Chapter 71: The Third Household Returns – Lady Wang is Pregnant with Twins

When Xu Nian arrived at Shousong Courtyard with the food box, Grandpa Xu and the others had already finished lunch. However, Lady Wang was still delighted and said, “I’ve really been craving this. Dongmei, take it to the kitchen and add it to the dishes for dinner.”

Xu Nian saw the letter in Grandpa Xu’s hand and curiously asked, “Who sent the letter?”

Grandpa Xu handed the letter to Xu Nian.

“Your third uncle and third aunt have returned from Lingshan County. This was written before they set out, and we just received it. If we count the days, they should arrive by noon tomorrow.”

Xu Nian read the letter and happily said, “Then I’ll go prepare the courtyard for Third Uncle and Third Aunt.”

Lady Wang immediately pulled Xu Nian back before she could leave.

“There’s no need for you to do such heavy work. Your mother has already made arrangements. Go back to your room and rest—you must be exhausted from taking care of those two little monkeys all day.”

“Grandmother, I’m not tired. They were very well-behaved.”

Lady Wang nodded in satisfaction. Her eldest granddaughter was truly good to her younger siblings.

Instead of going straight back to Qingteng Courtyard, Xu Nian took Xiu’er to see Lady Tian.

“Mother, I heard that Third Uncle and Third Aunt are coming back. Has their courtyard been prepared?”

Lady Tian sighed helplessly. “It was prepared long ago. You, my child, are always worrying about everything. Hurry and go rest. I still have accounts to check.”

After learning that everything was ready, Xu Nian didn’t disturb her mother further and returned to her room to rest.

The next day, before noon, Xu Youliang and Lady Wang arrived at the county office. Lady Tian and Lady Zheng brought Xu Nian and Xu Ling to welcome them into the courtyard.

Lady Tian looked at her sister-in-law’s prominent belly with some concern.

“I remember you were only about five months along. Why does it seem so big?”

Lady Zheng also glanced over and indeed found it concerning. A belly that large during pregnancy was not a good sign. Childbirth was already dangerous, and even more so when—

Lady Wang knew her sisters-in-law were worried about her, but she figured her good diet might have made the baby grow a little too fast.

“Please don’t worry. I’ve been controlling my diet lately, so it should be fine after some time.”

Although Xu Nian had never given birth, she understood the seriousness of the situation. She decided to call for a physician the next day to examine her Third Aunt.

When the group reached Shousong Courtyard, Lady Wang was already standing at the hall entrance waiting. It had been a long time since she last saw her daughter-in-law, and she was concerned about both her and the baby she carried. As for her son—he was strong and didn’t need her worry.

Seeing his mother grinning foolishly, Xu Youliang felt speechless.

Lady Wang hurriedly took a few steps forward to bow, but Aunt Zhang stopped her, and Lady Wang quickly said, “No need for formalities. Your belly is so big it makes this old woman’s heart tremble. Dongmei, quickly help my third daughter-in-law sit down.”

Xu Youliang stepped forward, knelt, and bowed three times to his father and mother before explaining the situation in Lingshan County.

“The crops in both the manor and the village have been planted. I followed Nian’er’s method for planting. The magistrate is very concerned about this new crop and has assigned many constables and village guards to patrol the manor and the wasteland in Wanying Village.”

In fact, if it weren’t for Magistrate Wu’s arrangements, Xu Youliang had planned to come to Wansheng County only after the autumn harvest.

Grandpa Xu nodded approvingly. “The magistrate is very thoughtful.”

Lady Wang wasn’t concerned about the fields. She was thinking about her third daughter-in-law’s belly, which looked too large.

“Dongmei, go and have the physician brought to the residence.”

Xu Youliang, who had been speaking enthusiastically, paused and asked with concern, “Mother, are you feeling unwell?”

Lady Wang glared at him.

“Fool, you are already a father, yet you can’t see that something is wrong with your wife’s belly?”

Xu Youliang looked at his wife’s rosy complexion and was puzzled. She seemed perfectly fine.

Lady Wang didn’t bother with her clueless son and turned to chat with her daughters-in-law instead.

Lady Wang touched her belly, feeling a little uneasy. Could something really be wrong?

Aunt Zhang soon arrived at Shousong Hall with the physician. Lady Wang explained her concerns.

The physician stroked his beard, glanced at Lady Wang’s belly, and said, “Madam, please extend your hand. I will take your pulse first.”

Lady Wang did as she was told and extended her hand. After a while, the physician remained silent, making the entire Xu family anxious. Even Xu Nian felt nervous.

Another moment passed before the physician finally withdrew his hand and smiled.

“Madam’s pulse is steady; there is no cause for concern. The reason her belly appears so large is that she is carrying twins.”

For a moment, the hall was silent. Then, everyone was filled with joy.

Lady Wang, especially, was overjoyed. Her three sons had all struggled to have children, and now her third daughter-in-law was expecting two at once. She couldn’t stop smiling. But she was still a little worried and asked, “My daughter-in-law just traveled for several days by carriage. Physician, should we prepare any prenatal medicine for her?”

“There’s no need to worry, madam,” the physician reassured her. “Medicine always has some level of toxicity. The lady’s pregnancy is stable. As long as she eats well and stays active daily, there should be no issues.”

Hearing this, Lady Wang finally felt relieved.

After the physician left, she didn’t let Xu Youliang and his wife stay any longer.

“Youliang, take your wife back to rest. You heard what the physician said—be careful at night while sleeping.”

Grinning widely, Xu Youliang carefully helped his wife up and took her back to their courtyard. Lady Tian and Lady Zheng followed to assist.

After everyone left, Xu Nian noticed that Lady Wang still looked troubled. She comforted her, saying, “Grandmother, don’t worry. The physician said that Third Aunt’s pregnancy is going well. As long as we take good care of her in the coming months, everything will be fine.”

Ever since Xu Nian heard that Lady Wang was carrying twins, she had already made up her mind—she would use ingredients from her personal storage to prepare meals for her Third Aunt every day. Hopefully, these special foods would help ensure a smooth delivery.

Lady Wang let out a deep sigh. She had given birth to five sons and one daughter, but only four had survived. The ones she lost were a pair of dragon-phoenix twins.

Later, her second daughter-in-law gave birth to twins as well. Though they survived, they were weak and sickly throughout childhood and had to drink bitter herbal medicine constantly. Now, her third daughter-in-law was also expecting twins. The news brought her both joy and worry.

Xu Nian was surprised to hear about the children her grandmother had lost. She had only just learned that she had an uncle and an aunt who hadn’t survived—and they were also dragon-phoenix twins. It seemed like the Xu family had a strong tendency for twins.

“Grandmother, don’t forget—I have the protection of the Mountain God. I will make sure Third Aunt gives birth safely.”

After comforting Lady Wang, Xu Nian took Xiu’er back to Qingteng Courtyard. Once she sent Xiu’er away, she entered her personal storage.

Inside, the medicinal herbs had already grown into their first harvest, and the second batch was currently growing. She took out a few small dangshen roots and some astragalus before leaving.

“Xiu’er.”

Hearing her lady’s call, Xiu’er pushed the door open and entered.

“Miss, you called for me?”

“Take these herbs to the kitchen and tell them to add one slice to the soup each day for Third Madam.”

“Yes, Miss.”

Xiu’er curtsied, took the herbs, and headed toward the kitchen.