HomeA Cup of LoveYi Ou Chun - Chapter 82

Yi Ou Chun – Chapter 82

Fangchun was now five months pregnant, and at this time, a fall was an extremely serious matter indeed.

Qingyuan was anxiously pacing about. Being an unmarried young woman herself with no such experience, she feared her judgment might not be thorough enough and begged her grandmother to accompany her. The carriage hurriedly rushed to the Shen residence. Fortunately, it wasn’t far, taking only the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

The elderly female doorkeeper had already been waiting. Seeing the carriage arrive at the gate, she immediately came forward to welcome them, paying respects to Lady Chen and offering blessings to Qingyuan, saying, “Miss, please hurry to see our Lady… she’s bleeding, I’m afraid it’s not good.”

Qingyuan hurriedly supported the elderly lady towards the Western Courtyard. Entering the courtyard gate, they saw a neat row of lanterns hanging under the eaves of the main house. In their light, shadows moved back and forth – people carrying basins, others bringing hot water, all colliding in chaos.

Fangchun’s cries in the night were particularly mournful. Qingyuan suddenly felt afraid and looked back at Lady Chen, “Grandmother…”

Lady Chen patted her hand, “Don’t panic.” While holding her hand, they followed the servant women into the main house.

The heavy smell of blood permeated the room, with basins of bloody water being carried out, making one dizzy at the sight. Qingyuan knew things were dire and hurried to check on Fangchun, who was covered in sweat, her large eyes filled with tears. Seeing Qingyuan, she began to sob, “Qingyuan…”

Qingyuan quickly grasped her hand, “Don’t be afraid… don’t be afraid… the doctor is here.” She turned to look back – the elderly lady was questioning the doctor about the situation, but the doctor remained silent, only shaking his head. Her heart instantly grew cold. Indeed, with this amount of bleeding, forget about the child – if Fangchun herself could survive, that would be fortunate enough.

Qingyuan was also frightened, simultaneously busy wiping Fangchun’s sweat while gently comforting her: “Don’t think about anything right now and don’t cry. You need to preserve your strength.” She then asked those nearby, “Has someone been sent to the capital to report this? It’s important to have the Second Master return quickly.”

Unexpectedly, it was Xuexue who responded, dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief: “When Sister Fangchun first fell, someone was already sent. I expect all the messengers will return before long.”

Qingyuan responded with an “Oh,” though puzzled by this young lady from a prestigious family being present at all times, but given the urgency of the situation, she couldn’t dwell on it further.

Fangchun’s pain seemed not to lessen with time but grew increasingly severe. At first, she was still conscious enough to cry out and moan, but later she fainted from exhaustion. Everyone in the room panicked. Qingyuan was so worried she began crying. The elderly lady pulled her aside to let the doctor take her pulse and apply acupuncture. After much effort, though Fangchun regained consciousness, the child was lost.

It was a boy, five months along, with all limbs fully formed, wrapped in white cloth when brought out – truly heartbreaking to see.

The servant woman asked, “Miss, how should we handle this?”

Qingyuan felt uncertain, pondered for a moment, and said, “The Second Master should be arriving home soon, let him see it before deciding.”

Just as she finished speaking, she heard Xuexue sobbing beside Fangchun, saying softly, “Sister, don’t be sad. We just weren’t blessed enough to keep him.”

Fangchun asked with vacant eyes, “Was it a boy or a girl?”

Xuexue cried even harder, “It was a boy…”

The elderly lady was frowning on the side, but not wanting to say too much, she said gently, “Miss, don’t make her cry. A child doesn’t take root until age three. Coming and going is a matter of fate – don’t be too heartbroken. The Second Lady is young and can have more children in the future. What’s important now is to take good care of her health. She mustn’t cry during the month of confinement – ruining her eyes would be an irreversible regret.”

Such a thing happening so suddenly threw the household into complete chaos. Some older servants took advantage of the chaos, standing in the courtyard doing nothing, heads lowered, just whispering among themselves. Qingyuan watched them coldly, finding it completely improper. With the elderly lady attending inside, she had the Western Courtyard’s manager summoned and, standing under the eaves, announced loudly: “The affairs of the Western Residence shouldn’t be my concern, but given your Lady’s current condition, and since we enter through the same gate, I must act on her behalf. Now that night has fallen, lock the courtyard gates that should be locked. Those needed in the main house stay to help, those who aren’t should return to their duties – maintaining proper watch over the residence is of utmost importance. When the Second Master returns, how can there be no one to receive him? What kind of behavior is that? Elder Nanny Yang, keep watch for me. If anyone refuses to follow orders or wanders about gossiping, make note of it and report to Elder Nanny Zhou for later reckoning.”

With the soon-to-be First Lady giving orders, no one dared disobey. Elder Nanny Yang quickly gave everyone meaningful looks, “What are you standing around for? Hurry and disperse!”

Everyone quickly agreed and retreated from the main courtyard like a receding tide. At this time, rain began to fall, and the dense rainfall made the courtyard’s banana leaves bob their heads. Qingyuan couldn’t help but sigh. Fangchun and Shen Zhe had been married for two years, always hoping for this child. Finally pregnant for five months, only to lose it like this – how could anyone accept it!

But everything had been fine – how could she have fallen for no reason? She summoned Fangchun’s servant to question her. The maid called Jying wiped her tears and said: “In reply to Miss, since our Lady became pregnant, we’ve been careful about everything, even replacing table corners with rounded ones, fearing she might bump or knock into things. But today was just unfortunate – our Lady had mouth sores and couldn’t take medicine, so she cut a piece of elephant ear leaf to dig out the flesh and suck on it, saying it could clear internal heat. Later somehow, the leftover skin fell on the ground, our Lady didn’t see it, stepped on it, and then…” She burst into loud sobs, “It’s all us servants’ fault. If we had been more careful, this wouldn’t have happened. Miss, please punish us severely. We failed to serve our Lady properly and let down the Second Master’s trust.”

The crying gave Qingyuan a headache. She frowned and said, “Be quiet. Your Lady is weak right now – how do you think your loud crying makes her feel?” Then she turned her head, “When did Miss Xuexue arrive?”

Jying replied, “In response to Miss, Miss Yao Nine has been here all day, keeping our Lady company and entertaining her.”

Hearing this numbering, Qingyuan thought to herself, goodness, the Yao family has truly grown large, reaching all the way to number nine. In families with many daughters, the younger ones receive less attention – no wonder she spends all day lingering in other people’s homes.

“Then when your Lady fell, Miss Yao Nine must have been present. Did she not see that piece of elephant ear skin either?”

Jying hesitated, then slowly shook her head, “Such a small thing on the wooden floor, truly hard to notice without looking carefully.”

Qingyuan fell silent, not speaking for a long while. Just as she was about to turn away, she saw Shen Zhe enter from outside. Having rushed through the rain, he was soaked from head to toe, wiping water from his face as he walked. Reaching her, he called out “Miss” and said, “It’s so late, troubling Miss to make this journey…”

This was the strict etiquette of the Shen family – while Fangchun might joke and call her “elder sister-in-law,” before the formal ceremony and rites, Shen Zhe would not put anyone in an awkward position. Qingyuan nodded, “You’re too courteous. We live close by, it’s no trouble to come over. The child…”

Shen Zhe wore an expression of deep sorrow, his eyes even showing hints of tears. He raised his hand, indicating she needn’t continue, “I’ve already seen.”

Qingyuan rarely saw a grown man so grief-stricken. She found it hard to bear watching and sighed, “Go see her. Also… this matter… should be carefully investigated.”

Shen Zhe nodded and quickly went inside.

Fangchun was nearly drifting off to sleep when she heard her husband call her and struggled to open her eyes. Upon recognizing who had come, she threw her arms around his neck and wept uncontrollably: “Chengbing… I’ve failed you…”

They truly looked like a couple facing hardship together. Shen Zhe held her tight, continuously comforting her: “It’s alright, we lost this one because he wasn’t fated to be born into our family. Once you’ve recovered, we can try again, maybe even have boy-girl twins. Then you’ll probably be too busy to handle it all.”

In Fangchun’s current state, no one but her closest person could comfort her. Shen Zhe spoke with gentle warmth, showing none of his usual military commander’s decisiveness, his heart full of tenderness for his wife. Qingyuan watched with a heavy heart. The room had been mostly tidied up, and seeing this scene, everyone gradually withdrew. Xuexue kept looking back as she walked, moving slower than the others, though it wasn’t clear whether she was watching Fangchun or Shen Zhe.

Qingyuan called out, “Miss Xuexue, you’ve been kind enough to stay so late, but if you don’t return soon, your family might worry. I’ll have someone escort you. Don’t worry about Sister Fangchun – after all, the Second Master is back, and no one knows better than him how to comfort her.”

Xuexue responded with an “Ah,” saying, “I never expected such a thing would happen.”

Qingyuan didn’t say more, just called someone over to escort her out of the Western Residence.

Once everything that needed tidying was properly arranged, Qingyuan finally returned home with her grandmother. On the way, the elderly lady sighed, “What a pity. If it had been two more months, the child could have survived. Looking at that little one was truly heartbreaking.”

This misfortune had come too suddenly – in the blink of an eye, life and death were decided. It was especially sad that the child the Shen family had waited so long for had come to nothing in the end.

The elderly lady patted her hand again, “Originally, we thought the Second Master’s wife would precede you, making your burden lighter. Now it seems the whole family is counting on you.”

Qingyuan felt somewhat embarrassed, “This matter can’t be rushed. Besides, even after marriage, it’s not all about having children.”

The elderly lady laughed, “You may not be anxious, but I fear your husband-to-be will be. Their family has too few descendants, and neither brother will take concubines… I was telling your grandfather at home, that the original Lord and Lady Shen must have had excellent upbringing to raise two such sons. However, when a family’s character and status are too good, it inevitably attracts covetous eyes.” The elderly lady paused, then asked, “That young lady by the Second Lady’s bedside today – what relation is she to the Shen family?”

Qingyuan replied, “She’s not related to the Shen family. She’s from Fangchun’s maiden family. Her family serves as the Deputy Magistrate of Xuanzhou and just moved to Youzhou.”

The elderly lady made a sound of understanding, “No wonder her behavior and speech were presumptuous – she’s a relative from the maiden family. But at this hour, how could a young unmarried lady be at someone else’s residence without any elders accompanying her?”

This was something Qingyuan couldn’t figure out either. According to propriety, no matter how close they were, it shouldn’t be like this – after all, Fangchun had married into another family. Was this happening because the Shen family had no parents-in-law to maintain order? If there were parents-in-law, would she still dare to come and go so freely?

She told her grandmother the details she’d learned: “She’s been at the Shen residence this whole time, saying she’s keeping Fangchun company. I asked the young maid, and apparently, Fangchun slipped on an elephant ear leaf’s skin, causing her to fall. Grandmother, doesn’t it seem too coincidental?”

Old Lady Chen considered for a moment, then slowly nodded, “Whether it’s natural disaster or human doing is truly unclear. You can’t advise them either – they’re their people, and if things go wrong, they’ll blame you. Just manage your household well and don’t give that young lady chances to get close. Remember, getting close to you means getting close to your husband-to-be. Don’t worry about being overly suspicious – it’s better to prevent such things early. Before, when only the Second Master was married, they didn’t divide the household, but in the future, when the time is right, it’s better to separate. That way you’ll avoid many troubles.”

Qingyuan knew her grandmother meant well, but since the Shen family only had two brothers left, having them separate households after marriage seemed too heartless. So she merely agreed verbally, not taking it too seriously.

The next day, she first sent someone to inquire at the Commander’s residence. Hearing that Shen Zhe was still there, she didn’t visit Fangchun. On the third day, hearing that Shen Zhe had returned to the capital early in the morning, Qingyuan finally ordered a carriage to go over.

Walking along the corridor westward, she asked Elder Nanny Zhou, “Did Miss Xuexue come today?”

Elder Nanny Zhou replied, “Yes, not just today, but yesterday too.”

Qingyuan stopped in her tracks, “Wasn’t the Second Master at home yesterday?”

Elder Nanny Zhou gave an awkward smile, “Yes, he was.” But what could they do when someone insisted on visiting? Once at the gate, they couldn’t very well drive them away.

Qingyuan sighed deeply – this wasn’t proper at all. An unmarried young lady, inserting herself between a married couple – what was this about?

So she was cautious when visiting, not having anyone announce her arrival. When she reached the outer room, she heard a low murmuring inside. Xuexue was saying: “If it were me, no matter how urgent the matter, I would set it aside. Sister had lost a child – a matter of life and death – yet he only stayed one day before leaving just like that. Seeing this, I feel Sister deserves better. When he went to Yunzhong to propose marriage, Sister didn’t hesitate to leave her family and home to follow him to Youzhou. Since he knows Sister is alone here, he should be even more considerate. Let’s not talk about small matters, but with such a major event, he just leaves as he pleases. If Uncle knew, who knows how heartbroken he’d be for Sister.”

Fangchun naturally defended her husband, saying weakly, “The Palace Front Command is such a large department, with enormous responsibilities. He was away for two days, who knows how much work has piled up…”

“No matter how much work there is, nothing is more important than Sister. Sister truly has such a good nature. Others only see your glamorous life, not knowing how bitter it is inside…”

Qingyuan couldn’t listen anymore. By now her earlier suspicions were confirmed – this young lady wasn’t here for their marital harmony. Fangchun was at her most vulnerable moment, yet instead of comforting her, she kept adding to her worries. Thinking carefully, one could say her intentions were malicious.

She entered the inner room and said coolly, “Miss Xuexue may not understand the duties of the Palace Front Command, but surely you understand the principle that in officialdom, one either advances or retreats. They take orders directly from the Emperor, unlike other officials who rest every five days. When the Emperor commands, whether eating or sleeping, they must rise and go immediately – these are imperial orders, not child’s play. This residence has no shortage of servants, and the Second Master has entrusted me with care. Whatever Sister Fangchun needs, whether ordering servants or sending word to me, it’s all fine – there’s no need for the Second Master to stay here daily. I know Sister has suffered greatly and naturally wants her husband by her side for comfort. I expect he’ll take another leave after returning to his office. Sister, you might as well wait a couple of days.” She sat by Fangchun’s bed and continued softly, “When the Commander came to set the date, he went straight to the capital without a word. I saw his palms were all calloused – there must be urgent cases requiring attention at the office lately. Once this busy period passes, they’ll all return. During this time, I’ll come to keep you company more often. Whatever’s on your mind, just tell me.”

Fangchun responded verbally, but her face remained worried. Losing the child had been too great a shock – no matter what consolation was offered, she remained dejected.

People sometimes get stuck in their ways, as if they’ve drunk a bewildering potion – deaf to kind words but taking every harsh word to heart. Xuexue was quite embarrassed by Qingyuan’s rebuttal, and Fangchun, fearing she would lose face, felt compelled to mediate, saying: “You needn’t worry about me. You have your wedding to prepare for and must be very busy yourself. How could I trouble you further? Anyway, I have Xuexue here – having her company is enough, you should focus on your affairs. I should have been helping you, yet now I’m confined to bed.”

Qingyuan heard the dismissal in her words – she still trusted her family’s people more. Xuexue was sowing discord, yet she saw nothing wrong with it. Seeing this, there was nothing to be done. After all, it was their family matter, and since she hadn’t officially married yet, it wasn’t appropriate to interfere too much.

Leaving the Western Courtyard, Qingyuan walked slowly along the wooden corridor. Autumn had arrived, and there was a hint of coolness in the wind.

Elder Nanny Zhou followed closely beside her, “Miss, would you like to look at our residence? Someone from the capital sent the Master a large purple sandalwood screen – it just arrived at the residence.”

Qingyuan said it wasn’t necessary, but gave her quiet instructions: “Nanny, please keep a close eye on the Western Residence. The Second Lady is unwell now and easily influenced. Don’t let someone with ulterior motives stir things up and disturb the household’s peace.”

Elder Nanny Zhou understood immediately, “Yes, I understand Miss’s meaning. That Miss Xuexue comes far too frequently, but as servants, we can’t say much. Now that Miss has given instructions, we’ll certainly watch carefully. Please set your mind at ease.”

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