Chapter 271: Chapter 271: Tong Xi, Pan Acid
Song Ciās arrival brought a bit of liveliness to the inner room, and both Madam and Mrs. Lu paid her their respects.
"Mother, itās truly a great joy. My second younger brotherās wife is expecting, youāre going to be a grandmother again," Madam smiled as she congratulated Song Ci, though there was a hint of bitterness in her voice that she couldnāt dispel.
"Congratulations to us all," Song Ci replied with a smile. "Qiāer is engaged now, and Jiang Shi, you have been diagnosed with pregnancy. Itās a double blessing, truly worth celebrating. Jiang Shi, you must give a substantial dowry to Qiāer later, as youāve also caught the aura of happiness."
Jiang Shi laughed and replied, "Certainly, Iāll prepare a generous dowry for Qiāer to make her wedding grand and splendid."
Hearing this, Madamās bitterness lessened a bit, and joy spread to her eyebrows. She smiled and said, "Then I thank my second younger brotherās wife on Qiāerās behalf."
As a mother, sheās naturally delighted to see her daughter have a grand dowry and a splendid marriage, and since Jiang Shi comes from a wealthy background, her dowry is ample. Sheās also kind to her niece, so sheāll no doubt be lavish with additions to the dowry, sparing no fine items.
Madamās bitterness subsided, but Mrs. Lu beside her could hardly maintain her smile, clenching the handkerchief in her hand tightly.
The first household has good news, as does the second household, leaving only the third household lonely and desolate.
Mrs. Lu was so bitter her gums ached.
Song Ci already sat by Jiang Shiās side, asking her in detail if there was any discomfort and what she wanted to eat.
"Apart from a poor appetite, thereās nothing uncomfortable. Itās just that the weatherās been hot lately, making me not want to move. I thought it was due to the weather when I started feeling nauseous and dizzy today. Only then did the people below remember I hadnāt changed this month, so they called Doctor Lin to check my pulse." The joy on Jiang Shiās face was undeniable as she said shyly, "It was only through the pulse diagnosis that I knew I was expecting."
"Good, good. Doctor Lin hasnāt been treating you for long, and now youāre pregnant. It proves her prescriptions are effective," Song Ci said with a smile, looking at her other two daughters-in-law. "If the prescriptions work, stick with them."
Madam felt a warmth in her heart.
Yes, if the second younger brotherās wife succeeded, she just needed to persist and she would surely fulfill her wishes too.
Mrs. Lu, however, was filled with bitterness. No matter how good the treatment was, what use was it if her husband wasnāt around?
Jiang Shi looked at Madam, feeling a bit guilty, and said, "Eldest sister-in-law, now that Iām pregnant, Iām afraid I canāt manage the household affairs..."
Madam quickly responded, "Itās alright, just focus on taking care of your pregnancy. Itās not like the house lacks a pregnant woman to work. If weāre short of people, weāll promote more. Besides, Qiāer is now learning how to manage household affairs with me, so Iāll hand it over to her."
"Then it would be hard on you all," Jiang Shi said apologetically.
It wasnāt that she wanted to shirk her duties, but this pregnancy didnāt come easy; she had lost a child before, so she had to be extra careful with this one, especially during the first three months.
So, she had to shift away from household affairs.
"The world is big, and a pregnant womanās needs come first. As your eldest sister-in-law said, if the house lacks hands, weāll promote more; we canāt let you bear the burden," Song Ci said with a smile. "Just rest easy."
Jiang Shi nodded, still somewhat embarrassed.
Song Ci saw Song Zhicheng peeking around at the door and knew the couple wanted some private time, so she tactfully got up and said, "Letās take our leave now, so as not to disturb her rest. Mrs. Gu, make sure Jiang Shiās small kitchen is well-stocked. Any expenses should be reported to my courtyard; consider it my first gift to this little grandchild."
The child in Jiang Shiās womb would be watched over until birth, considered her āfirstā golden grandchild, and of course would be rewarded.