From the family treasure tree to build an eternal family

Chapter 163 Pregnancy Protection
After the Ma family members left, only the Xu family members remained.

This farce attracted the attention of the entire Xu family.

"While everyone is here, I'd like to announce a few things."

Seeing that it was a rare occasion for the whole family to gather here, Xu Fugui decided to establish rules to prevent such incidents from happening again.

Upon hearing his words, everyone's eyes turned to him.

"Previously, I always educated everyone with the Hundred Character Classic, teaching you to be filial, loyal, brave, kind, and to maintain noble character..."

Good and bad, right and wrong, what should be done and what shouldn't be done—I'm sure you all know that…

Now that our Xu family has grown to a large number, it's time to establish clear rules.

This is a clan rule that exists outside of law and morality.

"The first rule of our Xu family clan is that no one may test their spiritual roots or worship immortal masters outside of the Xu family."

Xu Fugui mentioned this rule a long time ago, when Xu Xiaogou was tested for his spiritual roots.

At the time, the Xu family members could not understand.

Now, those in the Xu family who have cultivated spiritual roots understand the significance of this.

"Secondly, entry into brothels, gambling dens, opium dens, and similar places is strictly prohibited; violators will be severely punished!"

In fact, Xu Fugui didn't need to include this in the clan rules, because in the minds of ordinary people, lust, gambling, and opium smoking are not good things.

He included this in the clan rules because, from a legal perspective, these places are legitimate and permitted.

"Article 3: No one may take a concubine. If one's first wife has passed away, one may remarry."

Taking wives and concubines was common practice, especially for wealthy families who often had several concubines.

Xu Fugui, however, announced this clan rule, which forbade taking concubines.

He and Jiazhen were a loving and harmonious couple who raised six children.

The generation with the character "孝" grew up in such a family environment. Under their influence, each family was happy and the couples were of one mind. None of them ever had the idea of ​​taking a concubine.

However, when it comes to the generation with the character "忠" (zhong) and their descendants, influenced by the general environment, they will certainly feel that "taking a concubine" is normal.

Having concubines naturally leads to jealousy and rivalry, or power struggles between legitimate and illegitimate children.

Xu Fugui didn't want to see "palace intrigue" playing out in the Xu family, and the Xu family didn't lack concubines to produce offspring, so he simply banned the practice of "taking concubines".

As for the "ability to remarry," it is because the Xu family possesses the Five Elements Stance Technique, and the Xu family's descendants enjoy long lifespans due to their cultivation of immortality. If the Xu family marries an ordinary woman, she would most likely die in her sixties or seventies.

In this situation, if the Xu family still wants to start a family, they can remarry.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"Because of Ma Shujie and Liu Yun's affair, no one is allowed to take concubines anymore?"

"Isn't this too serious?"

The Xu family members believed that Xu Fugui established this clan rule because of what had just happened.

In fact, he had this idea before, and now he formally included it in the clan rules to warn everyone.

After announcing the three clan rules, Xu Fugui said loudly, "These are the three clan rules for now, and we will supplement and improve them later. All members of the Xu clan must abide by these clan rules."

The education of future generations should begin with the Hundred Character Classic and clan rules.

And so, the Xu family came to have formal clan rules.

After everyone had left, Xu Fugui summoned Xu Xiaoyun and said, "Go and get two stone tablets, at least three zhang tall, and find a conspicuous place to erect them. Inscribe the Hundred Character Classic and the clan rules on them."

"Got it, Dad."

Xu Xiaoyun nodded in agreement.

His eldest brother was a celestial official, his fifth brother was in charge of managing the agricultural affairs of Baihe Mountain, and his sixth brother was engaged in cultivation and practice. These miscellaneous tasks naturally fell to him.

"There's one more thing. Ma Shujie is, after all, a member of the Xu family. After this incident, she probably won't want to come back. You have to find a way to persuade her to come back."

Xu Fugui then gave further instructions.

“Father, I would have done it even if you hadn’t said anything. I’m very satisfied with this daughter-in-law. I made all sorts of promises to bring her into the family back then, but I almost got her killed. I’m definitely going to bring her back.”

After Xu Xiaoyun finished speaking, he turned around and went to attend to the few things that Xu Fugui had instructed him to do.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"Zhongche, Ma Shujie is two months pregnant, but the fetus has stopped breathing due to the effects of toxins. Do you have any solutions?"

Xu Fugui summoned Xu Zhongche.

The fetus may not be beyond saving.

The fact that ordinary doctors couldn't save him, and even a celestial physician at the fifth level of Qi Refining couldn't save him, doesn't mean that Xu Zhongche couldn't be saved.

“Grandpa, my master pharmacist taught me how to make the pregnancy-preserving pill. It’s his family’s secret recipe, and it’s much more effective than ordinary pregnancy-preserving pills. But it’s still just a common medicine, and I’m not sure if it can save the baby.”

Xu Zhongche wasn't very confident.

After all, even a divine physician couldn't save him, so how could he be saved with ordinary medicine?

"Do your best. After all, that fetus is an unborn member of my Xu family, your nephew or niece, and I'll call you uncle."

Xu Fugui looked at Xu Zhongche with hope in his eyes, but also with a sense of helplessness regarding the unborn child.

Xu Zhongche was stunned for a moment, recalling what his grandfather had said: The Xu family will never be divided, and all members of the Xu family will be treated equally, regardless of whether they are direct or collateral relatives.

Those of the "Loyal" generation should be treated like brothers, and those of the "Courtesy" generation should be treated like one's own children.

Suddenly, Xu Zhongche felt as if the fetus in Ma Shujie's womb was his own child, and he couldn't help but feel a pang of heartache.

"Grandpa, I will do my utmost!"

After speaking, Xu Zhongche went to his alchemy room to refine a pregnancy-preserving pill.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The Ma Family Mansion in Tonggu County.

Xu Xiaoyun had been waiting outside Ma Shujie's bedroom door for two hours.

He brought generous gifts, hoping to invite Ma Shujie back to Baihe Mountain.

But he didn't see Ma Shujie. Her maid Yingzi was guarding the door and said that Ma Shujie hadn't fully recovered and was asleep in bed.

So Xu Xiaoyun waited outside the door for two hours without saying a word.

"Master, please go back first and let her rest well."

Yingzi disliked Xu Zhongchao, but respected Xu Xiaoyun.

"It's okay, I'll wait a bit longer. I want to talk to her when she wakes up."

Xu Xiaoyun knew that Ma Shujie did not want to see him, so he made up an excuse to avoid meeting her.

"Ah~"

Yingzi sighed, turned around and walked back to her bedroom.

Ma Shujie lay in bed, her complexion slightly improved. She stared wide-eyed, not asleep: "Is my father-in-law still guarding outside?"

"Yes, Madam, would you like to see the Master? It's really impolite to leave him waiting outside."

Yingzi advised.

But Ma Shujie turned her face away and said cruelly, "Don't call me Madam, and don't call him Master. I'm no longer a daughter-in-law of the Xu family. Let him wait if he wants. I won't see him."

As she spoke, her hands unconsciously went to her lower abdomen, her heart aching.

"This……"

Yingzi was at a loss and caught in a dilemma.

Has Ma Shujie really made up her mind not to go back to the Xu family?

If this was Ma Shujie's idea, she could only comply. It was for the best; although staying in her parents' home would damage her reputation, the Ma family was never short of food and clothing, and she would be well-off for life.

Another full hour passed.

Two more people arrived at Ma Shujie's door: Xu Zhongche and the Immortal Doctor Zhang Tuo.

Zhang Tuo was invited by Xu Zhongche at the cost of spirit stones.

His house call fee is 1 spirit stone, with treatment costs separate.

Ma Erjue's entire fortune amounted to only one spirit stone and five spirit crystals, which was enough to persuade Zhang Tuo to save Ma Shujie. However, Xu Zhongche had the Xu family behind him and didn't lack those few spirit stones. Since he had decided to do everything in his power to save the child in Ma Shujie's womb, he certainly wouldn't begrudge those few spirit stones.

"Fourth Uncle, what's this?"

Xu Zhongche arrived with pregnancy-preserving pills and saw Xu Xiaoyun guarding the door.

"Sigh, my daughter-in-law harbors resentment and doesn't want to see me."

Xu Xiaoyun shook his head and sighed.

"Grandpa told me to do my best to save the baby in her womb, hoping to ease some of her resentment towards our Xu family."

As Xu Zhongche spoke, he turned to Yingzi and said, "Please pass on the message that the divine physician has come to treat her."

A moment later, Yingzi brought a message: "Please invite the physician and Master Zhongche into the house. As for the great-grandfather, Madam said she does not wish to see him."

"I...then I'll stand guard outside the door."

Xu Xiaoyun had no choice.

in the room.

Xu Zhongche took out a pregnancy-preserving pill and had Yingzi feed it to Ma Shujie.

This pregnancy-preserving pill was the best quality one that Xu Zhongche selected from several batches of pills he had refined.

After taking the pregnancy-preserving pills, Ma Shujie felt a strange, warm, and comfortable sensation flowing into her lower abdomen a moment later.

"Please, esteemed physician, make a diagnosis."

Xu Zhongche gestured for Zhang Tuo to come forward and take a look.

After examining the fetus, Zhang Tuo shook his head regretfully: "Your pregnancy-preserving pills were effective, but they couldn't save the fetus. The fetus was barely clinging to life; the pills only slowed the miscarriage."

Based on my initial assessment, the fetus was certain to die completely within three days, resulting in a miscarriage. This pregnancy-preserving pill gave it a second chance, lasting approximately seven days.

"Doctor Zhang, can't you save him? Spirit stones are negotiable, just name your price."

Xu Zhongche became even more anxious when he saw that the pregnancy-preserving pills were not working.

"It's not a matter of how many spirit stones there are, I really can't help you. Here's what I'll do, I'll cast the hydrotherapy spell again to buy him a few more days, and you can think of another way."

Before arriving, Zhang Tuo had received three spirit stones from Xu Zhongche. Feeling bad about making a wasted trip, he made a hand seal and sent a few strands of healing spiritual energy to Ma Shujie.

"It should take about half a month now, that's the best I can do."

After saying this, he didn't linger and took his leave.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Only Ma Shujie, Yingzi, and Xu Zhongche remained in the bedroom.

Ma Shujie originally thought that Zhang Tuo's arrival could save the baby in her womb.

This is the thing that hurts her the most.

There was no love between her and her husband, Xu Zhongchao; only a small amount of affection between them.

But the child she was carrying was her hope in life, her own flesh and blood, and her future relatives.

Liu Yun almost caused her death, but nothing hurt her more than finding out she was pregnant and losing the baby.

This time, the newly raised hope was extinguished once again.

Xu Zhongche was silent for a moment, then suddenly spoke: "Sister-in-law, don't lose heart. I will do everything in my power to save my nephew! I will not interfere in your family affairs with Fourth Uncle and Zhongchao. I will only save lives!"
Take good care of yourself and wait for me!

After saying that, he quickly walked out of the room.

These words warmed Ma Shujie's heart.

This is the Xu family.

Yingzi sighed softly, "The Xu family members are all so kind and righteous, how come our master is like that? By the way, the great-grandfather is still waiting outside, are you?"

Ma Shujie hesitated for a moment, as Xu Zhongche's words had indeed affected her mindset: "Please invite my father-in-law in."

Xu Xiaoyun entered the room quickly.

“Daughter-in-law, I apologize to you on behalf of A-Chao. He is currently imprisoned. His grandfather has punished him by making him write the Hundred Character Classic 100,000 times and eat vegetarian food every day. He will be imprisoned for three to five years.”

Ma Shujie already knew what Xu Xiaoyun was saying.

With Yingzi's help, she sat up and said, "You are my elder, how can I accept your apology? Besides, it was Zhongchao who made the mistake, it has nothing to do with you. I can only say that I am not destined to be with the Xu family."

Destined to meet but not to be together?

Ma Shujie continued, "Please have Zhongchao write a letter of divorce. I will no longer be a daughter-in-law of the Xu family. Let him remarry."

A letter of divorce?

“Daughter-in-law, don’t say such hurtful things. It’s not worth severing your marriage with Ah Chao because of this.”

Xu Xiaoyun said urgently that he had come to invite Ma Shujie back, not to make Ma Shujie sever ties with the Xu family.

"I wasn't saying this out of anger."

As Ma Shujie spoke, she looked down at her stomach and said, "Zhongchao will eventually have children, but I'm afraid I can't have any more."

"Who said he has to have children? If he has no offspring, that is his fate, a punishment for not cherishing his wife. He deserves it!"
"Daughter-in-law, don't worry, this is my decision. I've made it for him. You'll be his only wife for life; he won't marry anyone else, and he certainly won't have any concubines."

Xu Xiaoyun made a solemn promise.

"..."

Ma Shujie remained silent for a long time, moved once again by Xu Xiaoyun, just as she had been when she married into the Xu family.

“Zhongche said he would save my child. If the child survives, I will return to Baihe Mountain.”

She finally relented.

Xu Xiaoyun nodded: "The child must be saved, and you must go home too."

He repeatedly urged Ma Shujie to take care of herself, instructed Yingzi to take good care of her, and then took his leave.

The most urgent task is to save the fetus; it seems there is still hope.

He's going to inquire and see if there's any good solution.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The core area of ​​Baihe Mountain.

Xu Zhongche is refining pills in his alchemy room.

"It's ruined again!"

He lifted the lid of the alchemy furnace and saw that the pills inside had turned into a charred mess.

"Come again!"

Undeterred, he cleaned the alchemy furnace and began refining pills again.

One by one, the medicinal herbs were thrown into the alchemy furnace and refined by the spiritual fire into medicinal liquid and powder.

However, this time what was refined was not a single elixir, but several worthless elixirs in different states and colors.

"Come again!"

What he attempted to refine was a "semi-spiritual pill" for preventing miscarriage.

Previously, when he was refining Qi and Blood Pills, he replaced two of the main ingredients with spiritual plants, creating a "semi-spiritual pill" Qi and Blood Pill with greatly increased efficacy.

It is even more difficult to refine the "Half-Spirit Pill for Pregnancy Protection".

The method of making the pregnancy-preserving pill is more complicated than that of the qi and blood pill.

This was the only way Xu Zhongche could think of to save the fetus.

Ordinary medicines and elixirs have vastly different effects.

What medicine cannot do, elixirs can!
"The herbs are not right; we need to ask Grandpa for some spiritual plants."

They had previously obtained a large number of spiritual plants during the Lan family incident, which were kept by Xu Fugui.

After studying it carefully, Xu Zhongche went to find Xu Fugui and asked for several kinds of spiritual plants.

Xu Fugui not only gave him the several kinds of spiritual plants he needed, but also gave him two extra kinds of spiritual plants that were included in the "Illustrated Compendium of Spiritual Plants" and had the effect of protecting the fetus.

(End of this chapter)