Chapter 59: Making Trouble
Following the last rays of sunset, the two young ladies reluctantly returned home from the East Palace.
Of course, none of the maids and old women who followed them came with empty hands. They were either holding something or carrying something.
When Lady Jia heard that they had returned, she summoned them over for questioning.
"Old lady, have you eaten the crispy pastry and the sugar-filled sesame cake?"
Tanchun thought it was delicious, but her aunt said that it should be eaten right after it was made. "My aunt said that if you like it, she will ask Aunt Li to make it and send it over tomorrow."
Aunt Li made a lot today and sent most of it here. Maybe even her aunt got some as well.
“Mm, it tastes pretty good.”
Grandmother Jia smiled and said, "What did you do in the East Palace today? Why did you come back so late?"
"My aunt took us to visit Huifang Garden."
We ate, rested and played along the way.
Yingchun was also unusually excited, "He took us on a boat ride, and we went fishing together, but I was the only one who caught the fish."
"The fish my second sister caught is so small."
Tanchun didn't catch any fish. "My aunt asked Aunt Li to fry it with the quail. My aunt and I shared so much."
As she spoke, she gestured with her little hands.
Grandmother Jia felt that what she had shown was only enough for her own mouth, and couldn't help but laugh, "You guys really know how to have fun."
"That fish is delicious."
Although it was very small, Yingchun felt that she had never eaten such delicious fish before. "Auntie said that we can go over and play anytime when we have a day off." She also said with filial piety: "I will catch some fish and ask Auntie Li to fry it for you."
“Hahaha~”
The old lady was really amused by her, "Then I'll have to wait."
It must taste better if it’s caught by my own granddaughter.
"Ma'am, we also took our sister out to play."
Grandmother Jia: “…”
She looked at her granddaughter and couldn't help but suspect that the child was too young and was speaking with her imagination.
"The little sister in my aunt's belly likes to listen to us reading," Yingchun sensed her grandmother's doubts and smiled as she helped Tanchun continue, "Whenever my third sister and I read, she would play with us in my aunt's belly. I even touched her little hand."
"I touched my sister's feet."
The two granddaughters chattered about their interactions with their little sister.
Grandmother Jia was also very surprised to hear this.
Having given birth to three children, she certainly knows about fetal movement.
Although she was curious and excited at that time, she never told anyone about it. In addition, she had to take care of the household affairs, so she often ignored the baby's fetal movements.
The only thing that impressed her most was the fetal movement of her eldest son.
At that time, it was her first time being a mother, and her heart and eyes were filled with the baby in her belly. She was willing to chase the baby's little hands and feet even in the middle of the night.
But when the eldest son was born, he was taken away by his mother-in-law.
Grandmother Jia sighed slightly in her heart.
Tonight, she couldn't sleep.
In the East Mansion next door, Shen Ning slept very well after a day of fun. Even though she woke up frequently at night due to her late pregnancy, she still woke up and fell asleep as soon as she got into bed, without any compromise.
The two midwives were quite satisfied with her current condition. The main reason why it was difficult for wealthy families to give birth was because the mothers were too lazy to move.
If the child gets fatter, won't it cause a difficult birth? But today...
The two men looked at the fine and dense drizzle and stared at the maids carefully, fearing that they would walk around and wet the floor.
"It's a bad day today, Madam, please just walk around the house!"
Seeing that the maid had been taken care of, Mrs. Shen was still eager to go out, and one of the midwives hurriedly stopped her.
"good!"
With her life at stake, Shen Ning could only retreat, "I'm not going out today, so you guys should go and have a rest!"
The two midwives were very nervous throughout yesterday's process.
It is only natural to take a break today.
"Qingzhu, open a few windows and let us listen to the rain."
“That won’t do!”
The midwife, who was about to leave, stopped and said, "It's rainy and windy. If you catch a cold, you will suffer."
Shen Ning: “…”
"Open a window!"
It seems that not prescribing it to her won't work.
The fatter Liu Wengpo was very flexible and pushed open a window on the spot, "Madam, just come this way."
"……become!"
Shen Ning, who cherished her life very much, responded obediently, and said as she turned around: "Thank you for your hard work yesterday. Qingzhu, I will take the two aunts to the sewing room later, and each of them will make a set of spring clothes."
"Thank you, madam, for the reward!"
The two midwives were extremely happy.
Since entering the mansion to take care of Mrs. Shen, they have received rewards from time to time, ranging from food and clothing to gold and silver ingots.
The grandfather, the grandmother and even the brother rewarded Mrs. Shen several times in a row because she was in good condition.
This job is really worth it.
The two of them were about to leave with Qingzhu when a little maid ran over and said, "Madam, Master Jia Kui from the back street is here. His sister is having a difficult delivery and they can't find a midwife..."
Before he finished speaking, Jia Kui's voice came, "Madam, help me, Madam, help me!"
Shen Ning looked up and saw the young man rushing into the yard. The moment he saw her, he fell to the ground and kowtowed several times, "Madam, please save my sister. Wuuuu, please save my sister. Please..."
“Get up!”
Saving lives is like putting out a fire.
Shen Ning looked at the two midwives and said, "They are our family members. Please go ahead."
"……yes!"
The midwives looked at each other and agreed in unison.
"Thank you ma'am, thank you ma'am!!!"
After receiving a positive answer, Jia Kui kowtowed several times before standing up and begging the two midwives, "Please hurry up, my sister...is in a very bad condition."
"Qingzhu, take a few maids with you and go together quickly."
"yes!"
Qingzhu knew what she meant and waved to the several sturdy old women guarding the corridor. When the large oil-paper umbrellas were opened, everyone hurriedly followed her out.
Giving birth has always been a difficult process for women.
When married daughters cannot find a midwife, the first thing they think about is whether there is something wrong with their husband's family, and they all run away as fast as they can.
After a while, half of the yard was empty.
Yu Shi also rushed over at this time, "Mother, you can't be alone."
"It's okay. I should still have a few days before giving birth."
Shen Ning stroked her stomach and said, "Do you know what happened?"
"Jia Yan married Chen Tang, a scholar from Fulong Street next door," this was the first daughter of the Jia family to get married after Youshi took over the housekeeping. At that time, she also gave dowry on behalf of Ningguo Mansion and the clan, so she remembered it very clearly. "Chen Tang is actually okay, but his stepmother Wang is very difficult to get along with. I heard that Jia Yan helped her wash her feet last night, and she slipped while pouring water."
"What is their family situation like?"
Shen Ning frowned, "How many months has Jia Yan been pregnant?"
"Chen Tang's father, Chen Chong, is a sixth-rank official in the Ministry of Industry. Although his position is low, it is a real job and his family is well-off."
"So that's bullying our daughter?"
Shen Ning's face suddenly darkened. "I married so close to you, but you still bully me like this. Do you think there is no one in my Jia family?"
“…”
Yu Shi suddenly didn't dare to speak.
She is the clan leader's wife and is in charge of many clan affairs.
Although Jia Yan is a married daughter, she can still take care of her if necessary.
"Where's Zhen'er? Isn't she usually very powerful?"
As soon as Shen Ning finished speaking, Jia Zhen rushed in, "You're here just in time. Bring your people and find out what happened. If it's really the Chen family that bullied our children, then you should bully their children severely."
"……yes!"
Seeing that his mother looked unhappy, Jia Zhen did not dare to object. He winked at Youshi, signaling her to watch over here, and said, "Son will take people over now."
Watching his son walk away, Shen Ning said, "I remember Jia Kui seemed to be a posthumous child, right? His mother... died a long time ago?"
"yes!"
Yu Shi nodded, "He was brought up by Jia Yan, and the two siblings depended on each other for survival. When she married Chen Tang, Jia Kui sold a lot of things at home to give to his sister as a dowry."
He is a man of affection and righteousness.
However, there seems to be no such person in the Red Mansion.
Shen Ning walked around the room again, "Send someone to invite Chen, the shopkeeper of Huichun Hall, and bring a set of thick clothes for Jia Kui to change into."
"yes!"
Youshi gave her maid a look and the maid hurried out.
"How is Jia Kui's family situation now?"
"He has a small courtyard with two entrances and a bookstore on Fulong Street. He has also been studying in the school. Although he has not made any achievements, he has grown up this year and is said to have taken over the bookstore."
"A bookstore?"
Shen Ning thought of something, "Does the clan school buy pens, ink, paper, and inkstones in his store?"
"……without!"
Mrs. You shook her head. "The purchase of the clan book has always been managed by Lai Sheng and Jia Dairu. When Lai Sheng's house was raided, he also owned a bookstore. Now the store... is under my name."
"So how is your business?" Shen Ning couldn't help but be curious.
"With the purchases from the clan school and some individual business, we make about five hundred taels a year."
The bulk of the money is spent on purchasing items for the clan school.
"Jia Kui's shop doesn't have any family members buying from him, but Fulong Street has always been busier than Ningrong Street. There are more people there, and the shop is his own, so he should make at least a hundred taels of silver a year."
As long as they don't spend money on wine and women, it will be enough for their family to live on.
Shen Ning nodded, "That's it."
When she read Dream of the Red Chamber, she knew that Jia Zhen would distribute some of the produce from the farm to his clansmen every year.
In this regard, Jia Zhen did a good job.
"Now I just hope Jia Yan can have a smooth delivery!"
Giving birth to a child in modern times has certain risks, let alone in ancient times.
Shen Ning touched her stomach and felt a little depressed.
Who would want to die when they can live?
How many delicacies in the Red Mansion had she eaten? She felt that she had not eaten enough every day.
"By the way, how is the school going recently? Rong Ge'er only tells me good news."
Maybe because of enough exercise, Shen Ning saw that the child not only became darker and stronger, but also grew taller rapidly.
Whenever he was at home, Jia Rong would come over to have dinner with her and read a few pages of Zizhi Tongjian to her and her unborn baby.
But that was all. Shen Ning felt that he was always in a hurry every time he came and went.
“The school is great!”
Youshi said, "The two gentlemen came to my house several times to thank you for the official report and the Imperial College examination papers. I heard that they are now exercising for half an hour every day with the palace guards."
Jia Zhen used to be a little out of touch, but now that his wife is about to give birth, he dares not run around, and when he has nothing to do, he likes to go to the school in the back street.
Recently, Youshi feels that the relationship between her and her husband is better than before.
"I heard from the old man that Brother Rong has made rapid progress. He is still striving to be in the top five in the monthly exam."
"Only striving for the top five? You don't even dare to strive for the top three?"
Shen Ning was pleasantly surprised.
Jia Rong has become much more stable than before, and Jiao Da is giving him special training in martial arts. She thought he could be among the top three.
But if Jia Rong can't even get into the top three, does that mean that the Jia family's school has finally produced a few people who can really study? "Ahem~"
Yu Shi coughed lightly, "Chen Tang is also studying in the Jia family's clan school now."
Like Chen Tang, there were several other people who came to study as students after hearing that the Jia family was learning reform.
“…Is that so?”
Although it is a bit disappointing, once these people pass the exam, the Jia family's reputation for academic excellence will spread.
“That’s good.”
Shen Ning nodded, "But you and Zhen'er must also strictly control it. Those ugly people outside who just come here to eat and drink for free should not be accepted in."
"yes!"
Youshi quickly agreed.
The Jia family school provides food and drink, as well as writing brushes, ink, paper and inkstone. This is indeed likely to attract people who want to eat and drink for free and just live a lazy life.
But nowadays there are still examinations in clan studies.
There is also the "Remember the Bitterness and Smile for the Sweetness" rice, these two are for those who don't want to suffer.
Anyway, in the past, there were often daughters-in-law of the Jia family who wanted to seek benefits for their natal family and gave them gifts, but nowadays there are fewer such people.
Except Jia Yan and Chen Tang.
The couple came with Jia Kui. Jia Zhen only spoke a few words with them and then agreed.
"I trust you to do the job."
Shen Ning turned slowly and motioned her to sit down, "I remember you have two younger sisters in your family, right?"
"yes!"
Yu nodded.
Her father was saved by the biological father of her two younger sisters when he was in the army. The father died, but her father survived. It is the Yu family's job to take him in.
Unfortunately, just half a year after I got married, my father died of illness.
I don’t know what’s going on at home now.
There was a faint sadness in Youshi's heart.
"Have they all told me about him?"
"They are still young."
"You didn't tell anyone?"
Shen Ning forgot the name of the man You Erjie had been engaged to since childhood, but he didn't seem to be a good person.
"My second sister seems to have said something about him."
Yu Shi didn't remember much either.
Although they were sisters, there were some things she didn't want to cross the line.
Everyone has been getting along politely.
"Oh~"
Shen Ning understood, but didn't ask any more questions and started chatting about other things at home.
But at this time, Fulong Street was bustling.
The stepmother of the Chen family who was about to make a scene was surrounded by several murderous women. Unexpectedly, when her son and daughter saw that the situation was not good, they went out and called the Wang family and several other in-laws, and they also came over to kill in a mighty manner.
Such family affairs are difficult for modern officials to handle, let alone in ancient times.
Normally, whoever has the bigger fist is right.
When Jia Zhen arrived, Jia Kui had no idea who had hit him with a club and had already fallen to the ground with blood all over his head.
Liu the midwife was also dragged into an extremely miserable state. Inside the house, Jia Yan's cries of pain were filled with despair. The newly arrived members of the Jia family became angry when they heard this.
Thanks to my book friends 我是姐、20240729004829601、独宠孤鸽20220521202937745、山竹一号 for their tips. Thank you! Thank you!!!
There is one more update, probably in the evening.
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