The two little girls were surprised to receive a gift after having a little brother. They happily leaned against him, their eyes fixed on the cloth bag in Qin's hand.
Qin took out the contents of the bag: gloves and hats she had made for them. They worked hard doing business outside, leaving early and returning late, and they must have been very cold. These would keep them warm.
The gloves and hat were stuffed with down inside, so they were very warm, even though they were light.
And because they were two little girls, Qin made them very pretty and cute, and even embroidered them with beautiful patterns, which she had learned from Ting.
"So cute! Auntie, you're pregnant and you're still making these for us?"
Lotus was delighted with it and immediately tried it on. It fit perfectly, so she helped Youya try it on as well. The two smiled at each other, both very satisfied.
"When I'm idle at home and have nothing to do, I do some needlework. I've done some for Leizi and the others, but theirs don't have these pretty patterns."
The children in the family were all very good, and Qin couldn't just make it for her own children, but in order to show her care for the two little girls, she specially embroidered beautiful patterns.
"Hehe, we know Mom is the best to us!"
Youya nestled in her arms, acting coquettishly. Qin Shi hugged her and said, "Youya, although Mother has given birth to another little brother, you are still Mother's precious daughter. Mother will not wrong you for the sake of your brother, understand?"
"Yes, Grandma told us too!"
Youya nodded and continued, "Mom, don't worry, I'm all grown up now. I can take care of you and my brothers together in the future! Besides, there's Sister Lotus too!"
Seeing how sensible her daughter was, Qin nodded with satisfaction. She was also very grateful to know that her mother-in-law had comforted the two girls immediately.
After talking with the two girls for a while, Madam Qin sent them home. Watching the girls leave, she sighed.
Lu Lao Er, who had been sitting beside her, heard her sigh and hurriedly asked, "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
"No, I was just making a comment."
Madam Qin shook her head and continued, "My dear husband, going out and seeing more of the world is really different from someone who stays in a small place all the time. Look at our two daughters, after going out for a while, they've become more and more generous and confident."
Lu Lao Er thought this made sense and nodded.
After thinking for a moment, Qin took Lu Lao Er's hand and said, "The children are all so outstanding, we can't just continue to live a mediocre life."
It was agreed before that the couple would take care of the home and their parents, but now that Old Man Lu and Madam Sun have gone to the prefectural city and haven't come back for a long time, they can't really be of any use, and I'm starting to get anxious again.
"Don't rush these things. The main thing right now is to take good care of you during your postpartum period. We can talk about the rest when spring comes."
Lu Lao Er already had a plan in mind. He didn't have any other skills, but judging from today's harvest, the fields were doing quite well under his supervision. He wanted to work harder to make next year's harvest even better.
I talked to my third brother before and he figured it out. He should do what he likes. The important thing is to find something that suits him and be happy doing it so that he can do it well.
Qin was still a little anxious. Seeing how outstanding everyone was, and even her parents-in-law had found jobs in the city, she couldn't let her young life go to waste.
Seeing her like this, Lu Lao Er said, "Wife, I've done a lot during your pregnancy. I've calculated it, and our harvest this year is exceptionally good. The farmhands who helped us also received a lot of grain. That's the significance of my role in the family."
He remembered that when he talked to his third brother about this before, his third brother told him the same thing: with him guarding the rear at home, they could venture out with peace of mind.
He doesn't have much drive to take risks, so he just stays home and looks after these businesses, which puts their minds at ease, and that's enough for him.
Qin was stunned for a moment before realizing that she was wrong.
Because everyone around her was so outstanding, she felt that the couple were useless and incompetent. She always felt that if it weren't for the monthly dividends from their investments with their brothers and sisters-in-law, the second wife would definitely be the most down-and-out among the three brothers.
Pregnancy can easily lead to overthinking, and over time, it can cause feelings of inferiority, with the constant feeling that you are holding your children back.
But now that Lu Lao Er brought this up, she remembered something important.
Yes, the eldest brother went to learn goldsmithing, leaving early and returning late, the eldest sister-in-law was also very busy running a restaurant, and the third brother and his wife took a group of children to make their way in the world. Only the two of them were left at home, and Lu Lao Er supervised the fields, chickens, ducks and geese they bought every day.
During this period, Lu Lao Er also made precise preventions against two pest infestations and floods, and this year's bumper harvest is largely thanks to Lu Lao Er's efforts.
The fields are planted with medicinal herbs, potatoes, peppers, and various grains.
The medicinal herb business has been going on consistently and generating considerable income. Potatoes and chili peppers are also being delivered to the shop in a steady stream, all thanks to Lu Lao Er.
She was only thinking about how powerful the first and third wives were, neglecting her own husband who was taking care of her pregnant wife and the family.
Thinking about this, she felt a little guilty.
"I'm sorry, I never noticed your efforts."
She sighed, realizing that she had been the one who had accomplished nothing all along.
Lu Lao Er knew that she was emotionally vulnerable at the moment, so he naturally wouldn't hold it against her. He pulled her into his arms and said, "Why do we need to say such things between husband and wife? You don't need to worry. You are a great contributor to our family. You have given me another child. In my heart, you are better than anyone else."
These words deeply moved Madam Qin, and she almost shed tears.
Lu Lao Er said, "Hold on, we're in postpartum confinement right now. Mother has repeatedly told us that you absolutely cannot shed a tear, or she'll beat me!"
"Hahaha, how can you be so annoying!"
Qin was about to cry, but he made her laugh instantly, and her tears were long gone.
Lu Lao Er laughed along, "That's more like it. Smile more, and you'll be blessed."
At this moment, the little one next to me woke up, opened his big, bright eyes and looked around, then started crying at the top of his lungs.
Lu Lao Er was experienced in taking care of children, and the crying at this moment meant either the child was hungry or needed a diaper change. He hurriedly went over to take care of his youngest son, his movements were skillful and his attitude was serious, so Qin Shi didn't need to worry at all.
Qin's slight inferiority complex dissipated. Her in-laws, husband, and children were all so good, and their lives were getting better and better. What did she have to feel inferior about? How pretentious!
Sun and the two girls returned to the prefectural city three days after Qin gave birth. After all, the two girls still had things to do there, and only the unreliable elder, Old Man Lu, was at the manor. Sun was worried about them and wanted to go and keep an eye on them.
Before leaving, he kept telling Lu Lao Er to take good care of his wife, and that Lu Baichuan and the others would be able to come back for the New Year in another half month.
When the three of them arrived, the carriage was empty, but when they left, they brought back a lot of things, all kinds of food prepared by Madam Yu. With that cookbook, she can now cook anything with ease.
Meanwhile, in the capital, the banquet for appreciating Pangu Jade also began.
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