Chapter 231 Wu Huiniang is about to give birth

The next day.

The sky was just beginning to brighten.

There was some commotion at Cheng Wanwan's house.

Zhao Da drove the cart, and two members of the Cao family were tied up and thrown onto the oxcart. They had the unique stench of piglets. Zhao Dashan and Zhao Sanniu guarded the two of them, while Cheng Wanwan and Cao Yingying sat on the other side.

They could have taken a horse-drawn carriage, but Cheng Wanwan gets carsick, so they ended up having to choose an oxcart.

Although the oxcart was slow, it was stable and safe despite its swaying. Before sunrise, the oxcart had reached the entrance of Hekou County.

Cheng Wanwan led the group to the entrance of the Cao residence.

Vermilion gates and green tiles, imposing stone lions, and large red lanterns hanging under the eaves—this was the home of a wealthy family in ancient times.

If it weren't for the strict hierarchical regulations governing the food, clothing, housing, and transportation of merchants under the imperial court, this mansion would likely be even more magnificent and resplendent.

The two servants guarding the door shouted, "Who goes there? State your name!"

Cheng Wanwan was about to speak.

She came to see him as Lady Sui, and Madam Cao dared not refuse to see her.

But before she could speak, Cao Yingying stepped out from behind her: "What, you don't even recognize me?"

Those two servants had been in the Cao household for quite some time, and although the young lady rarely appeared in public, it was impossible for them not to recognize her.

The two men immediately bowed and said, "Greetings, Miss! We will go in and inform Madam immediately!"

Soon an old woman came out and personally led the group inside. The old woman looked at the two people who were tied up with their hands and feet with a strange look in her eyes, somewhat frightened. It was obvious that they had come with ill intentions...

Zhao Dashan and Zhao Sanniu each grabbed one and threw them into the main hall, where the two men were lying right in front of Madam Cao.

Madam Cao was dressed in a bright red dress, with a gold hairpin in her hair, ruby ​​earrings on her ears, four or five jade bracelets on her wrists, and a string of pearls around her neck. She was glittering from head to toe, and it was as if the word "wealthy" was written all over her face.

She was sitting there with an air of elegance when suddenly two large rice dumplings were thrown at her feet, startling her so much that she turned pale.

“Mrs. Cao,” Cheng Wanwan said with a smile, “these two people got lost in my house late at night, so I specially brought them to you this early in the morning.”

The old woman behind Madam Cao leaned closer and whispered, "These are the two guards sent to Dahe Village yesterday. The lady beside the young lady should be the Consort Sui, personally appointed by the Emperor..."

Madam Cao's eyes widened.

Didn't Lord Fu say during the trial that Lady Sui was seriously injured by Cao's guards?

Because Lady Sui was injured, her trusted servant was severely punished and imprisoned for three months!

But now, Lady Sui is standing perfectly fine in front of her!

Does a peasant woman really think she's superior just because she received an official title? Ha! She even dares to come here and act all high and mighty!

She took a deep breath, suppressing her anger, and said coldly, "Someone, bring a seat for Lady Sui and serve her tea!"

"No need for tea." Cheng Wanwan chuckled softly. "Madam Cao, keep a close eye on your men. If you send anyone to Dahe Village again, I won't just send them back. Also, Miss Cao is intelligent and kind-hearted; she's won my heart. Let her stay with me for now. Yingying, let's go!"

Cao Yingying looked at Madam Cao in the main seat and said coldly, "The profits from the shops and estates left to me by my biological mother last month have been delivered, right? Mother, remember to send someone to Dahe Village. If they are not delivered within three days, I will go to the yamen to ask Lord Fu to uphold justice."

She turned and followed Cheng Wanwan out, with Zhao Dashan and Zhao Ergou quickly following behind.

"Outrageous! Outrageous!" Madam Cao slammed her teacup to the ground. "Listen to this! How dare this wretched girl speak to me like that! Is she threatening me? Guards, bring the young lady back! Who allowed her to leave!"

The old woman Zhou beside her quickly said, "Madam, that is Lady Sui. Although she is only a ninth-rank official, she was personally appointed by the Emperor. Moreover, she was just appointed yesterday. She is a fresh-faced lady, and countless people are watching her from all directions. We can't go against her... Anyway, the master's trip was delayed by the matter over there, and he can't come back for a while. After this excitement has passed, we will send someone to bring the young lady back."

Madam Cao was so angry that she suffered from angina.

She has been married into the family for many years, and all the illegitimate children and the eldest daughter born of the principal wife are under her control.

However, because Cao Yingying was the legitimate daughter, there were some things she couldn't do openly, so she could only plan this matter while Cao Defu was away.

Things were going smoothly, and everyone in Hekou County was talking about Cao Yingying losing her virginity.

Miss Cao's reputation will be damaged, so naturally she can marry that old man from the Dou family. When Cao Defu comes back, he won't say anything.

But they just couldn't get Cao Yingying back.

She's so angry!

The rumors about Miss Cao in Hekou County vanished without a trace.

As Cao Yingying walked down the street, all she heard were comments about Madam Cao, along with sarcastic remarks about her father's poor management of the household.

Of course, the most talked-about topic was yesterday's imperial edict.

A peasant woman was granted the title of Ninth-Rank Lady for discovering ratooning rice.

A scholar, having discovered a method to eradicate locusts, was rewarded by the emperor with a jade locust, said to be worth a thousand taels of silver.

Two unnamed individuals discovered a method for threshing rice, and the Emperor rewarded them with the Four Treasures of the Study, including a writing brush and inkstone, which were said to be the finest items reserved for the Emperor…

Everyone knows the social hierarchy of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants. Although farmers are ranked second, in reality, they have the lowest status. Officials have power, merchants have money, and artisans have skills, while farmers rely on the heavens and the earth for their livelihood. However, the heavens and the earth are often the most unreliable things. The weather is unpredictable, and land can sometimes be swallowed up by local gentry and wealthy people, making everything full of uncertainties...

His Majesty's move undoubtedly affirms the status of farmers.

The majority of the population in this dynasty were peasants, which greatly encouraged the peasants at the bottom of society and also encouraged them to engage in agricultural creative works...

Cheng Wanwan was dressed in coarse cloth clothes, and no one could tell that she was the much-talked-about Lady Sui.

She went to Zuixianlou to inquire and learned that the most famous midwife was Granny Yu, who lived in Dongtou Alley. She was over sixty years old and it was said that all the children she delivered grew up safely.

Because of her reputation, Granny Yu charges a high price, two taels of silver for each trip. You have to pay in advance, and she will be there whenever you need her to give birth. After the mother and child are safe, you will need to give her a large red envelope, the size of which is entirely up to the host.

Cheng Wanwan and Granny Yu agreed on a time, paid the money, and then went to prepare a gift for their first grandson or granddaughter.

Wu Huiniang made all the clothes and diapers for the baby herself, and there was nothing else needed.

She told the children to wait outside while she went to the jewelry store to buy a peace lock.

She had read some historical materials before, and learned that due to the low level of medical care, the infant mortality rate in ancient times was extremely high. Buying a peace lock was a way of hoping that the child would be safe and sound.

A silver lock, engraved with the words "Peace" and some auspicious clouds, was priced at four taels of silver, which Cheng Wanwan readily paid.

After buying some pork and vegetables, the group headed back.

Just as they reached the village entrance, they encountered Zhao Youcai, who was driving a horse-drawn cart. He said anxiously, "Sister-in-law, Dashan's wife is about to give birth, and the situation is very bad!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Dashan immediately jumped off the oxcart and rushed home like the wind.

Cheng Wanwan calmly said, "Ergou, go with your third uncle to Hekou Town and invite Granny Yu here quickly!"

Zhao Ergou nodded, jumped onto the carriage, took the reins from Zhao Youcai, and drove the carriage more steadily. The carriage neighed and galloped away.

Zhao Youcai turned pale with fright and quickly crawled into the carriage.

Although he knows how to catch a train, he always does it slowly; if he goes too fast, he easily loses control...