CHAPTER 73: CHAPTER 73: PSYCHOLOGICAL ILLNESS

Zhao Xiaoshu obediently walked away.

Li Chang’an, however, still stood stubbornly with his head lowered.

Meng Zhu, unable to contain her anger, pointed at Li Chang’an and yelled, "You see that? So headstrong, clearly thinking he’s done nothing wrong."

"Oh my dear sister, calm down, calm down, unless you’re planning to fire up like a rocket?" Meng Yao quickly soothed, "Let me take you back inside to rest! The children are grown, let’s talk things over calmly."

Meng Yao practically half-dragged half-pulled Meng Zhu into the house, using quite an effort to finally smooth things over.

Once she came back out, Li Chang’an was still standing there.

"Chang’an, what do you like to do in your spare time?" Meng Yao asked.

Li Chang’an looked up surprised; he thought his aunt would lecture him.

"There’s nothing particular that I like." Li Chang’an said after a moment of silence.

He seemed quite wary.

"I very much enjoy practicing medicine. Nowadays, I regularly visit the Hundred Herbs Hall for consultations. It allows me to earn money and solve ailments. However, your mother seems to think this isn’t good. What do you think, Chang’an?" Meng Yao asked him.

"Everyone has their own ambitions; I don’t see anything wrong with it," Li Chang’an replied formally.

"Your mother believes that women should marry and raise children," Meng Yao continued.

Li Chang’an shook his head gently, "I’ve traveled outside with my father and rarely encountered women in business, but that doesn’t mean they don’t exist. Moreover, women don’t necessarily do worse than men. The Lin Family in Jiangnan, the current head, is a woman. Ask anyone in business about her, and who wouldn’t give a thumbs-up? After the previous head of the Lin Family died unexpectedly, the Lin Family’s assets were ripe for the taking; who wouldn’t want a piece? The Lin clan, how many wanted to be in charge? Yet, nobody anticipated Lin Wan’er’s boldness. She donated half of the Lin Family’s assets to the Court, covering Zhou Country’s taxes for ten years. The current ruler issued a decree personally, appointing her as the Lin Family head."

Meng Yao didn’t know about this legendary feat, but indeed, Lin Wan’er was a remarkable person.

Her move was well-calculated to gain favor.

And it was favor from someone no one dared to oppose.

It wasn’t just about boldness but about having wit too. And... willingness.

Ten years of a country’s taxes; Meng Yao could hardly imagine.

That’s probably wealth that could rival a country.

"So, Chang’an, you also admire that Lin head?" Meng Yao asked.

Li Chang’an nodded.

"Then do you know many things about her? Can you tell me?" Meng Yao asked gently.

Li Chang’an began recounting his ’idol’s’ deeds, his guarded demeanor gradually relaxing.

Before long, he spoke about how the Lin clan couldn’t seize the head’s position anymore, but they set their sights on the next one.

In their words, the Lin Family head naturally couldn’t marry outside.

So, they could only bring in a husband or adopt children from within the clan.

Whether bringing in a husband or adopting a child, they had room to maneuver.

"If you were Lin Wan’er, how would you deal? Would you be willing to be coerced?" Meng Yao asked.

Li Chang’an sternly shook his head, "Of course not. I would make an agreement with the Court—no brought-in husbands, no adoption, and a hundred years later, all Lin Family assets would be donated to the Court."

It’s an instinctual aversion to offspring that led to such a decision.

This seems like thinking from Lin Waner’s perspective but actually reflects his own inner thoughts.

Meng Yao could mostly ascertain there was a secret with her eldest nephew.

Perhaps it was tied to the girls who had misfortune following their betrothal to him.

"You seem very skilled at the Three Immortals Return to Cave game; shall we have a try?" Meng Yao suddenly changed the subject.

Li Chang’an, though a bit puzzled, nodded.

Li Chang’an was fast.

Meng Yao was even faster.

In every round, Meng Yao was the victor.

Li Chang’an, usually unperturbed, showed a hint of determination.

However, Meng Yao’s speed was something Li Chang’an could never achieve in his lifetime.

She had her advantages; no matter how intently Li Chang’an focused, Meng Yao always won.

Finally, Li Chang’an conceded, bowing to Meng Yao, "Aunt, I admit defeat."

"Do you know why I’m so fast?" Meng Yao asked.

Li Chang’an shook his head.

Meng Yao took some red beans, stood at the hall entrance, and aimed at the wooden target prepared specifically for Zhao Xiaohua’s acupuncture points.

"It’s not just about speed but also precision. I can hit the points from a distance." Meng Yao said as she aimed and shot.

Li Chang’an looked somewhat uneasy.

"Try it, aim wherever you want." Meng Yao handed the red beans to Li Chang’an.

Li Chang’an felt exposed.

He intentionally missed.

Meng Yao noticed.

"Chang’an, that’s not right; you missed on purpose. Do you think I can’t beat you?" Meng Yao looked with a half-smile at Li Chang’an.

Li Chang’an tossed some more red beans.

Every bean hit the target accurately.

"I suppose those unfortunate girls mostly sprained their ankles suddenly, right? Like walking, and then their leg suddenly gave way, and they fell down," Meng Yao said with a smile.

"How do you know that?" Li Chang’an’s expression remained unchanged.

"It’s evident from your every move. You hurt them not out of dislike for them. I suspect you wanted to protect them," Meng Yao continued.

Li Chang’an’s fists tightened and released.

"It’s just that I don’t like them; why would I protect them?" Li Chang’an’s tone was sarcastic.

"Because marrying you might subject them to a life like a widow," Meng Yao hit the nail on the head.

As expected, Li Chang’an’s face went pale instantly.

He became tense all over.

"You’re kind-hearted, so, as soon as you’re betrothed, you’ll seize every opportunity for those betrothed to you to have various little accidents, eventually leading to a reputation of being a wife-killer," Meng Yao continued.

"What are you going to do?" Li Chang’an asked through gritted teeth.

"I’m your aunt, and I just told you, I love medicine. Maybe you can depend on my medical skills?" Meng Yao said with a smile, "Who knows, maybe my skills are outstanding?"

Li Chang’an’s smile was bitter, "I’ve seen many doctors, tried acupuncture, taken medicine, all to no avail."

"That’s because they’re not skilled, maybe I am? You won’t know unless you try," Meng Yao spoke in a gentle voice.

Li Chang’an felt inexplicably reassured.

"I..."

"Try it; the worst scenario is that things remain as they were. So, what are you afraid of?" Meng Yao motivated him.

Finally, Li Chang’an nodded.

Meng Yao checked Li Chang’an’s pulse; he was quite healthy, indicating his physical condition was good.

So, as she guessed, this was a psychological issue rather than a physical one.

Meng Yao contemplated silently, while Li Chang’an looked tense.

"I need to make some arrangements," Meng Yao said, "What things do you usually like? What colors?"

Li Chang’an answered each question.

Meng Yao needed to create an environment that let Li Chang’an relax physically and mentally, which would be beneficial for hypnosis.