Jiang Hao and Bai Suzhen went to Baohe Hall together. Countless people warmly greeted them along the way.
"Doctor Xu, Madam Xu, heading to Baohe Hall?"
"Yes."
"When you two have time, come have tea at my teahouse. It's on me."
"Alright, we'll come by when we have time."
Baohe Hall's reputation was growing by the day. Jiang Hao and Bai Suzhen possessed excellent medical skills, had saved countless lives, and charged little for their medicine. People had their own measure of right and wrong, and Jiang Hao and Bai Suzhen were greatly respected throughout Hangzhou.
Bai Suzhen in particular was highly regarded. Female doctors were rare, and many female patients found it inconvenient to see male physicians. Going to Baohe Hall to seek treatment from Bai Suzhen had become the first choice for many women.
A woman giving birth was said to be like passing through the gates of hell, with a mortality rate as high as thirty percent. In other words, out of ten women giving birth, three might die.
Bai Suzhen was exceptionally skilled at delivering babies. Not a single mother she had assisted had come to harm; both mother and child were always safe. Many people called Bai Suzhen the Female Bodhisattva.
When Mid-Autumn Festival arrived,
at dusk, Jiang Hao took Bai Suzhen to his elder sister Xu Jiaorong's home for dinner. Lian'er had begun to babble, and every movement she made was adorable. Bai Suzhen kept teasing her.
Seeing how much Bai Suzhen liked children, Xu Jiaorong said, "Suzhen, you and Hanwen have been married for a year already. Hurry and have a child. Wouldn't it be wonderful for the two children to grow up together?"
Bai Suzhen's expression froze. She looked at Jiang Hao, her eyes holding a trace of guilt.
She was a