Chapter 902: Jiang Luolan's Worry

On Longshe Shan.

Shang Hongxue looked at her parents before her; they had come together and brought some good things, all things her parents considered good, specially brought to nourish her body— at such a time Shang Hongxue needed nourishment, needed various supplements.

"Daughter pays respects to father and mother."

Jiang Luolan hurried forward to support her daughter, saying: "You, don't bow; you're pregnant now, you can't be as before, don't bow at every turn, or you'll harm the child."

"Exactly, Hongxue, remember: you're a special person now, you can't do anything; best to leave everything to others—I think your older sister is perfect, right, madam?"

Shang Yingnian glanced at the newly arrived eldest daughter, Shang Hongchen; the younger daughter was already pregnant and needed rest and self‑care, while all affairs of Longshe Shan required someone to handle them, and the eldest daughter was the most suitable.

They are all his daughters, all his own; together they would control Longshe Shan, and that would be just right.

"Your father is right; you are very special now, for the coming year you must not act recklessly, you must take good care of yourself." Jiang Luolan held Shang Hongxue's hand, continually soothing her.

Excitement and joy shone in her eyes, which were filled only with her little daughter; she could hardly wait to see the child born, so they could have more fun.

As for Shang Hongchen, she was left standing there, ignored.

On the contrary, she was still scolded, and Shang Hongchen dared not leave; she was no longer the person she used to be.

Jiang Luolan held Shang Hongxue's hand and kept talking, speaking only their private words—basically reminding Shang Hongxue to watch her body, this and that, what she could not do, what she could not do, repeating all the advice, so she would remember it well.

The first pregnancy is especially delicate, requiring extra attention; avoid anything that can be avoided.

Jiang Luolan worried even more than she did, also fretting; after so many years, she had finally seen hope, and could not let anything happen to the child.

"This is your first pregnancy; you must be careful, your health has always been poor, you lack experience in many things, you can't be as before."

"Or, Mother could stay to look after you—how would that be?"

Shang Hongxue heard this, her eyes widened, and she quickly waved her hands: "No, Mother, Father still needs you; the Shang Clan cannot do without you."

"I will take good care of myself, Brother Chuyang will also take good care of me, you need not worry."

"I also have my older sister here; she will take good care of me, right, older sister?"

Shang Hongchen could only nod; at times like this, besides nodding, it was still just nodding.

She could not say no, nor could she shake her head.

Otherwise, her parents would tear her apart.

"She can't even take care of herself, how could she take care of you?"

Jiang Luolan's single remark utterly dismissed Shang Hongchen.

Shang Hongchen gave a bitter smile, not daring to retort.

Shang Yingnian glanced at his eldest daughter, a flicker of surprise crossing his face; it seemed the daughter had grown up a great deal.

Especially her temperament, which had improved greatly compared to before.

Jiang Luolan pulled Hongxue aside and spoke at length, going over every big and small matter, saying whatever came to mind, wishing to make the daughter remember it all; Shang Hongxue listened the whole time, daring neither to rebut nor to speak.

Whatever Mother says goes; after discussing the child's affairs, Jiang Luolan whispered: "Hongxue, your older sister needs your help there—she knows nothing about these matters, is very arrogant, so it's best you handle everything for her, leaving her no choice."

"Especially now, your body is special, you cannot attend to Chuyang, and your older sister is just right to take your place."

Shang Hongxue's eyes flickered, she lowered her head and asked: "Mother, will Father agree to that?"

Jiang Luolan nodded at Hongxue and said: "In this family, I have the final say."

Shang Hongxue instantly understood: these matters were all decided by Mother.

This time, Mother, contrary to her usual self, came to urge her on; it was obvious she wanted to speed things up.

This matter must be carried out; first, for her own eldest daughter, Shang Hongchen, who is rather self‑important and proud, her pitiful pride spurring her to act, though no one knows when she will do so.

Or perhaps the younger daughter is more reliable; this proposal, Jiang Luolan wholeheartedly approved.

She knew very well the character of her own eldest daughter, fully understood her thoughts; if it weren't for that damned pride, she would not have let Shang Hongxue, that little girl, get the advantage.

She liked and admired this son‑in‑law Chuyang, and Jiang Luolan also clearly knew that Chen Chuyang's future would not be poor; this world could not bind him, and in the future he would surely leave this world.

By then, Shang Hongchen would want to latch on, but there would be no chance.

The Shang Clan was already rising; if they went further, perhaps they could fulfill their forebears' last wish, leave this world, and venture into Tianwai.

This was not only their wish, but also the wish of generations of the Shang Clan.

But the Shang Clan declined day by day; in the end, even survival was hard to maintain, let alone leaving Tianwai.

Before them, an opportunity arrived.

The younger daughter was already steady; the elder daughter's future must not be buried, and following Chen Chuyang's words, the future could see them leave Tianwai.

The elder daughter's ambition, she well knew, would not let her stay content in this world; following Chuyang's words, both of them could feel at ease.

"Mother, I have said this many times, but my older sister still refuses to nod."

"Now the problem lies with the older sister, not with me, nor with Brother Chuyang."

"Many women have taken a liking to Brother Chuyang; besides my daughter, Qi Ruohua of the Great Qi Dynasty is also one of Brother Chuyang's women, and she is pregnant as well."

"What?" Jiang Luolan exclaimed upon hearing it.

"Hongxue, are you telling the truth?"

"Of course it's true." Shang Hongxue said seriously: "Besides her, there's also Jing Yuheng by her side, and right, the Holy Maiden Zhuge Ruolan of the Yin Gui Sect also has designs on Brother Chuyang; if the older sister doesn't act soon, she will likely……"

Then she would have no place left; when Brother Chuyang has enough women, he will no longer look favorably on the older sister.

Moreover, Hu Jiuwei she did not mention; Shang Hongxue understood her parents' meaning, and naturally hoped Mother could give the older sister a push.

Just her alone could not persuade the older sister.

"So many people are eyeing Chuyang, you……"

Jiang Luolan looked worriedly at her daughter; she was too kind—if she were bullied, wouldn't that be terrible?

"Mother, rest assured, the daughter is not someone just anyone can bully; Brother Chuyang and the daughter have promised that she is the principal wife, also the mistress of Longshe Shan, and all those other women must address her as elder sister."

Having said this, Shang Hongxue lifted her head, very proud.

Jiang Luolan looked at her precious daughter and smiled from the heart.

"You silly girl, you've worked hard."

It's not hard, my daughter is fine, Chuyang brother treats me well—besides, my daughter alone can't hold up. Shang Hongxue's face flushed a little; these words really aren't suitable to say to Mother, but she couldn't keep silent.

Jiang Luolan blinked, blinked several times in a row, then understood the meaning behind her daughter's words.