The lantern festival was lively.
Mei Shi, without particular hobbies, loved watching Chuntai Opera, especially White Rabbit Story, which she never tired of.
She was telling Xu Erpeng, “You have to take me to see Chuntai Opera~”
“Don’t worry, I’ll make time no matter what,” Xu Erpeng said.
He liked Mei Shi very much and was obedient to her except on principles.
Jian Ge’er carried two lanterns himself but wanted more.
Xu Erpeng said, “You bought enough at once. What about next year? Save some for then.”
Mei Shi worried the sparks inside the lanterns might burn their son, so had the servants watch carefully.
As they walked nearby, a group of women came out from a walk, and they ran into acquaintances.
Xu Erpeng sometimes didn’t want to greet everyone, so if people didn’t see him, he would avoid them.
This time, they met the female members of the Xiao Family.
Second Madam Xiao was a petite woman with wide-set eyes and a high nose bridge, lively despite being over forty.
She eagerly left the others to greet them.
“Mrs. Xu, how are you? Did you try the Shao Er I sent last time? It’s from a Guangdong friend of mine. I thought it was new and fresh, so I brought some.”
She wore a gold-threaded bun decorated with gold and jade, with a dark cloak showing a corner of a scarlet satin jacket—truly luxurious.
Mei Shi, by comparison, looked plain, wearing a simple Dama Ji hairstyle, pinned with light flowers and a Shiliu Cuihua flower.
But Mei Shi showed no inferiority, only smiling: “I had a shallow plate, but my two little rascals fought over it. Thank you for remembering us.”
“Don’t mention it; we’re family. Never say two families,” Second Madam Xiao said warmly.
While exchanging pleasantries, Mei Shi felt a twinge of worry.
Before the New Year, she had met the prospective son-in-law once.
He was tall, broad-shouldered, slim-waisted, wearing a neat scholar’s robe.
When he came to bow, he seemed to glide on clouds.
He was fine in every way, but cold toward her and her husband.
Mei Shi wondered if he despised the match.
Their daughter was proud and high-spirited; what if she couldn’t take it?
After the walk, Second Madam Xiao returned home.
She had her daughter-in-law Han Shi take the little girl to the room.
Just then, her second son came in, and she perked up: “Shi Ge’er, why are you here?”
Xiao Jingshi pulled out a stack of marriage proposals: “Here are some from the Tong Family, who moved from Suzhou Prefecture to Jiangzhou; also from the Gong Family, daughters of the Wuxian county magistrate. Mother still doesn’t like these, but why choose a merchant’s family? Can you tell me why?”
He didn’t necessarily want to marry any of them but wondered why his parents acted this way—did they not value him?
Second Madam Xiao said, “Don’t just look at appearances. I have my reasons. The Tong Family lost favor; previously the Suzhou Prefecture was short of funds because the Zhifu was caught by the Jinshe, and subordinates had to make up for it. The Tong Family poured in all their wealth, with only two acres of farmland left—just maintaining old prestige. As for the Gong Family, the girl is from a concubine.”
“But isn’t there the Zhao Family with carriage and shipping businesses?”
Xiao Jingshi countered sharply.
Second Madam Xiao replied, “If you marry the Zhao girl, you’ll be like your eldest cousin—marrying a nouveau riche who can barely read a few characters. Besides, Miss Xu’s family is of the Juren class; her father is the prefecture’s Imperial Student. Though not rich, their family is respectable and closely connected with the Jinling Cheng Family.”
Hearing this, Xiao Jingshi stood up: “Mother, you’ve clearly been bewitched by that Mochou Laoni, saying Miss Xu’s fortune brings luck. I told you to stay away from such gossipy women—I hate them most of all. It’d be better to destroy that Yin’an place once and for all.”
Second Madam Xiao soothed him: “Good child, this isn’t just my decision; your father agreed too.”
“Father just listens to you,” Xiao Jingshi knew well.
Second Madam Xiao said, “Miss Xu is a skilled doctor—”
“Doctor’s wives are worse. Didn’t you forget Aunt Yimu was recklessly needled by a doctor and almost died? This marriage is unsuitable. You must break it off. I won’t agree to it even if it’s settled; I’ll say the same to Miss Xu when I see her.”
With that, Xiao Jingshi left.
Second Madam Xiao was somewhat troubled.
Her son had always been bright but rebellious and strange.
Miss Xu’s lucky fate was strong and beneficial to the family; what was wrong with her?
On the second day of the second lunar month, the Dragon Raises Its Head festival, Third Miss Cheng invited Xu Miaozhen for tea.
Big Madam was known for being openly moody and often unfriendly, but Third Miss was kind to her.
Sometimes she offered snacks, sometimes tea.
Actually, Xu Miaozhen found her temperament hard to read; even after chatting a whole morning, she couldn’t recall the topic.
Today was the same; after tea, Xu Miaozhen hurriedly took her leave.
Cheng Yuan was only trying to look out for her mother.
Madam Zeng’s way of handling affairs made her subordinates only try not to make mistakes rather than seek credit.
If anyone slipped up, she would scold them; good work did not guarantee reward.
Managing people this way made her no better than a notorious shrew from Hedong.
After leaving Cheng Yuan, Xu Miaozhen visited Ji Shi, who was eight months pregnant and complaining: “Turning over feels so heavy, and my legs ache terribly.”
“Let me give you a little massage to ease the discomfort,” Xu Miaozhen smiled.
Since Ji Shi was expecting, the Eldest Master hadn’t gone to the capital to take office but stayed in Jinling.
By all accounts, this was a blessing for Ji Shi.
Yet husband and wife guarded each other.
Xu Miaozhen thought of her own parents—though not wealthy, their relationship was loving.
After a few massages, Ji Shi felt much better and said, “I heard you’re betrothed?”
Xu Miaozhen nodded slightly: “My father wanted to bring me home early to settle the match, but considering your pregnancy, I stayed.”
“If you weren’t betrothed, I would have taken you to the capital myself,” Ji Shi said regretfully.
Xu Miaozhen thought that really would have meant a lifetime of servitude, no chance to advance—no different from their own household servants.
But for now, she had to agree: “I’m grateful for your kindness and all you and my father have done. In the future, if you ever feel unwell, just send someone for me. No matter how far, I’ll come.”
Ji Shi smiled: “No need for that. Right now, my greatest wish is for the child inside me.”
“Rest assured, I will do my best,” Xu Miaozhen promised.
When Xu Miaozhen returned, Ji Shi’s foster mother brought many gifts: “Miss Xu, this is the dowry from our Big Madam. Don’t be shy; take it. These days you’ve worked hard.”
Xu Miaozhen replied sincerely, “I’m so grateful for Big Madam’s kindness. Please convey my thanks. Tomorrow I will kowtow.”
The foster mother, sensing Xu Miaozhen’s genuine gratitude and respect, grew fond of her.
This girl truly knew how to be thankful, unlike others who took everything for granted.
Ji Shi was nearly due—about a month away from delivery.
The gifts were lavish: a black silk loose hairpiece with silver threads, a double phoenix golden hairpiece, gold and silver bee hairpins, four floral bug hairpins, a gold and jade peony hairpiece, a gold peony hair ornament, and gold and jade gourd earrings.
Besides jewelry, there was also a set of heavy silk woven with gold threads.
Xu Miaozhen now owned two loose hairpieces, even more than her Yimu, Madam Qiao, who had only one.
She carefully hid these treasures and returned to studying medicine.
At around forty weeks, Ji Shi went into labor.
Xu Miaozhen had prepared for many scenarios—prolonged labor, medicines for delayed delivery, treatments for shoulder dystocia, and even protocols for stillbirth—all documented thoroughly.
She first tried to address the prolonged labor, then hurried with her medicine box to the delivery room.
The midwife anxiously said, “The baby seems to have its limbs down first.”
Xu Miaozhen took out a packet of medicine, checked the label, and confirmed it was the right remedy.
She instructed Xiao Xi: “Quickly have Dou Kou decoct this ‘Jiyong Zhuantian Tang.’ I’ll come check.”
Ancient Prose Highlights begins with Zheng Bo overcoming difficulties; his mother disapproved because of the wet nurse.
Xu Miaozhen warned everyone not to make a fuss.
She took a silver needle and pricked the baby’s foot to encourage it to retract its limbs.
After the prick, the baby lay still and seemed to feel pity for its mother, pulling the limbs back.
She told the midwife: “Don’t use your hands; follow my instructions exactly.”
The midwife feared losing both mother and child.
Having someone to direct was a relief, and she nodded quickly.
Ji Shi looked at Xu Miaozhen faintly: “Miss Xu, am I really so bad?”
Xu Miaozhen smiled, wiped the sweat from her forehead, and held her hand comfortingly: “Trust me and listen to what I say. I guarantee both you and the baby will be safe.”
“You’re really like Guanyin…”
Ji Shi looked at the vermilion mark on Xu Miaozhen’s forehead, full of trust.
After a while, Dou Kou brought the medicine.
Xu Miaozhen had Ji Shi’s foster mother feed her and instructed Dou Kou to keep boiling more without stopping.
This Zhuantian Tang included ginseng to replenish qi and blood, and warming herbs like sheng ma, niu xi, and processed fuzi to open the body’s internal and external meridians.
Normally, one dose would help correct the baby’s position; two doses should ensure a safe delivery.
If not, the last resort was acupuncture at the mother’s Hegu point.
After Ji Shi took the medicine, the midwife was amazed: “Miss Xu, you’re truly a miracle.”
Xu Miaozhen was at a loss for words and continued having Dou Kou serve the medicine.
After two doses, the midwife guided Ji Shi’s labor, and soon the cries of a newborn were heard.
Outside, Cheng Dalaoye and Cheng Laotaitai heard the delivery room door open.
Ji Shi’s foster mother wept with joy: “Big Madam, Eldest Master, our lady has given birth to a little young master!”
Everyone outside cheered happily, but Xu Miaozhen carefully took Ji Shi’s pulse, helped tuck back her damp hair behind her ear, and said, “You’re just a bit qi-deficient, nothing serious. You’ll recover fully.”
Ji Shi didn’t know why tears slipped down her face.
Was it because her dream had come true and she’d finally borne a son?
Or because only Xu Miaozhen showed such gentle concern for her?