Chapter 1510: Chapter 1510: Thank You, Auntie
Outside the Marquis Zhou Residence, Yu Yueyang dismounted and walked to the carriage several times, his hand twitching as he hesitated to help his fiancée down. In the end, he restrained himself.
Yu Yi stepped down from the carriage, "Thank you for escorting me back."
Yu Yueyang dared not look directly into Yu Yi’s eyes, his gaze wandering slightly, "You don’t need to thank me."
"Then, safe travels to you?"
Yu Yueyang, "Ah, alright."
Yu Yi’s eyes held a trace of amusement. What a fool, she thought as she turned and walked toward the residence gates. Yu Yueyang snapped out of his daze and quickly strode forward, accepting a box from the young servant’s hands. "This is something my mother asked me to give you."
Yu Yi turned around, "Aunt?"
Yu Yueyang’s face turned red, "No, I... I thought it suited you."
Yu Yi curved her lips into a smile, "Thank Aunt on my behalf."
Yu Yueyang froze, confused. Why thank his mother? Isn’t she supposed to thank him? Watching Yu Yi enter the residence, he couldn’t help but smack his lips with frustration. It was clearly he who thought it suited her.
Yu Yi returned to her yard, where Yu Jiao saw the box in her sister’s hand and exclaimed with delight, "Sis, what gift did you get for me?"
Yu Yi avoided her younger sister’s grasp. "This was sent by Yu Yueyang’s mother."
Yu Jiao was surprised, "Sis, how did you two meet?"
Yu Yi recounted the events. While speaking, she opened the box, revealing an orchid hairpin with translucent petals—a piece of considerable value. She explained how Yu Yueyang had gone elsewhere on the way back, now realizing it was to buy this hairpin.
Yu Jiao took a liking to it at first glance, "Sis, your future mother-in-law is very kind to you."
One glance was enough to see that the hairpin was extraordinary in value.
Yu Yi gave no explanation, closing the box and gently tapping her sister’s nose. "When I visit the jewelry shop, I’ll buy you one as well."
Yu Jiao beamed, "Thanks, Sis."
Yu Yi managed the household funds provided by their mother, a substantial sum of silver. Even when spending on jewelry, she was frugal, ensuring there was savings at the end of each year.
In the main courtyard, Zhulan was also aware that Yu Yueyang had escorted Yu Yi back. Lady Zhao was present and remarked, "Second Young Master Yu is very attentive to Yu Yi; Sister-in-law can rest assured."
Zhulan, "Yuan Bo and Yueyang are both good boys."
Lady Zhao was deeply satisfied with her future son-in-law, "It’s all thanks to your discerning eye."
"These marriage alliances weren’t just my doing."
The Liu family approached, while the Yu family had the Emperor intervene.
Lady Zhao, "Without your agreement, none of this would have been possible, so ultimately, it’s your sharp judgment."
"Ah, your flattery. On another note, are you going to visit Yushuang after her delivery?"
Lady Zhao considered it, "Yushuang said there’s no need for me to come; her mother-in-law is already taking good care of her and the child."
"Lady Hu seems dependable."
Lady Zhao agreed, "Indeed, her mother-in-law has done well. With Liufeng occupied and unable to care for Yushuang, Lady Hu has been meticulous in her attention."
Zhulan spoke in favor of Liufeng, "Liufeng has a difficult role. For the sake of the people, he takes matters into his own hands. I’ve heard from Chang Yi that Liufeng even personally participated in land reclamation, which requires physical strength."
"My husband says Liufeng is resilient, though he pushes himself too hard."
"Ah, poverty drives people to such lengths. It’s good for him to endure while he’s young; once he’s older, such efforts are impossible."
Lady Zhao worried, "Mother, you can’t imagine how dire the situation is. Villagers don’t even have chicken seedlings to raise. The entire community has only a handful of chickens. In the spring, besides foraging for wild greens, they’re digging up roots to store. Lady Hu said the children and adults were so emaciated they looked like skin and bones."
Zhulan felt a pang of discomfort, "By the way, wasn’t Yushuang trained as a pharmacist to process medicinal herbs? How is she now?"
"She’s doing well, teaching not only the children taken in by the estate but also other local village kids who wish to learn. The estate is bustling every day. Once the herbs mature, she’ll teach the children to process them."
"Good, good. When you send things to Yushuang again, I’ve prepared some grains here for her."
Lady Zhao, "Chang Yi has arranged for dried fish and seaweed to be delivered. It’ll take several days to arrive in the capital—about four days before we can send them to Yushuang."
Zhulan noted this, "You two have been immensely thoughtful toward Yushuang."
Lady Zhao, "It’s only natural to be concerned for one’s own child."
Zhulan reflected on the fact that Liufeng hadn’t married into wealth. His days in the province were challenging, but marrying Yushuang had brought him considerable support from Chang Yi and his wife. Without them, Liufeng wouldn’t have achieved such smooth progress in cultivating medicinal herbs.
Time flew quickly, and exciting news arrived from the Wong Residence. Yu Lu was pregnant again, prompting Zhulan to instruct Lady Li to deliver an assortment of fine items. Lady Li came back brimming with joy, "Mother, the matriarch held onto my hand and wouldn’t let go, continuously saying that Yu Lu is truly fortunate. Right before me, she showered Yu Lu with gifts."
"With Wong’s lineage so thin, Yu Lu’s second pregnancy is highly treasured."
Lady Li responded, "Indeed, the matriarch even declared she’d allocate twenty percent of her personal savings to Yu Lu. You should’ve seen the expressions from the other two branches of the Wong family—they were practically green."
"That’s their household’s matter. Keep your words in check; Yu Lu should remain humble with this pregnancy."
Lady Li assured, "Mother, Yu Lu hasn’t become conceited due to her pregnancy. She’s still behaving as usual."
"That’s good."
The next morning, during court, Wong Ju beamed like a Buddha, his eyes nearly disappearing in his joy. As soon as the session ended, he darted over. "I’m going to have another great-grandchild!"
Zhou Shuren, "...Yesterday’s congratulatory report already mentioned this."
Wong Ju said excitedly, "I can’t contain my joy! Wong Wei and his wife are still so young. If they keep up the pace of having a child every three years, Wong won’t have to worry about its lineage anymore."
Zhou Shuren’s face darkened, "What do you take my granddaughter for? Hmph, pregnancy and childbirth harm a woman’s health—your idea of one every three years is absurd. Let me warn you: if you mistreat my granddaughter, I won’t hold back."
Wong Ju rubbed his nose awkwardly, "It was just a metaphor."
"Ha, a metaphor indeed—clearly it’s your real intention. Frequent childbirth wears down a woman’s body and impacts longevity. There should be years of recovery between each pregnancy."
Wong Ju, clueless on this matter, looked puzzled. Wong’s women struggled with infertility, so such circumstances had never occurred. "There’s truth to that?"
Zhou Shuren, "!!"
Never mind. Given Wong’s struggles with offspring, ignorance in this matter was understandable.
Wong Ju saw Zhou Shuren leaving in a hurry and quickly chased after him. "I heard your eldest granddaughter is also pregnant. Do you think the sisters will have sons again, like last time?"
Zhou Shuren, "I think daughters are just as good."
Wong Ju chuckled, "True, daughters are wonderful. Our family lacks legitimate daughters."
So, due to Wong Ju’s boasting, word spread that the Marquis Zhou’s granddaughters were excellent in childbirth. Everyone knew Wong’s family struggled with offspring, leading to renewed talk about their "fortunate match" reputation.
The Liu and Yu families were especially delighted upon overhearing, with Sir Liu feeling particularly proud, crediting his ability to promote his son as the reason their family secured a match with the Zhou family’s daughter.
At the Hanlin Academy, Chang Zhi sneezed multiple times, sensing someone mentioning him.
That afternoon, in the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren was left incredulous. "Who did you say wants to meet me?"