Chapter 142
It's best not to drink this wine; she wants to avoid taking risks so that the elixir can have the greatest effect.
Once the Lantern Festival is over, spring will arrive, the weather will gradually warm up, and it will be a new year. When I came last year, Yingxiang tidied up the courtyard and planted a lot of flowers.
This year, when all the flowers are in full bloom, it's a beautiful sight. She sits in the garden, a gentle breeze carrying the faint fragrance of flowers. The days are pleasant and comfortable, and Yingxiang is in a good mood.
Such a beautiful scene shouldn't be wasted. Yingxiang looked at the garden where butterflies were fluttering and then looked up at the clear sky.
She felt she could host a spring banquet. She had been in Ping County for some time now, and while she had mostly attended banquets before, it was time for her to host one herself. She certainly had the means to do so.
She has always been very proactive and acts quickly. She had the pastries bought directly from the most famous shops in the capital, and the tea she prepared was also of the highest quality.
When preparing the invitations, she didn't forget anyone; everyone who had visited her before received an invitation this time.
Wen Shi didn't care about any of that; as long as his wife was happy, that was all that mattered. Every time he walked through the garden to the front hall and saw the brightly colored flowers, he felt great.
"Madam, the tea and pastries are ready."
"In the garden, as you instructed, several swings have been set up, and the entire area has been cleaned. Tables and chairs have all been placed, and the koi in the fish tank have been put in."
Yingxiang nodded; she trusted Chunyu's abilities.
As for the families who received the invitations, they all gave her face and accepted them.
On the day of the banquet, Yingxiang dressed herself up, but due to her status, she could not be too frivolous and had to be mature and dignified.
She put on a light green long gown with cloud patterns, paired with soft-soled pearl shoes of the same color. She removed the gold bracelet from her wrist, wearing only a jade bracelet. Her makeup was exquisite, with several hairpins and rings in her hair, and she also wore a pair of jade earrings.
Jade is a bit too mature for her; she doesn't like it that much.
This outfit wasn't too formal, but it wasn't casual either; she wasn't that old either.
On the day of the banquet, Yingxiang stood in front of the bronze mirror, looked at herself in the mirror, and smiled slightly. Her complexion was rosy and she looked extremely healthy.
Thinking of something, she unconsciously touched her belly with her small hand. In a few days, she should tell Wen Shi.
She was in good health and full of energy. As the guests arrived one after another, they took their seats, drank tea, and admired the flowers in a very harmonious atmosphere.
"Madam, this tea is truly excellent. It has a refreshing fragrance upon first sip and a sweet aftertaste."
A woman from one of the merchant's households took a sip and praised it repeatedly.
"It must be Longjing tea."
Yingxiang nodded. She couldn't serve ordinary green tea to her guests, and this tea was indeed not cheap. She didn't buy much, but she could save some for Wenshi, who also liked to drink tea.
The weather was clear and cloudless. In the sizable garden, the flowers were in full bloom, a riot of colors, a beautiful sight to behold.
Yingxiang was dressed very appropriately, with a smile on her face, and the atmosphere was very harmonious.
“In a few days, I heard that a temple in the mountains outside the city will be holding a religious ceremony. It is said that wishes made at this temple are the most effective. My niece-in-law from my mother’s side prayed at this temple and got a big, healthy baby boy. Now she is pregnant again.”
"The previous child was already five years old, and this one looks like it will also be a son."
"Really? I'm going there in a few days. I've never heard of it before."
As everyone sat together and talked, the conversation inevitably turned to other topics. Yingxiang listened, but she wasn't particularly interested. Having another child was already her limit, and she definitely wouldn't want another one.
These words went in one ear and out the other.
"How old are Madam and Master's son this year?"
It's impossible for Yingxiang and Wenshi not to have children. When Wenshi came to take up his post, he only brought Yingxiang with him. In private, many women envied Yingxiang.
Among these, some of his subordinates wanted to send Wen Shi beautiful concubines, but he sternly refused them all to his face.
He doesn't need concubines; one wife is enough, and he has children too.
"He is nine years old and studying in the capital."
"That's not young either. In a few years, Madam will become an elder."
Yingxiang smiled but didn't say anything. She wasn't so eager to become an elder. As for Wen Leqian, marriage and having children were inevitable. Her only requirement for him was that he get married after he turned eighteen. She wouldn't interfere too much with anything else.
In the evening, after seeing off the last guest, Yingxiang drank the half-full cup of warm water in the teacup in front of her.
Three days later, Yingxiang, feigning illness, summoned the doctor. It was also a day of rest for Wenshi. He had been somewhat worried, but after the doctor examined him, he immediately smiled and congratulated them.
"Congratulations, Your Excellency and Madam, you have been pregnant for over a month."
Yingxiang appeared somewhat excited, and seemed a little incredulous when he heard the news. He held his wife's hand and stared blankly at the doctor.
"Are you telling the truth?"
"It's true. Madam is in good health, so the baby in her womb must be healthy too. Just take good care of her in the future."
Yingxiang gestured to Chunyu to see the guest out, and gave her some extra money as a reward. She then touched her belly with her hand.
If it weren't for the system's help, she really wouldn't want to get pregnant. Getting pregnant isn't as easy as it seems. The fact that she's so relaxed right now, as if nothing's wrong, is all thanks to that pill.
"My wife, you need to take good care of your health from now on."
After the initial excitement, he felt mostly joy; God was still looking out for him.
"Okay, this isn't the first pregnancy. I've heard that barring any unforeseen circumstances, it should go smoothly."
Wen Shi spent the day with her and was in a good mood when he went to work the next day. However, after receiving an invitation from the prefectural city a few days later, his expression changed.
"The doctor said I'm fine and I don't feel unwell this time, so I can go."
Yingxiang wasn't worried at all, because she was certain there wouldn't be any surprises, as long as she didn't drink alcohol.
It wouldn't take long to get from Ping County to the Yunzhou government office if she was quick, especially since there were post stations along the way, and she would also have servants with her.
This was the first time the prefect's wife had sent an invitation, and she had to attend this banquet.
She wasn't from a prominent family in this era, and her knowledge of ancient life was mostly hearsay. Experiencing it firsthand was quite different from what she had heard.
While in the capital, she had attended some banquets, but she didn't know what it was like in other places. She heard that when one was involved in officialdom, social interactions in the inner quarters were indispensable.
There's nothing to be afraid of. Wen Shi is so helpful. As for this trip, she won't have to travel far. She can just leave two days in advance, and everything will be arranged for her once she gets there.
"Don't worry, everything's fine. I'll be back soon and then focus on my pregnancy."
Yingxiang dislikes gambling and avoids taking risks, but this pregnancy is truly without any problems.
Seeing her reluctance, Wen Shi finally agreed.
"I've prepared the gift, would you like to see this?"
She had intended to choose from the system store, but Chunyu had gone out to buy some for her a few times before, and in the end, she bought a box of beaded flowers from a jewelry shop.
This box of beaded flowers is crafted by artisans to be incredibly lifelike, featuring twelve different flower designs in vibrant colors. It would certainly be a presentable gift.
It goes well with all four seasons, so Yingxiang finally decided to give this as a gift.
"That's fine, but you must take care of yourself."
Don't worry.
Yingxiang cupped Wenshi's face in her hands, kissed his thin lips, and frowned slightly as she looked at his somewhat noticeable black beard.
"Are you really going to grow a beard?"
These past few days, Wen Shi has stopped shaving and started trimming his beard, and his intentions are quite clear.
"Keep it."
"Then keep it. When the child grows up and sits on your lap, he can pull your beard. Don't complain about the pain."
Wen Shi had distinct features and a handsome appearance. As the years passed, he changed a lot, but he retained Zhou Sheng's demeanor and way of dealing with people.
"When you get old, you'll be a white-bearded old man."
He smiled, picked up the teacup beside him, and took a small sip. He felt that this would make him look more dignified. Besides, he had already passed the age of thirty and would soon be forty. As he grew older, he had to make some changes.
Staying unchanged doesn't seem right either.
On the day he saw Yingxiang off, he repeatedly told the coachman to drive carefully and steadily. The coachman nodded repeatedly. The official road was already smooth, and when they arrived in the prefectural city, the road was even smoother.
Yingxiang sat in the car without feeling any bumps. This round trip would take several days.
However, she could still take a stroll around the prefectural city; as long as she brought enough money, there was nothing wrong with it.
Even though she was in ancient times, she wanted to be a happy pregnant woman. She didn't know how to sew, so she took this opportunity to buy everything she needed. The clothes in the prefectural city were definitely better than those in the county, and the ready-made ones were also beautiful and well-made.
Not long after Yingxiang left, Wenshi wrote home, naturally informing them of the happy news, as it was not convenient to send a letter at the moment.
We usually write letters at the beginning and end of the year to contact our family.
When Yingxiang arrived in Yunzhou, the guards at the city gate saw her invitation and treated her with great respect.
"Please wait a moment, Madam. Madam Zhou sent someone over a few days ago."
The prefect was a fifth-rank official, and the county magistrate was a sixth-rank official. Yingxiang knew this in her heart. She nodded, and soon a sedan chair arrived in front of her.
Yingxiang didn't refuse. It was her first time riding in a sedan chair, and although it was a bit shaky, they arrived quickly.
When they arrived at the prefect's backyard, which was larger and more luxurious than the county government's backyard, the prefect's wife, who was quite old, was dressed in a dignified and elegant manner. Yingxiang was not the first to arrive, but she was not the last either.
After exchanging greetings, she had someone take Yingxiang to rest first, and the banquet would not begin until the day after tomorrow.
"Please rest well, Madam. There are people in the courtyard. Please let us know if you need anything."
Influenced by being led to the private room to rest, she nodded. Chunyu went to see the old woman off, and at the door, she took the opportunity to ask, "Young lady, does Madam have any dietary restrictions?"
Chunyu didn't hide anything and said, "Madam is currently pregnant, so she doesn't have any dietary restrictions. Apart from not eating mutton, she doesn't have any other restrictions."
The old woman smiled and nodded. After leaving, she quickly headed towards the prefect's wife's courtyard.
"That's thoughtful. On the day of the banquet, please inform the kitchen and make sure they pay attention to the daily meals as well."
These were all officials under her husband. Yingxiang was young, and the prefect's wife didn't find her repulsive.
"I understand, please rest assured, Madam."
"You should double-check the song and dance routines one last time; there can't be any mistakes."
"yes."
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