Exile with Storage Space: Family Fortunes in the Barren Lands-Chapter 686 - 639: Let’s See How Second Lady Lou Pleads with Her (1)
Li Yuzhu laughed and said, "This was made by Yuanxiu."
Mu Yuanxiu, with his skillful hands, crafted two sets of pearl hairpins and a pair of earrings in just one night.
Li Yu En, holding the jewelry bought by Lou Chengye, compared it with Li Yuzhu’s and laughed, "The ones bought from jewelry shops outside can’t compare to Yuanxiu’s craftsmanship."
Liu Er Niu and Liu San Niu also laughed and praised Mu Yuanxiu’s skill.
Li Yuzhu adorned herself with the jewelry and jokingly said, "Don’t praise too much, or he might get arrogant."
The sisters got ready and headed to the Lou Mansion together.
Today was a gathering for the ladies only; Mu Yuanxiu, who wasn’t invited, went with Li Xingsheng to the government office for business.
At Li Xingsheng’s Military Affairs Department, Lou Chengye was also working.
Lou Chengye had achieved merits twice in succession and was being cultivated by the Prefect Lou.
Prefect Lou asked him to quickly familiarize himself with the various affairs of the Six Ministries: personnel, households, rituals, military, justice, and public works.
Fortunately, it wasn’t about learning the classic essays; Lou Chengye could barely accept this assignment.
Upon arriving at the back of the Lou Mansion, Li Yuzhu saw that a dozen ladies from outside prefectures were already there.
Among them were elderly women in their fifties or sixties and young, unmarried girls in their teens.
Seeing Li Yu En leading a charming young lady, they all looked at her in surprise.
This young lady resembled Li Yu En but was even more stunning.
Li Yu En’s looks were serene and harmonious, with an unassuming soft beauty.
Li Yuzhu’s appearance was friendly too, but her features were more alluring.
As they approached, Li Yu En introduced, "This is my third sister, you can call her Li San Niang."
The ladies were about to greet Li Yuzhu when Second Lady Lou smiled slightly and interjected, "This Li San Niang is actually a doctor. If any of you have headaches or fevers, you can find her. As for the consultation fee, it’s negotiable."
Li Yuzhu lifted her eyes, wondering if Second Lady Lou was interesting for speaking up for her voluntarily?
Selling her skills as a favor? Second Lady Lou knows how to be sociable.
But they seemed unfamiliar.
She recalled the day she first arrived at the Lou Mansion, Second Lady Lou had tried to trip her up.
Li Yu En glanced lightly at Second Lady Lou, "Second sister-in-law, my third sister doesn’t treat minor ailments anymore. She said if she treated even minor illnesses, she’d be taking away the livelihood of other doctors. She only treats what others can’t, those with one foot in the grave. In my opinion, I hope none of you will need my third sister’s services in your lifetime."
The ladies exchanged awkward glances, "That’s right, Fifth Lady."
Second Lady Lou’s expression turned embarrassingly unsightly, "Oh, is that so? Then wouldn’t Li San Niang’s income be nonexistent? After all, not many people get seriously ill, right?"
She smiled softly.
Li Yuzhu smiled, "Not all of my family’s income relies on my medical skills."
"So, you mean San Niang’s husband is a wealthy man, so she doesn’t need to earn income by treating people?" Second Lady Lou smiled softly.
Was this sarcastic about Mu Yuanxiu being supported by Li Yuzhu?
Li Yu En couldn’t bear it any longer, her expression turning cold.
When Mu Yuanxiu, Li Yuzhu’s husband, was mentioned, everyone became curious about what kind of person he was, looking expectantly at Li Yuzhu.
Li Yuzhu smiled slightly, "We, as a couple, don’t seek great wealth but a lifetime without illness or disaster. We aren’t worried about food or drink; whether he’s rich or not doesn’t matter."
Li Yu En smiled warmly, "My third sister is right. As long as they are worry-free, healthy, and loving, that’s enough. Money can’t be taken with us after a hundred years, right?"
A widow and another woman who lost her only son in middle age both sighed together, "Li San Niang and Fifth Lady are right, in this life, what use is money? Being healthy and disaster-free is true fortune."
The widow had her husband as an imperial official, who suddenly contracted a severe illness at the height of his career and died within half a year. The middle-aged woman lost her only son, but fortunately, her daughter-in-law had a child, making her later years more bearable.
Both families were wealthy, but not complete.
Li Yuzhu and Li Yu En’s notion of being disaster-free deeply touched them.
They fell silent together.
Seeing the two elder ladies quiet, the other younger ones promptly shifted the topic.
Second Lady Lou found her attempt futile.
Fortunately, at this moment, Lady Lou and Lady Lou, along with several other Lou Family Ladies, arrived with other guests.
The Second Lady Lou immediately stepped forward to greet them.
In the crisp autumn air, the Lou Family garden was adorned with early-blooming golden osmanthus and autumn begonias.
The garden was a sea of flowers, with fragrance wafting throughout.
Lady Lou called upon Li Yu En and Lady Lou to graciously entertain Li Yuzhu.
She was even more enthusiastic towards Li Yuzhu than a few days ago.
Just as Li Yuzhu and Li Yu En were puzzling over the situation, Lady Lou took Li Yuzhu’s hand and began to praise her to the other women, "You may not know yet, but my fifth daughter’s sister-in-law is quite capable. She will surely bring great fortune to our Zhen An Prefecture in the future."
Everyone, hearing Lady Lou speak so, began to praise Li Yuzhu together.
Someone asked, "Lady Lou, what is the fortune you speak of?"
Lady Lou then spoke of Li Yuzhu’s act of teaching the midwives in the city the art of childbirth for free.
One woman immediately said, "Ah, I heard it too. My family’s steward’s brother’s niece had a difficult labor, it was a breech birth, and the midwife did not dare deliver the child. It was only with Li San Niang’s guidance that the child was successfully born, and now mother and child are both safe."
Another woman said, "I heard that Li San Niang cured a mother and child who were on the brink of death due to difficult labor. Now the mother is in good health, and I heard the child is on the way to recovery as well."
Li Yuzhu said, "The child is at my home, needing continuous care for at least seven days to be out of danger. Judging by the situation, they could return home in two more days."
Everyone marveled together, "That’s wonderful news."
Lady Lou praised Li Yuzhu, and among these people, some genuinely appreciated Li Yuzhu’s teaching of the childbirth techniques. After all, they were all women, concerned about childbirth matters, whether for their daughters-in-law, daughters, or themselves.
Some were insincere, reluctant to speak against Lady Lou to her face.
Everyone praised Li Yuzhu, commending Lady Lou for having such a good relative, which made Lady Lou quite proud and even more amicable towards Li Yuzhu.
At this flower-viewing banquet, Li Yuzhu unexpectedly became the main attraction.
The Second Lady Lou inwardly chuckled, thinking everyone was just flattering Li Yuzhu to save face for her mother-in-law. A young woman, even younger than herself, was being praised as if she were a famed doctor.
The banquet ended amid laughter.
Li Yuzhu returned to the Li Mansion and immediately went to check on the infant being monitored at home.
The infant had been taken off the oxygen tube and was now able to breathe on its own, though it still needed to be observed for two more days.
The child’s grandmother and maternal grandmother, who were caring for the child, saw the baby’s daily improvement and continuously expressed gratitude upon seeing Li Yuzhu.
.
Early the following morning, just as daylight peeked out, Liu Jinbao’s voice called out from downstairs, "Li San Niang, Li San Niang! Someone urgently needs to see you."
Li Yuzhu was woken up, yawning as she sat up.
Mu Yuanxiu opened the door, walked out to the corridor, and asked over the railing, "Who is it? What’s the matter?"
"It’s the maid from the Lou Family’s Second Lady, asking for Li San Niang. She said it was urgent." Liu Jinbao replied, "Judging by her tone, she seemed very anxious."
Coming to find someone at such an early hour without explanation surely indicated an urgent matter.
Mu Yuanxiu said, "Please wait a moment, I’ll go urge San Niang."
He returned to the bedroom, and Li Yuzhu was already dressing. She chuckled, "What a surprise, that the Second Lady Lou is seeking me out."
The arrogant woman who always looked down on her, perhaps found herself with a sickness no one else could cure?
"It’s still not fully light, should I accompany you?" Mu Yuanxiu began putting on his outer garments as well.
Li Yuzhu waved her hand, "Going to the Lou Mansion isn’t like going somewhere unfamiliar. You don’t need to accompany me. Soon, second brother will need your help, so go assist him. The Second Lady Lou is probably seeking me out for a woman’s ailment, which you wouldn’t be able to help with."
Nevertheless, Mu Yuanxiu escorted Li Yuzhu to the gate of the Lou Mansion’s inner courtyard.
Li Yuzhu followed the maid of the Second Lady Lou, hurrying into the mansion.
As they walked, she asked the maid, "What urgent matter does your Second Lady have for me?"
"It’s not the Second Lady, but her younger brother’s wife from her maiden family. She’s five months pregnant. A few days ago, her stomach started to feel uncomfortable, and the doctor said it could be fetal movement, so he prescribed medicine to secure the fetus. But after taking the medicine, the abdominal pain didn’t improve and instead worsened. Sometimes she felt chills, sometimes warmth, and experienced vomiting, with the pain coming in waves. The family was very worried. They heard that Li San Niang could cure difficult ailments, so they came to our Second Lady, who sent me to invite Li San Niang."
Li Yuzhu chuckled inwardly to herself, it seems that this Second Lady Lou still needed her help. She was curious to see how the proud Second Lady Lou would humbly seek her out for a consultation.
When they reached the courtyard where the Second Lady Lou resided, a maid guarding the door called out "Li San Niang" and quickly ran inside to relay the message, "Second Lady, Li San Niang has arrived."
The Second Lady Lou swiftly came out from the house, her usual arrogance gone, she nodded at Li Yuzhu with an embarrassed look, "Li San Niang."
