Mother Tao's heart skipped a beat when she heard this.

"Are you sure?" He blurted out the question and immediately regretted it.

She has been observing Shiyi Niang these days. Shiyi Niang is smart, but very low-key. She is the kind of person who will never speak casually unless she is 100% sure.

The thought flashed through her mind, and she couldn't help but look up at Shiyi Niang.

Under the soft light, Eleventh Lady sat upright like a pine tree. Her eyes, which used to be as bright as stars, now stared at her quietly without any ripples. It reminded her of an ancient well that was so deep that she could not see the bottom, and the cool air was overwhelming...

In a flash of lightning, she suddenly understood.

Eleventh Lady is asking her to express her opinion.

What should I do if Qiao Lianfang is pregnant?

Her mind immediately started to work rapidly.

Yuanniang was raised by her breasts, and she not only nursed her but also raised her. Moreover, Yuanniang was so smart, lively and well-behaved that she liked her just by looking at her. In her heart, she was more important than her husband and closer than her son...but she didn't expect that she would die of illness. Fortunately, she left behind Zhun Ge's blood. No matter what, she would protect Zhun Ge well so that her bloodline could continue forever.

But now, Zhun Ge is still young and needs the protection of Shiyi Niang. Therefore, she will help Shiyi Niang - on the premise that Shiyi Niang will protect Zhun Ge's interests.

Mother Tao smiled slightly: "Madam, from pregnancy to delivery, it takes ten months... You don't have to be anxious."

Eleventh Lady looked at Mother Tao: "I'm afraid you'll be anxious."

Mother Tao's body trembled slightly.

Eleventh Lady's expression was very serious: "Mother Tao, I hope you can remember the purpose of your helping me." Her voice was a little stern, "Since it doesn't affect Brother Zhun, don't make trouble."

Mother Tao stared at the determination between Shiyi Niang's eyebrows. Although she didn't say anything for a long time, her eyes flickered. Then she half-knelt and bowed to her respectfully: "This is the matter of Madam's room. I am a member of Madam's room. Naturally, I will obey Madam's orders." Fearing that she would be worried, she said, "Besides, even if Aunt Qiao gave birth to a son, she would have to bypass the Second Young Master."

To be honest, Eleventh Lady was really afraid that this Mother Tao had some intentions - she was very familiar with the Xu residence and was a shrewd person, and she was afraid that she would be unable to guard against it and could not stop it.

After seeing off Mother Tao, she instructed Amber: "Find a way to keep an eye on Mother Tao."

Amber nodded.

Mother Tao has to protect Zhun Ge's interests, while she has to protect Shiyi Niang's interests.

If something happened to Qiao Lianfang at this time, the person most likely to be suspected would be Eleventh Lady.

Thinking of this, she felt that Qiao Lianfang's hiding this was really making her feel very uncomfortable. She couldn't help but mutter, "What on earth does Aunt Qiao want to do? She didn't even tell us that she was pregnant?"

"Let her do whatever she wants!" Eleventh Lady said with a smile, "It will rain if it wants, and my mother will get married. The child is hers. As long as she doesn't cause any trouble to us, it's fine." At this point, she smiled at Amber, "Besides, you gave Aunt Qiao such a big gift, and Aunt Qiao deserves it. But some people will be uneasy."

Amber was puzzled. After thinking for a while, she said, "Are you referring to the Third Madam? I'm afraid she will exaggerate in front of the Madam..."

"No." Eleventh Lady shook her head slightly.

The Third Madam is now determined to open her own residence, thinking of making a fortune no matter how big or small before leaving the Xu family. If it were normal, she would definitely be upset, but now, maybe she would ask Yi Niang to find a way to go back to her parents' home, and then give her the same reward as Qiao Lianfang. As for whether these gifts will appear in Yi Niang's parents' home, that is another matter.

Thinking of this, she smiled brightly: "Let's not worry, just wait."

* * * * * *

Eleventh Lady is not anxious, but some people are.

The next morning, two mothers came to the Chengguo Mansion. They said they were sent by Madam Qiao to deliver something to Qiao Lianfang: "... the curtain has not been used since our Madam got it. It's winter, and the mothers have been looking for it for a long time but couldn't find it. Madam asked the mother in charge to look for it overnight. Now, as soon as they found it, they asked us to deliver it to them." As she said this, she raised the box in her hand.

Sending tents in the middle of winter.

It's a pity that Mrs. Qiao could come up with such an excuse.

Eleventh Lady tried hard not to laugh.

Without the doctor's confirmation, Qiao Lianfang was afraid of making a mistake and absolutely did not dare to say that she was pregnant. But to ask the doctor, she had to go through herself. The best way was to go back to Cheng Guogong's mansion. Not only could she confirm the diagnosis, but she could also let Mrs. Qiao and Mrs. Qiao know and give her some advice. It was really a three-pronged approach.

"Thank you for your hard work, mothers." Eleventh Lady smiled and served tea, "Thank you for my concern, Madam Qiao."

The two mothers of the Qiao family were stunned.

They didn't expect that Eleventh Lady served tea and sent them away without waiting for them to say a few words.

One of them stood up and said, "Madam, when we came here, our mistress told us to pay our respects to Aunt Qiao."

"Oh!" Eleventh Lady paused while putting down the tea.

The other one hurriedly emphasized, "Yes, Madam, when our Madam came, she asked us to see Aunt Qiao. Aunt Qiao was a little unwell yesterday, and our Madam has been thinking about her. We came to deliver the tent, and Madam asked us to take a look. Whether it's good or bad, it's better to give us a reply so that we can have a general idea."

I feel uncomfortable... The people in the Qiao family know that Qiao Lianfang is not feeling well...

Looking at the two mothers who insisted on their own opinions, Eleventh Lady smiled slightly.

Using the excuse of sending gifts to bring up the pregnancy. Was this Mrs. Qiao's idea? Or was it Qiao Lianfang's idea? Did Mrs. Qiao want to tell herself that Qiao Lianfang was protected by the Chengguo Mansion? Or was Qiao Lianfang worried that the baby in her belly would not be able to be delivered smoothly?

However, Eleventh Lady vaguely felt that this was what Mrs. Qiao meant.

Because this situation is only beneficial to Mrs. Qiao.

You know, Qiao Lianfang took so many gifts back, but the Qiao family only returned eight-color gift boxes. The Qiao family was unwilling to break the convention for Qiao Lianfang, so they could only make up for it with other things. The best way was to use the excuse of sending Qiao Lianfang gifts to expose her pregnancy. On the one hand, it would reassure Qiao Lianfang, and on the other hand, it would confuse people and make people think that the Xu family gave the Qiao family a generous gift because of Qiao Lianfang's pregnancy.

No matter which one it is, Shiyi Niang will face it calmly. Although she dare not say that she is a good person, she still can't murder a child who has no ability to protect himself.

But she was unhappy with the Qiao family's behavior of treating everyone as fools and deceiving others.

I want to tell the Qiao family about my pregnancy...

If I let them succeed like this, how can I maintain my dignity as Xu Lingyi's wife?

There are some things that you can turn a blind eye to, but there are some things that you cannot cross the line.

With a slight sound of porcelain tapping, the teacup in Eleventh Lady's hand fell onto the coffee table beside her.

"You go back and report to Madam Qiao." She said slowly, "Madam Qiao was fine when she came to greet me early this morning. I didn't hear that she was unwell. Don't worry, Madam Qiao. Since Madam Qiao has married into the Xu family, she is a member of the Xu family. Although our Xu family is not rich, if someone gets sick, even a little maid will be treated by the imperial physician from the imperial hospital. Don't tell Madam Qiao to worry." After saying that, she stood up and instructed Amber, "Send the two mothers out. Don't let them get lost and not know where to go." Then she went into the inner room without looking back.

The two mothers stood there.

They didn't expect Eleventh Lady's attitude to be so tough.

"Please follow me, mothers." Amber was originally worried about Qiao Lianfang's pregnancy. Seeing the Qiao family's domineering attitude, she was even more angry and spoke very impolitely. "We in the Xu family have strict rules. Some places can only be visited by ladies, and some places can only be visited by maids. Otherwise, you will be laughed at for not knowing the rules and ruin the reputation of the Chengguo Mansion."

The two mothers were also well-known in the Qiao family. After hearing what Amber said, their faces turned red and white. They blamed Mrs. Qiao San for saying something in front of the lady, "The wife of Yongping Hou was born in a bad family, lacked confidence, and everything she did depended on the eyes of the lady and the marquis. Without the two of them nodding, she would never dare to offend the Chengguo Mansion." That's why they asked the two to expose Qiao Lianfang's pregnancy, and by the way, they could make friends with Aunt Qiao - now Aunt Qiao is pregnant, if she gives birth to a son, she will have a firm foothold in the Xu Mansion. If there is anything in the future, she can also blow pillow wind through her... That's why she took out the gauze ink curtain hidden at the bottom of the box and asked them to send it over. But she didn't expect to be driven out so mercilessly.

He could only flee in panic!

Amber felt relieved after seeing this and went to Shiyi Niang with a smile.

Eleventh Lady had returned to the hall and was waiting for her. Seeing her come in, she pointed to the box left by the two mothers of the Qiao family and said, "Take it to Aunt Qiao. Then ask her how she is feeling. If she says she is not feeling well, go and tell the steward of the outer courtyard to help find a doctor to take a look. If she says she is fine..." She smiled and said, "We can't force her to get a doctor!"

Amber smiled and responded.

Shiyi Niang returned to her inner room to embroider "Gu Feng" - there were so many messy things these days, and she only embroidered a dozen words. I hope Hui Jie'er won't be too disappointed after reading it.

After a while, Amber came back.

She smiled and stretched out her hand to Eleventh Lady: "Madam, a pair of cards!"

Eleventh Lady also laughed when she saw it: "The old place, take it yourself."

"Yeah!" Amber walked briskly to the outer courtyard.

The imperial doctors in the Imperial Hospital had to work on weekdays and could not come on call at any time. When Imperial Doctor Wu arrived, it was already early afternoon. Xu Lingyi had just returned from the outer courtyard to change clothes.

Seeing that there was only an old woman answering the door in the yard, and no maid or mother was seen, he asked curiously, "What happened?"

The old woman hurriedly said, "Madam Qiao is feeling a little unwell. Madam has called a doctor for her."

Xu Lingyi frowned, nodded, and quickly walked into the inner room.

Eleventh Lady was bending over a flower stand, embroidering words. The midday sun shone in, casting her figure in a warm golden color.

His brows relaxed unconsciously.

"Where are Sister Zhen and Brother Jie?"

After the Lantern Festival, the sun came out more often. Xu Lingyi put on a beautiful blue silk gown, rolled up his sleeves and prepared to wash his face and hands.

When Eleventh Lady heard that he had returned, it was almost time to go to the Madam's place for dinner. She put away her needlework and said, "Zhun-ge is staying over there to play."

"Why is Aunt Qiao feeling unwell again?" His voice was slightly unhappy. "She has only been well for a few days." As he spoke, he followed the maid into the bathroom.

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