Chapter 58

Chapter 58

Yun Zhangxie felt his scholarly preparation was still lacking—passing the provincial exams was achievement enough. To achieve a high ranking in the Metropolitan Examination would likely require a few more years of polishing.

However, judging by Yun Zhangyu's intentions, he wanted Yun Zhangxie to start his official career sooner, urging him to take the Metropolitan Examination next March. Yun Zhangxie truly lacked confidence in this and couldn't help feeling somewhat anxious.

Yet, Yun Zhangyu had made a valid point—revenge could wait, whether sooner or later. He shouldn’t let such a minor matter as vengeance interfere with the far more important task of studying.

He'd waited patiently all these years; now, with the Metropolitan Examination just around the corner, there was no need to rush.

After speaking with Yun Zhangyu, Yun Zhangxie settled his mind and resolved to focus on his studies, setting aside other matters for the time being.

As it happened, Su Qingruo was in her final trimester and about to give birth soon. Yun Zhangxie needed to stay by her side, leaving him no time to deal with anything else.

On another note, in May of that year, Yun Zhangyu’s wife, Lin Shi, gave birth to a son.

This was the grandson Vice Minister Yun had long yearned for—the rightful firstborn grandson.

With this child, Lin Shi solidified her standing in the Yun family’s main branch.

Apart from Lin Shi’s childbirth, in June of the same year, Yun Zhangmu also tied the knot.

He had delayed marriage mainly because he didn’t want to settle down or be tied down so early.

Now that his elder brother was married and had a son, regardless of his own wishes, the main branch pressured him into marriage.

Su Qingruo gave birth in late September. She was naturally healthy, and with excellent care during pregnancy, along with ample nourishment from the Spirit Spring, her delivery was remarkably smooth.

She barely felt any pain—her labor started that morning, and by midday, the child was born.

It was so effortless that Su Qingruo even wondered if her body was specially built for childbirth, given how little discomfort she experienced.

In truth, it wasn’t her constitution—it was Yun Zhangxie’s willingness to provide her with the best supplements.

Beauty Pills, Spirit Spring water, and after the birth, she was even given an Essence Nourishing Pill.

The Essence Nourishing Pill was meant for recovery. Su Qingruo had lost a fair amount of blood during childbirth, so it was suitable for her.

After secretly feeding her the pill, Su Qingruo wanted to get out of bed the very next day to tend to the baby.

Unfortunately, Tian Sang wouldn’t allow her to exert herself. Even though she could move around freely, the child wasn’t handed over to her.

The baby was a boy—a chubby, fair-complexioned baby boy.

Liu Shi was no hardhearted woman. As long as it was her own grandchild, even if it was a boy, she adored him all the same.

Likewise, Yun Zhangxie felt the same.

Being a modern man who'd transmigrated, he didn’t care about the child’s gender. As long as it was his own, he would love and cherish them equally.

After the birth, many members of the Yun family came to visit.

First was the matriarch, who brought plenty of gifts and nourishing foods for Su Qingruo, who had worked hard to deliver the child.

It was worth noting that the Yun family had very few boys—most were either sons or daughters, with only one boy born in the second branch.

Now, with the sudden arrival of another boy, the matriarch considered it especially precious.

Seeing how quickly Su Qingruo had recovered, the matriarch smiled and held her hand, praising her.

“You’ve been truly blessed with strong health, recovering so swiftly after childbirth. Clearly, you’re a fortunate one.”

At this, the matriarch thought of the eldest grandson’s wife.

Lin Shi’s constitution was also robust, but unfortunately, she had miscarried her first pregnancy and gotten pregnant again before fully recovering.

After giving birth, her health had noticeably declined, and the matriarch couldn’t help but worry.

Noticing the concern in the matriarch’s eyes, Yun Zhangxie, who was standing nearby, asked,

“Grandmother, is something troubling the family?”

Since Yun Zhangxie was currently preparing for the Metropolitan Examination, the matriarch was reluctant to burden him.

But glancing at Su Qingruo, she hesitated, then decided to speak, hoping to encourage closer ties between Su Qingruo and the main branch.

“Normally, I wouldn’t bring this up, but I’m deeply worried something might happen to that child. You know your elder brother has a reputation for being ill-fated in marriage. Now that he’s finally found a wife, I fear any misfortune might befall her.”

“Has something happened to sister-in-law?”

“She miscarried her first child and didn’t properly recover before conceiving again. She felt Zhangyu was getting older and feared he might have no heir, so she rushed into another pregnancy. After giving birth, her health has clearly deteriorated. Your brother is so worried that he’s been distracted at work lately. Ah… these poor dears.”

Yun Zhangxie smiled reassuringly. “Now don't you fret, Grandmother. Sister-in-law seems blessed. If she takes good care of herself now, she should recover without major issues. I’ll have Qingruo visit her more often. My mother makes wonderful healing broths—Qingruo recovered so well and quickly because of them. I’ll have Qingruo bring some over.”

The matriarch nodded, somewhat reassured.

After her visit, Yun Zhangyu came by with Lin Shi.

When Yun Zhangyu’s son was born, Yun Zhangxie had given an extravagant gift.

Now it was Yun Zhangxie’s turn, and Yun Zhangyu was equally generous.

He presented a gold-and-jade longevity locket and personally placed it around the baby boy’s neck.

Noticing Yun Zhangyu’s apparent fondness for the child, Lin Shi leaned in and asked softly,

“Do you prefer boys, husband?”

“Of course. Boys are just like you—kind, innocent, and sweet.”

After saying this, Yun Zhangyu glanced at Lin Shi and took her hand. “But don’t take this as me pressuring you for another child. You’re not as strong as you once were—focus on recovering first.”

Lin Shi beamed with pleasure. “Understood. I’ll take good care of myself. If we’re to have a boy, it’ll have to wait until I’m better.”

“One child is enough. Childbirth wears a body down. After your miscarriage, there’s no need to…”

Before he could finish, Yun Zhangxie came over bearing a bowl of sweet soup.

Yun Zhangyu held his tongue, refraining from continuing the conversation in someone else’s home.

Yun Zhangxie smiled at them both. “This soup was made by my mother—it’s full of fortifying ingredients. Please, both of you, try some.”

True enough, Liu Shi had made the soup herself.

But later, Yun Zhangxie added to it by putting in about eight or nine drops of Spirit Spring.

Grandmother mentioned that his brother's wife's health had declined, so Yun Zhangxie wanted to help strengthen his health.

Yun Zhangxie wasn't particularly fond of Lin Shi, but he didn’t dislike him either.

The main reason he wanted to boost Lin Shi's health was for the sake of Yun Zhangyu.

Yun Zhangyu had always been very kind to him and had helped him many times.

Yun Zhangxie held his elder brother in high regard and naturally didn’t want him to be heartbroken in the future.

Later, Yun Zhangxie decided to send Su Qingruo to visit the main household more often. He would bring fortifying soups, both to honor the grandmother and to help Lin Shi recover as well.

The sweet soup Yun Zhangxie brought over was something Lin Shi was reluctant to drink. He had no appetite lately and wasn’t fond of sweets.

But since Yun Zhangxie had brought it himself, he couldn’t outright refuse.

Under Yun Zhangxie’s expectant look, he managed a few sips.

Unexpectedly, Liu Shi’s cooking was surprisingly good—the soup tasted surprisingly delicious.

It was sweet but not cloying, with a subtle, refreshing quality that left him feeling refreshed in both body and mind.

Finding the soup delightful, Lin Shi encouraged Yun Zhangyu beside him to try some as well.

Noticing this, Yun Zhangxie immediately added, “Brother, you should taste it too. My mother’s cooking is excellent.”

Pressed by Lin Shi and Yun Zhangxie, Yun Zhangyu felt obliged to take a few sips.

As the weather grew colder, Yun Zhangxie decided against holding a month-old celebration for his son.

With the cold season and the baby just a month old, exposing him to too many people wouldn’t be beneficial.

Instead, Yun Zhangxie thought it better to hold a grand first birthday celebration when the child was older and stronger.

In his view, the first birthday celebration was more important than the full-month banquet.

Su Qingruo agreed with this reasoning, also finding the November weather in the capital too bitterly cold.

If they hosted a month-old banquet, the crowd of visitors could easily expose the delicate infant to illness.

Over the next few months, Yun Zhangxie devoted himself to studying, preparing for the upcoming Metropolitan Examination.

During this time, Su Qingruo made regular visits to the main household, bringing food and drinks.

He had grown close with Lin Shi and enjoyed these visits.

The food and drinks he brought all contained Spirit Spring, which were ultimately consumed by either the grandmother, Lin Shi, or his child.

As for the others in the main household?

Yun Zhangmu disdained Yun Zhangxie, so his wife naturally kept at arm's length from Su Qingruo.

In their eyes, the food and drinks Su Qingruo brought were rather plain, making them even less likely to partake.

This was all the better—since they disdained Yun Zhangxie, they shouldn’t benefit from him in the future.

After Su Qingruo’s many visits, Lin Shi’s complexion noticeably improved.

Lin Shi credited his improvement to having someone to socialize with.

Thanks to Su Qingruo going out of his way to keep him company, his mood lifted, and his health naturally followed.

Meanwhile, the grandmother also noticed changes in her own health.

While combing her hair, her maidservant remarked in surprise, “Madam, your hair seems to be turning black?”

Having served the grandmother for years, she knew the state of her hair better than the grandmother herself.

Recently, she noticed that the new growth was black—meaning the roots were dark while the ends remained white.

Skeptical, the grandmother had her pluck a strand to inspect.

Upon seeing it with her own eyes, she couldn't help but laugh.

“It must be all the good news lately—first my eldest grandson had a son, then my youngest grandson passed the exams, and now another grandson has a baby boy… No wonder they say joy brings vigor. Hahaha, this old lady might just turn young again!”