The servants carried Qiu Yelan into the inner room and laid her down. A few moments later, the doctor was brought in. Once he checked Qiu Yelan’s pulse, he smiled happily and congratulated her, “Young madame, you are pregnant!”

After all, Qiu Yelan had given birth to Jiang Jinglang. She was kind of an experienced woman. She had already felt something when she vomited. But only when the doctor had confirmed it, she felt at ease. At this moment, her mouth curled into a smile, “Reward!”

Not only was the doctor rewarded, but everyone in this yard received an extra month’s earning. It was as joyful as the beginning of a new year. With all the excitement, there were people asking around. So, in no time, the news that the nineteenth madame was pregnant again spread throughout the entire Marquess’s Mansion.

When Madame Tao learned of this, she was so pleased that she had someone open her private treasury and fetch a lot of appropriate things. And she asked Mom Hu to personally congratulate her with those things.

Other branches also began to prepare congratulatory gifts. Only Chu Yitong went into the inner room without saying a word when she heard that.

“Go and find out what the fourteenth madame has sent. Prepare a similar congratulatory gift and send it to the nineteenth madame!” Mrs. Zhu sighed. She called for the senior maid and told her hastily. And then she hurried into the inner room to persuade Chu Yitong.

“The nineteenth madame is in the same branch with you. Now that she is pregnant again, it’s right for you to go over and visit her.” When Mrs. Zhu entered, she saw Chu Yitong sitting on the couch in a daze, holding a small garment. She recognized that it was made by Chu Yitong herself when she was pregnant. She felt sad and so she persuaded in a low voice.

Chu Yitong did not raise her head. She gazed at the small garment made by hand and said quietly, “The first time I saw her was at Jinxiu Slope. And it was on the way back to Jing City from there that I lost my mother. Though it was that b*tch Kang who caused the death of my mother, if she hadn’t driven her to desperation, would Kang have been willing to be a concubine of my father? And Kang seemed to have said that this sister-in-law helped her be my father’s concubine, right? In the end, she is also my enemy who killed my mother!”

“I have never expected that we would become sisters-in-law! For the sake of my father’s instructions, I think I should let go of the matter of my mother… After all, if I hadn’t urged her to go to Jinxiu Slope, she would not have been willing to go there at that time!”

“But my baby…”

There was a distant look in Chu Yitong’s eyes. She was seemingly crying or laughing, “Why wouldn’t she help me? Is it because she doesn’t think I’m worth her help? It seems that the Mansion of Duke of Huainan is above Marquess’s Mansion. But in terms of power, it is out of reach. I’m just a step-wife. And my husband treats me neither good nor bad… It wouldn’t do her much good to help me, would it? Do you think so, Mrs. Zhu?”

Mrs. Zhu murmured, “My madame, I think that the nineteenth madame was telling the truth when she said that she no longer had such medicine. Otherwise, if she still had such medicine, why didn’t she bring it out for Sir Jibei the year before last and Kui County last year?”

If she had given medicine according to the identity, the rewards for saving those two when Marquess Qin was still alive would have been more than “lucrative”!

“I don’t want to see her!” Chu Yitong said coldly, “The sight of her reminds me of Jinxiu Slope! I will think of Kang and my mother, Concubine Mo. You can arrange for gifts or whatever. And tell the public that I’m sick!”

With that, she raised her hand and put the bed nets down, which clearly showed that she was not willing to discuss it any further.

Mrs. Zhu opened her mouth but said nothing. She thought to herself, “You are sisters-in-law in the same branch. When the younger sister-in-law has just said she is pregnant again, she, as the elder sister-in-law, claims to be ill. How can there be no rumors?”

But Mrs. Zhu knew that the death of Duchess of Huainan was a great blow to Chu Yitong. If it hadn’t been for Chu Weixian who loved his sister and tried to persuade and protect her, Chu Yitong would have wanted to die with her mother during the two-year mourning. The unsuccessful request for medicine from Qiu Yelan was just a trigger. Even Mrs. Zhu could understand that Qiu Yelan was not excusing herself by saying that there was no more medicine like that. How could Chu Yitong not know?

“I wonder when my madame will be able to let go of the matter of Concubine Mo?” Mrs. Zhu sighed and retreated. She intended to take care of the problems arising from it for Chu Yitong.

Qiu Yelan didn’t know about the whole story. And she didn’t care either that Chu Yitong wasn’t there to congratulate her in person like the other sisters-in-law. “I guess it’s because I’m pregnant that she is sad again. Two days ago, at the first birthday banquet of Jiao’er, she couldn’t even hear about the topic of baby… It is just as well not to break her heart again!”

Zhuang Man swallowed a piece of snack, patted the crumbs on her hand, and agreed, “It’s for the best that she doesn’t come. Otherwise, if the harmonious atmosphere here pierced her heart, she would find ways to spoil our fun!”

He Shuijin made a gesture of silence and said, torn between annoyance and laugh, “You’re still so harsh after you got married! If your eighth sister-in-law hears it, you’ll have a grudge against her!”

“I’m surprised that I didn’t hear that Commandery Princess Lihui from Mansion of Duke of Huainan was stingy before. Why does she act like a new person after marrying my eighth cousin?” Zhuang Man said dismissively, “She is about our age. So, I thought we would have a new friend to play with us once we became relatives. However, she is not as sociable as the former eighth sister-in-law, who was more than ten years older than us!”

“Our eighth sister-in-law has not been well since her miscarriage last year. Perhaps that is why she doesn’t come over in person, right?” Qiu Yelan mediated, “We are all family…” Only when these words were spoken, Chu Yitong’s senior maid sent a congratulatory gift and said, “Originally my madame was going to come to congratulate you in person. But unfortunately, she is not well. She is afraid that she will infect you with diseases. So…”

“See, I told you, right?” After dismissing the senior maid, Qiu Yelan said to Zhuang Man, He Shuijin, and the others.

Zhuang Man was a bit embarrassed, “Oops, I have misunderstood my eighth sister-in-law. Fortunately, she didn’t know that!”

“Empress Dowager’s birthday is coming…” He Shuijin thoughtfully changed the subject to avoid an awkward scene.

In an instant, it was Empress Dowager’s birthday.

It was the second Empress Dowager’s birthday that Jiang Tianluan celebrated since she became Empress Dowager. The previous one was not celebrated at all because of the fierce internal struggle in the Jiang Family. Empress Dowager just gave a feast to major officials. And it was ended hastily. This year, the situation was generally quite stable. Marquess Qin, who was originally thought to die, endured again. Happy events happened one after another in the Imperial Family from the middle of the year. In short, this Empress Dowager’s birthday was held in a grand and solemn manner.

It was so grand and magnificent that Emperor took care of most of the decorations and arrangements.

“His Majesty is extraordinary filial!” On that day, the officials and their wives entered the palace to celebrate Empress Dowager’s birthday. When they looked at the gloriously decorated palace, they praised Emperor’s filial piety.

Empress Dowager Jiang pretended to be displeased, “Originally I said there was no need to make such a big fuss, but my son refused… He, an emperor, worked so hard for such a long time in person!” Even the deaf could hear that she was showing off. “And he even persuaded Yongfu and the others along with him. They insisted on turning a deaf ear to my words!”

“Mother, I have been taught by you to get to where I am today. How could I neglect your birthday?” Emperor said with a smile as his eyes were filled with fondness and respect for Empress Dowager. And his demeanor was modest. “And it was Yongfu and the others who did most of the work. I only gave them a hand!” As he spoke, he looked down at Princess Lexin, Prince of Wei, Princess Yongfu, and the others in turn.

“You are giving me far more credit than I deserve, my brother. Everything is arranged based on your suggestion!”

“Why should you be so modest, my brother? It’s more likely that we’re giving you a hand!”

Princess Lexin and the others were not foolish enough to take credit for his work. They said that Emperor was the one who should take the brunt of the preparations for Empress Dowager’s birthday.

With such harmony among the siblings and Empress Dowager’s kindness, the Imperial Family was spending quality time in the warm and welcoming atmosphere.

At the harmonious atmosphere, the feasting of the Empress Dowager’s birthday began. Empress Dowager Jiang asked about Qiu Yelan’s pregnancy and ordered the servants to be careful with the dishes for her, reminding everyone once again of Empress Dowager’s preference for the fourth branch of the Jiang Family.

People didn’t know if it was for the sake of Qiu Yelan or for the sake of Old Princess Miao. Empress Dowager Jiang then noticed Wang Qingqian, who was accompanying her aunt to the banquet. After asking a few questions, she rewarded her with a pair of hibiscus bead hairpins, which brought Princess-to-be of Wei who had been forgotten back into the limelight of the nobles.

After Empress Dowager’s birthday, it was time for the people from Kui County to arrive in Jing City.

As Jiang Tianao and his siblings had not yet finished the mourning, Jiang Yayun was at the head of the trip. So, the Jiang Family in Jing City sent someone that was of the same generation as Jiang Yayun to meet their relatives from Kui County. Marquess’s Mansion sent Jiang Yayi and Jiang Yadan, who didn’t hold any important posts. And the Mansion of Sir Jibei sent Jiang Yalan, who was also unoccupied.

The three brothers went dozens of miles outside the city. They picked the people up and brought them into Jing City. They first went to Marquess’s Mansion and paid a visit to Marquess Qin and his wife. They were worried that Marquess Qin’s emotions would be bad for his health. Also, they did not want the people from the second branch and the fifth branch to spend too much time with Marquess Qin. As such, they did not say a few words to Marquess Qin. Only after they announced their names and identities one by one, Dr. Lin came up to persuade Marquess Qin to take the medicine.

Jiang Tianqi took the opportunity to instruct Jiang Yayun, “You take Yazhao and Yawan to see your second grand aunt. Your second grand uncle has been tired these days. After taking the medicine, I’m afraid he will have to rest.”

Jiang Yayun bowed his head and said yes, leading his two cousins and their families to Madame Tao’s yard, where the women of Marquess’s Mansion were already waiting at that time.

After they met each other, Madame Tao took a look at Jiang Yazhao and Jiang Yawan and their families. The two grandsons did not look like the children of the Jiang Family, presumably because they got their looks from Madame Han. However, Jiang Jingmu and Jiang Jingman, the two great-grandchildren, were quite similar to Jiang Jingxu and the others in terms of their eyebrows and eyes.

The fourth madame He and the fifth madame Jin were both daughters of the squires in Kui County. So, they were of limited horizons. What they had seen and heard since they entered Jing City blew their mind. Especially, when they entered Marquess’s Mansion, the Jiang Family’s great power had already shocked them deeply. At this moment, although the women of Marquess’s Mansion from Madame Tao downwards were all amiable, they still looked apprehensive and dared not even raise their heads.

“You have had a hard journey!” Seeing that, Madame Tao became much kinder. And after asking them in a gentle tone about their tiring journey, she said, “The accommodations have been prepared. But we don’t know what you are used to. I’ll have my fourteenth daughter-in-law accompany you later. If there is anything you need, just let her know!”

She also called Jiang Jingmu and Jiang Jingman to her. She touched their faces and squeezed their hands, and said with a smile, “The two boys are about the same age as Jingyi, Jinghuai, and Jingjuan. They can study together!”

At that, Jiang Yazhao and Jiang Yawan thanked her at once, “The reason we have brought them to Jing City is to have them spend more time with their brothers! In Kui County, there are only two brothers in this generation now.”

These words brought a moment of silence to the room. The second branch and the fifth branch were unable to be officials. They had nothing else to do but to support their father. Both branches were full of concubines. But they had few children. There was only one son and not even a daughter. When it came to the great grandchildren, there were a few more girls. But there was only one male heir. Jiang Yawan had two sons. However, last year his eldest son, Jiang Jingzhan, died in an accident, leaving young Jiang Jingman as the only son.

Jiang Jingmu and Jiang Jingman were the only two great grandchildren left in the second branch and the fifth branch.

“Fortunately, you all come to Jing City now. They have many siblings!” Madame Tao frowned and then smiled, saying, “These are your daughters? They are all pretty… Come closer. Let me have a look at you!”