Song Ci’s arrival brought a bit of liveliness to the inner room, and both Madam and Mrs. Lu paid her their respects.
"Mother, it’s truly a great joy. My second younger brother’s wife is expecting, you’re going to be a grandmother again," Madam smiled as she congratulated Song Ci, though there was a hint of bitterness in her voice that she couldn’t dispel.
"Congratulations to us all," Song Ci replied with a smile. "Qi’er is engaged now, and Jiang Shi, you have been diagnosed with pregnancy. It’s a double blessing, truly worth celebrating. Jiang Shi, you must give a substantial dowry to Qi’er later, as you’ve also caught the aura of happiness."
Jiang Shi laughed and replied, "Certainly, I’ll prepare a generous dowry for Qi’er to make her wedding grand and splendid."
Hearing this, Madam’s bitterness lessened a bit, and joy spread to her eyebrows. She smiled and said, "Then I thank my second younger brother’s wife on Qi’er’s behalf."
As a mother, she’s naturally delighted to see her daughter have a grand dowry and a splendid marriage, and since Jiang Shi comes from a wealthy background, her dowry is ample. She’s also kind to her niece, so she’ll no doubt be lavish with additions to the dowry, sparing no fine items.
Madam’s bitterness subsided, but Mrs. Lu beside her could hardly maintain her smile, clenching the handkerchief in her hand tightly.
The first household has good news, as does the second household, leaving only the third household lonely and desolate.
Mrs. Lu was so bitter her gums ached.
Song Ci already sat by Jiang Shi’s side, asking her in detail if there was any discomfort and what she wanted to eat.
"Apart from a poor appetite, there’s nothing uncomfortable. It’s just that the weather’s been hot lately, making me not want to move. I thought it was due to the weather when I started feeling nauseous and dizzy today. Only then did the people below remember I hadn’t changed this month, so they called Doctor Lin to check my pulse." The joy on Jiang Shi’s face was undeniable as she said shyly, "It was only through the pulse diagnosis that I knew I was expecting."
"Good, good. Doctor Lin hasn’t been treating you for long, and now you’re pregnant. It proves her prescriptions are effective," Song Ci said with a smile, looking at her other two daughters-in-law. "If the prescriptions work, stick with them."
Madam felt a warmth in her heart.
Yes, if the second younger brother’s wife succeeded, she just needed to persist and she would surely fulfill her wishes too.
Mrs. Lu, however, was filled with bitterness. No matter how good the treatment was, what use was it if her husband wasn’t around?
Jiang Shi looked at Madam, feeling a bit guilty, and said, "Eldest sister-in-law, now that I’m pregnant, I’m afraid I can’t manage the household affairs..."
Madam quickly responded, "It’s alright, just focus on taking care of your pregnancy. It’s not like the house lacks a pregnant woman to work. If we’re short of people, we’ll promote more. Besides, Qi’er is now learning how to manage household affairs with me, so I’ll hand it over to her."
"Then it would be hard on you all," Jiang Shi said apologetically.
It wasn’t that she wanted to shirk her duties, but this pregnancy didn’t come easy; she had lost a child before, so she had to be extra careful with this one, especially during the first three months.
So, she had to shift away from household affairs.
"The world is big, and a pregnant woman’s needs come first. As your eldest sister-in-law said, if the house lacks hands, we’ll promote more; we can’t let you bear the burden," Song Ci said with a smile. "Just rest easy."
Jiang Shi nodded, still somewhat embarrassed.
Song Ci saw Song Zhicheng peeking around at the door and knew the couple wanted some private time, so she tactfully got up and said, "Let’s take our leave now, so as not to disturb her rest. Mrs. Gu, make sure Jiang Shi’s small kitchen is well-stocked. Any expenses should be reported to my courtyard; consider it my first gift to this little grandchild."
The child in Jiang Shi’s womb would be watched over until birth, considered her ’first’ golden grandchild, and of course would be rewarded.