118 Preparations for the Birth of Xiao Wangshi Article 36 of the Family Rules

Little Wang felt a little nervous as she touched her belly. She was also afraid in her heart. She still remembered how dangerous it was when her second sister-in-law gave birth to Kang'er and his brothers. All the blood was brought out in basins.

"Madam, please relax and don't be too nervous. The fetus in your belly can sense any emotional changes of the mother."

Xu Nian looked at her aunt's slightly pale face and walked over to comfort her, "Aunt, you must trust Dr. Zhen. You will definitely give birth safely."

Xiao Wang held Xu Nian's hand and nodded, feeling lucky that at least this time she had a female doctor by her side.

After leaving the third room, Xu Nian still confirmed, "Doctor Zhen, is my third aunt okay?"

"Don't worry, Miss Xu, the baby in Madam's belly is in a normal position, but because it is twins, the time of birth will definitely be advanced, so we still need to be prepared."

Xu Nian nodded, returned to Qingteng Courtyard and called Xiu'er over.

"Xiu'er, you should go to the third room and stay with the third lady until she gives birth. Among you, you are the most meticulous, so thank you for your hard work during this period of time." After saying that, Xu Nian gave her another ten taels of silver.

"I can't let your hard work go in vain. Consider this money as my reward to you."

Xiu'er pushed the silver away and pouted, "Miss, you gave me such expensive jewelry before, I can't take this silver anymore."

"Silly girl, just take what's given to you and save it for buying land or a shop in the future. Be obedient—"

Yan Xiu put the silver into her sleeve with red eyes. Just as she was about to go out, Xu Nian called her back.

"Go to the front yard and look for Zhang Da later," Xu Nian emphasized, "and ask your eldest brother if the sweet potatoes I want are ready."

Xiu'er responded and went to the front yard first. If the young lady hadn't reminded her, she would have found the wrong person. Next time, she would definitely ask if Zhang Da had any other names.

…

The fifteenth of every month is a day off for the county school. Whenever the three Xu Ji brothers have a day off, Xu Nian is not at home, so they were very happy to see their eldest sister Xu Nian this time.

"Big sister, can you tell me what the Royal City is like? Is it fun?" Xu Nian was very happy to see Xu Jian, who was still as active as ever, and couldn't help but joked: "Jian'er is still so high-spirited, I guess he must have made some progress in martial arts?"

"Pfft" Xu Kang couldn't help laughing. Now Xu Jian couldn't even touch a weapon every day. He had to squat on a pile for an hour every day. Moreover, his martial arts master said that he would teach him real martial arts when Xu Jian passed the college entrance examination.

Xu Jian angrily told Xu Nian about the martial arts master's request, hoping that his elder sister would judge for him. Unfortunately, Xu Nian only sighed and said, "Maybe the martial arts master doesn't want anyone to bring disgrace to his family!"

Xu Nian asked about the three of them's studies, and Xu Ji said calmly, "The teacher asked the three of us to take the county exam next February, so we may have to spend the rest of our holidays in the county school."

Xu Nian really felt sorry for the three children, who had to study hard at such a young age. The only thing she could do was to help them take good care of their health.

And Old Man Xu really did what he said. During this period of time, he asked Xu Yaozu to customize a set of family rules for the Xu family, and on the first night when the three Xu Ji brothers returned home, he gathered all the Xu family members to announce the contents of the family rules.

The Xu family has a total of 35 family rules, all of which are teachings for their descendants on how to conduct themselves in society and manage the household and business. For example: keep your mouth shut when in a group, be cautious when sitting alone; do not be arrogant because of your status, etc.

Xu Yaozu finished reading the contents of the family rules in his hand and put the paper with the rules written on it into the hands of Old Man Xu.

Old Man Xu looked around and asked, "Do you have any objections to this?"

Everyone shook their heads and laughed. No one dared to express an opinion when looking at the expression on their father/grandfather's face. They still remembered the blow from the sole of their shoe that their second brother/eldest brother had received.

"Grandpa, can I say a few words?"

The quiet hall was broken by Xu Nian's voice, and Old Man Xu softened his expression, "Big girl, just say whatever you want to say."

Xu Weian lowered his head and tried to hold back his laughter. His father's expression changed really quickly just now.

"Grandpa, this is what I prepared for the Xu family's house rules this time," Xu Nian pushed out a long wooden box.

Xu Fugui, who was closest to Xu Nian, gave the wooden box to Old Man Xu. When he saw that there was a rattan whip in the opened wooden box, the corners of his mouth twitched. It seemed that the most cruel person in the family was this eldest niece!

"Grandpa, if any of your children and grandchildren break the family rules in the future, you can punish them with this cane. You can't force you to take off your shoes every time, right?"

Old Man Xu looked at the dark rattan whip in the wooden box, which was as thick as a child's wrist. His heart trembled, but he pretended to be calm and said, "That's right, that's right."

"Grandpa, I think we should add one more rule to the Xu family's rules."

"Oh?" Not only Old Man Xu was curious, but other members of the Xu family also looked over inquiringly.

"Article 36 of the Xu family's house rules: Xu family girls cannot be concubines, and Xu family boys cannot take concubines." Xu Nian looked at the crowd and explained, "Concubines are lowly. Once they become concubines, they are at the mercy of others. Therefore, Xu family girls would rather be the wives of butchers than the concubines of rich men."

Everyone nodded after hearing this. Xu Nian continued, "Although there has been a difference between legitimate and illegitimate children since ancient times, the struggle between them has never stopped. If you want to go far, you must naturally cut off the source of chaos in your family." Xu Nian paused and said with a smile, "Of course, the family rules should be made by grandpa and father. Nian'er does not have this right, so whether to add this thirty-sixth family rule or not is up to you two to decide."

All the women in the main hall looked over at once. If anyone was to be the beneficiary of this family rule, it would certainly be the women of the Tian family. Now that the men of the Xu family were all away from home, especially Xu Yaozu who had become the county magistrate, they had worried about taking a concubine, but they had never spoken out about it.

The most insecure female member among these family members would be Xiao Wang. Her eldest sister-in-law Tian had a pair of powerful sons and daughters. Not to mention Xu Ji, if Xu Yaozu took a concubine, Xu Nian would be the first to be affected and would not be able to get past it.

Zheng now has her own family, but she has neither powerful children nor a reliable family.

"Ahem—Ahem—" Wang coughed twice, and Father Xu came back to his senses. He quickly said, "This family rule should be added. We are all decent people in the Xu family."

Xu Yaozu answered this question with his actions. He took out a pen and ink and wrote at the bottom of the Xu family rules: "Article 36: Girls from the Xu family cannot be concubines, and sons from the Xu family cannot take concubines."

The Xu family opened an ancestral hall. They first burned the copied copy of the Xu family rules in front of the ancestral tablets, and then placed the family rules and the black rattan whip together in front of the hall. The Xu family members looked at the wisps of smoke rising straight up and suddenly felt the heavy responsibility on their shoulders.