Chapter 233: A Granddaughter Was Born

Zhao Sanniu had just finished cleaning the hen and was preparing to stew it.

Grandma Zhao then remembered that when she heard that Da Shan's wife had started, she had someone make chicken soup.

She gave Sun a push: "Go quickly and fetch some chicken soup from the old house. Make sure Da Shan's wife drinks it; she can't give birth without strength..."

Sun's face was ashen: "Mother, my... my legs are weak..."

She was pregnant, and seeing such a scene made her think about what she might encounter when giving birth, which frightened her so much that she stammered.

"You good-for-nothing!" Old Mrs. Zhao shoved Wen Shi. "Hurry up and go!"

Ms. Wen agreed and turned to leave.

Grandma Zhao paced anxiously in the yard, and finally, unable to bear it any longer, she took a step towards the delivery room.

As soon as I entered, I heard a baby crying.

"Congratulations! You have a baby girl!" Midwife Yu picked up the child. "This child has such fair skin, it's rare to see one like this in the countryside. Quickly wash her and get her dressed so she doesn't catch a cold."

Midwife Yu handed the child to Cheng Wanwan.

Cheng Wanwan was at a loss. Heaven knows, in her more than 30 years of life, this was the first time she had ever seen a newborn baby.

The baby, all wrinkled and with eyes closed, covered in amniotic fluid and blood, was waving its tiny hands and feet, looking very fragile.

She didn't dare to hug him, nor did she know how, so she quickly avoided him.

Granny Yu's face immediately darkened. It seemed that no matter whether it was a wealthy family or a rural farmer, they could not escape the preference for sons over daughters.

This little girl barely survived, only to be disliked by her own grandmother. It would have been better if she had died in her mother's womb.

Granny Yu turned around, preparing to put the child into Zhao Dashan's hands.

But then you see the rural man holding the new mother's hands, his eyes overflowing with heartache and pity.

This man is a loving husband, but the mother-in-law's preference for sons is written all over her face. The new mother's life is going to be tough!

Just then, Old Mrs. Zhao rushed in and scooped up the child: "Oh my, it's a little girl! Our Zhao family has gained a granddaughter! Chunhua, quickly bring in some warm water. Sun Shi, what are you standing there for, Third Grandmother? Come and help us wash her!"

Hearing the baby cry, Sun came back to life and rushed into the delivery room to help bathe the baby.

When she saw it was a girl, she couldn't help but say, "Sister-in-law, you've given birth to four sons in a row. How come Da Shan's wife is so unlucky to have a daughter..."

Grandma Yu chuckled.

It seems there are quite a few people in this family who favor sons over daughters.

She said, "It took a lot of my strength to deliver this baby today, so according to the rules, I should be paid extra."

Cheng Wanwan smiled with complete ease and said, "That's only right."

Granny Yu added, "For a properly positioned baby, it will cost at least five taels of silver."

This family has a horse-drawn carriage, and their house is square and large. Although they are farmers, they should be able to come up with five taels of silver.

She was deliberately making things difficult for herself, wanting to see if her mother-in-law, who favored sons over daughters, would be willing to spend the money on her granddaughter.

She thought Cheng Wanwan would try to negotiate, but to her surprise, Cheng Wanwan went straight to her room.

She took out two taels of silver: "This is the price for the baby to be in the correct position, five taels of silver. This is the red envelope that should be given after the mother and baby are safe. Please accept it, Midwife Yu."

Yu the midwife was stunned for a moment.

Initially, they gave two taels, and for the correct fetal position, it was five taels. This seal of red was also five taels.

She was somewhat taken aback and felt as if she had misunderstood something.

She took out a small silver coin, about one tael in size, and handed it over, saying, "Consider this my gift to the child. I hope the child grows up safe and sound."

Cheng Wanwan naturally wouldn't refuse a gift. She accepted the silver tael and said with a smile, "We're preparing a meal at home. Please stay and have a meal, Granny Yu."

Midwife Yu shook her head: "No, no, I have several women here who are about to give birth. If they come to my house and can't find me, it could be fatal."

Cheng Wanwan escorted Yu the midwife to the courtyard and then called Zhao Ergou to drive the carriage to take Yu the midwife back.

A crowd of people rushed over to offer their congratulations.

"I heard that the woman from the mountains gave birth to a daughter. Daughters are good, daughters are sweet!"

“Grandma Dashan had four sons, and now the family has a little granddaughter. She will definitely be as successful as Grandma Dashan in the future.”

"Grandma Dashan has been granted the title of Lady Sui, so maybe my granddaughter can earn the title of Lady Sui herself!"

Yu, the midwife, was suddenly startled as soon as she sat down in the carriage.

Lady Sui?

The woman who was the subject of much discussion in Hekou Town, Sui Ruren, was actually this woman?

The Emperor himself bestowed the title of Lady Sui upon her, and she is so young. Did she just say anything excessive to belittle Lady Sui?

Yu the midwife lifted the carriage curtain and took a peek.

Seeing Cheng Wanwan surrounded by a crowd, standing with a large group of people, she could sense that this Lady Sui was indeed extraordinary.

But this Lady Sui was no different from the village woman. Although she was a noblewoman of the imperial court, she did not have the air of superiority at all. She spoke to everyone with a gentle voice and laughter. No one could tell that she was actually a ninth-rank lady.

Granny Yu left Dahe Village filled with astonishment and doubt.

The women and old ladies in the village all wanted to go in and see the newborn baby, but Cheng Wanwan stopped them at the door.

Newborn babies have very weak immune systems, so it's best to avoid them coming into contact with too many people. In ancient times, when medical conditions were poor, infants were very likely to die from illness, so it was important to minimize the risk of infection.

“Da Shan’s wife just had a difficult childbirth and is already asleep,” Cheng Wanwan said with a smile. “Let’s all come and see the baby after she’s finished her postpartum period.”

The villagers didn't insist, after all, Dahe Village has a large population, and people are having babies every month, so newborns aren't unusual.

Cheng Wanwan went into the room to check on Wu Huiniang's condition. Zhao Dashan was changing Wu Huiniang's clothes, and the bed sheets and everything else had to be changed as well.

She helped with the work.

But he overheard several women under the eaves saying some unpleasant things.

"The woman from the mountains is unlucky; she gave birth to a daughter."

“Daughters are just a money-loser. Such a big family fortune will definitely go to the eldest son and grandson in the future. Da Shan’s wife is not fertile enough.”

“Dashan’s mother treated this daughter-in-law so well before, and even bought a ewe. She must have been hoping for a grandson. But... Dashan’s daughter-in-law’s good days are over.”

"..."

Cheng Wanwan threw the bed sheet aside.

She pushed open the door and walked out, her face, which had been cold just moments before, now transformed into a warm, spring-like smile: "San Niu, come here for a moment."

Zhao Sanniu immediately put down what he was doing and ran over quickly.

“It’s still early, go to Lijia Gou.” Cheng Wanwan said with a smile, “Your sister-in-law has given birth, go to the Wu family in Lijia Gou and tell your sister-in-law’s parents the good news, and ask them to come over in three days. In three days, our family will hold a celebration banquet.”

Upon hearing this, all the women and old ladies in the village who had been gossiping secretly were stunned.

The "Xi San Jiu" is a bathing ceremony held three days after a child's birth, and only close relatives need to be invited to attend.

Although the celebration of the third birthday doesn't require a grand affair, only families in the village who have just had their eldest son or grandson would hold such a banquet to show how much they value the child.

But now, Aunt Dashan is actually going to hold a baby shower for her eldest granddaughter!

In Dahe Village, no girl has ever held a wedding banquet for her third birthday. Of course, girls are not entitled to have a full moon celebration, a 100-day banquet, or a first birthday celebration!

In everyone's mind, girls belong to another family from birth, so naturally no one invests much in them. Extending this to others, they naturally assume that Grandma Dashan wouldn't like her eldest granddaughter.

But now, Da Shan's words made them realize that Da Shan's daughter was different from the other girls in Dahe Village!

Come to think of it, her own grandmother was personally bestowed the title of Lady Sui by the Emperor. How could she be treated the same as other maids in the future?