As soon as the child was born, he was held by the midwife. Practice makes perfect, and she cut and wiped the baby skillfully. Then she held the child upside down and gently patted its buttocks. The sound of a baby crying suddenly rang out in the room.
"Mrs. Guo, congratulations!" The midwife smiled brightly, busy tending to the umbilical cord, and happily announced, "You've given birth to a little boy. Listen, his cry is so loud."
Nanny Pan was sitting at the head of the bed, taking care of Jiang Yushu. Hearing the midwife's words, she could no longer sit still. She hurried closer to take a closer look at the baby. Her face lit up with joy as she shouted, "Madam, look! Look! It's a little boy! It's a little boy!"
After suffering for a whole day, Jiang Yushu was exhausted and lay limply flat on her back. She couldn't even lift her fingers, but when she heard the baby crying, she cheered up instantly!
Recalling the doctor's diagnosis of fetal weakness, the mother was terrified. She struggled to stand up halfway and asked anxiously, "Auntie, is the baby healthy? Is he healthy?"
The midwife examined him for a moment, then soothingly replied, "Madam, why do you ask such a question? Listen to the baby's cry; it's loud and full of energy. He's fine." She quickly handled the umbilical cord, quickly wiped the blood off the baby, and brought him close, saying, "Come, take a look."
Jiang Yushu opened her eyes wide, held her breath and looked at the child:
The newborn baby's skin was red all over, his hair was sparse and wet and stuck to his scalp, his eyebrows were wrinkled, his eyes were wrinkled, his nose was wrinkled... his whole face was wrinkled, his eyes were closed, his fists were clenched, and he was crying loudly with his mouth wide open.
The baby is thin, with thin arms and legs, and his head looks big.
Jiang Yushu was immediately filled with heartache and asked in a choked voice: "Oh my God, why is he so thin? So, so--" Her own flesh and blood, she swallowed the word "ugly" that was about to come out of her mouth.
"How fat can a newborn be? Too fat makes childbirth difficult. This is the best way to go. Madam, don't worry. Usually, the baby will gain weight by the time it's one month old." The midwife took the baby away and asked, "Where are the clothes? Where is the swaddling blanket?"
"Yes! Yes, yes, yes! They have been prepared long ago and washed clean." Nanny Pan smiled from ear to ear, walked to the corner, opened the cabinet, and brought back clothes and quilts.
They often visited each other and were familiar with each other. The midwife instructed with familiarity: "You dress and wrap the child properly, neither too loose nor too tight. I will take care of Mrs. Guo."
"Oh, all right!" Nanny Pan carefully and steadily held the baby, placing it on the low couch next to the fumigation cage. Back then, her nursing skills had distinguished her, earning her the selection of the second son of the Marquis of Jingyang as his wet nurse. With quick, gentle movements, she lovingly coaxed, "Little son, don't cry. First, get dressed and swaddle yourself. Wait a moment, and we'll have you fed right away."
Lying in bed, Jiang Yushu felt both relieved and anxious, saying distressedly, "He's so thin, so frail. Alas, the doctor was right. The child is indeed frail."
The midwife methodically cleaned everything and calmly reassured him, "It's not that thin, actually. Most babies are like this, it's not surprising. After three to five months, he will definitely gain weight!"
Jiang Yushu's face was pale, half asleep and half awake, and she said solemnly: "If I still can't gain weight after waiting for three to five months, wouldn't it be terrible?" After she finished speaking, she was extremely tired and fell into a coma-like sleep.
Meanwhile, in the yard
“Hahahaha~”
When Guo Hongzhe heard the baby crying, he jumped up with joy, feeling relieved, and shouted happily: "Listen, the baby is crying! It's finally born!"
It was snowing lightly. Pei Wenfeng leaned back in his chair, looking up at the dark night sky, letting the snowflakes fall on his face and body, his face expressionless. "Oh? Really?"
Guo Hongzhe paced anxiously, "Of course, Master Pei, can't you hear the crying? But I wonder how my sister-in-law is doing?" The young man waited a moment, then hesitantly walked up the stairs and lingered at the door, about to knock, but then he hesitated and asked tentatively, "Mammy? Mammy Pan? How is she?"
In the room, Nanny Pan was wrapping the baby in a blanket. She was very careful and had no time to answer, for fear that if she was too slow, the child would get cold.
The next moment, the gatekeeper led Guo Honglei and his two servants and met the county magistrate's wife, He, on the way, and the group came together.
"Third Young Master!" Hu Gang called out as he stepped into the courtyard.
Guo Hongzhe turned around, his face beaming, and he trotted over to greet him, eagerly announcing, "Second brother, you're finally back! Listen, listen! The baby's just been born, and it's crying." In the darkness, he got closer to see clearly, startled, and hurriedly asked, "Is your arm injured? Is it serious?"
The child is crying!
Our children are crying!
Instantly, Guo Honglei was filled with excitement, his heart bursting with joy. With long strides and his robe fluttering, he walked straight towards his brother and answered loudly, "I'm fine. How's your sister-in-law?"
Guo Hongzhe shook his head. "I'm not sure yet. My sister-in-law started labor early in the morning. She, Nanny Pan, and the midwife have been staying in the house. I've been waiting outside, but I can't see her."
"I'll go and take a look!" Guo Honglei was riding a bumpy horse and hanging his left arm to steady his shoulder. He was anxious and rushed to the bedroom, but he didn't notice Pei Wenfeng sitting in the dim light and passed by him in a flash.
He, accompanied by two maids, rushed forward and tried to dissuade them, saying, "Men can't go in for the time being. Wait, I'll go ask." After she finished speaking, she knocked on the door and asked with concern, "Madam Pan, what's going on?"
Inside the room, Nanny Pan carried the baby to the large bed in the inner room. Only then did she have time to announce the good news. She opened the door a crack, poked her head out, and told He Shi loudly with joy:
"Our wife gave birth to a son, both mother and child are safe!" She took a glance, surprised and delighted, and quickly stepped forward, asking repeatedly:
"Hey, Master, you're back! Are you injured again? Where's your arm?"
Guo Honglei didn't answer but asked, "Are mother and child safe?"
"Yes, mother and child are safe! Madam has given birth to a son, and you're now a father." Nanny Pan frowned and asked worriedly, "Is the injury serious?"
Guo Honglei heaved a long sigh, feeling relieved, and quickly replied: "It's okay, I'm fine. Is she okay?" He was so excited that he didn't bother to explain that he injured his shoulder instead of his arm. He wanted to go into the house, but was stopped.
He said happily: "Wait a minute! Second Young Master, you can't go in."
"Madam has worked hard all day and has fallen asleep. The midwife is taking care of her. Please don't go in and disturb her." Nanny Pan stood in front of the door and said happily, "Congratulations, young master!"
Afterwards, He's maid, Guo's servant, yamen runners and others came forward and said:
"Congratulations, sir!"
"This servant congratulates Master Guo."
"Congratulations to you."
…
Guo Honglei was overjoyed to know his wife and children were safe. A smile spread across his face, and the fatigue from his journey vanished without a trace. He was filled with excitement, his spirits radiant, and for a moment, unsure what to do. He stared at the door and replied, "Okay, okay. Thank you, Mrs. Pan, for taking care of me these past few months. Thank you, thank you."
He waved her hand and said warmly, "What are you thanking me for? It's too formal! Yushu and I are very good friends, and you, my husband, and Kuidi are good brothers. You should look after each other."
Guo Honglei stayed at the door, listening intently to the sounds inside. He raised his hand several times, but eventually put it down and said absentmindedly, "Anyway, thank you very much."
Beside them, Nanny Pan asked quietly, "Third Young Master, where's the reward money you prepared in advance? At least give it to Madam Pan's maids and the yamen runners. It will be lively and festive, and auspicious."
"Ah! I forgot." Guo Hongzhe smiled awkwardly, slapped his forehead, took out a package from his cotton robe and handed it to the old man.
Nanny Pan untied them, revealing a pile of red envelopes, which she distributed one by one to the maids and yamen runners who had just congratulated her, including Hu Gang and Zou Gui. The old woman muttered, "We have been staying here for several months, and we are grateful for your care and concern."
The servants expressed their gratitude and said auspicious words, which made the old nanny very happy and she generously distributed the rewards again.
In the midst of the excitement, the freshly bathed wet nurse, Qiu, was brought in by her maid, Xiaoxi. Xiaoxi smiled and asked from a distance, "Madam Pan, I heard that Madam Guo and her child are safe. Congratulations. I've brought Madam Qiu here. Please take a look at her. Is she okay?"
Mrs. Qiu was over thirty years old, fair-skinned and plump, kind and honest. She greeted him politely, "Hello, Ma'am."
"I'm here." Nanny Pan came quickly to greet her. Without saying a word, she stuffed a few red envelopes into Xiaoxi's hands. While chatting and laughing, she strictly examined whether Qiu was clean and tidy.
Guo Honglei turned his head when he heard the voice, "Who is that person?"
"Her surname is Qiu, and she is the wet nurse hired for the child." He explained.
Guo Honglei nodded suddenly and looked carefully for a few times - it was not until this moment that he noticed Pei Wenfeng.
The two men were separated by half the yard. One stood at the door with a happy face and high spirits; the other sat in the yard with an expressionless face and indifferent eyes.
"Brother, Lord Pei stayed with me and guarded the whole day." Guo Hongzhe whispered.
Guo Honglei replied in a low voice, "I understand. You go ahead and take care of things. I'll be back soon."
"Go quickly and come back soon."
Guo Honglei calmed himself down, wisely suppressed his smile, walked towards the other party, and said politely, "Brother Pei, thank you for taking care of my family recently."
Pei Wenfeng's face and body were covered with snowflakes, and he remained silent.
Two men, one standing and one sitting, one handsome and the other handsome.
The servants of both sides stood by, at a loss as to what to do.
Pei Wenfeng stared intently, deeply hurt by the other person's barely concealed joy. After a long moment, he suddenly stood up, twisted his lips into a strange smile, and without saying a word, he waved his sleeves heavily and left with a cold face.
"Young Master——" Wu Liang and Cai Chun hurried to catch up.
Guo Honglei watched silently, as if thinking about something.
Suddenly, the door creaked half open, and Nanny Pan led the wet nurse into the room to feed the child, and then closed the door.
Guo Honglei woke up as if from a dream, turned around and ran to the door, calling out urgently: "Wait! Let me go in and take a look."
"No," Nanny Pan said bluntly through the door, "The young master has just arrived and is exhausted. He must bathe and change into clean clothes before coming in. If he soils the lady or the children, it will be troublesome."
Guo Honglei was helpless. He lowered his head, patted his clothes that were dusty from days of traveling, sighed, and urged people to prepare water for bathing.
The next morning
Jiang Yushu slept until dawn and woke up at the end of the morning. When she opened her eyes, she heard someone talking outside:
"Five letters, all announcing good news. Send them out immediately."
"Yes!" Zou Gui bowed and took the letter.
Guo Honglei instructed: "Get the carriages and horses ready first, we'll set off at some point."
"Do it right away!"
Guo Honglei waved his hand and said, "Go ahead."
Is it a dream?
Jiang Yushu rubbed her eyes, feeling as if she was in a dream. She looked around and found that all the bedding had been changed, she was wearing clean clothes, her hair was neatly combed, and her body had been wiped.
After the severe pain, her mind became dull and her whole body felt numb. She turned her head to look at the screen. She felt thirsty and cleared her throat, "Ahem."
In the blink of an eye, Guo Honglei strode into the inner room, looking handsome. "Are you awake?"
"Is it really you? I thought I was dreaming just now." Jiang Yushu was shocked.
Guo Honglei sat down on the edge of the couch. "I was here last night! But you went to bed early, so I didn't know."
"Injured again? Is it serious? How are Changrong and the others?"
Guo Honglei tilted his head to look at his shoulder and replied casually, "It's nothing serious. They're just minor injuries and are almost healed."
Jiang Yushu was stunned for a moment, her mind suddenly racing, her heart pounding like a drum. She asked nervously, "Hey, where's the child? Why can't I see him? I just took a look at him last night, and he was taken away."
"You at least took a look. I haven't even seen one yet." Guo Honglei said helplessly, but he couldn't hide his joy as he explained, "The child has been sleeping since last night. I wanted to go check on him, but the nanny said it was cold and babies are afraid of the wind and cold, so she wouldn't let me open the door to check."
"Where is he?"
"The nurse is in the next room, taking care of her so she won't cry and disturb your rest." Guo Honglei leaned over, cupped her face with one hand, kissed her gently, and whispered in her ear, "Madam, you've suffered so much. I wanted to come back earlier, but I couldn't get leave."
Jiang Yushu closed her eyes, her long eyelashes trembling slightly. A thought flashed through her mind, and she keenly sensed something was wrong. She asked worriedly, "You, can't you lift your left hand?"
"I can lift it." Guo Honglei immediately raised his hand. "My shoulder injury hasn't healed yet, so I can't lift it completely yet. It will recover after a while."
"Okay, okay, I understand. Put it down quickly and don't move until you recover." Jiang Yushu reached out from under the quilt and quickly pulled down the injured left arm.
Guo Honglei took advantage of the situation and grasped her thin wrist. He looked at her pale face and bloodless lips, feeling extremely guilty. He stood up and said, "Wait, I'll go get someone to make something to eat."
Jiang Yushu's eyes sparkled, and she couldn't contain her anxiety. "When will the child wake up? I want to see him. I didn't see him clearly last night."
"Well... I have to ask." Guo Honglei has been curious since last night and is extremely anxious.
"Okay, go ask."
Guo Honglei nodded and walked out with a few big strides.
In a moment, he returned with food, and Nanny Pan brought hot water. "Madam, are you awake? Hurry up and wash up and have breakfast."
"Child—" Jiang Yushu paused, staring at the bright yellow cylindrical object on the tray, hesitantly asking, "What is that? Bright yellow, it's not allowed to be used without permission, right?"
Nanny Pan knew about it last night and was delighted. She exclaimed, "Madam, you have good taste! This is an imperial decree. You will definitely be happy after reading it!"
Guo Honglei put down the food, picked up the imperial edict, sat on the edge of the couch, unfolded it for her to see, and said seriously, "Special Envoy Jiang, please take a look."
"What are you talking about?" Jiang Yushu was puzzled. She took his hand and scanned it intently. First, she scanned ten lines at a time, then her eyes widened. She then studied each word in disbelief. "Pardon of exile? Pardon? We, we are no longer exiles?"
"right!"
"The emperor has pardoned the Guo family."
Jiang Yushu's eyes sparkled with tears. "The emperor appointed you as a lieutenant and gave you a reward of six thousand taels?"
"They were rewarded for their military achievements. They were given silver, not notes, which were too heavy. There were no carriages at the time, and everyone's injuries were still healed, so they were simply left at the Yongzhou government office."
Jiang Yushu's tears rolled down her cheeks as she wept with joy, her words incoherent as she cried, "That's great, it's really great! We don't have to wait for a general amnesty, we've been pardoned. From now on, our movements will no longer be restricted by the government. I can go wherever I want, freely! The child, oh, the child was just born last night, and the imperial edict was issued before, so he wasn't a little prisoner the moment he was born."
Nanny Pan placed the hot water and handkerchief on the table beside the couch, took the washbasin and approached, saying in a resounding voice, "Of course the young master is not a criminal! He is the son of a captain and a special envoy, and he is a respectable man."
"special envoy?"
Jiang Yushu couldn't control herself, sobbing and tearing. She examined the last two sentences of the imperial edict, pointed with a trembling index finger, and asked in surprise, "Special Envoy for Military Reserves in Xiping Warehouse? What does this mean?"
"The emperor is unconventional in granting you an official position." Guo Honglei hugged his wife and wiped her tears, slowly explaining, "Female officials are permanent members of the imperial harem, but they are actually the royal stewards, responsible for serving the concubines. You are different."
"I asked the imperial envoy carefully, and he said: The military storage warehouse is under the direct management of the Ministry of Revenue, with an ambassador and a deputy envoy. Because you are a woman, the position of 'special envoy' has been added, with a salary of the ninth rank."
"Ninth rank?"
Jiang Yushu pondered for a moment, but her mind was overwhelmed. She asked anxiously, "The court can't just give out salaries for nothing. They must assign tasks. What are the duties of this official?"
"Encourage the storage of grain and replenish the military warehouses." Guo Honglei said succinctly, reassuringly, "You are not a man after all. I have already explained this to the imperial envoy. Rest assured that you will recover and take up your post again."
Nanny Pan urged, "Yes, confinement is important! Come, wash up, it's time for breakfast."
Guo Honglei put away the imperial edict, and Nanny Pan helped her wipe her face without saying a word.
"Where's the child? Is he okay?"
"Why not? Very good! Hahaha, so good, he goes to sleep right after eating, doesn't cry or make a fuss, and sleeps really soundly."
Jiang Yushu and Guo Honglei looked at him eagerly and said in unison, "Let's bring it over and have a look."
Nanny Pan shook her head and said cautiously, "It's snowing today, the sky is gloomy and too cold. How can I dare to take him out for a walk? How about this, I'll take the young master to see it later."
"What about me?" Jiang Yushu was anxious.
"Madam, you've just given birth. You should rest for at least two days to recover. You can wait until the third day of your baby's birth before you can see the child." Madam Pan sighed and pointed at the wall. "I thought about hiring someone to open a small door there, but I was afraid of disturbing the fetal spirit, so I didn't dare to do it."
Jiang Yushu was about to speak when she heard a knock on the door and heard Guo Hongzhe's anxious voice: "Second brother?"
Guo Honglei stepped out from behind the screen and asked, "What's going on?"
"Second brother, cousin Liao is here!" Guo Hongzhe came all the way, panting.
Guo Honglei was startled. "What?"
"Cousin Liao is here with her daughter. Both mother and daughter are ill and look very miserable. She said she has something important to ask of you."
The author has something to say:
Young Master Guo: Ugly? Although my mother didn’t say it out loud, I heard her heartfelt voice [sad woo woo woo woo ~]
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