At this moment, Su Yunjin was touching her belly, accompanied by her two personal maidservants, Yin Hongmei and Cuiju.
Su Yunjin said to Cuiju: "Is everything settled on Sister Huangâs side?"
Cuiju replied: "Madam, rest assured, everything has been arranged. Food, clothing, and necessities are all the best. Additionally, Master Bai checks Mrs. Huangâs pulse every day and helps her regulate her health."
Su Yunjin said: "Sister Huang has suffered so much, giving birth without her husband by her side. We must help take care of her as much as we can."
Yin Hongmei said: "Madam, youâre about to give birth too. Itâs cold outside. Letâs go back inside."
"Itâs fine; Iâll wait a little longer. There should be news from my husband soon."
Yin Hongmei said: "Truly, the Master has been gone for a month; if he doesnât come back soon, Madam might give birth."
Cuiju said: "Wasnât it yesterday that someone said he was showcasing his skills at a tournament in Longxing Prefecture and knocked Zhu Chongba down, taking first place?"
"The Master is out there earning prestige for the family."
Cuiju spoke in defense of Chen Jie.
Yin Hongmei wanted to say something, but at this moment Su Yunjin said: "Enough, stop arguing."
The two immediately fell silent, and just then, footsteps sounded outside, followed by Yu Chun shouting loudly: "Madam."
Su Yunjin was taken aback and said: "Is it Yu Chun? Quickly, let him in."
As she spoke, Yin Hongmei and Cuiju instructed the servants to open the gate to the inner courtyard. At this moment, Yu Chun hurried in, sweating profusely and said: "Madam, great news, great news."
Su Yunjin looked over and said: "What great news?"
"Just now, our scout sent a letter back; please take a look."
Yu Chun handed over a secret letter tucked into a bamboo tube. Su Yunjin opened it and saw a hand with unsightly handwriting.
It was indeed a handwritten letter from Chen Jie.
The letter bore the words [For Madamâs Eyes Only]
Because everyone saw this letter immediately, it was first given to Su Yunjin. She now looked at the content of Chen Jieâs secret letter.
[Madam, is all well at home? I have departed Longxing Prefecture and will return home in seven or eight days.]
[Everything at home relies on Madam, thank you for your hard work.]
[Husband: Jiu Si!]
Since this letter was sent using a Fishing Guild-trained Hai Dongqing, the content couldnât be too much, and consisted of simple words.
Despite these simple words, Su Yunjinâs eyes reddened; her husband was safe and would return in seven or eight days.
Wonderful, truly wonderful!
Su Yunjin excitedly said to Yu Chun: "Go quickly and tell Zhou Chu and the others, the Gang Leader will be back in seven or eight days. Let them not worry; the affairs of the guild should continue as usual."
"Yes."
Yu Chun replied immediately.
Immediately after, Su Yunjin said: "Right, Hongmei, inform the kitchen to prepare the ingredients. When my husband returns, I will personally cook two dishes for him."
Yin Hongmei heard this and said to Su Yunjin: "Madam, thatâs not possible. You are with child; you canât be around smoke and grease."
Cuiju also said: "Indeed, Madam, if the unborn child is harmed, it would be regrettable."
Su Yunjin said: "Then, you cook, and I will watch from the side."
The two, unable to change Su Yunjinâs mind, had to agree, and thus arrangements for the dishes began.
Once everything was set, Su Yunjin said: "Cuiju, quickly tell Sister Huang that my husband will return in seven or eight days."
Hearing this, Cuiju said: "Yes."
Cuiju immediately went to inform Huang Wanâer.
Soon, Huang Wanâer rushed out, though she was very weak, her belly had flattened.
Yes, she had already given birth.
She rushed out, looked at Su Yunjin, and said: "Yunjin, the letter from your husband."
Su Yunjin immediately handed the letter to Huang Wanâer. She took it, glanced at it, and then somewhat dejectedly returned it to Su Yunjin.
"Yunjin, Iâll go back to rest."
Seeing Huang Wanâerâs expression, Su Yunjin instantly understood. Huang Wanâer was hurt, for the husbandâs letter only mentioned Su Yunjin in passing and not Huang Wanâer.
And Huang Wanâer had just given birth, with Chen Jiu not by her side during the delivery. She had been through hellâs gates.
The baby was born, yet Mr. Chen hadnât mentioned her at all.
Huang Wanâer was very sad, filled with loneliness, the pain known only to herself.
Just as Huang Wanâer was deeply saddened, Yin Hongmei tapped on the bamboo tube and said: "Madam, there is another note here."
Su Yunjin was surprised, immediately saying: "Oh, damn it, Sister Huang, it was my oversight. Surely, I was too anxious earlier and forgot to search carefully."
"If my oversight caused Sister Huang pain, I apologize to Sister."
Huang Wanâer said: "What are you saying? It might just be another missive to you from your husband."
The sourness in her words was evident to all.
Su Yunjin said: "Sister, letâs see before deciding."
After speaking, she reached out, and Yin Hongmei immediately handed over the letter retrieved from the bamboo tube.
Both sides read [Wanâer, for your eyes only]
Seeing these words, Su Yunjin breathed a sigh of relief, thinking her husband hadnât really overlooked Huang Wanâer; all was well, and Chen Jiu never falters in crucial matters.
Su Yunjin handed the rolled paper to Huang Wanâer and said: "Sister, look."
Upon seeing those words on the paper roll, Huang Wanâerâs mood soared like a roller coaster; Mr. Chen hadnât forgotten her.
But she had just behaved like a resentful woman earlier; it was so unseemly and unbecoming, she should have been more indifferent and composed.