Lian Zhizhi has recently been suffering from morning sickness and looks a bit thinner than before. Both Lady Zhang and Lian Manman are incredibly distressed.
"...Even if you can’t eat, you still have to try. Even if you throw up after eating, you still have to eat. It’s not just about you; if you don’t eat, the child in your belly will go hungry..." Lady Zhang chatted with Lian Zhizhi.
Lian Zhizhi nodded in agreent.
"If you want to eat anything, just tell your mother-in-law. If it’s not available in town, send soone to let know, and we can always find a way to get it for you," Lady Zhang added.
"Mom, don’t worry. I can manage," Lian Zhizhi replied.
As they talked, Lian Zhizhi took a pair of shoes from a nearby cabinet and gave them to Lian Manman.
"I made these when I had nothing else to do recently. Manman, try them on and see if they fit," Lian Zhizhi said.
Lian Manman, sitting on the kang bed, took the shoes and put them on. They were soft-soled slippers made of goose-yellow silk with embroidered peony flowers, fitting Lian Manman’s feet perfectly and feeling extrely comfortable.
"They fit well," Lian Manman smiled and said, "Sister, your shoemaking is still the best."
"Why are you still making these? Manman doesn’t lack them. She has my help and those maids. You’re pregnant now, so don’t worry about this stuff; just rest more," Lady Zhang advised.
"It’s alright, mom," Lian Zhizhi smiled and said. "I just did a bit here and there when I had nothing to do, one stitch today, two tomorrow, just to pass the ti. If it were usual, I would have finished long ago."
"You’re just restless," Lady Zhang said.
As if to prove Lady Zhang’s point, Lian Zhizhi grabbed a needle and thread basket from the side and pushed it in front of Lian Manman. Unlike others, Lian Zhizhi’s needle and thread basket was a round Luodian Lacquer Box. Lian Manman had selected it as part of her dowry, a fine product transported from the south.
"Manman, pick sothing you like," Lian Zhizhi said to Lian Manman.
Lian Manman opened the basket to find several brightly colored pouches and a few handkerchiefs, all obviously made by Lian Zhizhi.
Despite being pregnant, Lian Zhizhi couldn’t keep still. Just like when she was at her maternal ho, she loved needlework.
"Sis, I won’t hold back then," Lian Manman smiled, choosing three pouches and a handkerchief embroidered with a Malan Flower.
"I’ll take this bright red one, this blue one for my brother, and this old green one with a cat on it for Xiao Qi," Lian Manman said with a grin.
Although Lady Zhang said not to let Lian Zhizhi do needlework, seeing her daughters interact so harmoniously, she was all smiles and clearly very pleased.
"Don’t forget your mother-in-law and sister-in-law," Lady Zhang reminded Lian Zhizhi.
"I’ve got them covered, mom," Lian Zhizhi replied.
As they were talking, they heard footsteps and voices outside. Lady Wu Wang arrived with Wu Jiayu.
"Why did it take you so long to co over?" Lady Zhang asked as everyone sat down.
Earlier, they had co from the Lu Family together, but Lady Wu Wang had said she had sothing to attend to and stayed in the front with Wu Jiayu, allowing Lady Zhang and Lian Manman to go to the back courtyard first, saying they would join them shortly.
"Third Maternal Grandfather ca and talked with Jiaxing’s father for a long ti before leaving," Lady Wu Wang explained.
"Oh," Lady Zhang responded.
"He specifically discussed the gift matter with Jiaxing’s father," Lady Wu Wang continued. "He regretted not adding to Caiyun’s side’s dowry and wanted to make up for it, but felt embarrassed to bring it up."
It’s not unusual to make up a gift, but in this case, it felt awkward.
"There’s no need to make up anything. Even if he did, we couldn’t accept it. He’s already given a present, so it’s not like he didn’t. Besides, it’s too late for that now," Lady Zhang said.
"Exactly," Lady Wu Wang nodded. "Jiaxing’s father told him there’s no need for another gift; one is enough."
"That’s the right thing to say," Lady Zhang agreed.
"Even though he didn’t say it outright, the implication was that my second aunt didn’t allow him to give an extra gift," Lady Wu Wang added. "I guess he’s really regretting it and ca to us hoping we’d hear it and understand."
Lady Zhang just smiled, not wanting to comnt further on the matter.
Lady Wu Wang wasn’t close to the Shang Family or Younger Lady Zhou, so naturally, she wouldn’t speak much on their behalf, and the topic ended there. They then shifted back to discussing Lian Zhizhi’s pregnancy.
This matter was the one both won were currently most concerned with and attentive to.
User Comments
0 comments from readers