After quite a while, Yang Haiyan finally found her voice again. “Doctor Li, what did you just say?”

Doctor Li bowed and said, “Congratulations, Young Lady. You are pregnant. From the pulse, it seems you are about a month along.”

Yang Haiyan was stunned; she didn’t know how to react.

Happy? Not really.

Sad? Of course not.

No mother would be sad about being pregnant.

However, she was a bit surprised.

No wonder!

Typically, she would feel a bit swollen in her breasts right before her period, and this time was no exception.

Her breasts felt slightly swollen, and she had thought her period was coming.

Wait a minute… she had just had that experience with Qin Fang yesterday. Would that affect the baby?

In ancient times, women might feel embarrassed to ask such questions, but Yang Haiyan was a modern woman.

Many modern gynecologists are men, so she didn’t feel shy at all.

Perhaps every woman becomes especially nervous about her child when she becomes a mother.

She had been in a daze just now, but now that she thought about it, she couldn’t help but worry about the baby.

She asked, “Doctor Li, is it harmful to the baby if a couple has intercourse in the first month of pregnancy?”

Doctor Li was used to such questions.

He replied, “I observe that your health is quite good, and I haven’t found any other issues for the moment. However, there could be potential problems that haven’t shown yet, so for the next few days, you need to take care of your health. If you feel any discomfort, please call for me right away.”

Yang Haiyan nodded. “I will.”

Doctor Li added, “I won’t go out to gather herbs in the next few days. I’ll wait until your pregnancy is confirmed before I do so.”

Yang Haiyan was very grateful. “Thank you, Doctor Li. By the way, I’ve been feeling some swelling in my chest these past few days. I thought my period was about to come, but now that I’m pregnant, the swelling is still there. Is that a problem?”

Doctor Li smiled and said, “Rest assured, it’s normal for women to experience such symptoms in early pregnancy. You don’t need to worry.”

Hearing Doctor Li say this, Yang Haiyan felt relieved. “In that case, I’ll trouble you, Doctor. Please go ahead with your work.”

Doctor Li replied, “I take my leave.”

“Doctor Li…” Granny Lian called out to him, “Please don’t spread this news. Let’s wait until the Young Lady has passed the three-month mark to discuss it.”

Doctor Li naturally understood this practice. “Rest assured, Granny.”

After Doctor Li left, Granny Lian said, “Young Lady, I don’t know if you’re aware of this saying: women should not announce their pregnancy until three months have passed. So this matter should be kept quiet until then.”

Yang Haiyan, being a modern person, had never heard of such a custom in her village.

Whenever someone got pregnant, it was public knowledge almost immediately.

However, she knew that even in modern times, there are still some places that adhere to such taboos.

Although she didn’t mind it herself, since she was in ancient times where everyone followed these customs, she naturally wouldn’t oppose them.

She said, “I’ve only heard of it but didn’t know the details. I’m grateful to have you around to remind me. What about Grandma and Mother?”

Granny Lian truly helped her a lot.

With Nurse Lian by her side, she felt like she had a reliable ally, so she didn’t have to worry about anything.

Being valued by the Young Lady made Nurse Lian happy.

She was all alone and had hoped to live out her old age in the general’s residence, so being valued by the Young Lady was significant for her.

Moreover, life in the general’s residence was genuinely comfortable.

The backyard was tidy, and the people were uncomplicated.

Whether it was the male or female head of the household or others, they were all remarkably easy to get along with.

Before the Qin family arrived, Nurse Lian had been worried, but upon meeting Old Master Qin and Old Madam Qin, she realized they were also truly amiable people, so her worries disappeared.

Granny Lian said, “You can mention it to Old Madam and the First Madam since they’re family, and it’s no problem.

Moreover, you were originally busy with the imperial grain factory matters, but now that you’re pregnant, you can’t handle those tasks.

Someone needs to take your place, and I think among the women in the household, the First Madam is the most suitable.

She is the general’s biological mother and is a person of status, so she can best represent you and the general’s residence. Old Madam is older and shouldn’t be overworked.”

Yang Haiyan said, “That makes sense. Old Madam and the First Madam have always wanted me to get pregnant. Letting them know will surely make them happy. Ah…” As she spoke, Yang Haiyan let out a sigh.

“Tut, tut, tut…” Granny Lian quickly interjected, “Such good news, Young Lady! You mustn’t sigh. May the Bodhisattva forgive us! Just pretend you didn’t see our Young Lady sighing. She’s young and doesn’t understand. Heaven has sent a child; what a wonderful occasion! Please forgive us!”

Yang Haiyan felt both amused and helpless, but she held it in and echoed Nurse Lian, “It’s my fault; I ask the Bodhisattva not to hold it against me. Thank you, Bodhisattva, for sending a child. Good Nurse, please don’t be angry with me. There are still many things I need you to remind me about in the future.”

Grandma Lian replied with a bit of annoyance, “Why would I be angry with you? You’re still just a young girl.”

Yang Haiyan smiled as she linked arms with her, “Isn’t Grandma here? I don’t need to grow up anymore.”

Grandma Lian supported her, “Then you should go back to your room and rest. I’ll go tell the old lady this good news and then take a trip to the military camp to invite the eldest lady over.”

Yang Haiyan said, “Alright. By the way, my husband should be in my teacher’s courtyard now, so you can tell him as well. But it’s fine if you don’t; let’s keep it a secret for now.”

Grandma Lian shook her head with a smile, “You just love to joke with the general.”

Yang Haiyan chuckled, “It’s fun!”

Back in her room, Yang Haiyan lay down to rest.

Even lying there, she felt somewhat perplexed.

She stared blankly at the ceiling, and then there was nothing more.

Grandma Lian had gone out.

Liuxin Courtyard

Grandma Qin and Grandpa Qin tidied up the courtyard, planting the loofah seeds that Yang Haiyan had mentioned.

On the third day after the loofah arrived, Yang Haiyan had Uncle Hong buy loofah seeds and brought back various recipes for cooking loofah.

Although the loofah seeds were brought out by the Hu people, their initial intention was just to stave off hunger, not because they were precious seeds.

So when Uncle Hong went to buy loofah seeds from a woman with the recipes and money, she accepted the recipes but did not take the money.

Thus, the loofah seeds that Uncle Hong exchanged for were planted by Grandpa Qin and Grandma Qin.

The two elderly folks were also bored, so they worked the land in the courtyard slowly to pass the time; it wasn’t hard work.

“Old Madam…” When Grandma Lian came, Grandma Qin was watering the plants.

Seeing Grandma Lian made Grandma Qin happy because Grandma Lian was knowledgeable.

Occasionally, when chatting with Yang Haiyan and Grandma Qin, she would share some amusing stories she had heard in the past.

These stories were often a mix of truth and fiction, but Grandma Qin enjoyed listening to them.

According to Yang Haiyan, women love to hear gossip.

Grandma Qin put down the watering can, “Oh, Grandma Lian is here.”

Grandma Lian saluted, “Old servant has come to congratulate you, old lady, and to ask for a reward.”

Grandma Qin was taken aback, “What… what’s this joyous occasion?”

Grandma Lian smiled and said, “I just learned of it today; it can’t be spread outside yet… the young lady is expecting.” She whispered this in Grandma Qin’s ear.

Grandma Qin was stunned at first, then her eyes reddened, “Oh my, may the Bodhisattva bless us! Truly, may the Bodhisattva bless us!” As she spoke, she began to cry.

The eldest grandson and his wife had been married for nearly two years without conceiving.

Last year, it was said that returning to the old home made it difficult to get pregnant, but what about after they returned?

The couple hadn’t said anything, but both she and Grandma Qin were anxious.

Although they didn’t show it in front of the eldest grandson’s wife, to avoid hurting her feelings, secretly, they had prayed several times to the Bodhisattva.

However, their anxiety and prayers for blessings had never led them to consider separating the eldest grandson and his wife or letting him take a concubine.

The old Qin family did not entertain such practices, nor did common families.

Fortunately, the eldest grandson’s wife had finally become pregnant.

Grandma Lian, seeing Grandma Qin, was startled, “Old Madam, are you alright? You scared me!”

Grandma Qin wiped her eyes, “I’m just so happy; truly, I’m so happy. Come, come, let’s go see Yanyan. By the way, I suppose her mother-in-law doesn’t know about this yet; we have to tell her.”

Grandma Lian said, “She doesn’t know yet. Apart from me and the young lady, you’re the first to know. Even the general doesn’t know. The young lady said she wouldn’t tell the general for now. She really is a bit childish.”

Grandma Qin replied, “At only eighteen, she is still a child.”

Grandma Lian added, “That’s right! But the young couple is doing well; Yanyan married into the Qin family, and everyone treats her well—yourself, the eldest lady, and the general.”

Grandma Qin remarked, “Of course! It’s Yanyan who is good; it’s her fortune that our old Qin family has today.” The Qin family had always believed this, and combined with what the nun had said, they viewed Yang Haiyan as their family’s great benefactor.

As they left Liuxin Courtyard, Grandma Lian said, “Old Madam, I need to go to the military camp and the fields, so I won’t accompany you to the young lady’s courtyard.”

Grandma Qin was taken aback, “You don’t need to go; just send someone to inform her.”

Grandma Lian replied, “Aunt Yu is there to attend to her; I feel more at ease if I go in person.” Aunt Yu had also been a mother, so she would take good care of the young lady.

Grandma Qin said, “You’re so meticulous in your work.”

Grandma Lian took a carriage to the military camp and informed Grandma Qin about Yang Haiyan’s pregnancy.

Upon hearing this, Grandma Qin completely disregarded everything else because nothing was more important than her daughter-in-law.

Even Grandpa Qin was so happy he almost danced while walking; he was going to be a great-grandfather!

He urged, “You should hurry to Ah Fang’s side; I’ll handle things here. The soldiers will temporarily go to the third brother’s place for a meal. Don’t worry; I’ll take care of the third brother and his son.”

Grandma Qin replied, “Even if you ask me to stay, I won’t stay.”

Grandpa Qin was left speechless.

He realized that once his great-grandchild was born, he would have even less say in the family.