Сhеng Сhi listened аnd lаughеd, hugging hеr аffectionаtеly. "Nonsеnse agаin! Whеn did I еvеr sау I didn't like it? You kеep wronging me like this!"
As hе sрokе, a wаrm fееling surgеd quietlу in his hеаrt.
Shаоjin now knеw how to aсt сoquеttishly with him and darеd to be willful in frоnt of him!
Chеng Сhi rеstеd his сhin оn Zhоu Shaojin's hеаd and sighеd, "Sillу girl, hоw old аre уоu? And how оld аm I? Othеrs my age аlready hаvе sоns loоking for wives, while minе is still nоwhеre tо bе sееn. Dо уou think I wаnt оne? Dо yоu think I long for оne?"
Zhоu Shаоjin flushed slightlу, still thinking аbоut hоw he hadn't wantеd a child before.
Сheng Chi smiled. "If уou werе a fеw уeаrs older, would I have let you hold a grudge against me?"
Zhou Shaojin, of course, understood Cheng Chi's intentions. She just wanted to hear him coax her, which was why she had spoken to him that way. Now, hearing him talk about "grudges" and "no grudges," she felt wronged and pouted unhappily. "When did I ever hold a grudge against you? You're the one wronging me!"
Cheng Chi burst into laughter.
The two of them tangled playfully for a long while before finally settling down with boundless anticipation. Early the next morning, they called for a physician to take her pulse.
The physician diagnosed a pregnancy.
Cheng Chi and Zhou Shaojin would become parents in early May next year!
Zhou Shaojin wept with joy.
Having lived two lifetimes and being in her twenties, she had finally conceived a child.
This time, she would protect him well!
Watch him grow up, accompany him in his studies, and see him marry or be wedded!
She threw herself into Cheng Chi's arms and sobbed loudly.
Cheng Chi was surprised.
Shaojin was so young, yet she was wholeheartedly eager to become a mother.
Women her age were usually somewhat afraid of motherhood.
Although she had often mentioned it in front of him before, he hadn't realized how deeply Zhou Shaojin yearned for it.
Thinking of this, Cheng Chi's heart stirred.
Could it be that this little girl was still hiding something from him?
A flicker of sharpness passed through his gaze.
But no matter what, Shaojin was now with child. He was going to be a father, and that was truly something to be happy about.
Cheng Chi immediately sent someone to deliver the news to Old Madam Guo.
In less than half an hour, Old Madam Guo hurried over.
Madam Qiu, who accompanied the elderly lady, was terribly anxious, repeatedly urging her, "Slow down! Slow down!"
But Old Madam Guo could hardly contain her excitement, ignoring Madam Qiu's words and walking faster and faster.
Madam Qiu stamped her feet in frustration.
Without waiting for the maid on duty to announce her, Old Madam Guo lifted the curtain and walked right in.
Zhou Shaojin had heard that the early stages of pregnancy were the most prone to mishaps. Now that she was carrying a child, she had to be extra careful. After her husband left, she lay down as she pleased.
Seeing her tired expression and thinking of how she, so young, was now bearing his child, Cheng Chi was filled with heartache and naturally indulged Zhou Shaojin in every way. Not only did he not object when she wanted to rest, but if she had craved something as rare as dragon liver or phoenix gall, he would have found a way to get it for her. So when Zhou Shaojin wanted to take a nap, he not only didn't oppose it but even brought a brocade stool to the bedside, holding her hand and keeping her company.
Though it was a bit cloying, it still felt sweet.
Zhou Shaojin pressed her cheek against Cheng Chi's hand... and then the inner chamber's curtain was lifted as Old Madam Guo barged in.
She was startled out of her wits.Before she could even rise, Old Madam Guo had already hurried to the bedside in quick strides. Smiling, she said, "Good child, I know you're feeling unwell. Don't get up to entertain me. Am I some outsider? Right now, resting well is what matters most. Don't bother with those empty formalities with me." As she spoke, her eyes caught sight of Madam Qiu, and she spoke on her behalf, "Your second sister-in-law is a practical person. She won't mind that you didn't greet her. Just lie down and rest properly."
Zhou Shaojin felt she was doing fine, just a bit drowsy.
Old Madam Guo's sudden appearance had chased away whatever sleepiness she had.
She still sat up.
But Old Madam Guo pressed her back under the covers, saying, "Be obedient."
Was this the same mother-in-law who wouldn't yield an inch even in front of the Second Branch's patriarch, Cheng Xu?
Madam Qiu watched in astonishment.
Old Madam Guo had already turned to Cheng Chi and asked, "What did the doctor say? How was the pulse? Are there any taboos? Did you invite a master from Qingxu Temple to check the five elements? Did she vomit when she got up this morning? What did she eat for breakfast just now? Did she eat well? Did it taste good? Is there anything she particularly likes to eat?"
A barrage of questions came down, and even Cheng Chi had to steady himself before beginning to answer.
Learning that Zhou Shaojin had no other issues besides drowsiness, Old Madam Guo was overjoyed and said, "Shaojin is most likely having an easy pregnancy. She can have several more children in the future! Unlike your second sister-in-law, who vomited everything she ate as soon as she became pregnant, suffering until seven or eight months in, nearly collapsing..." Not to mention giving birth.
When she gave birth to Cheng Rang and Cheng Sheng, she almost died.
Madam Qiu naturally knew who her mother-in-law was referring to. Her face flushed, and she couldn't help thinking to herself: The old madam is so desperate for more grandchildren. Fourth sister-in-law's child isn't even here yet, and she's already thinking about having several more...
Cheng Chi stood up and offered the embroidered stool to Old Madam Guo to sit.
Madam Qiu then stepped forward with a smile, approaching Zhou Shaojin's bedside, and said gently, "Rest well. Mother-in-law and I just discussed it—she wants me to stay with her these days to keep her company, and you'll have someone to look after you here..."
"How can that be?" Zhou Shaojin immediately declined, "Brother Rang is about to get married, and you still have a pile of things to do. How can you leave your household matters to take care of me?"
But as soon as she finished speaking, Old Madam Guo laughed and said, "The major matters are mostly settled. As for the minor ones, let the stewards come for instructions. Don't worry about this. Having your second sister-in-law come over is my idea. You're young and don't understand. I'm old now and can't cling to the old ways forever. You should decide for yourselves. Your second sister-in-law is very suitable—she's been in the capital for so many years and is familiar with everything, high and low. If anything happens, whether in the outer or inner courtyards, she'll have someone to run errands..."
Seeing Old Madam Guo's firm stance, Cheng Chi and Zhou Shaojin guessed that this matter had likely already been discussed with Madam Qiu. Refusing further would be inappropriate.
"Very well, then!" Cheng Chi agreed readily and respectfully said to Madam Qiu, "We'll trouble you these days!""No trouble at all, no trouble at all." Madam Qiu, pleased by her brother-in-law's regard, wore a delighted smile that reached the corners of her eyes. She joked, "My sister-in-law is young—this is what I should be doing. Don’t make a fuss about it, or I won’t know where to put my hands and feet! Besides, Mother has helped me a great deal since she arrived; otherwise, my son’s wedding wouldn’t have gone so smoothly. Mother treats all her children equally. Now that she’s concerned about Fourth Uncle, how could I not come and help?"
Zhou Shaojin and Cheng Chi knew she was a sincere person and said no more, promptly instructing maids and servants to prepare a guest room for Madam Qiu to move in.
Old Madam Guo, however, said, "Let her stay with me in the east wing of the main courtyard. If anything happens, it’ll be easier to fetch a doctor!"
Zhou Shaojin had no choice but to order the east wing of the main courtyard to be tidied up and sent someone to inform Nanny Lu and others to bring back Old Madam Guo’s trunks, helping Madam Qiu settle in.
Old Madam Guo, meanwhile, discussed with Cheng Chi about inviting Taoist priests from Qingxu Temple: "...She’s pregnant now, so we must prevent anyone from barging in! What if she gets frightened? You may not care, but I do!"
Cheng Chi immediately understood and agreed to invite someone from Qingxu Temple.
Taking the opportunity, Zhou Shaojin said to Madam Qiu with concern, "Second Sister-in-law, why don’t you settle your household affairs before coming over? In a few days, when I’m better, you can go back and stay for a while."
Madam Qiu understood her kindness and smiled, "It’s fine. My house is small, and your second brother isn’t home. It’s all trivial matters anyway—it won’t matter if I don’t go back. But you, pregnant at such a young age, must be careful. I’ll stay with Mother to look after you for a while; it’ll put my mind at ease."
Zhou Shaojin thanked her repeatedly.
By the time Old Madam Guo and Madam Qiu’s trunks arrived, the Taoist priest from Qingxu Temple had also come.
He inspected the house inside and out, performed calculations with his fingers for a long time, and said Zhou Shaojin had all five elements, but was slightly lacking in wood. Placing a piece of chicken-wing wood under the bed would suffice.
Cheng Chi first sent an experienced nanny to inform Xinglin Alley and Cheng Wen’s household that Zhou Shaojin was pregnant and had many taboos, and that they would notify them again after the child was born. Only then did he have someone open the storeroom to find a piece of chicken-wing wood.
Upon receiving the letter, Madam Yuan was so angry she couldn’t speak for a long time. When she finally did, her voice trembled: "What does Fourth Brother mean by this? Afraid we’ll visit Zhou Shaojin? Are we some kind of monsters?"
She slapped the letter onto the table.
Min Jia, hearing this, also felt uncomfortable and frowned.
Madam Yuan’s gaze suddenly shifted to Min Jia.
Min Jia had been married for over half a year, and while Zhou Shaojin was already pregnant, Min Jia showed no signs...
Madam Yuan temporarily forgot about the letter from Chaoyang Gate and began pondering Min Jia.
Seeing her mother-in-law make a big fuss over nothing, Min Jia felt a sense of relief.
If they really didn’t have to go to Chaoyang Gate and could avoid Zhou Shaojin, that wouldn’t be bad.
She hadn’t known what happened between Zhou Shaojin and Cheng Xu before, so she could act righteously. But now that she knew, she couldn’t pretend to be calm and treat Zhou Shaojin as if nothing had happened. She admitted she wasn’t as shameless as Madam Yuan...
When Wu Baozhang received the letter, she merely paused for a moment before tossing it into a corner.She had been living in hell these past days.
Just as she had feared, Cheng Lu was completely ruined, turning into a scoundrel.
After shamelessly taking twenty taels of silver from her and extorting another two hundred taels, he now made a new demand: she must find a way to gather three hundred more taels for him. He intended to change his name and identity to re-enter the imperial examinations.
Before moving to Jinling, Wu Baozhang had grown up in the fields and villages of her hometown, Mianyang. She had seen such idle troublemakers and scoundrels before. They cast aside all sense of propriety, shame, and integrity, clinging like leeches—once they latched on, they wouldn’t stop until they had sucked you dry.
She had to return to Jinling!
No matter what, she must return to Jinling!
She couldn’t stay here waiting to die!
But how could she get back to Jinling?
Wu Baozhang paced frantically around the room, then summoned her personal maid and gave her twenty taels of silver.
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