Chapter 2: Discussion

Just as Li Dage had finished settling Luzhu’er on the edge of the bed, Li D嫂 (Li Dage’s wife) arrived at the doorway, just in time to steady Li Ersao, who was heavily pregnant.

As it happened, Li Ersao was the eldest granddaughter of Village Head Wu from Shili Slope, outside Chang’an City. Because Li Erge frequently traveled to the villages outside Chang’an to purchase medicinal herbs, he had come into contact with her over time. Once they reached the appropriate age, he begged Mother Li to hire an official matchmaker to propose, and thus they were joined in matrimony.

Li Erge already had two sons, and the child in Li Ersao’s womb was their third.

Li Sanniang straightened the tiger-head hat on Luzhu’er’s head and said to Li Ersao with a smile, "I’m sorry to trouble you, Ersao. You’re so far along, yet you still have to help look after Luzhu’er; it’s very inconvenient for you to be running back and forth. Once you give birth, I will certainly prepare a large red envelope for my little nephew."

Li D嫂 helped Li Ersao sit on a chair near the entrance. Li Ersao gently stroked her belly and smiled back at Li Sanniang, "That would be wonderful. I shall wait for your big red envelope, little sister."

After saying this, the two looked at each other and laughed.

Even D嫂 chimed in with a laugh, saying she would also give a big red envelope.

The group chatted idly about the new merchants from the Western Regions who had recently arrived at the West Market, and what kind of rare novelties they had brought.

No one dared to mention Wang Ziheng again, nor the things he had said about snatching Luzhu’er away, for fear of stirring up Li Sanniang’s emotions and causing some incident in her agitated state.

Whether it was due to the medicine she had taken or the buff provided by the system, Li Sanniang felt much better. Her headache was gone, and she had regained her strength. She refused Mother Li’s assistance, got off the bed on her own, took Luzhu’er by the hand, and walked over to Li Ersao. She crouched down and instructed Luzhu’er, "Luzhu’er, be a good girl and stay with your Second Aunt. Mother is going to help Grandmother and First Aunt make dinner. We’ll be eating soon."

Little Luzhu’er looked at Li Sanniang, nodded, and obediently leaned against Li Ersao.

Afterward, Li Dage went to the front medical hall to speak with Father Li and Li Erge, while Mother Li and the others went to the kitchen to prepare dinner.

Before dinner was ready, the children who studied at the Qinglian Academy in Siji Alley had already returned home.

As the sun set and the light faded, the Li family’s medical hall also began to close its shutters.

The Li family had many members, so they split into two tables for meals. Little Luzhu’er was still young, so she ate at the side with her mother, Li Sanniang, while the older children had their own table.

Li Dage and Li D嫂 had two sons, and with Li Erge and Li Ersao’s two sons, the four of them made a perfect table.

Since Emperor Wu ascended the throne, besides valuing agriculture, she had also been quite diligent in the education of the common people.

In Chang’an, literacy and etiquette were particularly prized, and many families sent their children to academies to learn to read and write.

The Li family sent all four young masters to the academy. First, because the family ran a medical hall, everyone had work to do, and leaving the boys unattended was a concern. Second, although children of commoners could not currently hold official rank, Emperor Wu had shown great regard for those from humble backgrounds and did not favor the aristocratic clans; it was possible the boys might have better prospects in the future, making literacy essential. Third, the Li family did not currently need the boys to go out and earn their keep, and Father Li always felt that learning more was never a mistake; furthermore, reading and writing laid a foundation for the boys to study medicine or martial arts later on.

It was precisely because of this that the household had no servants; after all, supporting four growing boys who did not produce income left no spare money.

This was why Li Ersao, despite being heavily pregnant and near her due date, still had to help look after little Luzhu’er.

After the meal, just as the leftovers were about to be cleared away, Li Sanniang stood up and looked at Father Li. "Father, I would like to discuss with everyone my plan to divorce and return home with Luzhu’er."

Father Li sat at the head of the table, stroking his beard, and nodded for her to continue.

The bowls and plates from the children’s table were quickly cleared to the kitchen by the four boys, and the adult table was also swiftly tidied by D嫂 and Li Sanniang.

Everyone moved to the main hall. Li Sanniang brought out the dried wild chrysanthemums that Li Ersao’s family had sent the previous year, brewed a pot of tea, and carried it to the hall, pouring a cup for each of the adults.

While brewing the tea, Li Sanniang felt a moment of daze. This was where history had taken a turn.

Logically, the Great Tang of this era should not have clear-brewed tea; it should have been boiled with salt, ginger, and mint.

Li Dan should have ascended the throne as Emperor Ruizong, with Empress Wu holding power.

But history had veered off course here.

In Li Sanniang’s memories, Emperor Wu had ascended the throne when she was seven. There was no mention of Li Dan; the country was still called the Great Tang, but the era name had been changed to the first year of Tianshou.

Judging by the various administrative measures of this Emperor Wu, the possibility that she was a transmigrator was extremely high.

Because she had taken the lead in drinking clear tea, and had introduced the use of beds, chairs, and stools, significantly reducing the need for kneeling, and she was a ruler with extremely high martial prowess—rumors in Chang’an said that several assassination attempts inside and outside the palace had failed.

She also hadn't killed her sons; Li Dan was alive and well, and still active in the imperial court.

However, in Li Sanniang’s childhood memories, there was a period when every household in Chang’an was trembling in fear, doors locked tight. Father Li rarely came home during that time, and Li Dage also seldom returned.

The memory was vivid because Li Erge’s second son was born then, and she had helped her mother boil water and sterilize scissors, with only Li Erge at home.

History had taken a turn, but for the current Li Sanniang, it was a good thing.

Since Emperor Wu’s ascension, the various edicts implemented had been beneficial to the people and to women.

For example, the edict of the first year of Changshou: due to changes in affection, both men and women could propose a divorce. If the woman returned home and the man consented, she could take her daughters with her to raise them. The father of the daughter could visit at any time, and he was required to pay the divorced woman a certain amount of money for the hardship of raising the child.

Why did Li Sanniang know this edict so clearly?

Because that year, Princess Cheng’an had gone to the palace, weeping and complaining that she was heartbroken because her husband favored his concubines, and she could no longer bear it.

Princess Cheng’an wanted to divorce her husband and return to her own princess mansion, and she also wanted to take back her only daughter, Princess Huaming.

But her husband and his clan refused, saying that although Princess Huaming was a girl, she was still of their family’s bloodline and could not be taken away.

After hearing this, Emperor Wu had waved her hand and issued this edict, allowing Princess Huaming to return to the princess mansion with her mother.

The incident had caused quite a stir, and for over a month, the streets and alleys of Chang’an, and even the Hu merchants in the East and West Markets, had been whispering about it.

Thus, everyone knew of this edict.

Father Li, sitting at the head, stirred his tea and said to Li Sanniang, "Sanniang, tell everyone what you are thinking. Don’t be afraid. Your eldest brother is a member of the Jinwu Guard, and your second brother and I are not fragile glass bottles. We Li family members are not the type to be bullied by others. Whatever you are thinking, just say it."

Li Sanniang picked up the still-warm teacup, took a sip, set it down, and picked up Luzhu’er, sitting her on her lap. She looked at Father and Mother Li at the head of the table, her brothers sitting below, and the children standing behind them. She gathered her thoughts and said firmly, "I am determined to divorce. I caught Wang Ziheng and his cousin in their shameful act, and I can no longer tolerate that family. The divorce itself is simple; I remember when Father taught me to read, he told me about the 'Household and Marriage Law' in the 'Tang Code.' As long as Wang Ziheng agrees, I can divorce. I can also take back my dowry."

At this point, Li Sanniang hugged Luzhu’er.

"But the trouble isn't the divorce itself; it’s that I want to take Luzhu’er home to raise her. No matter how little Wang Ziheng cares for Luzhu’er, she is still of the Wang family bloodline. Given the attitude of the Wang family’s eldest brother and Wang Ziheng today, I fear that taking Luzhu’er home will be extremely difficult."

"Little sister’s concerns are very reasonable. My position in the Jinwu Guard might carry some weight; it wouldn't be impossible to use that to pressure the Wang family."

"Eldest brother is right. The Wang family mainly deals in the apothecary business. We can make use of the new shop the eldest Wang son opened in the West Market."

Hearing her two brothers, Li Sanniang felt deeply moved. In this ancient feudal society, having brothers who loved their married sister so much was a blessing for the original Li Sanniang.

But while one could think this way, one could not act this way.

"Eldest brother and second brother’s suggestion is a method, but I don't think we should do it that way. Luzhu’er is, after all, of the Wang bloodline. If we truly threaten the Wang family, it might be a case of 'killing a thousand enemies while losing eight hundred of our own.'"

"I’ve been thinking: the Wang mother-in-law was never satisfied that I only gave birth to one daughter, Luzhu’er, in three years of marriage. She should be eager for me to divorce Wang Ziheng."

"With the precedent of Princess Cheng’an taking Princess Huaming after her divorce, I think if our family is firm and asks the neighborhood head to mediate, it should be possible for me to take Luzhu’er home."

"Most importantly, if I can get Wang Ziheng to sign a contract promising not to marry off Luzhu’er at will, I am willing to give up more of my dowry to the Ministry of Revenue as a guarantee, just to bring Luzhu’er home."

The children standing behind the adults listened to their aunt’s words and suddenly felt that the Wang family were not good people for bullying their little aunt so much.

Little Luzhu’er, nestled in Li Sanniang’s arms, had no idea that everyone was discussing her future.

"If it can be done, I will go to the government office to establish a female-headed household myself. I am willing to pay the guarantee set by the government!" Li Sanniang said calmly, holding Luzhu’er and watching her play with the ribbons on her skirt.

Hearing this, the other three women present opened their eyes wide in surprise. Although a female emperor was in power, establishing a female-headed household was not simple, and the guarantee alone was not something an ordinary woman could afford.

"Sanniang, it is too early to say such things. Father will go to the neighborhood head’s house tomorrow to ask about these matters. You must also notify the main branch about the divorce. Although the Li clan only has two branches left, your eldest uncle still has some standing here in Chang’an." After saying this, Father Li took another sip of chrysanthemum tea to soothe himself.

As he spoke, Father Li thought to himself that if Sanniang didn't want to remarry in the future, he could afford to support her at home, and Luzhu’er as well. At worst, he would leave her more money before he died.

Thinking of this, he stroked his beard and shook his head at Mother Li, signaling her not to worry, as he had a plan.

"Don't worry, little sister. Eldest brother and second brother will go to the Wang family tomorrow to test the waters. You and Luzhu’er stay home and rest; nothing is more important than your health." With that, the eldest brother looked at Father Li, who then dismissed everyone to rest, saying they would discuss tomorrow’s matters tomorrow.

Li Sanniang took Luzhu’er back to her maiden room, brushed her teeth with green salt, wiped her face, washed her feet, and tucked her into bed. She held the little one and closed her eyes, but her mind was replaying the events of the day.

In Li Sanniang’s memories, Chang’an had always been bustling, especially the East and West Markets.

But she could now confirm that this Chang’an was not the Chang’an of history, and this Great Tang was not the Great Tang of history. It was likely a parallel world changed by a predecessor who had transmigrated.

Thinking of this, Li Sanniang opened her eyes, looked at the bed curtains, and focused her consciousness on her "golden finger" system. She clicked on everything she could, called out "System" several times, but nothing unusual happened. Only then did she feel relieved, confirming that this system was not an AI with human-like intelligence as described in novels.

Immersing herself back into the memories of the original Li Sanniang, she was pleasantly surprised to find that the original owner actually knew how to take pulses and prescribe medicine!

The two sons and one daughter of the Li family, including Mother Li, had all been taught to read and write by Father Li. Because Li Sanniang was a late-born daughter, she had followed Father Li to the front hall since she was a child, watching him diagnose and treat patients, and had grown up memorizing the properties of herbs. She had some talent and had inherited about sixty or seventy percent of Father Li’s true skills. If it weren't for the imperial decree that women must marry by fifteen, Father Li would never have been willing to marry off this treasure.

Li Sanniang thought about the pulse-taking and medicine-prescribing, and she couldn't be happier!

The original owner knew Traditional Chinese Medicine, and with her own knowledge and experience in Western medicine, wouldn't she be a master of both?

The path ahead in the Great Tang: raising her baby, continuing to practice medicine, and shining bright!

The Li family had two sons and one daughter. Mother Li and her first husband, Sun Datou, had Li Dage. Mother Li later remarried Father Li and had one son and one daughter: Li Erge and Li Sanniang.

— Li Dage married Jiang Meihua and had two sons: Li Dalang and Li Erlang. Li Erge married Wu Lan and had three sons: Li Sanlang, Li Silang, and Little Wulang (born in Chapter 9). Li Sanniang married Wang Ziheng of the Wang family and had one daughter, nicknamed Luzhu’er, formal name Wang Wanlu. Li Sanniang later divorced Wang Ziheng (Chapter 3) and returned home with her daughter.

(End of chapter)