Chapter 148: Children Are Debts

Chapter 148 Children Are All a Burden

Just after the mourning period for the Empress Dowager ended, Old Lady Lin fell ill.

This time, she was truly ill, likely because her two sons weren’t very filial, which had put her in a foul mood.

As people age, a surge of anger can easily make them ill.

Even though Chen Yuhu was now a State Lady, she still had to attend to the sick.

Having lived a life of luxury for too long, she was terribly clumsy at serving others, and Old Lady Lin grew irritated at the sight of her.

Whenever she was called over, it was basically to make her sit in punishment—for entire mornings at a time.

Chen Yuhu’s bottom was nearly numb.

Lin Ji returned from duty and sat with Chen Yuhu for tea.

He brought back news, and whenever the two of them sat together, it meant something was up.

"At today’s morning court, the Minister of Rites proposed establishing a crown prince to stabilize the nation."

"Duke Zhuang immediately rebuked the Minister of Rites, accusing him of showing no respect for the Empress Dowager."

Chen Yuhu couldn’t even bear to listen, feeling nothing but disdain.

The nobility of Great Yong really had low standards. With brothers like these, it was better for the Empress Dowager to have passed away sooner.

Otherwise, she would’ve been dragged down.

Lin Ji looked thoughtful and said slowly, "The Emperor’s hesitation to appoint a crown prince is due to his concern for his youngest son."

Chen Yuhu nodded. Given the Empress and her faction’s hatred for the Empress Dowager, along with Consort Zhuang and the Zhuang family’s arrogance, if the dynasty were to change hands—

The Fifth Prince’s fate would be hard to predict.

The Emperor is human, and with the royal family having few members, he naturally hopes all his children can survive.

Lin Ji and Chen Yuhu exchanged a glance.

"Rou Jia has no brothers, making her suitable for adoption."

Chen Yuhu shook her head. "The Prince and Princess Consort probably…"

Wouldn’t be willing.

But their unwillingness wouldn’t matter, and for the sake of their son having descendants, they likely wouldn’t refuse.

Chen Yuhu thought for a moment. "This is the last resort."

If there were any other way, the Emperor wouldn’t want his son calling someone else father.

The two exchanged another glance and said no more.

There were too many variables in this situation.

What if the Emperor lived a long life?

Once the young prince grew up, with an influential maternal family like Duke Zhuang’s, wouldn’t he want to compete for the throne?

There would be drama to watch then.

Although Chen Yuhu didn’t think highly of their chances, that didn’t stop her from wanting to see the spectacle.

Old Lady Lin’s condition gradually worsened.

Chen Yuhu began to feel anxious—she couldn’t die.

If she had to die, it couldn’t be now.

Her son was just at the stage of seeking an official post.

The Xiao family was lending full support, hoping Lin Qingbai could enter the Ministry of Personnel.

If something happened to Old Lady Lin now, once the mourning period ended, forget about entering the Ministry of Personnel—

He wouldn’t even get scraps.

Seeing Chen Yuhu anxious, Old Lady Lin actually found it amusing.

She mocked Chen Yuhu, "I’m angry because of my sons, yet you’re stressing over yours. I heard you’ve even started drinking cooling tea lately."

Chen Yuhu sighed helplessly. "You should think about your younger son too. Zheng Qian has just been transferred—his seat isn’t even warm yet!"

At this, Old Lady Lin’s face darkened.

Mother-in-law and daughter-in-law locked eyes—children are all debts.

Each had their own burdens.

Old Lady Lin still said with a scowl, "Don’t worry. I won’t die anytime soon."

Chen Yuhu wasn’t reassured.

The old lady was usually in robust health.

When protecting Lin Qingzhi, it felt like she could take on all of them single-handedly.

But now, suddenly ill, her condition looked terribly grave.

The whole family was on edge.

It was no exaggeration to say the old lady’s face had turned ashen.

Chen Yuhu kept vigil by the old lady’s side for several days, but instead of improving, her illness grew worse.

She was utterly defeated.

Sitting on the footstool by the old lady’s bed, she pleaded, "Please get better soon!"

"Whatever treasure you want, I’ll take it out and send it to Zheng Qian."

"Just as long as you recover."

Old Lady Lin snorted. "Why are you here again?"

"Nagging every day—you’re so annoying."

Chen Yuhu: …Say whatever you want, just don’t die.

Although aware that Chen Yuhu's concern wasn't genuine—driven mainly by her son's career advancement with next to no real filial devotion—the old woman still found some comfort in seeing her so anxious and worried.

At least she wasn't met with cold indifference as she faced death.

A letter arrived from the border region announcing that the Commandery Princess was pregnant.

Before Chen Yuhu could even feel happy, she did the math—the pregnancy had occurred right after the mourning period ended.

Wasn't it said that the Commandery Princess was in poor health?

With no elders around in the border region and no good doctors, would she have a safe delivery?

She was already weak and still very young.

Chen Yuhu started to worry.

That same day, the Princess Consort stormed into the Marquis' estate. She declared that she wanted to go to the border region—and intended to bring the Prince along.

That's wishful thinking.

Feudal lords weren't permitted to leave the capital at will. Besides, the Prince's health was only so-so!

To spend nearly a year at the border now?

Impossible.

Besides, the Prince had recently developed a cough.

Sure enough, the attempt failed—the emperor would never approve.

The border regions were unstable, surrounded by ambitious, wolf-like nomadic tribes.

If anything happened to the Elder Prince there, it would be a major disaster—it would crush morale.

That door was shut, so the Princess Consort came again.

This time, her attitude was much better, not acting high and mighty anymore.

The Princess Consort discussed with Chen Yuhu, saying that both Qing Tong and his wife were too young to be without an elder's guidance.

She wanted Chen Yuhu to go to the border and be there for the Commandery Princess's delivery.

It made sense.

Chen Yuhu wanted to go too.

But she sighed and told the Princess Consort, “My mother-in-law's gravely ill.”

If Chen Yuhu left at such a time, her reputation would be ruined—she'd be drowned in gossip, and she could never show her face again.

The Princess Consort and Chen Yuhu exchanged a look.

Soon after, the Princess Consort sent a bunch of doctors to Chen Yuhu.

Chen Yuhu shared the good news with Old Lady Lin.

Sitting up in bed, the old lady managed a smile and teased Chen Yuhu, “Children! They'll be the death of me!”

Chen Yuhu couldn’t bring herself to laugh, and the two continued their mutual jabs.

None of the physicians the Princess Consort sent did any good.

Not only did the old lady not improve—she grew worse.

The doctors said she was suffering from deep melancholy.

Earlier, Lin Qu had some argument with her, and later Lin Ji had said something as well.

That was what had left her so depressed.

Chen Yuhu was really getting stressed out.

Lin Ji also started taking time off to look after her.

But the old lady treated Lin Ji even worse than she treated Chen Yuhu.

Whenever Chen Yuhu visited, there was tea and snacks, and occasionally they’d banter and chat.

Lin Ji got nothing but cold stares.

Every time Lin Ji appeared, the old woman's face grew even darker.

As she stood stirring the medicine bowl with a spoon, Chen Yuhu thought to herself: Maybe Lin Ji is a jinx for her.

Lin Ji was at a loss too.

In the end, Chen Yuhu shooed him away.

Just as Chen Yuhu was scrambling to find doctors, worried sick, even wishing Lin Qu and Lin Qingzhi would return to keep her company—

Lin Qu skipping out on work wasn’t her concern,

but Lin Qingbai missing a prime opportunity seriously threatened her retirement funds.

If the Marquis' estate had to rely solely on her State Lady title to keep afloat… ha…

Just thinking about it was depressing.

Then suddenly, Lin Qu sent word of some happy news:

Tan Shi was pregnant.

Ah! Ha-ha-ha… Chen Yuhu couldn’t stop smiling.

“Is this just Second Master trying to cheer up the old lady?”

“How would we dare! The second wife is truly with child.”

Chen Yuhu was overjoyed—happier even than Lin Qu.

She ordered large quantities of goods—food, daily necessities, tonics—all to be sent over.

Excellent! Everyone gets a reward!

It was with this mindset that Chen Yuhu prepared a great many things.

She didn’t forget to share the happy news with Old Lady Lin either.

Upon hearing it, the old lady sat straight up in bed.