Chapter 349: Seen Aunt Grand-Madam [Thanks to everyone for your support! Bow again!]

The Old Madam sat on the Luo Han bed, looked at the incense she had made, and nodded with satisfaction.

The Old Madam reached out and handed the incense burner to Fang Mama,

Fang Mama took the incense burner to light it, and the Old Madam, while wiping her hands with a handkerchief, looked curiously at the stammering Xu Zaijing.

"Hmm?"

Xu Zaijing scratched his head and looked embarrassedly at the two mamas, Fang and Cui.

The Old Madam held the handkerchief and smiled, pointing at Xu Zaijing.

The two mamas, Fang and Cui, exchanged a smile and very sensibly took Huaxiang and retreated to the entrance of Shou'an Hall.

The incense burner was drifting with white smoke, and a faint fragrance was permeating the air.

Although Xu Zaijing's sense of smell was keen, he didn't feel the fragrance was very pungent.

He smelled it and even felt a refreshing feeling.

Afterwards, Xu Zaijing said:

"Aunt Grand-Madam, actually our ancestral hall in Daizhou is fine. It is..."

The Old Madam looked at Xu Zaijing, signaling him to continue.

"It is my brother-in-law, Gu family's Eldest Young Master, when drawing the map..."

After explaining the process of the matter, Xu Zaijing continued:

"This news, His Majesty and Old General Cao both kept it very tight."

"After all, Great Zhou and Bai Gao had just started the war, and if the news of brother-in-law's matter spread, the good news of the Western Army capturing so many military stockades would be wiped out."

"It's hard to say, some people among the nobles and officials would take advantage of the situation, create something out of nothing, and spread rumors to seek power and profit."

The Old Madam nodded seriously and said:

"Right! Nowadays Marquis Ningyuan is still leading a strong army in the north!"

"Going to war with the Bai Gao Kingdom means guarding against Northern Liao; where Marquis Ningyuan is located is of great importance."

"By the way, did the Bai Gao Kingdom know Gu family's Eldest Young Master's identity and not say they would take him to Xingqing Prefecture?"

Xu Zaijing shook his head and said: "Aunt Grand-Madam, no! Because the Bai Gao Kingdom wants to negotiate with our Great Zhou."

The Old Madam asked hesitantly: "They wouldn't want to use your Gu Dalang to stop the war, would they?"

"No! They also know it's impossible; they just want to exchange brother-in-law for a few people."

The Old Madam shook her head and said: "Exchange for a few? Wouldn't our Great Zhou be making a losing deal?"

Xu Zaijing smiled:

"Aunt Grand-Madam, when I arrived at Yongle City, they were already negotiating whether to return both Li family brothers or just one."

"You also know that I am good at archery, so I went with the brave soldiers under Old General Cao, along with the Li family brothers who understand Bai Gao language, and rescued the person."

"Going to Daizhou was just words to cover up to the outside world."

The Old Madam nodded, and the look in her eyes when looking at Xu Zaijing had an approving meaning.

As the only daughter of Marquis Yongyi, the Old Madam had heard many things from her father since she was a child; although Xu Zaijing spoke lightly, what was inside was worth pondering for her nephew-grandson.

Went, rescued.

There are many things in these few words worth pondering.

Thinking about these things, the Old Madam said with some emotion:

"Also, Ping-jie'er was about to give birth those few days, Duan-ge'er is in the north following your father, Zhang-ge'er has to look after Hualan who is also about to give birth, so it had to be you."

Xu Zaijing smiled.

The Old Madam continued:

"At the end of last month, there was vague news in Bianjing about Gu family's Eldest Young Master's accident, but it didn't spread very widely."

The Old Madam shook her head again and said: "Those who spread this didn't have good intentions."

Xu Zaijing nodded and said: "Aunt Grand-Madam is right; nephew-grandson feels that this is mostly the Bai Gao Kingdom's planning."

It didn't spread very widely, and he could guess the reason.

Before, the Bai Gao Kingdom assassinated the Li family brothers, and the experts were left by him at the Xu family, and the arrangements in Bai Gao were all uncovered after the Imperial City Division figured them out.

The Bai Gao Kingdom wanted to spread news in Bianjing, which was not as easy as before.

And when some people in Bianjing wanted to take action, Gu Tingyu had already appeared in Bianjing.

"By the way, Aunt Grand-Madam, the incense you made today is really good; can you give nephew-grandson a copy of the recipe?"

The Old Madam smiled and pointed at Xu Zaijing:

"Good!"

Just as Xu Zaijing was about to continue saying something, his ears moved, listening to the hurried footsteps outside; before the words came out, he turned his head and looked toward the entrance of Shou'an Hall.

Seeing Xu Zaijing's action, the Old Madam also looked over.

"Mother! Mother!"

In the field of vision, Wang Ruofu walked in hurriedly with Liu Mama, saying urgently:

"Mother, the Marquis mansion sent a letter saying Hua'er is about to give birth!"

The Old Madam raised her eyebrows, took a deep breath, stood up, and said:

"Ruan, go order a carriage for the Madam!"

"Suqin, take that old ginseng for Hua'er."

After speaking, the Old Madam looked at Wang Ruofu, who was anxious in her eyes, and said:

"Madam, rest assured, the physician in the Marquis mansion is highly skilled; Hua'er will definitely be safe."

"Go!"

As she spoke, the Old Madam waved her hand.

Xu Zaijing on the side asked in confusion: "Aunt Grand-Madam, aren't you going?"

Wang Ruofu, who was about to turn and leave, was pulled by Liu Mama and looked at Xu Zaijing and the Old Madam who were speaking.

Mamas Fang and Cui also stopped for a moment, then continued to do their own things.

Old Madam: "I... I am so old, going there is just adding to the chaos."

Xu Zaijing walked to the Old Madam and supported her, saying:

"Aunt Grand-Madam, with you there, Aunt also has a backbone. The physicians and midwives are busy with everything!"

"Besides, Hualan sister knows you went, maybe she will be so happy that..."

Hearing Xu Zaijing's words, Wang Ruofu also looked at the Old Madam with full hope.

Wang Ruofu said: "Mother, Hua'er is having her first child, you..."

The Old Madam turned her eyes, gritted her teeth, and said: "Hmm! Let's go!"

Seeing the Old Madam express her stance, Xu Zaijing hurriedly signaled Huaxiang at the entrance to go and get the carriage.

When Minglan woke up from her nap, looking at the empty Shou'an Hall, she rubbed her eyes and asked Xiaotao: "Where is Grandmother?"

Xiaotao, who had a mark pressed on her face, shook her head.

The little maid Danju, who was tidying up in the hall, raised her head and said: "Ming Da Niangzi, Eldest Da Niangzi is about to give birth, the Old Madam and the Madam have all gone to the Marquis mansion."

Hearing this, Minglan's eyes widened.

On the road from Jiying Lane to Quyuanjie,

three carriages were walking on the street somewhat fast.

Wang Ruofu sat in the first carriage, looking anxious, lifting the carriage curtain from time to time to look outside, while urging:

"Faster! Faster!"

After shrinking back into the carriage, Wang Ruofu put her hands together and prayed:

"Pray to Heaven to let my Hua'er give birth to a son!"

"Pray to the Immortal to let my Hua'er be safe and smooth!"

As she spoke, her clasped hands kept shaking.

In the carriage, Liu Mama beside Wang Ruofu had the same posture, muttering the same words: "Pray to Buddha to protect my Eldest Da Niangzi to be safe!"

Listening to the prayer sounds in the carriage, Xu Zaijing and Changbai, who was riding a horse on the other side, exchanged a look.

Changbai had a worried look in his eyes, pursed his lips, and didn't speak.

In the middle carriage,

the Old Madam sat in the middle, with Mamas Fang and Cui sitting on both sides; Fang Mama was holding an exquisite wooden box containing old ginseng.

The Old Madam lifted the carriage curtain; Mama Cui on the side hurriedly helped to hold the curtain; after the Old Madam let go, she looked at the somewhat familiar Bianjing outside the carriage and sighed with emotion.

Ever since she married into the Sheng family, she hadn't returned to the Marquis Yongyi mansion on Quyuanjie for decades.

Hualan is very sensible; the Old Madam doesn't ask, and Hualan mostly talks about the people and things in the Marquis mansion, rarely talking about the houses and courtyards of the Marquis Yongyi mansion.

Quyuanjie,

Shu Bo, who was setting up his stall as usual, was busy cooking.

From time to time, he would say which table this dish was for.

After finishing serving the dishes, Chu Zhan stood beside Shu Bo and said:

"Shu Bo, do you think if the Marquis mansion's Second Madam gives birth to a little young master, we will have a reward?"

Shu Bo said: "There will be!"

At this moment,

a commotion came, and three carriages drove into Quyuanjie, with two young men riding horses beside the carriages.

Shu Bo nodded to Xu Zaijing while cooking, then looked at these three carriages a few times.

When he saw the silver-haired Mama looking out from the carriage window in the middle carriage, Shu Bo's eyes widened suddenly.

Afterwards, Shu Bo stopped cooking and ran toward the Marquis mansion gate.

Xu Zaijing didn't enter the Xu family gate but stationed his horse on the side, waiting for the carriages of Wang Ruofu and the Old Madam to enter first.

Seeing Shu Bo running over, Xu Zaijing asked in confusion: "What's wrong?"

"Fifth Young Master, in that middle carriage, is that our mansion's Aunt Grand-Madam?"

Xu Zaijing nodded and said yes.

Shu Bo sighed with emotion: "I said that Mama surnamed Fang is also there?"

Xu Zaijing: "Yes, Mamas Fang and Cui both came. If you know them, why not go in and take a look?"

Looking at Xu Zaijing's inquiring eyes, Shu Bo rubbed his hands.

At this moment, the carriages of Wang Ruofu and the Old Madam had stopped at the second gate of the Xu family, and Wang Ruofu was talking to her mother, Madam Sun.

After Xu Zaijing rode over, he let the little servant lead the horse away, and he walked to the side of the Old Madam who had just gotten off the carriage and said a word to Fang Mama.

Fang Mama turned her head to look at Shu Bo not far away, with a confused look in her eyes.

Xu Zaijing reminded on the side: "Fang Mama, he is surnamed Shu."

As soon as these words came out, the confusion in Fang Mama's eyes disappeared; she smiled at Shu Bo and prepared to support the Old Madam to walk toward the inner courtyard.

The Old Madam was attracted by the conversation between Xu Zaijing and Fang Mama and also looked at Shu Bo, shaking her head:

"He is so old."

Looking at Xu Zaijing's curious eyes, the Old Madam said:

"Before Suqin came to my side, she had a good heart and often sewed clothes for these naughty boys in the outer courtyard."

Fang Mama beside the Old Madam seemed to think of when she was a little girl and shook her head with a smile.

Xu Zaijing said: "By the way, Aunt Grand-Madam, Shu Bo just added a son..."

The Old Madam and the two mamas who were walking toward the inner courtyard were all surprised.

A large group of people including the Madam and maidservants walked toward the inner courtyard.

Madam Sun, who was accompanying Wang Ruofu, looked at the Old Madam and said:

"Aunt, being able to invite you here, this little rabbit Xu Zaijing finally did one right thing."

The Old Madam nodded, looking at Madam Sun whose temperament had changed for the better, and said with appreciation in her eyes: "This old woman coming here has caused you trouble."

"How could that be, Aunt!"

"You coming, my heart is truly blooming with joy!"

Looking at the sincere look in Madam Sun's eyes, the Old Madam nodded and said: "How long has Hua'er been in labor?"

Wang Ruofu on the other side looked over with full concern.

Madam Sun said: "It's been more than an hour."

On the way, Madam Sun also said a few words to Changbai.

As they talked, everyone arrived at Zaihang's courtyard.

As soon as they entered the courtyard, listening to the painful groans in the room, Wang Ruofu walked quickly to the door with Liu Mama's support and shouted:

"Hua'er, Hua'er, Mother is here!"

"Your grandmother is also here!"

Zaihang on the side hurriedly bowed: "Seen Mother-in-law."

Wang Ruofu turned her head and smiled.

The voice of Hualan came from inside the room: "Ah? Mother? Grandmother is here?"

Wang Ruofu: "Here!"

The Old Madam held Madam Sun's hand and walked slowly to the door, saying: "Hua'er, Grandmother is here!"

"Grandmother~ Ah!"

Listening to the painful groans inside, the Old Madam sighed, then turned her head and smiled at Madam Sun.

Madam Sun pointed to the room on the side:

"Aunt, sit down and rest first!"

"Sister-in-law..."

Wang Ruofu nodded, but still stood outside the door.

The Old Madam said: "Hua'er's mother, we have all given birth to children; Hua'er is having her first child, it won't end in a while, come over."

After sitting down in the side room with the door wide open, looking at Wang Ruofu who was sitting and standing, the Old Madam said to Madam Sun: "Pity the parents of the world."

Madam Sun said: "Aunt, before when Ping'er gave birth to Xing-ge'er, I was even more anxious than sister-in-law!"

At this moment, Xie Shi led Xu Xingdai over.

Looking at the people in the room, Xu Xingdai bowed naively and said: "Seen Aunt Grand-Madam."

Xie Shi on the side also bowed: "Seen Aunt-Madam."

The Old Madam beckoned to Xu Xingdai with a smile.

Xu Xingdai looked at his mother and grandmother, then walked over.

After holding Xu Xingdai, the Old Madam skillfully took off a jade ring and put it in Xu Xingdai's hand, saying: "Dai-ge'er, this is a gift from Aunt Grand-Madam!"

Madam Sun and Xie Shi hurriedly stepped forward to stop her, but were blocked by the Old Madam saying it was a first meeting gift for her great-nephew.

Wang Ruofu, standing at the door, saw Xu Xingdai in the room, smiled, and then continued to pray with her hands together.

In the side room, Xu Zaijing and Changbai stood together; whenever Hualan's painful groans came, Changbai's worried brows would wrinkle deeper.

Sensing Xu Zaijing's gaze, Changbai turned his head, and Xu Zaijing said: "Changbai, rest assured! Hualan sister will be safe."

When Changbai nodded,

Wang Ruofu at the door said: "Husband, you are here!"

A figure appeared.

Sheng Hong, still wearing his official uniform, looked at the people in the side room and hurriedly bowed: "Sister-in-law, Mother."

Xu Zaijing, Changbai, Xie Shi, and other younger generations hurriedly bowed and greeted him.

Madam Sun stood up and said: "Brother-in-law, come, sit down quickly!"

Sheng Hong nodded in response and sat down on a chair in the side room.

Looking at Wang Ruofu's appearance, Sheng Hong glanced at Changbai on the side and said: "Bo'er, your mother is just unable to stay calm; with sister-in-law here, what is she nervous about!"

Before long, Zaihang walked to the door and bowed: "Father-in-law."

Sheng Hong nodded and said: "Zaihang, don't worry, sit down and rest."

Zaihang nodded, stood for a while, and then went to stand at the door of the delivery room.

Hualan in the room groaned in pain from time to time.

Changbai, standing beside his father, saw Sheng Hong's official uniform sleeve resting on the chair armrest shaking.

Changbai, who noticed the gaze, turned his head and happened to see Xu Zaijing smiling and nodding at him.

An hour later,

Madam Sun looked at the appearance of Sheng Hong and Wang Ruofu and said a few words in Dan Mama's ear.

Soon, Physician Ren came to the door of the side room.

Madam Sun asked a few questions.

"Old Madam, Master Sheng, ladies, the Second Madam's fetus is in the correct position, and her body is also good, please rest assured!"

After speaking, Physician Ren returned to the delivery room.

After another three-quarters of an hour, a loud cry resounded through Zaihang's courtyard.

Hearing the cry, everyone in the side room stood up.

Soon, Cuichan, who was binding her sleeves with a sash, came to the door of the side room with a smile and shouted: "Born!"

Wang Ruofu walked over and looked straight at Cuichan, asking: "Is it a boy or a girl?"

Sheng Hong also stood up involuntarily.

Cuichan bowed while looking at the people in the side room and shouted: "Old Madam, Madam, Eldest Madam! It's a young master!"

Wang Ruofu, who instantly breathed a sigh of relief, tightly held Liu Mama's hand, nodded with a smile on her mouth, and then glanced at the people in the side room.

Madam Sun smiled: "Reward! Reward them all!"

The Old Madam also breathed a sigh of relief; having a boy with the first child, Hualan's mentality would be much more relaxed for whatever she gives birth to later.

Mamas Fang and Cui also looked at each other and smiled.

Sheng Hong, who stood up, sat back down and pretended to be relaxed: "I said so! I don't know what your mother was nervous about!"

The maidservants and midwives cleaned the delivery room.

Wang Ruofu in front, Madam Sun supporting Sheng Old Madam behind, walked into the room.

Hualan, who was somewhat exhausted, looked at the people in the room and smiled and greeted them.

Wang Ruofu ignored the embroidered stool, knelt directly in front of Hualan's bed, and said happily: "Hua'er, well done, it's a young master!"

After speaking, Wang Ruofu looked at her daughter with a tired face and hair stuck to her forehead, her nose sour, her lips pursed, and her eyes full of tears.

Hualan nodded with a smile, then lightly raised her palm to help Wang Ruofu wipe her tears.

Madam Sun, standing behind, said: "Hualan, you've worked hard."

Hualan smiled: "Mother-in-law, has the Master seen the child?"

Madam Sun said with a laugh: "Seen, and even cried."

Hualan blinked in confusion.

The Old Madam didn't speak, just stood on the side, looking at Hualan with a kind face, full of relief.

After talking for a while, Physician Ren on the side said softly: "Second Madam is very tired, it's better to let her rest."

Wang Ruofu wiped her eyes: "Right, right, right!"

Madam Sun glanced at the Old Madam and said: "Aunt, I and the Madam will go out, will you have a few words with Hualan?"

The Old Madam pondered for a while and nodded.

Afterwards, Madam Sun signaled Physician Ren, and everyone in the room retreated.

The Old Madam walked to Hualan's bed, sat on the embroidered stool, and looked at Hualan as if she couldn't see enough.

Hualan smiled and said: "Grandmother, one lift and got a boy!"

The Old Madam also nodded with a smile and teased in a low voice: "Hmm, your mother-in-law... is going to share your Xu family business shares again."

Hualan was stunned and somewhat shy and annoyed: "Grandmother~"

Sheng Hong and his wife were invited by Madam Sun to the reception hall to drink tea.

Looking at the Old Madam coming out of the room, Xu Zaijing said:

"Aunt Grand-Madam, let's go for a walk in the courtyard!"

Hearing Xu Zaijing's words, Fang Mama's eyes lit up, and the corners of her mouth couldn't help but curl up.

The Old Madam looked at Xu Zaijing's appearance of offering a treasure and smiled: "Good!"

Walking out of Zaihang's courtyard, Xu Zaijing held the Old Madam's arm and pointed to the side: "Aunt Grand-Madam, that is the courtyard of the Eldest Young Master."

The Old Madam nodded.

As they talked, everyone continued to walk forward.

"Aunt Grand-Madam, here is the Qiongzhi Pavilion of the Eldest Sister and the courtyard of the Second Sister."

"I heard from Father that before the two aunts were married, the courtyards were separated; before, it was one courtyard."

As he spoke, Xu Zaijing raised his chin, and Qingcao, who followed, opened the courtyard gate of Qiongzhi Pavilion.

Everyone entered the courtyard together.

Fang Mama, who followed the Old Madam, was moved by the scene; looking at the swing in the courtyard, she raised the corners of her mouth with emotion, not knowing whether to cry or laugh.

The Old Madam looked at the main room roof with nostalgia; there were exquisite carvings and decorations on the main ridge of the roof.

Not knowing what she thought of, the Old Madam shook her head with a smile.

Looking at the changed courtyard, the Old Madam said: "Let's go, let's go for a walk elsewhere."

Afterwards, everyone walked out of the courtyard.

When they arrived at the courtyard gate, the Old Madam looked back at the roof again, as if she saw the scene of her gambling on the roof when she was a child, and her father carefully coming up to coax her down.

The Old Madam smiled gently.

Everyone walked out of the courtyard,

and saw a cat with a golden bell walking comfortably; there was no bell sound during the movement, obviously the bell tongue had been removed.

After seeing Xu Zaijing, the cat immediately turned and climbed the tree.

This cat was the dowry of Xu Zaijing's sister-in-law, naturally it wouldn't leave the Xu family with Anmei; accompanying Anmei were two newborn cats.

On the way, Xu Zaijing pointed to a certain place from time to time, saying it was repaired by people sent by his righteous brother's maternal grandfather's family.

After walking around again, passing through the corner gate and the corridor,

Xu Zaijing accompanied the Old Madam to the vicinity of the horse racing track. 【349-23

"Great-aunt, those inside are a few falcons sent by our relatives."

Xu Zaijing watched the Old Madam's gaze as she looked toward the racetrack, and he did not continue speaking.

After walking for a while, they arrived at the wooden railing of the racetrack.

Watching the dragon horse that Alan had led over, fully saddled and bridled, the Old Madam very skillfully scratched the dragon horse's neck and fed it some fruit.

Looking into the dragon horse's eyes, the Old Madam said to Xu Zaijing, "This horse looks intelligent just by its gaze."

Xu Zaijing said, "Great-aunt, why don't you give it a try?"

The Old Madam shook her head and said, "I am old, and I am not wearing riding clothes either."

"Great-aunt, you are not old, and the dragon horse is very obedient."

As Xu Zaijing spoke, the dragon horse affectionately rubbed against the Old Madam's palm.

This action made the Old Madam freeze for a moment.

Fang Mama, who was to the side, said, "Old Madam, go for a ride. It has been a long time since I saw you ride a horse on the racetrack."

The Old Madam cast her gaze over the racetrack, then looked at the dragon horse and Xu Zaijing and the others, saying, "Alright! This old woman will give it a try!"

(End of this chapter)