Chapter 36 Someone from the Marquisate Arrives
"That's right," the little maid echoed, "The novelty has worn off, so she ran away. The Marquis doesn't have the time to argue with her!"
Seeing that their master had been looking normal for the past few days, everyone gradually relaxed.
The candlelight in the study was dim, and Xie Jinglan's noble and cold figure was stretched out tall.
His slender fingertips slowly stroked the portrait on the table, and his indifferent and cold eyes suddenly filled with a strong sense of hostility.
His fingertips suddenly tightened, he sneered, and his dark eyes narrowed silently.
"What an August appointment!"
The scroll made a crisp "snap" sound and was roughly rolled up. The wind it brought instantly extinguished the half-burnt candle on the table, leaving only a wisp of twisted green smoke rising.
He strode into the inner room carrying Wen Ning's portrait, and then nailed her firmly to the gilded hook on the inside of the bed.
"You can't escape—"
Xie Jinglan whispered as he stroked the outline of the person in the painting, and the white jade ring made a rustling sound as it rubbed against the silk.
The candlelight shone two crimson spots in his eyes. His voice rolled in his throat as he spoke word by word, "I will go and ask for the August appointment myself!"
…
Winter has arrived in the blink of an eye. Wen Ning's belly has become swollen and her movements have become slower and slower.
The sky was slightly sunny that day. She supported her waist and slowly walked to the edge of the vegetable ridge. Several autumn cabbages were still standing stubbornly.
She bent down to pick one, peeled off the outer layer of dead leaves with her slender fingers, and threw it into the chicken coop. But she saw the green and white vegetable stems in her hand wrapped in layers, like a jade carving.
Today is the winter solstice, so it’s time to eat dumplings.
The baby in her belly suddenly turned over at this moment. She paused and chuckled, "Little greedy cat, you can't wait to eat dumplings now that you know you're going to eat them."
After preparing the dumpling filling, Wen Ning placed the chopping board on her knees and sat on a small elm stool.
The green and white autumn cabbage was mixed with a little lard, and a spoonful of homemade pickled sour beans was added.
She now likes to eat sour and spicy food. She cuts the sour beans into small pieces and mixes them with the fresh autumn cabbage. It will be crispy and sour when you bite it, which is sure to satisfy your craving.
The winter sun shines obliquely on the vegetable ridges in the corner of the yard. The straw curtains are opened in the morning when the frost is heavy, and are carefully covered again before the sun sets.
Three sensible hens have already started laying eggs in the chicken coop, but the other two yellow-feathered chickens are very lazy and spend the whole day huddled by the feeding trough and taking naps.
She had already asked her to tie up the dead vines and leaves in the yard and hang them under the eaves to use as kindling.
She kept everything tidy.
After living in this courtyard for a long time, every blade of grass and every tree has taken on a familiar scent, and I have become more and more accustomed to it.
The dumplings opened quickly and soon filled the lid.
She wrapped it delicately, with tight folds, a thin skin and a round belly. It looked delicious just by looking at it.
The firewood in the stove crackled, and the weather, which had been slightly sunny just a moment ago, was now filled with fine snow.
The snow fell heavier and heavier, covering the ground with a thin layer of white. Amidst the mist, there was a sudden knock on the door.
Wen Ning showed a faint smile on her lips, thinking that it must be Sister Xianglan coming to visit again.
She comes here frequently and brings some food and daily necessities from time to time.
Wen Ning was afraid of slipping, so she held onto the wall and slowly walked towards the door.
He was still calling softly,
"Don't worry, sister-in-law, wait for me to open the door——"
The wooden door creaked open halfway, and a cold wind blew in, carrying snow foam.
"girl--"
Wen Ning suddenly froze in place, her fingers tightly gripping the door frame.
The person who came was not Sister Xianglan, but Madam Xue.
"Mammy—"
Wen Ning's throat tightened and her eyes glanced uncontrollably behind the nanny.
Fortunately, the streets were empty, with only broken snow swirling on the ground.
Nanny Xue was carrying two bulging bundles. Seeing Wen Ning looking behind her in panic, she hurriedly lifted the bundles and said, panting, "Don't be afraid, young lady. I came here alone. The Marquis doesn't know about this."
Only then did Wen Ning dare to breathe a sigh of relief. She quickly turned sideways and welcomed the nanny in.
The nanny came into the room, put down her bag, and looked at Wen Ning's round belly, her eyes couldn't help but redden.
Wen Ning poured her a bowl of hot tea. The nanny took the coarse pottery tea bowl with both hands, took a sip, and then slowly spoke.
"Don't blame me for being so abrupt, young lady. After all, it was my fault for being too talkative that caused you to leave your hometown and come to this unfamiliar village to make a living."
Wen Ning shook her head gently. "Madam, you're worrying too much. I did something wrong myself. How can I blame you?"
Nanny Xue held the tea bowl, and steam rose from the cup.
She confessed, "These past few days, I've been thinking about it over and over again. I'm worried about you. Giving birth is like walking through the gates of hell for a woman. This place is remote, and even a decent midwife is hard to find. If you don't have someone to look after you, things might get out of hand."
Wen Ning was startled, her fingertips unconsciously clenching the corner of her clothes, "Mammy...ran away secretly?"
The nanny chuckled at the words, "At my age, there is not much use for me to stay in the Marquis' Mansion. I told the Marquis that I am old and want to return to my hometown to retire. The Marquis was kind and even gave me a lot of silver."
Wen Ning's eyes suddenly turned red.
"Madam, why do you have to be like this? You have served in the Marquis' Mansion for most of your life. You should stay here and enjoy your retirement in peace."
Her voice trembled as she tried to persuade the nanny to go back. "How could you travel all the way here just for me? This is really exhausting for me."
Madam Xue waved her hands, suddenly revealing a childish expression. "Anyway, I'm staying here! Miss, I have to stay even if you want me to. Otherwise—" She pulled out a cloth tiger from her bag and shook it. "I'll sit on this doorstep, waiting to be your midwife!"
Wen Ning burst out laughing. She was so happy to have someone to talk to in confidence.
She would thank God as long as Xie Jinglan didn't appear in front of her.
"To be honest, Madam, I dreamed yesterday that I was giving birth alone. I was so scared that I broke out in a cold sweat. I'm naturally happy that you're here."
The nanny put down the earthenware bowl, patted her back gently, and said comfortingly, "Don't worry, young lady, I'm here."
Wen Ning suddenly cried out "Ouch" and remembered that there was still firewood burning in the stove.
Her nose wrinkled slightly. "Mammy, smell it quickly. Is there a burning smell?" She held her waist and hurried to the stove. "Today is the winter solstice. I was just about to make dumplings."
The nanny hurriedly grabbed her wrist and forced her to sit on the elm stool without saying a word.
"From now on, all these tasks will be left to me. Girl, just wait for the food."
As the nanny said this, she walked towards the kitchen.
She added some more water to the pot, and it suddenly started to sizzle.
When the water boiled, the nanny lifted the curtain and the dumplings lined up and jumped into the water.
Wen Ning carried a small elm stool and came to the stove. She supported her waist and sat down slowly. Her round belly was warmed by the firelight.
While watching Nanny Xue making dumplings, he chatted with her.
The dumplings in the pot began to churn. Her throat tightened slightly, and she pretended to ask about the Marquis casually.
"Is the Marquis... okay?"
The nanny's strainer for stirring the dumplings suddenly stopped, and another plump white dumpling turned over.
"The Marquis is fine, but when the poison takes effect, he refuses to let anyone else absorb it and insists on bearing it himself!"
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