Eаrlу in thе mоrning, bеfоrе dawn had еvеn brоkеn, Zhеnzhu came tо rеport thаt Cheng Jiа hаd inехрliсably fаinted. Even someonе аs eхpеriеnсеd as Оld Маdаm Guо was stаrtled and hurriedlу sаid, "Sincе something so sеrious has hаppеnеd tо Jiа, уоu must gо and seе hеr!" She thеn аskеd, "Did the mеssengеr sаy anуthing еlse?"
Zhеnzhu replied, "Тhey said shе fеlt unwеll aftеr dinner last night and wеnt tо bеd eаrlу. Fоurth Маstеr Li thought shе might hаve сaught а chill and сonsidеrеd сalling а dосtоr. Howevеr, it was already lаte, and Fourth Мistress insisted shе was finе, just vеry tirеd, so Fourth Master Li didn’t press the matter. Who would have thought that when she woke up this morning, as soon as the maid brought her a cup of tea, Fourth Mistress smelled it and began vomiting. Before she could even stand up straight, she fainted. Fourth Master Li turned pale, immediately called for a doctor, and sent someone to fetch Fourth Mistress’s wet nurse, saying that someone who had nursed the young ladies would be more attentive and knowledgeable than others..."
Old Madam Guo nodded approvingly and said, "Jia’s husband is indeed a thoughtful man." Then, remembering that Zhou Shaojin and Cheng Chi had only settled down in the early hours of the morning, she worried that waking them now would cause further disruption. She quickly instructed Nanny Lu, "Go over right away and tell Fourth Mistress not to rush. There’s little she can do, and Fourth Master Li has already sent for a doctor. The doctor will arrive soon, and her presence might only add to the confusion. She can go over after the doctor has examined Jia." She added, "Whoever went to fetch the doctor for Fourth Master Li should take the master’s name card and try to bring a physician from the Imperial Hospital."
Zhenzhu acknowledged and left.
However, the news reached Zhou Shaojin at the same time it reached Old Madam Guo.
Zhou Shaojin broke into a cold sweat and, ignoring her exhaustion, groggily felt around for her clothes while speaking to Chunwan, who stood outside the bed curtains. "Go and see what’s happening. After all, we’re not at home, and Fourth Master Li might not have the same convenience here. Send someone to inform the stewards. Do exactly as Fourth Master Li instructs, and do not show the slightest neglect. Act with discretion—don’t alarm the other guests or cause unnecessary worry."
Chunwan acknowledged and hurried off to relay the message.
Only then did Zhou Shaojin feel large, soft things falling between her thighs.
The memory of last night, when he had held her in his arms and acted recklessly, suddenly flashed through her mind.
Her face flushed crimson. Lowering her head, she realized she was still completely undressed and felt another wave of embarrassment. She hastily grabbed a garment and draped it over herself, turning to search for her clothes. But then she saw Cheng Chi leaning against the headboard, his shoulders bare, revealing fair skin and a firm chest, watching her with keen interest, his gaze as clear as water.
The bed curtains still carried the lingering scent of intimacy.
Her heart raced, and she dared not look at him any longer. Turning her face away, she murmured, "Fourth... Fourth Brother."
Cheng Chi chuckled, reached out, and pulled her into his arms, kissing the top of her head. "My little girl has grown up. Now she knows how to handle sudden situations..."
The touch of their skin reminded her of last night’s intimacy.
Zhou Shaojin’s face burned, and she replied distractedly, "I... I don’t know if I did the right thing.""Exactly right!" Cheng Chi praised. "When something like this happens at home, that's how it should be handled. Especially since we don't know how Jia'er is doing—it's best not to let the guests know something has happened. That would be better for Jia'er, I..."
Before he could finish, Nanny Shang's voice came from outside: "Fourth Master, Fourth Mistress, Fourth Aunt has woken up. She only says she feels unwell and wants to vomit—afraid she might have eaten something unclean. Son-in-law Li is investigating there now!"
Zhou Shaojin had known of Li Jing's affection and respect for Cheng Jia from her past life, so she didn't feel offended. She instructed Jixiang: "Have the servants in the guest quarters listen to Son-in-law Li—do whatever he asks them to do!"
Jixiang went to relay the message.
Zhou Shaojin hurriedly struggled out of Cheng Chi's embrace, saying, "I should go over and take a look."
Cheng Chi also rose, saying, "I'll go take a look too!"
This was their home. When a guest in their household encountered trouble, they naturally had to step forward to offer comfort and resolve the situation.
Zhou Shaojin practically fled from the bed, hiding behind the screen to tidy herself up. After a while, she emerged wearing an inner garment with the collar neatly buttoned all the way up. She lifted the bed curtain and went out, calling Yuanyuan and Manman to come in and help her with her hair and dressing.
Cheng Chi chuckled, thinking that Zhou Shaojin, who seemed to be burying her head in the sand like the proverbial ostrich, was both muddled and clever—utterly adorable.
The two of them went together to see Cheng Jia.
The doctor had not yet arrived. Li Jing was anxiously pacing back and forth under the corridor eaves. When he saw them, he immediately came forward to greet them. Despite the cold weather, beads of sweat actually appeared on his forehead. He said urgently, "Thank you, Old Madam and Uncle Chi... Old Madam just had someone bring Uncle Jing's name card over. Steward Xiang has already gone to help invite Imperial Physician Cao from the Imperial Hospital. I've also sent someone to fetch a nearby doctor. I'm sorry to worry Uncle Chi and Fourth Aunt. Could you please go check on my wife, Uncle Chi? I'll accompany you to the side room for a cup of hot tea!"
Even someone as astute as Li Jing had become somewhat flustered when faced with such a situation.
Cheng Chi, however, had an excellent impression of him and went with him to the adjacent side room for tea.
Zhou Shaojin was led by a maid into the inner chamber.
Because they had stayed late yesterday to watch the fireworks, they hadn't returned home and had temporarily stayed in the guest quarters. Aside from Cui Huan and another young maid attending Cheng Jia, the rest were maids and matrons from the Cheng family on duty in the guest quarters.
When Zhou Shaojin entered, the room was crowded with people kneeling. She didn't have time to identify who was who, heading straight for Cheng Jia, who was lying in bed. Sitting on the brocade stool by the bed, she took Cheng Jia's hand and asked repeatedly, "How are you feeling now?"
"Alright," Cheng Jia replied listlessly, her complexion somewhat sallow. "I just feel weak, wanting to sleep but unable to."
"It's nothing serious!" Zhou Shaojin comforted Cheng Jia. "We've already sent someone with Elder Jing's name card to invite an imperial physician. The doctor will be here soon. If you feel uncomfortable, just close your eyes and rest for a while."
Cheng Jia smiled weakly, saying, "If I'd known this would happen, I wouldn't have teased you. This must be the Bodhisattva seeing me causing trouble everywhere and deliberately teaching me a lesson."
Zhou Shaojin felt both sad and amused hearing this, saying, "See if you'll still be mischievous in the future?"
The two exchanged a few casual words before the doctor Li Jing had sent for from nearby arrived.
Zhou Shaojin retreated behind the screen.
The doctor took Cheng Jia's pulse for a long while, then smiled at Li Jing, who was standing nervously nearby, and said, "Congratulations, Madam is with child!""A pregnancy pulse?!" Li Jing's eyes widened, taking a long moment to regain his composure.
It was Cui Huan who joyfully thanked the doctor first, prompting Li Jing to react. He stammered, "You couldn’t have misdiagnosed, could you? How could it be a pregnancy pulse? I’m still a guest in someone else’s home! Then we must hurry back to Luoyang. No, we should first go and offer prayers to our ancestors..."
The doctor, who had never before been called to treat anyone in the Cheng household, had no idea who Li Jing was. Seeing his barely contained delight, the doctor finally relaxed and smiled, saying, "Rest assured, I’ve been practicing medicine near Chaoyang Gate for nearly twenty years and have never misdiagnosed. Besides, the pulse is quite clear..."
Just as he spoke, Steward Xiang led Imperial Physician Cao in.
The doctor quickly retreated outside.
Imperial Physician Cao also diagnosed a pregnancy pulse after checking: "However, the pregnancy is still in its early stages. For the next two or three months, it’s best to take care and avoid excessive movement or travel. I’ll prescribe a formula for her to take first. Once it’s finished, I’ll come back to check her pulse again and adjust the prescription as needed."
Since even the imperial physician confirmed it was a pregnancy pulse, Li Jing harbored no further doubts. He respectfully invited Imperial Physician Cao to write the prescription, paid the earlier doctor twenty taels of silver for his consultation fee, and sent off the overjoyed doctor, who couldn’t stop smiling. Only then did he excitedly go to see Cheng Chi, who was waiting in the adjacent side room.
Zhou Shaojin also emerged from behind the screen.
Cheng Jia, her eyes red, grabbed Zhou Shaojin’s hand and said, "Pinch me. Am I dreaming? How is it that just as I wished for a child, I’m pregnant?" At this, she suddenly sat up and exclaimed, "I remember now! I went to Hongluo Temple to pray for a child some time ago and promised the Bodhisattva that if my wish came true, I’d donate ten catties of gold to gild the statue. I must go and fulfill my vow!"
"Didn’t you hear what the doctor said?" Zhou Shaojin pressed Cheng Jia back down. "Your pregnancy is still early; you shouldn’t move around. You should rest properly in bed. Let Li Jing go and fulfill your vow first. Once you’re in better health, you can visit Hongluo Temple yourself—it won’t be too late then!" She added, "Don’t be so startled and agitated; that’s most likely to cause complications."
Cheng Jia indeed dared not move recklessly again and carefully lay back down, her eyes and brows brimming with unconcealed joy. She asked Zhou Shaojin, "You’ve just gotten married—how do you know all this?"
Zhou Shaojin had a sudden inspiration and replied, "Don’t forget, I came to the capital to take care of my sister during her postpartum confinement."
"Oh!" Cheng Jia no longer doubted her.
Li Jing strode in, his smile radiant and overflowing with joy. He exclaimed to Cheng Jia, "Ah Jia, you’ve worked hard! Now that you’re pregnant..." Before he could finish, his eyes also grew moist.
Zhou Shaojin thoughtfully rose to take her leave, allowing the couple to share their intimate words.
Cheng Chi smiled as he helped Zhou Shaojin up, saying, "Although we were awakened early in the morning, hearing such joyful news makes it all worthwhile!"
Zhou Shaojin smiled faintly.
Cheng Chi leaned close to her ear and whispered, "It truly makes me envious!"
What did he mean by that?
Did he also want to become a father?
A blush spread across Zhou Shaojin’s face as she shot Cheng Chi a glare.
Cheng Chi laughed heartily.
In less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the news of Cheng Jia’s pregnancy had spread far and wide.Old Madam Guo chanted "Amitabha Buddha," thinking it was a good thing, and hoping that Zhou Shaojin could also share in the blessings. She sent over two fifty-year-old ginseng roots, along with bird's nests, white fungus, and other blood-nourishing and qi-boosting medicinal herbs.
All the aunts and relatives went to see Cheng Jia.
Cheng Jia couldn't rest properly.
After kowtowing to Old Madam Guo to express his gratitude, Li Jing went to see Cheng Chi: "I've caused trouble for your household. I've arranged for a sedan chair, and we'll return home after lunch."
Cheng Chi urged him to stay: "No need to be polite with me. If the doctor thinks Jia shouldn't move around, let her stay here for a few days. Just send her usual maids and servants to take care of her. Returning to your place without any elders around is less convenient than staying here!"
※
Dear readers, here's today's bonus update.
The next update will be tomorrow. Due to a meeting in the morning, it will be postponed until around noon.
O(∩_∩)O~
※ (To be continued ~^~)
OpenNovel