Chapter 182: A Pulse of Peace
In the blink of an eye, it was February, and Liu Cuiyi had been pregnant for almost three months.
Her complexion was excellent, she had visibly gained some weight, but it made her appear even more plump and prosperous.
“Miss, Doctor Diao is here to check your pulse,” Granny Zhao said as she entered.
“Yes, another half month has passed,” Liu Cuiyi cherished this pregnancy very much. This Doctor Diao was their family’s regular physician.
It was he who had diagnosed Liu Cuiyi’s pregnancy initially, so she had him check her pulse every half month, naturally to ensure the child’s safe birth.
“Quickly invite him in! Prepare some dim sum and tea.” Liu Cuiyi put down the needlework in her hands. It was a bib she was embroidering for her youngest daughter; she hadn’t neglected her other two daughters because of this new child.
Then, Doctor Diao entered, carrying his medical box. Liu Cuiyi smiled and said, “Please offer Doctor Diao a seat and serve him tea.”
“No rush, no rush. Let this old man check the First Madam’s pulse first,” Doctor Diao said, putting down his medical box to take her pulse.
Granny Zhao quickly covered Liu Cuiyi’s wrist with a handkerchief.
After checking both wrists, Liu Cuiyi asked him, “Is my pulse alright?”
“It’s quite stable, just a slight excess of fire. I suppose it’s spring now, with rising yang energy. Madam might have eaten a bit too much fish and meat, which is why it’s like this. It’s not a serious matter. Just eat a little lighter these days, move around more, and there’s no need for medicine for now,” Doctor Diao said.
“Thank you for your trouble,” Liu Cuiyi smiled. “I have indeed been a bit too greedy with my eating.”
“If there’s nothing else, this old man will take his leave. I still need to check the pulses of the Old Madam and Madam at the mansion,” Doctor Diao said, getting up to leave without even drinking his tea.
“Doctor Diao, you’ve worked hard. Granny Zhao, please give him the consultation fee and pack some of this dim sum for Doctor Diao,” Liu Cuiyi said, showing proper propriety.
Doctor Diao thanked them repeatedly and left with Granny Zhao.
Upon arriving at Liu Cuiyi’s mother-in-law’s room, Madam Zhou’s niece was also there.
Ever since they arrived in the capital, they had been gathering here from time to time.
After Doctor Diao entered, Madam Zhou asked, “How is our First Madam’s pregnancy?”
“The First Madam’s fetal condition is extremely stable,” Doctor Diao replied. “Madam, you need not worry.”
“And how is the Old Madam?” Madam Zhou asked again.
“The Old Madam is also doing well, just a bit of spleen and stomach deficiency, which is common for elderly people. As long as her diet is appropriate, there won’t be any major issues,” Doctor Diao said, looking up.
He then proceeded to check Madam Zhou’s pulse.
“Doctor Diao, did you check the Cousin’s Wife’s pulse correctly?” Cao Hongyu, Madam Zhou’s niece, asked as Doctor Diao stood up to leave.
“How could I be mistaken? I was very careful when taking the pulse,” Doctor Diao said, sounding somewhat displeased.
Cao Hongyu’s tone was full of suspicion. What doctor could tolerate that?
“Please don’t be offended, Doctor Diao. I was just thinking that Cousin’s Wife has always been sickly. For the past few years, if she wasn’t unable to conceive, she would miscarry shortly after conceiving. How is it that this pregnancy is so stable?” Cao Hongyu said with a smile.
“For a woman to have a stable pregnancy, firstly, she must be naturally robust, and secondly, her husband must have sufficient vital essence. I presume the First Madam of your esteemed residence has been properly cared for, and the Eldest Young Master has conserved his energy, which has led to this pregnancy,” Doctor Diao said, glancing at her. He thought to himself that this young lady lacked manners; she was an unmarried woman and an outsider, why was she asking about such matters?
After Doctor Diao left, Cao Hongyu said to Madam Zhou, “Aunt, I remember that my cousin hasn’t been very well physically some time ago. Cousin’s Wife was pregnant then, and the child she was carrying is actually so robust. It’s truly a strange thing!”
Actually, Madam Zhou hadn’t thought much of what Doctor Diao had said earlier, but after Cao Hongyu mentioned it, she couldn’t help but feel suspicious.
She knew her son’s condition; he had been indulging in promiscuity for years, which inevitably led to depletion.
If nothing else, his wives and concubines in recent years either couldn’t conceive or miscarried shortly after conceiving. Even if one or two children were born, they had to drink countless bottles of miscarriage-preventing medicine and were naturally weak from birth, not a single healthy one among them.
What’s more, Zhou Jing San was in denial about his illness and refused to let any doctor examine him for this issue, so his family had no idea how severe his depletion was.
It was cold some time ago, and he had been coughing and wheezing, constantly taking medicine. He had gotten a bit better recently.
Liu Cuiyi happened to become pregnant around that time. Her pregnancy itself wasn’t strange; what was strange was how healthy it was.
However, although Madam Zhou found Liu Cuiyi’s pregnancy a bit strange, she hadn’t thought of anything else: “Perhaps she found a secret recipe from somewhere, which is why this pregnancy is so stable. I see she’s like a changed person compared to before; her body is healthier, and her spirit is more energetic.”
“I also see that Cousin’s Wife’s spirit is vastly different from before. Previously, she was like a lamb following the three obediences and four virtues. Now, it’s good enough if she doesn’t bite,” Cao Hongyu said with a smile. “Aunt, don’t you want to know what the reason is?”
“Yes, why has her temperament changed so suddenly? I also find it strange. Could it be that I pushed her too hard before?” Madam Zhou certainly knew that Liu Cuiyi was very different from before; she even dared to retort to her impolitely, which would have been impossible before.
Seeing that Madam Zhou had become suspicious, Cao Hongyu fanned the flames from the side: “Aunt, you are all straightforward people, but in reality, we have all been deceived by her.”
She hadn’t come here for nothing today. Someone had approached her, telling her there was a way to bring down Liu Cuiyi and allow her to enter the Zhou family.
Heaven knows she dreamed of marrying Zhou Jing San, not because he was such a good person, but because the Zhou family’s status was that of an Earl’s mansion. Although it had fallen, its status was still there.
As the daughter of a merchant family, she would normally not be able to marry into a noble family, let alone one with a title. Moreover, her own family was also not as prosperous as before.
If she could become the main Madam of the Earl’s mansion, wouldn’t that be much better than marrying into a humble family?
As for other things, she could endure them.
What was hateful was that after they had finally managed to sway Madam Zhou to expel Liu Cuiyi.
From nowhere, a seemingly unkillable Wen Mingqian appeared and blocked her path.
Now, that person told her that Liu Cuiyi’s pregnancy was with another man. Wasn’t this equivalent to handing her a sharp sword?
She had to make good use of it.
“You say he deceived us?” Madam Zhou frowned. “What exactly is it?”
Cao Hongyu suddenly knelt down and cried, “Aunt, there’s something that has been weighing on my heart for a long time. I haven’t been able to eat or sleep because of it, and I’ve been hesitating whether to tell you.”
“Silly child, get up quickly. What can’t we women talk about? Do you still not trust your aunt?” Madam Zhou’s complexion had also changed as she said this. She vaguely sensed something, but dared not think about it.
