Chapter 463: Trick, Gathering
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Country Lord Ning made up her mind and said to the servant, “Go, tell Granny Song to find Mr. Yang.”
“Yes.” The servant bowed and left. Soon, Granny Song stood outside the gauze curtain with Mr. Yang and reported, “Madam, Mr. Yang is here.”
Country Lord Ning said to Mr. Yang, “Set off tomorrow morning and go to
Tongzhou at full speed. Find Zhang Defa’s family and bring them to the capital.
I don’t have to teach you what to do, right?”
Mr. Yang bowed and said, “Yes, Madam.” Then he left.
Country Lord Ning recalled that Li Yu was pregnant and suddenly had a vicious plan. She said to Granny Song, “Get someone to try to bribe the old women from the Zhou family and ask which midwife the Zhou family is preparing to hire to deliver the child. After asking around, go and bribe the midwife.”
When Granny Song heard this, she looked troubled. She thought for a moment and suggested, “Madam, I heard that the servants of the Zhou family have all been following them. Moreover, he doesn’t have any wives or concubines fighting. I feel that it’s very difficult to achieve anything.
“Country Lord Ning, I think it’s better to ask around about famous midwives to bribe the one they would hire. Think about it, there are only a few famous midwives. Let’s ask around and send someone to watch the midwives. As long as we see the Zhou family coming to invite one, we’ll go and bribe her.”
When Country Lord Ning heard this, she recalled that she had not heard any news about the Zhou family from those women these days. She had only found out about Madam Li’s cousin before thinking of a way to find out that information.
“You’re right. How about this? We’ll do as you say. It’s best if it works. If it doesn’t, we still have a backup plan waiting for her. Remember, don’t expose yourself and make her wary.”
Granny Song felt much more relaxed when she heard that. She bowed and agreed. “Yes, Madam.”
“Madam Li, just wait and see my methods!” Country Lord Ning lay back on the bed proudly. She suddenly thought of that disrespectful gaze and muttered, “How can a rough woman be worthy of such a good man?”
Granny Song went to East City the next morning and found a few brokers to find out that there were a few midwives who were the most famous in the circle of officials in East City. The families in that area all hired these midwives.
The first person she wanted to hire was a midwife with the surname Liu. Madam Liu’s family ran a medical center. Because a daughter could not learn medicine, she was taught some skills relating to women’s illnesses.
After Madam Liu got married and had children, she began to deliver babies. Coupled with the fact that she knew some medical skills, she became famous after a while. After becoming famous, she couldn’t be bothered to earn small sums of money. She worked in an official’s family, and her price for delivering babies was not low.
There was also a pair of sisters from the Wu family. They had learned their delivery skills from their mother. Their delivery skills were a little famous in the circle of officials in the capital..
Granny Song felt that the Zhou family would definitely look for Madam Liu first, followed by Madam Wu, and lastly, the two remaining midwives.
After Granny Song went back to report to Country Lord Ning, she sent someone to guard the houses of those midwives.
Two days later, after Li Qing and his wife returned, they invited Li Yu’s family and Uncle Lin’s family to a banquet.
After everyone was full, Lin Jia and her sister pulled Yangyang to play a game of picking up wooden sticks. The men discussed government affairs in the courtyard.
Madam Gong accompanied Li Yu in the garden to digest her food. Madam Gong looked at Li Yu’s stomach and said with a smile, “It’s already mid-September. There are only three months left until you give birth. Although Granny Chen will also deliver the baby, you’re pregnant with two babies. In my opinion, we have to hire a midwife. Have you asked about the midwife? Also, it’s easy to give birth prematurely with two babies. We have to bring the midwife home in advance.”
Li Yu recalled that Zhou Jia had already asked about the midwives a few months ago and smiled sweetly. “Jiahe had already asked around. Ruyi came back and said that there were a few midwives who were not bad… In the end, Jiahe invited a midwife with the surname Liu and Madam Wu. He felt that he would only be at ease with these three people and Granny Chen. We plan to bring them home at the end of winter.”
When Madam Gong heard this, she sighed and said, “Yu’er, Jiahe’s kindness to you is really rare. Back then, Ah Lan and Ah Yun were delivered by the Wu family’s sisters. Her family’s ancestral delivery skills have never had a bad reputation.”
“Madam Liu had only risen in the past ten years. She was more famous than them because she knew how to treat some women’s illnesses. In terms of experience in delivering babies, she was definitely not as experienced as the Wu family’s sisters-in-law. Aunt felt that you already had Granny Chen in your family. If you hire one, don’t hire another.”
Li Yu said to herself, “How could I have forgotten that peers are wary of each other?! Xiao Xi and I have neglected it. It seems that Madam Gong is really thinking for me. Otherwise, who would give you advice in the face of such a big matter?”
Li Yu felt a warmth in her heart. She held Madam Gong’s arm and said sincerely, “Thank you, Aunt. No wonder people say that having an elder at home is like having a treasure. We didn’t think of this.”
“Silly girl, as long as you don’t think Aunt is criticizing you,” Madam Gong said and sighed. “Your uncle has been feeling guilty all these years. He feels that he didn’t do his duty as an elder brother and caused Jinniang to be kidnapped. After finding you and knowing the truth, he has been sleeping peacefully at night these days. Aunt wants to thank you and Ah Qing for letting go of the past and reuniting with us.”
Li Yu didn’t expect Uncle Lin to still feel guilty after so many years. She persuaded, “Aunt, you can’t blame Uncle for this. People often say that it’s difficult to guard against thieves in the family. Who would have thought that she would harm her biological sister for her own selfish desires?”
“That’s right. I never dreamed that there would be such a vicious person in the world. After your uncle found out the truth, he had already written to sever ties with her. Such a person can’t be forgiven,” Madam Gong said in a low voice.
The two of them turned back to the courtyard. Lin Zexu stood up and said, “Ah Yu’s body is inconvenient. Let’s disperse!”
“Okay.” They all stood up. Fan Mingfang came over and said to them with a smile, “Yang’er and his two cousins are still playing a game of picking up sticks!”
“You’re already so old, yet you’re still playing children’s games. Let’s go take a look.” Lin Yun smiled and pulled Lin Lan up. The brothers watched Lin Jia and the others play.
Everyone sat down and chatted for a while before dispersing to go home. When they reached home, Li Yu told Zhou Jia what Madam Gong had said.
When Zhou Jia heard this, he nodded in agreement. “Aunt is right. I took it for granted. Let’s listen to Aunt. I’ve asked Ruyi to go back to Granny Liu. Yu’er, don’t go to the manor. Uncle’s family is going to get married in a few days. The weather is cold and the roads are slippery. I’m worried.”
Li Yu thought about it and felt that it made sense. “Alright, I’ll listen to you. We’ll talk about it after Cousin gets married.”
The next morning, Zhou Jia woke up and looked at the sleeping Li Yu. He got out of bed quietly. Li Yu opened her eyes and looked at him sleepily. “Are you going to court?”
“Yes! It’s not dawn yet. Sleep a little longer before getting up to cultivate,” Zhou Jia said gently.
Li Yu nodded and watched Zhou Jia leave. She narrowed her eyes and fell asleep again..