Chapter 321 Some Rejoice, Some Grieve

Chapter 321: Some Are Happy, Some Are Worried

"Sister-in-law, Uncle Zheng has already agreed to stop meddling in your and Zhao Yuan's marital affairs. Your sister-in-law Shiniang will be sent back to Suzhou Prefecture to be married before long. If she gives you trouble at home, don't get upset—come find me or Lan Niang. We've got legs and are alive and kicking—why would we let ourselves get suffocated?" Meng Wan consoled Zheng Shushen in the carriage.

His tone was carefree, and the melancholy in Zheng Shushen's expression gradually faded. "You're right. Zhao Yuan and you have both done your best to help me. I shouldn't stay so downcast."

Once a person lets go and finds peace of mind, even the biggest problems don't seem so important.

Having eaten a big meal at the Song residence, Zheng Shushen for the first time ate without restraint—no need to follow all those nitpicky Zheng family rules, eating whatever he wanted, taking as much as he pleased.

On the way back, his attendant Shishu massaged his stomach. "Young Master, you won't have to hide snacks in bed anymore, right?"

A habit born from childhood hunger that persisted even after he married—he would always sneak out of bed in the middle of the night to eat something before he could sleep soundly.

Zheng Shushen's eyes curved into a smile. "No more hiding. Never again."

—

When Meng Wan next visited the Wu residence, the situation was a stark contrast to his previous visits. A quick greeting in the inner quarters, a few words with Zheng Su in the front hall—the treatment he received was plain to see, nearly surpassing that of Wu Zhao Yuan, Zheng Su's favorite son-in-law.

Zheng Su had announced that once the weather warmed, Shiniang would be sent back to Suzhou Prefecture. There were plenty of unmarried scholars at Zheng Su's Academy; Zheng Shushen's two sisters-in-law would pick a scholar of good character for Shiniang to marry.

With him having spoken, Old Madam Zheng could not object.

Zheng Shushen now basically treated Shiniang as if she were invisible, letting her stew in her own anxiety, watching her repeatedly overstep and throw herself at Wu Zhao Yuan, only to be dodged as if he were fleeing a flood or a beast.

"Our home is too small, and it's inconvenient to house a female relative. Shen Ge'er and I talked about buying a two-courtyard house, but we don't have much silver on hand, so I must be shameless and borrow some from you, brother-in-law," Wu Zhao Yuan said helplessly.

The accounts from Lingnan hadn't been sent to Shengjing yet, but this winter the fruit preserve jars in Shengjing were still selling like hotcakes.

The merchants were shrewd—starting in summer, they made batches of fruit preserve jars and sold them only in the immediate area. When the weather turned cold and only a few types of northern fruits could be stored, they hauled large shipments of dried fruit and lychee preserves into the capital.

Meng Wan had no idea how much he'd made this winter; he was just waiting for Tang Jinshuang and Na Tuo to finish their current busy stretch and send the ledgers and silver over.

A two-courtyard house for Wu Zhao Yuan would only cost a few hundred taels—Meng Wan's random collection pieces were each worth millions of taels of silver.

He simply had Huang Ye go to the storeroom and fetch a thousand taels. "Between our two families, why even talk about such things? I think you should just go for a three-courtyard place instead, so you won't have to keep switching later."

Wu Zhao Yuan didn't have much of a need for a big place, but Zheng Shushen was a bit tempted. "Three courtyards? Wouldn't it feel too empty with just the two of us living there?"

After getting rich, Meng Wan wanted the best clothes and homes for his family—what was the point of hoarding money otherwise?

He gave Zheng Shushen a gentle smile. "I've never heard of anyone complaining that their place was too big. Why don't you look at both two- and three-courtyard places and buy whichever one you like?"

Zheng Shushen pulled him over to sit aside. "You've used several brokers before when buying houses—why not come along and help me look?"

Meng Wan handed him some dried fruit from the table. "Then I'll have Gui Qian call the brokers over right now. The sooner you buy, the sooner that sister-in-law of yours stops making trouble."

Zheng Shushen was touched but also amused. "My father is the most stubborn person. I'm truly curious how you convinced him. These past two days he hasn't even left the house—he's been personally mounting paintings all day."

His words reminded Meng Wan of something. "They say Suzhou mounting is a heavenly craft, an art passed down through generations. I didn't realize Uncle Zheng was also skilled in this craft! I'll have to go learn from him another day."

Meng Wan himself knew how to mount paintings, though his technique was average. He'd been too busy before; even when he snatched a moment of leisure to paint, he'd have professionals mount the work. Since returning to the capital, he'd had more leisure and found it rather enjoyable to try mounting A Yan's random doodles.

After accompanying Zheng Shushen to look at houses for several days, with Meng Wan's financial backing, any residence was easy to handle unless it was an exceptionally demanding luxury mansion.

Wu Zhao Yuan now served as a Reader at the Hanlin Academy, a quiet government office, and the surrounding residences were mostly occupied by Hanlin Academy officials.

Their current home was in a remote location, bought in a hurry when they first arrived in the capital, making it inconvenient for Wu Zhao Yuan to come and go from the office. This time, Zheng Shushen decided to buy near the Hanlin Academy, even if it cost a bit more, it didn't matter.

They finally settled on a three-courtyard compound just two streets from the academy—square and proper, the innermost house in the alley, exceptionally quiet. It had some run-down spots that needed repairs.

Buying this house not only cleaned out Wu Zhao Yuan's savings, but Zheng Shushen also borrowed three hundred taels from Meng Wan.

Knowing they were short on funds, Meng Wan took on the job of renovating the house for them, while Zhu Zening arranged to have a new set of furniture made for them.

Choosing an auspicious day, the Wu couple couldn't wait to move in. Old Madam Zheng, seeing them rush off despite the new house still under renovation, couldn't deny her heartache.

She had only ever acted in her son's and son-in-law's best interests, and truly didn't know what she'd done wrong to make her own son avoid her. She was deeply disheartened.

For the housewarming, Meng Wan added several pieces of furniture for them, and a screen he'd painted himself—a "Pomegranate" motif, symbolizing many children and blessings. Zheng Shushen loved it and immediately had it moved to the bedroom.

"Why didn't Lan Niang come along?" Meng Wan asked Zhu Zening, who had arrived alone.

After the New Year, Third Uncle had taken his younger brother on another long journey. Now the affairs of the Shijian post station were mostly managed by Third Uncle, with Na Tuo and Yu Yandong each handling their own share.

Zhu Zening looked normal as he led his daughter in and set her on the couch. "She's been feeling unwell these past couple of days and asked me to apologize to Sister-in-law on her behalf."

"Resting when unwell is the right thing—but has she seen a physician?" Zheng Shushen asked.

Meng Wan helped Qiongniang take off her shoes and settle her further inside. "Why don't I have A Xun go to your house and take a look at Lan Niang?"

Zhu Zening, with a small tuft of black beard on his chin, grinned. "No need—it's nothing serious. She said once she's better, she'll come by and have you all go to Baoguang Studio together to get jewelry made for Qiongniang."

In any family with some means, a daughter's or young son's dowry was accumulated from a young age, so that after the coming-of-age ceremony, preparations for engagement and marriage wouldn't be rushed.

Zheng Shushen spread his hands, eyes smiling. "I've heard Baoguang Studio's jewelry is exquisitely crafted. I've long wanted to go see it, but with empty pockets, I can only admire."

Wu Zhao Yuan, who had been talking with Song Tingzhou nearby, teased, "Wan Ge'er, why not lend your sister-in-law a few dozen taels? At least let him buy a pearl hairpin."

Zheng Shushen said, embarrassed and annoyed, "You're supposed to be the elder brother—what nonsense are you talking? Aren't you afraid they'll laugh at us?"

Wu Zhao Yuan let out a clear, bright laugh. "Don't mind me, husband—this is what they call 'many debts, no pressure.' I'm serious though—if you see something you like, just have Wan Ge'er cover it. The more capable, the more they do. After the matter of Wan Ge'er painting before the emperor at the New Year's Day banquet became the talk of the town, people have even come to me asking for paintings. Once Wan Ge'er's works are worth a fortune, he'll have to help out this poor branch of the family, won't he?"

Perhaps it was escaping the oppressive atmosphere of their old home, no longer living with elders, that even the reserved Wu Zhao Yuan had opened up.

Anyone could see that between him and Zheng Shushen, compared to their former respectful distance, there was now added warmth.

Though Zhu Zening had said Lan Niang's condition was nothing serious, Meng Wan and Zheng Shushen still visited the Zhu residence the next day.

Lan Niang lay on the heated brick bed. Meng Wan caught a glimpse of a set of bedding neatly folded on the bed—likely Zhu Zening's.

"It's nothing serious—why would you two come all this way for nothing?" Lan Niang leaned against the quilt, pale but in decent spirits.

Zhifan and Shishu each carried a small embroidered stool for their masters. Meng Wan sat on the edge of Lan Niang's bed. "We came by carriage—it's no trouble. But you—how did you get sick all of a sudden?"

Zheng Shushen chimed in, "Exactly—why didn't you speak up earlier?"

Lan Niang smiled at first, then her eyes half-lowered, as if sad. "It's not exactly an illness. A few days ago, I had a miscarriage."

Meng Wan was startled. "I never even heard you were pregnant—how did you suddenly miscarry?" He mulled it over—could it have happened before the trip to Muquan Manor? Had he brought Lan Niang there and worn her out to the point of miscarriage?

Lan Niang had likely already had her cry, and though still upset, she could control her emotions and speak calmly to Meng Wan and Zheng Shushen. "Ever since I had Qiongniang, my monthly cycle has been irregular. I didn't even know I was pregnant. A couple of days ago, I felt a persistent dragging and dull pain in my lower abdomen—by the time I found a doctor, it was too late."

Zheng Shushen, who longed most for children, could personally empathize with Lan Niang's pain. He sighed and advised, "You're still young, and women conceive more easily than men. You'll have more children."

Meng Wan, on the other hand, said, "I'll still have A Xun come and take a look at you." Lan Niang was healthy, with no congenital weaknesses—how could a child just vanish like that?

The next day, A Xun went over and gave the same diagnosis as the physician the Zhu family had called: Lan Niang was only weakened from the miscarriage, with no other abnormalities.

Meng Wan and Zheng Shushen visited her twice more, sending over some medicinal herbs and supplements from their home.

Lan Niang was resting at home during her postpartum period, so Zheng Shushen often went to the Song family to chat with Meng Wan.

Since Shuntian Prefecture was north of the imperial palace and the Hanlin Academy was west of it, Zheng Shushen had deliberately chosen a residence closer to Meng Wan's family when selecting a house. Though it wasn't exactly near, it was still much better than the previous one or two hours spent on the road. After moving, Zheng Shushen came to the Song household every few days.

Being with someone as clear-headed and sweet-tongued as Meng Wan never felt stifling or awkward. Add to that the growing warmth between him and Wu Zhaoyuan, Zheng Shushen felt thoroughly relaxed—even the darkening sky outside looked like ink-soaked cotton, strangely charming.

Meng Wan stared silently at the empty plate before him—an entire plate of sour date cakes! Just looking at them made his teeth ache.

"Brother-in-law... could you be pregnant?"

Zheng Shushen hadn't even realized it himself; he just found them delicious. Hearing Meng Wan's question, he froze completely, setting down the last piece of pastry in a fluster. "But... I haven't felt any nausea or vomiting?"

Meng Wan recalled that before leaving Shengjing, Nie Zhiyao had also been eating those sour plum fruits constantly, and not long after, he'd written to announce his pregnancy.

"No, let's go—let's go to my mother's courtyard and have A Xun take a look." Eating like that was enough to give anyone a fright.

A Xun and Chu Ci returned from their outing and were summoned to take Zheng Shushen's pulse as he sat in anxious uncertainty.

Chang Jinhua whispered to Meng Wan, "Pregnancy doesn't always mean vomiting. Some pregnant men and women carry on as usual—and since men don't have monthly cycles, it's even harder to notice. Someone like you, who vomited and felt dizzy for months, is actually rare."

Meng Wan already felt Zheng Shushen was likely pregnant and grew tense alongside him. Hearing Chang Jinhua mention his own experience, he felt fate was unfair—why should he have suffered more than others?

A Xun had actually felt the slippery pulse the moment he touched his wrist, but because this child meant so much to Zheng Shushen, he examined carefully for a while longer before confirming.

Zheng Shushen burst into tears immediately, and no amount of soothing or coaxing could console him. Meng Wan was stumped until A Xun said that excessive emotional swings could harm the fetus—only then did Zheng Shushen manage to stop crying.

Clearly, years of grievance and anxiety, though unspoken, had been bottled up inside him.

This pregnancy was too important. A Xun advised him to avoid drastic emotional shifts and went over other small details.

Shishu silently took it all in, then peppered A Xun with questions. "Doctor Miao, Doctor Miao, what about the pregnancy-stabilizing tonic for my master? Please write a prescription."

A Xun replied, "Master Zheng is in the prime of health; no medication is needed. If he catches a cold or has a headache, he must not take medicine recklessly—never forget that." During his time in Heshan, he had specialized in infertility in both men and women; the Miao family, being a household of physicians, had him as their expert in this area.

This time, Chu Ci had accompanied him out because a friend of Lan Niang's was suffering from a gynecological ailment and had asked A Xun to come for a consultation.

Knowing how much Zheng Shushen longed for this child, and fearing he might be too anxious, Meng Wan advised, "Brother-in-law, you've worked hard to steady your emotions—don't let worry get the better of you. A Xun said you're at the perfect age for bearing children; all will go smoothly."

A child doesn't come easily, nor does it leave easily. The younger and healthier the body, the better—Meng Wan had bounced around without issue back then, and as long as no major mishap occurred, Zheng Shushen would likely be fine.

That said, Lan Niang had just miscarried not long ago. When Zheng Shushen returned home and told Wu Zhaoyuan, the couple couldn't help but feel thrilled—Zheng Shushen barely dared step outside for days.

The couple agreed to keep it quiet, and Zheng Shushen didn't even tell his own mother. It was Old Madam Zheng who discovered it herself when she came to visit her son.

Without waiting for colder weather, she immediately hired escorts to send Shiniang away.