“My grandmother was very fond of Mingyue. Xiaoniu was with A'nian, and A'nian valued him. When A'nian left with Xiaoniu, he specifically went to the manor to ask my grandmother to help look after Xiaoniu’s family. Also, my grandmother knew that the Song family had taken care of my mother and me back then, so she had long considered Mingyue as family.” Qi Zhenzhen said with a smile.
Madam Yu felt a surge of emotion. Indeed, in this life, sowing good deeds reaped good results. It was her father-in-law who had helped Yun Shi and her two sons back then, and later, it was Qi Zhenzhen who looked after the Song family. Not only did the Song family now live in prosperity, but even Mingyue and Xiaoniu’s marriage might not have happened without Qi Zhenzhen’s mediation. After all, at that time, she had her own nephew in mind! Thinking of this, Madam Yu felt a pang of lingering fear. Thankfully, thankfully.
Song Mingyue leaned against the doorframe. Seeing Qi Zhenzhen enter the courtyard, she immediately ran out.
Madam Yu became anxious, “My little ancestor, take it easy! The doctor just warned you to be careful for the first three months. With your hasty demeanor, if you injure the baby, you’ll regret it.” She patted her chest, “These bluestone slabs are slippery.”
Qi Zhenzhen quickened her steps and supported Song Mingyue, “You really are something. You’re already pregnant and still so unsteady.”
Song Mingyue stuck out her tongue, feeling a little embarrassed, “I just haven’t gotten used to it yet. Don’t glare at me, I’ll be careful from now on, alright?”
The room was warm with a charcoal stove.
Qi Zhenzhen frowned, “This charcoal fire isn’t good. The smoke smell is too strong. Mingyue is pregnant now, and inhaling too much is bad for her. I’ll have someone send over silver-thread charcoal later. It burns with almost no smoke and isn’t suffocating.”
Madam Yu chimed in, “Is it that precious? In the past, it was good enough to burn the lowest grade charcoal fire in winter. We’re all used to the smell; it’s not a problem.”
“That won’t do. We didn’t have the means before, and there was no other choice. Now that we have the conditions, it’s unacceptable to mistreat ourselves. More importantly, there’s a little one to consider.” Qi Zhenzhen was firm.
Song Mingyue had money on hand, and Xiaoniu had entrusted all his belongings to her before he left. Burning good charcoal was certainly affordable. So, she said, “Mother, let’s listen to Zhenzhen on this. You’ve been coughing badly these past few days, and I think it’s related to the charcoal we’re burning.”
Madam Yu knew Qi Zhenzhen’s personality; she was always resolute once she made up her mind. Although she felt the pinch, she could only go along with them.
“How did you get pregnant so quickly?” Qi Zhenzhen pulled Song Mingyue to sit on the couch and couldn’t help but reach out to touch Song Mingyue’s belly, “You’ve only been married for a little over a month, right? Isn’t that too fast? You and Xiaoniu were only together for about ten days in total, how did you…”
Song Mingyue blushed, “How can I be sure about this? If you’re so curious, why don’t you try it yourself after you get married next year?”
Qi Zhenzhen gave her a playful glare, “I’m talking about you, don’t drag me into this. You’re married and pregnant, and I’m still a young lady! Is it appropriate for you to say such things to me?”
Song Mingyue pouted, “Who was it that was pulling me aside to talk about this and that before? Why are you shy now?”
Madam Yu watched the two girls bicker and couldn’t help but laugh, “You two girls, one is about to become a mother, and the other is a young lady from a prominent family. How can your personalities still be the same as before? You haven’t improved at all?”
“Mother, Zhenzhen is only like this with us. In the Marquis’s manor, she has the demeanor of a noble lady. Didn’t you always say Zhenzhen was sensible? She’s actually more sensible now than before, so you don’t need to worry about her.” Song Mingyue said with a smile.
Upon hearing this, Madam Yu sighed instead, “Although Auntie hasn’t lived in those grand manors, I’ve heard that everyone there is as shrewd as a fox, calculating everything in their daily lives. It must be truly hard on you, Zhenzhen.”
“Auntie, how do I look? Have I grown taller? Have I gained some weight on my face?” Qi Zhenzhen turned around in front of Madam Yu.
Indeed, Madam Yu nodded.
“So, what are you still worried about? You know my personality best, don’t you? If someone wants to scheme against me, they have to be able to do it first.” Qi Zhenzhen said confidently.
Madam Yu was amused by her, “Yes, yes, our Zhenzhen is the most intelligent. Only you scheme against others; no one can scheme against you.”
After chatting for a while, Song Mingyue said she was hungry, and Madam Yu quickly went to the kitchen.
“A few days ago, I suddenly had a huge appetite and got hungry very easily. My mother was afraid I had some hidden illness, so she called a doctor. I never imagined I was actually pregnant. I still can’t believe I have a little one inside me.” Song Mingyue sighed.
“After I go back, I’ll have someone send a letter to the border. Such happy news should be known by Xiaoniu immediately. I’ll also have people deliver the news to Xinghua Village. It’s a joyous occasion, and neither the Song family nor the Zhang family should be kept in the dark.” Qi Zhenzhen said.
“Can your letter reach him? Xiaoniu said before he left that communication is not easy.”
Communication is not easy? But Gu Sinian had specifically instructed her before he left that if there was anything she needed to contact him about, she should just find Qian Yuanbao. So, it shouldn’t be difficult, right?
“You don’t need to worry about that. If Xiaoniu sends back any news, I’ll deliver it to you immediately. The doctor should have advised you on what to be careful about during pregnancy, right? You need to curb your temper from now on!” Qi Zhenzhen cautioned.
“My mother has said these words several times already,” Song Mingyue mumbled, “Alright, alright, I’ll remember.”
After giving a few more instructions, Qi Zhenzhen bid farewell to Madam Yu and returned to the Marquis’s manor. Without delay, she wrote a letter to Zhang Xiaoniu, informing him of Song Mingyue’s pregnancy. After some thought, she also wrote to Gu Sinian, briefly mentioning a few things that had happened since he left and urging him to take good care of himself. After writing, she sealed them in envelopes, affixed wax seals, and handed them to Erxi, asking her to deliver them to Qian Yuanbao.
Erxi returned from Qian Yuanbao with a letter from Gu Sinian, which had arrived that day.
The letter was written seven or eight days prior. Calculating the time, they should have reached the border by now. The letter stated that the winter was much colder than in previous years and that if it weren't for the warm furs Qi Zhenzhen had prepared, they might have suffered frostbite before even reaching the border. It also mentioned that the food she had prepared along the way had been very satisfactory. Besides that, it described some of the scenery along the route, making Qi Zhenzhen yearn for it, wishing she had the chance to travel. Finally, it mentioned the severe snowstorms along the way and that if they continued, a large number of disaster victims might flood into the capital by the end of the year.
Although the capital had experienced several heavy snowfalls, there had been no news of disasters.