Li Guangshu was stunned.

Congratulations?

What was there to congratulate this time? Last time they congratulated him, it made him a laughingstock among his colleagues. Now they were congratulating him again—was he about to face more misfortune?

Seeing Li Guangshu’s gloomy expression, the maids and women looked at each other in confusion.

Could Second Master be ill? Why was he showing such a dead face when being congratulated? Those who didn’t know might think the baby in the Second Madam’s belly belonged to someone else!

Well, it seemed they wouldn’t be getting any congratulatory money.

The maids and women cursed their bad luck silently and retreated to either side.

Li Guangshu had no mind for small talk with the servants and quickly walked inside, just in time to hear Old Madam Deng’s hearty laughter and a chorus of congratulations.

Hearing footsteps, Old Madam Deng stopped laughing and looked toward the door.

“Second son is here.”

“Mother, what is this—”

Old Madam Deng smiled: “Your wife is with child!”

“With child?” Li Guangshu’s eyes were vacant, showing no joy on his face.

Old Madam Deng was in high spirits and didn’t notice Li Guangshu’s inappropriate reaction.

In the old lady’s mind, this son had never been as sensible as his elder brother since childhood, so occasional foolishness was normal. Of course, since this disappointing son returned from Lingnan, his foolish moments had become rather frequent.

“The physician just finished the examination. Your wife is indeed with child—Third girl didn’t misdiagnose.”

“She’s really with child?”

Lady Liu sneered: “Is Master so hoping I’m not pregnant?”

“I just feel this matter is somewhat—” Li Guangshu gradually calmed down, his mood exceptionally complex.

He was already in his thirties without a legitimate son. If Lady Liu could bear him a son, that would naturally be good news.

But because of the recent disputes with Lady Liu, why did his heart felt so uncomfortable.

Old Madam Deng suddenly slapped the table.

Li Guangshu couldn’t help being startled.

“Second son, I invited the physician, and I heard the physician confirm your wife’s pregnancy. Why are you still showing that dead face? Are you unhappy that your wife is with child?”

“Happy… happy…” Li Guangshu came to his senses and forced a dry laugh.

“Second daughter-in-law, go back and rest. The first few months require extra attention—you mustn’t be careless.”

“Daughter-in-law understands. Old Madam, rest assured—Third Miss has already told me everything to pay attention to.” Lady Liu curtsied her farewell, and as she brushed past Li Guangshu, she unhurriedly adjusted her hair.

She had long said men weren’t as reliable as Third Miss—Heaven doesn’t deceive her.

Li Guangshu glared at Lady Liu’s retreating figure, nearly twisting his mouth in anger.

What kind of expression was that? Could she have this child by herself? Truly unreasonable!

Second Master Li was grumbling internally when he suddenly felt a gust of wind. When he came to his senses, Old Madam Deng’s walking stick had already struck his calf.

“Mother?”

“What kind of expression is that?” Old Madam Deng’s face was full of anger as she struck again with her cane. “Your wife is pregnant, and you’re wearing a dead man’s face. Are you trying to make our residence even more lively? Would you be satisfied if rumors spread that you’re wearing a green hat?”

Gossip was fearsome—when many people talked about something, even lies could become truth. This bastard had no brains.

Hearing Old Madam Deng’s words, Li Guangshu’s heart trembled.

Mother was right. People loved to stir up trouble—he couldn’t give rise to more rumors.

“Go comfort your wife!”

Li Guangshu forced himself to smile. Seeing Old Madam Deng raise her cane again, he quickly fled in panic.

The news that Lady Liu was indeed pregnant spread through all the residences in the capital like wildfire.

“The Li residence’s second wife is pregnant? Wasn’t it said she injured her body when giving birth to her second daughter and couldn’t conceive again? Did Third Miss Li misdiagnose?”

“What? That’s old news now? Is the Li residence’s second wife’s pregnancy certain?”

“Yes, even imperial physicians were called to examine her.”

Several ladies discussing together exchanged glances, and their expressions varied.

“This means Third Miss Li really can cure infertility!” one lady said with shock.

“Not only can she cure it, she can diagnose it early, too. Heavens, if that’s the case, wouldn’t Third Miss Li become like the Goddess of Fertility?”

While they were discussing enthusiastically, Lady Wang, wife of the Supreme Court Minister, suddenly stood up and left quickly.

“Hey, Lady Wang, why are you leaving?”

Someone laughed: “Do you need to ask? She must be preparing to seek out Third Miss Li. Her youngest daughter-in-law has been married for several years without any movement in her belly.”

“No wonder she’s so anxious. But Lady Wang has always been at odds with the Li residence. Going to beg Third Miss Li like this—would the Li family agree?”

Everyone looked at each other, beginning to ponder whether they had ever offended the Li residence in their words.

Offspring was a matter of utmost importance. Who could say if anyone in their families might encounter such difficulties? Since Third Miss Li was so capable, it was better not to offend her.

Fortunately, they had only spoken sourly behind their backs out of respect for Marquis Guanjun. People like Lady Wang should be the ones worried.

Lady Liu’s pregnancy stirred up many households in the capital like an undercurrent.

Early the next morning, the Li residence steward ran into Qingsong Hall, sweating profusely.

“Old Madam, they’ve come… so many people have come, all stewards from various residences delivering invitations asking our Third Miss to visit.” The steward presented a stack of invitations from his chest to Old Madam Deng. “These are the important ones this servant selected for your review.”

Old Madam Deng didn’t take the invitations, saying indifferently: “Tell them our Third Miss is engaged and spends her days in her boudoir embroidering her trousseau—it’s inconvenient for her to go out.”

“This—” The steward looked down at the invitations in his hands and reminded, “Old Madam, among these are invitations from Prince Rui’s residence and Prince Mu’s residence.”

“Regardless of which residence the invitations are from, decline them all.” Hearing there were invitations from royal residences, Old Madam Deng was relieved.

With royal residences taking the lead, she didn’t have to worry about offending everyone.

“Yes.” Seeing Old Madam Deng’s firm tone, the steward left with the stack of invitations.

When the various residences received news of rejection, they were initially displeased. But upon learning that the Li residence had even declined the royal residences’ invitations, that displeasure immediately vanished.

If the Li residence dared refuse even princes, refusing them was perfectly normal. Thinking carefully, no family would want their engaged daughter to show her face practicing medicine. Well, they’d wait and see for now.

With all residences taking a wait-and-see attitude, the Li residence became calm for the moment.

But things were quite unsettled at Qiao Zhao’s quarters.

“Miss, A’Zhu’s wife is sneaking around again!” Binglu ran to the back garden and whispered angrily in Qiao Zhao’s ear.

Qiao Zhao asked calmly: “Did she just go in?”

“Yes! Miss, are you just going to watch her sneak into your room several times without doing anything? I want to beat her to death!”

“Didn’t I tell you not to be impulsive?”

“I’m just so angry! She’s so audacious—how can there be such shameless people?”

“Let’s go take a look.”