Chapter 99: Precognitive Dreams (Qin Lie)
◎。 ◎
Not long after Lingyi left, Zhen discovered that Wugen was missing, but she never suspected that Lingyi had taken it.
This was something she had never heard of before; she never imagined that a princess in the deep palace would recognize it.
The nanny and two personal maids searched frantically. At first, Zhen was alarmed, but later she gradually breathed a sigh of relief.
The mother also said that the child was still young and it was not too late. She was in charge of all the affairs of the inner courtyard of the Prince's Mansion. Getting rid of a lowly maid would be effortless. Using Wu Gen was too lenient for that wretch. Even if she were beaten to death, who in this Jizhou region would dare to question her crimes?
After much hesitation, Madam Zhen finally agreed, but unexpectedly, the maid lost Wu Gen.
She lay in bed, looking at her confidant's anxious expression, but felt a sense of relief.
Just then, Qin Xu entered the room, took off his cloak, sat down by the bed, and looked at her tenderly: "Are you feeling any better today?"
Madam Zhen said, "It was just a sudden outburst of anger, nothing serious. I've been lying here for the past few days, and I don't know how many things have piled up, causing you all worry. I was just thinking that I'll get up tomorrow, and I won't need to take any more medicine."
Qin Xu said, "The more serious the illness, the harder it is to cure. Besides, you have worked really hard managing the family affairs over the years. In the past, your younger siblings could share the burden, but in recent years you have done everything yourself without ever slacking off. Why not take this opportunity to rest properly?"
Madam Zhen was somewhat tempted, but after thinking about it, she sighed and said, "Never mind, I won't feel at ease even if I rest."
Qin Xu knew she was always strong-willed, so he didn't stop her. He paused for a moment and said casually, "After all, she is Bing'er's birth mother. Let's find a more distant estate and send her away."
He didn't mention a name, but Madam Zhen knew who he was referring to. He was always like this; he never even mentioned the concubine's name in front of her, at most just using the word "she." She thought for a moment, then sighed, "You said it yourself, she is Bing'er's birth mother after all. Let's find a nearby estate for her to live in for a few years, and let her come back when her temperament has been tempered. There are no secrets that stay hidden forever; lest Bing'er finds out later and blames us for mistreating his birth mother, harboring resentment."
Qin Xu looked intently into her eyes, and after a moment, a smile appeared on his gentle face. "She treated you like this, and you still think of her. Rong'er, you're still so soft-hearted."
Just like with him back then, even though she knew he had become a cripple, she still couldn't bear to break off the engagement and insisted on marrying him.
When Qin Xu spoke again, his usually gentle voice was now icy. "She was just a petty thief who had nowhere else to go on the street. If you hadn't saved her, she would have been beaten to death. It was agreed beforehand that she would give birth to your child and raise her. You never mistreated her, yet she still harbored other thoughts. As the saying goes, greed knows no bounds. If you ask me, someone like that should be killed. The fact that she was allowed to go to the estate and live a life of comfort is already out of consideration for Bing'er."
Zhen rarely saw him angry, so she didn't try to persuade him further. Instead, she worried about other things. "A three-year-old child doesn't know anything. I'm just afraid that Bing'er..." She hesitated before saying, "As the saying goes, you can tell what a person will be like at three years old. Bing'er's temperament and aptitude are really not good. Now the backyard is about to be empty again. I was thinking that this time we should take in a few good concubines from scholarly families. Their children may not be more intelligent, but at least their temperament won't be too bad."
Qin Xu's lips pressed down, mirroring his deep gaze. "What did you say back then? You only wanted one child to raise, and you would never mention taking a concubine again. Now you're saying this again, Rong'er, do you really not know my heart?"
Zhen felt a pang of sadness, but she still managed to say, "I can only feel at ease if I have at least one more child."
Qin Xu said, "We already have Bing'er. Even if Bing'er is truly useless, we still have our third brother and the others. We can adopt a nephew in the future. Why do we have to do this?" He gazed intently at her. "You should know that most men are fickle. Are you really not afraid that I will change my mind?"
Zhen lowered her eyes, avoiding his gaze. She was naturally afraid; forcing him to take a concubine and have children with other men was heartbreaking for her. So, after having Bing'er, even though she knew that having another child would make things more perfect, she knew something was wrong when Qin Xu stopped going to the concubine's room. Yet, she was secretly pleased and never urged him again.
Seeing her avoid him, Qin Xu was delighted. He took her hand and placed it in his palm, laughing, "Even my third brother, that blockhead who only knows how to fight, was willing to kneel in the ancestral hall and be whipped for the princess. Am I not as good as him?"
"Rong'er, whether there are children or not, I will protect you and our family."
Before dawn, the concubine was stuffed into a carriage, supposedly to go to the estate to recuperate. Even if this wasn't a scandal, it shouldn't have been a big deal, but when she left, she ordered people to call for the horse, which alarmed half of the backyard.
When Pearl was doing Lingyi's makeup, she brought up this matter, her words full of disdain.
Lingyi remained silent after hearing this, and only sighed after a long while.
Qin Lie, who had overheard everything, secretly thought that given his second brother's nature of leaving no loose ends, this was merely to appease his sister-in-law and prevent her from being accused of murder. In reality, the concubine would never reach the estate; she would be disposed of halfway there. If the princess knew all this, she would be far more than just sighing; she would be terrified and shed countless tears.
Just thinking about it made me feel both pity and relief, because only I could protect her soft and delicate heart.
Lingyi didn't grieve for the concubine for long. In the afternoon, two boxes of things were brought in. They were New Year's gifts from the border soldiers to Qin Lie. They were supposed to return with Qin Lie, but Qin Lie had returned a day earlier, so the things only arrived at the palace today.
The New Year's gifts for the soldiers on the frontier were nothing more than the spoils of war from the year, along with some leather from hunting in the mountains. They would select the best pieces to present to the soldiers during the New Year.
In previous years, Qin Xiaoshan would select some gifts to send to the various courtyards, then distribute them as rewards to the servants, while the rest would be stored in the treasury. This year, however, Lingyi was chosen instead. Compared to Qin Xiaoshan, Lingyi came from the palace and was extremely adept at gift-giving and rewards, quickly completing her selection. Qin Lie glanced at it and found it to be much better than the result Qin Xiaoshan had deliberated for so long.
He took a sip of tea and smiled, "I didn't expect our princess to be of some use."
What do you mean by "still somewhat useful"? Lingyi was displeased with his words, "I'm extremely useful!"
Qin Lie looked her up and down, his gaze undisguisedly aggressive, and slowly repeated her words, "Yes, the princess is very useful!"
Lingyi was wearing a cotton shirt, but she felt as if he had stripped her naked in bed. She was both ashamed and shocked, and quickly turned her head away so as not to look at him again.
Qin Lie had only meant to tease her, but seeing her red ears, he was truly tempted. Although he couldn't do anything else right now, a kiss and a hug would be nice. He got up and walked to her side, only to see her holding a piece of mink fur she had kept and gesturing with it, clearly intending to make a hat.
He felt a tingling, itchy, and numb sensation in his heart, but he remembered that she was pregnant and wanted to tell her that winter was almost over and there was no rush; they could finish next year. He had just coughed lightly and hadn't even spoken when he heard her instruct Pearl: "Go to the needlework department and ask Second Sister-in-law about her head circumference. It would be best if you could bring over some old hat styles."
Qin Lie turned around with a dark face, then pretended nothing had happened and sat back down at the table.
Before the mink hat for Lady Zhen was even half finished, Lingyi started bleeding. Upon hearing the announcement, Lady Zhen rushed over immediately.
Upon entering the courtyard, one could see Qin Lie standing with several midwives; only upon approaching could one hear his voice.
"Try to keep the baby safe, but the most important thing is to protect the lady, otherwise..." Qin Lie drew his sword from his waist and slammed it on the table. His gaze swept over the midwives like lightning, and the threat was self-evident.
The midwives were shocked and looked at each other in disbelief.
Madam Zhen also felt this was inappropriate and quickly stepped forward to smooth things over: "Third brother is just worried and confused. You all go in and take good care of the child. Once the child is safely delivered, there will be a great reward!"
There was no movement from the princess's side. The old lady's maid was sent over and also heard Qin Lie's "crazy talk" just now. She quickly spat a few times, then put her hands together and chanted, "I didn't mean it, I didn't mean it. May the Bodhisattva protect me, may the Bodhisattva protect me!"
Qin Lie realized he had made a foolish mistake and stood awkwardly to the side, no longer daring to utter a sound.
He knew the princess and her child would be safe, but the basins of blood in his dream and her bloodless face were too horrifying. He was always afraid that something might go wrong in this life, which is why he was so nervous that he lost his composure.
Lady Zhen advised him, "Childbirth usually takes several hours, sometimes even a whole day and night. Third brother, go to the study and wait. I'll stay here. Once your wife has given birth smoothly, I'll immediately send someone to inform you."
What she experienced was far more than just a day and a night. Qin Lie thought to himself, lost in thought.
.
Although she disliked the princess, the child in her womb was Qin Lie's flesh and blood. Upon hearing the news, the old lady offered incense before the Buddha.
Granny Qian was sent to Hanmoxuan, and returned to the courtyard more than an hour later. As soon as the old lady saw her, she asked, "Has the child been born? Is it a boy or a girl?"
Granny Qian and her mistress, who had been like family for decades, spoke very casually, "It's only just started, and it's her first pregnancy, how could it be so fast? The midwife said it would be at the earliest tonight, and she would probably give birth by tomorrow afternoon. That's why the Crown Princess and I dared to leave temporarily."
The old lady said, "Even so, one of you two must stay here. Childbirth is like going through the gates of hell. If she's all alone there, what if something happens to her? Wouldn't there be no one to take responsibility?"
Granny Qian explained, "The Third Young Master has been here all along."
The old lady was taken aback. "Lie'er?"
Granny Qian nodded and repeated what Qin Lie had just said to the midwife, "The Third Young Master values this very much. No matter how much the Princess Consort and I tried to persuade him, he refused to leave and insisted on waiting there."
The old lady remained silent for a long time, then sighed, "Back then, he insisted on bringing her into the mansion, and I comforted myself that it was for the sake of the children. Now it seems that she is indeed the apple of his eye. What a tragedy, why did it have to be a daughter of the Liu family!"
Granny Qian advised her, "The Third Young Master has a fiery temper, yet he is also extremely intelligent. Haven't you always been worried that the higher he climbs, the less restraint he will have, and hoped for a confidant to keep him in check? These past few days, we've observed that this princess isn't the type to cause trouble. Besides, the Great Han Dynasty is now merely a name, and the Liu family only has a handful of descendants left, who are unlikely to have a good end. Isn't that divine retribution? The princess entering the Qin family might just be fate. Why cling to the past and upset the Third Young Master?"
Although the old lady was still displeased, she had no choice but to say helplessly, "The child is about to be born, so this is all we can do now."
.
Granny Qian arrived at Hanmoxuan again at dusk. Qin Lie hadn't left yet, and Madam Zhen had arrived even earlier than her.
Just when everyone thought they would return empty-handed again, several maids began busily carrying hot water in and out. Before it was even completely dark, a loud cry rang out, and a midwife came out to report, "Your Highness, General! The lady has given birth to a son, and both mother and child are safe! However, it's too cold outside, so it's not appropriate to bring the baby out for the noble ladies to see..."
Qin Lie was about to go in before she could finish speaking, but was stopped by Granny Qian, who said, "That's a place stained with blood. How can the Third Young Master go in? We should wait until it's cleaned up before we go to see the child."
Qin Lie had broken in before in his previous life, but the situation was urgent then, and he had no choice but to go in. Now that he knew that both mother and child were safe, he was not in such a hurry and stopped when he heard this. However, Granny Qian stopped him and went in with Madam Zhen.
After the room was cleaned up, when Qin Lie went in, the two were holding the child and praising him. When they saw Qin Lie come in, they wanted to take the child to him, but Qin Lie didn't even look in their direction. He went straight to the bedside, looked at the weak and pale Lingyi, and said softly, "You've suffered. Is there anything else that's bothering you?"
Lingyi had fainted from exhaustion for a moment and had just woken up. She didn't pay attention to what he said and only said, "Let me see the child."
Mrs. Zhen quickly picked up the child and lowered him to show her.
Although Lingyi cherished the child, her first reaction upon seeing his red and wrinkled appearance was, "Why does he look like a monkey?"
Qin Lie frowned at a single sentence. His grandmother had said that this was the best-looking child in the Qin family. What did he look like?
The midwife flattered, "Madam, this is your first time seeing a newborn baby. You probably don't know that all newborns look like this. The redder they look now, the whiter they will be later. And with such long eyes, they will surely have naturally expressive eyes like yours. Besides, with the General and Madam's good looks, no matter who the child resembles, he will be an extraordinary being when he grows up."
Lingyi breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this, and Zhen Shi smiled and said, "Just for your eloquence, you deserve a generous reward."
Qin Lie said, "That's natural."
At his signal, someone immediately handed over red envelopes, one for each of the four midwives, for twenty taels of silver.
These midwives only delivered babies for noble families in the prefecture. These families offered generous rewards, usually two taels for a daughter and five taels for a son. Even the heaviest reward was no more than ten taels per person. This time, they received twenty taels of silver, so they were naturally overjoyed and offered a string of auspicious words.
After they left, the room quieted down. Granny Qian, holding the child, smiled and said, "This child's mouth and nose are exactly like the Third Young Master's when he was little, only his eyebrows and eyes are much more delicate. Although those midwives were obsequious, what they said was true. With parents like these, no matter who he resembles, he will have a first-rate foundation. Moreover, he is a filial child. I thought we would have to wait until tomorrow, but he couldn't bear to go through any more trouble, so he came out early this morning to avoid making his mother suffer."
Upon hearing this, Lingyi glanced at Qin Lie. She naturally hoped that her child would be filial in the future, but the fact that she was able to give birth so quickly was undoubtedly thanks to Qin Lie.
Qin Lie probably thought of this as well, and looked at her.
Lingyi didn't want to see his smugness and immediately looked away. She was exhausted and relieved to see that the child was safe and sound. She quickly fell asleep again.
In the following days, she remained in a daze all day. Qin Lie came over every day, and she was mostly asleep. Her face was still pale, and she was sweating profusely, often soaking her clothes.
Although the doctor said that this is normal for women after childbirth, with both qi and blood deficiency and excessive sweating, which is why they need to observe the postpartum period, Qin Lie still felt it was inappropriate. He found many precious tonics and medicinal herbs and sent them in like a flowing stream.
Once Lingyi recovered some of her energy and stayed awake longer each day, she began to make more demands.
If you want to keep an eye on your child as soon as you open your eyes, that's not difficult. The child is in the side room, and the wet nurse can bring the child over at any time. You just need to seal off the corridor to prevent the child from getting cold from being carried around.
But she was a clean person and couldn't stand being dirty, so she insisted on taking a bath, and no one would tolerate that.
Although she was usually tolerant, when she lost her temper, even Granny Zhao and the others were helpless, leaving Qin Lie to play the bad guy.
This time, he was a real piece of junk, cold and hard. He even threatened her while she was pretending to cry, saying that if she shed a single tear, he would punish her by making her not see her child for a day.
When Lingyi was so angry that she didn't want to talk to him anymore, he pinched her pouting lips with two fingers and teased her, "You're a mother now, why are you still acting like a child?"
He said that, but in reality, he enjoyed and indulged her willfulness and vivacity.
He had no idea that women could be so weak and vulnerable after giving birth.
In her previous life, she was all alone in a secluded corner of her grandmother's courtyard, and without her children, how desolate and desperate she must have felt.
The moment this thought arose, a wave of excruciating pain and regret washed over him, almost suffocating him.
But he still couldn't help thinking about it over and over again, letting himself be swallowed up by the raging tide time and time again.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
