The Little Consort's
Eps. 44: Orphanage
Li Anlan and Long Ji Man's horse-drawn carriage drove back, splitting the streets and the hustle of the capital Dongling. This densely populated city with the livelihoods of merchants and officials was the center of all economic activity. The capital is also the place of transactions and cooperation, as well as the place of residence of merchants from foreign countries.
Li Anlan was still thinking about the birth of the baby earlier. He looked back at both hands. If only he had never read and never asked one of the friends who became a gynecologist while in the modern world, the baby and the woman would not have survived.
Shoulder dystocia occurs in only 1 in 200 births. If Li Anlan did not take any risky actions, the woman would definitely experience excessive bleeding and contractions in her uterus. The baby will not be able to breathe either. Fortunately, he still had the courage to act despite being very lay, so that the mother and baby could survive.
If you are in the hospital, the obstetrician who handles it must have done a caesarean section to remove the baby. The pregnant woman's stomach will be dissected by a knife and surgical scissors, then the baby will be removed from the mother's womb. After which, the torn stomach was sewn back, and left a terrible scar upon sight.
On the other hand, Long Ji Man was actually amazed at Li Anlan. This unexpected woman who some time had contact with him further made Long Ji Man curious. Not only his courage, but also his unexpected ability. Most ordinary women, let alone noble women, would step aside when a pregnant woman was about to give birth. They will be scared and hide.
But, she, who was touted as a foolish girl who did not have any talent, was, instead he put aside his noble attributes and also put aside his status as a royal concubine to help an ordinary woman he did not know give birth to normally.
Li Anlan had never been pregnant and had never given birth. But, his actions earlier showed that Li Anlan had knowledge about childbirth and pregnant women, so as to act despite hesitation. Doubt is what actually arouses confidence in the woman until she managed to do well.
Although not wanting to believe, but what Long Ji Man saw by his own two eyes was a reality that really happened.
“Young Master, we've arrived.”
Wang Tianshi's voice resuscitated Long Ji Man and Li Anlan from their thoughts. Long Ji Man rushed down from the carriage, followed by Li Anlan. They arrived in front of a magnificent building with a broad page and fenced solidly. The doors and windows are shiny. Li Anlan guessed that this was a newly completed building.
“Young Master, what is this place?”
“Didn't you say that I should be responsible to my people?”
Li Anlan thought for a moment. His brain was spinning around looking for memories of the word responsibility. When did he say that to Long Ji Man? What responsibility did he have for the man?
“See, that beautiful sister is coming!” shouted a child who had just come out of the building. Then some other kids came out. They ran over to welcome the arrival of Long Ji Man and Li Anlan.
The child was a child who had been in the old house in the forest a while ago. Other than him, the other children were here as well. Li Anlan looked at Long Ji Man like asking for an explanation as to why these children were here.
“As you know, the salary deductions of the ministers I used to build a house for them.”
“Young Master, did you really make a place to stay for them?”
Long Ji Man nodded. This was the little surprise he wanted to give to Li Anlan. The woman had been meritorious to remind him that not all of his people are living well. Long Ji Man kept his word as he revealed he was going to build a house for his people at the court last time. Now, the house has been completed and can be lived in.
“They just moved a few days ago,” Long Ji Man said.
“How did you do it?”
“I am a king. What no one else can do, I can do.”
Li Anlan snorted a little. But, despite Long Ji Man's high self-narcissism, it is undeniable that the man is kind-hearted. Although Li Anlan often offended him, he never received any severe punishment. Now, the man made a home for the abandoned children, showing that he was wise enough despite being said to be by Li Anlan. You could say, Long Ji Man was quite airy-hearted.
The thief man who was being chased by Li Anlan also came out of the building, welcoming the arrival of Long Ji Man and Li Anlan. Her clothes were smoother than the one Li Anlan had met last time. He and the children saluted.
“Hey, thief, your brain is no longer working huh?”
Li Anlan could behave normally if the man knew Long Ji Man's identity. He simply paid his respects to Long Ji Man alone, there was no need to salute him anyway like this. Last time, the thief was being arrogant and arrogant towards her. Why is it different now?
“Mistress, sorry for my sassness some time ago,” replied the man.
“Young Master, why him?” li Anlan whispered to Long Ji Man.
“He already knows your identity.”
“What? How can?”
Long Ji Man was unwilling to answer Li Anlan's question. The man followed the thief into the building with the children. Li Anlan followed despite not being satisfied. As he stepped foot in the main room of the building, he was stunned. The design of the room in this building is so beautiful. The wooden carvings on each pole almost resemble the wooden carvings on the pillars of Hongwu Palace. Here it was even more beautiful than Li Anlan's Xingyue Palace.
Long Ji Man and Li Anlan were welcome to sit on the frontmost wooden chair, which was commonly used by the lords and grandmistresses in the mansions of noble families. Meanwhile, the thief and Wang Tianshi were sitting on another chair, which was located sideways from Li Anlan and Long Ji Man's point of view.
The thief man stood up, then kowtowed before Li Anlan. Seeing what the freak was doing, Li Anlan turned his head. He stood up, then walked to the side. But, the thief man even changed the direction of his prostration following the direction of Li Anlan's movement.
“I want to thank Madam. Please accept my prostration.”
“For what?”
“If I hadn't met you back then and you hadn't followed me to the old house, our fate might have been worse.”
“Hey, it's because I haven't finished arguing with you!”
“If the Madam does not bring His Majesty, we will not have a decent place to stay,” said the thief, still in his prostration position.
“Ahahaha…. Never mind, everything has happened. You wake up, don't scare me by acting like that!”
“Thank you for the humility of Madam.”
The thief got up and sat back in his place. Li Anlan also returned to her place. Long Ji Man revealed a slight smile as he looked at Li Anlan's response. In this world, if there was a person prostrating on someone, then the honor of someone who was given a prostration would go up many times. Many people justify all means in order to gain recognition and worship from others. Not men, not women, they are all the same. But, Li Anlan was precisely frightened and refused the prostration.
“What's your name?” li Anlan asked the thief man.
“My name is He Ziyue, Mistress.”
“You won't be a thief anymore right?”
“No, Mistress. His Majesty gave me a regular job whose salary was quite high. His Majesty has also arranged for people to send food and clothing every month here. That's enough to support the kids here.”
“Good. What about his education?”
“You mean, they also have to go to school?” sela Long Ji Man's.
“Of course. Education was supposed to be the right of everyone, whether it was nobles or commoners. Your Highness, you won't let those children have a vague future won't you?”
Long Ji Man thought for a moment. Li Anlan's words were a little far from expected. Education for abandoned children seems like a new thing. During this time, the children who attended school were the children of nobles, officials, and the rich. Children from the lower classes never go to school. They just play and help the parents, as well as learn to read and write just as a basis.
“If Your Majesty does not facilitate them, I myself will teach them.”
“Cannot!”
“Why?”
“Your identity must not be exposed! You palace lady, can't just haphazardly get out!”
As Li Anlan had guessed, Long Ji Man would behave like that. Li Anlan's prediction was on target.
“Then, does Your Majesty have any ideas?”
“I will send a scholar to teach them.”
“So new good.”
Li Anlan was happy. Now, the children not only have a home, but can also go to school. Li Anlan hoped that their future could be bright. Let them have no parents, as long as they try and have the ability, surely there will be those who want to use their energy if they grow up. Here, the most promising job is to become an official.
If those children could read, write, and be knowledgeable, they could become officials, despite only being regular officers or being low-level officials. The happy look on the children's faces really touched the heart. Smile like without a burden.
“Your Highness,” call Li Anlan.
“Em?”
“Thank you.”
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