Gu-hsien
Since marrying into the Li family, Song Qing's stomach has not moved for three years.
In this ancient village, the value of women is often closely linked to their ability to continue the incense for their husbands' families. Song Qing's mother-in-law, Li Wang, was a typical feudal woman, and in addition to chanting Buddhist scriptures every day, she urged Song Qing to drink bowl after bowl of strange soup. Those soups were boiled by Li Wang's own family, and the ingredients used were strange, and some were even rare medicinal herbs that Song Qing had never seen before. Whenever Song Qing hesitated and refused to drink, Li Wangshi would stare at her with cold eyes, and his tone was full of undoubted threats: "After drinking this soup, you can continue the incense for my Li family, otherwise, if your stomach doesn't move again, don't blame me for being ruthless." ”
Song Qing was walking on thin ice in the Li family, she didn't dare to disobey her mother-in-law's wishes, so she could only endure and drink those strange soups every day. However, no matter how hard she tried, her stomach never moved. Whenever it was quiet at night, Song Qing would sit alone in front of the window, looking at the dark night outside, and an indescribable fear and loneliness surged in her heart.
That night, Song Qing had a dream. She dreamed that she was standing in a white mist, and there was silence all around. Suddenly, a familiar and gentle voice sounded in my ears: "Qing'er, don't drink it, those soups are not something you can bear." Song Qing turned her head and was surprised to find that the person who spoke was actually her deceased mother. Her deceased mother was dressed in plain white clothes, with a touch of melancholy on her face, but she was still so kind and gentle.
"Mother, I ......" Song Qing wanted to say something, but was gently interrupted by her deceased mother.
"Qing'er, do you know? There are some things in this world that can't be forced. It's not your fault that your stomach isn't moving. Those weird soups are not the solution, but they may hurt you. The voice of the deceased mother was soft and firm, as if there was a magical power, which gradually calmed Song Qing's heart.
"But, mother-in-law, she ......" Song Qing hesitated, not knowing what to do.
"Qing'er, you have to believe in your heart. Only when you are strong can you face the wind and rain of the outside world. Those old ideas and pressures cannot be the shackles that bind you. The words of the deceased mother were full of wisdom and strength, which made Song Qing feel an unprecedented courage and determination.
She snapped her eyes open and found herself lying on the bed, sweat soaking her pillow. The sky outside the window has turned slightly white, and a new day has begun. Song Qing knew that she couldn't continue like this. She has to face everything bravely and find her own path.
So, when Li Wang brought the strange soup again, Song Qing smiled and shook his head. She looked at Wang Li firmly, and her voice was full of confidence and determination: "Mother-in-law, thank you for your kindness. However, I think I found my own path. I can't drink this soup anymore. ”
Li Wang was stunned, she didn't seem to expect Song Qing to have such a reaction. Her face changed, but in the end she didn't have a seizure. She just glanced at Song Qing coldly, turned around and left the room.
Song Qing breathed a sigh of relief, she knew that this was just the beginning. But she is ready to face whatever difficulties and challenges she will face in the future, and find her own happiness and freedom.
And that dream, as if it was the guidance and strength given to her by her deceased mother, allowed her to find her way in the darkness. She was deeply grateful for that dream, and also grateful for the deceased mother who always smiled gently in her heart.
From that day on, Song Qing started her new life. She is no longer bound by those wacky soups, nor is she swayed by the pressures and expectations of the outside world. She begins to learn new knowledge, make new friends, and explore this vast and wonderful world. Her life became colorful, full of hope and anticipation.
However, life is not all smooth sailing. Li Wang's family did not give up because of Song Qing's refusal. She began to spread gossip about Song Qing in the village, saying that she was an unfilial daughter-in-law and could not continue the incense for the Li family. These gossips are like an invisible sword, hanging above Song Qing's head at all times, making her feel extremely depressed and painful.
But Song Qing did not succumb to these gossips. She knew she couldn't be defeated, and she had to fight for her future. As a result, she studied harder, lived more actively, and proved her worth with her practical actions.
Time passed, and Song Qing's efforts gradually paid off. Her knowledge and insight have been recognized by the villagers, and her kindness and tenacity have won the admiration of many. Those gossips gradually dissipated in the wind, and Song Qing grew into a more independent and confident woman in the process.
However, at this time, an unexpected news came - the eldest son of the Li family, that is, Song Qing's husband Li Haoran, suddenly died of illness. This news is undoubtedly a huge blow to Song Qing. She felt as if her heart was being torn apart, and she couldn't breathe in pain.
But life doesn't stop there. In the midst of grief and despair, Song Qing realizes that she must pick herself up and face the challenges ahead. She can't let herself be immersed in grief, she has to work hard for her future.
So, Song Qing started a new life. She used her hard work and wisdom to create a new world. She helped the villagers solve various problems and won their respect and trust. Her life has become full and meaningful, and the pain and troubles of the past seem to fade away with the washing of time.
However, it was at this time that a mysterious event broke the tranquility of the village once again. Li Wang suddenly fell ill, and the doctors were helpless. The old people in the village talked about it, saying that this was the curse of the Li family, and it was because Song Qing had failed to continue the incense for the Li family.
When Song Qing heard these discussions, she had mixed feelings in her heart. She knows that these rumors are not groundless, but stem from the villagers' attachment and superstition to traditional concepts. She didn't want to be bound by these words, but she couldn't deny the guilt and insecurity in her heart.
Just then, her deceased mother reappeared in her dreams. She told Song Qing: "Qing'er, don't be swayed by the remarks of the outside world. You have to believe in your heart and your strength. The curse of the Li family is not something you can change, but you can use your kindness and hard work to resolve this resentment. ”
After Song Qing woke up, her heart suddenly brightened. She decided to let go of her past guilt and insecurity and prove her worth with her actions. She began to take care of Li Wang's family, and used her sincerity and care to warm this old man who used to be harsh on her.
Under her care, Li Wang's condition miraculously improved. The villagers marveled at Song Qing's kindness and magical powers, and those words about curse and retribution gradually dissipated in the wind.
And Song Qing has won the respect and admiration of more people because of this. She proved with her actions that the value and strength of women does not depend on whether they can continue the incense for their husbands' family, but on their kindness, wisdom and hard work.
Over time, Song Qing gradually became the central figure of the village. She not only helped the villagers solve various problems, but also actively promoted new knowledge and concepts, so that the small village gradually became modern and civilized.
And Li Wang's family gradually recovered his health under Song Qing's care. Although she still maintains her traditional concepts, she has gradually come to accept and understand Song Qing's thoughts and actions. She found that this daughter-in-law was not as incompetent as she imagined, but had her own persistence and pursuit.
In the process, Song Qing also found her own happiness and freedom. She is no longer bound by traditional ideas and expectations, but uses her actions to create the life she wants. She felt that her heart was full of strength and courage to face the challenges and difficulties ahead.
In the end, Song Qing became a respected and loved woman. Her story spread throughout the village and became an inspirational story. And in the process, she also found her own value and meaning, and became a truly independent and confident woman.