Chapter 130: Another Miscarriage
The Gong Family had been exceptionally lively these past few days, with endless streams of relatives and friends coming to offer congratulations.
This day, Wen Mingqian returned to Lingyue Pavilion after helping Madam Wei entertain guests.
Sang Er poured her tea and said, “The First Madam of the Zhou Family sent someone to deliver a message, saying when you have time, you should go see her.”
“What’s wrong with Cuiyi?” Wen Mingqian couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. “I just visited her a few days ago, wasn’t she nurturing her fetus?”
After Wen Mingqian learned that the Zhou Family’s illegitimate son had an incident, she had gone to see Liu Cuiyi. This matter originally had nothing to do with her, but with the unrest in the inner chambers, she couldn’t help but feel stifled.
Wen Mingqian had instructed her at the time to take good care of her pregnancy no matter what, and to ignore all other trivial matters.
If she really couldn’t stay at the Zhou Family’s, she should return to her maternal home, not get involved with those scoundrels and their messy affairs, and prioritize her own well-being.
“The First Madam of the Zhou Family lost her pregnancy,” Sang Er sighed. “Granny Zhao rushed over, but you and Zhang Ma weren’t here, so she didn’t explain in much detail. She just said that you absolutely must go over, as there’s something important to discuss.”
Upon hearing this, Wen Mingqian knew something was wrong; something must have happened to Liu Cuiyi.
Otherwise, if it were just a miscarriage, she wouldn’t have been so anxious for her to come.
She immediately said, “Go see if there are any dim sum we can take. If not, go to the Main House; they have some ready-made.
Also, send someone to tell the coachman to prepare the horse carriage. I’m leaving now.”
“Does Madam need to change her clothes?” Sang Er quickly asked. “Should I call Zhang Ma?”
“No need to change clothes. Zhang Ma is helping over there, so it’s inconvenient to call her away. You can inform her, though, so she’s aware,” Wen Mingqian said.
Sang Er hurried off and soon everything was ready. Wen Mingqian got into the horse carriage and headed straight for the Zhou Family’s.
The Gong Family was currently in a period of great prosperity, and the gatekeepers, seeing Wen Mingqian, quickly greeted her with smiles.
“Please trouble yourself to announce us. Our Madam wishes to see your First Madam,” Sang Er said.
“Madam, please come in quickly. Walk slowly. I will go report this,” the doorman said, walking towards the back.
As Wen Mingqian and her party walked in, they encountered a doctor. Sang Er quickly stopped him and asked, “Are you the one treating their First Madam?”
Sang Er, being a beautiful young lady, was very good at getting information. The doctor indeed stopped and said, “Yes, their First Madam had a miscarriage and needs to recuperate well.”
“How could she have a miscarriage out of the blue?” Wen Mingqian asked.
“The First Madam of the Zhou Family’s pregnancy was only a little over two months, and it hadn’t stabilized yet. Coupled with some other matters, it couldn’t be saved. Now, she can only recuperate well and try not to develop any lingering ailments,” the doctor said, unable to elaborate further, and then left.
“Madam, the last time we visited, I felt that Zhou Jing San’s mother was not a good person,” Sang Er muttered. “Zhou Jing San has no sons; it’s all because his mother lacks virtue.”
“Don’t talk nonsense. We are in their home,” Wen Mingqian chided lightly. “If someone overhears, it will ultimately be bad for Cuiyi.”
Sang Er stuck out her tongue and fell silent.
Soon after, Granny Zhao came out to greet them. Upon seeing Wen Mingqian, she said, “Second Madam, you’re finally here! Please come in quickly and see our Miss!”
“What’s wrong with Cuiyi? What happened?” Wen Mingqian asked as she followed her inside.
“Alas, Madam, you know that our Miss’s pregnancy was already unstable, so she had been resting in bed,” Granny Zhao said, wiping away tears. “Furthermore, with the incident that happened a few days ago, our Miss was greatly alarmed. We finally managed to get a doctor to prescribe medicine, and only then did she feel a bit more stable.
But then, those two concubines were making a scene, threatening to die, and causing unrest throughout the entire mansion. That’s not all. Then, some evil wind blew in from somewhere, insisting that our Miss was the cause.
Listen to this, can such words come from a person’s mouth? Our Miss is lying in her room and is still being implicated. Is there any justice left?!”
If it were just gossip, it would be one thing. But someone instigated it, and the Old Madam actually believed it.
She insisted that our Miss go to the ancestral hall to offer incense and beg forgiveness before the ancestors.
Our Miss naturally refused, saying that she had already had a high monk examine her a few days ago, and her prayers and vegetarian diet had already achieved merit. How could she be blamed for everything that happened now? Moreover, she is currently nurturing her fetus and cannot be disturbed.
We tried to stop her, saying no, but the Old Madam became very displeased and left in a huff after a commotion.
Although our Miss didn’t end up kneeling in the ancestral hall, the crying and commotion still harmed her fetal qi.
She had been uncomfortable all last night, and in the latter half of the night…”
Granny Zhao couldn’t continue speaking and covered her mouth, crying.
“This is too much bullying!” Sang Er was so angry her eyes were about to pop out. “What about your Miss’s maternal relatives? Isn’t there anyone to stand up for her?”
“We haven’t dared to let them know yet! Our Miss doesn’t want us to tell them, saying it’s useless even if we do, and it would only make them blame her, adding to her distress?” Granny Zhao said. “She’s anxious right now, how can she bear to hear those words?”
Liu Cuiyi’s parents were simply foolish. They never supported her, always telling her to be filial and patient.
Even if she called them, they wouldn’t help her.
“Granny Zhao, please stop crying! Cuiyi is very upset right now. If you continue to cry, won’t it add to her worries? Things have reached this point, we must look forward,” Wen Mingqian said with a sigh. “I’ll go in and see her first.”
Liu Cuiyi lay on the bed with a sallow complexion and vacant eyes. Only when she saw Wen Mingqian did a flicker of life appear: “Sister, you’ve finally come.”
“I’m late,” Wen Mingqian walked over and sat by her bedside, taking Liu Cuiyi’s hand. “How are you feeling now? You must take good care of yourself.”
“Alas! I think it would be better to just die now,” tears rolled down Liu Cuiyi’s eyes. “There isn’t a moment of peace throughout the day. I’ve truly had enough.”
“I know you’re feeling distressed, but the more it’s like this, the more you need to calm yourself, protect yourself, and then deal with the rest slowly,” Wen Mingqian squeezed her hand firmly.
“Sister, I fear I have no future,” Liu Cuiyi shook her head with difficulty. “I don’t know what sins I committed in my past life to suffer so much pain and torment in this one.”
“You are still young. This time you only had a miscarriage, how can you not have a future?” Wen Mingqian would not allow her to be so dejected. “No matter what, I will always be with you.”
Her words brought tears to Liu Cuiyi’s eyes again: “Sister, in this world, only you are truly sincere towards me.”
“It’s not just me, but Granny Zhao too! And your two daughters,” Wen Mingqian said. “You must remember, as long as you refuse to give up, you will always find a way through.”
