The days when I was an obstetrician and gynecologist in Chang'an

Chapter 1002 What meaning do romantic love between men and women have in the face of national righteousness and lifelong aspirations?

(Thanks to reader 161113213457465 for casting 10 monthly tickets.)
Xu Jingzhen spoke from the bottom of his heart, his voice even becoming a little hoarse, "Back then you said you wanted to open up a new path for women and doctors. Although I felt that this path would be difficult, I knew that you were determined."

But I never imagined that decades later, you would actually achieve this!

Li San Niang smiled slightly, picked up the rough pottery teacup in front of her, took a sip of the slightly hot tea, and did not reply.

The hardships behind these achievements are beyond what outsiders can or need to be explained.

Xu Jingzhen also talked about himself.

The north wind at the border, the blood on the battlefield, the passing of comrades, and finally, after returning to Chang'an, the alienation and loneliness deep within the prosperity.

His mother had passed away several years ago, and his relationship with his elder brother had long since become lukewarm. A few years ago, in accordance with the clan's requirements, he adopted a son.

Now he lives alone, and although he has servants to take care of him, he finds it difficult to dispel the deep-seated loneliness in his bones.

“Sometimes when I wake up in the middle of the night, I think I am in Longyou and I can hear the sound of the Huqin.”

Xu Jingzhen looked up at the fine rain outside the pavilion, her eyes becoming somewhat unfocused.

I don't know who brought up the wine first.

Duo Shou then had his grandson bring over two jars of pear blossom liquor that had been buried underground for many years. After breaking the mud seal, the clear aroma of the liquor, mixed with the delicate fragrance of pear blossoms, instantly filled the damp air.

"This wine was buried back when Brother Fang was still alive."

Xu Jingzhen filled two large bowls, the amber-colored wine swirling in the coarse bowls. He said, "When the pear blossoms bloom next year, we will drink together again."

pity"

Xu Jingzhen's next words turned into a silent sigh.

Li San Niang and Xu Jingzhen picked up their bowls, tapped them together lightly, and then Xu Jingzhen tilted his head back and drank the wine in his bowl.

The liquor was spicy with a sweet aftertaste, just like their complex and indescribable emotions at that moment.

When wine enters the heart and sorrows, one becomes more talkative.

The two talked about many things from many years ago, about their first meeting at the Duke of Liang's mansion, about Xu Jingzhen's proposal to Li Sanniang, and about the important and regrettable moments in each other's lives.

As Xu Jingzhen spoke, his eyes reddened slightly. He looked at Li Sanniang and said in a low voice, "Sanniang, over the years, I have often thought of what Chengxian said to me when he was alive."

Li San Niang put down her wine bowl with some surprise and looked up.

"Hehe," Xu Jingzhen chuckled bitterly, then raised his bowl and drank the wine in it again before looking at Li Sanniang: "Back then, Chengxian told me that my marriage proposal was nothing but a pile of dog shit to you."

Haha, he said, how could I possibly want to confine you, Third Sister, to the backyard and make you my wife alone?
What I really wanted to do was to tear off your wings, Third Sister, so that you would become my wife alone and live off me alone in the future.

I said I wanted you to become just another ordinary person, like those girls I used to look down on the most.

As for the power of the eldest son of our duke's family, and what I said about one life, one love, one partner, it's all sugar laced with arsenic!

I am the despicable person Chengxian speaks of; I was merely selfishly trying to possess Li San Niangzi.

Hearing what Xu Jingzhen said, Li Sanniang was genuinely surprised.

She never expected that Fang Chengxian had seen through things so clearly back then.

Xu Jingzhen poured herself another full bowl of wine, her voice growing even lower as she looked at the contents. "Third Sister, do you know what Chengxian said to me back then?"

Li San Niang did not respond; she knew that Xu Jingzhen did not need her reply at this moment.

Sure enough, after pausing for two breaths, Xu Jingzhen spoke again: "Chengxian said that Li San Niangzi is a woman who is different from others!"
You won't be swayed by my face, my family background, or my promise of a lifetime of monogamy. You've always known what you want.

He said, "Jingzhen, just you wait and see, Li San Niangzi's future will definitely be even brighter."

"Haha," Li Sanniang laughed from the bottom of her heart when she heard Xu Jingzhen relay these words from the late Fang Chengxian.

She held the slightly cool wine bowl, looking at her fading reflection in it, and her mind was clear. She knew that Fang Chengxian was right!

She looked up at Xu Jingzhen; his eyes held regret, resentment, and affection.

Li San Niang suddenly raised her bowl and said to Xu Jingzhen, "Respectfully, Chengxian!"

After drinking the wine in her bowl, the lingering sweetness after the spiciness brought a tear to Li San Niang's eye. Seeing this, Xu Jingzhen, sitting opposite her, also finished his bowl of wine.

Looking at Xu Jingzhen like this, Li Sanniang suddenly felt an impulse. She really wanted to tell him a secret that she had kept in her heart for more than 20 years.

She wanted to tell him that she came from a completely different world, where women were free to study, work, and choose their own lives.

But the words stuck in her throat.

What good would telling him do?

Between them lies not only the passing years and differences in family background, but also two worldviews that cannot be reconciled.

If there is no fate, there is no fate.

Like two intersecting straight lines, after briefly meeting at a certain point, they are destined to go their separate ways to different destinations.

Being able to sit in this pavilion today, peacefully reminiscing about the past and drinking the same wine from back then, all because we've come to pay respects to our mutual friend Fang Chengxian, is an extra gift from fate, a precious connection worth cherishing.

Having figured all this out, Li Sanniang picked up the wine jar, filled Xu Jingzhen's cup, and then filled her own. She raised her bowl, a relieved and gentle smile on her face: "Third Master, the past is like smoke, there's no need to mention it again."

This bowl of wine is offered to Chengxian, to the Qingming rain, and to our rare reunion.

Xu Jingzhen was stunned for a moment, looking into Li Sanniang's clear and firm eyes. There was concern, understanding, and emotion in them, but not the kind of romantic love he had been hoping for.

The last embers of resentment in his heart seemed to be completely extinguished by the Qingming rain.

He got it.

Xu Jingzhen took a deep breath, suppressing the lump in her throat, and raised her bowl, forcing a smile: "Good! To Chengxian, to this rain, to our reunion!"

The two bowls clinked together, making a crisp sound.

They both drank it all again.

Two jars of pear blossom wine gradually emptied amidst this lingering reminiscence and tacit silence.

The rain stopped sometime ago, and sunlight peeked through the gaps in the clouds, casting a hazy glow on the wet courtyard and the white pear petals.

Li San Niang stood up and straightened her slightly wrinkled robes: "It's getting late, I should go back."

Xu Jingzhen also stood up, her body swaying slightly, a result of the alcohol and the turmoil in her heart.

"I send you."

"No need."

Li San Niang shook her head, her tone gentle yet firm, "Xu San Lang Jun, let's part ways here."

Li San Niang walked out of the courtyard and did not look back.

The bluestone path gleamed after being washed by the rain, and the air was crisp and clear.

Li San Niang walked steadily, step by step.

Her heart was naturally not without turmoil, but after that turmoil came a broader tranquility.

Some things should never be said.

Some people are destined to accompany you only for a short while.

If there is no fate, you cannot force it.

To be friends in this life, to share a cup of wine in remembrance during the Qingming Festival rain, is already a blessing in life.

She raised her head and looked in the direction of Chang'an.

The sky after the rain was crystal clear.

Her journey is still ahead.

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