The letter was written in a plain and simple style, full of the concise and stilted writing style of a ghostwriter.

But Jiang Zhi could still see Li Laoshi's joy: Qin was pregnant, and the pregnancy was confirmed!

"I asked someone to introduce me to a good doctor, and after several months of treatment and constant medication, my wife is now more than a month pregnant. I am overjoyed, and so is my wife."

The pregnancy is still undecided, so please keep it a secret for now. Only inform your son and daughter-in-law. I will not be able to return to my hometown in the coming years.

"Old Master Nie's medicated oils are sold out now, and he has made a good income. It's just a pity that they are inconvenient to use in the hot summer. It would be better to stock up early and sell them in the fall."

Jiang Zhi wanted to laugh when she saw "My heart is filled with joy".

Even without seeing it with your own eyes, you can guess how crazy Mr. Li was in front of the ghostwriter. He must have been gesticulating wildly and talking a lot, but the ghostwriter only wrote four words.

Aside from Qin's pregnancy, Li Laoshi also mentioned that the medicinal oils had been purchased and that the Nie family was acting as agents for their sale. He didn't specify the exact amount of income, probably because it was best not to reveal it in the letter.

Following Li Laoshi's instructions, Jiang Zhi did not reveal the matter until Xu Genqing returned home from get off work that evening, at which point she went over.

Now that Lianhua is about to give birth, and Qin is not here, Pi and Liu come to see her every day.

When Jiang Zhi arrived, Liu had just left.

When Jiang Zhi arrived, Da Xiang brought her a stool, and Jiang Zhi asked Lian Hua how she was feeling.

Lianhua said, "My back has been aching a lot these past few days. Aunt Liu just said that I might be about to give birth, and told me not to go too far."

Jiang Zhi nodded: "Then you should keep an eye out and make sure the children have their undershirts and blankets ready."

Lianhua said, "We've prepared in advance; these are all Nannan's old clothes that we can use."

As the two were talking, Xu Genqing returned carrying water.

In Xujia Village, each household had to fetch drinking water from a large open-air well.

After Lianhua became pregnant, Xu Genqing carried water every morning and evening to supply his family.

Now I have to fetch water again after get off work.

"Genqing, wait a bit before you fetch water. I received a letter from your mother!" Jiang Zhi called out to Xu Genqing, who was about to leave again after saying goodbye to her.

Xu Genqing was taken aback and quickly came over: "How is my mother now?"

Lianhua also stood up, her face full of concern: "Does my mother's back still hurt?"

Jiang Zhi smiled and said, "Your mother is in good health. She said she couldn't come back to take care of Lianhua during her postpartum period."

Xu Genqing looked at Lianhua, and Lianhua looked at him; both of them had a sense of relief on their faces.

Jiang Zhi said, "You should prepare the children's things now, and I will have someone come over to take care of Lianhua later."

Xu Genqing nodded, then reached up and touched his neck, stammering, "Auntie, is my mother... is my mother pregnant?"

Lianhua also stared nervously at Jiang Zhi.

Jiang Zhi said, "Yes, I found a good doctor in Jincheng Prefecture to treat me. I am pregnant now and will stay in Jincheng Prefecture to give birth. There are doctors there who can check my pulse at any time."

Xu Genqing nodded again: "Then I'll trouble you to tell my mother to take good care of herself there. I'll visit her when I have time."

Lianhua is about to give birth at home, and there's also Nannan, so he can't get away from him.

Jiang Zhi said, "Your mother has someone to take care of her. Your home is more important. You should take care of the household and not worry your mother. You can go there later! Oh, and your mother said not to tell anyone about this!"

This time, Xu Genqing and Lianhua nodded at the same time: "Understood!"

Three days later, Lianhua gave birth successfully, adding a new member to the family.

Because Qin was not present, Jiang Zhi was extra attentive. Not only were the village's experienced midwives there, but Xu Genqing was also present.

In contrast to Qiaoyun, she also invited a doctor to come and oversee the situation.

Lianhua is now without her mother's care and without her mother-in-law by her side, so it's inevitable that she'll feel scared. She only feels at ease when there are more people around.

Jiang Zhi's decision to consult a traditional Chinese medicine doctor during childbirth set a precedent in Xujia Village.

Originally, in the countryside, having a baby was considered unlucky to have a doctor.

My family was against it, and when the doctor brought the medicine, it was practically a curse that something bad would happen to me.

The doctor was also unwilling; if something went wrong, he could help, but if nothing happened, the family wouldn't be willing to pay.

But now, when two daughters-in-law gave birth, they also consulted a doctor, and the delivery went exceptionally smoothly. This has become a common practice in Xujia Village.

When Wang Xiaoju was about to give birth, she naturally invited a doctor to her home early on.

After Lianhua gave birth and everything went smoothly, Jiang Zhi wondered if she should go to Jincheng Prefecture.

Firstly, they wanted to share the good news about the lotus production with the Qin family, and also check on how the Qin family and Li Laoshi were doing. Secondly, they wanted to know how the business of having the Nie family act as their sales agent was progressing.

As soon as she thought about it, she felt uneasy. When Qiaoyun and Errui returned that evening, she told them what she was thinking.

Hearing that his mother was going out again, Errui immediately said, "Mother, let me go with you this time! You were almost exhausted when you came back last time."

Jiang Zhi said, "Last time it was the dead of winter, and the roads were slippery and difficult to walk on. This time it will be easier. If you want to go, please ask for leave first. You can't leave your family behind. We'll leave as soon as possible and come back as soon as possible."

Last time it was winter, and there was a thick fog in the morning with frost on the ground. The wooden wheels of the carriage slipped and couldn't move, so it took a long time.

It's summer now, and the days are longer, making it easier to travel. But Errui insisted on going along, so it was a must.

When I get older, Errui will have to take over everything. It's good for him to come with me now so he can familiarize himself with the place.

Jiang Zhi was determined to leave. She packed her bags and asked Xu Genqing if he had anything to take to Jincheng Prefecture.

Errui went to the county government office to report. Although he usually had nothing to do, he was afraid that something might happen if he left, and they wouldn't be able to find him.

Unexpectedly, when Magistrate Zhang heard that he was going to Jincheng Prefecture, he wrote a letter and some other things, asking him to help deliver them to the Prince's Mansion.

When Errui returned, Jiangzhi saw that he had brought back a large, sealed wooden box.

Great! This isn't a wooden crate, it's a door opener!

The two were preparing to leave when Xiaoman looked on longingly, saying she wanted to go to Jincheng Prefecture with them, and that she could protect them.

Jiang Zhi did not agree, only saying that it was inconvenient this time.

Besides, Xiaoman has already been to Jincheng, but Errui hasn't. The family also needs someone to take care of them, so he has the greatest responsibility.

This wasn't just to appease him. Qin was pregnant, and Li had instructed him not to tell anyone else. Er Rui was steady and wouldn't say much, and Er Rui also needed to be involved in business matters.

It's good to have a letter from Magistrate Zhang; it makes resting at post stations along the way much easier.

Xu Genqing also sent a large bundle containing clothes and dried vegetables that Lianhua had packed, all of which Qin Shi liked, as well as two taels of silver.

Jiang Zhi accepted the clothes, shoes, and dried vegetables, but did not accept any money.

Although Xu Genqing now earns one or two taels of silver a month, the young couple can save two taels every six months, and they are very frugal in their spending.

After getting ready, Jiang Zhi and Xu Errui headed straight for Jincheng Prefecture. Five days later, the two appeared outside Jincheng Prefecture, still in the city of pine and cypress trees.

This time, Jiang Zhi didn't get to eat the Juntun Guokui (a type of flatbread). She only saw troop after troop of soldiers entering and leaving the city gate, while pedestrians on the official road all moved aside.

Jiang Zhi asked a passerby standing nearby about the situation. The man said, "I heard that the barbarians from the northwest are taking advantage of the chaos to attack us. The army is heading to Diaoyu City right now!"