CHAPTER 150: CHAPTER 150: HAPPY OCCASION (5)

Nanny Lin held Tong Xiyan’s hand and nodded repeatedly: "The Imperial Physician came early to check the pulse. He said it’s only a little over a month, still too early to be certain. We must wait another half month for confirmation." Her tone was full of certainty: "But Doctor Liu is the best at obstetrics in the Imperial Hospital. If he says there is, then there is indeed!"

"Amitabha Buddha, Amitabha Buddha!" Lady murmured repeatedly and kept bowing. She nodded to Nanny Lin: "Physicians in the palace are always cautious. Even if they are ninety percent sure, they’d never declare it completely. It’s always best to leave some room for retreat. In short, with my son’s offspring, the coming days will only become better and better."

"Precisely what you said, Madam!" Nanny Lin nodded vigorously and then looked at Nanny Fang: "A few days ago when Nanny went, suddenly the Miss wanted to find a doctor to check. I was anxious, not knowing what it was about. Now I understand; it turns out Nanny had this thought in mind."

Nanny Fang chuckled and replied: "It’s not my intention; I only went according to Lady’s instructions. Now that it’s certain, it truly is a matter of thousand blessings."

"Absolutely." Nanny Lin laughed: "Upon hearing the news, the First Lady hurried back from the government office, and Grand Dowager personally went to take charge, placing the Second Madam on the bed, sending supplements and arranging midwives. By morning, she and the Second Master almost planned everything for the little master’s first ten years."

Tong Xiyan’s eyes were smiling, and Lady said: "It’s indeed a joyous matter. How many years has Grand Dowager waited for a legitimate grandson? Now, with the eldest girl pregnant, isn’t Grand Dowager the happiest?" She said this as if reminded of something, immediately stood up, and instructed Nanny Fang: "Comb my hair; I want to visit the eldest girl."

Nanny Fang laughed and pressed Lady: "Madam is muddled. Doesn’t matter if Grand Dowager is before us for the birthday and we go to the Marquis Mansion, even if not, we must wait for the Marquis Mansion to formally send Nanny to announce the good news. If you go like this, what if Grand Dowager thinks you’ve known for a while? Wouldn’t that create a rift with the First Miss?"

"Let’s not focus on these formalities." Lady suddenly pointed at Xiqiu and said: "Isn’t there the matter with Sixth Girl?" Nanny Fang paused, then laughed: "Indeed!"

Xiqiu and Tong Xiyu noticed the opportunity and rose to congratulate Lady: "Congratulations, Mother!" Lady smoothly took Xiqiu’s hand, her face full of smiles: "This time, we thank our Sixth Miss for having a good dream."

Nanny Lin was puzzled, her face full of confusion, while Nanny Fang cheerfully recounted to Nanny Lin about Xiqiu’s dream about pregnancy.

Nanny Lin was surprised and, after a moment of daze, walked over, suddenly kneeled before Xiqiu, and earnestly bowed her head: "A servant thanks Sixth Miss on behalf of the First Miss."

This courtesy was too much for Xiqiu, who immediately turned sideways to help Nanny Lin up: "Nanny, please don’t say that. Eldest Sister is blessed, it’s only a matter of time for offspring. I merely had a dream, it’s not my achievement." Nanny Lin stood up, insistent on thanking Xiqiu: "Madam just said, the First Miss has been hoping for many years without any sign, yet after Sixth Miss had a dream, she became pregnant. Truly, it’s sisterly closeness that brings such fortune."

Lady looked at Xiqiu, her face full of affection.

Xiqiu sighed while holding her forehead; was she really so lucky?!

Tong Xiyan also came forward, holding Xiqiu’s hand and smiling: "Mother says you are the key figure, indeed you are. Let’s not dismiss it; tomorrow when you visit the eldest sister, I must make her thank you properly."

Tong Xiyu reluctantly smiled and nodded: "Sixth Sister’s cloak is useful, I should also cut the fabric to make clothes for the nephew."

Upon mentioning the cloak, Lady instructed Nanny Fang to bring out the cloak and hand it to Nanny Lin: "This too is a symbol of good luck. Take it back to the First Miss, keep it carefully; better to believe in it than not, it may bring good fortune."

Nanny Lin solemnly received the bundle, holding it carefully in her arms.

Lady then said: "Initially, I thought to visit today, but it’s best to hold off a little longer. Remind her to take care of her body."

Nanny Lin nodded in agreement, and Lady didn’t detain her for lunch, urging her to return to attend to Tong Xihua. Nanny Lin bowed and left by carriage back to the Xuanning Marquis Mansion.

Lady smiled at Nanny Fang: "Go! Have someone check if the First Master has left the city gate. If not, inform him about this; he’ll surely be delighted." Nanny Fang nodded: "A servant will send someone right away." She paused again to look at Lady: "Madam should also write a letter; since the time is still early, it’s better not to let unrelated people know."

There’s an old saying that during early pregnancy, one should protect the belly and not let outsiders know, lest the child is difficult to keep.

"Bring pen and ink!" Lady hurriedly wrote a letter and handed it to Nanny Fang: "If he’s already gone, then forget it!"

Nanny Fang took the letter and left the room.

After lunch, Xiqiu took Sixing and Siliu back to Zhiqu Courtyard. As soon as they entered, Siliu eagerly closed the door and secretively said: "Miss, did you foresee First Miss’s pregnancy and tell Lady?" Otherwise, why would it come true like this?

Xiqiu was full of helplessness; matters like this couldn’t be foreseen: "It was merely a coincidence." It wasn’t her good luck but rather Tong Xihua’s blessing, finally achieving her wish after waiting for eight years.

Siliu blushed and clung to Xiqiu’s arm, whispering quietly in her ear: "A servant begs Miss for a favor."

Xiqiu raised an eyebrow and asked: "What is it?"

Siliu looked shyly at Xiqiu: "Can Miss make me a cloak too, so that I may carry good fortune with me?"

Xiqiu looked at her in surprise: "You aren’t married yet, already thinking about offspring?" Siliu replied seriously: "Manager Lai has only one son; I see Laiwang’s wife is of considerable age now, likely unable to have another younger brother. If I marry and can bear a son, I’ll have a foothold within the Lai Family. Otherwise, with Laiwang’s wife being so tactful, who knows, she might invite Fugui to take a concubine in a few years."

"Don’t harbor so many thoughts." Xiqiu tapped her forehead: "Manager Lai is always low-key. He himself has few offspring and didn’t marry a concubine, how could he allow his son to? You are still young, and your health is good; when you marry, just focus on taking care of yourself. No need to worry about having children."

Siliu thought Xiqiu reasoned well: "Then let’s wait a little longer. If in a few months there’s no news, Miss could make me a cloak? It doesn’t need to be complicated, just a simple copy of the model will do."

Xiqiu had no words and could only nod. Then she let Siliu attend to her hair, closed her eyes for a nap, and in the afternoon awoke, seated on the kang working on embroidery patterns, while Sixing and Siliu sat around her, embroidering a pocket. Meanwhile, Nanny Song walked in, smiling broadly.