After traveling from cotton-padded clothes to summer clothes, the group finally arrived at Nanchang County, a small county in Hongdu Prefecture. The city gate was similar to that of Qingyang County, with several soldiers guarding the entrance, carefully checking everyone's household registration and luggage.
What do you do?
The driver, Ermo, replied, "Sir, we are from Suzhou Prefecture, visiting relatives in Nanchang County. This is our official document."
When handing over the travel documents, he also handed over a money bag, saying, "My sister is about to give birth, and I would be grateful if you could do me a favor."
The officer weighed the money bag in his hand; it was quite heavy.
He walked over and lifted the sedan curtain, and saw three women wearing veils sitting inside. The one in the middle had a high, protruding belly and covered the curtain with her hand.
Because of the money, he kindly reminded her, "Since you're about to give birth, be careful. Midwife Cao in the east of the city is quite good. Go in."
Ermo said, "Thank you, sir."
Then they slowly drove the carriage into the city.
The city is not much different from other counties and cities. Although it cannot compare with the capital, it has everything it needs.
The carriage stopped at a restaurant. "Sister, let's rest here for now, I'll go find some accommodation."
With her heavy body supported, Liu Huan dismounted with the help of Qiu Rong and the other woman. Qiu Rong said worriedly, "Miss's belly is getting bigger and bigger. Anyone who didn't know better would think she was about to give birth."
Liu Huan walked along, supporting her belly, saying, "It's only seven months, it's still early."
She assumed that her large belly was due to not moving around much while sitting in the carriage all day.
Knowing about the child's existence, they traveled very slowly, not rushing at night, and finding inns, restaurants, or villages to stay in at dusk. It took them four months to reach Nanchang.
Ermo went to open the room, and Qiu Rong and the other person helped her upstairs to rest.
"Sister, I've been looking for a house in the city for days but haven't found a suitable one. They're either too small or too big. There's no house that's the right size for me."
Ermo searched for two days but couldn't find the kind of house Liu Huan had mentioned.
"Forget it, we won't stay in the city."
Liu Huan suddenly changed her mind. She felt that living in the city was boring, and it would be better to find a village nestled against the mountains and by the water, which would be spacious and quiet.
"Then I'll go find a suitable village nearby to settle down in, one that's close to the county town but not too noisy."
Liu Huan agreed, "Ermo, you've worked hard following me."
Ermo smiled innocently, "What are you saying, sister? Since you've recognized me as your brother, we're family."
Originally, Ermo called Liu Huan "Madam," but Liu Huan knew he was Su Cheng's brother and couldn't call him that, so she adopted him as her godfather and made him call her "sister."
The second steamed bun was found quickly this time, just half an hour away from the county town.
"Sister, there's a small river in front of the village and mountains behind it. I think you'll like it."
His eyes sparkled as he waited for praise; Liu Huan's approval was very important to him.
Indeed, Liu Huan liked it very much. "I like it very much. Let's leave in a bit. It's too noisy here with people coming and going all day long."
Because of her large belly, she couldn't sleep well at night and tossed and turned. During the day, she wanted to catch up on sleep, but it was too noisy outside. Naturally, she wanted to move away as soon as possible if she could find a place to go.
“Miss, let’s go find a doctor to check our pulse first,” Qiuju suggested.
They had never seen a doctor along the way, so seeing one would put their minds at ease.
"Let's go then, we'll see it first and then go."
Summer is not a peak season for illness, so there weren't many people in the clinic. A young apprentice, about ten years old, saw them and immediately went to greet them, saying, "Madam, please come in."
The doctor who took Liu Huan's pulse was an elderly man with a white beard. He frowned after taking her pulse for a short while.
The group looked on with trepidation. "Doctor, is there something wrong with me?"
The doctor asked, "How far along are you in your pregnancy?"
"Seven months"
The doctor nodded to indicate that he understood. "Did you know you were carrying twins?"
Liu Huan was stunned. Twins? Two? How melodramatic!
"I don't know, and there have never been twins in my family." She didn't know about her biological mother's side; the Su family had never had twins.
“Whether or not you have twins at home, it’s possible to conceive twins. I’ve handled several twin pregnancies.”
"Where does Madam live?"
Liu Huan looked at Ermo, who said, "Heshui Village is half an hour away from the county town."
The old doctor said, "That's close enough. If you're willing, Madam, I'll come every seven days to check your pulse and I can guarantee that you'll give birth to twins smoothly."
Liu Huan said gratefully, "Thank you very much, doctor."
The doctor advised, "Madam, it would be best to walk around more so that you won't suffer during childbirth."
"Thank you for reminding me."
After leaving the clinic, Ermo and Qiuju bought many new bedding, pots and pans along the way. Although Ermo said they had them, Liu Huan didn't want to use them.
Since his own carriage couldn't hold everything, Ermo found an oxcart and loaded all the groceries onto it. "Where are you headed, sir?"
"Just follow our carriage to Heshui Village."
The oxcart driver's eyes lit up. "So, you're going to our village, what a coincidence!"
The coachman volunteered to drive the carriage ahead, saying, "I'll lead the way for our esteemed guest."
River Village is really close; there are rivers all along the way, with green waters, green mountains, cicadas chirping, and birds singing. Qiuju looked out and was delighted. "Miss, this place is so beautiful."
The carriage stopped beside a village house, and many villagers and children immediately gathered around.
"So this is the benefactor who bought the Zhang family's house?"
"Look at this carriage, even the county magistrate's carriage isn't this nice."
"When have you ever seen a county magistrate's carriage? You're just bragging."
Amidst the commotion, Qiu Rong and Qiu Ju alighted from the carriage. "Oh, what beautiful young ladies!"
The two women lifted the curtain and helped Liu Huan out, only then did everyone realize that they were just maids.
"Oh, she's pregnant. She looks like she's about to give birth. What's she doing here?"
A younger woman's eyes flashed with jealousy. "You don't know this, do you? Many wealthy families keep mistresses in the countryside. Otherwise, what would happen if the wife found out?"
The village chief's wife heard the rebuke and said, "Don't talk nonsense. Madam Su came to our village because her husband died on the battlefield and she had no one left in her husband's family. She wanted to leave that sad place."
After saying that, she stepped forward and said warmly, "You must be Mrs. Su. My husband is the village chief of Heshui Village. You bought the house from my uncle's family. Please come with me."
Liu Huan nodded in acknowledgment, "Thank you for your trouble, Madam Village Chief."
Ignoring the stares of others, he followed the village chief's wife into the courtyard.
Ermo was very thoughtful; he found houses with yards to ensure safety. There was also a well, a horse stable, and a vegetable garden.
The house consists of five brick and tile houses, plus three thatched huts.
“My brother-in-law passed the imperial examination and became a scholar. His family moved to Hongdu Prefecture. This courtyard was only renovated last year. It would be a pity to leave it empty, so I asked my husband to buy it for him. It would be a shame if no one lived there.” The village chief’s wife explained as she introduced the place.
Looking at the small courtyard, Liu Huan felt comforted; this would be her home for the rest of her life.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com