Despite this, Feng Qingxue has to get up several times every night.
Newborn babies have small appetites, they don’t drink much milk at a time and get hungry quickly. They need to be fed every two hours and a mother can’t get a good night’s sleep. Feng Qingxue always wakes up with dark circles under her eyes.
Feng Qingxue has a very fair complexion and her confinement period keeps her away from the sun exposure. These dark circles stand out even more on her pale skin.
"Xiaoxue, who hit you? Did someone aim straight for your eye?" Wang Jiao exclaims upon seeing her , rushing over to inspect her face, "It doesn’t look like a punch."
Feng Qingxue gently pats her son awake by Wang Jiao’s loud voice, and seeing him go back to sleep, she chuckles, "Who would dare hit me? These are dark circles from getting up several times at night. One day, when you have a child, you’ll experience the same. Only when you become a mother do you realize how tough being a mother is. It would be divine punishment for children to disrespect their strict father and kind mother when they grow up."
"It’s not right to disrespect parents, but do children have to show filial respect if parents are unpleasant? No way. I will return kindness with kindness, and ignore those who aren’t kind to me!" Wang Jiao retorted defiantly.
Feng Qingxue helplessly said, "I was talking about strict fathers and kind mothers."
Because she knows that some parents exploit their children, enforce their own thoughts on them, and benefit from their labor, she specifically mentioned strict fathers and kind mothers.
If parents aren’t virtuous and compassionate, they can’t expect their children to be filial.
After hearing her explanation, Wang Jiao laughs loudly, "Well said, well said! That’s the truth. You mistreat me but expect me to give you my heart? No such luck."
"Do you have something to discuss with me, since you have come to see me now?" Feng Qingxue quickly changes the subject.
During the busy farming season, even if Wang Zhengguo adores his daughter, he will order her to work in the fields.
All hands including animals and even Shi Gunzi are busy turning the grains to dry on the ground because the wheat in the field is not yet fully harvested. How could Wang Jiao have time to visit?
Wang Jiao rolled up her sleeves and stretched her arm towards Feng Qingxue, "Haven’t washed it for two months. Could you feel my pulse for me?"
Feng Qingxue was taken aback. Could she be pregnant?
Wang Jiao has never suffered in her life, she is well-nourished and full of vitality. It’s unusual to others that she hasn’t gotten pregnant after half a year of marriage. Yuejin’s mother has been whispering about it, and the idle talk reached Feng Qingxue’s ears. However, she never mentioned it in front of Wang Jiao.
"I’ll feel your pulse. But my skills aren’t great, the doctors in the city would be more accurate." She said.
"I trust you, you feel my pulse first."
Feng Qingxue asked her to sit down at the table, put a small pillow under her wrist, then carefully examined the movements on her pulse. She checked both hands, "Like beads rolling on a plate, your pulse is slippery indeed. But, a slippery pulse can’t absolutely confirm pregnancy, as it could be due to internal phlegm, vitality, or the onset of menstruation."
"It’s been two or three months since my last period!" Wang Jiao said.
Feng Qingxue smiled, "Let me finish, considering your physical condition, it can confirm your pregnancy. The pulse is very obvious, so I can tell."
Wang Jiao blurts out, "Does this mean I have a valid reason not to work?"
"You should still be able to do light work, right? Like drying the grains." Feng Qingxue said.
"Sweet sister, even the light work involves being in the sun and I don’t want that either! You can stay at home and look after your child. Why can’t I rest and nourish my fetus? Tell them I’m weak and I need to be resting."