Out of concern for her daughter, Meng Qiuju still steeled herself to speak up and smooth things over.
"Mother, I see that Qianqian has been suffering from severe morning sickness these past few days, should we get a doctor to take a look at her?"
Huang Xiangwen was certainly willing; she had wanted to bring it up with Old Mrs. Huang for a while now, but knowing how stingy the old woman was, she hadn’t dared to speak. She didn’t expect the usually reticent Meng Qiuju to take the initiative, and only then did she soften her expression toward Erya.
You back-talking wretch, at least you have a mother who knows her place.
Old Mrs. Huang was in a dilemma.
Seeing a doctor would cost money, and it was normal for women to be pregnant. Which woman in the village ever called for a doctor when they were pregnant? They only called for a midwife when it was time to give birth. Some families, too poor to afford it, would just leave the pregnant woman on the bed to give birth by herself.
Seeing Old Mrs. Huang hesitant, Huang Xiangwen became anxious and said swiftly, "Mother, I heard that in the city, women call for a doctor when they’re pregnant. This Qianqian..."
Old Mrs. Huang glared fiercely at Meng Qiuju and said impatiently to Huang Xiangwen, "Alright, alright, we’ll call for a doctor, we’ll do it tomorrow."
Not for any other reason, but for the sake of her great-grandson.
To everyone’s surprise, the usually silent Lei Qianqian started waving her hands frantically, saying in a panicky manner, "No need, Grandma, Mother, I’m doing fine. A few days of vomiting and I’ll be better, no need to call the doctor. Why waste the silver? Better to save it for the child’s schooling in a private school later on."
Old Mrs. Huang thought this made sense and looked approvingly at Lei Qianqian, laughing, "After all, you are the daughter of a Scholar’s Family, you know how to manage money. Silver should indeed be spent in such a sensible way."
Huang Xiangwen was so frustrated she felt itchy in her teeth and thought: Whether you spend that silver or not, it’s still in the old lady’s hands. Even if you spend it now, will the child’s schooling cost any less later on?
Suddenly, another thought struck her, and her eyes lit up as she said to Old Mrs. Huang, "Oh dear, I almost forgot about this."
Her melodramatic exclamation startled everyone; Old Mrs. Huang said irritably, "What now?"
Was she still scheming for her silver? Old Mrs. Huang’s expression soured.
Huang Xiangwen hurriedly said, "Mother, remember a few days ago we heard that Daya was wronged at the Chen Family’s? I went to see her yesterday."
Poor granddaughter, this too was a vexing issue.
Old Mrs. Huang shook her head and sighed, asking with concern, "How is Daya? If the Chen Family really doesn’t appreciate her, we simply bring her back here. I refuse to believe that the Gu Family can’t support her and her child."
Of course, this was said out of frustration. A daughter once married off was not to be taken back, no matter what.
Huang Xiangwen sighed, "It’s the same old problem, she’s gentle by nature and gets picked on. If she were as assertive as Youyou and Erya, let’s see who from the Chen Family could bully her."
The conversation turned to Gu Xiaoqing; indignant, she said, "Second Aunt, what about me? I haven’t provoked you."
Old Mrs. Huang only wanted to hear about Daya’s situation; curtly, she barked at Gu Xiaoqing, "Eat your food, and once you’re full, get on with your embroidery. We were speaking well of you."
With her sharp tongue and a fiery temperament, Gu Xiaoqing was worried her daughter might start another argument, and promptly pulled her back to the room.
Huang Xiangwen, focused on her agenda, continued, "Remember Lanxin was ill before? Daya said she was treated at Jisheng Hall, and it was Youyou who thought of the idea. Her mother-in-law thought they had hoarded silver to pay for the child’s treatment, which is why she beat and scolded Daya.
Mother, others may not know, but how could we be unaware? With Daya’s timid and honest nature, if she knew how to hide silver, would her life be such a mess? And as for Jisheng Hall—where Youyou is—how could she take Daya’s silver?"