Su Xiaoqi did not escort the women back to their respective residences after bringing them out. Instead, she led them out of the city through the south gate and headed towards Liuyuan. She hoped to give everyone some time to buffer and process everything there.
The ladies had been awake for some time, but their heads were still dizzy from the bumpy carriage ride. They looked around at the unfamiliar scenery with blank expressions. However, they recognized Su Xiaoqi when they saw her. They had at least seen her in the main hall earlier.
"Eh, what happened to us just now?" someone asked.
Wen Ruohua replied, "Master Kongshan was a bad person." Su Xiaoqi had woken her up first and had already explained everything to her. She had also witnessed Shen Yun and his group dealing with those four lecherous monks. Therefore, she was fairly knowledgeable about the matter and proceeded to explain it to everyone from the beginning.
Upon hearing about the wicked deeds of Kongshan and his group, all seven ladies fell silent. After a while, the timid and timid ones began to cry softly, filled with lingering fear. They thought about how if Su Xiaoqi hadn't intervened in time today, they would have been bullied by those lecherous monks, and might have even ended up pregnant with their children. In such a case, their reputations would be completely ruined, and they would have no way to live.
For a moment, everyone crowded around Su Xiaoqi, their eyes shining as they stared at her. This was to express their gratitude and also to hope that she would not reveal their visit to that place. Su Xiaoqi immediately nodded solemnly, indicating that she felt the same way. She deeply understood how strict the requirements were for women in this era. Even if none of them were violated by Kongshan and his companions, the mere rumor of their contact with Kongshan would be enough to bring them unwarranted disaster.
This was why she had not sent them back to their respective homes immediately after rescuing them, but had specifically detoured to bring them to Liuyuan in the southern suburbs. Her intention was for everyone to rest here for a while, have a good spa treatment, eat and drink, and then say that they did not go to Huangjue Temple today but had received her invitation to Liuyuan.
Among these noble ladies, some came from humble backgrounds, while others were of noble birth. However, without exception, their husbands were powerful figures in the current court. Su Xiaoqi recognized the wives of vice ministers from the Six Ministries, as well as the wife of a temple superintendent like Madam Li. There was even a young madam from a Shangshu's mansion.
They had been terrified to death initially, but after Su Xiaoqi's comfort and her reasonable arrangements and explanations, they felt slightly relieved. Seeing that they had all composed themselves, Su Xiaoqi then led them to a private room. She did not arrange for any attendants but had prepared plenty of exquisite pastries and various delicious teas for them to rest.
After all the attendants had left, Wen Ruohua was the first to react. She pulled Madam Li forward and bowed to Su Xiaoqi to thank her, "Thank you, Madam Shen." She felt incredibly fortunate to have brought Su Xiaoqi with her today. Otherwise, she would have been completely ruined. Not only would she be ruined, but her two daughters, her husband's family, and her maternal family would all be disgraced. She herself would undoubtedly commit suicide due to the humiliation. Therefore, Su Xiaoqi had not only saved her but her entire family.
Wen Ruohua's words brought everyone back from their fear, and they repeatedly curtsied to Su Xiaoqi. At this moment, there was no distinction of status, only deep gratitude and a sense of wronged helplessness lingering in their souls. Su Xiaoqi looked at each of them, dressed in fine clothes and adorned with jewelry, yet all of them had been married for many years without giving birth to children, or without giving birth to sons. A complex emotion welled up within her.
What could she say? This was not modern times; it was still deeply patriarchal. This was the tragedy of this era. She could not preach advanced ideas to them. All she could do was ask Wen Ruohua to extend her hand. "I once studied medicine in Bashu. If you don't mind, I can take a look for you." She wasn't doing this to help Wen Ruohua have a son. She was just curious. It had been eight years since Wen Ruohua gave birth to her twin daughters. Logically, with her and He Qiumiao actively trying to conceive, she should have had another child by now. Yet, she hadn't for so many years. The fact that she could get pregnant but didn't must be related to some problem with her body.
Indeed, as soon as Su Xiaoqi placed her hand on Wen Ruohua's wrist, she discovered the problem. "Madam He..." Wen Ruohua quickly said, "Xiaoqi, you are a few years younger than me. If you don't mind, you can call me 'Ruohua.' I've made a friend in you." Su Xiaoqi smiled and graciously accepted, "Sister Hua, have you had a doctor examine your body?" Wen Ruohua nodded and said that of course, she had. After all, since she could give birth to twin daughters, no one doubted her fertility. However, not having conceived for years meant that the problem must have arisen mid-way. "What did the doctor say?" Wen Ruohua recalled what the doctor who frequently took her pulse had said, "Doctor Liu said that because I gave birth to twins, my body was injured. Furthermore, my body was not properly regulated, and there was cold in my uterus, which is why I haven't been able to conceive."
Su Xiaoqi shook her head and frowned. "Your body was indeed injured from giving birth to twins, but after so many years, it has actually recovered. The cold in your uterus is due to a medicine you have been taking." "What? I, what medicine have I been taking?" Wen Ruohua was completely bewildered by Su Xiaoqi. Su Xiaoqi stated directly that based on her pulse, the cold in her uterus was related to something she had consumed, not something that naturally occurred in her uterus.
Thinking of the hidden schemes among the wives and concubines in the inner court, Su Xiaoqi tentatively asked her how many concubines she had in her household. "Concubines, no, none," Wen Ruohua replied. Her relationship with He Qiumiao had always been very deep. He Qiumiao was her father's student, and they had known each other since they were young. After they grew up, her father arranged for their marriage, and they were childhood sweethearts. In the beginning, He Qiumiao was solely focused on his studies. Later, after becoming an official, he was devoted to his duties. Moreover, as soon as she married, she gave birth to twins. Although they were daughters, He Qiumiao doted on them dearly, personally teaching them to read and write, and was no different from a doting father at home. Whatever his daughters wanted, he would find a way to get them, even the stars from the sky. Therefore, he was very indifferent to concubines. Furthermore, as they were married in the capital, any objections from the elders in Mianzhou City were beyond their reach. Hence, even though Wen Ruohua had only given birth to daughters, she had not faced much criticism in the first eight years.
However, in recent years, the main branch of the He family had been sending people to urge them, saying that He Qiumiao was the eldest son of the He family and would inherit the lineage. As the matriarch of the lineage, she could not be without a son to support her. He Qiumiao also could not be without a son to carry on the family line. The main branch had even sent several beautiful maids to their residence, but because He Qiumiao was unwilling to take concubines, they were used as maids. She even brought one with her today when she went out. He Qiumiao did not want to upset her, and she did not want to make things difficult for He Qiumiao, which was why she desperately sought help from Kongshan in her distress.
Su Xiaoqi hesitated for a moment and said, "You should check your daily food intake." Su Xiaoqi's implication was that someone had deliberately tampered with her food. Wen Ruohua's expression became serious, and her mind quickly replayed who among those around her might be causing trouble. Madam Li, who was beside her, said, "Madam Shen is right. Not long ago, I heard from the wife of a familiar official from the Dali Temple's Left Shaoqing that they were investigating a case. A maid, in order to climb the social ladder and become a concubine, had been giving her mistress infertility herbs for over ten years. Later, by chance, she was diagnosed by a divine doctor, and that's how the matter was discovered. Later, she was beaten to death with sticks." These words caused Wen Ruohua's mind to race even faster.
After a while, Wen Ruohua pursed her lips and bowed to Su Xiaoqi, her expression returning to normal. Seeing her expression, Su Xiaoqi knew she must have had an idea, so she didn't say anything further. She had already pointed it out, and what she did next was up to her.