldn't help but reach out and rub her face.
Ji Meiniang looked up at the sky, remaining motionless for a long time. When Xiang Wan stood in front of her, she could hear her talking to herself.
"A woman's life is such that before marriage she relies on her parents, after marriage she relies on her husband, and in old age she relies on her children. Wan'er, do you think a woman's life is only about depending on others to survive?"
Of course not. Women have their own value, but the world severely limits their roles. Many women can support themselves, care for their parents, raise their children, and shoulder all the responsibilities of a family, while men are often relegated to a mere figurehead position and even dependent on women for survival. Yet, these women often suffer the injustices of fate; any mistake is blamed on them.
If one person can bear everything, why stay with another person and compromise?
Xiang Wan didn't say these things to Ji Meiniang. She believed that Ji Meiniang would eventually break free from worldly constraints, she just needed a catalyst.
The maid who bumped into Wang Ma was sold off by Cao Xinqian the next day, but was secretly bought back by Xiang Wan and given a job at Ji Meiniang's dowry estate.
After that night, Ji Meiniang taught Xiang Wan all her household management skills. However, Xiang Wan's mind was never on the inner courtyard of this mansion. After spending a few days sorting out the affairs of the inner courtyard, Xiang Wan persuaded Ji Meiniang to teach her how to manage the Cao family's businesses little by little.
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