Chapter 86 Cooking Chicken Soup for Daughter-in-law

Zhou Ruizhen turned his gaze back to the road ahead and answered without hesitation, “A girl, a girl who looks just like you!”

Du Wanchun was momentarily stunned by his words. Looking at the genuine, heartfelt smile on Zhou Ruizhen’s face, her heart filled with warmth and comfort.

In Changliu Village, men like Du Dajiang had spent their entire lives longing for a son. The Chen family, the Meng family, and the Cao family—each of them had caused endless turmoil over the desire for a male heir.

Even after so many years, many in this small village still fixated on having a son, fearing that there would be no one to inherit their small plots of land.

Yet Zhou Ruizhen, a man born and raised in the imperial city, had just told her—without any hesitation—that he wanted a daughter.

At that moment, Du Wanchun truly felt that she had chosen the right person.

She hugged Zhou Ruizhen’s neck tightly, her eyes half-closed, and just like her husband, her round little face was full of joy.

The gentle breeze brushed against their faces, carrying their happiness through the entire village of Changliu.

It was hard to tell whether it was simply a joyful occasion lifting everyone’s spirits, but the trees and flowers in the village all stood tall and vibrant, full of life.

Even a few withered trees on the roadside had sprouted fresh green buds.

Physician Xu, who had just stepped outside, looked up at the bright, clear sky and couldn’t help but sigh, “This year is truly one of good fortune!”

When Du Wanchun and Zhou Ruizhen returned home, they shared the wonderful news with Madam Zhou.

Madam Zhou had been steaming scented balm at the time, holding the lid of the steamer in her hand. Upon hearing the news, she was so shocked that she dropped it with a loud clatter.

“Wanchun is pregnant?!”

Du Wanchun smiled and nodded. “Yes, Mother, you’re going to be a grandmother soon.”

Madam Zhou hurriedly wiped her hands, her steps slightly unsteady as she rushed over. She grabbed Du Wanchun’s hands and looked her up and down, her eyes brimming with excitement and joy. By the time she spoke again, her voice was slightly choked with emotion.

“Wanchun, this is truly wonderful!”

Du Wanchun’s brows curved as she smiled. “Mother, this is a happy occasion.”

Madam Zhou rubbed her eyes. “Yes, yes, of course it is. I’m just too happy, that’s all.”

Then, she slowly released Wanchun’s hands and turned to gaze toward the distant imperial capital. With an impassioned voice, she declared, “That woman wanted to cut off our family’s future? Hah! She won’t get her way now. Our Ruizhen is going to have a child!”

Du Wanchun understood exactly what she meant.

Regardless of whether this child was a boy or a girl, they would be the emperor’s first grandchild.

Even if the emperor harbored resentment toward them, the child would be blameless. This meant that their family finally had a foothold—a way forward.

Madam Zhou turned back, smiling warmly at Du Wanchun. “Wanchun, what would you like to eat? I’ll make it for you right now.”

Du Wanchun chuckled. “Mother, just the usual is fine. I eat everything.”

Madam Zhou raised an eyebrow and spoke firmly. “That won’t do. You’re eating for two now. If you don’t eat well, the baby will take all your energy, and your body will suffer for it.”

It was the first time Du Wanchun had heard such a saying.

Madam Zhou didn’t give her a chance to argue. She turned and strode outside. “I’m going to Auntie Wang’s house to buy a chicken. I’ll make chicken soup for you tonight!”

In farming households, chickens were usually kept for their eggs, so it was rare to slaughter one for soup. Even the wealthiest family in the village, the Mengs, wouldn’t eat more than two chickens a year.

For Madam Zhou, this was quite a grand gesture.

Before heading to Auntie Wang’s house, she grabbed a basket of eggs from the backyard. Their family had plenty of eggs and duck eggs, so bringing some to Auntie Wang would help offset the cost.

When Auntie Wang heard that Du Wanchun was pregnant, she was overjoyed. She immediately went to her backyard and caught two young hens.

“Sister Zhou, take them both! A woman needs plenty of nourishment when she’s expecting.”

Madam Zhou quickly refused. “Sister, you only have four hens in total! If you give me two, what will you have left to eat?”

Saying this, she only took one and smiled. “One is more than enough.”

But Auntie Wang held her hand and insisted, shoving the second chicken into her arms. “My chickens are for laying eggs, but you bring me fresh eggs all the time. We can’t even finish eating them! Take these for Wanchun. That girl is like a daughter to me—consider this my way of helping her stay strong.”

Madam Zhou stood there, holding the two chickens, caught between accepting and refusing.

Before she could say another word, Auntie Wang pushed her out the door and shut it firmly behind her.

Left with no other choice, Madam Zhou carried the two chickens home.

After she had left, Wang Qiu emerged from inside the house.

“Mother,” she asked curiously, “did you say that Zhou family’s daughter-in-law is pregnant?”