Escape to Your Heart

Chapter 155: Mother and Daughter (Bonus Chapter for Pink Votes)

Madam Fu gazed at her daughter, whose face was glowing with happiness and a touch of shyness, her heart swelling with contentment. Yet she still chided her softly, "Now that you're married, you must be more mindful. How could you not realize until nearly three months in, when the physician came to check your pulse? What about Yu Wei? Isn’t she supposed to be attending to you? Didn’t she notice when your monthly courses didn’t come?"

Seeing her mother’s displeasure, Fu Tingyun quickly defended, "It’s not Yu Wei’s fault—I was just too careless." She explained how Yu Wei, believing herself to be ill-fated, had avoided handling her belongings for a month to avoid bringing bad luck.

Madam Fu’s expression softened slightly. "Why didn’t you inform me sooner?" Now the child was already four months along, and her daughter had only just told her. "Did your father say or do something again?"

Fu Tingyun was taken aback.

Why had her mother suddenly grown so distrustful of her father?

That any unusual occurrence would immediately be linked to him?

A thought stirred in her heart, and she replied, "It was Zhao Ling who insisted. He said the child wasn’t yet three months along and feared any fright, so it was better to rest at home." As she spoke, she recalled how Zhao Ling, ever since learning of her pregnancy, would first wash up the moment he returned home, then immediately place his hand on her belly to speak to their unborn child. It made her feel as though his kindness was solely for the sake of the baby, and a note of complaint crept into her tone.

Madam Fu frowned. "Since Lord Zhao advised you to rest at home, you should do so. Why the discontent?" She added, "You’re married now and soon to be a mother—how can you still refer to your husband so casually as 'he'? You should either follow others in calling him 'Ninth Master' or address him respectfully as 'my lord'!"

Fu Tingyun pouted in protest. "At home, I always call him 'Ninth Master.'"

To argue back even now? Quan Hui had never been like this before. Clearly, Zhao Ling had spoiled her!

Yet, instead of displeasure, Madam Fu couldn’t help but laugh. "I’m only thinking of your good. Do you intend to refer to their father so casually in front of your children as well?" Her gaze softened until it seemed to brim with tenderness as she asked gently, "Have you had much discomfort these days? Any particular cravings?"

"I’ve been especially fond of pickles," Fu Tingyun admitted, her spirits lifting at her mother’s cheer. A radiant smile touched her eyes. "As for discomfort," she mused with a hint of confusion, "I’ve heard that in the first few months, one vomits everything they eat. But aside from feeling tired and sleepy, I’ve had no other symptoms. Otherwise, how could I have been unaware of the pregnancy?" Her expression dimmed, and she lowered her voice. "Do you think this child might…?" A flicker of fear crossed her face.

Such thoughts had haunted her ever since she discovered her pregnancy. Yet, whenever she saw Zhao Ling’s joyful face, she dared not voice them to anyone. Today, visiting her mother, she had held onto hope—that her mother might give her an answer.Madam Fu was taken aback, then glared at her daughter disapprovingly. "What nonsense are you spouting, child? This is something others would beg for, yet you disdain it! Do you know who you take after? You take after your grandmother! She bore six sons and three daughters, not one of them gave her trouble, and all the children were healthy—every single one survived."

Fu Tingyun's eyes sparkled upon hearing this, the hidden worry in them swept away. Her face brightened like a summer flower under the sun, radiant and vibrant, looking even more spirited than usual, with none of the weariness typical of a pregnant woman.

Seeing this, Madam Fu couldn't help but shake her head with a smile. "Back then, the reason the Yu Family sought this marriage was entirely because both your grandmother and I were blessed with fertility. They even took your Destiny to the Taoist master Tianyi of Dragon-Tiger Mountain for divination, who declared you destined to bear sons..."

Fu Tingyun was stunned.

She had thought it was because the Fu family was of good repute and her cheerful, lively nature pleased the elders...

Never had she imagined it was for this reason.

Since her mother knew, it was clear most of the elders in the family were aware as well.

Thank goodness she hadn’t married into the Yu Family—what would she have become otherwise?

She felt displeased, but more than anything, relieved.

Then she recalled the conversation she’d had with Zhao Ling a few days ago, guessing whether their child would be a boy or a girl.

Zhao Ling had joked that since he was the last of his family line, he would cherish both a daughter or a son equally. He’d even said they should have many children... As they talked, Zhao Ling had grown mischievous again, muttering things like "even if there’s no meat, he should at least get a sip of broth"—though his words were more playful than lustful. She could genuinely sense he was trying to express the joy in his heart that he couldn’t put into words.

If she truly took after her grandmother, wouldn’t that mean they’d have many children?

If Zhao Ling found out, he’d be over the moon!

Fu Tingyun’s mind conjured an image of a tiny figure with Zhao Ling’s sharp eyes and the same cool, sidelong glance... Just the thought alone filled her with delight.

Meanwhile, Madam Fu regretted her words the moment they left her mouth. Seeing the change in her daughter’s expression, she cursed herself inwardly for her thoughtlessness.

Her daughter was living happily now—why had she brought up the past so carelessly, needlessly upsetting her?

Hastily, Madam Fu tried to make amends. "Thank heavens you didn’t marry into the Yu Family! Even if you were destined to bear sons, the Yu Eldest Young Master carries the responsibility of three branches of the family. You’d likely have to bear five or six sons before their elders would be satisfied."

Beside them, Xiuzhu's family was sweating profusely.

What had gotten into Madam today? Her words were all over the place, lacking her usual sharpness and composure.

Why bring up the Yu Family out of the blue?

Was it because Madam Yu had sent her personal Housekeeper to inquire after Fu Tingyun’s health recently, stirring old memories?

But the marriage was already settled—bringing this up now would only upset the young mistress.

Thinking this, Xiuzhu's family disregarded her own position and quickly interjected with a smile, "Young Mistress, what pickles do you enjoy? I’ve heard the Baiweiquan pickles in the capital are the finest. I’ll send you some in a few days."Madam Fu snapped out of her thoughts and smiled hurriedly, "How thoughtful of Xiuzhu's family. Look at me, just chattering away. Quan Hui, what pickles do you like? I'll have Xiuzhu's family send some over for you."

Since Mother had given all her private savings to me and no longer received subsidies from Uncle, she must be tight on money. Sharing Mother's sentiments, I didn't want to accept any more gifts from the Fu family, let alone have Mother spend money on me.

"Please don't send me any pickles," Fu Tingyun put on a troubled expression. "That big-mouthed Ninth Master has been telling everyone he's going to be a father, and that I've been craving pickles these days. His colleagues and superiors have all sent over homemade pickles or bought Baiweiren pickles for us. We must have at least fifty or sixty varieties at home now—enough to open a pickle shop!" Though her tone carried three parts complaint, there were seven parts sweetness in it.

Madam Fu watched her, tears nearly welling up.

This child, though married, still retained her youthful innocence.

She had already been powerless to help during this child's difficult time once before. She couldn't bear to watch her fall into hardship again.

Madam Fu took a deep breath and asked with a smile, "Who's preparing the baby clothes?"

"Zhao Ling bought two more women in their thirties," Fu Tingyun replied. "He said they're both experienced and will serve me during my confinement and take care of the child. These days Yu Wei is teaching them the rules while having them make baby clothes."

"Rather than buying two at once, it would've been better to start with one," Madam Fu said. Though she knew Zhao Ling was always considerate toward her daughter, hearing this still filled her with joy. She offered advice, "Later there'll be wet nurses too. A wet nurse with two maids to help would suffice for childcare."

She couldn't very well tell her mother that she'd said the same thing, only for Zhao Ling to cheekily reply, "You think it's too many now, but later you'll think it's too few," could she?

Fu Tingyun's expression turned slightly awkward.

Thinking her daughter felt embarrassed, Madam Fu tactfully changed the subject: "Have you started looking for wet nurses?"

Fu Tingyun nodded repeatedly. "Ninth Master asked his colleagues, and everyone said wet nurses from Daxing Prefecture are the best—even the palace wet nurses mostly come from there. Coincidentally, Ninth Master has a sworn brother serving in Daxing, so he asked him to help. He's already screened several candidates, and we'll finalize the choice after the New Year."

Madam Fu nodded slightly.

This Zhao Ling—it was clear he cherished Quan Hui deeply. Otherwise, why would a man concern himself with such minute details?

She couldn't help but take her daughter's hand and admonish her again: "Ninth Master treats you so well. You mustn't let him down."

Why did Mother always say this during every meeting, as if she were some fickle-hearted woman?

Fu Tingyun grew somewhat displeased and pouted, "I treat him very well too! I personally make all his clothes and shoes throughout the year. On his birthday when he had palace duties, I got up before him to make him longevity noodles myself..."

Madam Fu simply looked at her and chuckled, making Fu Tingyun uneasy. "Wh-what are you laughing at?"

"Isn't that what you're supposed to do?" Madam Fu asked with an amused smile.

Fu Tingyun flushed crimson.After seeing her daughter off, Madam Fu leaned against the large bolster pillow at the head of the bed, lost in thought.

Xiuzhu's family didn't dare disturb her and quietly tidied up the teacups.

Suddenly, Madam Fu spoke: "What gifts did the young mistress send to Quan Hui?"

It was as if she had eyes in the back of her head!

How could she have been possessed earlier and said such things?

Xiuzhu's family muttered to herself when she heard Madam Fu continue, her tone both reflective and explanatory: "I know the young mistress's temperament well. She's a true noble lady—though timid, she would never stoop to such despicable acts. Knowing Quan Hui is with child, she would certainly send her congratulations."

"How perceptive of you, Madam," Xiuzhu's family praised sincerely. "The young mistress sent over some of the young master's old clothes for the young madam, saying she hoped they would bring her the blessing of a son soon."

A pained expression flickered across Madam Fu's face. "How I regret it! I shouldn't have listened to his father and left him in the capital. Had he stayed with me in Huayin, he wouldn't have turned out like this!"

It took Xiuzhu's family a moment to realize that the "he" Madam Fu referred to was Fu Tinggui.

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Working hard to update more... Due to an afternoon meeting that might delay the regular update, I'm sweating here to ask for your permission to postpone it by a few hours... ⊙﹏⊙b sweat...

PS: Just noticed that the pink votes have reached second place on the rankings—it's only mid-July, and the gap with third place is very close. Though maintaining this position seems difficult, I humbly ask for your support, dear sisters and brothers, to strive for better results than last month.

Thank you all!

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(End of Chapter)