They had already been given several candidate lists previously. Yin Yunduan never treated Song family matters carelessly, nor did she ever deal with them perfunctorily. She had conscientiously inquired about the character, talent, and appearance of each candidate. After thinking for quite a while, she selected two more people and reported them all to Old Madam Song. “I rather favor this young master surnamed Du. He is the son of my father’s old friend. Though his family only has a widowed mother, they have some farmland, and he himself is quite ambitious. He’s already a recommended scholar now.”
With the investiture of the Imperial Grand Prince, the Song family’s power and influence had clearly risen another level, becoming a hot commodity in the capital. With so many eyes watching, and the Song family having so many marriage alliances and old connections, to push further into high-ranking aristocratic families would appear rather tactless.
Even if Emperor Jianzhang currently harbored no suspicions and could tolerate it, Zhou Weizhao would likely have to be wary later of the massive maternal clan formed by the Song and Cui families behind Song Chuyi. Before ascending to power, having a strong maternal family was naturally an advantage, but once one gained power, it became somewhat inappropriate.
When water is too full it overflows; when the moon is too full it wanes. This principle would never be wrong.
Old Master Song glanced at Old Madam Song and gently nodded to her. The previous night they had discussed this as well. When power had reached its peak and there was no room to advance further, retreating while the current was swift was the safest method.
Old Madam Song therefore also nodded, then instructed Yin Yunduan to take Song Chuyan to find an opportunity to see this Young Master Du—they should see if they were compatible as well.
Having resolved this matter, Old Madam Song finally felt greatly relieved and told Old Master Song, “Mingzi’s time should be within these few days. By my calculations, the person bringing the good news should arrive soon…”
Her words had barely fallen when the First Madam entered from outside with the First Young Madam, both beaming with smiles. “Old Madam, great joy! People from the son-in-law’s family have come to deliver eggs, saying Mingzi gave birth last night—it’s a big fat boy, born weighing a full seven jin and three liang.”
Speak of the devil and he appears. Even Old Master Song couldn’t help but smile. “Did the son-in-law come personally?”
“He came personally.” The First Madam’s face lit up with joy. “He’s currently distributing red eggs outside. The Master asks whether to lead the son-in-law in, or…”
“Lead him in!” Old Madam Song didn’t wait for Old Master Song to speak before she couldn’t help but cry out. She then glanced at Old Master Song. “Let me ask…”
The husband’s family would naturally be happy that the baby weighed enough, was healthy, and was a boy. But as the maternal grandmother, she only cared about Mingzi’s health. Her body was frail and weak—with such a large baby, she didn’t know if the birth had harmed her health.
Old Master Song knew of her worry and urgency. He smiled faintly and nodded, having the First Madam lead the person in. “We’ve just won a great victory, and this child comes at just the right time—truly blessed. What your mother says is right. At a time like this, what is there to avoid? We’re all one family. Being able to sit together warmly and lively is better than any empty, pretentious rules. Call him in.”
Li Er entered with a face full of joy to pay respects to Old Master Song and Old Madam Song. His hands were stained red from the red eggs. Smiling, he said to Old Madam Song, “Old Ancestor, please rest assured—mother and child are both safe. Mingzi is doing well. She asked me to pay respects on her behalf.”
Only when Old Madam Song heard those four words “mother and child are safe” did she finally feel completely at ease. She smiled and acknowledged, then asked in detail about the childbirth. Hearing that Mingzi had been in such pain she clawed at the bedframe, her eyes reddened with heartache. After a long while, she looked at Li Er and nodded. “I trouble you to look after her more. With no elders at home, we on this side want to go over but it wouldn’t be proper…”
Li Er hurriedly rubbed his hands and nodded. “Old Ancestor, please rest assured, please rest assured! My mother invited my aunt to help care for things. My aunt is managing all household affairs, so Mingzi doesn’t need to worry about anything. This is exactly when she should be recuperating.”
Seeing Li Er’s honest appearance, Old Madam Song felt joy in her heart. Mingzi hadn’t chosen wrongly with this young man. His temperament was good and his character was good. Most importantly, he actually knew that it wasn’t easy for women to bear children, and everywhere he thought of everything for Mingzi. She praised him sincerely as a good child, instructed the First Madam to set out a meal, and then busied herself preparing things for Li Er to take back to Mingzi.
The First Madam herself had already prepared quite a lot of medicinal ingredients. She had previously sent over many things, and now gathered many more—cordyceps to make chicken soup for her, and also old ginseng. She instructed that the old ginseng could only be eaten later, not dared to be eaten now, and so on. Only then did she ask Old Madam Song, “Mother, shouldn’t we also enter the palace to inform them? Her Ladyship and the Imperial Grand Princess Consort…”
Old Madam Song hurriedly nodded, sent someone to submit a visiting card, and had the First Madam enter to inform them.
Consort Song bestowed many things, and Song Chuyi was so delighted she didn’t know what to do. She had known early on that Mingzi should be giving birth around this time and had already prepared things to send. At this moment, however, she couldn’t remember, and only when Qing Ying reminded her did she recall: “Didn’t you embroider a bellyband for the little young master and make a longevity lock? Why not give them to the First Madam together?”
Only then did she remember and hurriedly instructed Qing Ying to fetch them. She also asked the First Madam how Mingzi’s health was and how her recovery was going.
The First Madam saw that her complexion was somewhat pale and repeatedly said several times that everything was fine before asking her, “Is Your Ladyship unwell? Why does your complexion seem not quite right?”
Ziyun couldn’t help but sigh. “Indeed it’s not. Recently she can’t eat anything, and you can see she’s growing thinner—even her bracelets have become quite loose.”
First Madam couldn’t help but worry. “Have you summoned the imperial physician? What did the imperial physician say?”
Seeing her panic, Song Chuyi hurriedly shook her head at her. “First Aunt, don’t worry. It’s nothing serious. Probably just because I’ve been too tired recently. With some rest I’ll be fine. Don’t mention it to Grandmother when you return—she’s old and can’t withstand the shock.”
The First Madam nodded in agreement but was still somewhat uneasy. “Though Your Ladyship is young, you still must carefully maintain your health. You should still have the imperial physician take a look—wouldn’t that be more reassuring?”
Just as they were speaking, Song Chuyi suddenly covered her chest and began to dry heave. Qing Ying and Ziyun beside her hurriedly handed her tea to rinse her mouth.
The First Madam watched with furrowed brows, then suddenly asked Qing Ying, “When did Your Ladyship last have her monthly courses?”
Qing Ying scratched her head, not knowing why the First Madam suddenly asked this. After thinking for a moment, she remembered: “That’s right! They should have come at the beginning of the month, and it’s already the end of the month now…”
Having traveled to Jiangnan with Zhou Weizhao, with the fatigue of the journey, her monthly courses had been somewhat irregular. Everyone had been too busy to pay attention. Now hearing the First Madam ask this, Nanny Xu and Nanny Xu’s eyes immediately lit up.
Qing Ying and Ziyun also belatedly understood the First Madam’s meaning and joyfully ordered someone to summon the imperial physician.
Song Chuyi was even more frightened, her hands trembling slightly.
Ever since Ran’er, she had never imagined she could have another child. Even though since her rebirth her health had been good and imperial physicians constantly attended to her, she subconsciously still thought of herself as the Song Chuyi from her previous life who had injured her body and could no longer bear children.