Chapter 447: Chapter 232 Zhao Xiue’s Spring Part 2
Lian Manman saw Zhao Xiue’s look of discomfort and, along with Lian Zhizhi and Lian Yeye, hurriedly helped her back to the East Wing Room. In Lady He’s absence, Lian Manman went to find Lady Zhou.
"Mother, take a look. What’s wrong with my sister-in-law Xiu E?" Lian Manman said to Lady Zhou.
Lady Zhou scrutinized Zhao Xiue for a few moments, then asked some questions.
"Nothing serious, wait and see if it passes," Lady Zhou said.
Zhao Xiue, who treasured her own health, became secretly angry upon seeing that Lady Zhou did not take her illness seriously and covertly instructed Si Lang to fetch the doctor.
Si Lang was very obedient to Zhao Xiue, knowing that this sister-in-law was wealthy, and actually managed to bring Doctor Li.
"What a fuss over nothing, even calling for a doctor," Lady Zhou muttered with dissatisfaction, but since the doctor had already arrived, she did not stop him from examining Zhao Xiue.
"Congratulations, congratulations, the new bride has a pulse of joy," Doctor Li said after taking Zhao Xiue’s pulse, rising to his feet.
Zhao Xiue was pregnant, a fact that surprised her, but Lady Zhou, seeming unsurprised, still took out money to pay Doctor Li’s fee.
"It’s your first pregnancy, be careful," Lady Zhou only admonished Zhao Xiue with these words before returning to the Upper Room.
This was already quite rare for Lady Zhou. The daughters-in-law of the Lian Family who had been pregnant had never even received such a remark.
Yet Zhao Xiue felt neglected and slighted. She was not someone to wallow in self-pity and immediately took action. She sent Si Lang and Liulang out, and soon enough, Erlang, Lian Shouyi, and Lady He were called back, and even Old Master Lian, who was visiting friends in the village, heard the news and returned home.
Erlang was still covered with stone dust, looking foolish with joy, and Zhao Xiue sent him scurrying about confusedly.
"Haha, I’m going to be a grandfather, holding my grandson," Lian Shouyi said excitedly, deciding not to return to the mountains to work that day.
The joy of Old Master Lian seemed no less than that of Erlang and Lian Shouyi. The Lian Family’s fourth generation currently consisted only of Niuniu, and he was eager for more great-grandchildren to be born soon.
Erlang was dispatched by Zhao Xiue to the town, and Zhao Xiue’s parents and sister-in-law all hurried over. By evening, none of the three had left, as Old Master Lian insisted they stay for dinner.
Claiming to feel unwell, Zhao Xiue did not join the dinner table. Zhao Xiue’s mother, Lady Wu, asked Lady Zhou for rice and flour, made a separate meal for Zhao Xiue, and delivered it to the East Wing Room for her alone. Mother and daughter whispered together for a long time, and later Zhao Xiue’s sister-in-law joined in, the trio talking until sunset.
Before leaving, Zhao Xiue’s mother also instructed Lady Zhou and Lady He.
"This pregnancy of Xiu E is exactly like when I carried her brother. In my opinion, it’s definitely a boy. In-laws, this is your Lian Family’s first great-grandson, and I’m so happy for you. Make sure you take good care of the mother and child," she said.
The next day, Zhao Xiue’s mother came again, bringing with her an unfamiliar old woman. This woman did a thorough check, including feeling the pulses and examining Zhao Xiue’s feet and belly, and concluded that without a doubt, Zhao Xiue was carrying a boy.
Even Lady Zhou could not help but give Zhao Xiue’s stomach a few more thoughtful glances.
...
In the West Wing Room, Lady He was complaining to Lady Zhang and Lady Zhao.
"I have been through that time, too. I gave birth to four boys and wasn’t as pampered as she is. It’s usually the daughter-in-law who serves the mother-in-law, but it seems to have reversed here—it’s me, the mother-in-law, who has to serve her. She has the nerve to ask me to get her eggs to eat, claiming she needs two a day. I barely mentioned it to her mother, and she scolded me right away. What have I done to deserve this..."
Zhao Xiue was pregnant and craved special meals every day, which naturally Lady Zhou would not agree to, often leading to unhappiness.
Lady Zhang and Lady Zhao exchanged glances, unsure whether to speak ill of Zhao Xiue or Lady Zhou.
"All day long she’s ordering me around; to those unaware, they might think she’s carrying golden eggs in her belly," Lady He grumbled angrily. "It’s not just me; my Yaya has become her errand girl as well."
"Second daughter-in-law," called a strong voice from the courtyard, Lady Zhou’s, "Where have you vanished to in the blink of an eye? Get on with the cooking!"
Today was Lady He’s turn to cook. Since Zhao Xiue was pregnant, always complaining of back pain or stomachaches, she refused to do any housework. Therefore, whenever it was the second branch’s turn, all the chores depended on Lady He. Although she was not pleased inside, she dared not ignore Lady Zhou’s summons and reluctantly trudged out.
"I seem to be a mother-in-law stuck in the middle, constantly taking flak," Lady He muttered as she went outside.
"Second son’s wife... There are such daughters-in-law too; it’s truly an eye-opener for me," Lady Zhao then said to Lady Zhang.
"When I was pregnant with Zhizhi for my first child, I also often felt uncomfortable, but I still did what I had to do. Back then, when I craved something, I just had to endure it, afraid my mother-in-law would scold me for being greedy and gluttonous. I never thought about asking her for food..."
The two sisters-in-law, accustomed to oppression and compliance, looked at each other and sighed together, feeling a whirlwind of emotions.
For dinner, Lady Zhang prepared a pot of Sanhe noodle soup with big bones, knowing Old Master Lian enjoyed it, and sent Lian Manman with a bowl for him.
Lian Manman carried the bowl to the Upper Room where the table was already set, and everyone was sitting around the kang, ready for dinner.
"Sister-in-law, could you do me a favor?" Zhao Xiue, sitting at the table by the head of the kang, was speaking to Lady Chiang, "Get me some soy sauce with chopped ginger and garlic. Without it, my mouth feels tasteless, and I can’t eat."
"We’re all eating now; don’t bother your sister-in-law," said Lady Zhou, her heart still protective of Lady Chiang.
"Granny, if I don’t have this, I can’t eat the food, and your great-grandson will have been hungry all day. Can you really bear it?" Zhao Xiue insisted.
"Yeye, go get some ginger and garlic for your Sister-in-law Xiue," Lady Zhou then said.
...***......
Wishing everyone a happy Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day in advance.
Here’s the third update, beseeching for supports. (To be continued. If you like this work, please feel free to vote for it and send your monthly tickets on Qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
