Chapter 376: I really want a little daughter

Du Ruo's registration slip was ultimately not sent out.

Because the person who came was Madam Ao, wife of Prefect Su.

Prefect Su had shown great kindness in promoting Jiang Li and was also Jiang Zhan's mentor; furthermore, he had an excellent reputation locally and was considered a rare, good official among the common people.

Since his household had come to seek medical treatment, Du Ruo would not refuse them, whether out of sentiment or reason.

Thus, a quarter of an hour later, Du Ruo followed Madam Ao and boarded the Su family's carriage.

Jiang Li naturally went along.

However, because the carriage was filled with female relatives, he, a grown man, felt embarrassed to squeeze in, so he simply sat outside next to the coachman.

Inside the carriage, Madam Ao carefully sized up the Du Ruo sitting opposite her.

Her skin was as pure and translucent as a newborn's, glowing with whiteness yet carrying a faint, rosy flush; a pair of clear, dark phoenix eyes shimmered with rippling light, the corners slightly upturned, adding a touch of nobility to her beautiful face.

Her attire was very simple and plain, without a single accessory on her person, yet even so, it could not hide her astonishing beauty in the slightest.

What satisfied Madam Ao most was Du Ruo's figure.

Her physique was full and curvaceous; a bit more would be fat, a bit less would be gaunt, and she was neither too tall nor too short—just right. She looked like someone blessed with good fortune.

This appearance was perfectly suited to bring prosperity to her husband…

Madam Ao sighed regretfully.

*Sigh*, why are all the good daughters-in-law someone else's? As for her own two sons, the eldest daughter-in-law had a decent background and her looks were passable, but she wasn't very bright and was overly honest; she didn't even know how to resist when bullied, which made one's blood boil just looking at her.

Fortunately, she wasn't hovering right in front of her; two years ago, the eldest passed the imperial examination and went to take up his post with his wife in tow.

It could be said to have saved this old mother's life.

Otherwise, facing that blockhead every day, she would have been angered into illness sooner or later!

Having the eldest as a cautionary tale, Madam Ao kept a tight watch on the marriage of her second son, Su Mu, swearing she must find a daughter-in-law of equal social standing whom she liked and whom her son also liked.

As a result, after searching for several years and vetting dozens of young ladies, not one had been to her liking.

Either their looks weren't pleasing, or their manners were inappropriate.

After picking and choosing until her eyes were blurred, Su Mu had also dragged on from his prime at sixteen to the "tofu dregs" age of twenty.

Whenever she thought of this, Madam Ao's head would ache uncontrollably…

"Is the Madam feeling unwell?" Seeing Madam Ao sighing while rubbing her temples, Du Ruo asked with concern.

"No, no, it's just a habit." Madam Ao snapped back to reality and began looking for a topic, "How old is Divine Doctor Du this year?"

Du Ruo smiled, "In two more months, I will be eighteen."

Eighteen, matching twenty is just right…

*Pah, pah, pah*, this isn't the time to be vetting a daughter-in-law, what are you thinking?

Madam Ao hurriedly pulled her wandering thoughts back on track and praised with a smile, "For Divine Doctor Du to have already attained such accomplishments in medicine at such a young age is truly rare."

Du Ruo hurriedly replied modestly, "Madam, you flatter me."

After the pleasantries, both were at a loss for words for a moment; the atmosphere in the narrow carriage was slightly awkward.

Madam Ao suddenly remembered that while attending a banquet at Judge Xia's house yesterday, those ladies, besides chatting about Du Ruo's medical skills, had also gossiped about her.

For example, her tragic life story, sisters turning against each other, and so on.

It was said that it had already spread outside: this Divine Doctor Du was abandoned by her biological father as a child, and later poisoned by her half-sister, nearly losing her life, and only began to live a better life after getting married half a year ago.

Since there was nothing to talk about, it might be better to use this as a breakthrough point.

And while at it, test whether this person was worth befriending deeply.

Madam Ao cleared her throat, "I heard that your father is the Assistant Magistrate of Wutou Xian, Lord Du Ren Mei?"

"Just rumors." Du Ruo's face was smiling, but her tone was resolute, faintly containing a chill, "What Lord Du, what minor official—I don't know him. Ever since I gained awareness, my father has already been dead in my heart; the grass on his grave is already eighteen feet high."

*Pfft*, hearing this, Madam Ao almost lost her composure.

She had backbone; she liked that!

However, she added a bit more fuel to the fire, "Actually, with Divine Doctor Du's current reputation and status, if you were willing, you could completely return to your ancestral home. By then, connecting with the Northern Peace Marquis's estate, or even Consort Rong in the palace, would mean boundless wealth within reach."

Du Ruo shook her head and replied with three simple words.

"Not interested."

"Good, well said!" Madam Ao stood up with a *whoosh* and sat right next to Du Ruo, "A dead man should be left buried in the ground to feed the rats; why bother with him?"

As she spoke, she grabbed Du Ruo's hand, her attitude fervent, "Divine Doctor Du, I am a person who always says what is on my mind, and there are pitifully few people I can get along with; you count as one."

"I don't know why, but the moment I saw you, I felt a strong affinity and wanted to get closer to you."

"If you don't mind, how about we become sworn sisters?"

Du Ruo: "..."

Seeing Du Ruo's shocked expression, Madam Ao realized, "Oh my, look at my brain; I am two cycles older than you, so calling each other sisters is a bit inappropriate."

She thought for a moment, "How about this: since your husband Jiang Li is also highly regarded by my husband, our two families can interact as relatives from now on, visiting each other often. You call me Aunt, and I will call you A-Ruo, how about that?"

How about that?

That would be great!

The Second Branch of the Jiang Family would soon be moving to Fengyang Prefecture to live long-term. Although Jiang Li held an official post and she herself was somewhat famous, compared to the local noble clans, their foundation was still too weak.

To mingle in that circle, she feared it wouldn't be an easy task.

Now, with the Prefect's family leading the way, the path would be much easier to walk.

Furthermore, Du Ruo had an excellent impression of this straightforward Madam Su and was very willing to befriend her.

"Then I shall respectfully obey and shamelessly call you Aunt." Du Ruo held the other's hand back and smiled affectionately.

Madam Ao was overjoyed.

After fumbling on her person for a moment, she pulled a high-quality red jade drop gold dangling hairpin from her hair and personally inserted it into Du Ruo's, "This was a dowry item my mother specially had made for me when I got married. I am older now, and it is too flashy for me to wear; it is more suitable for a young person. Take it as a gift for our first meeting."

Du Ruo hurriedly thanked her.

She also made a show of rummaging through her sleeve and pulled out a box of skincare products, "Reciprocity is the rule; this face cream is something I formulated myself. It has a good effect on removing spots; Aunt, you can try it."

Madam Ao's eyes brightened, "Really?"

Ever since giving birth to her second son, a gray spot the size of a fingernail had appeared on her face. She didn't know how many methods she had tried, but it just wouldn't go away.

Although her husband had never minded, she felt deeply disgusted whenever she looked in the mirror.

Moreover, every time she went out to visit, she had to apply a very, very thick layer of powder, otherwise, it couldn't be covered at all.

She had been troubled by this for many years.

If the face cream Du Ruo gave her really had miraculous effects, that would be wonderful!

Even if it didn't, it was still a kind gesture from her, wasn't it?

Madam Ao tucked the box of face cream into her sleeve like a treasure and pulled Du Ruo to whisper, "A-Ruo, take my pulse and see if I can still conceive; I really want a little daughter…"

Du Ruo was just about to speak.

The carriage curtain was suddenly lifted, and the coachman's voice came in, "Madam, we have arrived." ===== CHAPTER 377 =====