Chapter 166

Chapter 166

Previously, Jiang Chun was bedridden like a vegetable, and Song Shian neglected his career in the bureaucracy. He stayed by her bedside every day, personally taking care of her.

His attentiveness was just as meticulous as that of her personal maids, like Gui Zhi.

Jiang Chun was deeply moved.

Even in ancient times, when men were considered superior, and even in the modern era, few could reach the level he had achieved.

True love shows itself in tough times. Jiang Chun now fully understood her place in Song Shian's heart, like a reassuring pill that settled her heart, making it as steady as it could be.

This was also why, as soon as her condition slightly improved, she insisted that Song Shian get back to work.

It wasn’t because she expected him to go out and earn money. His salary was barely enough to support him, so it wouldn’t have made much difference.

Her main concern was that his future prospects might be affected.

A man with his talent and strategy should be making waves in the bureaucracy, just as he did in the original story, not staying at home revolving around her all day.

That would be such a waste.

As for Jiang Chun herself, her main priority now was to recover at home, starting with a month of nourishment to restore her postpartum depleted body.

Of course, alongside nourishment, she would also undergo some rehabilitation.

After all, having been bedridden for a month, even though Song Shian massaged her limbs daily, a month without movement had left her body as stiff and uncoordinated as an elderly person’s.

It would probably take a period of rehabilitation to return to her previous level of fitness.

But these were minor issues. Just being alive was enough to make Jiang Chun happy.

So, she had someone go to Ci'an Temple to set up a memorial tablet for the original host and donated enough oil money for eighty years in one go.

The name "Jiang Chun" was boldly written on the tablet.

Even if acquaintances discovered the tablet, it wouldn’t matter. There were many people with the same name in the world. How could one know there wasn’t another short-lived woman named Jiang Chun besides Madam Song?

She didn’t delay because the oath forced upon her by the original host was too absolute.

If she broke the oath, she would end up penniless, which for someone who had experienced poverty, was a nightmare.

Moreover, upon waking up, she heard that Song Shian had squandered 8,000 taels of her silver, which she had painstakingly saved over a year and a half.

She feared that if she deliberately delayed, the silver meant for expanding the winery, which was borrowed by Zhong Wenjin, might fly away.

Then she might really end up penniless.

Of course, this didn’t mean she was worried that Zhong Wenjin would default on the debt, but rather that she feared the moment it was returned to her, it would be squandered by Song Shian.

Or perhaps she would squander it herself.

In any case, with this matter taken care of, Jiang Chun could now focus on recovering without any worries.

*

On the afternoon of the eighth day of the second lunar month, after Jiang Chun woke up from her nap, Gui Ye reported, "Madam, the third madam has gone into labor. The madam has already gone."

Qiu Shi was over a month late according to her due date, so it was indeed about time.

Jiang Chun smiled and said, "Bring the wheelchair over. I’ll sit in it, and you can push me over to see what’s happening."

After being cooped up in the house for five or six days, she felt like she was going to go stir-crazy.

Since it wasn’t so cold anymore and the wind was mild, it was the perfect opportunity to get some fresh air in Wutong Courtyard.

Gui Ye quickly brought the wheelchair over, helped Jiang Chun change into her outdoor clothes, and covered her with a thin cotton cloak before pushing her out.

The wheelchair, a modern one from Pinduoduo Mall that Zhong Wenjin had gifted her, was equipped with rubber tires that made the ride very comfortable.

This was Jiang Chun’s first outing since she woke up, so her sudden appearance at Wutong Courtyard took everyone by surprise.

Especially Madame Zhuang, who jumped to her feet, clearly taken aback, and exclaimed, "Chunniang, shouldn’t you be resting in your room? What are you doing in Wutong Courtyard?"

Her words, though well-intentioned, sounded like an accusation.

If Jiang Chun wasn’t familiar enough with Madame Zhuang’s tough exterior and soft heart, she might have been upset.

She smiled and said, "I heard Third Aunt is about to have the baby, and since I had nothing else to do, I came over to take a look."

Madame Zhuang snorted coldly, "Since you’re so free, why don’t you take Yi Ge’er and Yu Ge’er back to Dan Gui Courtyard to raise them yourself?"

Jiang Chun immediately waved her hands, "No, no, my body is still weak, and Dr. Zou said I need to recuperate with proper nourishment and rest for a month.

So, I’ll have to ask Mother to take care of them for another month."

Madame Zhuang had experience with children and was meticulous and thoughtful. Jiang Chun was more than relieved to have the two babies under Madame Zhuang’s care.

Madame Zhuang said with a smirk, "Did the doctor say that, or did you make it up? I think you’re just looking for an excuse to slack off."

In truth, Madame Zhuang would have loved to have Yi Ge’er and Yu Ge’er stay in the main courtyard forever. With two nursemaids to care for them, she wouldn’t have to worry much.

But that was impossible.

Rather than making a request that Jiang Chun would likely refuse, it was better to go against the norm, maybe she could keep them a little longer.

Jiang Chun chuckled, "Of course, it was the doctor who said that. Don’t you trust me? I never lie."

Madame Zhuang let out a snort from her nose.

She never lies? Ha!

Pfft, she’s the queen of lies, able to come up with them effortlessly and make them sound like the truth.

Jiang Chun put on an innocent expression.

She was telling the truth, but her mother-in-law didn’t believe her. She felt more wronged than Dou E.

So she shouted inside, "Third Aunt, hurry up and give birth! Come out and defend me! My mother-in-law accused me of lying, and I have to argue this out with her!"

In the delivery room, Qiu Shi, who was groaning in pain, thought:

Can the two of you argue somewhere else?

Do you have to argue right outside the delivery room?

Are my screams just background music for your argument?

Qiu Shi was speechless and could only ask her senior maid, Qiu Tong, to relay a message.

"Our madam thanks you both for visiting, but it’s chaotic here, and the servants might not be able to attend to you properly. Please return to your own courtyard and rest."

This is a subtle way of telling people to leave.

Madame Zhuang couldn’t leave just yet. Soon, her mother-in-law, Madame Zhou, would arrive. If she saw that her elder sister-in-law wasn’t here to handle things, she’d surely have something to say about it.

Jiang Chun wasn’t leaving either.

Previously, when she was in labor, she was in so much pain that she cursed at Song Shian right in front of Madame Zhuang.

Even though Qiu Shi wasn’t here, she must have gotten a kick out of the situation from afar.

Now it was her turn to see Qiu Shi get her comeuppance. How could she possibly leave?

Jiang Chun loudly and cheerfully said, "Third Aunt, you just keep giving birth. Don’t worry about us. You’re my real third aunt. When I heard you were in labor, I came even in a wheelchair. With a filial daughter-in-law like me, Third Aunt, you’re truly blessed!"

Qiu Shi: "..."

Would you like this blessing?

Just as she was about to send her attendant, Qiu Tong, out again to relay a message, she suddenly heard the voice of her mother-in-law, Madame Zhou. A smile immediately curved her lips.

Now that Grandma was here, let’s see if Jiang Chun dared to be so loud!

Madame Zhou didn’t disappoint her expectations. As soon as she entered and saw Jiang Chun there, she immediately spoke with a sarcastic tone, "Oh, Grandsons' wife isn’t supposed to be bedridden? Why are you here in Wu Tong Yuan? Are you recovered?

If you’re recovered, why haven’t you come to pay your respects to me, your grandmother?"

Jiang Chun cheerfully replied, "Grandmother, I’m currently paralyzed in a wheelchair. My hands and feet can’t move. Paying respects can wait, right?

If you insist on having me go in a wheelchair, and I fall or get hurt along the way, my husband would be heartbroken.

He’s already on edge, worried something might happen to me.

If something does happen to me, who knows what he might do."

Madame Zhou felt a headache just thinking about the antique decorations in her display cabinet that had been smashed by the disrespectful Song Shian.

How could she dare to provoke him further?

She could only respond with a sarcastic snort. "Shian is quite unruly now, I wouldn’t dare provoke him."

Jiang Chun cheerfully said, "Thank you for your understanding, Grandmother. You’re the kindest grandmother anyone could ask for."

Seeing Zhong Wenjin walk in, she smiled and asked, "Second Sister-in-law, don’t you agree?"

Zhong Wenjin, not fully understanding the situation, only heard her elder sister-in-law praising the old lady and immediately chimed in, "Elder Sister is right."

Her elder sister-in-law and Grandma usually didn’t get along. There was no reason for her to praise Grandma, so she was probably being sarcastic.

Since Grandma didn’t think much of her either, she naturally sided with her elder sister-in-law in their disputes.

Madame Zhou glared at Zhong Wenjin.

However, with the third daughter-in-law currently giving birth, she didn’t have much energy to engage in battles with her two granddaughters-in-law. She stiffly entered the birthing room.

She really had no choice but to go in.

Her third son was already in his forties and still only had one daughter, Yue'er. If the third daughter-in-law, a late bloomer, gave birth to a son, her third son would finally have a successor.

She had to go in and supervise personally to ensure the midwives didn’t play any tricks.

She didn’t trust Madame Zhuang, and the midwives who had previously delivered Zhong Wenjin and Jiang Chun—Midwife Pan and Midwife Wang—were not hired. Instead, she brought in two new midwives from outside.

Madame Zhuang certainly had to stay and watch, but Jiang Chun didn’t plan to linger. She intended to stay just long enough to see what happened before leaving.

Later, when Qiu Shi started acting up, she could bring up what she had seen and heard today to mock her and make her shut up.

After all, no one knew how long Qiu Shi would take to give birth, and her own body couldn’t hold out for long.

Unexpectedly, Qiu Shi gave birth much faster than anticipated. Jiang Chun had only been there for an hour when the cry of a baby came from the delivery room.

Her sharp eyes widened in surprise.

Seeing Jiang Chun’s astonished expression, Madame Zhuang snorted softly and explained, "Your Third Aunt is having her second child, and she’s been doing a lot of physical labor these past few years, which has made her body stronger. That’s why she gave birth so quickly."

After a moment of thought, she looked at Jiang Chun and Zhong Wenjin and added, "When the two of you have your second child, it will be much easier than the first."

Jiang Chun shuddered and waved her hands, saying, "Mother, you can talk about Second Younger Sister-in-law all you want, but don’t drag me into this. I almost lost my life giving birth to this child. How could I dare to have another one?

Heaven has already given me a second chance at life. If I tempt fate again, even the heavens won’t be able to save me."

If she were dragged into the holding cell again by the original owner, who knew what other variables might arise? She didn’t dare to take that risk.

Zhong Wenjin pursed her lips, thinking for a moment before agreeing, "I’m not having more either. Having Huan Ge'er and Tang Jier is enough for me. Why have so many children when it’s already hard to take care of the ones we have?"

Madame Zhuang didn’t comment on Jiang Chun’s response, still shaken by how close Jiang Chun had come to losing her life.

She was afraid that if something happened to Jiang Chun, her eldest son might also be affected.

Glaring at Zhong Wenjin, she said, "You and Second Younger Brother are still young, and your body is strong. You should have more children while you’re young.

Our family isn’t poor; we can certainly afford to raise more children. We have plenty of nursemaids, maids, and servants in the house, so how could we not manage to raise them?

If you’re really worried about not being able to manage, just have the children. I’ll help raise them for you."

Zhong Wenjin, with her gentle nature, didn’t directly contradict Madame Zhuang, though she disagreed internally. She simply smiled and said, "Why talk about this now, Mother? Huan Ge'er and Tang Jier are still young. We can discuss it when they’re older."

She was buying time.

Jiang Chun didn’t offer any opinions on this.

Zhong Wenjin wasn’t opposed to having children, which was why the original story had her giving birth to two children, four babies in total.

The reason she didn’t immediately agree to have more children right now was simply because Huan Ge'er and Tang Jier were still young.

Some people preferred fewer children, while others wanted more, and some chose not to have any at all. It all depended on personal preference.

While the three women were talking, Zhou Shi walked out happily holding a red swaddling cloth and said to Madame Zhuang, "Your Third Younger Sister-in-law gave birth to a young master."

Madame Zhuang stood up, smiled, and said, "Congratulations to Third Younger Brother and his wife. They finally have an heir."

"Indeed," Zhou Shi nodded with a smile and then instructed, "Send someone to inform Third Younger Brother and prepare the red eggs. Later, have Third Younger Brother go to the Marquis of Wu'an's estate to deliver the good news."

The Marquis of Wu'an's estate was Qiu Shi’s natal family.

Madame Zhuang smiled and said, "I’ve already prepared the red eggs. They just need to be cooked."

In her good spirits, Zhou Shi, who rarely praised anyone, complimented Madame Zhuang, saying, "I’m at ease when you handle things."

Madame Zhuang smiled modestly.

Unexpectedly, Zhou Shi's next sentence was startling: "It took so long for the third brother to finally have a child. We can skip the traditional washing ceremony, but the full moon banquet must be held grandly, just as grand as Yi Ge'er and Yu Ge'er's."

Madame Zhuang's lips twitched almost imperceptibly, but her smile remained unchanged as she calmly said, "Our family's full moon and first birthday banquets have traditionally been funded by each household.

If the third brother and third sister-in-law wish to hold a banquet as grand as Yi Ge'er and Yu Ge'er's, they certainly may. They would need to provide 3,000 taels of silver, and as their elder sister-in-law, I will naturally take care of the arrangements."

Zhou Shi's expression immediately turned sour. "When I said each household pays, I meant for the descendants of the younger generation, like Shian and the others.

But this little master of the third brother and sister-in-law is the Fourth Master of our estate, a generation higher than Yi Ge'er and the others.

Back then, the public funds covered the costs of Shian and the others' full moon and first birthday banquets."

Madame Zhuang smiled and countered, "Mother, perhaps you're mistaken? When Shian and his brother had their full moon and first birthday banquets, their great-grandmother was still living, and the Second, Third, and Fourth Elders had not yet been divided into separate households.

Their full moon banquet was paid for out of your own pocket.

When Huan Ge'er and Sugar Sister had their full moon banquets, I was afraid I might be mistaken, so I specifically reviewed the old gift records, and it was clearly recorded."

How could Zhou Shi not remember this?

She had deliberately tried to confuse the matter, thinking Madame Zhuang would be fooled. But she had actually checked the old gift records and clarified everything.

Angrily, Zhou Shi said, "Back then, I used my own money to pay for Shian's full moon and first birthday banquets, so now it's perfectly reasonable for the public funds to cover the fourth master of the third brother's family's full moon and first birthday banquets.

Your eldest branch owes me, this old woman, and it's only right to repay it through the fourth master of the third brother's family."

Madame Zhuang argued, "It's true that you paid for Shian and his brother's full moon and first birthday banquets, but those were your personal funds, not the public funds."

Shian and Rui Ge'er paid for their children's full moon banquets out of their own pockets, so it is only reasonable that the third branch's child's full moon banquet should also be paid for by them."

"Back when Madame Zhuang hosted banquets for her two grandsons, the younger brothers, like the second and third elder masters, were still in the household."

"If the Song family had a precedent of using public funds for these banquets, why didn’t I, as the head of the household, use them instead of paying from my own pocket?"

"This shows that there was no such precedent in the public funds."

"It's the same now."

"The first and third branches were never considered one family. For the first branch, the grandchildren's banquets were all paid for out of their own pockets, so why should the third branch's children's banquets be paid for by the public funds?"

Seeing the argument between her mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, Jiang Chun quickly jumped in to support Madame Zhuang: "You're right, Mother. There’s no such rule in the public funds."

"I’m still upset with my husband for being so extravagant. We’ve been arguing about it for days. If the public funds can return the 3,000 taels to me, I won’t be angry anymore."

Hearing this, Madame Zhuang, far from being moved, scolded Jiang Chun: "Your body is still weak. You’re still recovering from childbirth. How dare you argue with Shian? Aren’t you afraid you’ll get sick from anger and leave behind a chronic illness?"

Jiang Chun pouted.

Her words were meant to be caring, but they came across as a rebuke, implying that she was being unreasonable by arguing with her own son.

My mother-in-law is hopeless.

Luckily, she was skilled at turning criticism into praise. Zhong Wenjin let one ear in and let the other out. If it were someone else, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship would have been on the rocks.

Jiang Chun quickly shifted the focus: "Mother, that’s not the main issue. The real point is getting the old madam to return the 3,000 taels first."

We need to present a united front against outsiders first. We shouldn’t turn on each other and let outsiders benefit from our disagreements.

Madam Zhou was about to lose her temper, but then remembered she was still holding a child and quickly handed the child to the nursemaid who had followed her out.

She then angrily reprimanded Jiang Chun, "What do you mean by saying I should return 3,000 taels to you? Didn't you just say that the public funds should return the 3,000 taels to you?"

Jiang Chun shrugged and muttered, "I changed my mind. After all, my husband is the eldest son of the main branch and will inherit the Song family in the future. If the public funds return the 3,000 taels to me, it's like transferring money from my left hand to my right hand. I can't afford to lose that much money.

If you want the public funds to cover the cost of the fourth young master of the third branch's full moon banquet, you need to give me back the 3,000 taels first; otherwise, I will be the first to disagree."

This time, Zhong Wenjin didn't join in asking for money.

The full moon banquet for Huan Ge'er and Tang Jie'er was small. They only invited the Song family's in-laws and a few of Song Shirui's colleagues, and it only cost a few hundred taels. She didn't think it was worth the trouble to argue over such a small amount.

Madam Zhou understood Jiang Chun's intention—she was forcing her to pay for the fourth young master of the third branch out of her own pocket.

She had wanted to argue further, but then remembered that the full moon banquets for An Ge'er, Rui Ge'er, and Qian Ge'er were all paid for by herself. After all, she hadn't treated everyone fairly before. If she firmly refused to pay for the fourth young master of the third branch, Third Young Master and his wife wouldn't blame the eldest daughter-in-law, but would only think she was being stingy.

How annoying! Back then, she had no choice but to pay because there were no rules in place for using public funds. For the sake of her reputation, she had to put on a show of strength even though it was difficult.

Now, at her age, she didn't expect to have to do it again.

She huffed, "Why hold 300 tables? That's just extravagant and wasteful. An Ge'er wasn't reprimanded by the Emperor because his wife, who was critically ill, made significant contributions.

I can't harm Third Young Master in this way."

Madam Zhuang knew this would be the result. She covered her face with her sleeve and secretly smiled, then lowered her sleeve and asked seriously, "Mother's intention is?"

Madam Zhou replied grumpily, "Follow the scale of Huan Ge'er and Tang Jie'er's full moon banquet for the fourth young master's banquet. Calculate the expenses and come to me for the money later."

Zhong Wenjin immediately obliged and stated a figure, "It didn't cost much, just 682 taels of silver."

Madam Zhou gasped and sucked in a breath.

Had the prices in the Imperial City risen so much? She remembered that when she organized the full moon banquets for An Ge'er and the other two, the most expensive one cost only over 200 taels.

Rui's wife had kept things simple for the full moon banquet, yet it still cost a whopping 680 taels.

Madam Zhou felt dizzy and almost fainted.

680 taels! It was killing her!

If she had known, she wouldn't have stepped up and just played dumb. When Third Young Master asked, she could have used the Song family's rules to fob him off and let him pay the money himself.

She glared hatefully at Jiang Chun.

It was all Jiang Chun's fault for making such a big deal out of their sons' full moon banquet. They were so reckless.

Rui's family's full moon banquet was excusable; they held it early. The fourth young master of the third branch came later, and even if she paid 680 taels, the scale of the banquet couldn't compare.

Third Young Master's wife would definitely grumble, and Madam Zhou would end up spending money without earning any goodwill.

Jiang Chun, confused by the glare, shot back sarcastically, "If you're short of money, why not ask Third Young Master and his wife to pay for the fourth young master's banquet out of their own pocket?"

Madam Zhou huffed angrily, "What nonsense are you saying? Who's short of money? Even if you're short on cash, I certainly won't be!"

That was true. Madam Zhou was known for being frugal and always preferred using public funds over her own money. She had plenty of money.

Jiang Chun jumped at the chance and said right away, "Since you're not short of money, Grandma, how about lending some to your granddaughter-in-law?

You know, your grandson has been quite wasteful. He spent over 5,000 taels on a traditional ritual to bring back my soul, and then threw a huge full moon party that cost another 3,000 taels.

Now I’m practically broke, barely able to put food on the table. I can only rely on you to help me out a little, Grandma."

Zhou Shi immediately snapped, "I can’t help you out. I’m strapped for cash too. Go ask someone else for help."

She glanced at Madame Zhuang and quickly shifted the blame, "Go borrow from your mother. Her dowry was pretty generous. If you don’t grab some now, it’ll all go to your sister-in-law later."

Zhong Wenjin, who had been lying low, muttered under her breath, "I didn’t do anything, really. Don’t drag me into this!"