Chapter 106

Chapter 106

The Dragon Boat Festival was approaching, and in recent years, it had been Yao Niang who prepared the festival gifts. She had learned from Lady Jie at home before, and later, she reviewed the gift lists of previous years to ensure nothing was overlooked.

"I used to love eating zongzi, but the doctor said I should eat less sticky food as it can cause belching, so I have to restrain myself. This year, I won't be able to eat any zongzi. But you must tell the kitchen to save some glutinous rice for me. After I give birth, I want to eat several at once." Yao Niang now sighed at the sight of zongzi.

Mother Gu smiled and said, "Madam, I will definitely instruct the kitchen to keep it."

Yao Niang nodded, "That's good."

Pendulous calamus hung at the door, and Yao Niang also asked the needlework people to make many longevity threads. Despite her pregnancy fatigue, she specially made a pair of bright sachets for Shen Linfeng.

Shen Linfeng got up even later than she did, yawning as he came out, with the sachet Yao Niang made tied around his waist. He sat opposite Yao Niang and said, "Breakfast is already set, why didn't you call me to eat with you?"

"Seeing how tired you were, I thought you needed more sleep," Yao Niang smiled.

Shen Linfeng was currently engaged in very demanding work. Though young and from an official family, he lacked experience and often felt highly stressed. Yao Niang could only let him rest without disturbing him.

Shen Linfeng smiled, "Indeed, after a good sleep, my mood is excellent. Anyway, I'll stay home with you today; we still have plenty of time."

As they laughed and chatted, they began their breakfast. Just as they finished, word came that Shen Bangyan and his wife had arrived. Yao Niang would be seventeen next month, and it had been almost three years since her marriage. The relationship between Shen Bangyan and his wife had not been good in the past two years, but it had improved significantly over the last year.

According to some rumors, Lady Wang had considerable influence among the literati and nobility. As the daughter-in-law of the National University's chief sacrificial wine pourer, many noble sons who wished to enter the National University naturally sought her favor, which brought her significant benefits. Even those of lower status, she would condescend to associate with, introducing daughters of officials to noble sons or marrying noble daughters into scholarly families.

Thus, her status rose, while the women of this family each pursued their own paths. The eldest madam managed the third house, privately associating with merchants, earning money to store in her dowry chest, buying shops and houses. Lady Wang worked hard to improve her popularity, becoming a key figure in social circles.

Yao Niang was clear about what she needed to do. One cannot have everything; most of the time, she kept her doors closed, focusing on childbirth. During the four seasons and eight festivals, she sent gifts, and being a couple with long-term vision, Yao Niang believed that since Shen Linfeng was working in the cabinet, she should be even more low-key and cautious.

If her husband held office, she would use this to advance herself, but frequent exposure to power could lead to mistakes.

However, Lady Wang hadn't visited for a long time, and Yao Niang wondered why she was here today. Nevertheless, she went out with Shen Linfeng to greet them.

The men went outside to talk, while the women gathered in the small hall. Seeing Yao Niang's large belly, Lady Wang couldn't help but say, "Sister-in-law, how are you feeling these days?"

Yao Niang shook her head, "I'm always uncomfortable, enduring until next month."

"Pregnancy is indeed hard work," Lady Wang remarked, recalling how Yao Niang used to be light and graceful, now looking so heavy, which made her somewhat fearful.

Yao Niang smiled but remained silent, then asked, "Sister, did you come for something?"

She was too lazy to make small talk; if it was just a gift, the managers of each house could handle it, no need for her to come personally.

Lady Wang replied, "I shouldn't trouble you with this, but Second Auntie loved Elder Brother the most when she was on her deathbed. Their family is struggling, so I thought if we each contributed some silver, we could help with Second Auntie's funeral expenses."

"Second Auntie passed away?" Yao Niang remembered that Second Auntie had been difficult when she first married into the family, and she hadn't expected her to pass so soon.

"Yes, she suddenly contracted lung disease, and we even visited her," Lady Wang said.

Funeral expenses were certainly not trivial, including buying a grave site, making a coffin, and holding memorial services, all of which required money. The relatives of Second Auntie had turned to the second house, and the second madam naturally considered it a family matter, sending Lady Wang to ask for money. Given Yao Niang's condition, Lady Wang could take charge of the arrangements.

But Yao Niang covered her nose and mouth, "You visited a tuberculosis patient and then came here?"

Lady Wang hadn't thought of this, seeing Yao Niang get up and shout, Shen Linfeng rushed in upon hearing the commotion. Yao Niang immediately said, "She visited a tuberculosis patient and then came here?"

"Big Sister, I didn't mean to," Lady Wang, usually sharp-tongued, was speechless, realizing she hadn't considered the risk of infection.

Yao Niang took three steps back and said, "I know you didn't mean to, but we've been married for three years and finally have a child. If anything happens to the baby in my womb, I would feel guilty before the ancestors of the Shen family."

Originally, Shen Linfeng was generous and believed in sharing wealth among friends, but Yao Niang thought that Second Auntie often associated with the second madam and rarely visited their house. When Shen Linfeng was promoted, Second Auntie had clearly shown displeasure, saying that Shen Bangyan just lacked luck, otherwise, he would have achieved great success.

Such a person, she usually flatters the Second House, and now during the funeral arrangements, she still wants us to pay for it—she must be dreaming.

After Yao Niang caused such a commotion, Lady Wang and Shen Bangyan, seeing her still clutching her belly, were somewhat frightened. It was Shen Linfeng who said he would invite a doctor and asked them to leave first, so they quickly departed.

Once they left, Yao Niang let out a snort.

Shen Linfeng, still puzzled, asked, "How are you?"

"How am I? I just don't want you to be the one to foot the bill. Second Auntie has always been a lackey of the Second House, showing no respect to either of us. Now that she's dead, the Second House refuses to contribute money but expects us to pay for the funeral and take all the credit. I won't agree to that. I'd rather throw the money into the water than spend it on this."

Shen Linfeng is not one to hold grudges; after all, when someone dies, the most important thing is to ensure a quick burial. But hearing his wife’s words, he also found them reasonable. Even if Madam Shen had treated them well, they could still harm their own brother or ruin his marriage without hesitation.

However, Shen Linfeng said, "If we don’t contribute any money, will people talk about us in the future?"

"What can they say? The dowry Second Auntie brought from the Shen family was so rich that even the Song family took it all, yet they refuse to use it for her funeral and instead expect the Shen family to pay. There’s no logic in that. In this case, you might as well go and confront them. That would be the right way to handle it," said Yao Niang.

Second Auntie used her dowry to support her husband and children, and when her husband divided the family property, they got the better deal. Yet, in her old age, she lived in such poverty and still wanted to rely on her natal family.

Shen Linfeng and Yao Niang discussed the matter, then called the people from the Second and Third Houses to see if Second Auntie was truly too poor to arrange the funeral or if they were deliberately withholding funds. They wanted an explanation.

Shen Linqing and Shen Linjiang were uninterested in these matters and both claimed to be busy. Shen Bangyan, however, said, "I will follow whatever my elder brother decides. However, I think the Song family is already in a difficult situation. Perhaps we should give some money to ensure the funeral is decent."

"You can't say that. When Second Auntie married, her dowry filled two boats and six carts. I have the list of items here. Over the years, did the Song family not spend a single coin and rely entirely on the Shen family's dowry? Or did they keep the dowry for themselves and expect the Shen family to pay for the funeral? If we set this precedent, will the First and Third Aunts also expect the Shen family to pay for their funerals in the future? Will our daughters-in-law also expect their in-laws to pay for their funerals?" Shen Linfeng grew more confident as he spoke.

Shen Bangyan remained silent, and the Third House did not speak up. Seeing that no one else would speak, Shen Linfeng said, "Since none of you agree, let it be."

Later, it was the Second Madam who collected two hundred taels from each of the Third House and the eldest lady, sending the money over without informing the First House.

For the first time, Shen Linfeng was not morally coerced, though some people gossiped about it, he paid no attention. Yao Niang was quite pleased and said, "Just wait and see. These aunts of yours are not young anymore. After giving once, see if they give again the second and third times. If they don’t, they’ll offend people."

Shen Linfeng replied, "That makes sense."

Yao Niang also heard that Lady Wang helped organize the funeral, and some people within the clan, like Seventh Aunt, naturally criticized them for being heartless. However, they gradually stopped caring because these were minor issues.

Shen Linfeng wanted to show everyone that he would no longer be the man who was easily morally coerced and constrained by others.

At the end of May, Yao Niang heard that Yan Yingqi and others were about to return to the capital and planned to welcome them, but thinking of her condition, she did not force herself. On this day, after breakfast with Shen Linfeng, he went to the study, while Yao Niang was supported by a servant to walk in the courtyard. Unexpectedly, her labor began at this moment.

She had heard of women who labored for three days and nights without delivering, and the midwives said she was too slender, which might cause dislocation of the spine during childbirth. She needed to be extremely cautious.

"Send for the midwife. Mother Gu, get someone to boil water and bring scissors. Also, ask Master to invite a doctor and Mother Hu from the Jinghai Marquis’s residence. Bring my old ginseng to make soup," Yao Niang, though inexperienced in childbirth, had gathered enough information to know what to do and remained remarkably calm.

Mother Gu responded with a "Yes" and immediately gave orders to the kitchen and sent someone to call Shen Linfeng.

Shen Linfeng was writing when he heard that Yao Niang was in labor. He suddenly trembled, very afraid. Fortunately, just as he came out, Rong An said, "Master, your mother-in-law has arrived."

Shen Linfeng was greatly relieved. With his mother-in-law there, he felt more at ease, wondering how much more reassured his wife would be.