As the new year began, numerous troubling reports arrived. A noble’s child went missing, spies were discovered somewhere, and thieves were causing havoc. Eventually, the child was found, but some were left mentally incapacitated, leaving everyone distraught.
The most heartrending case was the family of the Director of the Ministry of War, Chen Da. It was said that his only grandson hit his head, triggering a high fever that left him impaired. His grandmother couldn’t bear the shock and passed away suddenly. Exhausted and heartbroken, Chen Da knelt before the Emperor for two hours, requesting to retire so he could care for his grandson and return to his hometown with his wife’s remains.
The Emperor agreed, bestowing one hundred taels of gold as a pension.
Song Ci went to pay her respects at the mourning hall of the Chen Mansion. She saw the child with his head wrapped in white cloth, blankly clinging to the Young Madam Chen. Seeing the frail eldest son of Chen, who looked as if he could collapse at any moment, inevitably filled her with sorrow.
This is why the ancients revered the notion of many children bringing blessings; if calamity strikes and there is only one heir, it can lead to the end of a family line.
Song Ci returned to the Prime Minister’s Mansion and instructed Nanny, "On the day Old Master Chen returns home with the bier, send a gift."
Nanny acknowledged and, seeing Song Ci’s low spirits, said, "Madam, rest assured, if it weren’t for your and Lin Qing’s vigilance, who noticed something amiss with that man, the child wouldn’t have been rescued so swiftly. This is your accumulated good karma." ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ novel•fire.net
"But it was still one step too late."
Nanny was silent for a moment and then said, "For the Chen family, having a child with diminished capabilities is better than bringing back a lifeless one."
That’s true, but the Chen family doesn’t have much to hope for now. In the future, that child might find it exceedingly difficult to marry. However, each person has their own destiny, and such trials are inevitable.
"Madam, Hongtao is here." Hongtao lifted the curtain.
Madam Song entered, holding several gift lists, and handed them to Song Ci, saying, "Mother, these are from Chen Da’s residence and several other households, expressing gratitude for your vigilance in rescuing the child. Once the child recovers, they will come to offer their thanks personally."
Song Ci was taken aback, looked at them, and said, "Why such formalities? Send them back; I haven’t done much."
"It’s their heartfelt gesture; refusing might leave them uneasy," Madam Song said.
Hearing this, Song Ci didn’t refuse anymore and said, "Sort out some of them, convert them into cash, and to the Charitable Hall as charitable funds."
Madam Song was momentarily stunned, then smiled and said, "Very well, whatever Mother wishes, Mother has a kind heart."
"So much has happened at the beginning of the year, and there were disasters before. Doing some good deeds gives me peace of mind. They have this intention, so I accept, and I too will do things to ease my conscience. Accumulating blessings and virtues is never wrong."
"I appreciate your guidance, Mother-in-law."
Song Ci added, "Soon it will be February, and by April, the Jiang family will have a baby. Have you discussed and selected the midwife with them?"
Madam Song smiled and said, "It’s all been discussed. Second Sister-in-law wishes to hire the midwife who delivered for Qian’er. Besides her, I also want to hire the midwife we’ve commonly used at our mansion, Chen Midwife."
"The one for Qian’er?"
Song Ci immediately recalled the day of the third-day ceremony when the midwife pierced the baby’s ear with such intense force, making her shiver, "Why hire that one?"
"Second Sister-in-law says she is experienced and helped Qian’er deliver a daughter, hoping to share in that good fortune." Madam Song suppressed a smile.
Alright, her second daughter-in-law has become obsessed with wanting a daughter, even choosing a midwife known for delivering daughters. Admirably determined!