Jiang Shuyue observed that the cat's fur was as white as snow, and apart from the patterned fur on its face, there wasn't a single stray hair on the rest of its body.
She thought for a moment and said, "Then let's call her Snow White."
"I think Bai Xue is fine; we can omit the last two words."
"Oh, right, let's call her Bai Xue, or Xue'er. These nicknames are easy to remember and pronounce."
Xiao Jingzhao reminded her, and Jiang Shuyue then realized that there were many taboos in this era, and words related to the royal family could not be used.
Hearing the cat purr, Jiang Shuyue stopped petting it.
"It seems to like the name Xue'er, so let's call it Xue'er from now on."
"Hmm, I heard it likes to eat dried small fish. I'll send some more over another day."
It's winter, and fishermen who make a living by fishing are all at home weaving nets to prepare for the winter and fishing in the coming year. It's hard to see anyone selling fish at the market.
Jiang Shuyue was more than happy to oblige and said without any politeness, "It would be even better if Your Majesty could find those small white fish. They're good whether fried or boiled. The fish bones are soft and delicate, and they're crispy after frying. Cats love that kind of fish."
Xiao Jingzhao nodded slightly. "Understood."
With Gao Mu and Cang Yun in charge of security in the mansion, Jiang Shuyue never allowed the maids to stand guard at night.
That night, Jiang Shuyue's attention was entirely focused on Xue'er.
Xiao Jingzhao got up to take his leave, and Jiang Shuyue belatedly realized that she hadn't even served the Emperor tea.
"Respectfully seeing off His Majesty."
"It's cold outside, go back to your room and rest. I'll send someone to fetch Sui Sui to the palace another day. I won't disturb his sleep at this hour."
Xiao Jingzhao walked to the door, turned around, and gave Jiang Shuyue a deep look.
She wore only a light pink embroidered jacket over her loose robe, which made her face look as beautiful as a lotus flower under the lamplight.
Why would she go next door dressed so lightly, not afraid of catching a cold?
The words were on the tip of Xiao Jingzhao's tongue, but he ultimately didn't ask them.
After leaving the Jiang residence, Xiao Jingzhao instructed Xiang Yang, "Tomorrow, hire people to fish in Lianwu Lake."
“My lord, the lake is frozen over. Where can you find fishing boats in the dead of winter? Besides, the palace has no shortage of fish to eat.”
Xiangyang had no idea what his master was up to again, so he had no choice but to tell the truth.
"Even if it means breaking the ice, we still have to go and fish. Give the fishermen more money, and someone will be willing to do it."
Xiao Jingzhao paused for a moment and then said, "Remember to specifically pick the small white slips."
Seeing that his master's orders were not to be questioned, Xiangyang had no choice but to nod. "I will try tomorrow. If I can't hire anyone, I will have the Embroidered Uniform Guards go and get them."
Back in the palace, Xiangyang recalled what Nangong Zeyue had said and wanted to give the emperor a heads-up, but he didn't know where to begin.
As he walked out of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Xiang Yang gritted his teeth and said, "Damn it, he's too cunning. His words are ambiguous and vague. The master will definitely be worried when he finds out."
Who are you talking about?
A dark figure gracefully landed behind Xiangyang.
Hearing the familiar voice, Xiangyang turned around abruptly.
He sighed and said, "I didn't say anyone. It's just that I'm annoyed to see Young Master Nangong always appearing by Miss Jiang's side."
Xiang Song patted Xiang Yang on the shoulder, "What's the big deal? Just keep him busy until he's completely exhausted."
"What's your plan, boss, to get him out of here?"
“Go back, I have a brilliant plan for this matter.”
Seeing Xiang Song's confidence, Xiang Yang secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
The next day.
A group of Imperial Guards dressed in tight-fitting clothes appeared on the shore of Lotus Mist Lake.
Some people were using iron bars to smash the ice, while others were pushing the two-inch-thick ice to the sides.
A middle-aged man with a fishing net slung over his shoulder stood on the shore.
Seeing everyone hurriedly lower the small boat into the lake, the man then stepped aboard.
The man said to Xiang Yang, the team leader, "Sir, in the dead of winter, I can't guarantee that I'll be able to catch any whitebait."
Xiang Yang waved his hand, "Do your best. If you can get a small amount of money, I'll give you an extra tael of silver."
In the summer, even after catching fish for several days, you can't sell them for a single tael of silver.
Adding the five taels of silver he paid to hire him, the total came to six taels of silver, enough for his family to have a prosperous New Year. This business was worthwhile.
The man confidently rowed his small boat toward the center of the lake.
The shallow parts of the lake are frozen, but the deeper parts are not.
...
Early in the morning, Jiang Shuyue handed Xue'er over to Lan'er and went to Jishetang.
Jishetang is still packed with people today.
In the backyard, a pregnant woman was walking back and forth, holding her belly.
The maid supporting the pregnant woman saw that her mistress's brows were furrowed in pain.
She quickly advised, "Madam, let me help you into the room to lie down. If you continue like this, you may not have the strength to give birth."
The pregnant woman stopped to catch her breath. "Listen to the doctor. It's tough now, but the delivery will be much smoother."
At this moment, a female doctor brought over a bowl of herbal soup, saying, "Madam, if you drink this bowl of herbal soup, you won't be too weak during childbirth."
The pregnant woman took the medicine and drank it all in one gulp. Suddenly, labor pains struck, and the bowl in her hand fell to the ground and shattered.
Then, with a "pop," the amniotic fluid ruptured and flowed down the pregnant woman's leg. She said tremblingly, "Quick, call the doctor, I think I'm about to give birth."
The female doctor calmly said to the pregnant woman's maid, "Put some effort into your hands, and I'll help you take your mistress to the delivery room."
The pregnant woman entered the delivery room, and a female doctor went to the front hall to report.
Jiang Shuyue handed her work to Yin Qiao, saying, "I'll leave this to you. I'll take the rest of the people to the back."
Once inside the backyard, everyone quickly washed their hands and then disinfected them with homemade alcohol.
Upon entering the delivery room, Jiang Shuyue checked and found that the cervix was fully dilated. She comforted the pregnant woman, saying, "Don't panic, you can see the baby's head now. When the baby pushes out, you should also push, but make sure you use your strength effectively."
"Doctor, is my baby too big?" The pregnant woman cried out in pain before she could finish her sentence.
"Ouch! It hurts, it hurts so much!"
"Push, don't talk, take a couple of breaths and do it again. Do it a few more times and the baby will come out."
Jiang Shuyue's voice was gentle and calm, which eased the pregnant woman's anxiety considerably.
The female doctor standing beside her held the pregnant woman's hands on either side to encourage her.
"Madam's belly isn't too big, and the baby won't be too big. Push, the baby will be out soon."
"I...I need to relieve myself," the pregnant woman said, blushing with embarrassment.
"It's alright, there's a toilet under you, Madam, you can go whenever you want." The female doctors were experienced and knew that it was normal for pregnant women to feel this way.
When the baby enters the birth canal, it presses against the anus, giving the mother the urge to urinate.
Seeing that the baby's head was pushing outwards again, Jiang Shuyue said, "Take a deep breath and push."
This process is repeated for about 15 minutes.
"ah!"
The woman's cries echoed in the delivery room, accompanied by the baby's sobs.
The maid excitedly picked up a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from her mistress's forehead.
"Madam, the doctor is truly amazing. It really does have a miraculous effect when you walk around before giving birth."
The maid had seen other ladies in the mansion give birth. From the onset of labor to the birth of the child, the fastest time was a few hours, while the slowest could be heard for a whole day and night.
At this moment, Nangong Zeyue was intently reviewing the account books in the restaurant and inn.
Suddenly, the waiter's voice rang out from outside the door.
"Young master, someone is looking for you in the front hall."
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