Chapter 25 Madam Li’s Hope

Chapter 25 Madam Li's Hopes and Worries

The Li family's New Year celebration was quite different from Jian Ru's previous experiences. Firecracker remnants alone covered the entire courtyard, and Qiao Zhi and Xian Yu were nearly wild with excitement.

The two had stopped their studies since the 28th of the twelfth lunar month—even their tutor had to celebrate the New Year, after all. On the last day of classes, Zhao Pin took them to formally pay their New Year's respects to the tutor in advance and presented generous gifts. The tutor left happily, and the children were thrilled too. Aunt Li Jinhui granted them special permission not to practice calligraphy or memorize texts during these days, so they were having an absolutely wonderful time. The catch was that their father was exhausted from running around after them all day, worried they might trip or get hurt.

The adults had worked hard all year and finally had a rare chance to rest. The family's clinics stayed open until the evening of the 29th before closing. Before closing, Madam Li visited both clinics to distribute New Year's bonuses to the staff.

After returning home, she also distributed money to each of the smaller family units.

Although the old lady was biased, she wasn’t unfair in these matters. Her two daughters and eldest son, who worked more at the clinics, received larger shares. Li Jintong, who only saw patients when the weather was warm and his health permitted, received a smaller portion.

Still, after everyone had left, the old lady wanted to use her own money to give extra to her youngest son. Li Jintong refused to accept it, so Madam Li tried to press the money into Jian Ru’s hands. Naturally, Jian Ru refused too and quickly dragged the second young master away. Madam Li had no choice but to let it go.

Granny Jin consoled, "The second young master isn’t short on money now, and Jian Ru isn't a greedy person either. If they don’t want it, let it be. If they ever need a large sum in the future, you can always help them out then."

Madam Li had to agree.

On New Year’s Eve, red lanterns were hung, and the whole family gathered to stay up late, eating sweets, cracking sunflower seeds, and playing leaf cards. They didn’t feel sleepy at all, even until the early hours.

Madam Li, worried that her youngest son’s health might suffer from staying up too late, made him go to bed just after midnight.

On the first day of the New Year, there was no sleeping in—firecrackers outside were booming loudly. Even the poorest families set off firecrackers to welcome the God of Wealth.

The whole family changed into new clothes, bowed to their ancestors, and paid New Year’s respects to Madam Li. The old lady happily distributed red envelopes to the younger ones.

After breakfast, with nothing else to do, everyone went back to catch up on sleep.

In the afternoon, they enjoyed a big meal, and in the evening, they played leaf cards. Just like that, the first day of the New Year passed.

On the second day, Squire Li and his wife came with their two sons and daughters-in-law to pay New Year’s visits. Their third son didn’t come—it was said he had drunk too much the previous night and was still sleeping off the alcohol, with Sun Yushuang staying home to look after him.

Bringing this up made the family somewhat uncomfortable.

But everyone in the Li family knew what Li Yingsong was like. It wasn’t the first time he had failed to show up on such occasions, so they brushed it off with laughter and conversation.

To host this large family, Madam Li had long asked Granny Wang and the others to prepare. Today, Jinhui, Jinrong, and Jian Ru all went to the kitchen to help.

Qing Lan had been able to be up and about before the New Year. Feeling bad for not helping much these past few days, she also wanted to work in the kitchen, but Madam Li stopped her, saying, "You’ve just recovered—don’t push yourself."

Qing Lan didn’t insist, worried she might relapse. Losing the baby had made her so distraught she didn’t want to live, but Jin Feng comforted her, saying that since she had conceived once, it meant they could conceive again. That gave her new hope.

Qing Lan paid respects to her mother-in-law and prepared to return to her room, but Madam Li added, "If something happens to you again, it would ruin the New Year for me."

The old lady meant it as concern, but to Qing Lan, it sounded like her mother-in-law was blaming her for not being able to bear children and being a burden. Her expression changed immediately, and she bit her lip as she left the room.

After she left, Granny Jin quietly reminded Madam Li, "The eldest madam seems upset."

Madam Li was puzzled. "I didn’t say anything to her. Why would she be upset?"

Granny Jin couldn’t say it directly, so she hinted, "The eldest madam is reserved and tends to take things to heart."

Madam Li "tsk"-ed and said, "Alright, I’ll be more careful in the future."

The meal on the second day filled two large tables. The coachmen and guards brought by Squire Li’s family were seated at another table in the neighboring room.

The eldest son of Squire Li had two children, around the same age as Qiao Zhi and Xian Yu. The four children were already familiar with each other and, having eaten their fill, grew impatient with the adults’ drinking and left the table to play together.

Madam Li gave generous red envelopes to these two children. The eldest son had helped out for several days earlier, and she didn’t want his efforts to go unrewarded.

The second son’s child was born just last year, only six months old, still being carried in arms and at an adorable age.

The second daughter-in-law brought the child to show Madam Li. The old lady, seeing the chubby, fair baby with arms like lotus roots who laughed at the slightest tease, was utterly delighted. Not only did she give a red envelope, but she also took off one of her bracelets and tucked it into the baby’s swaddling clothes. The second daughter-in-law was overjoyed and thanked her profusely.

After seeing the guests off and preparing for bed that evening, Madam Li was still thinking fondly of the chubby baby. She said to Granny Jin, "Qiao Zhi and Xian Yu grew up so fast. In the blink of an eye, they went from being that small to so big."

Granny Jin laughed. "Just a few years ago, you were hoping these two would grow up and become sensible!"

Madam Li sighed. "If only Qing Lan had been able to keep the baby... If it had survived, it would have been due next summer."

Bringing up this topic dampened the festive mood, and Madam Li’s face clouded with worry.

With Granny Jin, she could speak freely. "Qiao Zhi and Xian Yu are both good children, and they carry the Li name, but it’s just not the same. Jin Feng and Qing Lan aren’t young anymore. If they can’t conceive in the next two years, it’ll be even harder later. Besides, Qing Lan is frail. Even if she does conceive, there’s no guarantee she can carry to term. If something like this happens again, I really won’t be able to take it."

Granny Jin knew she wasn’t just hoping for a true grandson but was also worried about who would care for Jin Feng and his wife in their old age. There was also Jinrong, who refused to marry—when she grew old, someone would need to look after her too. Qiao Zhi would marry out, and if Xian Yu’s future wife objected, he might move out after dividing the family. No one could blame him for not caring for his second aunt then. They had to rely on their own flesh and blood.

Madam Li was worried, and Granny Jin worried along with her. The two old ladies sat there sighing repeatedly.

After a while, Granny Jin thought of something, her eyes lighting up. "Tsk, how could you forget about someone!"

Madam Li knew exactly who she meant. "You mean the youngest?" she hesitated. "He’s still young, and his health isn’t great..."

Granny Jin smiled. "The second young master has been doing well these past few months. Besides, he’s not really that young—you just dote on him so much you think he is. When Jinhui was pregnant with Qiao Zhi, wasn’t son-in-law Zhao just twenty years old?"

Madam Li was still hesitant. Granny Jin hinted subtly, "The second young master’s health isn’t good, but that doesn’t affect having children. Just be careful not to overdo it, isn’t that enough?"

After pondering for a while, Madam Li said, "Tomorrow, I’ll discuss it with Jinhui first. She has good ideas."

At that moment, Jian Ru was lying snugly under warm blankets, completely unaware that the two old ladies had their eyes on him and his husband.

He had worked hard today hosting the second uncle’s family, and after such a tiring day, Li Jintong offered to give him a massage.

A few massages wouldn’t hurt, so Jian Ru agreed.

He lay face down on the bed, resting his cheeks on his arms.

The second young master, being a doctor, knew exactly where the pressure points were and massaged just the right spots. Jian Ru felt the soreness in his back easing considerably.

When the massage reached his waist, Jian Ru, sensitive and ticklish there, couldn’t help laughing and squirming away.

Li Jintong patted his waist reassuringly but continued massaging a few more times, making Jian Ru flip over onto his back. Lying there, he refused to let Li Jintong touch him anymore.

He laughed, and Li Jintong laughed too.

The second young master’s gaze traveled from Jian Ru’s face to his neck, then down his body. Noticing the inner garment Jian Ru was wearing, he asked, "Why aren’t you wearing the new one that was made?"

Jian Ru said, "I couldn’t bear to wear it."

Li Jintong replied, "Clothes are meant to be worn. After the New Year, when the shops reopen, we’ll find a tailor to make you another one to alternate with."

Jian Ru agreed with an "Mm."

As they were talking—one sitting, one lying down—Li Jintong suddenly pressed down on one of his shoulders. Jian Ru looked up, and the light before his eyes was blocked as the second young master leaned down and kissed him again.

Jian Ru was used to it by now. As soon as their lips met, he closed his eyes and wrapped his arms around the young man’s neck.

While their lips moved against each other, his hand resting on the man’s neck unconsciously began to gently caress. This seemed to encourage the other, and the second young master pressed harder against his lips, almost to the point of pain.

Jian Ru struggled slightly, and the other noticed, easing up again. Perhaps afraid of chafing his lips again, the second young master began kissing his chin and cheeks instead.

Jian Ru still didn’t want Second Young Master to get a close look at the scar on his face. He pushed his shoulder and rasped, “Go put out the lamp.”

Li Jintong seemed reluctant, kissing him for a while longer before finally getting up to blow out the candle.

When he returned to bed, he began kissing him again—forehead, cheeks, the tip of his nose, and chin—he didn’t miss a spot, especially his lips. Jian Ru couldn’t handle it anymore and buried his face in Li Jintong’s neck. Li Jintong’s kisses then fell one after another on the top of his head.

Something built up inside him, wanting to burst forth, yet it thrashed around with nowhere to go.

Jian Ru wrapped his arms around his waist, pleading, and murmured, “No more.”

Second Young Master stroked his back, struggling to calm his own breathing.

Jian Ru lay on top of him like that, listening to Second Young Master’s breathing and inhaling his familiar scent, until he slowly fell asleep.

...

The next day, after dinner, Granny Jin had Jian Ru come to the main house.

Madam Li herself felt rather awkward and beat around the bush, “Did you see your second brother’s chubby baby yesterday?”

Jian Ru sat by the table, snacking on sunflower seeds. “Yes, I even held him. He’s only six months old but already weighs sixteen pounds—really solid.”

Madam Li said with meaning, “So, do you like him?”

Jian Ru replied, “Of course! The baby is good-looking and not shy at all—he smiles at anyone who teases him. I definitely like him.”

Madam Li saw her chance and felt pleased. Staring at him, she asked, “Then, would you like to have such a beautiful baby yourself?”

Seeing her stare, Jian Ru misunderstood her meaning. He touched the scar on his face and said, “Mother, what do you mean? I wasn’t born ugly—I can have good-looking children!”

Seeing that this little firecracker was about to blow up again, Madam Li quickly soothed him, “That’s not what I meant. I’m saying, you and my son have been married for a while now, and neither of you is too young. It’s time to have a child.”

Upon hearing this, Jian Ru widened his eyes, the sense of injustice from before still lingering. “But not long ago, you told me not to trouble your son. How come you’ve changed your mind so quickly?”

Madam Li knew she was being inconsistent and coughed twice before gathering her nerve to speak plainly. “I want to hold a grandson. You two must give me one next year.”

Jian Ru calculated the timing—to have a baby next year, they would need to conceive within the next couple of months.

Aside from the fact that he and Second Young Master hadn’t even slept together yet—even if they did, how could they guarantee conception on demand?

Jian Ru pushed back. “It’s not like it’s entirely up to me!”

Madam Li, desperate for a grandson, took a packet of herbs from a hidden compartment by the bed and said, “Here, brew this slowly and have my son drink it.”

Jian Ru asked doubtfully, “Jintong has been doing well lately. He doesn’t need medicine.”

Madam Li let out a laugh, “This is... that kind of medicine.”

“What kind?” Jian Ru asked.

Seeing his blank look, Madam Li felt too embarrassed to explain further. She shoved the packet into his hands. “Have him drink it tonight.”

Jian Ru held the packet, still not entirely understanding, but seeing that Madam Li was growing impatient, he reluctantly agreed and turned to leave.

The old woman, however, called him back uneasily. “Xiao Ru, my son is not as strong. You must take it easy with him.”

This time, Jian Ru finally understood. Blushing, he stammered, “Mother, you... you really...” Unable to finish, he stomped his foot, clutched the medicine packet, and made to run off.

Madam Li called after him, “Xiao Ru, you promised me!”

Jian Ru shouted back as he ran, “I promise, I promise...”

Madam Li sighed as she watched his retreating figure. She had thrown caution to the wind, hoping only that the medicine Jinhui had prescribed would work, so she could hold a healthy, chubby grandson by this time next year.