After two days of calm reflection, Grandmother Jia realized that there were some unconsidered aspects in what she had done. She had underestimated her daughter’s aversion and had not persuaded her first, so she wrote a letter to Jia Min to give both of them a way out.

This letter arrived at the Lin residence at the same time as the retired Imperial Physician.

In Grandmother Jia’s letter, she did not say that Jia Min had done anything wrong. Using a helpless tone, she said she would follow her wishes, that she was just a mother worrying needlessly over there.

She made no mention of Fei Cui or Nanny Qian.

This allowed Jia Min to breathe a sigh of relief, and her anxious heart safely returned to her belly.

She did not want to quarrel with her mother.

As for the retired Imperial Physician Zheng, Jia Min naturally welcomed him.

She had considerable expectations for this Imperial Physician, hoping he could help her.

She had previously held great anticipation for the mysterious Master Zhiliao who had vanished without a trace, but unfortunately the other party was too mysterious and could not be found. No matter how much expectation she had, there was no solution.

As for this Imperial Physician Zheng, she had heard people mention him when she was still in the capital.

However, at that time, Imperial Physician Zheng was not serving in the capital but was in Shengjing.

He only went to the capital afterward.

Previously there had been no way, as the distance was too great. Now the other party had come specifically for this.

This old physician was already quite advanced in years, but in appearance, he looked several years younger than his actual age.

Despite the exhaustion of travel, he still appeared robust and vigorous, well-maintained.

After the old Imperial Physician finished taking her pulse, he withdrew his hand.

Jia Min looked at him nervously, waiting for his verdict.

The old Imperial Physician did not rush to speak. After pondering for a while, he picked up Jia Min’s previous prescription and asked about her diet and rest schedule.

He asked very thoroughly.

After understanding everything clearly, this old Imperial Physician finally reached his conclusion: “Madam, rest assured. There is no serious ailment with your body. Just take a few doses of medicine to regulate and adjust. On ordinary days when there is nothing to do, take a walk around—not requiring breaking a sweat, just to invigorate and activate your muscles and bones.”

Jia Min truly did not like much movement.

Jia Min had heard such words many times before. She hesitated for a moment, then finally spoke up and asked directly: “Imperial Physician, regarding my matter of children…”

The old Imperial Physician’s tone was definite: “It is merely that the destiny has not yet arrived.”

The old Imperial Physician clearly knew where her concern lay and gave an example.

He had examined not just one pregnant older woman—some had already been over forty years old. This was an age to be a grandmother, whereas she was not yet thirty.

She had heard similar words before, but the credibility of words spoken from different people’s mouths was not the same.

Moreover, so many people had previously said she was not unable to bear children, and that was not entirely useless.

Yes indeed, others could give birth even past forty, and she was not yet thirty.

How could she give up so quickly?

She carefully stored away the prescription the old Imperial Physician left.

The old Imperial Physician also had suggestions regarding diet. Jia Min looked at them and had someone record them down, to be taken to the kitchen later and prepared according to what was listed.

As for going out to move about more… Jia Min sighed and helplessly had the maids remind her at the appropriate time.

Since this old Imperial Physician had come, treating him with courtesy was certain.

The Old Madam had also heard of his reputation and did not know what price Grandmother Jia had paid to make him willing to make such a trip.

What Grandmother Jia paid belonged to Grandmother Jia; their Lin family belonged to their Lin family.

Their share of gratitude gifts likewise could not be insufficient.

This had not happened in the dream world. She did not know whether Daiyu would be born earlier. Thinking of that granddaughter who died young, the Old Madam could not help but sigh.

She even proposed whether he could examine other people.

All the masters in the residence, including herself.

The Old Madam still did not want to die. She had not yet seen her grandson grow to adulthood. If she died now, she would die with eyes wide open in regret.

As for her son, if he did not walk the path she had seen in the dream world, he should not encounter poisoning that ruined his body.

It was just that he worked hard daily and should also pay good attention to his body.

The old Imperial Physician did not mind seeing a few more patients. After examining them, he prescribed a formula for the Old Madam, but did not prescribe formulas for the others.

Those in good health did not need prescriptions. He just left a few targeted medicinal food recipes for them to arrange themselves.

The Old Madam solemnly accepted them.

Concubine Mei’s body was still being regulated. After the old Imperial Physician looked at her, he slightly adjusted the dosage of two ingredients in the medicine she was currently taking. Physician Zhou, holding that prescription, repeatedly exclaimed how wonderful it was.

He followed closely behind the old Imperial Physician, seizing every opportunity to ingratiate himself and assist him.

If he could receive guidance or have any insights, it would be of tremendous help to his future.

When taking Yun Shuyao’s pulse, the old Imperial Physician was somewhat astonished.

This person… was remarkably healthy.

This was something the old Imperial Physician had rarely seen in all these years. Most people appeared fine but would have some minor ailments that were not serious problems.

The old Imperial Physician did not stay too long. He left before the news spread. If he were late, there would be an endless stream of other people coming to seek medical treatment.

So he quietly departed.

But the impact he brought to the Lin residence could not easily dissipate for a while.

Having a renowned physician say the entire family had no problems was a joyous matter.

At this time, Yun Shuyao also received good news.

Her eldest younger brother had passed the examination for Changming Academy.

The headmaster of this academy had earned his jinshi degree and had also served as an official, but later seemed to have encountered some incident that left him disheartened. When his parents passed away, he simply resigned from office, returned to his hometown, and established this academy.

Over all these years, he had cultivated quite a few outstanding students. More than one had passed the jinshi examination. It was the most prestigious academy in Xingtai Prefecture, with a very high entry threshold. Besides being excellent in character and learning, one also needed a letter of recommendation.

Once admitted, one could basically confirm that an official title was within reach.

At the very least, it could cultivate a xiucai.

Yun Heng was fourteen years old this year. To be able to pass the examination and enter at this age was inseparable from Lin Ruhai’s guidance.

Ever since the two concubines became pregnant, Lin Ruhai began to pay attention to their maternal families.

He did not mind extending a hand to support the Mei family and the Yun family.

As for children born of concubines, their mother was only Jia Min, and their maternal family was only the Jia family of Duke Rong’s residence.

But bloodlines could not be severed, and moreover, they were all daughters of good families by birth.

On this point, every time Lin Ruhai thought of it, he would be grateful for his mother’s insistence back then. Children of concubines differed from one another.

Those with the lowest status were children born to mistresses. In many particular and rule-conscious families, children born to mistresses could not even enter the family genealogy—their existence was not acknowledged.

Next were children born to women of lowly status, such as female entertainers, actresses, and so on.

Then came children born to servant girls and good concubines.

Those with the highest status were children born to noble concubines.

Now his children were born to good concubines, which meant that besides the Lin family, there was also their birth mother’s side. This was a natural form of support.

Even if this strength did not count for much to the Lin family, for children born of concubines, it was an irreplaceable assistance.

Lin Ruhai was not certain whether he would have other children in the future, or rather, legitimate sons. If he did, the Lin family estate would be passed to the legitimate line.

Sons of concubines could only receive a small portion of wealth. The family’s main connections and support would be left to the legitimate branch. How far the concubine-born branch could go in the future would largely depend on themselves.

Then the support that their birth mothers’ families could provide became even more important.

Therefore, Lin Ruhai would loosen his hand and, at appropriate times, provide a certain degree of support to the Mei family and the Yun family.

The Mei family was engaged in business, and their dealings were quite clean, not tainted with all sorts of messy things.

Lin Ruhai handled matters according to regulations, and at certain times would provide convenience.

Sometimes what was important was just that one piece of information, which could seize the initiative.

Their sons wanted to pursue the civil examination path. Lin Ruhai naturally would not oppose this, but currently there were no outstanding prospects.

As for Concubine Yun’s family, the prospect was already sprouting. Lin Ruhai, through Yun Shi’s hands, had provided some guidance.

So Yun Qingliang was both suffering and happy. Having a tanhua willing to provide guidance, he gained much.

He could clearly feel his own progress.

Besides this, there were other effects.

For example, after his leg injury healed, he had originally planned to find a suitable family to work as a tutor. As a result… because his daughter had entered the residence of the Prefect, the compensation offered was too high.

That was not the treatment for hiring a xiucai as a tutor—even hiring a juren might not have such compensation.

Yun Qingliang felt he did not have that capability and declined.

After searching and searching, he finally returned to the household he had worked for before beginning his mourning period.

They had gotten along happily before, and contact had not been severed during the mourning period.

Moreover, the tutor there was already quite elderly and was also going to return to his hometown to retire, so he did not have to think of other ways to make a living.

While striving himself, Yun Qingliang also urged his two sons not to slack off.

The Prefect had achieved tanhua at seventeen years old.

His requirements for his two sons were naturally not that high, but their starting point now was much higher than his had been back then.

Yun Qingliang had passed the xiucai examination at twenty-four. Now his requirement for his two sons was before the age of twenty.

He felt this was not excessive.

So when he saw his son carrying the Prefect’s letter of recommendation to participate in the examination and successfully enter the academy, besides joy, Yun Qingliang felt deeply gratified.

After entering the academy, if he could maintain this advantage, juren would not be too difficult, and jinshi was also within hope!

Yun Qingliang now had a certain degree of confidence regarding juren, but regarding jinshi, he had not the slightest bit of confidence.

The more one studied, the more one knew how shallow one’s knowledge was.

The news that Yun Heng had entered Changming Academy did not stir up any ripples at all in the Lin family.

For ordinary families, being able to enter Changming Academy was a great joyous event worth celebrating, but for great households and noble families, it did not count as much.

Only Concubine Mei muttered a comment, then cast it to the back of her mind.

Her own younger brother was still young, not yet at the time when he needed to enter an academy.

As for her other brothers with whom she basically had no affection… Concubine Mei did not have that much energy to devote to them.

On the other hand, after the Mei family learned of this matter, they felt gloomy in their hearts for several days.

Who did not want to climb to a higher social class and move forward together with oneself and one’s family?

The Mei family did not lack money.

Of course, they could not compare with wealthy salt merchants and the like, but in this Xingtai Prefecture, they were already among the uppermost tier.

Their family also wanted to enter Changming Academy, but none of their people had passed the examination. The Prefect’s letter of recommendation was just a stepping stone—one still had to have one’s own ability…

—

Yun Shuyao was somewhat worried whether her daughter being too plump would have any effect on her body.

Because of her appetite, her daughter’s development appeared faster than her son’s. If one did not say so in advance, if strangers were asked to guess, no one would think they were twins.

Being slightly plump was fine, but being excessive would not be good.

She asked Nanny Wang: “Would this be inappropriate in any way? Should we not let Luo Yu eat so much?”

Although she had not yet grown into a glutinous rice dumpling becoming perfectly round, continuing this way, it felt not far off.

Nanny Wang found it very incredible. How could Concubine Yun have such a thought? “Being able to eat is a blessing. How old is Second Young Miss? Where is she overly plump? This is healthy!”

In all these years, she had seen and held quite a few children. She had not seen many as delightful as Second Young Miss.

Children were all like this. At first, they had some flesh, growing their bodies. Very soon it would go down.

Yun Shuyao expressed that she humbly accepted the teaching and closely monitored the situation. As the child reached six months, Luo Yu rapidly learned to crawl on all fours, and then she fell in love with this activity. The increase of that body flesh immediately slowed down.

Here it must be said, she almost directly skipped the sitting stage, leaping to crawling.

Her younger brother could only sit crookedly, watching his sister crawl all around him.

For this reason, Yun Shuyao moved everything that could be moved from one room, spread soft floor mats for them, and let the siblings play freely inside.

Chen Yu still could not crawl, but he very much liked to hold cloth dolls and sit there, watching his sister crawl around.

Yun Shuyao prepared many cloth dolls for them. Cloth dolls were not anything novel.

Before the twins were born, the maids had already made many tiger-head shoes, tiger-head hats, and tiger pillows.

Yun Shuyao’s handicraft was not that good—what she made was not lively and vivid enough. But she only needed to open her mouth and say what she wanted, and there would be various other cloth dolls. And seeing that Luo Yu had learned to crawl, they rushed to produce a tiger onesie.

In later times, this was called a character costume.

Parents enthusiastic about dressing up their own babies would inevitably buy this photo-taking divine tool.

When Lin Ruhai first saw such a little tiger rapidly crawling toward him, his face showed conflict.

If one did not say so, who could know this was a girl?

He looked somewhat ineffably at Yun Shi, who completely did not feel anything was wrong.

Was she raising a son or raising a daughter? Daughters should value quietness and composure above all.

However, what Lin Ruhai’s brain thought did not hinder him in the slightest from extending his hand to hold this little tiger, and even showing it off as a treasure by taking it to show the Old Madam and the others.

Second Young Miss in her tiger onesie received too much attention but completely did not feel she was being observed. Grinning, she crawled rapidly, performing for them a little tiger descending the mountain, charging ferociously from across the way, then plunging headfirst into their arms. The Old Madam joyfully held this delightful little tiger and even opened up new ideas.

Could other clothes be made as well?

Of course they could.

Arranged.

Dressing up small children was very easy to become addicted to.

Yun Shuyao prepared quite a few things for the twins.

Besides the distinctive onesies, there were also color cards, picture cards, tangrams, and such objects.

The color cards and picture cards were made slowly by Yun Shuyao herself.

She made them very carefully.

Having practiced for so long, if not outstanding, saying they were neat was completely no problem—sufficient for small children to use.

But when facing Lin Ruhai, it formed a dimensional suppression.

She had only practiced calligraphy after transmigrating, altogether just over a year.

And from when Lin Ruhai first picked up a writing brush until now had already exceeded twenty years.

He felt this was good and personally made a new set for the twins himself.

The hard paper cards with text and images also had borders outlined.

After Yun Shuyao looked at them, she almost could not bear to let the twins ruin them.

These could completely serve as works of art.

Lin Ruhai looked at her reluctant expression and smiled: “What is this? The children are still young and do not know how to treasure things. If broken, make them again—they are not precious items.”

He could make another set by drawing out two free evenings.

Yun Shuyao: “…”

I understand the logic, but watching Luo Yu, annoyed by being read to, deftly snatch the picture card from Lin Ruhai’s hand, then neatly throw it outward, treating it like a disposable item… Yun Shuyao chose to turn her face away.