Chapter 16: Inquiring

Tang Xiaorou also knew the midwife, Hua Pozi. She had been the one to deliver Tang Xiaorou.

“Then I’ll ask the aunties in the village tomorrow to see if they know.”

Qin Xueqiong quickly said, “Xiaorou, I’ll ask. A newly married girl asking these questions will be teased. It’s easier for me to ask.”

Tang Xiaorou agreed. “Okay, Mom, thank you.”

The next morning, Qin Xueqiong went to work with her hoe.  After reaching her assigned plot, she found a few familiar aunties and chatted while working.

“Xueqiong, your daughter got married so quietly! It was a surprise.”

“Yes, there was no news at all. By the time we heard about it, Erya already had her marriage certificate.  It was so fast.”

Qin Xueqiong smiled. “Xiaorou met someone on a blind date.  She thought he was good, so she got married quickly.”

Some curious aunties asked, “Xueqiong, did your mother-in-law really want to marry Erya to Yang Erzhu from the next village? That’s too much. Yang Erzhu is so old.”

Qin Xueqiong had already mentioned this to some villagers, so she didn’t hide it. She recounted the events, saying, “The eldest son’s family went too far. Even if they wanted Xiangdong to get married, they should’ve focused on Rufang’s marriage. Why should Xiaorou be the one to marry?”

“Yes, they went too far.”

After hearing the story, everyone criticized Tang Jianhua’s family.

Qin Xueqiong then mentioned the treatment Tang Jianhua’s family received. “They’re favored by Grandpa and Grandma Tang.”

Auntie Liu said, “My grandmother mentioned that when Grandma Tang gave birth to her eldest son, it wasn’t easy.  She didn’t like her eldest son at first. Grandpa Tang liked him, so Grandma Tang gradually came around.”

Qin Xueqiong’s eyes lit up. She curiously asked, “Really? I haven’t heard of this. Who delivered Grandma Tang?  Their skills were so good.”

“It was Grandma Jin, Hua Pozi’s mother. After Hua Pozi’s husband died, she learned midwifery from her mother. When Grandma Jin got old, our children were delivered by Hua Pozi.”

“Is Grandma Jin still alive?”

Auntie Liu nodded. “Yes, Grandma Jin and Hua Pozi live together. She’s old, but she’s still very healthy.”

After getting the information she wanted, Qin Xueqiong changed the subject.  They chatted and laughed, and time flew by.  After work, Qin Xueqiong told her daughter.

“Mom, I’ll go to the next village this afternoon. Don’t go to work; take care of the children.”

“Okay.”

Qin Xueqiong nodded, but she was still worried.  Li Cuilan and Tang Rufang had caused trouble last time when her daughter wasn’t home.

Before Qin Xueqiong could worry too much, Tang Xiaorou took out a bag of powder. “Mom, use this powder for self-defense. If the Tang family bullies you, sprinkle it on them, and they won’t be able to move.”

Qin Xueqiong quickly took the powder, saying, “Okay, I understand.”

After lunch, Tang Xiaorou set off.  Hua Pozi (the midwife) was well-known, so Tang Xiaorou easily learned her address. When she arrived, Hua Pozi wasn’t home; only an elderly woman with gray hair was lying in a recliner, leisurely enjoying the breeze and eating peanuts.

“Excuse me, are you Grandma Jin?”

The old woman looked up at Tang Xiaorou and asked, “Are you looking for me?”

Tang Xiaorou smiled and nodded. “Yes, I have some questions for you.” She placed the brown sugar she’d brought on the table.

Grandma Jin, seeing Tang Xiaorou’s polite gesture, nodded and asked, “What do you want to ask?”

“Grandma Jin, do you remember the Tang family in Qingshan Village? I heard you delivered both of Grandma Tang’s sons.”

“Oh… the Tang family. Yes, I remember. When I delivered her eldest son, it was almost a life-or-death situation. Fortunately, everything turned out alright in the end.” Grandma Tang’s condition had been extremely perilous, so Grandma Jin still remembered the scene vividly.

However, she looked at Tang Xiaorou and asked, “Why are you asking about this?”

Tang Xiaorou smiled and explained, “To be honest, I admire your skill. I’m also afraid of difficult labor when I give birth, so I wanted to ask in advance how to best handle any unexpected complications during childbirth.”

Grandma Jin frowned. “I’m afraid I can’t tell you that. After all, it’s our livelihood.”

Tang Xiaorou then asked, “Could you tell me how best to care for a baby born during a difficult delivery? I’ve heard that babies born this way are usually weaker.”

“That’s true. Grandma Tang’s eldest son was bluish-purple when he was born; he looked like he wouldn’t survive.”

Tang Xiaorou’s eyes lit up.

“But Tang Jianhua is very strong and healthy.”

Grandma Jin nodded. “Yes, that’s why I found it strange. When Tang Jianhua was born, he looked like he wouldn’t make it. Even though he cried a little, he didn’t seem likely to survive. 

But when he turned one month old, the Tang family invited me to their full-month celebration, and I found the child to be plump and healthy, completely different from when he was born.”

Tang Xiaorou’s eyes flickered; she was beginning to form a theory.

“I see. Perhaps the Tang couple simply took extra good care of him.”

Seeing that she couldn’t elicit more useful information, Tang Xiaorou thanked Grandma Jin and left.

Grandma Jin watched Tang Xiaorou’s departing back and chuckled. “Little girl, you really think I don’t know you’re from the Tang family? Oh dear… the Tang family is in for some excitement.”

In truth, she had noticed something was amiss with Tang Jianhua at his full-month celebration and had subtly mentioned it to Grandma Tang. 

But Grandma Tang not only didn’t believe her but also berated her. 

Now someone was asking about this; they must have noticed something.

She was curious about the secret herself.