Chapter 40 Chapter 40 If you can’t get pregnant the first time, then try again…
When the news of Jiang Shu's pregnancy reached Lu Changfeng's ears, Lu Changfeng was furious and felt like he was sitting on pins and needles. He thought that after Lu Changyi died, everything in the Xinyang Marquis Mansion would be taken into his pocket, but he never expected that Jiang Shu was pregnant.
Jiang Shuruo gave birth to a son, and that child was the legitimate grandson of the Xinyang Marquisate. With such a legitimate grandson, there was no way the title of the Marquisate would fall on him.
The cooked duck flew out of the pot, and Lu Changyi was extremely anxious.
Hu Lingshuang was also extremely panicked. She leaned against the chaise longue with her large belly bulging out, and said unhappily, "That short-lived wretch Lu Changyi is here specifically to bring bad luck upon us."
"He was so frail, like a paper figurine, that he coughed up blood even when the wind blew. I thought he was useless, but I never expected that even after his death, he would still be a nuisance to us!"
Hu Lingshuang's complaint was just a casual one, but Lu Changfeng took it to heart and asked suspiciously, "Could the child in Jiang's belly be the bastard child she had with someone else?"
This is impossible. Hu Lingshuang shook her head. "Jiang is always with Lu Changyi. Even when she goes out, she is accompanied by the guards of the Xinyang Marquis' Mansion. How could she find the opportunity to interact with others?"
"Besides, even if the child in Jiang's belly is a bastard, what can we do? Lu Changyi is dead. We can't dig him out of his grave and use blood to recognize his kinship with that bastard!"
The couple was talking when the maid led Aunt Hu into the house. Lu Lin was obsessed with Taoism, and in order to please him, Aunt Hu wore Taoist robes nine out of ten days. She was born charming, and in the Taoist robes she did not look dull, but instead had a different kind of charm.
Aunt Hu sat down on the rose chair and said, "Jiang is just pregnant. There's no need to make such a fuss."
She looked at Lu Changfeng and scolded him in a low voice: "You are not a child anymore, why are you so impatient when encountering things? That evildoer is blocking your way, just get rid of him, why are you so flustered?"
Get rid of? Lu Changfeng's eyes widened in surprise, but he soon calmed down. Lu Changyi was already dead. As long as the fetus in Jiang Shu's belly was removed, their lineage would be cut off and there would be no more trouble.
He looked at Aunt Hu and praised her, "Aunt is indeed very knowledgeable. It's all my son's fault for being short-sighted."
Aunt Hu took out a gold-inlaid jade Guanyin necklace from her sleeve pocket, raised her hand and handed it to Hu Lingshuang, whispering, "Give this necklace to Jiang tomorrow, and don't worry about the rest."
If poisoning is successful in one go, a lot of trouble can be saved. However, if someone is implicated and not investigated, he will be taken to the Ministry of Punishment.
Hu Lingshuang is still pregnant, and she doesn't want to put herself in danger for Lu Changfeng's future.
She looked at Aunt Hu and said hesitantly, "Is this Yingluo drugged? Jiang is very cautious and there's no guarantee she won't ask a doctor to check it out. If she does, it will be more trouble than good."
Aunt Hu interrupted her: "Why are you so indecisive now? Just do what I say. Why all this nonsense?"
Aunt Hu is Hu Lingshuang's biological aunt. She has always been kind to Hu Lingshuang, but for some reason, she has been very harsh to Hu Lingshuang recently. Hu Lingshuang felt guilty and did not dare to say much. She only complained to Lu Changfeng after Aunt Hu left.
"What's wrong with Auntie? She's always finding fault with me. Did I do something wrong to make her unhappy?"
His little wife was pregnant, timid, and her eyes were red, which made Lu Changfeng feel distressed. Although he liked to linger among the flowers, he treated Hu Lingshuang differently after all.
Lu Changfeng took Hu Lingshuang into his arms and said softly, "Father has rarely been to Auntie's room recently. Auntie is unhappy and her actions are inevitably biased. You should not take it personally."
Having said that, Hu Lingshuang had no time to complain anymore. She lay submissively in Lu Changfeng's arms, silently being tender with him.
It happened to be the fifteenth day of the lunar month, and the entire Lu family went to the main hall to have dinner. Everyone else was in pairs, but Jiang Shu was alone. Considering that she was pregnant, Zhao loved her even more.
She looked at Madam Zhou and said, "Second Madam is heavy. Go get a cushion and put it behind her waist."
Turning around, he saw a steamed sea bass on the table and called the cook over: "You are also an old man in the Marquis' Mansion, how come you are becoming less and less discerning?"
"Second Madam is newly pregnant, how can she possibly smell meat? Quickly remove this sea bass. Before Second Madam gives birth, do not serve any more steamed meat dishes."
The cook said yes, but she felt that Zhao was being unfair. Although they were both her daughters-in-law, Hu Lingshuang was older than Jiang, but Zhao didn't take any special care of her. After all, there was a difference in closeness between them.
What the cook could see, naturally everyone present could see as well. Due to their status, the lineage of Aunt Hu dared not speak out. Logically, Lu Lin should make the decision for Hu Lingshuang, but he was afraid of trouble and would not easily interfere with Zhao's decision.
However, Lu Lin just pretended not to notice the matter of a mat and several bowls of soup.
After the cook took the sea bass away, Hu Lingshuang feigned a generous smile and pulled out a gold-inlaid jade pendant from her purse. She said softly, "I asked for this Guanyin pendant for my second sister-in-law at Da'en Temple. The compassionate Guanyin Bodhisattva will surely bless my second sister-in-law with a safe birth."
Hu Lingshuang is charming, and her pregnancy is probably the effect of motherhood. Her charm is enhanced by a touch of gentleness, making her so beautiful that people can't take their eyes off her.
Lu Lin glanced at Hu Lingshuang and said to Jiang Shu, "Second brother's family, your third sister-in-law is so thoughtful. Why don't you thank her quickly?"
Jiang Shu thanked Hu Lingshuang, and Hu Lingshuang took the opportunity to put the pendant around Jiang Shu's neck.
Hu Lingshuang looked at Jiang Shu with a smile and praised her, "Second sister-in-law is very pretty. Wearing this pendant makes her look even more dazzling. Second sister-in-law should wear this pendant around her neck all the time."
Jiang Shu said, "This pendant is exquisite. I will definitely wear it every day."
As soon as Jiang Shu returned to Xinchun Garden, she took off the pendant. She was about to tell Zhu'er to put it away when Nanny Zhou came in.
Nanny Zhou said to her gently, "Second Madam is pregnant now, so you must be extremely careful with everything you eat and use.
Although the pendant Third Grandma gave you has good meaning, it still needs to be examined by a doctor before we can be assured."
After she finished speaking, she looked at Doctor Wen behind her and said gently, "Doctor Wen, could you please take a look at this pendant to see if there is anything strange?"
Doctor Sun took the gold-inlaid jade Guanyin in his hand and examined it carefully. He said, "This pendant is made of pure materials and has no added drugs. It is harmless to the body."
Only after Doctor Sun spoke did Madam Zhou feel relieved. She whispered to Jiang Shu, "Since there's nothing strange about this pendant, Second Madam, just wear it. If you put it away, it would seem disrespectful to Third Madam."
After checking the Guanyin pendant, Nanny Zhou asked Doctor Wen to take Jiang Shu's pulse. As usual, Doctor Wen said that the pulse was stable and the fetus was healthy. Nanny Zhou was very happy and happily returned to Yanxi Hall to report.
Only Jiang Shu and Doctor Wen were left in the room. Jiang Shu took out two silver ingots from the box and placed them in front of Doctor Wen, saying softly, "I come from a humble background, and it's not easy for me to make a living in this mansion. Thanks to your help, I wasn't kicked out."
"I cannot thank you enough for your kindness. When I have the chance, I will repay you with a gift of grass and a ring."
Doctor Wen pushed the silver in front of Jiang Shu and whispered, "I'm helping Second Madam not for the money, but because I want her to have a smoother life.
Second Madam has a plan, and you should know that truth cannot be hidden. You should make plans early!"
Doctor Wen sighed lightly. There were countless women from aristocratic families who seemed glamorous on the surface, but were actually filled with bitterness deep down.
For example, Jiang Shu, who was in her prime, married an inhuman husband. She was kind-hearted and would rather be criticized than reveal her husband's hidden illness. If such a woman encountered difficulties, he would naturally help her if he could.
Jiang Shu was filled with gratitude and said to Doctor Sun in a gentle voice, "I'm in trouble. If I'm not pregnant, I'm afraid I won't be able to survive. Now I can only pretend to be real."
Since his life and property were at stake, Doctor Wen did not ask any more questions and said goodbye and left Xinchun Garden.
Jiang Shu returned to the dormitory and looked at the furnishings inside, feeling only irony. She thought the person who treated her so well actually wanted to take her life for his own selfish desires.
It's really sad and lamentable!
She and Lu Changyi had lived together in this room for more than half a year. The eight-treasure screen was chosen by Lu Changyi, the chaise longue was his favorite place to lie down, and even the orchid on the windowsill was his favorite variety...
Lu Changyi's shadow is everywhere in the house. As soon as Jiang Shu enters this room, she will think of Lu Changyi's last words...
She stood up irritably and said to Zhu'er, "Lock up this room. From now on I will move to the west end room."
Zhu'er nodded and reminded him, "There are still a few of the prince's clothes in the west room. Do you want Changsheng to put them away?"
Changsheng? Thinking of Changsheng, Jiang Shu felt heartbroken. At the beginning of summer, Changsheng's mother fell ill. She not only helped to find a doctor, but also gave Changsheng 20 taels of medical fee. She treated him well, but he did not care about her kindness at all.
Jiang Shu whispered to Zhu'er, "No need to look for Changsheng, go and burn those clothes yourself."
She paused for a moment, then continued, "There's always trouble around a widow. The Hu family and their son are eyeing me like a tiger, and I'm afraid they're trying their best to throw dirty water on me. To prevent them from doing anything, send all the male servants in Xinchun Garden to the front yard.
As for Changsheng, I don't want to see him again. Let him go to the outskirts of Beijing to make a living."
She didn't want to see anyone or anything related to Lu Changyi.
As soon as Changsheng left Xinchunyuan, Lu Changfeng's spies spread the news.
Jiang Shu was pregnant with Lu Changyi's child, and Lu Changfeng was so angry that his teeth were itching, but he could not find a way to retaliate. Now Jiang Shu had handed the handle to him.
He ran towards Xinchun Garden with great interest. Halfway there, he saw Jiang Shu taking a walk with Zhu'er.
"How are you, second sister-in-law?" Lu Changfeng bowed to Jiang Shu with a forced smile.
Jiang Shu knew that Lu Changfeng had no good intentions. She was too lazy to deal with him and nodded in response without even stopping.
Lu Changfeng would not let her leave. He strode forward, blocking Jiang Shu's way, and said sinisterly, "I heard that my second sister-in-law locked up the room where my second brother lived."
"My second sister-in-law and my second brother were a loving couple, so they should have stayed in that room to remember my second brother. Why did they lock that room?
Did you do something wrong to your second brother and feel guilty, so you locked the door to avoid seeing it?"
Lu Changfeng argued confidently, as if he had grasped a huge handle. Jiang Shu sneered and said unhappily, "Third brother usually likes to linger among the flowers. How could he understand the true love and kindness of a couple for a lifetime.
It is because I miss the prince so much that I am afraid that seeing things that remind me of him will make me sick and hurt the baby in my belly, so I locked up the prince's bedroom."
Every word she said was so logical that Lu Changfeng was completely speechless. He then said, "Since Second Sister-in-law has such deep feelings for Second Brother, why would she send the servant he relied on most during his lifetime to the farm? Second Sister-in-law's actions are simply too unbelievable."
Jiang Shu snorted softly, "I have my own reasons for doing things. Second brother, just take care of your own Bihua Tower. Do you think you can extend your hand to Xinchun Garden?"
"To put it another way, I'm a decent person, so I'm not afraid of your criticism. I'm a widow now, and to avoid being criticized, I've sent all the servants of Xinchun Garden away. Since Changsheng is a servant of Xinchun Garden, he should accept my orders. Do you have any doubts now, second brother?"
It is true that Jiang Shu's words are very reasonable, and Lu Changfeng does not want to give in. When Lu Changyi was alive, he was just a humble man, but now he has to be controlled by Jiang Shu, a widow from a humble family?
He curled his lips and said unreasonably, "If you have nothing to hide, why did you assign all the servants of Xinchun Garden? I think you must be a fickle person..."
"Shut up!" Lu Changji's voice was like a cold arrow, whistling and cutting off Lu Changfeng's words. "Third brother has become more and more promising. In broad daylight, instead of doing your job, you meddle in the affairs of the inner house and make up rumors out of thin air. Aren't you afraid of being laughed at?"
"My second brother just passed away, and my second sister-in-law is very sad. Everything is for her to be happy. She can do whatever she wants. It is not your place as a junior to interfere."
Lu Changji is in a high position and has an extraordinary status in the Xinyang Marquis' Mansion. Not to mention Lu Changfeng, even Lu Lin would not object to his decision.
Lu Changfeng was not good at studying, and all the positions he held were arranged for him by Lu Changji. He had no confidence in Lu Changji and had no other desire but to be obedient.
He blamed only his bad luck and bowed to Lu Changji to apologize: "Brother, you are teaching me a lesson. I was inconsiderate. I will do my job well in the future and never bother my second sister-in-law again."
Lu Changji's aura was too strong, and Lu Changfeng was afraid even to look at him. He said goodbye timidly and returned to Bihua Cottage like a flash.
Lu Changji turned his gaze to Jiang Shu and said gently, "You are pregnant now, so don't worry too much. Just focus on taking care of the baby."
"If anyone disturbs your peace, please send someone to tell me and I will take care of it for you. Now that your second brother is gone, I, as the eldest brother, should protect you."
The words were high-sounding, but only Lu Changji knew how filthy he was inside. With his second brother gone, his feelings for Jiang Shu became even more turbulent.
He was afraid that she would be wronged, so he just wanted to keep her by his side and protect her under his wings. She was born beautiful and charming, and he didn't want any man to see her face except him.
Her hands twisted restlessly under her sleeves. Faced with Lu Changji's kindness, Jiang Shu felt both guilty and ashamed.
Lu Changji was cruel and ruthless to others, but he always took good care of her. Not only did she not repay Lu Changji, but she also designed to sleep with Lu Changji. It would not be an exaggeration to say that she repaid kindness with enmity.
Thinking of the situation that day, Jiang Shu's heart palpitated again, and her legs couldn't help but tremble slightly, and the pain in her legs seemed to come again...
Lu Changji looks gentle and refined, how could that place be so majestic?
Jiang Shu's thoughts drifted off unconsciously. She glanced at Lu Changji quietly and whispered, "Uncle, I'm so grateful for your kindness. If I really run into trouble in the future, I'll have to trouble you for help."
Lu Changji nodded. Logically, after talking to this point, the two should have parted ways, but he felt that he was still reluctant to leave and just wanted to stay with Jiang Shu for a while longer.
He said, "It's rainy in early autumn, and the roads are difficult to travel. I'll escort my brother and sister back!"
The uncle was very kind-hearted, so Jiang Shu couldn't refuse. She said "thank you" and then returned to Xinchun Garden with Lu Changji.
Jiang Shu was wearing an apricot-colored short dress, a green long skirt, and a long ribbon tied around her waist. She looked graceful and elegant when she walked, and had a unique charm.
Lu Changji stared at Jiang Shu's back, feeling distressed. She was pregnant, so why didn't she look plump but rather thinner?
It must be because he was worrying too much and not eating well, that's why he was getting thinner day by day.
Worry too much, worry too much...
Is a person like Lu Changyi worth her sadness and worry?
The more Lu Changji thought about it, the more uncomfortable he felt. A deep bitterness welled up in his heart. He strode over to Jiang Shu and said, "Sister-in-law, old friends are important, but your health is even more important. I see you've lost a lot of weight. Even for the sake of the baby in your belly, you must take good care of yourself."
Lu Changji had good intentions, but Jiang Shu misunderstood him. She quickly responded with a few words and ran back to the inner chamber.
Her heart was pounding like a drum. She grabbed Zhu'er and whispered, "Just now, my uncle said that I was very thin. Did he notice something? Could he be suspecting that I was faking my pregnancy?"
Zhu'er was a simple-minded person who would always see the good side of things. She said, "I think you are overthinking it. Master is kind-hearted and must be concerned about you, so he said this."
Jiang Shuyou felt uneasy and lowered her voice and said, "It has been half a month since I came to Qingyang Temple. If I were pregnant, you would be able to tell by now.
Go and ask Dr. Wen to come over and examine me. I might be pregnant."
Contrary to her expectations, before Zhu'er left the house, Jiang Shu felt some discomfort in her lower abdomen. She looked down and saw red spots on her underwear. It turned out that she had her period.
Jiang Shu sighed, feeling disappointed.
She was not pregnant, so how would she deal with Zhao in the future? She couldn't just conjure a child out of thin air.
Jiang Shu was filled with sorrow and leaned sullenly on the chaise longue, her face frighteningly pale.
Zhu Er felt distressed and gave her some random advice: "When you are a little further along in the pregnancy, put a belly pad on your waist so that you look like you have a big belly. No one will have any reason to suspect you.
When the day comes for the birth, we'll go find a baby boy outside, hide him in the delivery room, and just say he's yours. It doesn't matter what the bloodline is, as long as we can save your life."
How could things be so simple? Given how much importance Zhao attached to the child, she would have been present in person on the day of delivery. How could they have hidden a living baby in the delivery room without anyone noticing?
Jiang Shu shook her head and closed her eyes in despair.
Suddenly, Lu Changji's figure appeared in her mind.
A woman's labor time is affected by many factors. Male children, being more active by nature, spend less time in the womb than female children. Lazier mothers tend to give birth later, while those who move around more often generally go into labor earlier.
It would not be a problem if the production time is ten days or half a month later than expected.
Jiang Shu narrowed her eyes. If it didn't work once, she would try again. She was in good health and would eventually get pregnant.
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