In the second or third month of spring, the grass matched the color of the water.
By the end of February, the weather had already warmed. Yueyao got up early in the morning and went to the backyard to perform the Five Animal Frolics, just to hear the pleasant chirping of birds in the trees.
Looking at the birds, Yueyao declared joyfully, "Hearing the birds sing so early in the morning surely means there will be good news today." The call of the magpie definitely meant good tidings were on the way.
Smiling, Xi Yu said, "What the young lady said must be right."
By noon, Yueyao had received news that Zhuang Ruolan had given birth to a girl. Speaking to herself, Yueyao said, "Fate can indeed be changed." She remembered that in her previous life, her older cousin had died childless, but in this life, he already had a daughter.
Since both the Imperial Physician and the Midwife had predicted the baby to be a girl, Ma Chengteng and Ma Peng were prepared for this news and were not disappointed upon hearing it was a girl. The first child of the family, even if a girl, was still a joy.
This was Ma Peng’s first time being a father. He held the tiny child so tenderly he dared not make any sudden moves, afraid to touch her wrong, which amused all the maids and old nannies by his side.
The child’s third-day celebration was very lively. The Lian family was still in mourning, so on such a festive day, they sent gifts but did not attend in person.
Madam Bao, well-known for her virtue, naturally didn’t leave room for criticism at the third-day celebration. Privately, however, she reminded Ruolan, "The most important duty of a married woman is to spread her branches and grow leaves. Jealousy is one of the seven grounds for divorce; you cannot allow Zhuang Family’s daughters to gain a reputation as shrewish wives." Madam Bao’s remark implied that Ruolan was narrow-minded, for during her pregnancy she had not prepared a Chambermaid for Ma Peng, causing the Zhuang Family’s reputation to suffer.
Ruolan responded with a smile, "I heard cousin already has two beauties by his side. I believe my sister will be a prudent wife in the future." Madam Bao’s cousin, three years older than Hailan, was now eighteen and had taken two maids into his service. Ruolan knew one of the maids had gotten pregnant, which was fortunate to miscarry, otherwise Hailan would have become a stepmother as soon as she married.
A hint of jealousy flashed in Madam Bao’s eyes as she spoke, filled with hatred for the incident. If not for Zhuang Ruolan, why should her daughter marry such a wretch? Initially, her family intended to marry her daughter off once she reached marriageable age, but Madam Bao insisted on waiting until she was sixteen. The Bao Family, being weaker, could not oppose Madam Bao and had to wait. Yet, Madam Bao never anticipated that a Chambermaid would become pregnant, and she was so furious at the time that she wanted to call off the marriage, but was stopped by Lord Zhuang.
Madam Bao was burning with rage inside, but she said coolly, "The child was born on February twenty-second, you should take extra care." Her words implied many things.
Many common folk are superstitious, believing that children born in February are unlucky and fated to suffer. Even though Madam Bao didn’t mention it, Ruolan was also worried. Her father-in-law and husband didn’t believe in this, but that didn’t prevent others from believing the rumor, making her daughter’s future marriage prospects difficult.
A trace of schadenfreude appeared in Madam Bao’s eyes as she observed Ruolan’s troubled expression. She indeed resented Ruolan, often sabotaging her at home and eventually harming her daughter. After marrying and managing her own household, where her husband respected and loved her, life was blissful. Every time she thought of Ruolan, it filled Madam Bao with intense hatred.
Madam Bao wanted to speak privately with Yueyao when suddenly the news came that the Wife of Crown Prince of the Duke of Lu had arrived. Although Madam Bao despised the people of Duke Mansion, she dared not offend them, and after exchanging pleasantries with Lady Deng, she left.
Patting Zhuang Ruolan’s hand, Lady Deng said, "A woman in confinement should not get angry or overthink things, as it would harm your health. You must not fulfill her desires."
Zhuang Ruolan shared her worries, "Aunt, if the child were to bear such a reputation, what would become of her in the future?"
Lady Deng frowned slightly, "Madam Bao really stops at nothing. What is the stance of your father-in-law and your husband?" If even her own family believed in it, it would be troublesome. If the head of the household didn’t believe in it, then the matter could be easily resolved. A reputation, good or bad, is built, not bestowed from heaven."
Cai Yun chimed in with a smile, "The aunt doesn’t know, but both Old Master and Eldest Young Master are very fond of the Eldest Miss. Especially the Eldest Young Master, who comes to see the Eldest Miss every day after his duties."
Lady Deng smiled, "In that case, tell them about this matter and let them handle it. If something can be delegated to the men, there’s no need to trouble oneself."