tallest building

Chapter 172 More Good News

In Beijing, it is customary to visit relatives and friends, give New Year's gifts, and enjoy year-end tea during the twelfth lunar month.

Wen Mingqian lived in Wuqiu Nunnery, which made it inconvenient for him to entertain guests, so he made extra gifts and delivered them to each household to fulfill his courtesy.

The weather was fine that day, and Wen Mingqian sat by the window reading.

Ao Shuang smiled and brought in a pot of daffodils, wrapping them in several layers of cotton wool to prevent them from freezing.

"It smells so good!" Wen Mingqian smiled, put down his book, and said to Ao Shuang, "How come you're back so soon after only one day at home?"

“It was my mother and the others who sent me back, saying that there were too many people at home and they didn’t need me!” Aoshuang put the flowers on the desk and said with a smile, “They told me to come and serve my wife properly.”

It turned out that Wen Mingqian thought that everyone would be busy in the twelfth lunar month, and he himself had nothing to do, so he asked Aoshuang to go home and help her mother.

Besides, she hasn't been home much since she came here, so she must miss home, and her family must miss her too.

So they sent Aoshuang home, but she only stayed one night before returning.

"Is everyone at home alright?" Wen Mingqian asked her.

"It's all good. I'll take good care of it for my wife." Aoshuang said, taking off the cotton wadding to reveal a cluster of fresh daffodils, which made the fragrance in the room even stronger.

"These flowers are really well grown." Sang Er leaned closer to take a closer look and couldn't help but praise, "I've seen many daffodils, but I've never seen one bloom as well as this one."

“This was tended by my father himself; he loves growing flowers. Knowing I was coming back, he chose the best one for me to give to my wife,” Aoshuang said. “I thought there wasn’t much to see in winter, so putting a potted plant in the house would add a touch of beauty.”

The three of them were admiring the flowers when they heard footsteps outside the window.

Sang Er asked, "Who's here?"

Aoshuang went out to greet her, but when she lifted the curtain, she didn't recognize her.

“It’s Zhao Mama,” Sang Er said with a smile. “Ao Shuang, this is Zhao Mama from the Yongqing Marquis’s Mansion. She’s the maidservant of that Madam Liu who came last time.”

"Greetings, Aunt Zhao. Please come in." Ao Shuang smiled broadly. "I have only been serving you for a short time. Please forgive my rudeness."

"What a bright and clever girl," Zhao Mama praised Aoshuang as she came in. "No wonder she's someone the lady has trained."

"Aunt Zhao, please sit down. It must be cold outside." Wen Mingqian smiled and offered her a seat.

"The weather is nice today, not too cold," said Zhao's mother with a smile. "I came today specifically to invite you to our home tomorrow, madam. Our young lady is eagerly awaiting your arrival!"

"Really? I haven't seen her for quite a while now, I miss her terribly," Wen Mingqian said. "I wonder what she's been up to at home? Probably entertaining guests, right?"

“In previous years, our daughter would have taken care of these things, but this year it’s all been the lady who’s been busy,” said Zhao’s mother. “You don’t know yet, do you? Our daughter is pregnant again. Now she’s just resting and taking care of the pregnancy, and she’s not doing anything else.”

"Cuiyi is pregnant again? How many days has it been?" Wen Mingqian was very happy, but then couldn't help but worry, "It's only been a little over three months since her last miscarriage. How is she now? Is she stable?"

"She seems to be doing well now, not vomiting much, just a little sleepy, but her appetite is surprisingly good. You'll know when you go see her tomorrow, Madam. Our young lady doesn't see anyone she's not related to these days, she just wants to have a heart-to-heart talk with you, Madam, so please do come," said Zhao Mama. "Tomorrow we'll send a carriage from our mansion to pick you up, Madam, and take these two young ladies with us as well."

Wen Mingqian, of course, would not refuse, and replied with a smile, "We will all go, as long as Cuiyi doesn't mind the noise."

The next day, Wen Mingqian indeed took two maids and rode in the Zhou family's carriage. Upon arriving at the Zhou family home, he learned that the patriarch, patriarch, and Zhou Jingsan had all gone out to visit guests, leaving only Liu Cuiyi at home.

"Let me see, you look great!" Wen Mingqian couldn't help but scrutinize Liu Cuiyi upon seeing her.

To her surprise, Liu Cuiyi looked really good, quite different from when she was pregnant last time.

“My sister also thinks I look great,” Liu Cuiyi said happily. “But can you tell if I’ve gained weight?”

“She seems to have gained some weight,” Wen Mingqian said, looking at her more closely. “She’s even more beautiful now.”

"Sister, please don't tease me. I'm just afraid I'll get so fat in a few days," Liu Cuiyi sighed. "But I can eat so much, I eat five or six meals a day. Before, when I was pregnant, I couldn't eat anything, and even drinking soup made me feel nauseous. This time, I don't know why, everything smells delicious, and I can't stop eating once I start."

"That means the child is healthy, but you shouldn't eat too much. The child is too big, and you'll suffer if you do," Wen Mingqian said.

“Who says otherwise? I think it’s okay to eat more in the first few months, but I’ll have to eat less later on,” Liu Cuiyi said. “A large fetus can lead to a very dangerous labor.”

“Young lady, our matriarch has sent Li Mama with Yu Daopo, saying they’re here to exorcise evil spirits and stabilize the pregnancy,” Zhao Mama said as she entered.

Upon hearing this, Liu Cuiyi frowned slightly and said, "My mother is going to do this again. Don't let them in. Just send them away!"

Seeing that Zhao's mother was standing there without moving, he said, "Just tell them that I have already invited them, there is no need to invite them a second time. Just give them some money and send them away!"

Liu Cuiyi is no longer as obedient to her own mother as she used to be.

"Sister, that hairpin in your hair is so pretty. Is it a new one?" Liu Cuiyi asked, looking at the white jade hairpin with twisted threads in Wen Mingqian's hair.

“It was a gift from the Princess. If you like it, you can have it.” With that, Wen Mingqian took it off his head.

“That won’t do. The Princess gave it to you. If you give it to me, wouldn’t that be a betrayal of Her Highness’s kindness?” Liu Cuiyi quickly waved her hand. “However, I can borrow it to try it out. If it’s suitable, I’ll buy one myself.”

"Sang Er, come here. Do Cuiyi's hair again. Her current hairstyle doesn't suit her," Wen Mingqian said.

Sang Er came over and gently untied Liu Cuiyi's hair, letting her hair fall loose. Sang Er was momentarily stunned.

"What's wrong?" Liu Cuiyi turned her head slightly and smiled at her.

"No...nothing..." Sang Er composed herself and said, "Let me put your hair up in a simple bun!"

"Okay, thank you for your trouble." Liu Cuiyi smiled, her expression carrying a deeper meaning.

Sang Er quickly tied up her hair and then put the white jade hairpin on it.

Liu Cuiyi looked at herself in the mirror from left to right and was very satisfied: "Indeed, white jade is more grand, while green jade always seems a bit petty."

Sang Er couldn't help but feel somewhat absent-minded.

A blurry profile kept flashing before her eyes, and somehow it overlapped with the profile of Liu Cuiyi in front of her.

She pinched herself secretly, telling herself not to overthink things, that it was probably just her eyes playing tricks on her.