Chapter 696: One Request to Get a Son

Rongguo Mansion, Fengjie's Courtyard.

The sky was clear blue, a light summer breeze blew, the sun was bright, and the sycamore tree at the root of the west wall of the courtyard was lush with leaves.

Every leaf on the treetop, under the reflection of the bright sun, appeared exceptionally green and translucent, full of vigorous vitality.

Behind the pink oil big shadow wall, shadows flickered on the windows of the three-room hall.

The row of Chinese roses placed at the root of the window suddenly bloomed in competition this morning, red, yellow, and white, appearing very gorgeous and lively.

Maids and old women were carrying hot water and towels, shuttling in and out of the veranda doors, and everyone's expression was very nervous.

Inside the room, Wang Xifeng was groaning in pain, and from time to time, she let out shrill screams.

In the courtyard, Wu'er and Ping'er were standing, both looking uneasy; every time they heard Wang Xifeng scream, both their pretty faces would turn pale.

Early this morning, a maid from Wang Xifeng's courtyard ran to report to Wu'er.

The second young lady woke up in the morning and complained of abdominal pain; at first, she didn't care, but later she saw the situation was wrong, as if she was about to give birth.

Now the courtyard was a bit chaotic, and Ping'er sister had already asked Lin Zhixiao's wife to invite a midwife.

It was just that the second young lady was shouting fiercely, and Ping'er sister asked Miss Liu to go over to manage things together.

Wu'er understood this in her heart; Ping'er was also a big girl who hadn't experienced things, so she hadn't seen this kind of posture, and she estimated that she was scared in her heart and pulled her over to build courage.

It wasn't until Lin Zhixiao invited two good midwives from the Divine Capital that the chaos in Fengjie's courtyard subsided.

The two midwives drove Wu'er and Ping'er out of the room, letting them wait outside, and Ping'er asked a maid to report to Rongqing Hall.

At this time, Wang Xifeng's shrill scream came from the room again.

Wu'er couldn't help but shiver, her little face turned pale, wanting to run away, but feeling it was inappropriate.

She asked: "Why is the second young lady making such a big noise? She is screaming so miserably; how long has it been? How much pain must she be in?"

Ping'er also looked terrified and said: "Aren't women raising children all like this? I've heard a lot in the past, but I didn't know clearly before; seeing it today, it's so scary."

Just then, footsteps sounded at the courtyard gate, and Jia Mu arrived with maids and old women; hearing Wang Xifeng's movement in the room, her expression was also a bit nervous.

However, Jia Mu had seen too many birth scenes and wouldn't make a fuss like Wu'er and Ping'er.

She asked: "How long has Feng Yatou been like this?"

Ping'er said: "Returning to Jia Mu, from the time she complained of abdominal pain in the morning until now, it has been an hour."

Jia Mu said: "This is still okay, it's not time yet; wait another hour and see."

Hearing Jia Mu speak lightly, Wu'er and Ping'er were even more terrified; the second young lady was in so much pain, it turned out that less than half had passed...

Seeing the two faces turn pale, Jia Mu smiled lightly and said: "You are all little girls who haven't seen the real deal; what is there to be afraid of?"

"Don't panic, I'm here; women have to go through this trip, and you won't be able to avoid it in the future; seeing the world has its benefits."

Yuanyang found a shady place under the sycamore tree and asked a little maid to move a circle chair, letting Jia Mu sit steadily and wait.

This kind of news about giving birth spread extremely fast in big mansions; not long after, Lady Wang also heard the news and arrived.

Hearing Wang Xifeng's screams in the room, her face was calm, and the Buddhist beads in her hand kept turning.

She said: "Jia Mu, Feng Yatou's movement sounds normal; she is a first-time mother after all, and she will always toss a bit."

Jia Mu replied: "What you said is reasonable; a woman's first birth is the most difficult; after passing this hurdle, it will be fine in the future."

Although Jia Mu said this, it was just words to fit the scene.

Her eldest grandson, Jia Lian, was originally a young master of a big family, pampered and spoiled since childhood, enjoying all the glory and wealth.

Now he was reduced to being exiled to Liaodong for fifteen years; that was a bitter and cold place with wind and snow, and after fifteen years, she didn't know what he would become.

Therefore, in Jia Mu's mind, this was the only child Wang Xifeng would have in her life.

But after all, Jia Lian was the eldest grandson of the eldest branch of the Jia family; even though Jia Cong of the eldest branch now inherited the family business, Jia Lian's status in the Jia family was hard to ignore.

Jia Mu was this kind of old-fashioned woman, and she valued the eldest legitimate great-grandson of the eldest branch very much, hoping in her heart that Wang Xifeng would give birth to a son to add some blessings to the family.

Lady Wang came to see Baoyu today; Baoyu injured his knee some time ago, and although Caiyun and Xi Ren entered the room, it was inconvenient.

Now Baoyu's knee was healed, so Lady Wang came to see if the son's room was smooth, and whether Xi Ren and Caiyun were serving attentively.

It was just that she had just entered the West Mansion when she heard the news of Wang Xifeng's birth, so she couldn't care about seeing her son and first turned to Fengjie's courtyard to see the movement.

Now the second branch had already lived in the East Road Courtyard, but Lady Wang was an extremely strong woman, still so ambitious.

Even if the threshold of the West Mansion didn't face the East Road Courtyard, as long as there was any movement in the two mansions, she always had to carefully weigh it to see if it would hinder the second branch's future.

Originally, Jia Cong hadn't inherited the family business, and the second branch was still the main house in charge of the West Mansion, and Wang Xifeng was still her own niece.

She was very defensive and taboo about whether the eldest branch gave birth to offspring.

Because according to the family rules passed down from the old Duke, the eldest branch inherited the title, and the second branch inherited the mansion; she wished the eldest branch would have no offspring from then on, and the title would fall to the second branch in the future.

Fortunately, Jia Lian and Wang Xifeng had been married for many years and had no offspring, which made Lady Wang very satisfied, and she was relieved to let this couple run errands and work for her.

She never expected Jia Cong to rise suddenly, occupy all the family property, and squeeze the second branch into the East Road Courtyard.

Although the eldest branch having no offspring had become a delusion, Jia Cong was already of such an age and had a prominent official title, and there were women in his room, so there would definitely be many offspring in the future.

Although Lady Wang was jealous, with her strong nature, the second branch couldn't be worse than the top, but must have more than the bottom.

Moreover, in a big family, the eldest legitimate great-grandson of the eldest branch had an unusual status, and she didn't want Wang Xifeng to steal this limelight.

She hoped Wang Xifeng would give birth to a girl, or of course, it would be better if she couldn't give birth at all...

Her Baoyu was getting married at the end of the year, and then he could add a legitimate grandson for the second branch; in terms of prosperous offspring, the second branch could always suppress the eldest branch, which was also a pride.

Just when Lady Wang was ambitious about giving birth, footsteps sounded at the courtyard gate.

Only to see Yingchun enter the courtyard with two maids, followed by two old women.

After washing her hair to celebrate the festival in the morning, she was talking to Jia Cong and Xing Xiuyan in the courtyard.

Not long after, Daiyu, Tan Chun, and other sisters came to visit, and the courtyard became even more lively; the news of Wang Xifeng's birth just happened to come from the West Mansion.

Jia Cong was a male and it was inconvenient for him to show his face, and Daiyu, Tan Chun, and other young ladies waiting to be married naturally shouldn't go around.

Although Yingchun was also a boudoir girl, she was now the managing young lady of the East Mansion, and her status was somewhat different, so she had to replace the East Mansion and her own brother to go around with etiquette.

As soon as she entered the courtyard, she heard Wang Xifeng's huge movement, and her pretty face flushed red; she went over to pay her respects to Jia Mu.

She said: "Jia Mu, today is Feng sister's happy event; although Third brother is in the mansion, it is inconvenient for males to go around, so I came to see on his behalf."

"I also brought two experienced old women from the East Mansion; they are all experienced people; if Jia Mu thinks they are useful, just use them."

Jia Mu smiled: "You are also a young lady; having this intention is very good; you don't lose the face of a managing young lady of a big mansion."

"Cong Ge'er is blessed to have you as an elder sister; the etiquette inside and outside is not a bit off; it is truly rare; when I was young, although I was clever, I wasn't much stronger than you."

"If Cong Ge'er marries a wife in the future and has half your sensibility and capability, I will be satisfied."

Hearing Jia Mu praise Yingchun so much, Lady Wang felt very uncomfortable; this second girl was just a concubine's daughter without a foundation, and she was worth Jia Mu raising her so high.

If it weren't for that boy in the East Mansion who loved to protect his own and spent all his efforts to give his sister face, this second girl whose parents were not complete wouldn't even be wanted by a matchmaker.

Lady Wang felt depressed in her heart; it was also that her second branch was not striving, and there wasn't a young lady who satisfied her to support the scene inside and outside...

Yingchun, Wu'er, and other young girls heard Wang Xifeng's wailing and were all terrified.

Jia Mu just chatted; she had seen too many births and didn't take the scene in front of her seriously.

Time passed bit by bit; Jia Mu asked Yuanyang how much time had passed, and Yuanyang said it was almost an hour.

At this time, Wang Xifeng's voice in the room became shrill, and then a loud cry of an infant came out...

Jia Mu, Yingchun, and the others were all happy; after all, a woman giving birth was a life-and-death hurdle, and the child being born smoothly was a great joy.

Just then, a midwife walked out of the room, smiling and saying to Jia Mu: "Congratulations to Jia Mu, the mansion has added a daughter."

Hearing this news, Jia Mu had a moment of disappointment on her face...

But soon she was full of smiles and said: "That's great; I like girls; it's auspicious and smooth."

Yingchun smiled: "Jia Mu has many blessings and longevity; this is another great-granddaughter; what a good thing."

Jia Mu smiled: "It's still the second girl who knows how to speak; now Lian'er also has bloodline, and the Jia family's descendants are prosperous."

"Go back and tell your brother that he should add a color to me that day; it would be better than any filial piety."

Hearing that Wang Xifeng gave birth to a girl, Lady Wang felt a bit happy in her heart; hearing Jia Mu and Yingchun's words, she felt a bit of mockery in her heart.

Feng Yatou gave birth to a girl, not the eldest legitimate great-grandson; Jia Mu and the second girl were raising her up, deceiving no one but themselves.

When my Baoyu gets married at the end of the year, that Xia girl has a well-proportioned figure, beautiful appearance, and looks like a material that is easy to bear children.

When the time comes, my Baoyu will get a son at the first request; Jia Mu has always loved Baoyu, and if Baoyu has a son, Jia Mu will be so happy.

By that time, the second branch's descendants will be prosperous, and they will finally be proud once.

No need to be like now, clearly a money-losing girl, Jia Mu still has to save face in front of people, pretending to be extremely happy, which is so awkward.

After the maids and old women cleaned the delivery room carefully and burned high-quality sandalwood and borneol to disperse the bloody smell of production.

Jia Mu and Yingchun and the others entered the room to visit and saw Wang Xifeng's face as pale as paper, her expression a bit dejected.

Seeing Jia Mu, she said: "Jia Mu, your granddaughter-in-law is useless and didn't add a great-grandson for you."

Jia Mu smiled: "What are you saying? You are a girl, stronger than a man by three points; how is it not good?"

"In my life, I have raised sons, daughters, grandsons, and granddaughters; the most intimate ones are not boys, but girls."

"From your Lin sister's mother, to your Lin sister, the eldest girl, the second girl, the third girl, each one is my favorite."

"You are such a capable woman; the girl you gave birth to will only be stronger than them; what else are you dissatisfied with?"

"Our Jia family girls are precious; you can rest assured; not only will I love and dote on them, but there will be plenty of people to cherish them, and they won't suffer in the future."

Yingchun smiled: "Jia Mu is right; girls are lovable."

"Not to mention Jia Mu likes them, Third brother has always loved girls most, and he will definitely dote on her in the future."

Jia Mu smiled: "These words are reasonable; everyone knows Cong Ge'er treasures his sisters and maids most."

"Ask him to come over and see the rarity; now that the child is born, there is no need for those taboos."

Wu'er hurriedly smiled and went to the East Mansion to report the good news; not long after, Jia Cong brought Daiyu, Tan Chun, and other sisters to visit.

Seeing that Wang Xifeng really gave birth to a daughter, and she happened to be born on the 7th day of the 7th month, it was truly not a bit off, and he couldn't help but be surprised and sigh in his heart.

He looked at the baby girl in the swaddling clothes; although the newborn child still had her eyes closed and couldn't see her appearance in the future,

But the lines of her nose and corners of her mouth were vaguely in the shape of Wang Xifeng, already revealing a bit of beauty; this was Qiaojie.

Jia Cong naturally wouldn't say this name; he didn't know if there would really be a village woman to give this child this name in the future.

Even if because of his appearance, many things had changed beyond recognition, and everything seemed to enter a brand-new branch.

But some things that were not affected by him still stubbornly ran along the original track...

Seeing Daiyu and other sisters surrounding the child, each laughing and playing, chattering, their expressions and words all showing love, but no one dared to touch her.

Seeing Jia Cong standing on the side, staring at the child without blinking, his expression showing strange novelty, and it seemed there was a kind of inexplicable exclamation...

Wang Xifeng's heart moved slightly; although she gave birth to a girl and was inevitably disappointed, it was her own flesh and blood after all, and also a lifelong sustenance and reliance.

Now her husband Jia Lian was exiled for fifteen years; by the time he returned, she didn't know if his hair and beard would be white.

Now that she had an extra daughter, it was an extra burden and worry; for mother and daughter to live peacefully in the Jia family for a long time, the biggest reliance had to be Jia Cong.

Wang Xifeng smiled: "Third brother has always pitied girls most; the sisters have been pampered by you like pearls and treasures; now that there is an extra niece, you must also care for and love her more."

Jia Cong smiled: "Second sister-in-law, rest assured, I will definitely love this little niece; how about I hold her?"

Jia Mu smiled: "You are a boy who hasn't married; how would you know how to hold a child? Newborn children are delicate; there are requirements for holding them."

Daiyu, Tan Chun, and other sisters on the side had long been eager to try, but no one dared to do it.

Hearing Jia Cong ask to hold her, each pair of bright eyes shone, all full of expectation.

Jia Cong smiled: "I've seen others hold them; it's very proper, there won't be any mistakes."

At this time, the child was being held by an old woman beside Fengjie; Jia Cong reached out, and the old woman looked at Fengjie.

Wang Xifeng nodded; only to see Jia Cong circle with his left arm, letting the child's head rest on his arm.

He used his palm to support the child's waist and back, and his right hand circled, holding her very steadily.

The child was originally sleeping soundly; when she was turned over, she didn't wake up at all and was still sleeping sweetly.

The old woman smiled: "A child who just landed is not used to being held; when turned over, they are very sensitive and mostly cry."

"The Count holds her and she doesn't cry or make trouble; truly a capable person who knows everything; the Count is still so young, yet holds the child more maturely than us."

Jia Mu smiled at Wang Xifeng: "Sure enough, he knows how to hold a child; look, didn't I say that our family's girls always have someone to love them?"

Seeing Jia Cong holding that girl, his expression very curious and happy, and Wang Xifeng looking at him with a smile,

Lady Wang felt very disdainful in her heart; the people of the eldest branch were all means of hypocrisy.

Feng Yatou tossed for half a day and only gave birth to a worthless girl, yet she still had to use it to pull and get close to this boy; she truly didn't want her own face.

Because Lady Wang found it an eyesore, she couldn't sit anymore, found an excuse to leave Fengjie's courtyard, and went to Baoyu's courtyard to stroll.

She hadn't even walked to the gate of Baoyu's courtyard when suddenly Qiu Wen rushed out from the side, which gave her a fright.

She frowned and said: "You girl, not serving well by Baoyu's side, why are you running around here?"

Qiu Wen said: "I just saw Seeing Cai Xia go to the second master's room, so I knew the mistress came to the West Mansion to stroll today."

"Because the mistress hasn't come for some days, I have some words I want to report to the mistress, and it hasn't been convenient."

"Today I knew the mistress came, so I specially waited here for the mistress."

Lady Wang knew Qiu Wen's nature; she would often gossip in her ear, so she didn't value her in her heart, feeling she wasn't as loyal and sensible as Xi Ren.

But she never scolded or disliked Qiu Wen, and even gave her a few good words, letting her serve herself wholeheartedly, because she also needed eyes and ears in Baoyu's room.

Lady Wang asked: "What words do you have? Just tell me; I am not in the West Mansion daily, and Baoyu also needs someone loyal like you by his side."

Hearing this, Qiu Wen became even more spirited and became even more outspoken.

She was a maid with thoughts of getting ahead, hoping that after she pleased her a few times, Lady Wang would reward her to Baoyu to sleep, just like she assigned Caiyun.

Qiu Wen said: "If this matter is to be mentioned, it was the day the second master asked Xi Ren to go to the East Mansion to visit the third young lady's injury."

Hearing this, Lady Wang felt unhappy.

The third girl was beaten by her family law, and her son didn't care about her face and went to visit that girl; he was also a person without spirit.

Qiu Wen continued: "Xi Ren went to visit the third young lady with good intentions, but no one in the East Mansion gave her face, clearly looking down on our second branch."

"When Xi Ren went over, she met Cong Sanye Cong in the third young lady's room; the third master said a lot of crooked words about the second master, and the meaning was very unpleasant."

"Xi Ren was worried that if she told the second master, the second master would be angry and make trouble."

"She was also afraid of the third master's power now and didn't dare to get involved, so she hid all these words."

"She only talked about it privately with She Yue, and She Yue instigated her to hide it even from the mistress."

"But I think the mistress should know these words, in case something happens, it's good to be prepared..."

Actually, when Xi Ren and She Yue talked privately that day, Qiu Wen wasn't the last to come, but had been hiding on the side, hearing everything.

It was just that Lady Wang didn't come to the West Mansion every day, so she never had the chance to pass the small words.

Today, seeing Caiyun get on Baoyu's bed and immediately form a party with Xi Ren, and the two going out to talk privately, made Qiu Wen very envious and jealous.

Now, the maids in Baoyu's room, Xi Ren and Caiyun, had already slept properly, and this rotten goods Bihun had also been messed with by the second master privately a few times.

She Yue was smart and capable, her mouth was as sharp as a knife, and no one bought her account, and no one could afford to offend her.

Among them, she actually became the bottom goods; such an enterprising maid like Qiu Wen naturally couldn't stand this kind of humiliation and dreamed of how to climb up.

She happened to hear Xi Ren and She Yue's topic, how could she not come to Lady Wang to show her loyalty.

Thus, she told Lady Wang everything Jia Cong said to Xi Ren that day...

After hearing Qiu Wen's words, Lady Wang was already pale with anger, as if her scars had been uncovered, and she felt unspeakable grievance and anger.

She couldn't help but curse: "He actually dared to say these faceless words; it's truly unreasonable!"

Lady Wang not only hated Jia Cong for being so unreasonable, using such unpleasant words to lecture Baoyu.

She blamed Xi Ren, whom she favored, for being so muddled and useless, listening to such words and not daring to make a sound, losing all the face of the second branch.

And that dead girl She Yue, who usually looked like a smart and capable person, didn't expect her heart to be so cunning, actually instigating Xi Ren to deceive her master... (End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 697 =====