The physician quickly arrived. After examining her pulse, he shook his head, "The child is gone."
Lin Ruixue's eyes welled up with tears, her face pale and lifeless.
Sensing the somber atmosphere, Physician Mo coughed lightly. "My condolences. There was nothing that could be done. Li Shan's wife, your body is severely depleted. This pregnancy was never stable from the start. From your pulse, it appears you are suffering from deep-seated grief. Take my advice, nothing is more important than your own health. You are still young, take care of yourself, and you can have more children. I'll prescribe you some medicine to expel the lochia, and I'll leave you some astragalus and angelica for replenishing qi and blood. Add them to your soup instead of taking medicine."
Lin Ruixue remained motionless. Qi Zhenzhen ushered Physician Mo out, paid the consultation and medicine fees.
Physician Mo was quite curious. With the New Year approaching, why was Li Shan's wife staying at the Qi family's? It seemed inauspicious for her to be there after a miscarriage. Moreover, where was Li Shan? Shouldn't he be by his wife's side at a time like this?
"Physician Mo, is it alright to add wild ginseng slices to the stew?" Qi Zhenzhen asked.
Physician Mo nodded. "She is currently deficient in qi. Too much would be detrimental, but a small amount is acceptable."
Qi Zhenzhen saw the physician out and then went to the Song family's. They didn't raise chickens, but a hen would be best for a nourishing soup.
Upon hearing Qi Zhenzhen's words, Madam Yu was greatly surprised. After a word with Grandma Song, she went to the coop and caught a hen. Together with Qi Zhenzhen, she headed to the Qi family's.
"I just don't understand. Was Li Shan's brain kicked by a donkey or filled with water? Ruixue is such a good wife, and he just decides to abandon her. And that Bai Xuelian, what's so great about her? She looks so timid, and her eyes dart around as if she's always scheming. Why would he go through all this for her?"
Qi Zhenzhen shook her head. "Auntie, if I don't understand things you don't, how can I possibly understand this?"
Madam Yu chuckled sheepishly. "Look at me, treating you like an adult. I should be discussing this with your mother."
Upon arriving at the Qi family's, Madam Yu went inside to comfort Lin Ruixue, while Qi Zhenzhen efficiently slaughtered the chicken, plucked its feathers, chopped it up, and began stewing the soup.
"Aunt Zhenzhen." Li Hu, his face grim, squatted in front of Qi Zhenzhen.
This matter was between Li Shan and Lin Ruixue, but it had also deeply hurt Li Hu. He used to see his parents as loving, but now he saw them as estranged. His father had a new love, and his mother had miscarried. His mother had even asked him before if he preferred a younger brother or sister. He wanted a little sister, whom he could care for and protect. But now, the little sister was gone.
He could understand what the physician had said. Deep-seated grief meant having worries that couldn't be resolved.
"What's wrong, Hu Zi?"
"Will my mother be alright?"
His mother's face was ashen. She didn't respond when anyone spoke, just lying there, devoid of life.
There is no greater sorrow than a heart that has died. He had read that in a book. His mother was probably like that now. He was afraid she wouldn't be able to let go, afraid she would abandon him.
"Don't worry, your mother will be fine. She still has you, and for you, she will get better," Qi Zhenzhen comforted Li Hu. "Also, trust your mother. She's not a weak person. She will handle this situation very well. Furthermore, this is between your mother and your father. You shouldn't bear the burden of it."
Since moving to the Qi family's, Qi Zhenzhen hadn't seen Li Hu smile. He should be a carefree child, but he was as deep and serious as an old man. The fault lay with Li Shan. If Li Hu carried this hatred forever, how heavy would his life be?
"Your mother is a good woman. It's your father's loss to give her up. Don't worry, someone better will be waiting for your mother. As for your father, Hu Zi, let's make a bet. There will be a time when he regrets this," Qi Zhenzhen said earnestly.
It wasn't that she was deliberately cursing Li Shan, but Bai Xuelian was clearly not a settled person. She had taken a liking to Li Shan only because of his profitable kimchi business. Now that she had disrupted the kimchi business, it wouldn't be so easy for Li Shan to make money. Bai Xuelian was willingly following Li Shan now simply because she knew he had saved up money. But living off savings would eventually deplete them.
"You, on the other hand, study hard. When you become successful, he will regret it even more. Punishing someone doesn't always have to be immediate or involve violence. Making him live in regret is, in a way, a cruel punishment. As long as he is alive, he will be immersed in regret," Qi Zhenzhen patiently explained. "Therefore, the highest form of punishment is to live a better life than him."
Li Hu nodded. Although he was a bit confused, he mostly understood. If he became successful, his mother would live well, and his father would not.
"Good boy, stay here at Aunt Zhenzhen's house with peace of mind. From now on, we are a family. You and Yi Ge'er must study hard. This household of women will depend on you two young men to protect them in the future," Qi Zhenzhen patted Li Hu's shoulder.
Li Hu's eyes gradually brightened. Sometimes, simple comfort had no effect, but setting a goal was different. He would strive and move forward continuously for that goal.
The chicken soup had stewed for over an hour, its rich aroma mingling with a faint medicinal scent. Qi Zhenzhen skimmed off the excess oil, added some noodles, and cooked them until they were soft. She then ladled the soup with noodles and meat into a large bowl and brought it to Lin Ruixue's room.
Madam Yu and Madam Yun were still trying to counsel Lin Ruixue, but she remained the same, her face and eyes filled with despair.
Qi Zhenzhen placed the bowl on the kang table and pulled Li Hu closer.
"Sister Ruixue, if you were alone, it would be alright to grieve for as long as you wished. But you still have Hu Zi. Seeing you like this, Hu Zi is very scared. He's afraid you'll both abandon him," Qi Zhenzhen said softly. "I know you're hurting, but you have to come out of this yourself. No one else can help you. Li Shan is at home with his new darling, and you're here half-dead. Do you really want Li Shan to see you like this and feel sorry for you?"
Lin Ruixue suddenly sat up, her eyes red. "I don't care for his pity."
Qi Zhenzhen quickly pushed Li Hu forward. Li Hu called out to his mother with a choked sob.
Lin Ruixue hugged Li Hu and cried, sobbing for about fifteen minutes before gradually calming down.
Qi Zhenzhen handed her a warm towel. "Sister Ruixue, wipe your face. If you can come to terms with this, your future days will only get better. You have Hu Zi, and you have us. From now on, we are a family."
Lin Ruixue nodded heavily.
Madam Yu and Madam Yun exchanged glances. They had been talking until their mouths were dry, but Lin Ruixue hadn't reacted at all. After just a few words from Zhenzhen, she had hit a nerve. In this situation, crying and releasing her emotions would be better. Otherwise, bottling it up would surely lead to illness.