Chapter 77: Delighted to Obtain a Son

  Search; Lì Yuè didn't say a word and left, Aunt Liu held back her breath, not wanting to let Lì Yuè add trouble in front of her. She served tea and saw off the guest, only letting out a sigh of relief after Lì Yuè left, putting down the Buddhist scripture she was holding, and losing interest in her embroidery as well.

  Liu Yiniang didn't believe that Lianyue had such great abilities, and besides, if something really happened, she would also have to bear the consequences. After all, it was Madam who let her manage this courtyard, unlike Nan courtyard where only Wei Yiniang lived.

  He thought for a moment and said to Cui Ping: "Let someone keep an eye on Li Yue's place. If anything unusual happens, come report to me."

  Cui Ping's mouth was slightly ajar, "Auntie overestimates her, even now she can still jump up like this?" In fact, there is no need for Aunt Liu to take action herself, the people below can already grind Lihua down. Since being tricked by Lihua once, Aunt Liu has been more cautious of her, and after hearing Lihua's words just now, Aunt Liu was not at ease.

  Some impatient people said: "Go."

  "I'm going now." Cuiping glanced at Liu Niang and responded with a nod, turning to walk out. Her eyes slightly shifted to the side, where she saw Lihua's personal maid, Liu'er, arguing with the gatekeeper. Cuiping had a mind to watch the commotion, as previously Madam had given orders not to let the lower-ranking servants go in and out of the gate, but somehow intentionally or unintentionally left out Lihua's side when passing on the message.

  Ke Li Yue just came over and from the words of Liu Niang, it was clear that she had already revealed the news. It didn't make sense for her to send her personal maid to knock on the wall again. Cui Ping remembered that this Liu Er seemed to have been transferred away from Ke Li Yue's side through someone else's arrangement, could it be...

  Liu'er handed the silver ring that Liyue had given her to the gatekeeper's wife, "Madam, please help me out, I'm just going to the sewing room. My family's young lady is making a small dress and lacks several threads, she's in urgent need of them, and later they will be presented to the mistress."

  The old woman weighed the silver ring and put it back: "We don't dare, if we really let the girl go out, not only will you be in trouble, but also our business will be affected. So please don't make things difficult for us."

  Liu'er wanted to say something else. Cuiping came over and pulled Liu'er, saying: "Madam had already instructed us, so Liu'er sister shouldn't add any more chaos."

  Liu'er's face turned red, Cuiping smiled at the woman who had just spoken and handed her a silver bangle from her hand. The woman put the bangle into her sleeve and gave a smile: "Don't make it difficult for me, girls. If there is any news from the mistress, someone will naturally be called to pass on the message."

  Let's just forget about it then.

  Cui Ping felt a pang of heartache for the silver bangle she had just received, and her eyes shifted to Liu'er. "Auntie has just given me a plate of pastries. Why don't you come with me, Liu'er, to have some hot tea and eat some pastries? It's been a while."

  Liu'er's face turned pale as she followed Cuiping away.

  Compared with Liu Yiniang's courtyard, which was bustling with activity, the southern courtyard was much quieter.

  Although Wei Yiniang was under house arrest, news from outside could still be transmitted in, let alone the big event of Madam giving birth. The maids and servant girls who came to the South Wing were still hoping for a reward, chattering and discussing, which added a bit of excitement and joy to the otherwise dull South Wing. The sound reached Wei Yiniang's ears as she lay in bed, so she also knew about Su Ying giving birth.

  Since Wei Yiniang was confirmed to have lost her mind and was being kept under house arrest, after a long time, Fu Yeyang couldn't remember it anymore. Su Ying wouldn't remind him even if she knew that Wei Yiniang was still the original owner. Her house arrest order had never been lifted. It's as if she had completely lost her temper.

  Wei Yiniang could only stay honestly in the house, and at first Fu Yiyang had also assigned several sturdy women to take care of her. Although all the necessary shares were not reduced, the servants did not dare to secretly deduct them, but as time passed, it was inevitable that the service would not be meticulous.

  At first, Wei Yiniang still fantasized that one day Fu Yeyang would remember her and she wouldn't have to live such a miserable life. But when the news of Su Ying's pregnancy arrived, Wei Yiniang was completely stunned, fell ill for a while, became even thinner, with sunken eye sockets, and in just half a year, she looked five or six years older, wearing clothes that used to make her look young now made her look old.

  Standing next to Fu Yiyang, she wouldn't look young and delicate anymore, but would instead bring out the mature colors.

  Wei Yiniang later learned that the eldest daughter was moved back to the upper house to be raised, and her heart was filled with bitter water. She was afraid that Su Ying would treat Wen Yu harshly. Now she still hoped that the eldest daughter could speak up for her at Fu Yeyang's place, so that Fu Yeyang would remember her.

  After a long time, there was still no movement. Wei's aunt was certain that Su Ying was making trouble and also blamed her elder sister for not being effective. Later on, she found an opportunity to go to the main courtyard to plead her case, and took Fu Ye as the only lifesaver who had given her a disciplinary order.

  "Last time when the mistress was diagnosed with twins, we received an extra month's salary. This time, if only the mistress gives birth to a boy, the master will be so delighted that what he accidentally drops from his fingers will be enough for us to have a good year."

  "Madam is blessed with good fortune, she will surely give birth to a boy." This little maid didn't know whether it was intentional or not, but she raised her voice and kept glancing at Madame Wei's window from time to time. The others understood the hint and suppressed their smiles.

  Wei Yiniang was so angry in the house that her liver hurt, and with a swipe of her hand, she knocked over the teacup next to her, shattering it on the floor. The sound of the broken porcelain was particularly loud. Outside the window, the few maids who were usually afraid of her didn't seem intimidated this time. A small maid lifted the curtain and came in, saying in a crisp tone: "If you want tea, just let us know, Your Ladyship. You're so delicate and refined, how can you do such rough work? The teacup was worth several taels of silver, and now it's broken. You'll have to pay for it yourself."

  Xiao Yatou didn't look at Wei Niangniang's face, and continued to say: "Our southern courtyard is really different from before. Auntie should be more frugal, I know you don't like to hear this, but I'm thinking of you, Auntie. I'll just put these things away."

  Wei Yiniang's chest heaved with emotion, she really hadn't learned to behave herself. Thinking back to when she was the young mistress of the main house, acting haughty and domineering, even now she still thought that if it wasn't for Su Ying stirring up trouble, how would she have ended up in this state? When Master's anger subsided and he remembered her, then...

  The little girl smiled and helped her relieve her gas, also pinched the corner of the quilt for her. She said with a mouthful of words that could kill someone: "Madam has sent word that you don't need to follow and suffer with her, just rest first, as soon as there's news from the main house, I'll come report it to you immediately."

  Wei Yiniang's anger flared up and she raised her hand to slap Xiaoyi, but Xiaoyi dodged it nimbly and bowed: "Auntie has any orders, just let us know, we'll be waiting outside."

  No one is willing to go in front of Wei Yiniang as a punching bag. Although the house is warm in the twelfth lunar month, several young maids gather under the corridor with a small stove, burning hot tea in a copper kettle, embroidering a purse and chatting about family gossip, which is also harmonious and joyful.

  Wei's aunt grasped the hand holding the quilt, her veins bulging. A sinister smile was stretched across her sunken face: "What virtue or good fortune does the Su family have? Until now, she still hasn't given birth, probably a difficult labor! Only after three feet of incense will it be over!"

  Su Ying started moving at dusk, and now the sky has completely darkened. Su Ying felt that time had passed for a century, but in fact, it was only a few hours since she entered the delivery room until now.

  But Su Ying was in too much pain to think of anything else, her knuckles were white as she clutched the bed frame tightly, and her hair was stuck to her forehead with sweat. Gui's nanny held her hand tightly, wiping away her sweat with the other hand, and kept cheering her on.

  Ke Su Ying felt that her vision was already blurry, the bedding under her had been soaked through, and as the intervals between contractions grew shorter, her belly hurt more and more.

  Su Ying only felt that she had already become numb from the pain. She took deep breaths, hoping that this torture could end soon, but when another wave of pain came, Su Ying couldn't help but cry out in agony. Fu Ye Yang, who was waiting in the adjacent room, stiffened at the sound. He wanted to take a sip of tea to calm his mind, but discovered that the teacup beside him had already been drained dry.

  Yongping came over to persuade him, but was instead glared at by him and closed his mouth in embarrassment. He turned sideways and glanced at the maid who had come to pour water, a faint smile in his heart, intentionally or unintentionally blocking her way.

  Fu Yiyang stood up and walked into the yard, pacing back and forth in the yard. Yongping brought out a Buddhist monk's cloud-patterned flower-embroidered cloak from inside, which Fu Yiyang took and looked at for a moment. It was not the same cloak he had worn when he returned from outside.

  Yongping just learned a lesson and knew not to touch the tiger's whiskers at this time. He also saw Fu Yeyang seeming to be stunned, so he advised: "It's cold outside, Master, please put on your clothes quickly. If Madam finds out that I didn't take good care of you, she will definitely interrogate me."

  This remark was useful, Fu Yiyang put on his cloak and heard the midwife's "it's done" shout from inside, his heart became more annoyed, and he began to pace back and forth in the courtyard again.

  Su Ying's belly was sinking, and her subconscious still knew not to shout loudly to save energy for giving birth. The voice of Gui Yatou beside her was also muffled, but the midwife's shouting grew louder: "The head is already out, add a bit more strength!"

  Fu Yiyang also heard it outside and couldn't help but feel a shock, his hand unconsciously clenched into a fist, rarely feeling tense.

  The lights in the main hall were shining brightly, and even those who had gone to take their shift rest were all waiting for news. Along with the first crowing of the rooster came a loud wailing cry. The voices shouting "It's born! It's born!" couldn't compare to the midwife's announcement "It's a young master!" which was louder and more deafening, and the whole courtyard heard it.

  Fu Yiyang clenched his fist and waved it twice, startling Yongping. Yongping pretended not to notice and rushed forward to congratulate him, "Congratulations, Master! Congratulations on the birth of your noble son!" His voice was loud and clear, and even the midwife had heard that this family didn't have a legitimate son yet, so they were eager for a son. The louder he shouted, the clearer it became that the main courtyard was truly proud and triumphant, soaring to new heights!

  Fu Yiyang didn't notice his previous loss of composure, the smile on his face grew bigger and bigger, he said "good" several times, and was about to go see his son when he was stopped by Qi Hua: "The young master has been washed clean, I'll bring him over for you to see. Men are not allowed in the delivery room."

  Fu Yiyang stopped in his tracks, his eyes wide with excitement as he peered inside. Qi Hua's smile faltered for a moment as she gazed at him, but she couldn't help laughing at the rare sight of his emotions on full display. She was even more thrilled than Fu Yiyang, and personally handed over the swaddled newborn to him: "Congratulations, Master, you've been blessed with a noble son."

  "Is it a boy?" Fu Yeyang asked for the third time, still somewhat uncertain. Qi Hua's mother looked at them with kindness and gave a affirmative reply. Fu Yeyang happily took the baby from Qi Hua's hands, staring delightedly at the small, wrinkled baby inside, whose wet but thick and black hair and loud crying voice all indicated that this was a healthy little boy.

  Fu Yiyang's heart was racing with excitement, his hands trembling as he reached out to touch the child's cheek, then hesitated and pulled back. He couldn't take his eyes off the little red ball of wrinkles, laughing so hard that his eyes were shining with tears as he said to Nurse Qi: "Nurse, don't you think he looks just like me?"

  Qī yí yí walked over and chimed in: "He's just like you were when you were a kid, cut from the same mold." However, Qī yí yí still had her wits about her, seeing Fù Yèyáng holding the child tightly and not letting go. She hastily said: "This child has just been born and can't be exposed to the wind, so let's hurry up and take Young Master back inside."

  Fu Yiyang reluctantly handed the baby to Qi Nian, watching as she took the child into the house. Her heart racing with excitement, she turned around and loudly instructed: "Except for the servants in the main courtyard who will receive three months' worth of wages, all the other courtyards will get an additional two months' pay. And add two more dishes of meat."

  Hey, have you forgotten that Su Qing has another one in her belly?

  Inside, Mrs. Gui let out a sigh of relief upon learning it was a son, but before she could even catch her breath, the midwife on the other side started shouting again: "There's another one! Don't relax yet, ma'am!"

  "Alright!" Guan's aunt directed the aloe vera to put the previously prepared hundred-year-old ginseng slices into Su Ying's mouth. The previous slice had been swallowed unknowingly, and Su Ying had unconsciously opened her mouth to hold it in. Her instincts still remembered that there was one more inside, pressing herself not to forget, making an effort with the first one opening the way, the second one came out much more smoothly. Su Ying used up her last bit of strength. The second one finally came out too.

  The midwives didn't feel tired at all. On the contrary, they were overjoyed. The loud-mouthed one shouted again: "It's another young master!" This time, the reward is definitely not going to be less!

  Fu Yiyang was stunned by this realization, of course, it was a pleasant stun, his smiling mouth had not closed since earlier. Especially after the imperial physician examined the two babies and said they were both very healthy.

  Yongping Le personally brought the small bow and arrow that had been prepared long ago, and Fu Yeyang personally went to hang it up. It was really windy when walking, but in the end, Su Ying didn't forget to ask through the window: "How is Madam?"

  Madam Gui's wrinkles seemed to have smoothed out instantly, and her waist straightened up. Fu Yiyang asked, looking at Su Ying who had fallen asleep from exhaustion: "The madam has fainted from exhaustion, she'll be fine after a nap."

  "Let her sleep, let her rest well. She's worked hard." Gu Yiyang's words almost made Gui's wife cry, this time she really did experience a turn of fortune from hardship to happiness.

  Fu Yiyang didn't sleep all night but didn't feel tired, on the contrary, his spirit was lifted by the arrival of two sons. He couldn't enter the delivery room, but the newborns were wrapped in red swaddling clothes and brought to a previously prepared room. The two children, wrapped in identical red swaddling clothes, had stopped crying and were now sleeping soundly. Fu Yiyang didn't know which one to look at first, if it weren't for Yongping reminding him that he still had to attend court, Fu Yiyang would have continued staring at his sons with unblinking eyes.

  Fu Yiyang cleared his throat and swept a glance over the wet nurses he had invited: "Take good care of the two young masters, hmm?" These wet nurses were still handpicked by Fu Yiyang after investigating many candidates, almost to the point of investigating their ancestors for eight generations. Yet, at this moment, he was still not at ease, truly difficult to serve.

  Fu Yiyang took a last look at his sons before reluctantly walking out, and when he saw Yongping again, he glared at him fiercely. Yongping had grievances that he couldn't express, but after speaking auspicious words all the way, Fu Yiyang finally gave him a nod of approval.

  "Go tell Su's family the good news!"

  In a short while, people had different attitudes towards Su Ying giving birth to a pair of twin sons safely, except for Zheng Yuan, probably no one was truly happy.

  Liu Yiniang followed and stayed up all night, the Buddhist scriptures in her hand were embroidered slower and slower. Cuiping also didn't sleep, from time to time she would look towards the gate of the courtyard. When the news arrived, Liu Yiniang suddenly pricked her finger with the needle, a bright red blood bead seeped out. Liu Yiniang couldn't help but stare blankly outside the window, lost in thought for a long time before coming back to herself and sighing.

  The rosary in Lì Yuè's hand suddenly fell to the ground, she bent down to pick it up and pretended nothing had happened. After a while, her face suddenly turned ferocious, gritting her teeth with a burst of strength, she tore open the rosary in her hand, the thread that strung the beads together snapped, and one by one the round and smooth beads scattered all over the ground, rolling off to who-knows-where.

  Lì Yuè listened to a sound, and then her face turned wooden again.

  Wei's aunt received the news in time. The servant girl who was almost slapped by her yesterday hurriedly came to tell her as soon as she heard the message.

  The little girl said in a crisp tone: "Madam has given birth to a pair of young masters, the whole house is delighted, and every servant in our courtyard has received two months' wages, plus meat and vegetables, it can be seen how happy the old master is."

  Wei Yiniang was so 'overjoyed' that she tumbled down from the bed, startling Xiaoyu.

  The concubines in Da Fang Fu's household were miserable and didn't say much, let alone the second house.

  Madam Chen received the news, shook her face, and twisted the handkerchief in her hand into a rope, thinking to herself: It seems that even Bodhisattva has times when he is not effective.

  Madam Chen didn't curse Su Ying to have a miscarriage, she just thought that since Third Madam's belly had a good son who was let go by the Bodhisattva and turned into a girl, why did it not work for Su Ying, and instead gave birth to a pair of sons, if they were a pair of daughters, how great would that be.

  Is she not sincere enough?

  Madam Chen sighed and called the maids to support her as she went to the small Buddhist shrine again, making more sincere offerings to pray for a son this time.

  Third Madame's reaction was somewhat contradictory. On the one hand, she envied and resented Su Ying for giving birth to a son, now that both the eldest and second sons were accounted for, from now on Su Ying would be able to walk sideways in the Hou Mansion, if only she had given birth to a son back then, how wonderful it would have been! On the other hand, she actually felt a few points of pleasure rise up.

  Where did this pleasure come from? This matter should be known from the third lady that Fu Mu was secretly protecting her child during childbirth, regardless of whether she lived or died. Moreover, she could also clearly feel that Fu Mu's attitude towards her had not improved much since giving birth to a child, and even begrudged giving her a good face, the difference was too obvious.

  In addition, Mrs. Dai sent a message saying that Fu Xueyang's affair with his concubine was true, but it wasn't until now that she didn't show any signs of it, and Third Madame coincidentally held a grudge against Fu Mu. She knew that the Eldest Madam and even the main house didn't get along with Fu Mu, so if her good aunt found out that the Eldest Madam had given birth to the Hou Mansion's eldest grandson, not one but two, her good aunt would definitely be "overjoyed".

  The third wife thought maliciously, and her envy and jealousy of the first wife who had given birth to two sons were not so strong.

  As expected by the three ladies, Mrs. Fu was indeed "overjoyed", so happy that she trembled all over, and in her excitement, she knocked over two teacups on either side of her, smashing them to pieces.

  Bai Lian listened to the sound of the teacup falling to the ground, and her hand involuntarily touched her cheek. If it weren't for the ointment given by Du Juan, she might have left a scar on her face. Thinking of this, Bai Lian couldn't help but look up at Du Juan who was standing guard beside her. She had never asked Du Juan where that ointment came from, but she remembered this favor.

  The old lady is now unwilling to even put on a show, and Bai Yu sighed in her heart. However, the old lady didn't know that things are not like they used to be, and the big madam is no longer just an unhappy person with the title of mistress but without any real power.

  Now the first wife has firmly grasped the favor of the marquis, and she has given birth to a boy again, still a pair of twins. Her position in the manor is even more stable, and she has thoroughly established her foothold in the Hou Manor. Moreover, after experiencing so many things, which of the lower-ranking people does not say that the first wife is considerate of the lower-ranking people, is a kind-hearted person, and her prestige is gradually increasing in the Hou Manor.

  Why can't the old lady understand?

  Fu Mu didn't think about Su Ying's affairs anymore, she fell asleep weakly. Lu Hui took a warm handkerchief to wipe her body and changed into clean bedding, during which Su Ying did not feel anything.

  Su Ying seemed to have had a dream, but she couldn't remember what it was about. She only felt like she had lost something very important and didn't sleep well. Gu Yiniang asked the wet nurse to bring over the two children who had been fed and were sleeping sweetly, and put them beside her. As if sensing each other's presence, Su Ying fell asleep again.

  Looking at the two little dolls, Gui's aunt was truly happy for Su Ying. Not only her, but also because Su Ying had a son and even gave birth to twins, the atmosphere of the entire Zhengyuan changed with it. Everyone's face was filled with smiles, their feet seemed to be walking on air, and their originally straight waists became even straighter.

  Another family that was overjoyed by the news was the Su family. Fu Yeyang went to pay his respects, and the steward immediately rushed to the Su family to report the good news. For the Su family, this was a great joyous occasion. Mrs. Su's expression was even more joyful than when she had her first grandson, and the happiness on her face couldn't be concealed.

  When visiting Old Lady Su to pay respects, Old Lady Su was also delighted and repeatedly asked her personal maid to open the box and take out many good things. Mrs. Su happily said a few auspicious words: "Just thinking about a pair of white and chubby little babies coming around and sweetly calling me 'Tai Nai Nai' (great-grandmother) and 'Nai Nai' (grandmother), my heart is melting along with it."

  ps：

  Not dragon and phoenix twins :P