Chapter 113: Visiting the Zhao Family

After lunch, the relatives from the Wu and Zhao families departed, while Matriarch Li, accompanied by her two daughters-in-law, remained seated on the Kang bed of the Gu household, completely unmoving. The other daughters-in-law from the Gu family’s seventh great-grandfather’s branch also took their leave, some casting deliberate glances at Matriarch Li and her daughters-in-law as they exited.

Unaware of the attention, Matriarch Li simply sat there, shelling sunflower seeds with her daughters-in-law, showing no intention of leaving. The Gu daughters-in-law shook their heads and said, “Sister-in-law, we’ll come early tomorrow to help.” After bidding farewell to the Li family, they left.

Outside, the people who came to help with the dowry had all gone; only Matriarch Li and her daughters-in-law remained. Since they often came around, the Gu family no longer treated them as guests, each returning to their own tasks.

Wenfang and Wenfei, worried about Sister-in-law Zhao, stopped helping with boiling water and went back to accompany their mother. At noon, Wenfang made Sister-in-law Zhao a bowl of hand-pulled dough soup and cooked two poached eggs. Zhao ate well, and with food in her stomach, her dizziness lessened.

After tending to her own affairs, Second Aunt Feng led Jiaoyan to Zhao’s room. “Sister-in-law, congratulations! This time, your wish has come true. You must take good care of yourself. If there’s anything you crave and the matriarch won’t provide, don’t hesitate to ask me. You need to eat well for the baby to grow strong.”

As she spoke, Feng pulled a small purse from her waist and handed it to Wenfang, who was standing nearby. “Wenfang, take this. You’re quick on your feet—if your mother wants anything to eat, use this money to buy it. Pregnant women have all sorts of cravings; don’t let your mother go without.”

Wenfang hesitated and declined politely. “Second Aunt, we can’t accept this. Aunt already gave us some this morning. That’s enough for my mother’s needs. You’ve been good to our family already; we can’t take more.”

Waving her hand, Wenfang stepped back. Zhao, sitting on the Kang, sat up and said, “Second Sister-in-law, it’s not right for you to say that. You’ve helped me buy medicine. If I’m pregnant now, it’s thanks to you and Sister Miao. That’s enough—I can’t take any more money from you.”

Seeing this, Jiaoyan climbed onto the Kang and reached out to touch Zhao’s belly. “Third Aunt, is there a little brother in your tummy? Little brothers need lots of food to grow. You can’t let him go hungry.”

Usually, when women are pregnant, they like to ask children around four or five years old whether the baby will be a boy or a girl. If the child says “boy,” everyone is delighted, taking it as a good omen. Jiaoyan was only six, not very old, but her calling the baby a little brother brought great joy to Zhao.

“Jiaoyan, you think Third Aunt is having a little brother?” Zhao’s eyes widened in surprise.

Jiaoyan nodded emphatically, “Yes, it must be a little brother.” Whether true or not, now was the time to speak hope into existence. Zhao needed a hope to straighten her back and face her life—the hope she found in her belly.

Overjoyed, Zhao hugged Jiaoyan and kissed her cheek. “Our Jiaoyan always speaks the truth. Since you say so, it must be true.”

Jiaoyan pressed the purse into Zhao’s hand. “Third Aunt, for little brother’s sake, you have to take this money. If we cook anything delicious, we’ll bring some to you. If there’s something special you want but we don’t have, you can ask Sister Wenfang or even my brother to buy it for you.”

“My master said, Third Aunt, you must understand. Your body is already weak. If you don’t eat well, little brother won’t grow strong. You have to eat plenty, no matter what anyone says. Just eat.”

Using the words taught by Miao Suwen, Jiaoyan convinced Zhao, leaving her at a loss for words. Zhao was often hungry and undernourished. Now, with a child sharing her nutrients, it was no wonder she felt dizzy. Though Matriarch Li had given eggs and flour today, who knew what might happen in the coming days? What if Zhao was forbidden from eating at all?

Her mind swirling with worries and predictions, Zhao finally sighed, “Alright, I’ll keep it. Second Sister-in-law, Jiaoyan, thank you both. When I’m better off, I’ll repay you.”

“Don’t mention repayment. For now, just focus on your pregnancy,” Feng smiled.

At that moment, Wu entered. “Sister-in-law, I was busy earlier but just got free. I came to check on you. How are you feeling?”

Zhao nodded, “Much better. Wenfang made a big bowl of dough soup and some poached eggs at noon. I ate well and don’t feel dizzy now.”

Jiaoyan sighed beside her. Zhao clearly had low blood sugar. She barely ate enough as it was; how could she be well? Now with a baby taking nutrients, dizziness was inevitable. Jiaoyan stepped down from the Kang, glanced at Wenfei, and said, “Wenfei, when you have time, go buy some red dates for Third Aunt. Drinking them helps her health.”

“Really? I’ll go soon,” Wenfei said eagerly.

Jiaoyan nodded. Red dates contain many minerals, making them especially beneficial for someone with Zhao’s weak blood and energy.

“Look at our Jiaoyan—clever as ever. Learning from Miao Suwen all this time and already knows so much,” Wu said, smiling at Jiaoyan. Since Wu had three sons and no daughters, she cherished Jiaoyan, who was both pretty and well-behaved.

“Sister-in-law, don’t praise her too much, or her tail might curl right up to the sky,” Feng teased.

Jiaoyan smiled and rubbed behind herself, “Mother, where’s my tail?”

Everyone burst into laughter.

At that moment, Wenjing came in. “Eldest Aunt, Second Aunt, Third Aunt, Grandmother is calling you. Eldest Uncle and the others have gone; they’re waiting for you.”

The sisters-in-law exchanged looks, each understanding what was to come. “Let’s go to the East courtyard.”

Zhao now put on her shoes and stood. Having rested and eaten well, she was no longer dizzy. Wenfei and Wenfang, however, remained cautious, each supporting their mother gently as they made their way to the East courtyard.

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Upon arriving at the East courtyard’s main room, they found Matriarch Li and Old Master Gu sitting on the Kang, with all five Gu brothers present, seated on the Kang and chairs. Matriarch Li’s family was nowhere to be seen, likely having returned home.

“Tomorrow is Xiuli’s wedding day. We’ve gathered you all to discuss the morning’s arrangements. Originally, you should all be going to send off the bride, but Third Sister-in-law is pregnant, so she can’t go. She’ll stay home to watch the house,” Matriarch Li began, sitting on the Kang.

Only the women knew of Zhao’s pregnancy so far; Gu Chengyi had yet to be informed. Hearing the news from Matriarch Li, he jumped up, “Mother, what did you say? My wife is pregnant?”

Unable to contain his joy, Gu Chengyi quickly helped Zhao sit on a stool. “My dear, is what Mother said true? Oh, this is wonderful news!”

Zhao’s face flushed deeply, embarrassed to announce her pregnancy before her father-in-law and brothers-in-law. “Miao Suwen confirmed it this afternoon while you were working in the field. I planned to tell you tonight.”

Gu Chengyi grinned foolishly. “My dear, you must be careful. If anything’s wrong, let me handle it. You can’t work anymore.”

Forgetting they were in his parents’ house, Gu Chengyi spoke candidly.

Matriarch Li’s expression darkened at this. “Not working? What’s that supposed to mean? When you’re heavy with child, will you be treated like an empress? Which peasant wife doesn’t work while pregnant? During busy seasons, they still toil in the fields. Is your wife more precious than others?”

Gu Chengyi paused, realizing he’d spoken out of turn. But now emboldened, he clarified, “Father, Mother, my wife is no longer young. It’s rare she’s pregnant again. She must take good care of herself. Let her avoid heavy labor; Wenfang and the others can do the work. If they can’t, call me.”

His tone was resolute—he was determined to protect his wife.

Matriarch Li nearly snorted with anger. “Is she carrying a golden egg? You don’t even know if it’s a boy or girl, yet you’re spoiling her. Wait until she bears a girl; then what will you say? It’s just a pregnancy—every woman does it. Is it worth all this fuss?”

Harsh words, as always from Matriarch Li, who used Zhao’s having borne four daughters as a weapon against her. Dissatisfied and annoyed, she seized the chance to wound Zhao further.

Zhao’s face turned pale. Since Miao Suwen confirmed her pregnancy, she had hoped for a boy. Matriarch Li’s words were a cruel blow to that hope.