Chapter 86: and translation of title, then ===GLOSSARY=== with list of named entities appearing in these lines

Transmigrated into a Cat 7 (Mother is a Female Dao Novel Female Lead)

In order to conceive a child as soon as possible, Mu Dan visited a doctor to regulate her body and obtain medicine, then began drinking the bitter medicinal decoction.

Every time she had to take the medicine, seeing the servant girl bring the decoction, Mu Dan reflexively wanted to vomit, but for the sake of her future she still forced herself to suppress that discomfort, picked up the medicine and drank it.

image notice: translate as described.

Mu Dan struggled to endure it, after all, if she vomited she would have to drink it again, which would be even more painful.

Seeing this, Tao Hua felt like she herself wanted to vomit; she really didn't understand— for a man, is all this torment necessary?

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When the madam was young, she was in Pingjin City, she remained unemotional and unmoved, desperately earning money to buy her freedom; when she grew older and had enough money, she went to Pomegranate Flower Town and opened the Joyful Red House.

We need to keep "Pingjin City" translated as "Pingjin City"? It's not in the glossary; we translate the meaning as "Pingjin City". "Pomegranate Flower Town" is in the glossary: Pomegranate Flower Town. "Joyful Red House": Joyful Red House.

This has been going on for over ten years; although her reputation is not good, whenever she brushes past people they spit and call her dirty, but she can eat fish and meat every day and drink a little liquor, living far better than those who spit at her.

In Tao Hua's view, the Luo family is actually not a good place to go.

The Luo family matriarch has become a miser to the extreme; it's said she even drives her granddaughter to work, all in the name of not allowing laziness; moreover, Xu Shi is confined so tightly she dare not leave the gate, it's said she only has a few pieces of clothing and jewelry, and even the money Luo Second Master spends on Mu Dan exceeds hers.

We need to keep names: Luo Lao Tai Tai (matriarch), Xu Shi, Luo Jia Ming (Luo Second Master). Use glossary forms.

Perhaps once Mu Dan enters the household, Luo Second Master might instead think she's not worth the money and not want to spend on her.

Even if Luo Second Master were willing, the stingy Luo matriarch probably wouldn't agree.

After all, Mu Dan used to be outside, the matriarch couldn't control her; but once she becomes a concubine of the Luo family, the matriarch can righteously manage her, and when she recalls how Mu Dan once lured Luo Second Master away from home, the matriarch will surely want to discipline her—there are plenty of ways in the inner chambers to deal with disobedient women.

Putting it that way, it might be better not to enter at all—wife is inferior to concubine, concubine inferior to external lover, external lover inferior to stealing, stealing inferior to not being able to steal.

Mu Dan raised her hand, stained red with cinnabar, placed a candied plum in her mouth, suppressing the strange taste.

"You don't understand." Mu Dan's beautiful face was utterly fatigued; the medicine is three parts poison, after removing her makeup one could see her complexion was much worse than before, looking several years older than before she put on makeup.

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"I also want a son." Mu Dan rested her chin, her eyes dim in the lamp light, "A woman's youth fades faster than you imagine; in a few years I'll be thirty, and a thirty-year-old woman in a commoner's household can already be a grandmother…… As courtesans we strive to keep our figures, our bodies deteriorate faster than ordinary people's; those who live past forty are as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns."

Few can live to such an age like the madam; she also has no recourse—if she doesn't become a merchant's concubine she can only continue to mingle in the red-light district, and after death she won't even have anyone to perform rites for her, which is also pitiful.

Her gaze shifted slightly, "As for the Luo matriarch you mentioned, fearing she might mistreat me? The precondition is that I must be able to enter the Luo family's gate! Only if I have a son……"

As long as she has a son, the Luo matriarch will only pamper her—who would dare to mistreat her?

Even if the Luo matriarch dared, Luo Jia Ming would protect his son's mother, and moreover Mu Dan is not someone to be provoked—how could she fear an inner-chamber elderly woman?

For the sake of a son, Mu Dan has become obsessed, her fingers clenched tightly on the windowsill, veins bulging on her hands.

Yet she felt nothing at all, murmuring, "As long as I bear Jia Ming's child……"

This child would not only bring her wealth and honor, but also change her fate, allowing her to escape this dust‑filled life of selling smiles, and let her enjoy rich fare in the Luo household……

She does not want to end up like the madam, with no one to perform rites after her death, becoming a lonely wandering ghost.

Tao Hua watched, secretly shocked; she had heard that Luo Second Master's wife at home constantly chants for a son day and night, yet she didn't expect Mu Dan to also become obsessed. Over these years, many women have been involved with Luo Second Master, but only his wife Xu Shi has borne a few daughters; she simply doesn't believe other women would have no thoughts about bearing the Luo family's heir.

Therefore, this problem definitely lies with Luo Second Master; perhaps he is destined to have no offspring.

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Since Xu Shi was punished by the Luo matriarch to go to the ancestral hall to eat vegetarian food, chant Buddha, and pick Buddha beans, the Luo household's inner quarters have become much quieter.

Si Ya can already walk, she is especially lively and active; the three older sisters need to take turns watching her, lest a moment's inattention let her wander off without anyone knowing where she went.

Even Jiang He the cat has been entrusted with an important task, helping to look after Si Ya when everyone is busy.

The little infant is very enthusiastic about the cat, smearing saliva all over the grown Three-Colored Cat's body, her two small hands gently kneading its fur.

Jiang He the cat lay there with a listless expression, watching its own fur flutter in the breeze.

Human infants understand nothing; where can they reason?

Da Ya saw this and couldn't help but puff out a laugh, "You all see Hua Hua's expression—it's just like a person's."

San Ya quickly rescued the Three-Colored Cat from the little sister's hands, "Hua Hua is very well-behaved, especially good at taking care of children."

Seeing the cat gone, Si Ya instantly became upset, lunging forward still wanting to pet the cat; San Ya grabbed her chubby hand, helped her wipe it clean, and stuffed a date just knocked down from a tree into her palm—the little girl immediately stopped clinging to the cat and happily began gnawing the date.

"Our Hua Hua really was the right choice," Da Ya said with a smiling squint, thinking about having the cook buy more small fish.

Hua Hua loves dried small fish; she likes it baked, fried, and even more when deep‑fried—it seems she likes any fish meat.

The stir‑fried small fish are mildly spicy; she had thought Hua Hua couldn't eat them, but who knew she enjoyed them even more than San Ya did—person and cat each taking a strand, they polished off a big bowl of small fish as a snack, leaving nothing behind.

Da Ya felt the old saying was wrong—clearly cats are omnivores and can eat anything, fried food included; San Ya, who loves fish, enjoys sharing with the cat, and the mouths of person and cat together always end up oily and gleaming.

If the system knew Da Ya's thoughts, it would want to tell her that other cats certainly couldn't eat this way; the Three-Colored Cat's shell worn by the host is a product from the system mall, different from ordinary cats, so of course it can eat like this.

"San Ya, the name Hua Hua isn't really suitable," Er Ya said softly, "Hua Hua is male."

Since discovering Hua Hua is male, Er Ya has been continually thinking about this issue.

San Ya covered her little face, "I thought it was female; now I'm used to calling it that, and it's not easy to change the name." She turned her head toward the Three-Colored Cat, "Right, Hua Hua?"

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No, it felt that changing the name was a good idea; a real man should have a name that is mighty and vigorous.

After hearing this, San Ya indicated she understood, then turned to ask her sisters, "What should we rename it to?"

Da Ya had grown too lazy to ask her younger sister how she understood the cat's meaning; when this person and cat are together, she feels they can communicate.

She casually came up with a name: "How about Wang Cai?"

San Ya frowned, "Wang Cai is a dog's name."

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"Don't we have a servant in our household named Da Zhuang?"

"They say humble names are easy to raise; how about Gou Sheng? Zhu Dan? Niu Da Li?"

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Over there, Si Ya had finished eating her fruit, she flung her arms around the cat and said in a baby voice, "Cao Cao, Cao Cao."

Er Ya said, "Cao Cao? Not bad—where there are flowers there is grass."

San Ya thought the little sister's chosen name wasn't bad; she settled it with one blow: "From now on, that little flower will be called Luo Caocao—this is our Luo Family's cat, and it bears our surname."

Jiang He's cat: "……" Thank you, it actually prefers to be called Jiang Cao Cao.

Jiang He's cat is already hopeless about the naming skills of these girls.

Forget it, actually Cao Cao isn't bad; as long as you don't overinterpret it, it's a good name.

After giving the Three-Colored Cat a name, the sisters again talked about their mother.

Da Ya said anxiously, "I heard Chun Hua say that today they invited Doctor Zhang from the Spring Return Hall over."

Er Ya immediately asked, "Is Mother's health not good?"

Da Ya bit her lip, feeling sure it was because the grandmother had scolded the mother; the mother couldn't eat or sleep well in the ancestral hall—it would be strange if she didn't fall ill.

The sisters were really worried, so they took Si Ya to see Xu Shi.

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The old doctor stroked his beard and said, "Madam Luo's illness is worry‑induced…"

That is what is commonly known as lovesickness.

The old doctor, while writing the prescription, sighed inwardly, feeling that the affection between the Luo family's second master and his wife was truly deep; living under the same roof, they actually still suffers from lovesickness. They've been married for over ten years, right? That makes them an old couple; they have four children, and yet their affection is still this good—it's truly rare.

Da Ya and Er Ya felt especially sorry for their mother, thinking the grandmother had gone too far, actually locking the mother in the ancestral hall for over two months; their father was always leaving early and returning late, so although they lived under the same roof, they hardly ever saw each other.

Da Ya said, "Let's go find Father and have him look at Mother."

The two older girls had already gotten used to the idea that their father is the cure for their mother; as soon as he returns, she'll get better quickly.

San Ya then buried her face in the cat's thick fur, her feet seeming to stick to the ground.

She doesn't want to go; she's not like the clueless Da Ya and Er Ya, and she feels terribly embarrassed.

A young girl getting lovesickness could still be called a lovely tale, but this woman nearing thirty, whose eldest daughter could marry in a few years and soon become a grandmother, actually has her mind full of men…

Thinking about men aside, she can't even get up; her four daughters are as if she never gave birth, not even asking about them.

She doesn't want to admit that that's her mother.

The three-colored cat stretched out its paw and patted the little girl's head, also sighing in amazement.

Is this to say a woman remains a girl until death? A lifelong lovesick mind, even if it endures hardship without regret, only on her deathbed does she barely think of a few pitiful daughters…

Could it be that Xu Shi's brain is structured specially? Half of it is filled with water?

Seeing the two sisters about to go look for Father, San Ya hurriedly stopped them, "Go see Grandmother instead; if you go look for Father on your own, Grandmother might get angry."

She didn't want to see the two sisters scolded by Grandmother until they were bruised, so she could only weakly suggest a better idea.

Letting Xu Shi eat vegetarian and chant Buddha in the ancestral hall was Grandmother Luo's decision.

She never liked Xu Shi to begin with; her son opposing her for a woman's sake is the thing she despises most in her life, so she naturally won't blame her son, only the daughter-in-law. As for the granddaughters, actually siding with their mother against this grandmother's order is an even greater sin.

Originally, Grandmother didn't even like the granddaughters; if she gets angry, she might make them all kneel in the ancestral hall.

Er Ya's mind works slowly; she doesn't understand the difference between asking Grandmother and going to look for Father themselves.

On the other hand, Da Ya understood the key point; she slapped her forehead, "Exactly, we should see Grandmother!" She reassured Er Ya, "San Ya is so smart for her age, just like an adult."

San Ya blinked her eyes, then regained her childish innocence: "What did Big Sister say?"

Da Ya had already gotten used to San Ya sometimes acting like a child, sometimes like an adult.

Although it looks strange, they've prayed to this Buddha, hung the Peace Talisman around her neck, nothing happened, and San Ya hasn't had nightmares either; it seems fine.

In this day and age there was no talk of split personalities or the like, so she chalked it up to San Ya being exceptionally clever—clever people often have an unusual air.

Luo Jia Ming felt his heart stir; a woman as devoted and righteous as San Ya would miss her impoverished husband of two years so much, he supposed she would treat him the same.

He also plucked a wild fruit and popped it into his mouth; it was sweet and sour, just like his mood.

The madam hadn't expected Fang Dequan to be so capable; he had already become a squad leader in the bureau, and now he was famed there for his competence. Amid the war-torn chaos outside, Pomegranate Flower Town was like an isolated utopia, yet Fang Dequan still managed to arrest several revolutionaries, earning his brother-in-law praise from the higher bureau.

Joining the army was impossible—too dangerous; studying led nowhere, the court was gone, the civil service exams abolished, so they might as well go into business.

Longing for two women at once, he felt nothing wrong; he considered himself already chaste and self-respecting, wanting only to take two concubines.

It's all the newspapers' fault for preaching industrial salvation; his eldest son was led astray, which caused the trouble—if he had stayed in Pomegranate Flower Town, nothing would have happened, and he would still be alive and well.

The wild fruit was sweet with a hint of tart, very tasty; she smiled, her alluring eyes brimming with longing, 'That year, my late husband brought me back to the countryside and even picked a handful of wild fruit for me…'

Giving wild fruit alike, San Ya would be delighted, but Mu Dan would look reluctant; Luo Jia Ming understood this, for Mu Dan always loved fine clothes and jewelry, and though she came from the demimonde, she looked down on poor families.

It was rare for Luo Second Master to come over, and he tossed and turned all night.

Thus, seeing their second son idling his days away, the old couple never objected.

Speaking, she lowered her head bashfully.

They were also frightened; better to let him be an ordinary person, settle peacefully in Pomegranate Flower Town, raise a family, and live out his life steadily than to have white-haired parents bury their black-haired child.

Luo Grandfather's lofty ambitions vanished with the death of his eldest son.

From when their second son was young, she knew his mind wasn't as sharp as the eldest's, but she never imagined he would be such a fool.

Yet neither couple imagined that while transporting goods, their son would encounter a storm and die before even marrying.

At that time, Luo Grandfather gazed upon the nation's turmoil and could not see where the future lay.

It was this foolish woman who actually cared about his reputation, wronging herself by secretly seeing him.

Back then, how happy she was—she smiled all day long.

Luo Jia Ming absentmindedly tallied the accounts while pondering.

Luo Lao Tai Tai's eyebrows shot up: 'It's getting dark—should he go see friends or visit the Joyful Red House? Can't he do something proper?'

But being an ordinary person doesn't mean he'd be such a fool!

Since San Ya wouldn't keep Luo Jia Ming, after a meal he left.

A decent man never gives a second look to wanton maids, which deepened Xu Shi's esteem; she didn't think Luo Jia Ming disliked young girls and preferred mature women—she only knew his virtue was high, that he wasn't lecherous.

These days, overseas-educated talents rush to divorce their original wives upon returning home, regardless of whether the first wife can survive; even petty landowners with a couple of acres take many wives, but Luo Jia Ming's treatment of Xu Shi, though seen as utterly scummy by later generations, was considered responsible and decent in this era.

If he were gone, Mu Dan would likely immediately seek another man, while San Ya would probably weep herself to death, secretly mourning him for years.

Luo Lao Tai Tai brought over some snacks, found her son missing, and wondered aloud, 'Where is Jia Ming?'

She felt a flicker of delight, glanced around furtively, then quickly grabbed the second master and pulled him inside the house, fearing the neighbors might see.

He had been frequently visiting the Joyful Red House lately, feeling that his interactions with Mu Dan were close, and Mu Dan also gave him charming smiles, leading him to believe Mu Dan had already taken a liking to him; he never expected that as soon as the second master returned, Mu Dan would change completely.

He San Niang indeed liked it very much; she picked up a bright red wild fruit and popped it into her mouth.

Luo Lao Ye wore a cold expression as he handed over a ledger full of errors and omissions, saying, "Take a look—this is what he's been busy with."

Who would have thought, the second master still kept thinking of Mu Dan; he even spent the night at the Joyful Red House yesterday.

By the way, San Niang has already observed mourning for her deceased husband for two full years; she is about to end her mourning, and she had promised to give him ……

The elderly couple couldn't help but exchange a wry smile.

Although Luo Lao Tai Tai had a harsh appearance and was not kind to her daughter-in-law or granddaughter, she was indeed a capable wife who also kept the accounts.

It's impossible to take in two concubines at once; why not take just one? If it were Mu Dan, his parents wouldn't like her, but San Niang hasn't fallen into the world of prostitution; her only flaw is that she's been married once before.

Later, after the dynasty fell, the eldest son fell gravely ill from grief, nearly driving his parents to despair.

For a time, the Luo household enjoyed a very harmonious atmosphere.

Luo Jia Ming said, "I've been going to the countryside these days to collect rent; the villagers sent these wild fruits, they're awfully sweet, and thinking you like them, I picked a few extra……"

He San Niang had just returned when she saw the second master standing at the door.

After Luo Jia Ming returned to the Luo manor refreshed and clear‑headed, learning that Xu Shi had fallen lovesick from missing him, he grew even more smug.

Luo Lao Ye saw his son's behavior and was deeply disappointed.

"Second master, how did you come?"

Luo Jia Ming felt a warm flicker in his heart; if it were any other woman, she would surely want to flaunt their relationship to the world, using gossip as a way to gain entry into the Luo household.

Running an enterprise is just doing business; the Luo family is well versed in this, after all they have experience in trade; as long as the son doesn't grieve over state affairs, why not go into commerce?

The madam silently cursed, "Peonies, roses, peach blossoms — there are other lovely girls in my establishment; can't you stop fixating only on Mu Dan?"

Luo Jia Ming stayed at home, playing the lovey‑dovey couple with Xu Shi for two months, but then he could no longer tolerate her clinginess and began to miss He San Niang and Mu Dan.

Needless to say, Xu Shi somewhat understands her bed‑partner; her deep affection for Luo Jia Ming is also because, in this era, he can be called a 'good man'.

Xu Shi is easily appeased; as soon as Luo Jia Ming says a few sweet nothings, her lovesickness disappears at once.

Anyway, letting him look at the accounts is pointless; I'd have to redo them myself, and keeping them serves no purpose.

As Fang Dequan gained more and more power, even the madam dared not treat him perfunctorily.

Mu Dan didn't know he was coming from He San Niang's place; seeing him, she thought the second master had just returned from collecting rent in the countryside and come to see her, proving Luo Jia Ming's heart still lay with her, which made her tremble again.

Thinking of this, Xu Shi secretly rejoiced, feeling her husband was indeed different from those lust‑crazed men who would gladly take three wives, four concubines, and twelve maidservants, caring only for women's bodies and not what they think.

Luo Lao Tai Tai felt that Xu Shi shouldn't be let out; she should remain in the ancestral hall, eating vegetarian and chanting Buddha, making way for the son; otherwise, where would the newly arrived maid find a chance to seduce him?

Upon hearing this, Luo Jia Ming felt a sour ache; she again thought of her deceased husband, wondering if he had not been good enough to her.

Indeed, a man of such outstanding lineage and looks is destined to break women's hearts.

Now we can only pin our hopes on the next generation; we just hope for a grandson soon, while we're still young enough to raise him.

He had just returned from the countryside when he discovered that a small landowner with just two hundred mu of land had actually taken five or six concubines; the unfavored concubines couldn't even afford steamed white buns, and that small landowner still wanted to take a few more.

Every time he went to see Mu Dan, Luo Jia Ming found himself thinking only of San Niang.

She had previously worried something might happen, but it turned out Luo Jia Ming was simply too busy to find time to come to her.

The only one who was angry was Luo Lao Tai Tai, who scolded loudly in the house, "An old hen that can't lay eggs still puts on a maiden's airs; in two years your daughter will be of marriageable age—don't you have any shame?!"

Fortunately he was only despondent for a while, saying that serving as an official couldn't save the country and that he should go into business.

He considered himself quite knowledgeable about women, yet he didn't even realize that Mu Dan was merely playing along with him; this kind of woman presents a real challenge, whereas He San Niang's superficial, easy‑to‑handle type is just right for the second master.

She followed him around like a lovestruck maiden, and with Luo Jia Ming's half‑hearted sweet words, an outsider would think they were a loving couple.

Ancient emperors often took remarried women; even the mother of Liu Yezhu had married more than once, given birth to daughters, and yet still managed to bear a supreme emperor.

Luo Jia Ming was unaware of his father's disappointment; he set the calculated ledger aside, rose briskly, and said, "Father, a friend from the police bureau invited me for a drink—I won't be coming home tonight."

After looking at the ledger, she was suddenly stunned.

He San Niang turned her head, gave him a gentle smile, and said, "I only have two years of memories with my late husband; I hope to create longer‑lasting memories with you, and if we could grow old together……

To be frank, if the Luo family were under Luo Jia Ming's control, his parents' objections would be useless; she had already entered the Luo family.

San Niang hasn't even borne a child yet; her parents probably wouldn't object, right?

Upon hearing that, Luo Lao Tai Tai turned her face away, blinked, and blinked away the moisture in her eyes.

He doesn't just value a woman's body; he places greater importance on spiritual communion.

Since he and San Niang had that one night of passionate confusion, San Niang now refuses to let him touch her, saying she must observe mourning for her late husband for two years, and the time hasn't yet arrived.

Luo Jia Ming has completely forgotten his first wife Xu Shi back home; if it were Xu Shi, she would surely stay by his side for life.

After leaving He San Niang's place, Luo Jia Ming didn't want to go home either, so he went to find Mu Dan.

The madam gave an embarrassed laugh, "Master Fang, Mu Dan slept a little late last night……

Luo Lao Ye covered his eyes, hiding his disappointment, and said, "Go ahead."

Xu Shi feared Luo Lao Tai Tai, but she feared losing her husband's love even more, so she closed her eyes and pretended not to see the grandmother's stern old face.

Thinking of this, Luo Jia Ming couldn't sit still; the numbers in the ledger seemed to dance before his eyes, and he couldn't take them in at all.

The shouting and fighting were mostly from Luo Lao Tai Tai; she hadn't borne a son, yet her husband never struck or scolded her, and in Xu Shi's eyes, Luo Jia Ming was a peerless good husband.

And how could she not miss the eldest son? The eldest son was not only well‑born but also filial and clever; back when the previous dynasty still stood, his tutor said he was a promising scholar—though one wouldn't dare say he'd become a zhuangyuan, he was certainly capable of becoming a juren.

While Mu Dan was attending to Luo Jia Ming in the room, Fang Dequan showed up again, specifically requesting to see Mu Dan.

She thought, anyway, Fang Dequan's visits to the Joyful Red House were just for tea and chat with Mu Dan; the second master had lately been cool toward Mu Dan, not coming often; once the second master's period of patronage over Mu Dan ended, it would be fine if Fang Dequan took over with his money.

"Old companion, I miss the eldest son," Luo Lao Ye said softly, his voice filled with an indescribable weariness.

Fang Dequan heard this and his face turned ashen.

If I were to die, I fear the Luo family's fortune would plummet.

If I were to die, I fear the Luo family's fortune would plummet.

"He's gone out." Luo Lao Ye said indifferently, "He said he's going out to drink with friends."

Watching the eldest grow day by day, she imagined he would marry and have children; she would naturally become a kind mother-in-law, handing over the household to the daughter-in-law to manage, waiting to become the old mistress.

As for those flirtatious maidservants, she gave them over two months' time, but her husband just didn't like them; what could she do?

He took the account books his son had looked at and recalculated them, discovering that this son was nothing but a hollow shell, only his appearance could deceive people.

Because of the eldest son's death, the couple were heartbroken.

No, perhaps she never changed at all; before, she was just playing along with him.

Fang Dequan was both startled and angry, yet he became even more obsessed with Mu Dan.

It's good for a man to have proper work; the sooner he takes over the Luo Family's business, the fewer obstacles there will be between them.

At least Xu Shi bore no sons, while Luo Jia Ming caroused outside, yet he never scolded her, treating her with strict harshness.

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