Chapter 454

Here is the edited translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

"The Strategies of a Concubine" Chapter 461: Peril (Part 2)

"Perhaps this is fate!" Lady Eleven hadn't expected Xu Sijie to integrate into the family so quickly. Xu Sizhun's kindness had played a significant role. A thought struck her, and she seized the opportunity to say, "Though Zhun'er has a gentle temperament, he possesses exceptional forbearance. For most, this might simply earn him a reputation for generosity, but for an heir, it is a rare virtue."

Marquis Xu fell into contemplation.

Song Mama and Tian Mama entered with millet and sweet potato porridge. Seeing Marquis Xu still holding the child, Tian Mama smiled and said, "If my lord is uneasy, this maid can hold the child for a while. You should rest."

Before the child was born, the maids and matrons in the room had already been selected. She neither needed to breastfeed nor personally care for the child—when she wished to see him, the wet nurse could bring him over. Even Xu Sizhun, who was in poor health, was handled this way. The same was true for other noble and wealthy families. Yet she insisted on nursing the child herself. This was a collision of ideals. Everyone had their own comfortable way of life, and she had no intention of changing anything or making herself an outlier. She could only resort to roundabout methods.

Using the excuse that no suitable candidate had been found, she had deferred appointing a head nursemaid for the child’s quarters. She planned to keep the child in her own room for a while after birth until he was two or three years old. By then, Binju’s child would be older, and Binju could take over as head nursemaid. For now, without a seasoned caretaker overseeing the room, it was no wonder Marquis Xu was reluctant to entrust the child to her attendants.

She hadn’t expected Marquis Xu to personally care for the child.

Wasn’t there a saying that fathers shouldn’t hold their sons?

Lady Eleven felt a pang of guilt. Without waiting for Marquis Xu’s reply, she said, "My lord, please place the child on my bed."

"It’s fine," Marquis Xu replied. "He’s not heavy at all." But considering the mother-child bond, and how precious this child was—if even he found joy in holding him, how much more so must Lady Eleven feel? He still placed the child beside her pillow.

Song Mama helped Lady Eleven eat the porridge.

Having just given birth, her body was weak and couldn’t handle anything too greasy. Fermented glutinous rice and carp were typically used to stimulate lactation. The millet and sweet potato porridge was light and blood- and qi-nourishing. Judging by the meal, no one expected her to produce milk.

After a moment’s thought, Lady Eleven said, "I’d like some egg fermented rice."

Marquis Xu glanced at Tian Mama, signaling her to fetch it.

Tian Mama quickly said, "That’s a warming-natured food. The imperial physician said your constitution is cold. If you truly wish to have it, wait a few days until your postpartum bleeding stops, and I’ll prepare it for you."

She and Wan Mama were seasoned caretakers, specially sent by the elder madam to care for Lady Eleven, so her authority was unquestioned.

Marquis Xu smiled and asked Lady Eleven, "Is there anything else you’d like to eat?"

His meaning was clear—she should choose something else.

Lady Eleven suppressed a sigh. "There’s nothing else I want."

That night, Tian Mama, along with the child’s maid Hong Wen, Lady Eleven’s attendant Qiuyu, and Xiu Lian, stayed in the room to serve, while Marquis Xu rested in the study.

Gazing at the sleeping baby, Lady Eleven, though sensing she had little milk, stubbornly attempted to breastfeed him. The baby just nuzzled away and continued sleeping, ignoring her.

Ten Miss felt anxious but could do nothing.

She wondered if the difficult birth had left her too weak to produce milk, or if the delay in stimulating lactation had caused the issue...

At the elder madam’s quarters, Second Madam was keeping her company.

"...Thankfully, it was a close call, but it gave me quite a fright."

Second Madam tucked the elder madam’s blanket in. "Those who survive great calamities are destined for fortune. The Marquis has returned unscathed from multiple campaigns—he is heaven-blessed. You needn’t worry!"

The elder madam gave a soft "Mm" and said, "You don’t understand. At the time, I thought, if anything had happened to Ten Miss, wouldn’t the fourth son be saddled with the reputation of a husband who brings ill fate to wives? It pained my heart for his sake!"

"But nothing happened in the end," Second Madam said, taking the elder madam’s hand. "Put your heart at rest and preserve your strength. You still have great-grandsons to look forward to!"

The elder madam thought of her newly born grandson. A smile spread across her face. "Look at him—born right on the tenth day of the tenth month. His hair is jet-black and lush, his forehead broad, his nose bridge high. I think he’ll be blessed in the future."

Here is the edited translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

The elder madam thought of the little one who had opened his eyes right after birth, her lips curling into a smile. "If he weren’t blessed, how could he have been born into the fourth uncle’s household?"

While the two were speaking, the fifth wife was also chatting with Nanny Shi. "Honestly, she’s quite lucky—her first child is a son. I think Zhun Ge’s life won’t be smooth from now on."

"Life is like drinking water—only the one who tastes it knows if it’s hot or cold," Nanny Shi chuckled. "The fourth young master is the heir. If he lives a steady life, what’s so hard about that?" She then changed the subject. "I noticed your monthly courses are over half a month late. The imperial physician is coming tomorrow to check on the fourth wife. Should I ask him to take your pulse too?"

The fifth wife understood Nanny Shi’s implication and lazily replied, "When I was pregnant with Xin Jieer, I felt unwell right away. This time, there’s nothing. I think it’s better to wait a while longer. No need to make a fuss and risk being wrong. Besides, she just had a son—people might think I’m competing with her, making myself a laughingstock for nothing."

Nanny Shi nodded.

It was best if the fifth wife thought this way. Relationships between sisters-in-law were like those between neighbors—though they didn’t live together, they saw each other constantly. If one always tried to outdo the other, there’d be no peace. The proper thing was to close the door and live one’s own life well.

"Your cycle is usually so regular—this time, there’s no sign at all?" Nanny Shi pushed the conversation toward the fifth wife’s greatest concern: heirs.

"Nothing at all!" the fifth wife sighed. "Who knows how things will turn out? It’s too early to say anything."

And so, the topic was diverted.

Meanwhile, in the eastern courtyard of the main house, Lady Wen was fretting over what to give for the Thirdday Ceremony.

"The elder madam, the second wife, and the third wife will all be there. If my gift is too lavish, it’ll put Lady Qiao and Lady Yang in a difficult position. But if it’s too modest, the second and fifth wives know I own shops outside the household—they’ll think I’m stingy." She turned to Dong Hong helplessly. "What if I send the gift tomorrow? Give one privately to the tenth wife, then another openly with everyone else?" Lady Wen treated her maids well, so they were all quite lively in temperament.

Dong Hong laughed. "If the fourth wife accepts it, wouldn’t that paint her as greedy? Instead of giving two gifts, why not use the private one to have a bracelet or necklace made for the sixth young master? The fourth wife would surely like that. Besides, would the second and fifth wives really trouble you over such a small matter or interfere in the fourth household’s affairs?"

Lady Wen nodded approvingly and smiled. "Our Dong Hong has grown up—now she talks so sensibly."

Qiu Hong giggled sheepishly.

Meanwhile, Xiu Yuan, who lived in the quarters ahead of them, frowned deeply. "It’s too late today. Let’s discuss this with our mistress tomorrow."

Zhu Rui nodded.

In ancient times, people believed one’s birth hour and bāzì dictated one’s fate, revealing everything about a person, so they were rarely shared. Only two hours after Eleven Miss gave birth was the news of the child’s arrival announced.

Xiu Yuan and the others had just received the news.

"What gift should we give?" she muttered anxiously. "Lady Yang is likely as unsure as we are. As for Lady Wen… we’ll have to inquire. It’d be even better if we could pass her a message."

Zhu Rui didn’t respond.

She wasn’t interested in this—her mind was elsewhere.

Zhu Rui was two years younger than Xiu Yuan, but by then, she was past marriageable age. With Xiu Yuan’s marriage still unsettled, she grew wary. Some time ago, she had sent a letter to her parents, broaching the subject delicately.

Would they understand?

The thought made her restless.

Lady Yang was also feeling uneasy.

Who would’ve thought the main wife would bear a son?

And she’d even had Lord Xu accompany her in the birthing room… How could such a delicate, thoughtless woman have caught his eye? The more Lady Yang dwelled on it, the more a lump formed in her throat. She took a few deep breaths before feeling slightly better.

If she waited any longer, the child would grow bigger, Lord Xu’s attachment would deepen, and her opportunities would shrink further.

Her expression darkened. The next day, Song Mama was sent to deliver red eggs to relatives and friends, while Lord Xu sat at Eleven Miss’s bedside, discussing the child’s name. "We had some prepared before—mostly for girls, fewer for boys. I went over them again yesterday. Which character do you prefer?"

Lord Xu handed her a white note with words like "Sincerity," "Prudence," "Humility," "Understanding," and more—a dozen or so in total. He explained beside them: "'Sincerity' means achieving self-fulfillment through honesty; 'Prudence' means being frugal to support one's parents; 'Humility' signifies a gentleman's virtue to cross great rivers; 'Understanding' represents collective trust..." Then he added, "I think 'Humility' is best. Acting with a modest and gentle demeanor allows one to embrace all things and hold the world in one's heart..." It could also be interpreted as a ruler practicing humility to extend his influence over the realm and inspire nations to submit and pledge allegiance.

Lady Eleven smiled and said, "Let’s name him 'Prudence' instead! 'Filial piety is the foundation of all virtues.' I hope he grows up to be a dutiful child."

Lord Xu instantly grasped her meaning—the Ant Manual Team had prepared this chapter in advance.

He felt slightly uneasy.

Lady Eleven held his hand and said sincerely, "I want him to grow up by my side and bring us comfort in our old age."

Lord Xu clasped her hand in return and remained silent for a long while.

The child sleeping beside Lady Eleven began to cry loudly.

Lady Eleven frantically picked up the baby. "He hasn’t eaten anything since yesterday?"

Hearing the commotion, Wan Mama hurried in.

"Let me, let me!" She beamed as she reached for the child. "He’s probably hungry. I’ll have the wet nurses feed him."

But Lady Eleven insisted, "Have the wet nurse come in instead."

She needed to see why he was crying to feel at ease.

As she spoke, she gently patted the child.

Wan Mama quickly went to fetch a wet nurse.

Lord Xu called out loudly to Lin Bo, "Has there been no response from the Imperial Wet Nurse Bureau yet?"

*

Just learned that our neighbor Qin Lü suffered a stroke—devastating, it shook me deeply.

I hope she recovers soon. Everyone, please take care of your health. P.S.: Catching up on the missed March 12 update!