CHAPTER 28: CHAPTER 28: SEEKING A SECOND WIFE

"Is this true?"

"Yes, Miss, it has spread all over the Capital, saying that Doctor Xiao’s eldest granddaughter, the Xiao family’s second young mistress, went into labor, had a difficult birth, gave birth to a daughter, barely saved her life, but can never bear children again." The maid Qin’er was very angry: "The young miss of the Xiao family is already so miserable, but is still cursed by that miss from the Wu family, saying she is born under bad luck."

"That wretch, I’d like to see what good fortune she has, what good family she can marry into!"

Qiu Yan listened to the words of the maids and directly cut off a flower in her hand: "Watch how I deal with her."

"Miss..."

Everyone is a gentlewoman, it’s not quite right for Miss to deal with someone like this, what if her own reputation is involved?

"Don’t worry, this young lady knows what she’s doing." Qiu Yan said: "Nuannuan left the Capital and entrusted Sister Chunyu to me to take care of her. She’s being bullied, how can I stand by and do nothing?"

"Miss..."

"I’ll go find mother; I’ll visit Sister Chunyu at the Wu family tomorrow."

"But..." Nanny Zhou said: "Our mansion has never interacted with the Wu Mansion."

It’s said that birds of a feather flock together, the inner yard of the Wu Mansion is chaotic. Mrs. Qiu never interacts with the heiress Mrs. Wu, at most nodding when they meet.

"I’m not going to see Mrs. Wu, I’m just going to visit Sister Chunyu."

"Miss, why not wait for the baby’s ’washing ceremony’?"

"Washing ceremony?"

"Yes, on the third day after the baby’s birth, a bathing ceremony is held, gathering relatives and friends to bless the baby, which is called ’washing ceremony,’ or ’third-day bathing.’ The purpose of the ’washing’ is first to cleanse impurities and ward off disasters, and second to pray for blessings and good luck." Nanny Zhou said: "When that time comes, there will also be a gift-giving ceremony, Miss, if you want to go, you have to prepare these things early."

"Gift-giving, what does that mean?"

"The washing ceremony is conducted by the midwife..." Nanny Zhou explained at length, Qiu Yan exclaimed at the many rules.

"Adding a child is a joyous occasion, naturally, it should be celebratory."

"Alright then, let’s give a gold bracelet at that time."

"Yes, the old servant will prepare it immediately."

What Qiu Yan didn’t know was that what Nanny Zhou referred to as a joyous occasion wasn’t considered as such at the Wu family at all.

When Mrs. Wu heard a daughter was born, she couldn’t suppress her smile.

Having daughters is good, the eldest young mistress had two daughters, the second young mistress also gave birth to a daughter, now the Wu Mansion relies on the child in her womb to inherit.

It’s hers and can’t escape!

In Lord Wu’s study, he sighed looking at his second son.

"The Xiao girl’s foundation is damaged, take good care of her." Lord Wu said: "Focus your efforts on studying, earn an official title, and then let your mother find a noble concubine for you."

"Father, children born to a concubine are considered illegitimate." Wu’s second master disagreed: "I don’t want my son to be branded as illegitimate at birth."

There are many illegitimate sons and daughters in the mansion, he sees their lives are no good.

"After the child is born, give it to the name of the Xiao girl; isn’t it then a legitimate child?"

"Father, why must it be given to the name of the Xiao girl? The Xiao Mansion was raided and exiled; such external family matters might impede my future, right? I’m already being pointed at in the academy, if it weren’t for her being pregnant, I would have divorced her already."

"You..." Lord Wu thought for a moment, his son’s idea was indeed right.

He overlooked it.

"What do you propose then?"

"I want to ask mother to help marry a noblewoman as a flat wife, so the child born doesn’t need to be given to the name of the Xiao girl, and the Xiao Mansion’s affair wouldn’t affect the child’s future."

"Do as you wish."

Lord Wu felt he was indeed getting old; it seems his son is still clever, this idea is truly beneficial.

In the Wu Mansion’s inner yard, it’s always been a sieve, and it didn’t take half an hour for the news of the second master wanting to marry a flat wife to reach Nanny Zhou’s ears.

"Nanny, this must be concealed." Molan was furious to death: "They are really heartless, is it that the miss hasn’t suffered enough? Or is it that they are unwilling unless she’s driven to death."

"You girl, asking me to hold back; your mouths should also have a gate." Nanny Zhou sighed, these so-called high-class families really don’t do decent things!

Mrs. Wu perked up when the second master asked her to help find a flat wife, then immediately agreed.

Once the second master left, Mrs. Wu’s face burst into laughter.

"Look at this, the virtuous son born to the deceased lady, in mourning, he pulls a maid into bed, and not to mention he dislikes that the main wife gave birth to a daughter; now he wants to arrange for a flat wife."

"Madam, will you really look for someone for him?"

"What look, people will be laughing off Wu Mansion’s ease, the families who know the rules won’t choose Wu family as in-laws." Mrs. Wu said: "However, this matter should be shared around."

Once the rumor spreads, whether to act or not is entirely up to her.

Anyway, if they don’t ruin themselves, they won’t be content.

Look at the handle delivered to the doorstep, she’ll make the most of it.

Xiao Chunyu was watching her sleeping daughter, changing day by day, she couldn’t help but kiss her fair-skinned daughter.

"Second young mistress, Mrs. Qiu and Miss Qiu have come to observe the washing ceremony."

"Who?"

"Qiu Mansion, Miss Qiu." Molan said: "Miss Qiu and Miss Yan are good sisters, did you forget?"

"Oh, is it Yan?" Xiao Chunyu said: "Quickly, help me change and freshen up. I want to meet Mrs. Qiu and Miss Qiu."

"No need to get up."

Unexpectedly, Mrs. Qiu and Miss Qiu were already led in by the servants.

"Sister Chunyu, you’re in confinement, you shouldn’t get up and catch a chill."

"Mrs. Qiu, Miss Qiu, thank you for coming to see me."

The washing ceremony, the Wu Mansion seems to have no intention of holding it, and because her family isn’t in the Capital, she did not regard it as a matter, unexpectedly, guests have come, feeling deeply touched, tears flowed uncontrollably.

"You child," Mrs. Qiu saw that Xiao Chunyu had suffered a lot of grievances at the Wu family. Rumors about the Xiao family inheriting her, Wu’s second master wanting to marry a flat wife, being a woman herself and imagining the circumstances, this life is indeed not easy at all.

As a mother herself, she felt deeply sorry: "Yan and Nuannuan are good sisters, naturally, you are their good sister, all family, visiting you is only right. Stop crying, tears aren’t auspicious in confinement."

"Yes, I’m happy." Clearly with a sour feeling and grievances, yet the words spoken conveyed a different meaning.

Without a family backing, even crying must be silent.

"Sister Chunyu, did you agree to master’s request for a flat wife?"

What?

The second master wants to marry a flat wife?

Chunyu was directly stunned: When did this happen? Is he really going to marry a flat wife?