Chapter 38: Madam Wen Er is Pregnant

As soon as Mu Rong Shu got out of the carriage, the nanny quickly approached her with a greeting, her eyes filled with anxiety.

“Tell me about your lady’s condition,” Mu Rong Shu asked first. The nanny, full of gratitude, had an even better impression of Mu Rong Shu. She felt that Mu Rong Shu was not at all spoiled and more like a true healer.

The nanny quickly described all the symptoms her lady had been experiencing in detail, including how she had started vomiting after going out earlier that morning, and how she suspected that Madam Wen Er might be suffering from heatstroke.

After hearing the nanny’s description, Mu Rong Shu had a rough idea of the situation. It seemed to align with her earlier guess, but she still needed to confirm by taking the pulse.

“Please take me to see Madam Wen Er,” Mu Rong Shu said directly, thinking that taking the pulse would clarify everything.

“Ah, Miss Mu Rong, thank you for your hard work. You must be tired from the journey. Please have some tea and rest a bit. After you’ve cooled down from the heat, you can check on the madam’s pulse,” the nanny suggested, worried about the heat and Mu Rong Shu’s health.

Mu Rong Shu had become a life-saving figure for Madam Wen Er. Besides following the madam’s instructions, the nanny had developed a deep affection for her. Since Mu Rong Shu had helped Madam Wen Er with her health, the nanny had personally witnessed the improvements. Now, she hoped that her lady would soon have good news, perhaps a child.

Madam Wen Er wasn’t sleeping. She looked listless and weak. When she heard that Mu Rong Shu had arrived, she quickly told the nanny to bring her in.

“Shu Er, you’ve worked hard. Please sit and rest for a while. Nanny, bring the ice basin closer to Shu Er, and have someone fetch some refreshing tea for her.”

Though it felt awkward to ask Mu Rong Shu to come in such hot weather, Madam Wen Er felt that if she didn’t take good care of her, it would be even more embarrassing to ask for her help again in the future.

“Don’t worry, Madam. I’m in good health. Let me cool down a bit and then I’ll check your pulse,” Mu Rong Shu replied, not wanting to bring the heat to Madam Wen Er.

“Thank you, Shu Er,” Madam Wen Er said.

After a short rest, Mu Rong Shu felt cool enough to approach and sit down to check Madam Wen Er’s pulse.

The pulse was smooth and flowing, like pearls rolling in a tray, round and smooth, the movement quick and fluid, which indicated a joyful pulse. Mu Rong Shu, still unsure, checked again. It was still a joyful pulse.

“Congratulations, Madam Wen Er. You are pregnant,” Mu Rong Shu said, withdrawing her hand after taking the pulse. “The discomfort you’ve been feeling lately is a normal response to early pregnancy.”

Her words left both Madam Wen Er and the nanny stunned. After so many years of trying various remedies without success, and with Mu Rong Shu’s treatment in less than half a year, this result was beyond their expectations.

The nanny’s voice trembled with excitement. “Miss Mu Rong, are you saying our lady isn’t ill, but pregnant?”

“Yes, nanny, Madam Wen Er is pregnant. If you’re still worried, you can have the doctor come and check her pulse again,” Mu Rong Shu said, noticing the stunned expressions on the faces of the nanny and Madam Wen Er. It was clear they couldn’t believe the news.

“No, no, no, it’s not that I don’t trust Miss Mu Rong, I’m just too excited,” the nanny quickly explained, fearing that Mu Rong Shu might misunderstand her excitement as a doubt about her medical skills.

“Don’t worry, nanny. I can’t be here all the time, and since this is Madam Wen Er’s first pregnancy, it’s important to make the necessary preparations,” Mu Rong Shu said, feeling that a doctor should still be consulted.

“Thank you for reminding me, Miss Mu Rong. I’ll arrange for it right away,” the nanny said, her excitement causing her to almost forget which foot to step with as she rushed out to make the arrangements.

“Shu Er, thank you so much. If it weren’t for you…” Madam Wen Er, overwhelmed with emotion, began to cry. After so many years, her wish had finally been fulfilled, and she felt deeply grateful to Mu Rong Shu.

“Please don’t cry, Madam. If you keep crying, the baby will be a little cry baby,” Mu Rong Shu said, handing her a handkerchief to comfort her.

Madam Wen Er stopped crying, as Mu Rong Shu had hoped. “I’m just so emotional. I won’t cry anymore.”

“Madam, don’t be too anxious. I’ll write down some pregnancy precautions for you. The weather is hot, so you shouldn’t go out during the first three months, especially not to events like banquets,” Mu Rong Shu, being a healer, couldn’t help but offer more advice.

“I will listen to Shu Er. I won’t go anywhere and will stay at home to rest,” Madam Wen Er promised.

“Remember, Madam, don’t just lie in bed all day. In the evenings, when the weather cools down, you can go for a walk outside. After the first three months, you can go out more. Also, I’ll prepare some tonic medicine for you,” Mu Rong Shu continued.

“Thank you, Shu Er,” Madam Wen Er said, clearly reassured.

Mu Rong Shu noticed how nervous Madam Wen Er was, so she continued to provide guidance on mental well-being during pregnancy, making sure that the madam’s emotions settled down.

Before long, the entire household knew about the pregnancy. Little Tuan Zi heard that the beautiful Miss Shu was in the second aunt’s courtyard and eagerly dragged his third uncle to accompany him.

Originally, Wen Jing had been tutoring Little Tuan Zi, but upon hearing that Mu Rong Shu was at the estate examining the second aunt, he started to get distracted. Seeing that Little Tuan Zi wanted to go, he decided to take him along.

“Aunt, is there a little brother or sister in your tummy? When can they play with me?” Little Tuan Zi asked, curiously staring at his second aunt’s belly.

“You’ll have to wait a while, but soon you’ll be a big brother!” Mu Rong Shu, noticing Little Tuan Zi’s curiosity, quickly shifted his attention elsewhere.

“I’ll definitely learn from Third Uncle and become the best big brother,” Little Tuan Zi said with determination, making everyone smile.

“Then you have to work hard!” they encouraged.

Little Tuan Zi nodded eagerly, pleased by their encouragement.

Madam Wen Er’s and the old madam’s family not only sent a pile of tonics but also came to visit her personally. Mu Rong Shu, following the principle that pregnant women need rest, kindly persuaded the visitors to leave.

“Everyone, please leave now. Don’t disturb the second young lady’s rest,” the old madam spoke firmly, and everyone immediately complied.

“Shu Er, thank you so much. You’ve saved our Wen family!” The old madam grabbed Mu Rong Shu’s hand, her gratitude sincere.

Mu Rong Shu thought to herself, “It’s just a pregnancy, calling it saving the Wen family is a bit too much.” The old madam appeared quite enlightened and not like a particularly conservative woman. Perhaps it was because Madam Wen Er, the second young master’s wife, was the one the old madam favored most.

Little did Mu Rong Shu know, the “saving” the old madam spoke of had a different meaning from what she assumed.

“When will the second master return to the estate?” Mu Rong Shu asked, feeling that there were things she needed to explain to the soon-to-be father.

“If Shu Er needs something from the second master, I’ll have someone summon him back right away,” the old madam said. As long as Mu Rong Shu nodded, she could easily have the second master brought back. In the old madam’s eyes, Mu Rong Shu held the highest status, so much so that even the Chancellor of the State, Wen Shou Fu, would be expected to return promptly if called.

“But I need to speak to the second master in person. Zi Yu, how long until the second master is off duty?” Mu Rong Shu, overwhelmed by the old madam’s enthusiasm, turned to ask Wen Jing.

“He should be on his way back now. Little Tuan Zi will go to the gate to pick him up, and let him come to my courtyard to find Miss Mu Rong. Don’t tell him about the pregnancy yet,” Wen Jing replied.

“Understood, Third Young Master.”

Since they didn’t want to disturb Madam Wen Er’s rest, Wen Jing led Mu Rong Shu and Little Tuan Zi to his own courtyard to wait for Wen Er.