Chapter 150: Prenatal Education in the Great Zhou and Review [Many Thanks for Everyone's Support

As Sister Qingzhi spoke, Qingxia took out a piece of mutton-fat white jade of extremely rare quality from the box she had brought with her.

"This jade was previously bestowed upon Brother Jing by the Empress; he specifically commissioned a craftsman to carefully carve it and gave it to me on the day of my marriage to my husband," Xu Pingmei said, her face beaming with joy.

"Come, Wei Xiaoniang, let us look at it together," Xu Pingmei said, making an inviting gesture toward Wei Wei Shuyi.

When Qingxia produced the mutton-fat white jade, Wei Wei Shuyi had already lowered her eyes and brows; hearing Xu Pingmei's words, she replied, "Lady, this humble concubine dare not look too closely."

"You have imparted your superb needlework and embroidery skills to me and the several maids around me without any reservation; how can you speak so?" Xu Pingmei said while gazing at Wei Wei Shuyi; having heard Wei Wei Yuyi's account in Chuzhou, she, as a woman herself, felt some sympathy for Wei Wei Shuyi's tragic fate.

But now, looking at Wei Wei Shuyi's demeanor, her admiration grew even stronger, for although Wei Wei Shuyi was already a concubine, regarding things that did not belong to her or that she ought not to have, she showed no desire to covet them; even for something merely to be glanced at, without Xu Pingmei's invitation, she averted her gaze.

Through all these life's hardships, Wei Wei Shuyi remained overall dignified and peaceful, possessing her own principles and pride; had the Old Lady been present to know Xu Pingmei's thoughts, the elder would surely have nodded, then shaken her head.

Having spoken, Xu Pingmei casually took Wei Wei Shuyi by the wrist, leading her away from the embroidery frame to a seat.

Xu Pingmei took the seat of honor, while Mama Fang moved the embroidered stool closer for Wei Wei Shuyi.

Qingxia placed the mutton-fat white jade on a nearby table; granted permission, Wei Wei Shuyi looked at the object, seeing that the mutton-fat white jade had been carved into a lifelike elephant, with a vase engraved upon the elephant's back.

'An Elephant of Peace.'

"Since receiving this mutton-fat white jade, I have often played with it, and upon hearing my medical matron say that gazing upon white jade at this stage of pregnancy benefits the child in the womb, I have kept it by my side."

"What the Lady says is true."

As the two conversed, Qingxia picked up a book; Xu Pingmei smiled and said, "The medical matron said that reading books at this time ensures the child in the womb will surely love learning later; since she heard I do not care for those classics on righteousness, my younger brother sent these over."

Wei Wei Shuyi smiled cooperatively upon seeing the book's title, "Miscellaneous Tales."

"Read it," Xu Pingmei said.

After flipping through a few pages, Qingxia crouched slightly and signaled to Seeing Qingcao; Seeing Qingcao nodded, so Qingxia began to recite: "Therefore, one must first clip their wings, weaken their core, and then strike at their heart! With the King's arms now severed, his end is near! Your servant risks death and will not flee."

This tale was well written; after Qingxia had read for half a quarter-hour, everyone in the room listened with great relish.

"So it speaks of anecdotes concerning Emperor Taizong of the previous dynasty," Wei Wei Shuyi remarked; hearing this, Xu Pingmei nodded.

At this moment, the medical matron brought a nourishing medicinal dish and placed it in Xu Pingmei's hands; glancing at Wei Wei Shuyi, as if something had occurred to her, Xu Pingmei said, "Medical Matron Ren, take this Wei Xiaoniang's pulse and see whether she can consume some of this nourishing medicinal dish of mine."

"Yes, Lady."

Wei Wei Shuyi rose, somewhat overwhelmed by the unexpected favor: "How can this be appropriate?"

Mama Fang nearby said, "There is no harm in checking; Wei Xiaoniang, please sit," and hearing Mama Fang's words, Xu Pingmei nodded in agreement.

"Thank you, Lady; thank you, Nanny."

"Wei Xiaoniang, please turn around and place your hand here," Medical Matron Ren said.

Obediently, Wei Wei Shuyi turned on the embroidered stool, while Medical Matron Ren sat on a chair and laid a pulse pillow upon the table.

"I trouble you," Wei Wei Shuyi said; hearing her words, Medical Matron Ren smiled and placed her fingers on Wei Wei Shuyi's wrist.

As she felt Wei Wei Shuyi's pulse, Medical Matron Ren's smile gradually faded; after asking about Wei Wei Shuyi's stage of pregnancy, her brows knitted slightly.

Seeing Medical Matron Ren's expression, everyone in Shou'an Hall gradually fell silent, while Medical Matron Ren continued to take the pulse.

Wei Wei Shuyi's heart trembled with anxiety, her eyes fixed on Medical Matron Ren with some doubt.

After withdrawing her fingers and pondering for a moment, Medical Matron Ren nodded, having reached her conclusion; seeing the solemn expressions of everyone in the hall, she smiled.

Seeing her smile, the crowd relaxed somewhat; Medical Matron Ren looked at Wei Wei Shuyi and said, "Wei Xiaoniang's body is healthy, but the fetus in the womb is somewhat large; you must not take nourishing supplements, nor sit for long periods, but must walk and exercise frequently."

Hearing Medical Matron Ren's words, Wei Wei Shuyi froze, frowning with eyes full of confusion, and involuntarily started to say, "How... no..." but she immediately stopped herself.

Because Wei Wei Shuyi had her back to Xu Pingmei and Mama Fang, few people saw her expression.

Seeing Wei Wei Shuyi, Medical Matron Ren thought she had been frightened, so she continued speaking gently with a smile:

"Wei Xiaoniang, do not worry; this matter is not serious. In the future, exercise more to strengthen your constitution and build up some stamina; try to eat less of nourishing things. Since this is your second pregnancy, there is no need for excessive worry. However, you must still be very careful and avoid extreme joy, anger, sorrow, or happiness, otherwise it will harm the fetus."

Wei Wei Shuyi closed her eyes, exhaled deeply, then took a deep breath; opening her eyes again, the earlier emotion had vanished from them.

Turning around and seeing Xu Pingmei's eyes full of concern for her, Wei Wei Shuyi's mood suddenly improved, and a smile returned to her face.

She rose and bowed to Xu Pingmei, then bowed to Medical Matron Ren.

"I nearly did a bad thing with good intentions," Xu Pingmei said from the side.

Mama Fang sized Wei Wei Shuyi up and down but said nothing more.

"Lady, what words are these? You have saved me; otherwise, had I eaten and drunk recklessly, who knows what might have happened," Wei Wei Shuyi said with sincere heart.

Xu Pingmei smiled and said, "That is true."

After consuming the nourishing medicinal dish, Xu Pingmei basked in the sun on the Old Lady's couch for a while longer and actually felt somewhat drowsy from the warmth.

Seeing Xu Pingmei's condition, Wei Wei Shuyi rose and said, "Lady, Nanny, carrying a child makes one easily fatigued; this humble concubine will take her leave now."

"Mm, I trouble you, Wei Xiaoniang; I am indeed somewhat sleepy. Qingxia, go and see her off..."

Wei Wei Shuyi took her leave and exited Shou'an Hall; Sister Xiaodie, who had been waiting outside Shou'an Hall, hurriedly followed, and just at the courtyard gate, they met a female servant from the Hou Fu coming to find Xu Pingmei.

"Sister Qingxia, Brother Qingyun, the young attendant of Brother Jing, just sent word via a messenger, saying he will return later."

"Understood," Qingxia said, then smiled at Wei Wei Shuyi and added, "Wei Xiaoniang, since you are with child, please walk slowly on your way."

"Thank you; Miss Qingxia may return now."

Wei Wei Shuyi turned and walked along the path to the side courtyard, while Sister Xiaodie beside her asked, "Wei Xiaoniang, are you tired?"

Wei Wei Shuyi shook her head.

Upon reaching the side courtyard and entering the room, Wei Wei Shuyi immediately saw a food box placed on the table.

Minglan walked over smiling, opened the food box, and said, "Mother, this is abalone porridge sent by Zhou Da Niangzi; she said Lin Xiao Niang found the taste quite good and specially sent it for Mother to try."

Wei Wei Shuyi gazed silently at the bowl of porridge, speechless for a long time.

She glanced at Sister Xiaodie and said, "Ming'er, you and Xiao Xiaotao go watch the courtyard gate; no one is to be allowed in."

Minglan and Xiao Xiaotao looked at Wei Wei Shuyi and asked, "Mother, what if Father comes?"

"He will not come; go."

After Wei Wei Shuyi spoke, Minglan obediently took Xiao Xiaotao's hand, and together they went to the gate of the side courtyard.

Wei Wei Shuyi remained standing and said to Sister Xiaodie, "Sister Xiaodie, you come out with me."

The mistress and her maid walked to the corner of the courtyard farthest from the gate, a sheltered spot facing the sun, where Wei Wei Xiaoniang stared intently at Sister Sister Xiaodie and said, "Sister Xiaodie, from this moment on, speak in a lower voice."

"Yes, Wei Xiaoniang," Sister Sister Xiaodie replied, lowering her voice.

"Just now in Shou'an Hall, the Sixth Miss's Physician said that the fetus in my womb is somewhat large; I must not take any tonics and must walk and exercise frequently," Wei Wei Xiaoniang said softly.

Sister Sister Xiaodie immediately furrowed her brows, her face filled with shock: "But Zhou Da Niangzi from Lin Qin's Pavilion said they are trying to harm you! Wei Xiaoniang, let us hurry to report this to the Master and Wu Da Da Niangzi!"

As she spoke, Sister Sister Xiaodie turned to leave,

"Do not go!" Wei Wei Xiaoniang scolded in a low voice.

"Wei Xiaoniang! They are trying to kill you! These past few days, tonics have flowed in like water, and today they even sent this abalone porridge."

"The Physician left no written prescription in black and white; if we go to accuse them now, Lin Qin's Pavilion can simply claim ignorance! We would have no proof but empty words!"

"But these past few days, the main kitchen has prepared only dishes you love; is this not evidence?"

"The Physician said not to take tonics, but did not say not to eat; they could easily dismiss it by simply saying they feared my appetite was poor!"

Angered, Sister Sister Xiaodie paced quickly back and forth in the corner; seeing Minglan and Xiao Xiao Xiaotao peering curiously from the gateway, she suddenly froze, then stared fixedly at Wei Wei Xiaoniang, who asked softly, "Sister Xiaodie, have you thought of something?"

"Wei Xiaoniang, seeing the Sixth Miss and Xiao Xiao Xiaotao suddenly reminded me of the matter with Guan Guan Pozi a few days ago; I always thought Guan Guan Pozi had a blackened heart and was deliberately making things difficult for us and skimming our supplies, but hearing you speak like this today, it is clear they are all in this together!"

Wei Wei Xiaoniang clasped her hands tightly before her chest, her eyes darting constantly as she clearly pondered; for over twenty years she had never harbored thoughts of harming others, so figuring this out required some mental effort.

Looking at Sister Sister Xiaodie, Wei Wei Xiaoniang said, "If Guan Guan Pozi acted on orders from Lin Qin's Pavilion, then why would Dong Rong strike so heavily? Without the Master's explicit instruction, he would not have beaten Guan Guan Pozi to death with a staff! Sister Xiaodie, tell me the details of that day again, very carefully."

Sister Sister Xiaodie also frowned as she said:

"At first, Guan Guan Pozi was shouting quite loudly, until... until Guan Guan Pozi said she did not mean it, thinking it was what the Master had said; Guan Guan Pozi had splashed a female servant of Hou Fu, whereupon Lin Xiao Niang knelt before the Master, and Zhou Da Niangzi knelt as well, claiming that Lin Qin's Pavilion had instructed them to treat us well, that it was Guan Da Niangzi who had a blackened heart and misunderstood the orders; Zhou Da Niangzi said she had failed to convey the message clearly, then crawled out, offering to take the punishment for Lin Xiao Niang, saying she deserved to die in her place, and then Guan Guan Pozi fell silent; later, when the Master left, he told the Sixth Miss to go out later."

Wei Wei Xiaoniang listened with intense focus, and after pondering for quite a while, she said hesitantly:

"What Guan Guan Pozi shouted was: 'This servant thought it was someone from Wei Wei Xiaoniang's courtyard.' She stopped speaking because Wu Da Da Niangzi was present, and she feared Lin Qin's Pavilion would be caught by Wu Da Da Niangzi."

Sister Sister Xiaodie nodded as she recalled the events of that day.

"Lin Lin Qinshuang is extremely clever; she must have deduced the general situation from a few words spoken by the Master, realizing that her clumsy actions had offended Hou Fu's honored guest, and that she definitely needed to provide an explanation to Hou Fu's Jing-ge'er and to the Old Lady; the actual situation is that Guan Guan Pozi, acting on orders from Lin Qin's Pavilion, made things difficult for us and mistook Seeing Qingcao for Xiao Xiao Xiaotao! But if these words had come from Guan Guan Pozi's mouth, the charge that Lin Lin Qinshuang mistreated a concubine would have been firmly established; she would surely be controlled by Wu Da Da Niangzi, losing not only her authority over household management but also facing punishment, while the Master would have lost face."

"Wei Xiaoniang, if you say so, then Guan Guan Pozi was merely a scapegoat taking the blame for Lin Qin's Pavilion!"

Still frowning, Wei Wei Xiaoniang said, "Dong Rong is the Master's trusted confidant and certainly knows the Master's intentions; waiting until Zhou Zhou Xueniang crawled out of the door before beating Guan Guan Pozi to death was done on the Master's orders; only in this way could an explanation be given to Hou Fu and the Old Lady, preserving face while removing the guilt of Lin Lin Qinshuang mistreating us from her head; this was sacrificing the rook to save the king."

"Earlier, I heard people in the main kitchen say that Zhou Zhou Xueniang led others to search Guan Guan Pozi's room and found silver as evidence of her crime... was this a frame-up?"

Ahem, that awkward human spinning top from the previous chapter has been deleted, cough cough cough.

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(End of Chapter)