Chapter 979: Chapter 997: The Beloved Woman
Jiang Yifan returned home after work and entered his own courtyard, only to learn that his mother-in-law had come.
Moreover, as soon as he stepped into the inner court, he noticed that the maids and old woman servants in the courtyard were all bustling around with evident energy, much more spirited than usual.
His mother-in-law had visited twice before, and though their servants were always dutiful, there was never such an air of joy.
When he entered the room to pay respects to his mother-in-law, her face was filled with unconcealable joy. The close servants attending to her and his wife were all full of smiles as well.
Especially Nanny Huang and the women from Song Ping’s Household, they looked exceedingly satisfied... What was going on?
What good news had his mother-in-law brought?
Madam Yin was in an especially good mood because her daughter was pregnant. She originally had a favorable view of her son-in-law, and now he looked even better in her eyes.
Though Imperial Doctor Hu hadn’t given a definitive answer, as a physician, to suggest a possibility usually meant it was almost certain. That "possibility" was merely a formality for the doctor.
Furthermore, Imperial Doctor Hu said that Ah Yan was in good health and didn’t even require any regimen. For Madam Yin, could there be anything better or more delightful than this?
The anxiety that had been hanging over Madam Yin was thoroughly relieved, and she spoke kindly, "Yuanfan is back. His Majesty and His Highness Prince Yu think highly of you; I suppose your duties must keep you quite busy?"
"It’s manageable, thank you, Mother-in-law, for your concern for Yuanfan." Jiang Yifan said, glancing at Ye Xinyan, who sat obediently on the couch, unmoving.
Ah Yan might not be strict with formalities, but every time he returned, she would never sit idly without moving. Even her mother-in-law, after many incidents, wouldn’t indulge Ah Yan in neglecting her husband.
Yet today, Ah Yan stubbornly sat on the couch without budging an inch.
Seeing Jiang Yifan’s eyes darting around, Madam Yin became even more pleased, "Yuanfan, Ah Yan is a handful, and we have you to thank for tolerating her. But now, you cannot let her act willfully anymore; from now on, you must strictly control her."
"Alright, ...huh?" Jiang Yifan was puzzled. Was this Ah Yan’s own mother speaking?
Ye Xinyan, sitting nearby, glanced up towards the sky. Her mother’s words seemed so perfectly reasonable.
But look at what her mother did; when her husband returned, what wife would remain seated on the couch, unmoving? Yet, her mother insisted on it.
Jiang Yifan was visibly about to lose his standing as head of the household.
She didn’t intend to give Jiang Yifan any hints, but if she was indeed pregnant, it was good news, and she herself was quite happy. Jiang Yifan was already twenty-eight; in ancient times, it was rare for men at this age to not have children.
Jiang Yifan had been diligent in this matter, but with no success so far. Ye Xinyan was curious to see Jiang Yifan’s reaction when he learned of Imperial Doctor Hu’s diagnosis.
Madam Yin, seeing Jiang Yifan’s bewildered expression, smiled and continued, "I called the physician today to check Ah Yan’s pulse. Imperial Doctor Hu said that Ah Yan shows signs of pregnancy, but the time is still..."
Just as Madam Yin said this, Jiang Yifan interrupted with a loud "Ah": "Ah? Really?"
As he spoke, Jiang Yifan sprang up from his chair. His leap was so high that it startled everyone in the room; they were all taken aback: could someone really jump that high? It looked as if he had been launched by the chair.
At this moment, Jiang Yifan’s eyes were only on Ye Xinyan; taking two strides to the couch, he craned his neck to examine Ye Xinyan up and down. It was only after receiving several stern looks from her that he remembered there were others in the room.
Though he seemed to have realized it, his mouth didn’t stop: "Ah Yan, really? Really? You’re pregnant?"
The people in the room were first startled by his jump, and then the sight of the usually calm and composed gentleman in such a silly state made them all chuckle.
To the Jiang Family and Madam Yin’s servants, today’s happiness was akin to New Year. Every servant, both inside and out, received double rewards.
Elder Jiang, delighted, awarded each person five taels of silver; those who served Imperial Doctor Hu and Grandma Jiang that day received even more. Even the gatekeeper, pages, and maids who guided Doctor Hu were given extras.
The In-law Madam loved her daughter even more, rewarding them before Elder Jiang came home, also five taels each. Those attending Grandma Jiang and guarding her comings and goings received ten taels each.
Elder Jiang and the In-law Madam instructed to take good care of Grandma Jiang, promising more rewards once the pregnancy was confirmed.
This, indeed, showed that a favored woman was different! Everyone benefited by following such a mistress.
...
Jiang Yifan was genuinely nervous and excited. He heeded Madam Yin and Nanny Huang’s instructions, knowing that this period was critical because the fetus was very small and unstable, so he had to be particularly cautious.
However, the physician hadn’t confirmed the pregnancy, so it wasn’t appropriate to mention it to others. Qi Younian was no exception; he wasn’t told the truth either. In case the diagnosis was wrong, they didn’t want Elder Jiang to get his hopes up for nothing.
Therefore, Ye Xinyan needed to keep working.
Every day, Jiang Yifan arranged for Zheng Pengfei to escort Ye Xinyan to Guangsha Construction.
After finishing at work, the first thing Jiang Yifan did was to pick up Ye Xinyan from the Construction Industry to take her home, ensuring utmost care on the way to avoid any bumps or accidents.
Once home, he pampered her, ensuring every comfort and attending to her needs. Ye Xinyan felt as if she were treated like a national treasure.
Half a month later, Imperial Doctor Hu’s diagnosis brought no disappointment; Grandma Jiang indeed was pregnant, nearly two months along, with both mother and fetus healthy.
Generally, before the fetus is stable, you’re not supposed to inform outsiders, but once the diagnosis came, Ye Xinyan was ordered by Madam Yin and Jiang Yifan to stay home and rest.
She needed a reason not to go out.
As a result, those unaware soon knew, not to mention the inner circle.
Ye Xinyi had a poor social standing in the capital, but with families like the Qi Family, Duke An’s Mansion, Marquis Zhongyong’s Mansion, Prince Yu’s Mansion, and the Zhou family showing concern, the Jiang Family Residence became lively.
Despite Imperial Doctor Hu’s assurance of Ye Xinyan’s and the fetus’s health, she was still forced into a rigorous ’fetus-protecting’ lifestyle, with her every move monitored, leaving her feeling oppressed.
Visitations from various households brought all kinds of supplements to the Jiang Family Residence.
Remarkably, Jinrong even arranged for two experienced nannies from the palace to reside at the Jiang Family.
Duke An’s Mansion had few descendants, so there were no dedicated servants for pregnant women, but this didn’t stop Duke An from repeatedly asking the Duchess to visit Ye Xinyan.
Ye Xinyi, though reclusive in her courtyard, soon learned of the joyous news affecting the entire household.
Recalled the days when she was pregnant with Brother Sheng, her father was then the Princely Heir, and despite having a favored concubine, she didn’t receive such attention.
It went without saying that Duke An never bothered to check on her, at most the Duchess would mention her once or twice.
Ye Xinyi sat by the window, feeling the late autumn light through the thin hemp paper, filled with melancholy.
If, when she was carrying Brother Sheng, Duke An had shown her such care, her status at the Ji Family might have been higher, and her life more comfortable.
But fate was cruel, for after plotting against Ye Xinyan at her grandfather’s birthday banquet, her grandfather grew distant from her.
With these thoughts, Ye Xinyi couldn’t help but sigh.