Chapter 470 - Chapter 470: News and Thoughts
Chapter 470: News and Thoughts
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Lin Chai and Miss He were relieved to know Lin Chai was studying medicine under Su Wenxiu.
Miss He asked him why he had returned later than usual because she worried he had gone elsewhere after leaving the Su family’s house. She hoped her eldest son would be righteous. She did not want him to have wicked thoughts when studying medicine.
Still, she did not expect to hear such news from him. “Miss Su is looking for female apprentices? She’s also starting medical school?”
Miss He was stunned and suspected she had misheard him.
Lin Shu nodded. “That’s right, Mother. When Miss Su sets up the school, we’ll attend classes and learn things together, but when it comes to certain things about women’s anatomy, only the girls will be allowed to listen in.” Since this era was still conservative, Su Binglan considered many people’s thoughts and decided to do that. Nonetheless, it was necessary to accept female apprentices for this reason.
If these girls’ parents were open-minded, they would let their daughters learn, and if they did not want to send their daughters to medical school, they could choose not to.
Lin Shu did not think much about it and was quite happy he could have many more people to learn with. Moreover, they could listen to Su Binglan’s lectures and learn more medical knowledge.
He was excited just thinking about it, but he noticed something amiss with his mother’s expression and asked, “What’s wrong, Mother?”
Miss He sighed, “If you had a younger sister, I’d want her to learn medicine from Miss Su, too.’
‘I would want my daughter to learn from Miss Su if I had one. It would be good, even if she could learn just a little. Miss Su is my benefactor. I know my family wouldn’t be where we are without her.
‘Perhaps I would still be sick and weak, or we still can’t bear to feed our three children. Perhaps my body would’ve given out already, and I would’ve died just like that.’
Miss He was perturbed about Lin Chai and felt a lingering fear when she thought of her family’s past situation. However, her body had recovered, and Lin Chai stopped stuttering because of Su Binglan.
Moreover, Miss He was now working at the embroidery shop and even received more than one silver tael last month. Lin Chai could also work at the winery soon.
Meanwhile, her eldest son, Lin Shu, studied medicine with Su Wenxiu. Whenever Su Wenxiu gave consultations, Lin Shu would assist him. The family’s neighbors were envious because Lin Shu could learn medicine from Su Wenxiu.
Miss He felt proud when she thought of how successful her son would be in the future. Still, she wanted to have a daughter when she heard the news from her son.
‘If I had a daughter, I would let her learn from Miss Su.’
In the past, others said a woman without talents was virtuous, but Miss He felt that a girl with skills would live a good life. For example, many people working at the embroidery shop got hired because they knew how to sew and
embroider.
Therefore, one’s family’s conditions would be excellent if one had a skill. That was Miss He’s understanding.
Lin Shu said thoughtfully, “I want a sister, too. I’d treat her well, play with her, and teach her medicine.”
Miss He smiled gently after hearing her son’s words. Now that she was in good health, she should still be able to have children. Although she already had three sons, she genuinely wanted a daughter.
She knew women were capable and not inferior to men. ‘Just look at Miss Su. She has helped many people.’
Everyone working in the embroidery shop was grateful to Su Binglan from the bottom of their hearts.
News of Su Binglan looking for female apprentices to learn medicine quickly spread throughout Su Teng Village. Many thought it would be a great fortune if their children learned medicine from Su Binglan.
However, some also thought it would be bad for their reputation and harm their children if girls were to learn alongside boys. Therefore, they hesitated and waited to see what others would do.
Everyone considered whether or not they should send their daughters to study medicine.
Some felt that if their family’s conditions were good, it would be better if their daughters worked at the embroidery shop or tofu factory in the future.
Even if they could not get a job at the two places, the family could earn enough, prepare dowries, and marry off their daughters. They decided there was no need for their daughters to study medicine. Otherwise, they would not feel at ease if their daughters studied with boys.
Nonetheless, Su Binglan made it voluntary when recruiting females as medical apprentices. She did not force anyone to send their girls to study. Besides, she would only recruit ten girls.
Even if some were to send their daughters to study, Su Binglan might not choose them.
Li Dazhuang and Li Erying returned home at the same time at night. The family finished cooking and sat around the dining table to eat.
After dinner, Li Dazhuang said, “Grandma, I heard Miss Su wants to accept female apprentices to study medicine. But she intends to establish a medical school where they will learn alongside boys.”
Old Madam Li and Li Erying stopped peeling their corn and looked at Li
Dazhuang when he said that.
Li Erying’s eyes lit up. “Is that true, Brother?”
Li Dazhuang answered, “It’s true. I’ve asked Wenwu about it, and he confirmed it. His family has already cleared a room and will turn it into a medical class soon. Miss Su and Wenxiu will take turns teaching when the time comes.”
Li Erying opened her mouth to say something but hesitated and stopped herself. However, Old Madam Li had always been the decision-maker in the family. She asked, “Do you want to study medicine, Erying?”
Li Dazhuang followed Su Wenwu around and gradually became more knowledgeable. He knew it was always good to learn something.
Now that his sister was working at the embroidery shop and could earn much, he did not know what his grandmother and sister’s conversation meant. After all, he was just passing on the news.
“That’s Erying’s decision to make,” Li Dazhuang said, “She has to decide for herself.’
Old Madam Li asked again, “So, do you want to learn, Erying?”
“I-I… But I work at the embroidery shop and can earn money to improve our lives.” She looked like she wanted to learn, after all.
She had wanted to learn to read since childhood but never dared to consider it fully. Even though she had the chance to now, she felt restrained.
She knew her family would have to rely on her brother if she did not work at the embroidery shop. Then her brother would be under a lot of pressure.
Although she had a younger brother, he was still young and could not work.
As the boy’s elder sister, she could not be too selfish.
Old Madam Li looked at her severely. “Don’t worry about whether or not you work at the embroidery shop. Just tell me if you want to study medicine. Tell me the truth, okay?”
Li Erying finally answered, “Y-Yes, Grandma. I’d like to study medicine and be as capable as Miss Su. I admire her a lot because she has helped so many people. She also cured you and developed the hotpot restaurants. If not for that, Big Brother wouldn’t have a job.
“She’s amazing. If I study medicine, I can also treat and save people. I want to help others.” Li Erying knew her family’s situation the best. She was always on tenterhooks, worried her grandmother would suddenly pass.
She also felt like a burden to the family. However, the family improved since Su
Binglan helped them..