Chapter 961: Words of Advice

In the height of summer.

Just when the entire Capital City was enveloped in a blazing sun, sweltering and suffocating.

Xia Ruqing took people to The Summer Resort more than two hundred li from the Capital City.

Accompanying her were Madam Yang of Marquis Zhongyong’s family and the Young Lady from the Minister’s Mansion.

Originally, Xia Ruqing did not plan to call Xia Caiying over.

After all, she had only been newly married for half a year, and it was precisely a good time for the newlyweds to try for children.

Not good to interrupt.

But unexpectedly, when the eunuch from the palace went to Hou Mansion to deliver the message, Xia Caiying was there.

Having heard it, not saying anything would be improper.

So the eunuch repeated the message.

Upon hearing that her sister and sister-in-law were going to escape the summer heat, Xia Caiying insisted on going as well.

Ni Manxue found it a little difficult and joked.

"It’s fine for us two pregnant women to escape the heat, but what are you planning to do there?"

In grand families.

The first duty for a woman marrying into a family is to quickly bear a child.

With a legitimate son, she can secure her position.

Cai Ying, as the wife of the eldest legitimate son, bears an even heavier duty of continuing the family line.

Ni Manxue pulled her aside to whisper.

"It’s not that Sister-in-law is lecturing you, but the Yang Family is also a grand household, and they certainly value their heirs!"

"You should first take care of yourself, and give your lord a son or a daughter, so you can stand firm in the future!"

Although these words were hard to hear, they were sincere.

If it wasn’t a close person, no one would casually say such things!

Sure enough, Xia Caiying blushed after hearing this, and said softly.

"Sister-in-law! I..."

As she spoke, she placed a hand on her small belly.

"I’m already expecting!"

"I came here to tell you this matter, but I didn’t know how to start!"

After speaking, her face turned red.

Lady Ni was stunned and took a while to react, then happily said.

"Why didn’t you say earlier?"

"Isn’t this the first three months? Why are you wandering about? Hurry home and take care of yourself, don’t go anywhere!"

This message was also true.

The importance of a legitimate son speaks for itself.

After much difficulty, she’s pregnant; she mustn’t wander around.

If, by some chance, anything happened, it would be a regret for a lifetime.

Xia Caiying just laughed with a blush.

"Sister-in-law! Look at what you’re saying, how could I be so reckless!"

"It’s been over three months, coincidentally about the same time as Noble Consort!"

After hearing this, Lady Ni loosened up slightly.

"Now that’s more like it!"

Xia Caiying also laughed.

"Sister-in-law, then... let’s add one more pregnant woman!"

Ni Manxue laughed helplessly and shook her head.

"Oh you! There’s really no handling you!"

Xia Caiying hugged her arm and said happily.

"You’re the one who really cares for me, Sister-in-law!"

She was obviously smiling as she said this, but her voice carried a hint of nasal sound.

Manxue turned around and saw her eyes were red.

"What’s wrong?" Ni Manxue quickly asked seriously.

Xia Caiying shook her head.

"Nothing’s wrong!"

Just after saying that, tears started flowing down.

Ni Manxue’s face grew more solemn.

"What on earth is the matter?"

"You’re so young, I may only be your elder sister-in-law, but I saw you grow up. Can’t you tell me what’s troubling you?"

Xia Caiying shook her head again, laughing through her tears.

"Nothing really!"

Ni Manxue frowned.

"Is it that they’re treating you badly there?"

"Or is Yang Chenyi bullying you? Although your brother’s rank isn’t high, we shouldn’t suffer grievances for nothing!"

Xia Caiying quickly rubbed her nose.

"Sister-in-law, really, there’s nothing!"

"Mother and father treat me very well, Chenyi..."

After saying this, she blushed and lowered her head.

"Chenyi is good too!"

"Then what is it?" Ni Manxue became even more puzzled.

Suddenly crying, it must be a significant matter, so why won’t she speak up?

Ni Manxue was secretly anxious inside.

Eventually, under Manxue’s urging, Xia Caiying confided the reason.

As it turns out.

In grand families.

When the legitimate wife becomes pregnant, arrangements must be made for someone to serve the husband.

This ’person’ can be a girl already in the mansion or a companion brought by the wife herself.

Generally, these ladies, to better keep their husband’s affections.

Use their own dowry to give their husband a bedmate, the mistress and servant join forces to stand firm together.

This set of practice.

Outwardly, it’s touted how wise and generous the wife is.

But secretly, who hasn’t shed tears because of this?!

To personally arrange for another woman to serve her own husband, any woman would be heartbroken inside.

Xia Caiying was in this phase, she wiped her tears and said.

"Du Juan by my side refused!"

"So I had to choose a few pretty maids for my husband to be close to..."

Saying this, her eyes turned red again.

Seeing this, Lady Ni felt a pitiful heartache and deliberated for a while.

She quietly asked.

"Whose idea was this?"

"I don’t see the Minister’s Wife as such a person!"

Their elders are famous in the Capital for being loving.

And it’s not known that the Yang Family has many concubines.

Even if there are, it’s probably just one or two chamber maids, that’s hardly an issue.

After all, in families of the Capital, there are plenty who take concubines one after another, with lots of children born of concubines growing up.

By accident, there can be a large group of children born of concubines, which is truly troublesome.

Even worse, some foolish families openly favor concubines as wives.

The first wife isn’t favored and is forced to let the concubine ride over her.

Compared to that, a few chamber maids aren’t much of a problem!

Xia Caiying shook her head.

"None, this was my idea!"

Lady Ni was completely stunned.

"Your idea?"

Her face was full of incredulity.

Anyone would willingly send a woman to their husband’s room? She was witnessing this for the first time.

"Caiying, my foolish sister! Why would you do such a thing?"

Xia Caiying was helpless.

"Sister-in-law, the Yang Family is a grand household, with more rules than ours. Once I was pregnant, the same-level sisters-in-law kept hinting day in, day out! I just..."

"And what about your mother-in-law? Did she say anything?"

Xia Caiying thought for a moment and shook her head.

"Nothing! Mother didn’t say much, she just sent two Sisters to serve me! They were good too, never much talk!"

Madam Yang truly was uninvolved, intending for the young couple to make their own decisions.

"Then you... Oh!"

Lady Ni didn’t know what to say.

But thinking about it, Caiying did the right thing.

In grand families, so many eyes are watching.

Not doing it would be wrong, inviting gossip behind one’s back.

Lady Ni wanted to ask about Yang Chenyi’s thoughts.

Before she could speak, she felt she might be asking too much.

Instantly, she smiled.

"Just some chamber maids!"

"Your brother has some in the front courtyard too; whether they serve or not, I’m unclear, but never inquire!"

"You need to understand this one thing!"

"You’re the legitimate wife, as long as he and you are of one mind, nothing else matters! Don’t let unnecessary matters drive a wedge between husband and wife!"

Xia Caiying quickly wiped her tears.

"Sister-in-law, I know all of this!"

"Otherwise, I wouldn’t have personally chosen people for him!"

"But still, I feel upset inside!"

Ni Manxue just chuckled.

"Feeling upset, then go for some relief! Such a small matter isn’t significant!"