When the eldest daughter-in-law got pregnant for the first time, it was Fang’s personal mother who came to announce the good news.

Eleventh Lady remained calm and called Fang Mama over to ask, "...When did you find out you were pregnant? How is the eldest young lady these days? Is there anything special you want to eat?"

Mother Fang was also a wonderful person, and her answer was interesting: "I felt a little uncomfortable during the Chinese New Year, but there were many things to do at home, and I had been serving in Third Madam's room, so I didn't pay much attention to it. I suddenly vomited when I woke up two days ago in the morning, so I asked a doctor to check, and he found out that it was a pregnancy pulse." She smiled, and her eyes and eyebrows were full of joy. "The Third Master was very happy, and he wanted to come and tell the Madam the good news right away. But Third Madam said that it is easier said than done. Let Third Master calm down, and then ask two doctors to check. It won't be too late to report it to the ancestors after confirming the diagnosis. That's why she waited until today to report the news." After saying that, she smiled and bowed to Eleventh Lady, "I congratulate Fourth Madam on becoming a great aunt." Then Later, he said, "The eldest young lady has always been in good health, and the child is obedient. Except for feeling a little uncomfortable in the morning, there is nothing else wrong. She just wants to eat fish and shrimp. It happened that Huzhou sent some during the New Year, and the eldest young lady gave it away as a local gift. When she wanted to eat it, it was gone. However, the eldest young lady has sent someone to Huzhou to send some fish and shrimp." Finally, he joked, "I told our eldest young lady that if the fish and shrimp were sent from Huzhou, I'm afraid the young master will give birth! The eldest young lady is usually a very self-restrained person, but at this time she was like a child and was greedy. It can be seen that pregnant people, no matter how reasonable they are, sometimes do some unreasonable things!"

Eleventh Lady had to hold back her laughter. She told Zhu Xiang, "Go and take some of the fish and shrimp jerky sent from Gongxian Hutong to Fang Mama to take back. Also take some of the ginseng, bird's nest, rock sugar and red dates and other blood-nourishing and qi-replenishing foods back with you." Then she turned around and said to Fang Mama, "I also married here from Jiangnan. My family was afraid that I would be greedy in Beijing, so they would send a lot of gifts every year. These things are hard for others to get, but I have a lot here. There's no need to go far away and write to Huzhou to ask for them."

Upon hearing this, Fang Mama immediately laughed and said, "Our eldest young lady was just entertaining some relatives and neighbors, and the ten baskets of dried fish and shrimp were gone in a blink of an eye. Although I knew that the fourth lady's family would also send some, I didn't dare to think about it because I thought you were more generous." Then, she bowed three times to Eleventh Lady, "I'd like to thank you on behalf of our eldest young lady first. I'll come back to thank you after I go back and report to the eldest young lady."

Mother Fang just wanted to convey some words. As for whether Fang really liked to eat fish and shrimp or was just pretending to like them, that was secondary.

Eleventh Lady spoke to her for a few words and took her to tell the lady the good news.

The lady was naturally surprised to hear this and asked questions like "How long has it been? Is the pregnancy going well?"

Mother Fang's answer was flawless. Not only did she tell the Madam Tai what she had told Eleventh Lady in a different way, she also took the opportunity to talk about the servants: "... We have served in the Fang family for several lifetimes, and we don't know what the rules are in the mansion. We are afraid that we will not do well, and we are always very nervous."

The lady said "Oh" and showed a thoughtful expression. After thinking for a moment, she asked Shiyi Niang: "Are Madam Tian and Madam Wan still serving in Danyang?"

Mother Tian and Mother Wan are the mothers in the mansion who specialize in taking care of pregnant women and childbirth. They are extremely experienced in this area and are among the mothers that the lady trusts the most.

Mother Fang didn't expect that the lady would think in this way. After hearing this, she couldn't help but let a hint of surprise flash in her eyes.

Regardless of whether this matter succeeds or not, as long as the lady has this intention, their situation will no longer be as difficult as it is now!

She couldn't help but hold her breath and listen to what the lady and Eleventh Lady were saying.

"Still here!" The longer Eleventh Lady spent with the Madam, the more she felt that although the Madam seemed to not care about anything, when she did, her actions were often meaningful. "Er Ge'er hasn't even been weaned yet, but Fifth Brother's wife has left the two mothers with her."

"Then tell her," said the lady. "The eldest young mistress is pregnant, and the people who serve her are all from Jiangnan. The temperature and food are different in each place, and there is no experienced person to guide. Let Madam Tian go over and serve for a few days."

Eleventh Lady smiled and replied "yes". Mother Fang bit her lip, forced herself to hold back her smile, lowered her head, bent her knees, and thanked the lady.

* * * * * *

When the Fifth Lady found out, she immediately asked Mama Shi to accompany Mama Tian to Sanjing Hutong, and brought back a lot of medicinal herbs for Fang in large and small bags.

Fang was at home taking care of her baby and it was not convenient for her to move around. In the third month, when the baby was stable, Fang came to thank the Lady Dowager, the Eleventh Lady, and the Fifth Lady.

The lady took Fang's hand and looked around, then said to Jin, who was smiling beside her, "You should also learn from your sister-in-law!"

Jin did not come to Lotus as frequently as Fang did. Every time she came, she followed the Third Lady. Eleventh Lady and the Fifth Lady had no personal relationship with her, but because her marriage was arranged by the Dowager Lady, the Dowager Lady felt familiar with her, and people from all walks of life in Lotus would not neglect her when they saw her.

Hearing what the lady said, her face turned red and she hid behind the third lady.

The Third Lady immediately defended her: "She just came in. Our eldest young lady didn't show signs of pregnancy right away!" She didn't even look at Fang.

The lady smiled and nodded, and told Fang to be careful.

Xin Jieer ran over and pulled Jin's collar: "Third sister-in-law, didn't you say you wanted to see my Baibai and Lulu last time? I tied red hair strings on Baibai and Lulu, they are so beautiful, do you want to see them?"

Jin looked at the third wife, her eyes twinkling with desire.

Not to mention the Third Lady, even the Lady Dowager's heart softened when she saw her like this. She smiled and waved at her: "Go! Go!" Then she instructed the people around her, "Be careful, don't let the Second Miss and the Third Young Madam get hurt!" She also said to Xinjie and Jin: "Don't just play, come early for lunch." She treated Jin like Xinjie and Jing'er, and was very affectionate.

The third lady was overjoyed and said hurriedly, "Since grandma said so, you should go quickly!"

Jin said "Oh" and happily took Xin Jie'er's hand and led them out: "Why do we have to tie red hair strings? Will it hurt Baibai and Lulu?"

Xin Jie'er's voice was clear and loud: "Jin Ge'er also tied a red hairband for his dog, and asked Yumei and the others to make flowery clothes for the dog. I am also going to make flowery clothes for Baibai and Lulu..."

Two excited figures, one big and one small, gradually walked away.

The lady laughed.

The Third Madam said, "Thanks to mother for finding such a good marriage for Jian'er - although the master and the mistress of the in-laws are quiet, they are both honest and sincere. Jin looks like a child, but she treats people sincerely. This is also a blessing for our Jian'er!"

The lady didn't continue to speak, but took a sip of tea and said to Fang, who was standing beside her with a gentle smile: "If you don't understand anything, just ask Madam Tian."

Fang hurriedly bowed and replied "yes".

When the third lady saw this, her smile faded slightly, and the joy on her face faded a lot.

* * * * * *

After that, a lot of rumors spread to Lotus.

One day, it was said that the Third Lady took the Third Young Lady with her wherever she went, and she also used the excuse that the First Young Lady was pregnant to ask the First Young Lady to give the pair of cards to the Third Young Lady. Another day, it was said that the First Young Lady gave the pair of cards to the Third Young Lady, and although the Third Young Lady accepted it, she overcharged the dry goods store clerk by more than twenty taels of silver the first time she checked the bill. The Third Lady was so angry that she slept for two days, and then she took the pair of cards into her own hands.

After all, these are the Third Lady’s family affairs. People in Lotus might as well listen to them. Things are also happening in Lotus.

The day before the birthday of the old lady, the fifth lady was diagnosed with pregnancy. The old lady was still smiling when someone from Cangzhou sent a letter saying that Zhen Jieer was pregnant and the due date would be the end of October or the beginning of November. Then, Twelve Niang gave birth to her eldest daughter, Lanting gave birth to her second son, Chen Ge Lao's family had a grandson, Dou Ge Lao's family married off their daughter, and Wu Niang gave birth to her eldest daughter. There was also the Dragon Boat Festival... There were banquets every now and then. By the time I had some free time, it was already early July.

This summer is hotter than previous years. It rained a few times in early May, and it has been sunny ever since. Every time the wind blows, there is a wave of heat. The branches of the trees are drooping. The six white pugs raised by Jing'er are lined up under the eaves, sticking out their tongues.

When the fifth lady came in, she was shocked when she saw it.

"Why do you have so many?" She was already five months pregnant, and her pregnancy was obvious. She walked all the way here, and although there were hand-held strollers, she was still sweating profusely, and her face was as red as the sunset. "Fourth sister-in-law doesn't care about Guan Jin'er! It makes people feel scared when they see it."

Hearing the noise, Zhu Xiang hurriedly lifted the curtain and welcomed the Fifth Madam into the room.

A gust of cool air blew towards her, causing Madam Wu to let out a long sigh of relief.

"It's so hot, if you have anything to say, just let the maids pass on the message." Eleventh Lady came out of the inner room wearing a white Songjiang three-strip cloth shirt, her black hair was casually tied up with a silver hairpin, her sleeves were rolled up to her elbows, revealing the jade bracelet on her arm, which was emerald green and clear, making her arm look even whiter than snow. It made people feel a little cooler.

"It's hot even sitting at home." The Fifth Lady and the Eleventh Lady entered the inner room - ice cubes were placed in every corner of the inner room, making it much cooler than the living room.

Jing'er was wearing a lake-blue bellyband with the words "Abundant Years" embroidered on it, lying on the kang on his side, with his maid Ah Jin sitting beside him, fanning him. His chubby little hands were clenched into fists and resting on his cheeks, and he was sleeping soundly.

The Fifth Lady couldn't help but slow down her pace and sat on the armchair beside her with Eleventh Lady.

Zhu Xiang served watermelon soaked in well water.

The two talked while eating watermelon.

"Pregnant women are particularly afraid of heat." Eleventh Lady said with a smile, "How about you ask Mother Wan if you can put more ice cubes in the room?"

"I've asked." The cool feeling made Madam Wu take another piece of watermelon. "She doesn't dare to make the decision." Then she talked about Fang, "...I heard that County Magistrate Fang resigned from his post, and Madam Fang brought her son to the north to see the eldest young lady. She will arrive at the beginning of next month!"

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Now we need to adjust our mood and finish the event well. We can't start well but end badly.

make a fist!

O(∩_∩)O~