Chapter 269 - 270: Disgusting Things

Chapter 269: Chapter 270: Disgusting Things

Li Cuicui threw out everything that repulsed her, then patted the dust off her clothes with a look of utter disgust.

"Granny Song, go to my eldest son and get a few locks from him. We’ve had some house rats getting in recently. Afterward, you’ll help me take inventory of everything in the house. I believe you and your husband can both read, so compile a register for me."

Gu Dashishi flew into a rage when he heard this. "What do you think you’re doing? Who are you trying to guard against?"

"I’m guarding against whoever has a guilty conscience." Li Cuicui turned to look at him. ’I used to think this old fool was just taking a few things from the house to have a drink with his friends. But now... it seems most of it probably ended up at that widow’s place.’

The more she thought about it, the deeper her frown became. She clutched her chest, her voice pained. "These were all gifts from my sons and daughters-in-law to honor me. I wonder if the people enjoying them will have their lives cut short."

’If it weren’t improper to blow this up, I’d storm over there and raise hell. At least I could recover some of our family’s losses.’

"Look at us. We’re sick of the sight of each other. If another person came in to take care of me, wouldn’t that make your life easier?" Gu Dashishi leaned back in his chair, trying to look like the lord of the manor, but his hunchback just made him look ridiculous.

"It’s no use talking to me about this. If you’ve got the guts, go convince the family elders." Li Cuicui had made up her mind. For her sons’ sake, she had to keep this shameless old man firmly under her thumb.

"..."

The Gu family’s daughters-in-law, who had been waiting in the rear courtyard, now all knew what had happened out front.

"Do you think we could stop our husbands if they wanted to take concubines in the future?" Liu Liu asked her sisters-in-law, rubbing her arms, which had suddenly gone cold.

"It would be difficult," Li Xiaohua said, pressing her palms together as if in prayer. "Wenheng and his brothers have all grown up and know to protect their own mother. But our sons... they wouldn’t dare challenge their fathers right now. Please, don’t let him set this precedent. Otherwise, our husbands will just follow his example."

Jin Qianqian pursed her lips. ’In a dynasty that values filial piety above all, relying on the brothers is less effective than relying on the family elders.’

’He seems to have been subdued for now, but once a man gets an idea in his head, it’s impossible to guard against every possibility.’

When Ancient Wen Heng came to get her, he saw her preoccupied expression and knew she was worried too.

"Should we go check on Mother again?" Jin Qianqian hadn’t seen Li Cuicui yet and worried about whether she could handle the stress.

Ancient Wen Heng reassured her, "Don’t worry. Mother has endured hardship her entire life for us brothers. Now, she’ll be filled with fighting spirit, if only to shield us from these schemes."

Jin Qianqian sighed. "This really proves the old saying: able to share hardship, but not prosperity.

"Everyone’s life has improved these past two years, and that’s what gave certain people ideas."

Jin Qianqian looked down at her belly. "I was thinking about something while I was in there. I want Nanny Duan to come back and stay with Mother for a while."

Ancient Wen Heng frowned and refused immediately. "You can’t spare anyone. Besides, you’re about to give birth."

Jin Qianqian grabbed his hand. "I’d feel more at ease if Nanny Duan came back."

’Just because something is left unsaid doesn’t mean it won’t happen. It’s not that I want to assume the worst of people, but it’s better to take precautions now than to have regrets later.’

Seeing Ancient Wen Heng still hesitating, she pressed on. "I have enough people with me now. And with all the fine medicinal herbs you’re providing, Doctor Chu is confident he can ensure a safe delivery.

"The nannies and maids at home all have some experience, too. It’s not as precarious as you think."

Ancient Wen Heng carefully helped her over the threshold, but he still wouldn’t agree. "We can send Nanny Duan over after you give birth. If you’re really that worried, I’ll have my eldest sister-in-law invite Mother to stay with them for a while."

Jin Qianqian shook her head. "This is just my own speculation, after all. Asking my eldest sister-in-law to do that would be going too far.

"But if we just send a nanny back, we can say it’s out of concern for our elders. Even if people have other ideas, they won’t have any grounds to complain."

Ancient Wen Heng helped her sit on the kang bed as a maid brought in a basin of hot water.

Ancient Wen Heng wrung out a cloth and gave it to Jin Qianqian to wipe her hands. "How about this? I’ll have Lichun and Li Xia come back. They know some martial arts and have learned a few things from Nanny Duan."

’Nanny Duan is the best at managing one’s health, and Qianqian really can’t spare her right now. Besides, these are just Qianqian’s suspicions. Sending the two maids back should be enough.’

Jin Qianqian thought for a moment. "That could work. But you still need to ask your brothers to keep a close eye on things. It would be best if Father isn’t allowed to see that widow again."

Her tone turned a little sour as she added, "Her designs on you failed, so now she’s going after the old man instead."

Ancient Wen Heng was speechless. "...I’m completely innocent! I don’t even know what the woman looks like."

"Oh, so you *want* to know what she looks like? If she were a peerless beauty, would you start considering it then?"

Seeing Jin Qianqian’s pouting lips and eyes welling up with tears, Ancient Wen Heng panicked. "Even if she looked like a goddess, it would have nothing to do with me.

"Come on, take a deep breath with me. Let’s calm your emotions so we don’t affect our baby."

Ancient Wen Heng’s words hit Jin Qianqian’s weak spot. She took a few deep breaths until she calmed down, then stroked her belly. "I told you it’s probably a girl. I’ve been so sentimental ever since I got pregnant.

"I know it’s impossible, but I can’t help letting my imagination run wild."

Seeing that this method worked yet again, Ancient Wen Heng started to wonder if Chu Dongnan had misread her pulse.

Chu Dongnan: "..." ’I’m no immortal. The pulse just strongly indicated a boy. But even something that’s a sure thing nine times out of ten still has that one chance of being wrong, doesn’t it?’

「Back in Dao City」

Jin Qianqian settled in at home, hibernating for the rest of the winter.

Even during the New Year celebrations, it was Ancient Wen Heng who went out with Housekeeper Fu to pay visits and deliver gifts.

On the sixth day of the Lunar New Year, while still lying on her warm kang bed, Jin Qianqian felt a change in her body.

She quickly nudged Ancient Wen Heng, who was beside her. "Wenheng, I think it’s time."

Ancient Wen Heng shot bolt upright. "Don’t panic, don’t panic! I’ll go get help."

Watching him haphazardly throw on his clothes, nearly putting his underrobe on over his outer one, Jin Qianqian managed a smile. "I’m not panicking, and it’s not that urgent. Put your clothes on properly before you go out. You’ll freeze."

Ancient Wen Heng paid his clothes no mind. He leaped off the kang bed, rushed to the door, and bellowed, "Someone! Go get Doctor Chu! My wife is in labor!"

The servants in the courtyard, who had been working in an orderly fashion, seemed to hit a pause button for a second before snapping into fast-forward. "Get the doctor! The Madam is in labor!"

Qing Mei, Qingzhu, and the other maids burst into the room. "Madam, how are you feeling? I’ve already sent for Nanny Duan and the midwife. They’ll be here right away."

Jin Qianqian wiped the sweat from her brow. "Have someone take the young master to the rear courtyard. I don’t want him to be frightened."