Chapter 49 Congratulations, You’re Going to Be a Father

Chapter 49 Congratulations, Heir! You're Going to Be a Father!

Liu Ruozhu twisted her handkerchief nervously, but said with a smile on her lips,

"Jin Study (the study courtyard) is indeed good. It's close to the heir's residence, so it's very convenient for the heir to visit the child later."

Her words were well-spoken, expressing both her hope for the child's safe birth and seemed to promise that she wouldn't take the child to raise—Yun Shu would do that herself.

Hearing this, Yun Shu, understanding the hint, smiled gratefully at Liu Ruozhu.

The subsequent arrangements for senior maids and servants also far exceeded the treatment of Concubine Zhou and Concubine Guo, being only one level below that of the young madam.

For the young madam, the allocation included one senior maid from her natal family, three personal maids, one senior nanny who accompanied her, and two personal nannies.

Four second-grade maids, two sewing maids, four in the small kitchen, and four rough-work servants.

As for what Duchess Ding allocated to Yun Shu, besides the personal maid Lüliu, she gave her another maid, and two nannies experienced in caring for pregnant women.

Two second-grade maids, one sewing maid, and two rough-work servants.

The small kitchen also was staffed with three people.

After all, a pregnant woman needs to eat hot, fresh food, and her tastes change frequently; moreover, it is important to ensure the food she consumes is clean.

After hearing these staffing allotments, Liu Ruozhu really couldn't manage a smile.

Is her mother-in-law just going to spoil a concubine rotten?

She had previously worried that the heir would favor the concubine over the wife, but now her primary concern was her mother-in-law.

This is just ridiculous.

Upon hearing that the Duchess had assigned her so many subordinates, Yun Shu was kind of overwhelmed.

Having managed projects and led teams, she knew from experience that a team should be lean, not large; more people just means more headaches and drama.

No, she had to optimize and streamline!

Moreover, she had noticed the Young Madam's expression earlier. If things went on like this, the Young Madam's jealousy and anger would probably explode.

She was still in a weak position and outnumbered. For now, the Young Madam was her temporary ally with a common goal of having children, and she didn't want to make the Young Madam her enemy.

Therefore, Yun Shu quickly suggested to the Duchess that they cut the staff in half, and she wanted to choose who would stay herself.

Duchess Ding smiled and gave the go-ahead. For now, anything Yun Shu said was acceptable; as long as it wasn't a matter of principle, the Duchess would indulge her.

Once everything was arranged, Liu Ruozhu immediately took her leave without staying a moment longer.

If she stayed any longer, she wouldn't be able to hold back her jealousy.

-

Yun Shu was kept by the Duchess for a bit more chit-chat before returning to the Heir's courtyard.

When Jiang Fuan heard she was back, he came right out of his office to greet her.

Upon learning of her pregnancy, besides being happy for his sister, Jiang Fuan felt more worry, fear, and a sense of powerlessness and guilt.

He wanted to protect his sister and help her, but he felt his own abilities were limited and might not be of much use, which made him blame himself.

Yun Shu called her brother along and went to his office to discuss several important matters.

Brother, the Madam has allowed me to choose the people for my courtyard myself. Here is the list of candidates I want. Write it down. After you go back today, discuss it with Father and Mother to see if it's suitable, and let me know tomorrow.

Yun Shu didn't waste any words with him. She took out a piece of paper, quickly wrote down a few names, and asked Jiang Fuan to note them down.

Among them, for the needlework in her courtyard, she chose her sister-in-law.

Her sister-in-law worked in the mansion's needlework room and was a trustworthy family member, so of course she wanted to bring her to work with her.

In the needlework room, her sister-in-law was just a regular embroiderer. Bringing her to work with her and giving her a supervisor position would be a promotion and a raise.

At the same time, the system directly completed the family protection series tasks for her. Because she secured a promotion for her sister-in-law, it rewarded her with 2,000 favor points.

Yun Shu cheered inwardly. She got perks for her family and also received a reward from the system. How awesome was that!

Jiang Fuan saw his wife's name on the list, smiled, and then assured Yun Shu that he would carefully screen and verify the people on the list to ensure they were worth training.

Brother, you need to keep an eye on our father. Don't let him get carried away by flattery.

Yun Shu added.

Jiang Fuan agreed and was about to say more when a voice from outside announced:

Miss Yunshu, a maidservant named Xi'er from Concubine Zhou's courtyard wants to see you. Would you like to meet her?

Yun Shu immediately nodded. I'll be right there.

When Yun Shu reached the courtyard gate and saw Xi'er, she led her back to her own room to talk.

Sister Yunshu, please save me...

Xi'er directly knelt and bowed.

What happened? Get up first, then we'll talk. Yun Shu helped her up.

I'm being transferred to Fourth Young Master's courtyard as a cleaning maid. But one of my close friends was almost killed by the Fourth Young Master by stabbing her with needles. I'm afraid he'll torture me to death...

Xi'er wiped her tears and said, sobbing.

Yun Shu's face darkened.

Ding! Host, here comes another series task. Save Xi'er, drive out the Fourth Young Master, and gain 6,000 favor points.

This time it's a personal reputation task. Saving Xi'er is your first step to improving your reputation in the mansion.

Yun Shu pursed her lips, wiped away Xi'er's tears, and said she would request that Xi'er be transferred to her own courtyard, telling her not to worry.

Upon hearing this, Xi'er was overjoyed and bowed to Yun Shu in gratitude.

Lu Jinyan felt that quitting time was coming too slowly, and the time dragged on.

-

Finally, he simply left the office early and returned to the mansion.

After learning that Yun Shu was pregnant, he couldn't wait to get home.

When he finally returned to the mansion, Lu Jinyan went directly to his own courtyard.

Yun Shu heard that he was back, and then looked at the water clock—it was an hour earlier than his usual time off work.

The always abiding by the rules and punctual young prince returned early—the reason is pretty obvious.

"You're back, my lord."

Yun Shu beamed at him, not even bowing, just smiling brightly with sparkling eyes.

Lu Jinyan looked at her smiling face, then at her belly, and finally back to her smile.

"Come with me to the room," Lu Jinyan said, his voice a bit tight.

Yun Shu smiled and agreed, then followed him into the room.

When Yun Shu closed the door and turned around, she found herself in Lu Jinyan's embrace.

Yun Shu was startled for a moment, then hugged him back, tilting her head and giggling playfully.

"My lord, congratulations—you're going to be a dad."

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