With Lin Ruhai spending more time with the two pregnant women, for Jia Min it meant less time spent with her.

Even though she knew that after having children, the Master would increasingly devote his time to them, when it actually happened, Jia Min discovered she had still overestimated herself.

Her heart felt as if it were being gnawed by ants, leaving her unable to rest peacefully.

Lin Ruhai noticed her emotional instability: “Min’er, Brother Zishi has already settled in. Won’t you send an invitation for a gathering?”

That’s right—now the New Year had passed, her health had recovered, and her friend had also settled in. Thinking of this, Jia Min’s spirits lifted: “I’ll send an invitation to Zhao Wu right away.”

Naturally, one couldn’t send invitations for banquets or gatherings while a friend was observing mourning—if she went, it would damage the other party’s reputation. However, there was one place unrestricted by such rules, and that was the temple.

Jia Min sent Zhao Yin an invitation to meet at Bamboo Hall Temple.

This was a place Jia Min now frequently visited. It would be even better if she could encounter the itinerant Master Zhiliao who had returned from his travels.

Upon receiving Jia Min’s invitation, Zhao Yin immediately replied and had someone send it over.

Several days later, carriages from both the Lin residence and the Liu residence set out separately, heading for Bamboo Hall Temple.

The Liu residence had now passed the period of heavy mourning. Going to the temple to offer incense and light lamps for the deceased Old Master was not unusual.

The highest official rank in the Liu residence had been held by the now-deceased Old Master, whose official position during his lifetime had been fifth rank, lower grade.

From this one could see how rare it was that Lin Ruhai, not yet thirty, had already reached the fourth rank.

On the journey, Zhao Yin held her youngest daughter while repeatedly instructing her eldest daughter and son sitting opposite about how they should speak when they met and not to act on their own initiative.

Her eldest daughter, Liu Rudan, was eleven years old, and her eldest son, Liu Yizhou, was nine. At these ages, they couldn’t be called ignorant children anymore.

Before leaving home, their grandmother had also pulled them aside for lengthy instructions, telling them to please the prefect’s wife whom their mother was meeting.

Three years from now, whether Father could smoothly fill a vacancy would very likely depend on the prefect. This concerned the Liu family’s future.

With Grandmother’s words weighing on them, they had both become solemn, afraid of saying something wrong. But what Mother was saying was… to speak less?

Zhao Yin smiled faintly: “She and I are friends. I understand her better than your grandmother does. Just treat her naturally.”

Interacting with Jia Min with utilitarian motives?

Even though they hadn’t seen each other for many years, from her letters Zhao Yin could tell that Jia Min was still the same Jia Min.

They had become friends because they were both talented women with common interests and hobbies. If one only looked at family background, how could she, the daughter of an ordinary old Hanlin scholar, become handkerchief friends with a Duke’s daughter?

Hearing their mother’s words, Liu Rudan and Liu Yizhou exchanged glances and hesitated: “Mother, we understand.”

The carriage rumbled along. For a time, silence fell inside the carriage, lasting until they reached the foot of the mountain before being broken.

Bamboo Hall Temple wasn’t large in scale, with moderate fame. What it was most famous for wasn’t how efficacious the temple was, but the scenery here.

There was an endless expanse of bamboo forest. When the wind blew through, it rustled softly.

Many literati enjoyed coming here for inspiration. Along the mountain path, on the rocks beside the road, many had left impromptu poems—not lacking in excellent works.

Carriages couldn’t ascend this road. Those unwilling to walk could switch to sedan chairs.

Zhao Yin had deliberately arrived early. She wanted to walk up with her three children.

This mountain path wasn’t steep, and the scenery was beautiful. Walking would serve as a pleasant diversion.

There was also a small market here, where people sold incense, candles, and various sundries.

All three female family members wore veiled hats. The Liu Rudan sisters rarely saw such scenes and looked around curiously along the way. Zhao Yin cooperatively slowed her pace, letting them observe as they went.

By the time they reached Bamboo Hall Temple halfway up the mountain, they were all slightly perspiring.

They first went to recite sutras for the Old Master and add oil to the lamps. When they were about finished, someone entered. Zhao Yin looked over and immediately recognized who it was. The instant their gazes met, her feelings were complex and indescribable.

They hadn’t seen each other for ten years.

But Jia Min wasn’t much different from the person in her memory. Zhao Yin couldn’t help wanting to touch her own face. She was two years older than Jia Min, but now, without needing a mirror, Zhao Yin knew she looked considerably more aged.

She restrained herself and showed a smile: “It’s been so long.”

Seeing her old friend, Jia Min sighed: “Elder Sister Yin, so many years have passed.”

The two looked at each other in silence for a while, then sat down in a side room.

Jia Min took the five-year-old Liu Ruqi’s hand and looked at her apple-cheeked face with great affection: “This is your youngest daughter, Ruqi? She’s truly adorable as jade and snow.”

Zhao Yin showed a smile, introducing them with some pride: “Yes. This is my eldest daughter, Rudan, and this is my eldest son, Yizhou.”

Jia Min exclaimed in admiration: “They’re already so tall. They look like steady, good children too.”

Zhao Yin couldn’t help but smile: “They can’t be called children anymore—they’ve grown up.”

Indeed, compared to the five-year-old Liu Ruqi, these two were already big children, beginning to shoot up, their behavior and bearing no longer full of childishness.

This made Jia Min quite emotional: “The children are already so grown.”

This remark made Zhao Yin feel she had misspoken. Ordinarily, introducing her children this way would be fine, but the other party was Jia Min, childless… which was her pain. Saying this was somewhat inappropriate. She immediately changed the subject: “Yes. I was going to ask you—when I first returned, I hadn’t yet sent you an invitation when I received yours. How did you know I’d returned home?”

Jia Min smiled faintly: “My husband received the news first.”

Seeing the pure joy that appeared on Jia Min’s face when she mentioned her husband, Zhao Yin understood: “I see.”

Then the two fell silent for a moment.

This was the first time they had met since Jia Min’s marriage.

Their paths had diverged. When Jia Min followed Lin Ruhai to serve in the capital, Zhao Yin stayed in Xingtai Prefecture with her children to serve the elders. When Jia Min followed Lin Ruhai to serve in Xingtai Prefecture, Zhao Yin moved with her entire family to the capital. They had perfectly missed each other.

They had so much to say, yet momentarily didn’t know where to begin.

Ten years was a long time. Fortunately, they had kept up correspondence. After chatting for a few sentences, the familiar feeling returned.

They shared a vegetarian meal here before each returning home. Both were responsible for household management and couldn’t be away for long.

On the return carriage, Jia Min felt somewhat melancholic.

Judging from her appearance, Elder Sister Yin hadn’t lived these years too comfortably. She had borne two daughters and one son, while her husband had three sons and three daughters. The other three children were all of concubine birth, and among them one son and one daughter were children borne by a niece related by blood to her mother-in-law’s natal family.

From that concubine’s identity alone, one could see how lively her days were.

Having sons didn’t mean one’s days would be comfortable.

Jia Min smiled bitterly. Every family has its own difficult scriptures to recite.

In the returning Liu family carriage, Zhao Yin was also thinking of Jia Min. She touched her young daughter’s hand and smiled bitterly, unable to identify what she was feeling for a moment.

From a woman’s face, one could tell whether her days were good or not. The spirit in Jia Min’s eyes was as vibrant as ever, only a light sorrow shrouded between her brows. Zhao Yin knew this sorrow stemmed from being childless, but aside from this, she had no other troubles.

However… that was before.

Thinking of the news she had inquired about since returning, Zhao Yin forcefully closed her eyes.

She too would have to face concubines and illegitimate children now.

Would she follow in her own footsteps? Thinking again of the expression on Jia Min’s face when she mentioned Lin Ruhai, and the letter Magistrate Lin had written to her, Zhao Yin smiled bitterly. Perhaps not.

If Liu Zishi had even half of Lin Ruhai’s qualities, her days wouldn’t be lived in such numbness.

Returning home, Zhao Yin discovered that at this hour, the Master was actually in her courtyard drinking tea, waiting for her return.

Her steps immediately paused. Liu Rudan noticed and looked over questioningly: “Mother?”

Zhao Yin shook her head, indicating it was nothing.

She had simply realized once again her husband’s utilitarian nature.

If her father hadn’t maintained a stable position despite lack of promotion, and if she didn’t have several powerful and influential handkerchief friends, her position as legitimate wife wouldn’t be as secure as it was now.

—

With this friend to meet and contact, Jia Min’s mood indeed improved considerably. They had too many topics to discuss.

Zhao Yin only needed to manage her own small household territory. Because of the mourning period, there was nothing else to do, and because of Jia Min’s husband’s current position, everyone at home supported their cultivating closer ties.

Being able to cast aside household trivialities and chat with a good friend, Zhao Yin also went with the flow.

Every so often they would arrange to meet at Bamboo Hall Temple, finding again after so long the state of mind they’d had when young, gathering with sisters to form poetry societies and play.

Lin Ruhai, discovering her improved mood, was gratified.

If he didn’t see her go out for a long time, he would even ask why she hadn’t gone to Bamboo Hall Temple.

He wasn’t someone who would oppose his wife going out. However, Nanny Qian felt something was wrong: “Madam! The Master doesn’t come to Azure Wave Courtyard much to begin with. Rather than focusing your attention on how to win back the Master’s heart, Madam instead keeps meeting with outsiders? You must grasp the Master’s heart!”

She was merely the wife of a minor Hanlin scholar. Once the mourning period ended, who knew what remote mountain area Liu Zishi would be assigned to?

Moreover, the Liu family had no one else in official circles.

How could the wife of such a minor household be worthy of sitting as equals with their Madam? Calling each other sisters?

Unfortunately, Madam didn’t like hearing these words. Speaking them was useless, leaving Nanny Qian deeply frustrated.

This, however, was something Yun Shuyao was happy to see.

Facts proved that only staying within one’s own small territory, confined in self-pity, made it easy to get stuck in mental loops. Getting stuck in mental loops led easily to obsession.

But having other things to do diverted part of one’s attention. Moreover, Jia Min was responsible for the Lin household management, and as Lin Ruhai’s wife, she had to socialize with other officials’ wives. Now she also had a good friend to relax with and could go to Bamboo Hall Temple to inquire about the master she hoped to meet… In such circumstances, getting stuck in mental loops wouldn’t be easy.

In this “wonderful” atmosphere, as time passed, Yun Shuyao’s belly grew larger and larger.

Concubine Mei had been kept in the dark about Yun Shuyao carrying twins. She rarely went out, couldn’t hear others’ discussions, and couldn’t see Yun Shuyao’s obviously large belly.

Concealing this from her daughter was a decision Gao Shi had made after long hesitation.

If her daughter’s health were better, telling her would be fine. But her daughter’s pregnancy had been fraught with difficulties. If she were overstimulated and lost the baby, all her scheming would come to nothing.

Gao Shi didn’t dare gamble, so she kept it tightly concealed.

If Concubine Mei had continued staying at Plum Fragrance Courtyard, with everyone concealing it from her, she might indeed have only learned about it after giving birth. But when she was eight months pregnant, she went out.

After entering the late pregnancy stage at seven months, Gao Shi knew that giving birth required strength, and continually lying in bed wouldn’t build strength, so she often coaxed her to leave her room and walk around Plum Fragrance Courtyard.

Concubine Mei, pregnant and reluctant to move, would nevertheless force herself to walk when urged repeatedly.

On this day, looking at scenery she had grown tired of seeing, Concubine Mei didn’t want to walk in Plum Fragrance Courtyard and wanted to go outside to the garden for a turn.

Gao Shi didn’t hesitate and agreed at once.

Her daughter had so many people around her. She didn’t believe anyone would dare do anything to her at this time.

Indeed, no one did anything to her, but an unexpected situation still occurred.

Walking along perfectly well, a mouse suddenly jumped out from the bushes ahead, startling them.

Concubine Mei immediately didn’t want to walk this path and changed to another small lane. At the corner of this lane, she heard passersby talking: “I heard four wet nurses entered the residence today?”

Another person replied: “Yes, all for Orchid Heart Courtyard.”

Concubine Mei froze. Plum Fragrance Courtyard also had wet nurses—two of them. They were already on standby at Plum Fragrance Courtyard, just waiting for her child to be born to immediately take up their posts.

She had even specifically met them and inquired about their situations, being generally satisfied.

That Orchid Heart Courtyard was now seven months along—finalizing wet nurses wasn’t strange. What was strange was the quantity.

Why did she have four wet nurses, fully double her own?

Concubine Mei’s expression changed immediately.

Gao Shi, seeing this, inwardly cursed and pulled her back: “Your concubine mother will tell you about this matter later.”

The concubine mother knew about this?!

Concubine Mei’s face fell: “We’re going back now.” She wanted to know right now. She didn’t like her concubine mother keeping things from her.

Upon returning, Gao Shi sent everyone else away, first telling her not to get excited and to calm down before explaining.

This approach calmed Concubine Mei somewhat. Could it be some terrible bad news that would upset her?

She remembered the previous time when stress had caused her stomach pain. Taking a deep breath, she placed both hands together on her protruding belly. She was already eight months along—just hold on a bit longer and the child would be born. Her emotions couldn’t become too agitated. She had to control her emotions well.

After several deep breaths, Concubine Mei said: “I understand. Concubine Mother, please tell me. I’ll remain calm.”

After hesitating, Gao Shi still spoke: “Concubine Yun… is carrying twins.”

Upon hearing this, even with mental preparation, Concubine Mei still trembled, her voice rising: “What?! Concubine Yun is carrying twins? That’s impossible!”

Gao Shi nodded bitterly while carefully observing her daughter’s state: “It’s true, Ruixue. You must be wary of this Concubine Yun.”

In Gao Shi’s view, this Concubine Yun was no simple character.

Without her mother at her side for guidance, she could still maintain such composure. Moreover, her body wasn’t like her daughter’s, who had used medicine to conceive and had severe physical reactions.

Concubine Yun had conceived naturally, and immediately with twins at that. Facing such joyous news, she could actually remain in her small courtyard without any arrogance.

Her scheming was profound in a way that didn’t match her age.

Moreover, she somehow had won the prefect’s heart. The prefect claimed to treat them equally, but from the information she had gathered, he clearly spent more time at Orchid Heart Courtyard.

If she was lucky and gave birth to two sons in one go, given the Lin family’s thin bloodline, wouldn’t they have to revere her?

She was her daughter’s mortal threat—they must guard against her! If the Lin household weren’t currently guarded like an iron barrel, Gao Shi would have wanted to do something already.

Concubine Mei still couldn’t believe it, murmuring: “How is her luck so good that she could even conceive twins?”

Twins were too rare. In all Concubine Mei’s life, she had only encountered one case.

She had paid such a great price, using her only medicine pill to conceive this child, and had suffered so much. And the other party? Without needing to pay anything, the children came two at once?!

Moreover, with twins, the probability of bearing sons was also greater than hers. Twins might also be premature. If she went into labor first and gave birth to a son, wouldn’t her son only be relegated to second son’s position?

Clearly she had conceived first—why should Orchid Heart Courtyard?

The more she thought about it, the more unbalanced Concubine Mei felt. She felt as if a fire were burning in her chest, burning ever more vigorously.

Seeing the situation turning dire, Gao Shi panicked: “Ruixue, calm down! Think of the child!”

Her daughter truly couldn’t keep her composure.

If something happened after hearing this news, not only would it harm her daughter’s health, but how would the Old Madam and others view her daughter?

Gao Shi repeatedly reminded her daughter to maintain her composure, comforting her: “You’re already eight months along—about to give birth. I requested a safety talisman for you and drew a fortune stick—it was most auspicious. Ruixue, listen to your concubine mother. Nothing is more important than your health. Everything else can be dealt with slowly later.”

“…I know. But Concubine Mother, what if she gives birth to the eldest son first?”

Gao Shi was silent for a long while: “…That’s impossible to predict.”

Concubine Mei held her breath. Just then the fetus in her belly stretched out a hand, as if greeting her. Feeling the child’s movement, Concubine Mei slowly stroked her belly: “My child, Mother isn’t angry anymore. Mother will properly give birth to you.”

“Good child, you think so too, right? You be good and don’t trouble Mother.”

“Mother won’t let you be inferior to anyone.”

“Seven lives, eight dies—there’s still half a month. For you, Mother will definitely wait until nine months.”

Speaking thus, her eyes filled with determination.

Seeing this, Gao Shi’s heart lurched, and she began to regret having suggested going for a walk today.

Concubine Mei hadn’t erupted for the moment, but some things couldn’t be put down just by saying so. That night, she barely slept, appearing haggard the next day. Gao Shi, angry at her lack of self-control, quickly summoned Doctor Zhou to prescribe pregnancy-preservation medicine: “Doctor, please examine her. She was startled by a mouse that suddenly jumped out in the garden.”

Doctor Zhou, inwardly lamenting: “…”

She was about to give birth—how had something gone wrong again?

After taking her pulse, Doctor Zhou breathed a sigh of relief and prescribed a mild formula: “If Concubine Mei has a good sleep and avoids pride and impatience, she’ll be fine.”

Gao Shi breathed a sigh of relief: “Thank you, Doctor Zhou. I’d also like to ask—how is her current condition?”

Doctor Zhou thought she was worried about whether the birth would be safe: “No need to worry too much. Concubine Mei’s body is somewhat weak, but there’s no major problem.”

Hearing this, Gao Shi relaxed, while Concubine Mei smiled.

When the child reached nine months, Concubine Mei went into labor.

Although Plum Fragrance Courtyard and Orchid Heart Courtyard weren’t adjacent, they weren’t far apart. As soon as the Old Madam and Madam received the news, they rushed over. Because Yun Shuyao was also far along, they tried to keep it from her, but the commotion was too great to conceal. Yun Shuyao also learned that her colleague had gone into labor.

She concentrated and listened carefully, still able to hear Concubine Mei’s sharp screams.

Full of anguish.

Each sudden cry was somewhat chilling to hear.

Hearing this while sporting a large belly and near her own due date, Yun Shuyao felt her stomach contract.

She hurriedly sent comforting energy to the two little ones in her belly.

Little ones, it’s lively over there right now. Don’t rush—take your time before coming out to meet me, okay?

The children responded: I’m not listening.

Half a day after Plum Fragrance Courtyard went into labor, she too began showing signs.