Chapter 967: At Ease

Although this heartache cannot be completely resolved,

it can still be adjusted and set aside.

Xia Caiying took a deep breath, her gaze resolute.

"You’re right, I can’t let them affect my mood!"

So what if Junyao called for the chamber maid to serve him?

Isn’t that how it is with prestigious families? It’s already rather good in Junyao’s room!

"As long as I peacefully nurture my pregnancy and wholeheartedly treat Junyao well, I’m not afraid he won’t be of one heart with me!"

Du Juan was moved to tears.

"Master, you finally came around!"

"Look at Lady Hou?"

"I heard Marquis also has chamber maids serving him, but after so many years, chamber maids are still chamber maids, and no one has borne a child!"

This is quite true.

In ancient times, as long as the main wife was gentle and considerate, deeply beloved by her husband,

even if there was a physiological need for chamber maids to serve, it was merely serving.

Their role is similar to modern adult films, mainly addressing a certain need.

They wouldn’t spawn a bunch of children from concubines to trouble the main wife.

Moreover, having numerous children from concubines,

would bring endless trouble at home in the future, they aren’t foolish and naturally won’t do so.

Xia Caiying smiled and nodded.

"Alright, I’ve figured it out, you silly girl!"

After saying that, she got up and instructed.

"Go and bring me a bowl of tea, I suddenly feel thirsty!"

"Sure!"

Du Juan happily left.

Soon, she returned with a cup of jujube tea.

Xia Caiying genuinely felt thirsty, picked up the bowl of tea, and quickly drank it down.

After drinking, she got up and walked around.

Looking outside, several children were still happily running and jumping.

She smiled as she gently stroked her belly.

Thinking to herself, in two or three years, her child would be this big too.

They could run and jump on the grass, and run to her side calling mother.

Thinking about it melted her heart.

Seeing Madam smile, Du Juan finally breathed a sigh of relief and added.

"It’s almost time for lunch, Madam, what would you like to eat?"

Reminded by her, Xia Caiying indeed felt hungry.

After all, she hadn’t eaten well in the past two days, and with a child in her belly, it’s no surprise she’s hungry.

Xia Caiying thought about it and asked.

"What’s in the kitchen?"

Then, before Du Juan could reply, she changed her mind.

"Never mind, I’ll have lunch at Her Highness’s place!"

She had been here for a day or two, feeling gloomy, barely leaving her room, surely Her Highness and Sister-in-law are concerned.

Du Juan smiled.

"Exactly what I was thinking!"

"You’ve been here for a day or two, and the three of you haven’t dined together yet!"

Her Highness and Lady Hou sent people over to inquire several times, indicating their concern.

Xia Caiying smiled and said nothing, heading towards the door.

Du Juan quickly followed with an umbrella.

Approaching noon,

the sun was fierce, the children exhausted from running were all taken back by their respective wetnurse nannies.

At Xia Ruqing’s place, she was laughing and drinking tea with Ni Manxue, when Xia Caiying came in from outside.

Xia Ruqing jokingly greeted her.

"Oh, look who’s here!"

Xia Caiying was a bit embarrassed.

"Your Highness, Sister-in-law, I’m late!"

Ni Manxue said nothing, just invited her to sit down.

"Must be hot!"

Pregnant women are prone to heat, even while living in the mountains, they often sweat profusely.

Xia Caiying smiled.

"Not bad, there’s been a breeze outside, so it’s not too hot!"

After sitting down, Xia Ruqing quickly called for someone to bring tea.

All being pregnant, what they ate and drank were similar, thus together they had no restriction.

Xia Ruqing cheerfully asked her.

"Have you been exhausted these days, feeling better now?"

Xia Caiying nodded with a smile.

"Thanks for Your Highness’s concern, feeling much better!"

"That’s good! What would you like to eat? Although there’s nothing special, fresh food is abundant!"

Ni Manxue jokingly gestured with her belly.

"Don’t listen to Her Highness, she eats nothing but spicy food, better follow my lead!"

Xia Caiying looked around and laughed.

"It’s said sour for boys, spicy for girls, does that mean Her Highness is expecting a princess this time? If that’s so, Her Highness will have both a son and a daughter!"

Xia Ruqing caressed her belly delightedly.

"A daughter is her mother’s little cotton-padded jacket, I’ve been hoping for this!"

Lady Ni also laughed.

"It’s true,"

"I’m also hoping for a little cotton-padded jacket, boys are good but too mischievous!"

"And after the age of three or four, they have to move to the front yard, with endless studies and weapons practice, hardly seeing them!"

"A daughter is much better, can stay by the mother’s side until teenage years!"

Xia Ruqing agreed.

"Exactly!"

This touched a painful point in her heart.

Since Chenchen turned five, seeing him has become increasingly rare.

If Zhao Junyao didn’t favor her,

he would have been moved out long ago, strict palace rules would make meeting difficult.

This is typical of ancient feudal education.

Boys, at the age of five or six, must be moved from the back garden.

Those valued by fathers are usually personally tutored, while those less valued are assigned someone to teach.

In short, they would never grow up under a woman’s hand.

Xia Caiying observed them chatting enthusiastically, and jokingly complained.

"Sister, Sister-in-law, you speak so lightly without worry!"

"I’m hoping for a son, and you all talk about daughters!"

Upon hearing this, Xia Ruqing teasingly said.

"No, no! You shouldn’t say that!"

"Aside from other reasons, don’t you want a little cotton-padded jacket?"

"Of course I do!"

Xia Caiying almost exclaimed.

A little cotton-padded jacket is wonderful, just thinking about it melts the heart.

In truth, to a mother, children are the same, as long as they’re healthy, it’s the greatest joy.

But...

Other reasons can’t be ignored, right?

Junyao is the eldest legitimate grandson.

Both Lord and Lady are hoping, she still wants to give her husband a firstborn.

Xia Ruqing didn’t say much further.

In ancient times, favoring sons over daughters was normal.

Even in modern times, many families are like this, inheriting from thousands of years of traditions?!

What can she say?

"Let’s not talk about that, let’s discuss what to eat for lunch!" Xia Ruqing waved her hand.

"Zi Yue!"

"Yes!" Zi Yue lifted the curtain and entered.

"Your Highness, Chef Jiang has prepared your favorites, but what do Lady Hou and Young Lady want?"

Xia Ruqing leaned over with enthusiasm.

"My chef was sourced from the Chuan region, do you want to try it?"

Ni Manxue quickly shook her head.

"No, no, I’m experiencing heatiness lately, can’t touch spicy food!"

Xia Caiying also seemed troubled.

"Big sister, I can’t eat spicy food either!"

"For some reason, I crave sweet things!"

Xia Ruqing felt a bit regretful.

"Had I known you liked sweet things, I would have brought Chef Su along!"

"Chef Su specializes in desserts, her Pear Blossom is exquisite!"

Xia Caiying feigned a grievance.

"Sister, you didn’t bring her, please don’t mention it, my mouth is watering!"

This remark made the three laugh, the atmosphere was very pleasant!