This pattern was designed by Xiqiu and crafted by Brocade Pavilion, Madam Jiang found it interesting because she had never seen it before.
Tong Xiyan also took out his own gift: "Sixth Sister, at least give so face. With such a thing you brought out, my gift looks shabby in comparison." As he spoke, he brought out a jade pendant.
Xiqiu looked at it and saw it was an old jade carved with a dragon body and lion head pattern. The quality was rare, and the pattern was very delicate, clearly showing Tong Xiyan was being modest.
"Fourth Sister, you really know how to joke. You’re obviously using an old jade to overshadow . Compared to yours, my gift really can’t compare." After she spoke, the three sisters-in-law laughed, and Madam Jiang added, "Our little Kun is really fortunate to have two such caring aunts."
However, Xiqiu thought to herself that she hadn’t seen Tong Xiyang. Could it be he hadn’t returned?
The three chatted and laughed for a while. Tong Xiyu ca in from outside, bringing tea for Xiqiu and Tong Xiyan. Xiqiu looked towards her, noticing that the youthful greenness on her face had gradually faded, and her previously tall and thin figure was now showing curves and grace, swaying like a willow.
"Sister-in-law." Tong Xiyu greeted Xiqiu and Tong Xiyan and then went to the bedside to speak with Madam Jiang: "Sister-in-law, I’ve stewed so pigeon soup for you. Mama will bring it in later. You should drink more. It’s said that pigeon soup is the best for nourishing blood and energy. Also, my concubine mother bought an ox nose, which I’ll stew for the wet nurse later. Ox nose is the best for promoting lactation."
She spoke slowly, but Xiqiu was secretly surprised. It seed that every ti she saw Tong Xiyu recently, she saw change and difference in her.
A midwife ca in with a smile and said, "The hour has co."
The other ladies outside also entered the room. The midwife prepared hot water in a bucket in the room, and everyone threw in gold and silver ingots. Afterward, they sat in the room for a while. Nanny Qiu called out, "The banquet is ready."
Xiqiu didn’t dislike these ladies, but they seed to talk to her with intentions, trying to establish connections, which she found hard to adapt to. So, she claid she was unwell and stayed in Madam Jiang’s room with Tong Xiyan. However, Tong Xiyu was very gracious, hosting the ladies to the al with impeccable manners.
The wet nurse took little Kun to feed, and the three sisters-in-law talked in the room. Madam Jiang lanted, "I never thought this childbirth would be so difficult. It took such a long ti with so many twists and turns. When the pain struck, I felt like I was going to die—it was more unbearable than death."
Xiqiu listened, secretly alard, and Tong Xiyan sighed, "At first, it was okay because we could hear your voice, whether crying or shouting, which at least gave so relief. But later, we couldn’t even hear your voice. That mont, my legs went weak, and I couldn’t stand even while holding onto Daijuan." After speaking, he looked at Madam Jiang, "Big brother was the sa, sitting perfectly still for a whole day and night. He only twitched once when the midwife suddenly scread, and besides that, he didn’t move at all."
Madam Jiang chuckled, "No wonder when my husband ca in, I saw him walking strangely. So, that’s what happened." Though she spoke, her voice carried a hint of sweetness.
Xiqiu also laughed, imagining Tong Shen Zhi’s deanor at that ti. Others might speak nervously or pace back and forth, or eat to relieve stress and divert attention, but Tong Shen Zhi just sat there still, waiting for the result to unfold!
Thankfully, it was a scare without danger. Though the three talked about it, they were still full of exclamations, and Xiqiu grew secretly terrified. Being frightened by Madam Jiang’s birth process, she knew every woman’s situation was different, but with the dical techniques here, what if she too faced difficult labor?
What decision would Fourth Master Xiao make? Save her or the child?
She would also do the sa as Madam Jiang, sacrificing her life to save her child, right? If that truly happened, what would Fourth Master Xiao do...
She thought of this and couldn’t help laughing, feeling she was worrying unnecessarily!
"Isn’t Third Sister back?" With Madam Jiang asleep, Xiqiu and Tong Xiyan went to Tong Xiyan’s room. When ntioning Tong Xiyang, Tong Xiyan sneered, "She said there’s no one to serve her father-in-law at ho, so she’s stuck there, sending a mama from the residence to co once and deliver the gift."
Xiqiu then shared with Tong Xiyan what Nanny Cen heard: "...how could Third Sister have gotten involved with Madam Jiang? The Jiang Family people have no discretion. Even if Third Sister wanted to do business, she wouldn’t see them as worthy."
"Ha!" Tong Xiyan sneered, "I can see through her tricks. She just couldn’t stand seeing well. She spared no effort to fan the flas and embarrass , but now things have turned out as she wanted. I’ll just have to see how she will thrive and have a full house of descendants in the future!"
Xiqiu fell silent and said to Tong Xiyan, "I haven’t seen the concubine mother for a while; I’ll go and see her." Tong Xiyan nodded, "I went to see her the day before yesterday. She was asleep, but I heard from Xiuzhi that Madam Xia sleeps for most of the day, apart from that she’s fine."
Xiqiu was shocked, wondering if she would end up like the concubine mother, falling into a semi-hibernation state later on.
"I’ll go have a look!" Xiqiu stood up, Bihuai imdiately ca up to support her, and Tong Xiyan, noticing Bihuai’s nervousness, raised his eyebrows, his gaze falling on Xiqiu’s belly. Could Sixth Sister also be pregnant? But then again, if Xiqiu was expecting, she would have surely returned with the good news. She didn’t ntion it earlier, so he dismissed the thought.
"I’ll see you out, and also swing by to check on mother." With that, the two went out: "Mother was worried beyond asure yesterday, and we’ve been going back and forth with our hearts in our mouths. Luckily, Mr. Hu, who has always been treating mother, has the experience to navigate safely through the danger, but today she seems less spirited than the days before, which I’m worried about."
"Ah!" Xiqiu sighed deeply but didn’t suggest visiting the Grand Dowager. Tong Xiyan also knew there was a gap between the Grand Dowager and Xiqiu, understandingly not bringing it up. The two parted ways at the Grand Dowager’s courtyard, with Xiqiu heading to Madam Xia’s courtyard.
Upon entering, Xiuzhi ca out to greet her with a smile: "Concubine mother just had a cup of strong tea, she said she couldn’t possibly fall asleep knowing Sixth Lady is here."
Xiqiu smiled as she entered, seeing Madam Xia co out to greet her. Though the months weren’t apparent, she was visibly rounder than before. Xiqiu smiled and sized her up: "You’ve been feeling sleepy often. Even now it’s okay. But later, you should move around more."
Madam Xia nodded in agreent: "Whenever I sit still now, I get sleepy, for no apparent reason, I’m just so drowsy!"
Xiqiu now could relate to how Madam Xia felt, nodding with a smile: "But you shouldn’t drink strong tea. If you don’t want to sleep, just walk around outside. As long as it’s not intense activity, walking is good."
"Yes." As she said this, she took Xiqiu’s hand, "The weather is cool these days, you should also take care of your health." They sat down in the room, and Xiqiu told Madam Xia about her plans to move: "...The Grand Dowager agreed."
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