Chapter 191: Concubines Compete
“Miss, I just went to Ruyi’s room pretending to deliver something and saw that Zhou Jing San has dark circles under his eyes and his forehead is dark. He himself is still smug and doesn’t care,” Granny Zhao whispered into Liu Cuiyi’s ear.
“The heat has reached seventy percent,” Liu Cuiyi nodded slowly. “Then spread the word that I have an extremely effective childbirth method, which I intend to give to Ruyi!”
“Understood. When those concubines hear this news, won’t they all fight like angry chickens?” Granny Zhao understood. “Not to mention Zhou Jing San is already at the end of his rope; even a person made of iron couldn’t endure this.”
Soon, a rumor spread through the Zhou Family’s back courtyard. All the concubines in each room heard that the First Madam’s room had a childbirth method that was very effective and useful.
Regarding such matters, they would rather believe it exists than not believe it doesn’t.
After all, Liu Cuiyi is currently pregnant, and her fetal condition is stable. Doctor Xu, who examined her, said there’s an eighty to ninety percent chance this child is a boy.
As a wife or concubine, who wouldn’t want to give birth to a son for security? Moreover, the Zhou Family’s male lineage is already sparse. The one child they managed to raise to three years old drowned in a well.
Therefore, everyone wanted to get their hands on this childbirth method, especially after hearing that Liu Cuiyi intended to give it to Ruyi, which made them even more anxious.
That little bitch Ruyi, relying on her youth and beauty, has monopolized the Eldest Young Master. He hasn’t left her room for days. If this continues, the Eldest Young Master’s already frail body will likely be ruined.
If it truly comes to nothing, what good will the childbirth method do them?
Thus, whether it was Concubine Sun, Concubine Zheng, Concubine Feng, or Concubine Su, they all found a way to bribe someone in Liu Cuiyi’s room and secretly copied the childbirth method.
Among them, Concubine Sun had the strongest competitive spirit because she originally had a son who unfortunately died young.
That child almost took her life. Now, after deep reflection, she is determined to give birth to a son again, no matter what.
“Granny Song, go to that little bitch’s room and tell the Eldest Young Master that I’m having a heartache spell. I want to see the Eldest Young Master one last time! Please, be kind and let him come out!” Concubine Sun was dressed flamboyantly, with exquisite dishes laid out on the table.
The old woman went as instructed and brought Zhou Jing San over.
When Zhou Jing San entered and saw her, he knew she wasn’t having a heartache spell, so he smiled and said, “I was wondering why this room smelled so strongly of vinegar. So, someone’s vinegar jar has overturned.”
Concubine Sun was very good at acting spoiled. She immediately threw herself into Zhou Jing San’s arms and said in a simpering voice, “When the person I care about is not seen for a long time, how can I not have a heartache spell? Eldest Young Master, you truly only see the new bride smile and the old one cry now.”
“You’re such a smooth talker,” Zhou Jing San playfully pinched her cheek. “I’m hungry. The food and drink you prepared are good.”
“Tsk tsk, in that room, you probably don’t even have time to eat!” Concubine Sun said sourly. “Only when you come to my room, where I’m old and faded, do you remember you’re hungry.”
As she said this, she picked up the wine pot to pour wine for Zhou Jing San. She had already put a secret medicine in this wine pot, which was specifically used to enhance intimacy in the bedroom.
To ensure this plan was foolproof, she had to do this.
Firstly, she feared Zhou Jing San would leave after eating and not stay, and secondly, she feared he wouldn’t be capable in bed.
It’s a case of too many wolves and too little meat. The women in the back courtyard are all like wolves with green eyes, wishing they could devour Zhou Jing San.
Even if they can’t, they want to take a good bite if they catch him.
“Ruyi, why are you here?” Liu Cuiyi was eating bird’s nest porridge when she looked up and saw Ruyi walking in.
“The Eldest Young Master was invited by Concubine Sun, so I came to keep the First Madam company,” Ruyi said. She had only been in the manor for a short time and Liu Cuiyi had paid for her, so she was very respectful.
“That’s good. I was also hoping for someone to talk to,” Liu Cuiyi smiled. “Chunmei, serve Ruyi a bowl of bird’s nest porridge too.”
While the two of them were savoring the bird’s nest porridge, Zhou Jing San was indulging in pleasure in Concubine Sun’s room.
“I have a good ginseng here. Take it back! Stew some ginseng soup for the Eldest Young Master every few days, but don’t overdo it,” Liu Cuiyi said with a smile.
“Thank you, First Madam. You are so kind. You always consider the Eldest Young Master and also think of this servant,” Ruyi said gratefully, holding the ginseng as she left.
When night fell and the lamps were lit, Granny Zhao came in to tell Liu Cuiyi, “Zhou Jing San was dragged away by Concubine Hu again. I saw his steps were unsteady when he walked; his vitality was clearly all used up.”
“Doesn’t he naturally enjoy this? He often says, ‘To die beneath the peony is to be a romantic even in death.’” Liu Cuiyi smiled. “All those concubines want to have sons and are jealous of Ruyi’s exclusive favor. Naturally, they will use all their tricks, leading to a situation of killing the chicken to get the eggs and draining the pond to catch the fish.
The Eldest Young Master’s body has already been depleted. If they don’t use medicine, how can they succeed? Such potent medicine is fine if used occasionally. But if used daily, even a Vajra Arhat would find it difficult to endure.”
“From what I see, the Eldest Young Master will be finished in a few days,” Granny Zhao said. “Miss, your hard days are coming to an end.”
“It’s getting late, go to sleep, Granny Zhao,” Liu Cuiyi said. “Tomorrow, I’ll go back to my maternal home and bring Yan’er and Shu’er back.”
“Miss, you are going to…” Granny Zhao was confused.
“That is their father, after all,” Liu Cuiyi sighed. “Let them come back to see him, firstly to fulfill the rites of kinship. Secondly, to let them remember that a man who is greedy for wine and lust will not live long.”
Zhou Jing San groggily opened his eyes. His body felt as if it had been beaten by a thousand pounding sticks, not a single part was not in pain.
The pain was accompanied by numbness, as if countless ants were crawling all over him.
“Eldest Young Master, you’re awake,” Ruyi leaned over gently. “I just finished stewing some ginseng soup. Shall I help you drink a bowl?”
“That would be good. I’m feeling rather weak,” Zhou Jing San coughed. “What time is it now?”
“It’s the sixteenth,” Ruyi smiled. “Eldest Young Master, how could you forget the date?”
“It’s already the sixteenth, time passes so quickly!” Zhou Jing San seemed a bit dazed. “I remember it was only the sixth when you first entered the manor, right?”
“Yes! In the blink of an eye, I’ve been here for ten days,” Ruyi said.
“These past few days have been too exhausting. I want to rest peacefully for a few days,” Zhou Jing San clearly felt his body failing, and a faint fear began to rise in his heart.
“Alright, Eldest Young Master, drink the ginseng soup first,” Ruyi replied obediently.
Zhou Jing San wanted to conserve his strength, but unfortunately, someone did not wish to comply with his desires.
“I asked the doctor, and the tenth day after menstruation is the easiest time to conceive,” Concubine Zheng said anxiously. “If we miss this chance, we’ll have to wait another month, and who knows what the situation will be in a month? That bitch surnamed Sun has been bullying me for years because she has a son. I must get this revenge!”
