Nanny Qian had secretly written a letter back, and now this letter was also sent only to her.

After reading the letter, Nanny Qian was both pleased and worried.

Pleased that Grandmother Jia shared her thinking—both wanted to strike down the fox spirit.

Worried that Grandmother Jia still didn’t know that now one fox spirit had already become pregnant.

Compared to a firstborn concubine son, a mere fox spirit didn’t count for much.

Nanny Qian had already seen it all in the Jia residence. Back then, were there many women the Duke Rongguo favored?

Many.

Coming and going, countless numbers, but not one could last long.

As long as one endured for a period, once the man grew tired of them, they could be dealt with however one wished, no need to worry.

But with offspring, especially a boy, that was different.

A girl could still be sent away with a dowry, but boys would divide the family property—that wouldn’t do.

What should she do now?

The madam still had considerable misgivings and didn’t want to act against the concubines. Now with Concubine Mei’s situation, even if acting, it couldn’t be done openly.

The Lin family’s inner courtyard wasn’t yet the time when their Jia family could cover the sky with one hand.

That old woman of the Lin family was still alive.

Nanny Qian’s face was somber. Soon, she thought of an idea, her expression turning from gloomy to clear.

—

Lin Ruhai was a person who valued propriety.

Jia Min was his original principal wife. She was the mother of all his children.

For the sake of stability in the inner courtyard, Lin Ruhai wouldn’t let anyone threaten her position.

And a child, if a son, would be threat enough.

Initially, Lin Ruhai had been carried away by joy. Later, he regained his usual composure.

Happy as he was, propriety couldn’t be disrupted.

He had already made up his mind—if she also agreed, the child would be raised in the main courtyard. If she wished, the child could be registered under her name as well.

As for Mother disagreeing, he would slowly persuade her.

Of course, Lin Ruhai also knew his wife had been drinking medicine. The two of them having no son—both bore considerable pressure, relatively speaking, the pressure on his wife was greater.

If they could have a legitimate son, that would naturally be best. But Lin Ruhai felt the hope was too slim.

Having finally gotten a child, he didn’t dare hope for more.

As for writing a letter to the clan, he had indeed written one back.

The Lin family was a scholarly family. The clan also had other members with official credentials, but speaking of it, the one with the highest official position, the most successful, was still their branch.

So many years without contact—just as Mother said, so many years had passed, it was enough.

Although he didn’t expect the Lin clan could help much, he understood Mother’s meaning.

Their branch had been single-succession for generations—still too thin.

If something happened, there wouldn’t even be anyone to provide mutual support.

Lin Ruhai believed that once this letter was sent back, the clan leader would most likely seize this opportunity to reconcile and resume contact.

If things went smoothly, for his son’s future, he wasn’t unwilling to promote a few Lin family juniors to his side for guidance…

After Jia Min learned of Lin Ruhai’s intentions, she was momentarily moved. She knew the master was thinking of her.

The two of them as husband and wife—who knew how many nights they had faced the heavy question of offspring in mutual silence.

They were on the same side, both longing for children.

In the depths of night, she had also considered adopting a child to her care.

However, after careful consideration, Jia Min still refused.

She didn’t want to raise someone else’s child. If the child had any discomfort, Mei Shi would probably think she had harmed the child. She wasn’t that despicable.

Although doing this wouldn’t be without benefits—if the child was in her courtyard, Mei Shi would be like a rat fearing a trap, unable to be arrogant anymore, only able to obediently submit.

But this wasn’t what she wanted.

She wanted a child—her own biological child flowing with the blood of both the Jia and Lin families.

Even if this child wasn’t raised in her courtyard, when spoken of, it was still her child, could only call her mother.

To outsiders, her pressure, their facing others’ meaningful gazes, could also be met with equanimity.

Lin Ruhai sighed.

She didn’t agree.

Lin Ruhai had also considered this possibility. He persuaded her a few times. Seeing her persistence, he could only set aside this thought.

But: “Min’er, if you change your mind, tell me.”

Before the child became sensible, she could still change her mind.

As for whether Concubine Mei would refuse—Lin Ruhai hadn’t considered this question.

Concubine sons and daughters raised by the legitimate mother were viewed more highly than those raised by their concubine mothers.

Because growing up beside the legitimate mother, the things the child could be exposed to and learn weren’t things that could be learned beside a concubine confined to one corner.

Jia Min leaned against Lin Ruhai’s chest, closing her eyes contentedly: “Master…”

—

Originally, according to Concubine Mei’s temperament, having such a triumphant joyous occasion, she should have shown off extensively to vent the anger from the recent period when the master didn’t come to Meixiang Courtyard.

But she didn’t.

Not stepping beyond the main gate or second gate, basically never leaving her room—naturally there was no question of showing off.

As for the reason—her morning sickness was very severe.

So severe that even if she wanted to show off, she could only rehearse it in her mind.

She couldn’t stand any smell—even slightly strong ones were impossible.

What she could eat was also very limited. Aside from rice oil and the pickled vegetables her concubine mother made, she vomited everything she ate. Even forcibly eating was useless.

This worried the Old Madam greatly. Continuing like this long-term, her body wouldn’t hold up.

She urged the permanently residing Doctor Zhou to think of a solution. Doctor Zhou was also helpless.

“Old Madam, this morning sickness—everyone’s reaction is different. There’s no cure, only relief.”

But the medicine he prescribed, she couldn’t drink either, couldn’t even smell it. How could he treat it?

Moreover, being able to drink rice oil was acceptable. Enduring through this period would be fine.

The Old Madam was helpless: “…Thank you for your hard work, Doctor Zhou.”

Seeing the Old Madam didn’t insist, Doctor Zhou felt relieved.

He feared most encountering the unreasonable who couldn’t be reasoned with.

Now, although there was risk working in the prefect’s household, but… the prefect gave too much.

Staying one year could let him live comfortably for several years. If he encountered rarely seen good medicinal materials, he’d also have the opportunity to acquire them.

After understanding the overall situation of the Lin family, Yun Shuyao didn’t like going out and about. She basically stayed in her Lanxin Courtyard.

The place here was large enough.

If not for needing to go to Jia Min’s place daily to pay respects and check in, she could stay in this small courtyard for a very long time.

Many office workers’ ultimate goal was to one day lie at home eating, drinking, and sleeping—unless necessary, not stepping outside the door.

Such days were comfortable.

Moreover, this could also have unexpected effects. For instance, on this day, on the way back from paying respects, Yun Shuyao heard two maids tending flowers and plants whispering in the flower bushes around a corner in the garden, talking about Concubine Mei.

The two of them had their backs turned, so their faces weren’t clear, but their clothes had trim—one red, one green.

The green-trimmed maid’s tone was mysterious. “Si Ya, I’ll tell you something. You don’t know—I heard someone say the kitchen prepares bird’s nest and ginseng for Concubine Mei every day. Just food alone costs over a hundred taels of silver a day!”

The red-trimmed maid was disdainful. “You’re shocked by that? How much can food cost? The things the Old Madam sent—those are priceless!”

The green-trimmed maid cooperated well. “How are they priceless?”

The red-trimmed maid: “My neighbor’s playmate’s little sister serves in the Old Madam’s courtyard. You don’t know how much was taken from the storeroom that day. Our Old Madam was born into a distinguished family, was a marquis’s wife for many years. It was only our master’s generation that the title was lost. Think how much family wealth was accumulated. That day, they carried out two whole large chests of things!”

The green-trimmed maid exclaimed, “Really two large chests?”

The red-trimmed maid was somewhat proud: “Would I lie to you? That little sister doesn’t know about other things, but just that one Hundred Sons and Thousand Grandsons canopy is worth over a thousand taels of silver! This is just one item. I estimate the Old Madam sent out over ten thousand taels of silver.”

The green-trimmed maid gasped: “Heavens! Ten thousand taels of silver! I’ve never seen so much silver. How much must that be? Concubine Mei is so fortunate!”

The green-trimmed maid’s tone changed somewhat: “If not for having this child, the Old Madam wouldn’t care who she is at all.”

The red-trimmed maid agreed: “Who says otherwise? Previously the master’s attitude toward Concubine Mei was ordinary, but she had good luck—even dogs and chickens ascend to heaven.”

The green-trimmed maid lowered her voice: “It’s really a pity. If you ask me, this child’s luck is also not good. Best would be being born from the madam’s belly, getting legitimate status. If not that, going to Lanxin Courtyard would also work. But ending up in this merchant woman’s belly—after being born, who knows if there’ll be regret…”

Yun Shuyao heard their words becoming increasingly out of line, and they seemed to intend to continue. She quickly cleared her throat, not wanting to hear them continue.

Did they think she would fall for this level of instigation?

They thought too much.

Or did they think after hearing this she would become jealous?

Who were they looking down on?

She certainly loved money. Who didn’t love money?

But she knew what she deserved.

Moreover, speaking of it, aside from giving her looks like an immature brat, had Concubine Mei done anything else?

No.

No intention of doing anything either.

But the thoughts of those speaking these words were revealed beyond doubt.

Wanting to provoke her jealousy, provoke her indignation, provoke her greed… deepening bit by bit. If jealousy grew heavy and she did something, like getting rid of the child in Concubine Mei’s belly, certain people would probably be delighted.

She wasn’t stupid.

So she did nothing, kept her eyes straight ahead, and continued walking with Hong Xiu toward Lanxin Courtyard, as if she’d heard nothing.

After they left, the two maids who had been talking also stopped speaking. Watching the people leave in the distance, they went to report to someone.

“Nanny, we’ve already said what you told us to say, but she had no reaction.”

The nanny laughed heartily. “She’s just pretending. Coming from a small household, who knows how anxious she is inside. Later, you do as I say again.”

She didn’t believe Concubine Yun wouldn’t be jealous.

Once jealousy arose, it would be easy to handle.

A woman’s jealousy was truly a formidable thing.