Transmigration: A Farm Girl’s Brocade
Chapter 728 - 353: Birth_2

Chapter 728: Chapter 353: Birth_2

"The little mother greatly admires Zhu Sujin," she said. "The Crown Prince is capable, and his women really put his mind at ease. Not like some men who marry so many women, yet can’t control them, leaving their household in a complete mess..."

Seeing them today proved just that. He took care of all three women and strictly adhered to their ranks.

The techniques of imperial balance that the emperor taught were first applied within his own household.

Qian Yixiu found this somewhat amusing and felt extremely fortunate not to have married Zhu Sujin. As nice as the little brother is, it’s not the same when he’s the Emperor. There are too many obligations beyond one’s control.

After seeking Zhu Sujin’s opinion, Qian Yixiu sent someone to invite the Little Monk from Carefree Courtyard, Zhang Yang and Song Huaijin from the front yard, and Auntie Manxia from Wanghe Hall, as these people often played together back in the countryside. After some thought, she also invited Liang Jinyu.

With more people, the gathering became livelier. The men chatted in one group, while the women laughed together in another. Zhang Yang even took the pulse of the four pregnant women, saying the fetuses were all doing well. He also advised Qian Yixiu to move more because her belly was too big and she might give birth prematurely.

His words not only made Liang Jinzhao anxious but also Zhu Sujin and the Little Monk somewhat worried.

Zhang Yang quickly added, "It’s nothing serious, but she should pay attention to exercising regularly and controlling her diet to prevent the fetus from growing too large."

The Little Monk urged anxiously, "Sister, did you hear that? Don’t be greedy, eat more vegetarian meals."

At noon, these people didn’t go to the front yard but had their meals brought over instead, with a separate vegetarian table set up just for the Little Monk. The Little Monk was very serious and insisted on dragging Qian Yixiu to his table to join him in eating vegetarian food.

After the meal, opera performances began in the house. The Siqing Opera Troupe was again invited, performing "Flowers Blooming on the Path."

After watching the opera, the guests began to leave one after another.

The relatives from the Qian family did not leave and stayed for dinner.

Since it was all family, they all went to the main courtyard. It was there that Qian Yixiu finally got to see Zhang Zhongkun and Qian Sigui, Qian Mandua’s family, whom she hadn’t seen in a long time.

Li Ahcai had already married Lady Hong. They had wed two months earlier, which Qian Yixiu had missed, having Qian Sangui bring gifts on her behalf. Seeing them today, she gave them another gift for their first meeting.

Qian Manting had given birth to a daughter and looked much fuller and healthier.

After joking around with the Qian family relatives for a while, they went to the east wing. Mother and son Pan Yue were hosting the Pan family relatives there, with Zhu Sujin and the Little Monk also present.

In the morning, Yuaner, not yet a year old, stayed inside Xiyue Pavilion and didn’t come out due to the crowd. Now, the wet nurse brought him over. The little guy was fair and chubby, resembling his mother quite a bit, and very adorable.

The pregnant women took turns holding him, all hoping to have a beautiful and robust boy like him. When Monkey Brother saw this, he went to the west room to bring Monkey Sister over, also wanting it to hold Yuaner.

Everyone had a good laugh, and Pan Yue handed Yuaner to Monkey Sister. Monkey Sister’s eyes were soft like the water in a stream, and she murmured softly, as if coaxing him, making Yuaner giggle with delight.

After dinner, everyone respectfully saw Zhu Sujin and his party back to the palace, and then each family headed home. Monkey Brother and Monkey Sister followed Qian Yixiu back to the Liang Family, while the other dogs had already gone to the palace with Zhu Sujin.

By this time, the lanterns had been lit. Passing through the bustling Tong’an Street, Qian Yixiu lifted a corner of the carriage curtain and saw the street full of splendid lights and decorations. Glass manufacturing not only made life more convenient but also beautified the environment. Many rich shops no longer hung paper lanterns but used glass covers for their lamps, which were brighter and more attractive.

Seeing this scene, Qian Yixiu felt a sense of accomplishment.

Back at Lianxiang Courtyard, Monkey Brother and Monkey Sister followed their master into the bedroom, and Qian Yixiu sent all the servants to rest. Tonight it was Zi Zhu’s turn for the night watch, so she let her stay in the main room.

She let Pearl Kid and the little squirrel out to play until late into the night.

The next day, Qian Yixiu started following the Little Divine Doctor’s advice to exercise—walking laps around the inner courtyard’s corridor twice each day. And she also started to diet, no longer eating whatever she wanted or daring to consume too much meat and sweets. Moreover, she increased her consumption of Jade Spring in her food and ground Pearl Tears into her drinking water.

These nutritious meals were occasionally sent to the Eastern Palace and senior family members as well.

On the fifteenth day of the eighth month, it was the Empress Dowager’s seventy-sixth birthday, and Qian Yixiu, belly and all, went to the palace to celebrate. This time it wasn’t a grand affair, only close royal relatives and some officials’ families attended to convey their congratulations.

Qian Yixiu noted that behind Zhu Sujin, in addition to the three pregnant women, there were two more unfamiliar women. He didn’t seem as courteous as before, and there was a trace of harshness on his face.