The Great Doctor and the Noble Lady 074, Seeking a Child (One more update, seeking votes, please give me your support!)

  Aunt Peach?

  Lianyi didn't recall who Tao Niang was for a moment, and it wasn't until she thought about it calmly for a minute that she suddenly realized, it was the concubine who had sent her jewelry.

  On that day, Mrs. Li held a banquet to entertain her and sent a box of silver, while Tao's wife also sent a box of jewelry, showing that her status in the backyard of the Li Mansion was comparable to that of Mrs. Li, what can be called?

  Following the maid into the backyard, turning left and right in the flower clusters and tree forests, I finally saw a unique courtyard in a secluded place called Peach Blossom Courtyard.

  The various courtyards in the Li Mansion are all named after flowers, which is elegant and refined, easy to pronounce, unlike the bookish and pedantic names of other aristocratic families, but rather has a concise and practical purpose like that of merchants.

  There were many people waiting in the Taohua Courtyard, and when Su Liuliang arrived, they all hurried to make way for him with great respect.

  "Has Lianyu sister arrived? Let me wait." From a distance, I heard Tao Niang's gentle and charming tone, pulling the relationship, and in this short while, Su Lianyu became her sister.

  Lianyi's expression didn't change, but alarm bells rang in her heart. She became extremely cautious, fearing that if Tao Niang wasn't careful, she would drag her into the whirlpool of infighting in the Li family's backyard.

  Actually, Su Liangwei was overthinking, and Taoyi asked her to come for a reason, what reason?

  On a sweltering summer day, Aunt Peach's house had all its windows and doors wide open, with thin gauze floating in the air, complemented by exquisite household items, like a dream.

  Taoyi Niang wore a pink satin dress with silver small flowers, looking lovely and affectionate. She sat lazily on the small couch, letting Linxi sit on the other side, a typical close distance between them. The maids brought up fragrant tea and seasonal fresh fruit, and then were chased out by the head maid.

  Is this meant to make her speak well of him in front of Old Master Li? Lianyi couldn't help but think to herself.

  The aunt first gazed at the ripples for a long time, then smiled sweetly, "The maids all said that you and I look very similar, I thought they were just trying to please me, but now that I take a closer look, it's really true, we do look about 70 or 80 percent alike."

  When said by Taoyi Niang, Lianyi also curiously looked at the other party, surprised, it was indeed as she said. Upon closer inspection, ignoring the eye makeup, the two were quite alike. "Taoyi Niang is joking, how can I, Lianyi, be as beautiful as you?"

  "Taoyi Niang's fragrance wafts, a smile that gives birth to a hundred charms. 'Don't keep calling me Taoyi Niang one mouthful at a time, let's get familiar, since you're younger than me, just call me Taoyi Jiejie (older sister) instead.' I heard from the maidservants that Lianyi Mei (younger sister) is getting married?"

  She was startled and jumped, she didn't want to be inexplicably pulled into the strange cycle of conflict. Mrs. Li was the mother of Li Yutang, and Li Yutang now gnashed his teeth at her. If Mrs. Li also hated her, wouldn't Li Yutang tear her apart? She wasn't afraid of Li Yutang, but she was in the light while he was in the dark, playing a sinister game that made it impossible to defend against.

  Hurriedly declining, "How can this be? What about your status then, let's just call you Aunt Peach instead." Politely declining.

  "Alright, let's just listen to your sister then. Whatever you call him is fine, it's just a title." Taoyi Niang placed her hand on Lingling's, "Your sister's husband, what kind of person is he?" She asked knowingly.

  Lianyi quietly withdrew her hand and picked up the tea bowl. "He's a bit introverted, doesn't like to talk, typical rural man."

  "Taoyi naturally learned about those rumors from the maid, and she asked this only to bring up the following topic: 'Lianyi has been married for almost a year now, but there's still no sign of pregnancy?'"

  "...Lian Wei was speechless, why did everyone care whether she was pregnant or not? Su Lao Die's anxiety is understandable, but what does this unrelated Tao Niang have to be concerned about? "Lian Wei is still young and not ready to be a mother yet, so let's just wait for now."

  "Of course, little sister is still young, no need to rush. Ah... unfortunately, big sister's age is advanced, but the belly hasn't moved yet, it's really worrying." As she spoke, her two eyebrows slightly furrowed.

  Ripples calmly, this must be her goal. "Maybe it's just that fate hasn't arrived yet." Ripples said lightly.

  "Put down your tea bowl, sister. As women, you should be able to understand my troubles. Now that there are no outsiders in the house, I'll speak plainly. That box of jewelry, worth at least a thousand taels of silver, was part of my dowry. I'm giving it to you, not to compete with the mistress for attention, but because I truly want to give it to you."

  Lian Yu was shocked, a thousand taels!? She put down her tea cup. "Aunt Peach, Lian Yu is uneducated and doesn't know that the gift is so valuable. I absolutely cannot accept it. Tomorrow, I will personally return it?"

  Aunt Taohua suppressed her charming smile and turned serious. "How can something that's been given away be taken back? Don't try to decline, sister. You deserve the thousand taels of gifts, if not for anything else, then for saving Master from his predicament."

  The word "back" is profound, it can be seen that Taoniang had already made preparations for Master Li's departure to the West.

  Ripples smiled and lowered her eyes. "A nobleman like you must have a good destiny, what danger could there be?"

  "What my sister said is just fooling the ignorant women, I was born as a legitimate daughter of a merchant family, from a young age I have been in contact with the harsh realities of life. As for Father's condition, I am naturally clear about it, and if Father were to suddenly pass away, my future fate would also be clear."

  Because of Aunt Peach's words, the room suddenly fell silent, and the hypocritical politeness disappeared, replaced by sadness.

  Ripples momentarily fell silent, lowering her eyes, not knowing what to say next. Sympathizing with Tao Niang, also sympathizing with the women of this feudal society, if there were no children under their knees and they themselves were concubines, without the favor and protection of men, their future fate would likely be very tragic, especially for a favored concubine like Tao Niang.

  Su Lianyi didn't know what her future fate would be, but one thing was certain: if she couldn't find someone to truly love and cherish for a lifetime, she would rather remain unmarried forever, choosing to shatter like jade than become whole like pottery.

  "My sister is a clever person. Sister said that by now, you should know the reason why I came to find you." Taoyi's voice was calm and devoid of her usual gentleness.

  Lianyi nodded, "Lianyi understands, but since Taoniang is a clever person, we won't speak in riddles. For the Li family, Lianyi is an outsider, past, present and future, so some disputes, Lianyi will automatically keep a distance to avoid suspicion."

  The aunt said yes.

  Ripples saw that she had made a promise, and her heart was at ease. Originally thought that Aunt Peach would let her say some good words in front of Old Master Li, but now thinking carefully, with the degree of favoritism Aunt Peach received, it's not necessary for her to speak up in front of Old Master Li, what Aunt Peach needs is not pampering, but a child.

  "I won't take your pulse," Ling asked, "I suppose Aunt Peach has seen many doctors before, what did they say?"

  "Initially, it was just a chill, then I took some medicinal soup and recovered after a year. Since then, there have been no other symptoms. Now, I'm in good health, but still, there's no news... for seven whole years."

  Lianyi nodded, "Seven years, no wonder Taoyi was in such a hurry."

  Infertility is difficult to conceive, but there are many types of infertility.

  "Nowadays, apart from your wife having children, don't the other wives have any either?" Ling asked.

  Aunt Peach's face didn't look good, she slowly shook her head, "No."

  Su Lian suddenly realized, her face changed, could it be that Mrs. Li had made a move? Although she didn't understand the struggles between women, in modern TV dramas, it was often written that the empress would use all sorts of sinister means to prevent other women from getting pregnant.

  Tao Niangniang guessed Su Lianwei's suspicion and lowered her voice, "Taohua Courtyard, I'm well-prepared."

  Lianyi nodded, pointing to the incense burner beside her. "From now on, try to use less incense and incense powder. In order to make the fragrance last longer, some musk is usually added, although not much, but it's still not conducive to getting pregnant." Musk has the effect of promoting blood circulation and inducing labor, even modern women who have used perfume containing musk for a long time may find it difficult to get pregnant, and severe cases can lead to miscarriage.

  The aunt hastily nodded her head.

  "How's your period? Is it regular? Is the flow heavy or light and how many days does it last?" Ling asked.

  The previous question about Aunt Peach's menstrual period had been asked before, but the latter one was asked for the first time, and it was a bit embarrassing. "Very accurate, quantity... uh... okay, each time is about 5 to 6 days."

  "Are you having menstrual cramps?"

  "It doesn't hurt."

  "Do you have a feeling of heaviness in your lower abdomen?"

  "I won't."

  "How is your leukorrhea?"

  "What is a white band?" asked Taoyi Niang, puzzled.

  After Su Lianwei's detailed explanation, Taoyi's face turned bright red and she was so embarrassed that she couldn't speak for half a day. These were all women's private matters, which even her own mother wouldn't mention, yet Su Lianwei asked about them so bluntly.

  "Must...you ask this?" Madam Taohua's voice was very soft.

  Lianyi thought for a moment, "It's best to answer, some gynecological diseases have the most intuitive reactions such as leukorrhea, menstruation and abdominal pain." In fact, she didn't quite understand either, after all, she wasn't working in obstetrics and gynecology.

  "It's... normal." Tao Niang replied.

  There is some worry and bitterness, no B ultrasound, no hysteroscopy, and only through these clinical experiences can be judged. Generally, infertility is mostly due to fallopian tube blockage, most of which are accompanied by abdominal pain and irregular menstruation, of course, there are also some that are asymptomatic.

  Thinking of what's coming next, even Su Lianying felt a bit embarrassed, "That month, how many times did Old Master Li come to Peach Blossom Courtyard?"

  "Alas, a month here would mean staying for half a month. The old master has been very good to me, but since his recovery, he took back all the businesses from Second Master and became even busier. Although I stay for half a month, we actually... uh... share the same room only once or twice."

  It suddenly dawned on me, so that's how it is. Li Lao Ye was already old to begin with, and naturally his vitality couldn't compare to a young man. Plus, the number of times they did it was limited, so it would be strange if she got pregnant.

  "Alright, Aunt Peach, you take note: first calculate the next menstrual period and then count back fourteen days. During these few days, try your best to have intercourse; on other days, it doesn't matter if you don't." Those are the days when women ovulate, which can increase fertility.

  "Ah, I see." Peach Aunt's face turned slightly red as she took note.

  "Can Mr. Li eat yam?" asked Lianyi.

  "How was your meal?"

  "In the few days before you prepare for a house, it's best to eat more yams, cook them in different ways, and make soup. Grinding into powder and stewing is also good." Yams can enhance male vitality.

  "All right, I've taken note of it." Peach Aunt nodded.

  "Can you eat black beans?" Ling asked again.

  "Grandma Tao nodded, 'Food.'"

  "Grind black beans into a paste and drink it daily, once in the morning and once at night." Black bean paste promotes female hormone secretion.

  "Alright, got it." Tao Niang secretly remembered.

  Lianyi paused for a moment, thought for a while, and lowered her voice, "Every time after making love, use a clean handkerchief to wrap it into a strip and stuff it in. Although this trick has no scientific basis, it can't be wasted. Using it is better than not using it."

  Tao's face turned completely red, for the first time discussing such a deep topic with someone, she hastily nodded, "I know."

  Su Lianwei finished what she had to say and prepared to take her leave, this Peach Blossom Courtyard couldn't be stayed in for long, even if she didn't "rely on" Peach Madam, it would still raise Li Furen's suspicions, she must avoid suspicion.

  Tao Yiniang was also a clever person, and she saw that Su Liangyu didn't want to be drawn into the infighting in the Li family's backyard. So she didn't stay long either, wanting to send something over but being politely declined by Su Liangyu. She could only personally see her out of the courtyard, quietly pondering what Su Liangyu had said.

  Ripples left the courtyard, refusing the maid sent by Peach Blossom Courtyard, hoping that Mrs. Li wouldn't notice her, and quickly walked towards the front gate, wanting to leave this place of gossip and trouble. But some things aren't so easily avoided just because she wanted to hide. Not far ahead, a woman approached her with a smile, who was it if not Liu's mother?

  Ripples in his heart cried out that it was not good. Mrs. Liu represented Mrs. Li, and she must have learned the news since entering Peach Blossom Temple.

  "Long time no see, how have you been lately, Mrs. Liu?" Liangliang immediately smiled and greeted her proactively.

  Liu's mother also smiled, "Just now I was chatting with the lady and mentioned you, and here you are running into us as soon as we step out. Hurry up and go sit with the lady for a bit, she's been thinking about you for several days."

  Ripples of annoyance, what's the point of going out? Obviously, I've been waiting for a long time, can't refuse, had to follow Liu mom. Once again, I felt the troubles of the backyard of a wealthy family, vowed that my own fate must be grasped, and never fell to this extent.

  Su Lianwei and Liu's mother can also be considered "comrades-in-arms". The two of them chatted intimately as they walked side by side, at least on the surface it looked pretty good.

  Mrs. Li's courtyard was called Peony Garden, which means the leader of a group of flowers. The house is more magnificent and there are more maids.

  But no matter how much more it means, it is still a golden cage, unable to escape the fate of being "luxuriously confined".

  Unlike the light gauze canopy in Taoyi's room, Mrs. Li's house was filled with expensive sandalwood furniture, dark in tone but elegant and dignified, everywhere showing off her status.

  Mrs. Li's attire was also like this, a dark brown satin long skirt, with purple red peonies on it, and gold thread embroidered at the collar and cuffs, the dark brown and gold belonged to the same color system, giving people a sense of dignity.

  Mrs. Li did not have a sisterly relationship with Tao's wife, but instead used her seniority to show kindness, after all, at her age, she was old enough to be Su Lianying's mother, in short, it was about what Su Lianying had done at the Peach Blossom Temple.

  Su Lianying was straightforward and said that Taoyi Niang was asking for a child, but she herself had no solution. The more she hid, the more suspicious it seemed, so speaking directly would clear up the suspicion and avoid "taking sides". Su Lianying admitted she wasn't an expert at playing tricks, and now only wanted to protect herself.

  Mrs. Li had informants at Ta Niang's place and knew that Su Lianyi was not lying, so the smile on her face became more sincere. "Speaking of children, Lianyi, although you are still young, you should also consider it. I have two sons and two daughters, all born when I was young. It's even harder for women to get pregnant as they get older, let alone after they lose their youth and beauty, men often prefer new people." As she spoke, her eyes became melancholy.

  Lianyi nodded, "Thank you, madam, for your concern." But in her heart, she thought, she would never marry a man with three wives and four concubines, no matter if he was a king or a general. What she wanted was one life, one love, just the two of them, even if they were poor, she would be content.

  Mrs. Li suddenly changed her tone, "I heard your husband was arranged by your father, rather than your own wish?"

  Lian Yu thought of denying it, but then remembered how she had chased after Li Yutang, the second son of the Li family, and swallowed her words. "Well, I'm not afraid of being laughed at by you, madam. At first, I was unwilling, but as time passed, I developed feelings for him too. Now, I'm very satisfied with my current life, it's down-to-earth."

  Although Su Liangwei spoke sincerely, Mrs. Li did not believe her and thought she was just trying to comfort herself after failing to win over her son. "This grand mansion may look luxurious, but it's actually cold and lonely, with no one to share the joys and sorrows."

  "...tearfully laughed and cried, never mind, just let her be out of reach."

  She chatted with Mrs. Li for a while, and perhaps because of the affair with Tao's wife, she could clearly feel the decline and dullness of Mrs. Li's mood. As a wife, not being able to see her husband normally, but still having to show off her magnanimity all the time, how could this life be comfortable?

  As Mrs. Li said, one knows it in their own heart whether they are warm or cold.

  Lianyi listened to Mrs. Li's words, but her heart was not pleasant. They were all women, and she could fully understand Mrs. Li's worries.

  Mrs. Li was perhaps a beauty in her youth, but now, despite being well-maintained, the sagging of her skin and the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes are quite evident. If not compared to that Peach Auntie, she could win with her elegant demeanor, but in front of that charming and intimidating Peach Auntie, she was completely overshadowed.

  "Madam, whether a woman is young or not depends on her skin. If her skin is tight, she can look many years younger."

  Mrs. Li was taken aback for a moment, then delighted. "If Miss Lian says so, there must be a way."

  Lianyi nodded, "Yes, I've heard of a method, but haven't tried it before. I'll think of a way to experiment with it later, and if it's effective, I'll give it to the madam." Since he had helped Peach Auntie, he naturally also wanted to help Madam Li once, seeking balance.

  Mrs. Li was overjoyed, her eyes wide with excitement. "If that's the case, I must express my deepest gratitude."

  Lianyi smiled and shook her head, "If the lady likes it, giving it to her is fine, what's there to thank? We've chatted for so long, I suppose the lady must be tired too."

  "Ah, yes, Lianwei is indeed considerate. I suppose the Su family's winery is busy too, so I won't keep you chatting for long. Next time when you have time, come to the manor and let's have a good chat."

  "All right, I'll come again next time to trouble you, madam." Lianning smiled and politely declined Liu's mother's offer to see her off. She left the Li residence alone and rode a donkey cart to the winery.

  It wasn't until they left Yiwang County that Lianyi finally let out a sigh of relief. Today was not the day to come to this troublesome Li Manor, what a regret.

  Su Lianwei never expected that this conversation would lead to a decision by Mrs. Li, and in the not-too-distant future, a series of events related to Lianwei's marriage would unfold, but those are stories for later.

  Digression

  I'll update 5,000 words first. Time is running out. It's really annoying to have a man at home, constantly interrupting my thoughts. But since it's 5,000 words, I don't want to ask for monthly tickets, so I plan to update again later. The word count should also be around 5,000. For those who sleep early, please don't wait up, you can read it tomorrow morning!

  This month, Ya Tou wants to be on the monthly ticket chart, please help vote! Thanks to yinerr for 21 votes (scared me to death), bai tian hei tian (7 votes) bu chi yu mao er (1 vote) tinalinda (1 vote) yjzc999 (1 vote) mi duo duo 6688 (1 vote) yun qing (2 votes) yi tu yu 007 (1 vote), thank you!