Chapter 3: The Child Has Stopped Breathing
Returning to Yüsheng Residence, the sky had completely darkened.
Lamps were lit inside the house. As soon as she stepped in, she saw a man sitting in the side hall drinking tea.
This was the twenty-eight-year-old Xie Jingyu.
Back when her mother was arranging her marriage, she had secretly caught a glimpse of Xie Jingyu - an elegant Number One Scholar, flawless in every way.
But had she known Xie Jingyu already had children, she would never have married into the Xie family.
Her gaze shifted to the woman standing behind Xie Jingyu.
Everyone in the Xie residence knew this woman was Xie Jingyu's most capable steward, addressed by all as Mother He.
It wasn't until the Yun family collapsed in her previous life that she discovered this woman was actually Xie Shi'an's birth mother.
Four years ago, when Xie Jingyu brought Xie Shi'an and his two siblings back to the Xie family, he personally told her the children's mother had already passed away.
At that time, her own child had died young, while Xie Shi'an and his siblings had lost their mother. Naturally, the three children were raised under her care, calling her mother.
To prevent the Yun family from developing misgivings, to legitimize the children born outside wedlock, to make her devote herself to raising the children - she had been deceived for so many years...
"Husband."
Yun Chu called out indifferently.
After their wedding, Xie Jingyu had never again entered her bedchamber.
Initially, while pregnant, she had appreciated her husband's consideration.
But as nights turned into years without her husband's presence, she gradually lost hope, pouring all her attention into her child.
If Xie Shi'an was primarily responsible for the Yun family's downfall, then the tragedy of her life began with Xie Jingyu.
"Has husband come because of An Ge'er's matter?"
Yun Chu inquired with a calm expression.
She sat down at the table and said coldly, "An Ge'er has committed such an unfilial act. Does husband believe I shouldn't punish him?"
Hearing this, Xie Jingyu looked somewhat astonished.
Since their child's premature death, Yun Chu had lost the dignified bearing of the General's legitimate daughter, gradually becoming silent and submissive.
This was the first time in four years he felt the former Miss Yun seemed to have come back to life.
"Of course the mistress should punish him." Seeing Xie Jingyu remain silent, Mother He behind him spoke up. "But spring has just begun, the nights are cold, and the young master has a delicate constitution..."
Before she could finish, she felt a cold glare.
Yun Chu's expression remained cool. "In our Yun family, when masters are speaking, if servants interrupt, they face slapping."
"Mother He is just concerned about An Ge'er," Xie Jingyu interjected. "An Ge'er was indeed wrong. Two days kneeling in the ancestral hall will surely help him understand the gravity of his actions. I came hoping you wouldn't let the Yun family know about this matter."
He still hoped the Yun family would provide more opportunities for An Ge'er, so naturally couldn't let An Ge'er's mistakes become leverage against him.
"Don't worry, husband, I understand everything." Yun Chu took a sip of tea, a slight smile at her lips. "Speaking of which, I still don't know Mother He's given name."
Mother He lowered her eyes submissively. "This servant is but a lowly maid. My humble name would offend your ears, not fit for the mistress to know."
"Mother He isn't even thirty yet, I hear? And still unmarried?" Yun Chu continued staring at her. "I actually have a good match in mind."
"This servant is terrified!" Mother He bowed deeply. "This servant's birth chart is unlucky. I won't marry in this lifetime, and being older now, I long ago abandoned such thoughts. This servant gratefully declines the mistress's kind intention."Xie Jingyu stood up: "I have official duties to attend to, so I'll take my leave now. Madam, don't overexert yourself either."
Watching the two of them walk out of Yüsheng Residence one after another, Yun Chu narrowed her eyes.
She could sense that He Shi had no intention of becoming the primary wife.
Any woman who bore children for a man and tried every means to stay by his side would likely desire to become the legal wife.
Why was this He Shi content to remain a servant without a trace of resentment?
In her previous life, she had been preoccupied with the Yun family's affairs until her dying day, never giving much thought to He Shi's identity.
Having been reborn, she couldn't continue being so muddled.
That night, Yun Chu repeatedly recalled all the events of her past life, only falling asleep as dawn approached.
She actually dreamed of her wedding night.
The tenderness of that night was etched deep into her bones.
She also dreamed of herself during pregnancy—though unskilled in needlework, she had learned to embroider many tiger-head shoes while carrying her child.
Suddenly, the dream shifted.
A vast expanse of blood spread, and various voices echoed in her ears.
"Something's wrong! Madam is bleeding heavily! The baby is coming early! Someone, help!"
"The young master is finally born... Why isn't he crying? It seems like he's not breathing..."
"There's another child in Madam's womb... It also seems lifeless..."
"If Madam sees the stillborn, she'll be devastated and hemorrhage! Quickly, take the children away!"
"No! Don't!"
Yun Chu's eyes snapped open.
During her pregnancy, her belly had been unusually large. Only during childbirth did she learn she had been carrying twins.
Yet, she, their birth mother, hadn't even caught a glimpse of her own flesh and blood before they stopped breathing and were taken away.
She died without ever knowing where her children were buried.
"Madam, what's wrong?"
Hearing her distress, Ting Shuang rushed in immediately. Seeing her drenched in sweat, she promptly fetched water for her to wash up.
Yun Chu soaked in the bathtub for a long time before finally suppressing the emotions from her dream.
By then, the sky had already brightened.
After she finished dressing, those coming to pay their respects had arrived.
"Madam."
"Mother."
As she emerged, everyone stood up and bowed in unison.
Yun Chu's gaze swept over the crowd.
Xie Jingyu was not a man of excessive desires; he had only three concubines.
Her eyes settled on one of them—this was Ting Yu, the maid she had brought with her as part of her dowry to the Xie residence, now Concubine Yu of the Xie family.
Five years ago, while Yun Chu was pregnant, Ting Yu had secretly climbed into Xie Jingyu's bed behind her back.
Her own child had died young, while Ting Yu successfully gave birth to the third young master of the Xie family. Xie Jingyu then placed Ting Yu's child by her side.
She personally named the child Xie Shiyun.
If Xie Shi'an was the eldest son she had invested the most effort in, then Xie Shiyun was the beloved apple of her eye.
This child had healed the pain of losing her own, pulling her out of boundless grief and despair, giving her life purpose.
She had truly regarded Xie Shiyun as her own son, but later...
"Mother."
Xie Shiyun threw himself into Yun Chu's arms, leaning against her and acting spoiled.
Yun Chu's smile didn't reach her eyes: "Yun Ge'er is four years old now. It's time to learn some manners."
Ting Yu looked up.
Madam had always doted on Yun Ge'er the most. Whenever the child acted spoiled, she would hold him close, showering him with affection and comfort.
But now, Madam hadn't even touched the child, and there was a hint of detachment and wariness in her eyes.
If she hadn't served Madam since childhood, she might not have noticed this subtle shift in her demeanor."Concubine Yu has borne children for the Xie family, yet she has never had her own courtyard," Yun Chu said with a smile. "The empty small courtyard on the east side of the Xie residence shall henceforth be given to Concubine Yu and Yun Ge'er to live in."
Ting Yu was stunned.
Since becoming a concubine, she had always lived in the main wife's courtyard, and Yun Ge'er had lived there as well, which was why they had such a close relationship with the main wife.
If they moved to the east side, it would be difficult to visit the main wife's quarters in the future. Would the main wife still dote on Yun Ge'er?
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