When Nanny Qian heard the news and went to the main house, Jia Min already knew. Her face was somewhat pale, staring distractedly at the green leaves outside the window.

Under Nanny Qian’s heartbroken gaze, Jia Min wiped the corner of her eye: “Nanny, let’s go to Orchid Heart Court.”

Nanny Qian responded affirmatively, thinking viciously in her heart that she guaranteed the Lin family’s heir could only come from the belly of their Jia family people!

She must make comprehensive preparations for her young mistress!

—

Orchid Heart Court, Lin Ruhai was beaming with joy.

Compared to when he heard the good news about Concubine Mei, he was more restrained now, but the happiness remained.

This was the first time Yun Shuyao had seen such distinct joy for herself on him.

From a certain perspective, she, this employee, was now realizing what this era considered the most important value. It was natural for the chairman to be happy.

Lin Ruhai held her hand: “Shuyao, what do you want to eat? Last time you said roast duck was good, shall we have one? If you don’t want roast duck, there’s also jade soup, that tastes good too.”

Compared to Concubine Mei’s severe morning sickness reaction, aside from being sensitive to the smell of mutton, Yun Shuyao was normal in every other way.

So Yun Shuyao accepted with a smile: “Thank you, Master.”

She knew her time for feasting had come.

A concubine’s meals had fixed allowances. Yun Shuyao was reluctant to use her three taels of monthly silver to add meals for herself every day. Wanting to save money while also enjoying good food, both could only be satisfied when Lin Ruhai came.

The head of the household’s allowance was much more abundant than hers.

Now that she was pregnant, she didn’t like drinking expensive bird’s nest like water, but meat, all kinds of meat, was now sufficient.

Speaking of it, eating meat was much more affordable than eating bird’s nest.

Seeing Yun Shi eating so happily, Lin Ruhai also smiled.

Being able to eat was a blessing.

Seeing her eat so fragrantly, Lin Ruhai, who had been restless for a period due to Concubine Mei’s severe morning sickness, was very gratified.

The old madam arrived. Seeing the full table, she also smiled, the corners of her eyes creasing into two deep folds.

If Yun Shuyao hadn’t said it was enough, she would have added more dishes.

“Being able to eat is a blessing. Pass down the word, Yun Shi’s allowance from now on will follow mine.” Her allowance was the best, but she worshipped Buddha and basically only ate vegetarian food.

Nanny Wang: “Yes.”

Like with Concubine Mei, the old madam had people carry over two large chests, looking kindly: “Whatever you need, just ask. Speaking of which, you should also miss your mother. I’ll have someone send word for her to come take care of you.”

The old madam treated everyone equally.

Whatever treatment she gave Concubine Mei, she now gave Yun Shuyao.

Nanny Wang, along with two maids from her courtyard, Yu Shan and Yu Chan, were also assigned to Orchid Heart Court.

Nanny Wang was the person who had originally come to ask if she was willing to enter the Lin residence as a concubine. She was experienced and steady. Yu Shan was skilled in cooking and also knew medicinal cuisine. Yu Chan’s needlework inherited her mother’s true teachings.

All were talented people.

Seeing this scene, Jia Min’s face remained calm and unruffled.

With Concubine Mei’s example before, she had already anticipated this.

However… she looked at Concubine Yun.

She was indeed smiling and happy, but much more restrained than Concubine Mei had been.

Her attitude toward her also hadn’t changed, still respectful.

This made Jia Min’s impression of her improve somewhat. Coming from a scholarly family, she indeed knew the rules better than merchant households.

Then she looked at the old madam, struggling with how to speak.

The two concubines entering the household—one didn’t look at beauty, two didn’t look at family background, but rather looked at the birth dates the old madam had obtained.

Now both concubines were pregnant. Jia Min couldn’t help but believe that the old madam had encountered an expert!

Then, could the expert also help her bear a son?

Having thought of this on the way over, most of Jia Min’s mind was on this matter.

They didn’t stay long. Seeing the night deepening, the old madam used the excuse that she needed to rest early and had everyone leave.

After people left, Yun Shuyao looked at everyone in Orchid Heart Court full of joy and couldn’t help but smile.

Happy, she was indeed happy.

One was that she would have a child connected by blood, and the other was that she had suddenly become wealthy.

Yun Shuyao gave meeting gifts to the three new people temporarily transferred over, then couldn’t wait to open the two large chests the old madam had sent.

The first thing that caught her eye was an arm-length white jade statue of Guanyin bestowing children, wrapped in red silk, which further highlighted the jade’s warm and lustrous quality. Combined with Guanyin’s kind expression and the plump blessed baby in her hands that was extremely lifelike, even though Yun Shuyao didn’t understand jade, she could see it was worth a considerable sum, estimating it couldn’t be less than one or two thousand silver taels.

Additionally, there was a ruyi scepter with pomegranate flower patterns, expensive fabric with gourd designs, a vase in the shape of trailing melon vines, a complete set of hair ornaments in lotus shapes… These items naturally had value, but they were all related to meanings like having many children.

The only thing unrelated was a small box of gold and silver beads.

It could be said this was the lowest value item, but also the only thing she could directly use.

Yun Shuyao: “…”

She couldn’t help but blink.

There were over ten thousand taels of silver worth here, but the most convenient cash to use was just five hundred taels, a stark contrast.

If she lacked money, could she really take these things the old madam gave to pawn?

However, Yun Shuyao was already very satisfied.

Her wealth had suddenly increased from a few hundred taels to over ten thousand taels in one day, and moreover, was five hundred taels really little?

Even if the entire Yun family emptied their coffers, it would only be about five hundred taels.

And this was a xiucai’s family.

For ordinary households, aside from ancestral homes, having savings of over a hundred taels meant they were a minor wealthy family.

There were many people who worked for a month just to guarantee that month’s food rations.

Five hundred taels was enough for her to buy another shop or purchase some farmland.

After the excitement passed, Yun Shuyao quickly began planning how to spend these five hundred taels.

She had usage rights to the other items, but only these five hundred taels were cash directly deposited into her account.

It was equivalent to her bonus.

Having a bonus just sitting in the account was a very wasteful thing.

At this time, in Fragrant Plum Court, Concubine Mei’s emotions were stirred by the news of Yun Shi’s pregnancy. Her appetite, which had finally improved somewhat, was ruined again. She couldn’t eat anything and was extremely irritable.

She looked angrily at the person sitting at the table drinking tea unhurriedly: “Mother!”

Gao Shi put down her teacup, sighed, walked over to stroke her head, and comforted her: “Ruixue, why are you anxious? She’s already pregnant, you can’t do anything about it. Listen to Mother, don’t think so much. Give birth to your son properly, that’s the most important thing. You know Mother wouldn’t harm you. Endure this moment.”

Gao Shi was also anxious.

The difference between being the only one and being one of two was too great.

Her daughter’s advantage had been leveled in an instant.

But now, there was no room for anxiety.

Gao Shi knew her daughter’s temperament and repeatedly reminded her of the importance of this pregnancy, finally calming her emotions and getting her to lie in bed and sleep.

Gao Shi sat by the bed, looking at her daughter’s face, much thinner since becoming pregnant, and furrowed her brow in the night. After much consideration, she let out a long sigh.

Her daughter’s fortune was indeed somewhat lacking.

However, there was still plenty of time.

Counting the days, her daughter was a month earlier than Orchid Heart Court. When the time came, she would give birth to the eldest son.

The eldest son had different significance.

She couldn’t be anxious.

Being anxious would easily cause her to lose her sense of proportion. She had to think carefully…

That night, there was one more person at the ancestral hall—Jia Min. After offering incense to the ancestors, she couldn’t wait to ask about whose expert hand had provided the birth dates originally.

Lin Ruhai also wanted to know.

He hadn’t previously believed this birth date had anything special, only going along with his stubborn mother. But now, he felt perhaps his mother had truly encountered an expert.

If their luck was good, perhaps the curse of the Lin family’s single-line succession could be ended.

The old madam turned her prayer beads, eyes closed: “I encountered that master at Bamboo Hall Temple. He only left me this one birth date, then went wandering the world. He hasn’t returned to this day. I can’t contact him.”

Lin Ruhai pondered: “Is it Bamboo Hall Temple at Green Cloud Mountain?”

Old madam: “Precisely.”

Jia Min perked up: “Perhaps other masters might have news of where he went wandering.”

The old madam shook her head: “Master Zhiliao is not a person of Bamboo Hall Temple. He was temporarily resting at Bamboo Hall Temple when I happened to encounter him.”

The old madam was also very regretful about this.

Jia Min wasn’t willing to give up and planned to have people inquire properly.

The old madam saw this but said nothing more.

If Jia Min wanted to bear a son, even though the old madam had great grievances with the Jia family and also had displeasure toward Jia Min, she wouldn’t have any dissatisfaction with any offspring she bore.

If she could have some method to conceive earlier, the old madam would be happy to see it happen.

—

When Yun Shuyao woke up the next day, she found the room’s furnishings had completely changed. She almost didn’t recognize it.

All the things the old madam had sent that could be displayed were displayed. The furniture in the room was wrapped in soft cloth, and sharper items had all disappeared.

Her sewing basket was also gone.

There were also some additional books on the table.

Yun Shuyao asked: “Where did these books come from?”

Hong Xiu smiled until her eyes became crescents: “The master had someone send them early this morning for the concubine to relieve boredom. There are also two sets of the four treasures of the study, some porcelain. Concubine, especially this Empty Mountain Clear Rain tea set, was something the master obtained by chance before. The master likes it very much.”

Then, remembering something, she added: “Concubine, you can’t read or practice calligraphy for too long from now on, it’s easy to harm your spirit.”

“You can’t do needlework anymore either. If you want to make something, we’re here for that.”

Nanny Wang, carrying two large food boxes with Yu Shan, walked in: “Concubine, this is today’s breakfast.”

Yun Shuyao looked at the displayed crystal dumplings, dried scallop congee, bird’s nest egg custard, steamed buns, chicken shred congee, golden thread soft cake… A full table.

This was the most abundant breakfast she’d had so far.

Nanny Wang took them out one by one, carefully observing Concubine Yun’s expression. If after taking something out her complexion wasn’t right, she would immediately remove it to avoid ruining her appetite.

Fortunately, when all the food was taken out, there was only a smile on Concubine Yun’s face.

It must be said, Concubine Yun was easy to serve.

Nanny Wang secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Nanny Wu had gone to Concubine Mei’s place not long ago and had already lost several pounds from worry. After she gave birth, who knew what she would become.

The breakfast varieties were very rich, but the portions were compared to her previous appetite, not making her overstuffed. Yun Shuyao finished eating, very satisfied. Good food could bring people good moods.

After finishing breakfast, Nanny Wang suggested she take a walk. After that, Concubine Yun’s mother should arrive.

—Similarly, starting today, she also didn’t need to go pay morning respects to Jia Min.

Song Shi got the news last night and was excited all night.

And also anxious all night.

Chattering to family members, saying things she herself didn’t know what she was saying, while busily making some of her specialty side dishes for her daughter, packing the intimate clothing she’d made for her daughter during this time, she left early in the morning.

Brothers Yun Heng and Yun Yan sent her.

After seeing her to the gate, they still had to go to private school.

Hesitating for a while at the tall gate of the Lin residence, Song Shi gathered her courage and walked forward.

Before she could speak, the gatekeeper was already smiling and asking: “Are you Concubine Yun’s mother? This way please.”

Seeing this smile, Song Shi felt somewhat reassured: “Much obliged.”

She first went to pay respects to the magistrate’s wife.

After just one glance, she didn’t dare look directly at this noble person who was like a celestial consort. Her hands and feet were somewhat stiff.

However, the magistrate’s wife was more amiable than she had imagined.

She even invited her to drink tea and eat pastries.

When Song Shi left Azure Wave Court, she visibly breathed a sigh of relief. The maids of Azure Wave Court saw this, and some couldn’t help but laugh out loud. Song Shi heard it and her face reddened.

At her age, still so unable to compose herself, no wonder people mocked her.

When that maid laughed, Nanny Qian was also nearby. She looked at the laughing young girl with a smile, her words seeming to scold but her tone very relaxed: “You mustn’t let the madam know about this, it’s impolite.”

That maid giggled, knowing Nanny Qian wasn’t really scolding her: “Nanny, I just laughed a bit, how is that impolite? So this is the wife from the Yun xiucai’s family. Indeed from a small household.”

The clothes she wore were even worse than hers.

Hearing this, Nanny Qian’s lips curved up: “What are you saying? No matter how small a household, it’s still a xiucai’s family.”

The maid giggled: “Nanny, that’s not right. Even at a prime minister’s gate, there are sixth-rank officials.”

The Lin family was a fourth-rank magistrate, and those from the Jia family were from a duke’s residence. For a poor xiucai’s wife, where was the need for much respect?

The curve of Nanny Qian’s lips couldn’t help but deepen, her eyes showing identical pride and disdain.

A daughter raised this way, no wonder she was a cowardly good-for-nothing.