Chapter 153

Chapter 153

In the seventh month, another scandal erupted in the Imperial City.

Previously, Han Xiao had filed a lawsuit against his in-laws, the Qiu family. After submitting the petition to the Grand Court of Revision, he spent money hiring beggars and loafers to spread the "juicy" rumor that the Qiu family intended to harm his current wife and then force their younger sister-in-law upon him as a replacement.

This kind of gossip spread faster than any other news, causing a city-wide uproar in just a few days.

The Qiu family, utterly humiliated, explained themselves to everyone they met and, following Han Xiao's example, also spent money to hire beggars and loafers to help refute the rumors.

They claimed that Han Xiao was not a good man, that he lusted after his sister-in-law and wanted to enjoy the benefits of having two wives. After being rejected by the Qiu family, he flew into a rage and slandered them in return.

Everyone had their own version of events, providing the people of the Imperial City with plenty of drama to watch.

After an investigation by the Grand Court of Revision, no evidence was found, and the case had to be dropped.

However, Han Xiao hadn't expected to win the lawsuit in the first place. His goal was simply to completely sever ties with the Qiu family.

On the very day he received notice that the case was dismissed, Han Xiao announced that he was cutting all ties with the Qiu family. He stated that unless the Qiu family's patriarch and Lady Qiu, the biological parents of Second Miss Qiu, passed away, he and his wife would never set foot in the Qiu family's home again.

Due to the preceding rumors, people were not surprised by this announcement. In fact, few people criticized him or Second Miss Qiu for being unfilial.

While Han Xiao was sailing smoothly, Song Shian wasn’t so lucky.

It wasn't because of any issues with Jiang Chun; their small married life was going well. Every few days, they couldn’t resist getting intimate, enjoying a blissful life!

The problem arose with his master, Jiangyan.

Previously, Song Shian had used the excuse of infertility to keep Jiangyan in the Imperial City.

But soon after, Jiang Chun was diagnosed with a pregnancy, rendering that excuse ineffective.

However, after Jiang Chun was involved in a maddened horse incident and an assassination attempt, the Song family continued to publicize that Jiang Chun had been traumatized and that the pregnancy might not be viable.

Obviously, Jiangyan couldn't tell his disciple at this critical moment that he planned to go on a trip to the Jiangnan region for leisure.

But this reason clearly wouldn't hold water after the Song family held a birthday banquet for Jiang Chun's twentieth birthday.

The day after the Zhongyuan Festival, which happened to be Song Shian’s day off, Jiangyan personally visited the Song family's home to check on his disciple's wife, Jiang Chun, bringing a large chest of tonics as a gift.

He then announced to his disciple, Song Shian, "I've already arranged for a boat ticket to depart in three days. You don't need to come see me off since I'll only be touring around for one or two months."

Song Shian could barely hold it together.

Touring for one or two months? By then, you might already be six feet under.

Seeing that Song Shian's face had darkened, his eyes glistening as if holding back tears, and his lips pressed into a thin line, Jiang Chun became worried for him.

Thinking for a moment, she sighed while covering her four-month pregnant belly, which was beginning to show, and said with a troubled tone, "Master, Dr. Zou warned me that the shock from earlier has affected the pregnancy and it was already somewhat difficult. Now that it's confirmed to be twins, it will likely be even harder.

I don’t know if I’ll survive long enough to see you again, Master."

Before Jiangyan could react, Song Shian blurted out in shock, "What? Dear, you're carrying twins?"

Jiang Chun was feigning tears with a handkerchief when, upon his question, she remembered she had forgotten to tell him about the twins.

She chuckled awkwardly and said, "Yes, just now when you went out to welcome Master, Dr. Zou came to feel my wellness pulse, and that's how he diagnosed it."

Actually, Dr. Zou had an inkling about it a while ago when he felt her pulse, but because the pregnancy was still in its early stages and Imperial Doctor Lu hadn't mentioned it, he chose to keep quiet.

It wasn't until today, when he was ninety-nine percent sure, that he revealed it.

Song Shian clasped her hand, beaming, and said, "This is wonderful news!"

Her being pregnant with twins meant that they would have two little ones, one with the Jiang family's surname and one with the Song family's surname, solving everything at once without the need for her to go through another pregnancy.

This is perfect!

Jiang Yan was also happy for his disciple and daughter-in-law, but he had clearly heard what his daughter-in-law said just now and couldn't help but feel deeply worried.

His daughter-in-law's pregnancy had been difficult, and she had almost miscarried due to a fright. The delivery would definitely be more difficult than for other pregnant women.

And to make matters worse, she was carrying twins, which undoubtedly increased the chances of complications during childbirth.

Master Jiang had seen how much his disciple cherished his daughter-in-law.

He loved her to the core.

If something were to happen to her, resulting in the loss of three lives, his disciple would definitely not be able to bear the blow.

He might not be able to go on without them.

And by then, he himself would have already passed away half a year earlier.

In that case, we’d all be reunited in the afterlife, master and disciples together.

His disciple, whom he had watched grow up, came from a good family, was talented and capable, and had married—no, wedded—a beloved woman. His future should have been bright, and he shouldn't suffer a setback midway.

It seemed that he wouldn't be able to go to Hangzhou for the time being and would have to stay in the Imperial City.

Firstly, to continue relying on those old friends from the martial world to help find a renowned healer specializing in gynecology to be stationed at the Song family.

Secondly, if something were to happen to his daughter-in-law, he would be there to console his disciple and prevent him from taking his own life.

Song Shian had already forgotten about his master and pulled Jiang Chun into his arms.

Laughing through his tears, he said, "My dear, you are amazing, just like Second Sister-in-law, pregnant with twins. This is such a wonderful surprise."

Jiang Chun raised her eyebrows and slowly realized that both she and Zhong Wenjin were pregnant with twins.

Zhong Wenjin being pregnant with twins was purely an author’s favor, and not only was her first pregnancy twins, but her second one was also twins.

But now she was also pregnant with twins—was this something contagious?

She couldn't help but ask Song Shian, "My love, have any of our ancestors had twins?"

Song Shian, who was wiping his tears with his sleeve, replied instinctively, "Grandfather and Second Aunt were twins."

Jiang Chun suddenly realized, "No wonder both you and Second Sister-in-law are pregnant with twins. It turns out the Song family has a family history of twins."

He understood the concept of inheritance, but the word 'genes' was unfamiliar to him.

But in front of his master, even though he had doubts, he didn't ask.

At that moment, Jiangyan suddenly spoke up, "Your master will not be going down to Jiangnan for now. I'll wait until your wife has given birth. After attending the full moon banquet and giving the two little ones their gifts for the newborns, I'll leave for Jiangnan then."

Song Shian: "???"

What happened?

He was too busy being happy and hadn't even had the chance to persuade his master to stay. How did his master change his mind on his own?

Could it be that upon hearing Jiang Chun was pregnant with twins, and he was getting two more disciples as grandchildren, he was so delighted that the family line would continue that he decided to stay?

Either way, it's good that he's staying.

We can delay his departure as long as possible.

After the full moon banquet for the two babies, if his master brings up leaving again, he would think of another way to keep him.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Chun was very happy for Song Shian. She turned her head from his embrace and said with a grin, "Master has so many good things in his possession. Don't be too stingy later; you must give the two little ones some good stuff."

Jiangyan looked at Song Shian and teased him with a smile, "With a daughter-in-law who loves good things, disciple, you'll never go hungry."

Song Shian, far from being embarrassed, took pride in it and said with a chuckle, "Of course. My wife is excellent at both saving money and earning silver. Having such a good wife who is skilled at managing finances is the blessing I cultivated in my previous life."

Jiang Chun curled her lips.

This guy is really good at pleasing people.

If she hadn't discovered his secret of rebirth, she really wouldn't have been able to understand these sweet words.

In his previous life, he died alone, having struggled in the position of Grand Secretary for decades, caught many corrupt officials, and done many practical things for the common folks.

In his eyes, this was accumulating blessings?

Jiangyan shook his head speechlessly, "I was just praising your wife a little, and you took the opportunity to boast. You really lack humility."

Song Shian said proudly, "I'm just being truthful. My wife is indeed such a person. Should I deliberately lie and disparage her just for the sake of so-called modesty?"

Jiangyan: "..."

He really puffed up when praised.

Who raised such a cheeky disciple?

Definitely not him!

The three of them exchanged playful banter, filling the room with a light-hearted and warm atmosphere.

After some coaxing from Jiang Chun, the daughter-in-law, Jiangyan agreed to stay for lunch.

Coincidentally, there were newly harvested chilies at home, and Jiang Chun prepared a few spicy dishes for the main kitchen to make.

Jiangyan, with his wide robes and sleeves, maintained the proper demeanor of a famous teacher during the meal, but upon closer inspection, one could see that he was quick to pick up his chopsticks and chewed rapidly.

He obviously enjoyed these spicy dishes very much.

Jiang Chun then said, "I just had someone pick some chilies from the estate yesterday. If you don't mind, Master, I'll have some packed for you to take back and enjoy slowly."

Jiangyan didn't refuse but just reminded her, "Just pack a little. I'll just have a taste."

Though he sometimes felt life had little meaning, he was, after all, from a prestigious family like the Jiang family. He couldn't help but be well-informed about the news in the Imperial City.

The foreign spices in my disciple daughter-in-law's hands—these chilies—I've heard about them long ago.

Lately, they've become even more famous.

Because Fan Lou has signed a procurement agreement with Jiang Chun, the chilies haven't even matured yet, but the publicity campaign has already begun.

Wealthy patrons who frequent Fan Lou—who doesn't know about this? Everyone's looking forward to it.

And any spices related to foreign lands aren't cheap. Jiangyan didn't want to take too much advantage of his disciple daughter-in-law.

Jiang Chun smiled and said, "I can't manage others, but I can still supply you, Master."

Jiangyan felt very comfortable hearing this and even teased Song Shian, "A disciple daughter-in-law is much more considerate than you, my disciple. I regret now, why did I take you as a disciple instead of a well-behaved and filial female disciple."

Song Shian hummed softly, "It's too late to regret."

Jiang Chun's eyes suddenly lit up as she suggested, "It's not too late. If I'm carrying a little lady, we can have Master teach her. Then Master would have a female disciple to be filial to you. Wouldn't that be perfect?"

Jiangyan laughed and scolded, "If that happens, I'd be changing from a master to a teacher, and the disciple and disciple granddaughter would become master and disciple. Wouldn't that disrupt the hierarchy?"

Jiang Chun grinned, "That's easy. The little lady can still call you master, and you can perform the duties of a teacher while retaining the title of master, a perfect solution."

Jiangyan: "..."

Indeed, she's quite the calculator. Your husband was right; you're really good at taking advantage of situations.

Jiang Chun smiled innocently, "Taking advantage of the master's situation can't be called taking advantage. This is deep master-disciple affection."

Jiangyan: "..."

*

I really shouldn't visit the Song family too often; otherwise, this old sheep of mine will eventually be fleeced bald by this clever disciple daughter-in-law.

Word of Jiang Chun’s twin pregnancy quickly spread through the Song family.

The eldest branch was naturally overjoyed. Madame Zhuang was practically floating on air, and even the old scholar Song Zhen Ting was smiling all day, much to the surprise of his colleagues.

In the second branch, now free from Madame Li’s constant drama, the three of them were happy for Song Shian and Jiang Chun. Song Zhenping even sent Song Shiying to bring some tonics to Jiang Chun.

In the third branch, Aunt Qiu wasn't so happy. She privately complained to Song Zhen Sheng that three people were pregnant around the same time, and both of her daughters-in-law were carrying twins, while she was only carrying a single baby, making her feel inadequate.

Song Zhen Sheng wasn't envious and instead comforted her, "My dear, you're getting on in years, and it's been hard to conceive again. A single baby is good. If you were carrying twins like your daughters-in-law, there might be complications during childbirth. What would I and Yue'er do then?"

Aunt Qiu nodded in agreement and finally relaxed.

When Jiang He heard the news, he was so thrilled that he closed the shop early and immediately brought Zheng Yi and Aunt Qiu to the Song family to visit Jiang Chun.

Zheng Yi and Aunt Qiu had booked their ship tickets back to Prefecture Qi for the next day. Hearing this good news the day before their departure, they were also happy for their niece.

Zheng Yi smiled, "Talk about perfect timing. If it had been diagnosed a day later, we would have already boarded the ship and might not have heard this good news for one or two months."

After all, they had just gotten back from the Imperial City, and even if Jiang Chun had written to share the news, it wouldn’t have been immediate.

Jiang He chuckled, "Twins are great. One can take the Jiang family's surname, and the other the Song family's, so neither side will feel left out."

Jiang Chun explained, "I heard from my husband that the Song family's elder and Second Mistress Lu were twins. That's probably why both my second sister-in-law and I are pregnant with twins."

Zheng Yi suddenly realized, "So the Song family has a history of twins. That explains why you and Second Mistress are both pregnant with twins."

Jiang He nodded, "Exactly. Our Jiang family hasn't had any twins in our ancestry." They chatted for a while. Jiang Chun invited them to stay for a meal, but Zheng Yi declined, "We need to leave early tomorrow, and we still have to finish packing. We won't disturb you."

This was obviously just an excuse, but Jiang Chun didn’t insist. She asked Gui Zhi to prepare a parting gift and had Zheng Yi and Aunt Qiu take it with them.

After some hesitation, they eventually accepted.

*

Despite the sweltering heat, time marched on as usual.

At the beginning of August, Madame Zhuang began preparing the Mid-Autumn Festival gifts with great enthusiasm.

By the sixth day of the eighth month, two pieces of good news came from the Marquis of Jinxiang's residence.

One was that Lady Xiao, the wife of the Marquis of Jinxiang’s heir, had her water break the previous night. After a whole night of labor, she gave birth to a young master early in the morning.

The other was that Lady Liu, Mistress Lu the Second, was diagnosed with a pregnancy that same morning.

It was a double cause for celebration.

Jiang Chun immediately had two congratulatory gifts prepared. One was for Lady Xiao, and the other was for Lady Liu.

But that wasn’t the end of it. While Jiang Chun was having breakfast with Madame Zhuang in the main courtyard, Nurse Liu from Crown Prince’s Consort Song Shi Yu’s side arrived.

With a smile on her face, she congratulated Madame Zhuang, “Congratulations, Madam. Our Crown Prince’s Consort has been diagnosed with a pregnancy.”

Jiang Chun’s lips curled in amusement.

What was going on? The women she knew were getting pregnant one after another. Could this be contagious or something?

But if it were contagious, it would be Zhong Wenjin’s fault. After all, she was the heroine with a protagonist halo, so it had nothing to do with her.

Jiang Chun mentally passed the blame to Zhong Wenjin and immediately congratulated Madame Zhuang with a smile, “Congratulations, Mother.”

Madame Zhuang beamed with joy, unable to contain her excitement.

The Crown Prince’s Consort, Song Shi Yu, only had one child, the young heir Li Haoran, which was somewhat risky.

Although the Crown Prince currently had only one official wife and had not taken any secondary consorts or concubines, who could guarantee that he wouldn’t expand his harem after ascending the throne?

To secure the position of Empress, it was essential to have more children while there were no others by the Crown Prince’s side.

Every time Madame Zhuang visited the palace, she would urge Song Shi Yu, but the latter would casually say that she preferred to let nature take its course, which would make Madame Zhuang so angry that she would stomp her feet, but there was nothing she could do.

Fortunately, she was pregnant again now.

Madame Zhuang’s heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally found peace.

To put it bluntly, the Song family had suffered greatly due to the Crown Prince’s involvement. If someone else reaped the rewards, the Song family would be the laughingstock.

Madame Zhuang quickly sent Shanhu to prepare some tonics for the Crown Prince’s Consort and had Nurse Liu bring them into the palace.

Jiang Chun made a quick excuse and slipped away. Upon returning to Dangui Courtyard, she took out a packet of blood bird's nest, a packet of white fungus, and a packet of red dates from her treasure chest. She had Gui Ye deliver them to the main courtyard.

When she was pregnant, the Crown Prince’s Consort had sent Nurse Liu with many tonics. Now that Song Shi Yu was pregnant, she needed to return the favor.

She also had Gui Xiang notify Zhong Wenjin, reminding her to show her goodwill as well.

After all, the Crown Prince’s Consort treated her two sisters-in-law equally. When Zhong Wenjin was diagnosed with a pregnancy, she had also sent Nurse Liu with tonics.

Upon receiving the news, Zhong Wenjin quickly prepared several ancient tonics, along with a maternity bag and a birthing medical kit.

The maternity bag was one thing, but whether the imperial doctors would use the birthing medical kit for the Crown Prince’s Consort was uncertain. After all, as the Crown Prince’s Consort, she had many concerns, but at least her goodwill was conveyed.

After thinking about it, she ended up taking out another maternity bag and a delivery medical kit, and sent them to Madame Qiu, the third madam, via Bai Zhi.

Though Madame Qiu could be sharp-tongued and enjoyed making sarcastic remarks, especially when things didn’t concern her, she was generally polite in public and always gave gifts on important occasions.

There was no need to be stingy with these few items.

*

Before she knew it, the Mid-Autumn Festival was upon them.

Looking at the golden osmanthus trees full of yellow blossoms in the courtyard, Jiang Chun was surprised to realize that she had only been in the capital for a year.

Ever since she returned to the capital, so many things had happened one after another that, unless reminded, she would have felt as if she had been in the city for four or five years.

They had returned to the Song family on the seventeenth of August the previous year, missing the Mid-Autumn reunion, much to Song Shian’s regret.

But this year was different. Not only was the entire family finally all together, but Jiang Chun was also expecting twins.

Moreover, her teacher’s life had been temporarily saved.

So, Song Shian was over the moon and eager, uncharacteristically taking the initiative to ask Madame Zhuang to hold a grand Mid-Autumn banquet.

Madame Zhuang scolded him, “I’ve been overwhelmed with tasks lately, so busy that my feet barely touch the ground. Your wife and Rui’s wife are both pregnant and can’t help at all. Instead, they add to my troubles every now and then.

Instead of understanding my situation, you want me to hold a grand banquet. It seems you’re asking to be spanked by your father.”

Feeling rebuffed, Song Shian returned to Dan Gui Yard, snuggled into Jiang Chun’s arms, and said with a pitiful expression, “Mother refused to hold a grand Mid-Autumn banquet, scolded me, and said if I keep making random demands, she would have father spank me.”

Jiang Chun smiled, speaking on behalf of Madame Zhuang, “You deserve a few spanks. Do you have any idea how much Mom has on her plate?

The wedding preparations for Second Sister and Third Brother, as well as those for our cousin and Lady Cao, are all handled by Mother.”

Now that the Crown Princess is pregnant again, Mother has to visit the palace every few days.

She also has to take care of me and my second sister-in-law, both of us being pregnant.

And with the Mid-Autumn Festival approaching, our family needs to send out festival gifts and receive guests who come to give us gifts.

She’s so busy she wishes she could split herself into eight pieces.

To ask for a grand Mid-Autumn Festival banquet at this critical moment is just asking for trouble.”

Hearing her words, Song Shian felt somewhat guilty: “I didn’t think it through. I was just thinking about all the good news in our family recently and wanted Mother to host a grand Mid-Autumn Festival banquet so everyone could have a good time.”

Jiang Chun reached out and patted his head, comforting him: “Let’s skip it this year. By next year, I will have given birth long ago.

Then I’ll throw you a grand banquet, a few days early, inviting all our relatives and friends, as well as everyone from the Ministry of Personnel, for a great celebration.

We have a hundred-year-old osmanthus tree in our courtyard, so let’s call it an Osmanthus Appreciation Banquet. Isn’t that more elegant than a Mid-Autumn Festival banquet?”

Song Shian’s mouth curved into a smile, and he said immediately: “Agreed, I’ll be waiting for you to organize it.”

While the old emperor is still in good health, hosting an Osmanthus Appreciation Banquet would be a good idea.

After all, after next winter, the old emperor’s health will only get worse, and he will be bedridden. We thought that if he could make it through the New Year, he might improve with the arrival of spring.

But he passed away on New Year’s Eve.

With the old emperor gone, we, the senior ministers, had to go to the palace to keep vigil and pay our respects. Forget about hosting banquets; we couldn’t even celebrate the New Year properly.

Next year’s Mid-Autumn Festival will be the last time for us, the nobles and officials, to indulge ourselves for the next two years.

After the Crown Prince ascends the throne, to demonstrate his filial piety, he will order that no feasts or celebrations be held in the Imperial City for a year, for all nobles and officials of the seventh rank and higher.

Jiang Chun huffed, "How could I be deceiving you? I’ve got plenty of money and the servants here to assist me; what difficulty is there in hosting a banquet?

Besides, even if there were difficulties, would Mother really just sit back and let me embarrass myself without helping?"

Song Shian raised his head and gently flicked her nose, teasing, "You’re actually saying that with a straight face? So, you’re relying on Mother too, and yet now you’re not worried about her being too busy anymore?"

Jiang Chun replied defiantly, "With no pregnant women like me and my sister-in-law around to cause chaos next year, someone as capable as Mother would have no problem handling everything."

Song Shian chuckled, "No matter what, you always find a way to be right. There’s no arguing with you."