Chapter 1449: Seventh Lady Li Side Story (Part 1)
Maternal Aunt Qiao knew that Yueyao didn’t attend her son’s bath ceremony, and with an iron face, she said, "Why didn’t Great Aunt come to attend Brother Qingqing’s bath ceremony? Was any reason given?"
The old nanny cautiously replied, "No reason was given."
Given Yueyao’s current status, whether or not she attended the bath ceremony of her concubine-born brother was inconsequential, no reason was needed.
Maternal Aunt Qiao, having given birth to a son, felt she was a meritorious figure in the Lian family, hoping Tingzheng would promote her to the second branch. Yet Yueyao’s attitude was like a bucket of cold water poured over her, awakening her immediately. If Madam were to give birth to a son, there would be no place for her in the mansion. Unfortunately, Lady Qiao had the intention and capability but lacked the opportunity. Because of Lady Yue’s affairs, Tingzheng had already learned the lesson that an Auntie must never gain power. As soon as an Auntie attained power, trouble was inevitable. Thus, even during Li’s pregnancy, he did not relent by handing over stewardship to Lady Qiao and instead went along with Li’s arrangements. Hence, Lady Qiao found her hands tied in every endeavor.
The day before Brother Qingqing’s full month celebration, Li was diagnosed with pregnancy.
Upon receiving the news, Maternal Aunt Qiao coldly snorted, "Pregnant is pregnant, yet another little girl, that’s all." Li simply wasn’t destined to have a son. Maternal Aunt Qiao was so convinced because she had donated money to the Nunnery to have the Taoist priestess perform rituals, ensuring Li would never give birth to a son.
Yueyao soon received the news as well, and talked to Zhichen that evening saying, "I hope Li’s pregnancy is a son."
Yueyao genuinely thought this was a good match. Li was excellent at managing household affairs and had a good temperament. Had it been another Matriarch, finding the Auntie pregnant before having a son themselves, they would have definitely found ways to get rid of the Auntie’s child. Yet Li did not do so, allowing Maternal Aunt Qiao to give birth to her child safely. Yueyao felt that Tingzheng was fortunate to have married such a good wife.
Zhichen laughed and said, "Cousin has always wanted a daughter but to no avail, thus these worldly matters are indeed mystifying." Mingzhu yearned heartily for a daughter, but her wish never came true. Li wanted a son, yet she had given birth to two daughters.
Thinking of Mingzhu, Yueyao couldn’t help but laugh, "She complained upon returning, asking why I had given birth to yet another boy. Had it been a girl, she could have been her daughter-in-law."
Zhichen was relieved that Yueyao gave birth to a son, saying, "Luckily, it’s a son. If it had been a girl, she would have taken her."
Yueyao chuckled upon hearing this.
Zhichen asked, "Are you not attending the full month celebration tomorrow either?" He was not bothered by Yueyao not attending Brother Qingqing’s bath ceremony.
Yueyao shook her head, saying, "Li is pregnant, I must go check on her, as well as take a look at the child and Wanting."
Zhichen had no objections.
The next day, Yueyao brought plenty of supplements to the Lian Mansion. Li’s arrangement of the full month celebration was meticulous, so even though she couldn’t work due to pregnancy, everything was smoothly handled without any errors.
Maternal Aunt Qiao deliberately brought Brother Qingqing for Yueyao to see.
Yueyao looked at the child, praised him warmly, and gave him a gold necklace, two locks, and protective charms among other things.
Maternal Aunt Qiao was somewhat vexed; her son was currently the sole offspring in the Lian Mansion, yet Great Aunt only gave so little.
Yueyao could easily discern what Maternal Aunt Qiao was thinking and sighed inwardly, wondering what kind of judgment Tingzheng had to choose women who were one worse than the other.
Li, noticing Yueyao’s displeasure, quickly instructed Maternal Aunt Qiao to take the child back to her own courtyard, then turned to Yueyao, saying, "Elder Sister, sorry for embarrassing you."
Yueyao felt that Li had a hard time; Tingzheng had always had affections for Lin Qinghan, and even now hadn’t forgotten her. Li, as this kind of wife, truly had it difficult: "House rules must be established, not abandoning decorum just because she gave birth to a son." The pampering of a concubine, at the point when the Lady of the house shows weakness, leads to increasingly escalating troubles.
Seventh Lady Li felt increasingly grateful upon hearing these remarks.
With three months of pregnancy, Seventh Lady Li sensed this pregnancy differed from the previous two. She shared these doubts with Old Granny Cao.
Old Granny Cao was exceedingly joyful, stating, "Madam, this pregnancy is definitely a son." Unlike the previous two pregnancies, this one was different precisely because it would be a son.
Seventh Lady Li herself also believed this pregnancy ought to be a son. This speculation was affirmed by both the Imperial Physician and the Midwife when she was six months pregnant.
