Wufu changed into a plain white dress, using only a silver hairpin to secure her hair, with a small white flower in her hair, holding the child in her arms as she walked out of Madam Zhou’s room.
"My mother is gone." She looked at the crowd in the courtyard, her face filled with sorrow.
The crowd froze, not knowing who was the first to cry out, "Madam."
The sorrowful cries rose and fell.
"Nanny Shen, my mother’s child has already been born, the wet nurse has already gone to find one, you and Jadeite take care of him first." Wufu handed the child wrapped in a cloak to Nanny Shen: "The weather is cold, go ahead."
Nanny Shen felt surprised and bowing her head to look, saw the child wrapped tightly, and thought how could he be born when Madam Zhou had been in the state of flickering fla?
Although she found it strange and shocking, she dared not inquire, considering it inappropriate at the ti.
News of Madam Zhou’s death after childbirth quickly spread throughout the mansion, and everywhere sprang into action, switching the vibrant colors of pearls and jade for conspicuous white.
Fortunately, after hearing of Zhou Xuennian’s death earlier, the mansion had been quite plain, and now with a major funeral, things moved in an orderly manner, without chaos.
Ah Jiu accompanied Wufu to see Old Mr. ng and Hua Wushuang, seeing them both in plain white attire, Old Mr. ng’s eyes showed a trace of pity.
"A woman giving birth is like passing through Ghost Gate Pass, don’t grieve too much." Old Mr. ng looked at his disciple, whose face was thin and body frail, and advised: "You’ve beco much leaner, take good care of yourself."
"Master, disciple knows, forgive for failing to serve by your side, I will have soone see you off now," Wufu said.
"No harm." Old Mr. ng looked at her: "Is that child truly?" Clearly Old Mr. ng’s belief in Wufu’s explanation of dying in childbirth was limited.
Hua Wushuang also gazed at Wufu, lips pursed.
Wufu lowered her eyes and said, "It was my mother’s life that exchanged for his."
Upon hearing this, the two roughly guessed the internal matter and refrained from asking more.
Ah Jiu escorted Old Mr. ng out the door, and Old Mr. ng looked at him saying, "You are considered married, though hastily, it’s justified by na now, you are her husband, take good care of her. Although she appears strong, she’s soft-hearted."
"Rest assured, Master, I will." Ah Jiu nodded.
Old Mr. ng sighed again, life is unpredictable, who could have foreseen this?
After seeing off Old Mr. ng, upon returning indoors, Wufu faced Hua Wushuang.
"May I go see her? And the child," Hua Wushuang asked.
Wufu hesitated for a mont and said, "The funeral hall is being set up, you may visit later, the child is in another room."
She led Hua Wushuang through the courtyard to the room where the child was placed.
Upon seeing the child, Hua Wushuang’s heart skipped a beat, and his gaze instantly softened.
Wufu saw it clearly, but remained expressionless.
"He looks very much like your grandmother." Hua Wushuang’s voice carried a hint of joy.
Madam Zhou hardly resembled her mother, only slightly, and neither did Wufu, but this child truly did. Though not yet fully grown, it was already recognizable, and he would certainly resemble even more when older.
"Is he congenitally weak?" Hua Wushuang asked with concern.
Seeing his genuine concern, Wufu nodded: "Imperial Physician Xu says he needs careful nurturing."
"I’ll have soone find two suitable wet nurses to co over." After Hua Wushuang spoke, he headed outside, but stopped after a few steps: "I’ll handle the funeral matters in the mansion; you best stay in the mourning hall."
Without waiting for Wufu to respond, Hua Wushuang departed.
Ah Jiu pulled Wufu into an embrace.
Wufu absorbed his scent, closed her eyes, and said: "Ah Jiu, I have no mother anymore!"
Tears surged down from the corners of her eyes.
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