Chapter 30 Suspecting My Child...

As the night deepened and all sounds ceased, and only after a long silence from inside the house did the person who had been lying in wait quietly depart.

From the west courtyard to the east courtyard, passing through the garden and the moon gate, I walked alone in the darkness. When I was almost at Liufang Xiaozhu, I saw the light of lanterns on the shore in the distance, and immediately hid in a place.

The lights inside Liufang Xiaozhu were off, only the lanterns under the eaves reflected on a pool of cool water, the ripples silent yet never ceasing.

The light on the shore kept moving, seemingly searching for something.

“Madam, it should be here.” Granny Yu helped Shen Linlang up and pointed to the spot where Yu Qingxue had stood earlier, whispering.

In the darkness of night, Shen Linlang's expression was unreadable.

When she looked out from that spot and saw the window of Yu Liuzhu's room, her body seemed to sway slightly.

Granny Yu supported her, her eyes filled with worry, "Madam, what's wrong?"

She didn't know how to answer; it felt like a wet cloth was stuck in her throat, making it hard for her to breathe.

"Zhilan, do you still remember the time when I gave birth to Tang'er?"

"How could I forget?" Granny Yu was still a little scared when she thought about it. "The eldest young lady was in the wrong position, and you suffered a lot. I was terrified at the time and kept an eye on you, not daring to look away for even a moment."

"Yes, you worry about me so much that you don't even have time to look after the children."

"Madam..." Granny Yu sensed something was wrong, "What's wrong with you?"

Shen Linlang didn't know what was wrong with her. Once the seed of doubt was planted in her heart, it immediately took root and sprouted, and she couldn't get rid of it no matter what she did.

What frightened her even more was that she subconsciously wanted to confirm her suspicions, probing and questioning, searching for clues. She herself didn't know whether she wanted to solidify her suspicions or eliminate them.

The drizzle continued, so dense it was like an omnipresent net, impenetrable to wind and air, making it increasingly difficult to breathe, even to the point of being unable to catch one's breath.

"Tang'er is growing up, and I've been thinking a lot about the time when she was just born. Not long after she was born, the Zhao family disappeared. Otherwise, I could have asked someone about it."

Having served her for many years, Granny Yu could tell that she was preoccupied, so she said, "After Zhao left home that day, perhaps she mentioned it to her family. Why don't we call her son and daughter-in-law over and ask them?"

She nodded almost without hesitation.

The rainy night is desolate, and countless storms are brewing.

Granny Yu was a servant born into the General's Mansion and was deeply influenced by the Shen family's traditions. She was not only quick in her actions, but also knew best how to avoid being noticed.

She made the trip herself and brought the person back in less than an hour. She told Zhao's daughter-in-law, "My wife woke up in the middle of the night and suddenly remembered the time when she gave birth to her eldest daughter. She was grateful to your mother-in-law for her great efforts in ensuring the safety of both mother and daughter, and wanted to reward you for your kindness."

Upon hearing that there was a reward, Zhao's daughter-in-law had no doubts and had been looking forward to it ever since she left home, her mouth never closing. After paying her respects to Shen Linlang, when she received two large ingots of silver, she became even more obsequious, showering him with compliments.

Shen Linlang spoke casually, saying, "What happened back then was indeed due to your mother-in-law's hard work. I imagine she mentioned the dangers involved to you after she went to her home."

"I did say that, of course I did!" Zhao's daughter-in-law slapped her thigh, seizing the opportunity to flatter, and began to describe the scene vividly. "My mother-in-law said she had never seen anyone as blessed as you, Madam, who was able to give birth safely despite such a dangerous situation. And the eldest daughter, she was born with such strong arms and legs, and her eyes were already open. She was so energetic, it was clear that she had been well cared for in the womb."

She was unaware of the shocking things she had said, nor did she notice the subtle changes in the eyes of Shen Linlang and Granny Yu, nor did she think much about how strange it was that her mistress was seeing her so late at night, and she was still trying her best to please her.

"My mother-in-law also said that the eldest daughter is healthy and the kind of child who is easy to raise, and is destined for great wealth and honor."

"Your mother-in-law had many deliveries, you're not mistaken, are you?" Granny Yu asked.

"How could I possibly be wrong!" she said, a little embarrassed. "The red envelope your grandmother gave me was so big; I've only ever seen one like that in my entire life. I would never forget it even if you beat me to death."

Yu Mama subconsciously glanced at her mistress's face. Shen Linlang's complicated expression startled her. At this point, how could she not know what her mistress suspected?

Needless to say, he was shocked. He forced a smile and said to Zhao's daughter-in-law, "Thanks to your mother-in-law, my wife and eldest daughter are safe and sound. I remember you have a few children. Take these snacks back and treat them to something nice."

After saying that, she gathered up all the pastries on the table and stuffed them into the other person's hands.

When Zhao's daughter-in-law received the silver and the pastries, she was so happy that her eyes narrowed into slits. She was overjoyed when she was sent out.

Shen Linlang's expression, however, gradually darkened.

Sixteen years ago, she went into labor after ten months of pregnancy. The Zhao family, who were the midwives, said that her baby was breech and that there might be something wrong. She went into labor at 9:00 AM and the baby was not born until 5:00 AM the next day.

Madam Xie busied herself with all the arrangements, helping to manage the servants and taking care of the Zhao family after the child was born. She was meticulous in every aspect, and then handed the cleaned and packed baby to her.

The tiny, red bundle in the swaddling clothes soothed her physical exhaustion and the distress of learning that she had suffered postpartum damage and would likely find it difficult to conceive again.

When Granny Yu returned after seeing the person off, she saw Madam's distraught appearance and felt a pang of guilt. "Madam, it's all my fault. If only I had spared a glance at the scene..."

Her eyes slowly changed, becoming increasingly frightening. "Zhilan, do you remember what Tang'er looked like when she was born?"

“This servant remembers that the eldest young lady was a little weak in the womb and did not open her eyes until three days later.”

This is completely different from what Zhao's daughter-in-law said!

"Madam, those people are good at saying nice things. They can turn black into white just to get a reward. You can't believe them all."

"Yes, we can't believe everything." Shen Linlang tried to convince herself, but her thoughts involuntarily drifted back to many years ago.

The day after she gave birth, she learned that Yu Qingxue had given birth prematurely and also gave birth to a baby girl that same day, two hours later than her child.

At that time, Yu Qingxue was only eight months pregnant and not yet due to give birth. She said that she knew the Zhao family was busy and did not want to trouble them, so she gave birth to the child on her own.

Upon receiving the news, she felt that her sister-in-law was sensible, and as a fellow woman, she also felt sorry for her. Therefore, she arranged for someone to take special care of all her postpartum meals.

Because the two children were born on the same day, she went to see them after her postpartum period. Compared to her own daughter's weakness, the child looked very healthy, with a pair of bright, black eyes that were just as Zhao's daughter-in-law had described.

Is this really just a coincidence?

She was momentarily shocked and filled with regret. The intense emotional turmoil made her unable to stand. She leaned against Granny Yu, murmuring in suppressed pain, "My child..."

No one would know that her child was dead, except for Shen Qinglu.

As a shadowy figure looked up from beneath the west window, a bolt of lightning flashed, illuminating the face of unparalleled beauty.

It was Shen Qinglu!