Cásate con un funcionario público de la dinastía Song del Norte

Capítulo 14

Watching the farce unfold before me, I remained silent, head bowed. The wealthier the family, the more hypocritical the place, the more shady the affairs. Rong Yifei, having been rebuffed, brushed aside his fourth aunt's hand, sat back down, and grumbled, "How many times have I told you? You need to change your habit of poking people up. I'm a grown man now." His eyes kept glancing at me out of the corner of his eye. "My dear in-law, I'm so sorry to have made you laugh," Madam Rong then turned to her uncle, her face full of apology. "Although Xiaoxiao isn't a close relative, as her godmother, I can still say a few words about her marriage. My husband has many colleagues and students; he'll definitely find her a good match. Xiaoxiao is getting on in years; we can't delay any longer. I think you understand my feelings as her mother." A sharp glint flashed in Madam Rong's eyes, and a mysterious smile appeared on her face as she waited for her uncle to respond. A chill ran from my feet to my head, and my hands, tucked into my sleeves, trembled slightly. This was the reason why Madam Rong was so determined to take me in as her goddaughter. She wanted to manipulate my marriage and get rid of me, this thorn in her side, for her daughter's sake. Indeed, those who are kind on the outside but evil on the inside are the hardest to deal with. First it was Cheng Zhuri, and now it's my turn? From personally visiting me to getting to this point, step by step, without any skill, we couldn't resist. The word "power" weighed us down, making us unable to stand up straight. My uncle remained calm as always, his eyes sweeping lightly over Rong Yuwei before meeting Madam Rong's gaze. The smile on his lips remained unchanged from when he entered. "I understand, I understand completely." "Good, then I can rest assured." Madam Rong was very pleased, her smile wide and benevolent, like a kind-faced Maitreya Buddha. "It's rare for our in-laws to come, so please make sure you have lunch at home before you go back. We have some aged Shaoxing wine that's over twenty years old; let's have a couple of cups today." My uncle cupped his hands and smiled, "In that case, I'll gladly accept." After returning home, my uncle led us directly to the small side room closest to the main gate. He specifically instructed Xiao He and Granny Wang, who were accompanying us, not to utter a single word of anything they heard or saw at the Rong family's residence that they shouldn't say, or they would be punished according to family rules. The severity of his words surprised me slightly.

Finally, he left Rong Yuwei and me alone. After a long silence, my uncle spoke earnestly, "Yuwei, I've always known you're a capable child, but you've misplaced your focus. Right now, your most important thing is to relax, get your health back, and produce an heir for the Cheng family as soon as possible. You'll be the matriarch of the Cheng family in the future, and your son will be the eldest grandson. What could be more important than that? If your mother asks about what happened today, you know what to say." My uncle's brows furrowed, and his voice was earnest, tinged with helplessness and powerlessness. "Her health isn't good, and she can't withstand any more shocks. Even if I beg you, please wait until she gives birth safely before discussing anything else, okay?" This was the first time I'd seen him lower himself before Rong Yuwei. He wasn't humbled by Rong Yuwei herself, but by the Prefect of Bianjing behind her, a first-rank imperial consort, a powerful figure in feudal society whom ordinary people couldn't resist. Rong Yuwei was the Buddha of the Cheng family, and naturally, she had to be treated with utmost respect. Rong Yuwei listened attentively with her head down, her expression unreadable, and simply replied in a low voice, "Father is too kind, I understand."

"Xiaoxiao, you too." "Xiaoxiao knows what to do, Uncle, don't worry."

Version 1: Falling in love is easy, staying together is hard. Chapter 43: Death.

"Xiaoxiao, how is Mother doing lately?" Zhuqin asked anxiously, gripping my hand as we walked towards my aunt's courtyard. "Since my eldest brother recovered, there have been many things to do at home, and I've only recently had some free time. I hope my eldest brother is feeling better now. Last night, I dreamt of Mother..." She hesitated, "My heart ached. I don't know why, but I just really missed her, so I jumped into the carriage and came here early this morning." It was clear that she had dressed up carefully today. Her high bun was adorned with a crown of gold threads and tortoiseshell pearls. She wore a peach-pink satin brocade jacket with auspicious cloud patterns and pearl buttons. The lapels and cuffs were decorated with striking red ribbons with gold-embroidered floral patterns. A heart-shaped gilded silver incense burner adorned her chest. She wore a black fox fur coat over it. She looked incredibly elegant and wealthy. The Jin family, being in the fabric business, certainly lived up to their reputation; this outfit was the most fashionable style in Bianjing at the time.

“My cousin is in good health and is currently in Hangzhou with Zhu Yue,” I said with a gentle smile. “Auntie will be very happy to see you come home.”

Zhuqin hurried through the outer room and into her aunt's bedroom, beaming with joy, "Mother, I'm back! I brought Xiao Yaomei to see you..."

Unspoken words and smiles froze on her lips, her steps halted abruptly, her eyes fixed on her aunt leaning against the chaise longue, tears welling in her eyes. I knew what she was grieving for, and my own eyes stung with tears. "What's wrong? Don't you recognize your mother?" Her aunt beckoned to Zhuqin, seeing her beaming face. "Come here quickly, let me take a good look at you." Zhuqin slowly moved forward, kneeling beside her aunt, tears streaming down her face. She reached out and touched her aunt's cheek, forcing back sobs: "Mother, it's only been two months since I last visited you, how come you've become so thin? Why do you look so pale?" Her aunt took a handkerchief and gently wiped the wetness from Zhuqin's face, softly comforting her, "I'm fine, it's just that I'm getting old, and pregnancy is hard."

"Mother, when did you get gray hair? You didn't have any last time I saw you." Zhuqin's tears streamed down her face as she asked in a trembling voice. "Just a few strands. Don't keep saying that, I don't like hearing it. Xiaoxiao makes me sesame paste every day, saying it can help with aging and prolong life. You've already given birth to Yaomei, so of course I'm getting old." Auntie smiled. "Get up, don't cry. Look, you've made Xiaoxiao cry. Neither of you is allowed to cry anymore. You rarely come back, so quickly bring my little grandson over so I can take a good look at him."

Zhuqin stood up, wiping away her tears. After a long silence, she turned around and instructed the young woman who had been following us, "Nanny Li, give me the young master." Nanny Li responded and stepped forward. Zhuqin took the little Yaomei, who was wrapped in a bright red brocade jacket, and said gently, "Little Yaomei, we've arrived at Grandpa's house. Let's go see Grandma." Pregnant women are not allowed to hold infants, so Zhuqin sat down in the armchair next to the women's couch, holding the child close to show her aunt.

Little Yaomei is well taken care of; he's chubby and fair-skinned, with a faint milky scent wafting through the air. Right now, he's sucking on his right thumb with great relish, his lips glistening like glistening jelly, his long, thick eyelashes framed by a pair of bright, dark phoenix eyes. He's also carefully observing us. His chubby cheeks are like ripe, juicy peaches. Zhuqin playfully taps his little nose, teasing him. He grins, revealing his pink, bare gums, and giggles. His eyes are like bright crescent moons in the night sky. Seeing his adorable appearance, I burst into laughter through my tears.

"Good! Good!" The aunt carefully examined him for a while, touched Xiao Yaomei's forehead, and smiled with satisfaction. She nodded and said, "However, this habit of sucking his fingers is not good. We need to find a way to get him to quit, otherwise his teeth will not grow in straight in the future."

Zhu Qin smiled and said, "My family said the same thing, and even applied Coptis chinensis water to his fingertips, but he cried so much that he even vomited milk once. My family felt sorry for him and stopped, also because they were afraid that he would catch a cold from crying. My mother-in-law told us to wait until the weather gets warmer."

Aunt nodded. "By the way, it's already snowing today. Why did you bring my little grandson back? What if he gets frostbite?" Aunt's tone was somewhat reproachful towards Zhuqin. "Qin Ma, add another charcoal brazier to make the fire burn brighter, so my good grandson doesn't get cold."

“My husband added a small charcoal stove in the carriage, and the children were wrapped up tightly so they wouldn’t get cold. A couple of days ago, my husband’s relatives from the countryside came and brought two wild boars for us to try. I thought they tasted good and the meat was tender, so I brought four pork hocks for my mother to nourish her body.”

The reunion of mother and daughter eased some of the sadness. We chatted and laughed about everyday matters, and Zhuqin recounted the amusing stories of Xiaoyaomei's daily life, eliciting continuous laughter from her aunt. "Let me see my little nephew!" At this moment, Rong Yuwei's voice rang out from outside. Before she finished speaking, she lifted the curtain and entered the room. "Sister-in-law, you've arrived." Zhuqin stood up and bowed to Rong Yuwei. "Don't be so polite. Knowing you were coming home, I immediately told the kitchen to prepare your favorite dishes for lunch." Rong Yuwei smiled and patted the back of Zhuqin's hand. "Please sit down. I even consulted with Granny Wang and added two dishes: pig's feet soup and clear fish soup. She said they're the best for promoting lactation."

"Thank you for your trouble, sister-in-law." "Don't be so formal with me." Rong Yuwei's eyes fell on Xiao Yaomei, and she smiled brightly, "Let me hug you."

“Yes, yes, Yuwei, you should hug him more often, it will be good for you,” Auntie said enthusiastically. “Xiao Yaomei’s thick eyebrows and chin are just like Zhu Ri’s when he was little, but his nose is like Zhu Xing’s.” She missed her grandson so much that she would not miss any opportunity to share in the joy.

"Really?" Rong Yuwei's eyes sparkled. "Really, especially the eyebrows, they're like they were made from the same mold." Qin Ma chuckled and added a chair next to us. "Young Madam, please sit down." Rong Yuwei carefully took Xiao Yaomei into her arms and sat down. A tender look appeared in her eyes, and a warm smile played on her lips. She murmured gently, as if to herself, "Upon closer inspection, there really is a resemblance between his eyes and eyebrows. It truly proves the saying, 'A nephew resembles his maternal uncle.'"

Little Yaomei wasn't shy with strangers and didn't cry or fuss no matter who held him. He obediently let Rong Yuwei hold him in her arms, quietly sucking his fingers and staring at her intently. Rong Yuwei reached out and pinched his chubby little cheeks, and Little Yaomei grabbed her fingers and put them in his mouth, which made Rong Yuwei gently kiss his forehead and chuckle affectionately, "Such an adorable child." After a while, Little Yaomei became restless, nuzzling his head against Rong Yuwei's chest, his little hands touching Rong Yuwei's right breast, his sticky drool wetting a small patch of her clothes, and a faint blush crept up Rong Yuwei's ears. "Sister-in-law, I'm sorry." Zhu Qin chuckled, turning to take the child and explaining, "Give him to me, he's hungry and looking for milk. Little Yaomei and you two really hit it off, he hasn't asked anyone else for milk except me." "It's alright." Rong Yuwei didn't mind at all, taking out a handkerchief to gently wipe his drool, her eyes filled with maternal love.

Zhu Qin picked up Xiao Yaomei and retreated behind the screen to breastfeed him. The little guy was suckling happily. Rong Yu raised an eyebrow and asked, "Zhu Qin, do you breastfeed yourself? Don't you have a wet nurse?" "I have enough milk, so I only let him drink my milk. That way, the child will be closer to me." "Oh dear." Zhu Qin suddenly exclaimed softly from behind the screen. "What's wrong?" Rong Yuwei and I asked in unison. Aunt asked, "Is your grandson teething?" "Soon, his gums are hard. He's been biting me a lot lately. After he's had his fill, he bites hard to grind them down. He has a lot of little quirks. When he's breastfeeding, he has to touch my nose, otherwise he won't eat." Zhu Qin's voice was full of maternal happiness.

“That’s just like you, you were like that when you were little,” Auntie replied with a smile. The Second Madam and the other women of the household soon arrived to see the child. Zhu Xing also rushed over after school, wanting to hold and play with him. Little Yao Mei was even more energetic after eating and drinking his fill. Since he was less than seven months old, his body was still very soft. Auntie was afraid Zhu Xing would be clumsy and hurt the baby, so she wouldn’t let him hold him. Zhu Xing could only use a rattle drum and a cloth tiger to amuse him. “Xiao Xiao, didn’t you say you had something for Yao Mei? Take me to see it quickly.” Zhu Qin suddenly pulled me up, giving me a wink. “Mother, Xiao Xiao and I will be right back. Please look after Yao Mei for me.” I was slightly taken aback, but quickly realized that Zhu Qin had something to ask me, probably about Auntie. "Mom, try my cooking." Zhuqin picked up a piece of meat and put it in her aunt's bowl. She felt sorry for her aunt and had personally cooked a braised pork knuckle to whet her appetite. Her uncle usually didn't eat lunch at home, so the atmosphere at the table was relatively lively, and the family was harmonious. This was Zhuqin's first time returning to her parents' home with her baby since finishing her postpartum confinement. Seeing her daughter and grandson, a long-lost happy smile returned to her aunt's face. Ever since we returned from the Rong family, for five consecutive days, she had relentlessly questioned me about the specific details of that day, what Madam Rong had said, and what Madam Rong meant. Although we had rehearsed our story beforehand to keep our stories consistent and reassure her that everything was alright, it couldn't dispel her doubts. Fortunately, Zhuqin's return with the baby today diverted her attention. I asked curiously, "Zhuqin, when did you learn to cook?" It was quite good; oily but not greasy, fragrant and tender. A talented woman is a talented woman; she excels at everything she learns. "I just learned this trick to kill time when I first came in, and my husband always praises my cooking. He asks me to make it for him every few days." Zhu Qin said shyly, her cheeks slightly flushed. Looking at her fair and rosy face and radiant spirit, it seemed that she was doing quite well in the Jin family, and the third young master of the Jin family treated her well. "Zhu Qin's cooking skills are indeed quite good." The second and third wives nodded in affirmation with smiles. Du Xuezhi even asked Zhu Qin for the recipe with a shy tone, as she also wanted to make it for Zhu Yue. "Sister, stay at home for a few more days this time. It's been a long time since I've seen Mother so happy." Zhu Xing said quietly.

“Yes, yes, stay a few more days.” Rong Yuwei also warmly invited him. She really liked Xiao Yaomei. She had been fighting to hold him, and no one could beat her. She had longed for a child for a very long time. “No.” Before Zhuqin could speak, her aunt refused. “I’ll send someone to tell my son-in-law to come to our house for dinner tonight, have a good drink with your father, and let him hold his grandson and be happy. After dinner, you all go back.”

"Mother, please let me stay for a couple of days. I've missed you too," Zhuqin pleaded. She had just learned about the recent situation at home in my room and that Madam Rong had taken her in as an adopted daughter. Her brow furrowed, and she left the room without a word. "You forgot what I just told you? I'm already very happy that you came to see me today. I know you're filial; your intention is enough. Now that you're a member of the Jin family, you must prioritize your husband's family in everything. You should learn from your sister-in-law in this regard," her aunt said firmly, leaving no room for negotiation. That morning, her aunt seized an opportunity to ask Zhuqin how she was doing, whether Jin Guodong was treating her well, and whether Jin Guodong's second wife, Chen, was tactful or had caused any trouble. She repeatedly warned her not to be jealous, that her son was the most important thing, and that she should take advantage of Chen's pregnancy to try and conceive another child as soon as possible. After dinner, Zhuqin and her aunt bid each other a reluctant farewell, and the three of them returned home. "Xiaoxiao, don't hide anything from me. If you need my help, send someone to let me know at home." Zhuqin deliberately led the way, pulling me along. She wanted to stay, but couldn't resist her aunt's pleading. "I know, you've said it so many times." When we reached the gate, everyone was waiting for us. We saw Rong Yuwei reluctantly hand the child over to Nanny Li, and Zhuxing personally helped Zhuqin into the carriage. "Brother-in-law, sister, come back often with Xiaoyaomei when you have time." "I know, come on in, it's so cold." Jin Guogen smiled and waved to us before getting into the carriage as well.

The jingling carriage gradually disappeared from our sight, and the gatekeeper slowly closed the gate and lowered the bolt.

Zhu Xing said to me, "Cousin, let's go in." Her gaze swept over Rong Yuwei, who was deep in thought beside her. "You go in first." Zhu Xing took my gaze, glanced at Rong Yuwei, then instructed the other servants to leave first, and turned to leave herself, giving us space. Rong Yuwei was facing the vermilion gate, her eyes lowered and brows furrowed, seemingly deep in thought. She only came to her senses after Wang Mama called her twice. When she looked up again, the previous softness in her eyes was gone; she walked past me like a proud peacock with its head held high, without even blinking. A sense of foreboding rose in my heart. Having known her for so many years, I understood her temperament and thoughts to some extent. "Sister-in-law," I rushed forward to block her path, whispering a reminder, "Don't forget what Uncle said."

Rong Yuwei retorted sarcastically, "It's not your place to lecture me!" She walked past me and continued on her way. "I wouldn't dare," I caught up with her, "I just wanted to say that no one in this world can have everything. Taking a step back opens up a whole new world. Some things you have to take slowly; haste makes waste. Sometimes, if someone makes a mistake, they can never go back, and they don't even realize they're wrong when they did it, and they might regret it for the rest of their lives." Rong Yuwei finally stopped, her brows furrowed in a cold stare, a flash of malice in her sidelong glances. She whispered in my ear, "You're really good with words. Do you think I'll believe you? If that's the case, I'll accept it. You forced me to do this!" Before I could reply, she shoved my shoulder and walked towards the inner courtyard. Did she really want me to leave immediately to avoid being forced? This is a critical moment. If I suddenly disappeared, my aunt would probably go crazy. “Sister-in-law, don’t go. I’m doing this for your own good, and even more so for your aunt’s good, for Cheng’s good, I…” I tried to follow her, but Wang Mama blocked my way, saying expressionlessly, “Please, Miss, have some self-respect.” The old woman was really strong, blocking me in place so I couldn’t move. I could only watch Rong Yuwei’s arrogant figure disappear at the end of the corridor.

Xiao He stepped forward and respectfully bowed to Granny Wang, trying to smooth things over, "Granny Wang, we servants are a bit clumsy; what if we accidentally hurt Miss Wang?" Granny Wang glared at Xiao He, released her grip, took a step back, and calmly bowed, saying, "Since Miss Wang is Miss's sister, we should think of her more and not make things difficult for her. I was just overstepping my bounds in my eagerness to protect my mistress; I apologize to Miss Wang and take my leave." She turned to leave. "Granny Wang, since you know I'm the mistress, can a servant just leave without the mistress's permission?"

Granny Wang stiffened, slowly turned around, and bowed to me. "Does Miss Wang have any further instructions?"

"Apologize? Does someone with their nose in the air have the right to apologize? She's too arrogant. Does she really think I'm a soft dough, to be kneaded and manipulated at will?" Shaking off the wrinkles on his sleeves, he composed himself and said sternly, "A servant is a servant. Even if you climb to the heavens, you can't become a master. In front of your master, you can only be a slave. Granny Wang is an elder from my cousin's family. She should know better how to behave and set a good example for the other servants. I know you didn't mean to offend me, but if those who don't understand see this, they'll inevitably gossip and stir up trouble, ruining my cousin's good reputation. Every little thing you do will eventually be blamed on her. Granny Wang can't ruin her hard work over the past three years. I'm just giving you a heads-up for the sake of my godmother."

After staring at me for a long time, Granny Wang curtsied, a half-smile on her face, and said, "Miss is right, this old servant will remember. It's late, and since Miss wants me to continue serving, I'll take my leave." Her outward attitude was much more respectful. She waved her hand, "Go quickly and take good care of your sister-in-law." "Yes." Rong Yuwei is truly a stubborn woman. I hope she doesn't go down a dark path; that would be a nightmare for herself and for her family.

"Miss, let's go back inside. The snow is getting heavier," Xiaohe called softly. "Mm." I slowly stomped back into my room. The snow this year was so heavy; everything was covered in white. "Xiaohe, ask Uncle Fu to arrange a carriage. Tomorrow after breakfast, I'm going to the Grand Chancellor's residence to burn incense and fulfill my vow." "Yes, Miss." Tomorrow is the time I've agreed to meet Bai Shungen. As the year draws to a close, Bianjing City is becoming increasingly bustling. I wonder how business is going. After the New Year, Xiaohe will leave home to get married. She's served me for so many years; I definitely need to give her a red envelope.

95 taels and 8 mace. A knowing smile spread across my face. I jotted down this month's profit. Business was going better than I'd imagined. Besides the ordinary people of Bianjing, the goat milk shop had a special customer base—the Hu people. They didn't like goat milk with almonds, preferring the plain flavor, saying our goat milk tasted like home, and they were frequent customers. This was perfect; it saved on almond costs. Bai Shungen was clever, using his existing connections to promote the goat milk to restaurants and hotels. Although it accounted for less than 20% of the current total profit, the sales statistics showed a straight upward trend, indicating a promising market. Now that business was slowly getting on track, it would be even better if we offered pastries with milk—another stable source of income. Ideally, other pastry shops would sell directly to the shop, and we'd get a commission. That way, we'd only make a profit. It seemed I needed to find another time to have a proper discussion with Bai Shungen. *Knock! Knock!* Suddenly, a knock sounded at the door. "Miss." "What is it?" I put down my pen, annoyed. I hadn't been specifically instructed not to come in and disturb me. Xiaohe replied respectfully, "Master summoned you to his study, saying he needs to speak with me." It was already past midnight; what could my uncle possibly want with me? For the next ten days or so, I'd been spending the night in my aunt's room, and he usually stayed with her at this time. When I reached my uncle's study, I saw Zhuxing, Uncle Qi, the Second Madam, and all the other women besides my aunt were there. What could have caused such a large commotion? "Uncle, you wanted to see me?" He didn't answer, but gave Uncle Qi a look. Uncle Qi turned and left the study, closing the door behind him. After a long while, my uncle finally spoke slowly, "Xiaoxiao..." Half an hour later, we walked out of the study without a word. "The Rong family is going too far!" Zhuxing, walking beside me, clenched her fist and angrily said after a long silence, "Cousin, why aren't you angry?"

"They're just waiting to see me cry, but I won't let them have their way." I had long anticipated that the Rong family wouldn't let this go so easily. "We are weaker than the Rong family. The law of the jungle has always been like this. If we don't want to be bullied, we can only become stronger. Although the chance of surpassing the Rong family is extremely slim, we still have to try, right? When you go to Shigu Academy in the future, you must study even harder and strive for a good academic record so that they won't suppress me." Besides, fortunes change, and no one can guarantee that the Rong family will always be on top. It turns out that today I suddenly became the talk of the town in Bianjing. Everyone's talking about how Madam Rong has adopted a daughter. This girl is incredibly beautiful, like a fairy descended from heaven, and also very knowledgeable and skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. She's deeply loved by Madam Rong and Doctor Rong, but at the ripe old age of eighteen, she's still unmarried, causing the two elders great worry about her marriage. Now everyone's guessing which family this lucky girl belongs to, and many have already come to ask Lord Rong to act as matchmaker. After my uncle put my aunt to sleep, he immediately called the whole family over, giving us a heads-up beforehand. He absolutely forbade my aunt from hearing a word, and also told us to keep our maids and servants in check. Anyone who couldn't keep their mouth shut and let a single word slip would have their legs broken and be kicked out of the Cheng family. The Rong family has already started making moves. Thinking back to my uncle's furrowed brows and his thoughtful look at my eyes, would he sacrifice me again for Chengjia? Regardless of his decision, I will not let them have their way, and no one can control my life.

"My cousin is so pitiful." Zhu Xing stopped at the gate of my courtyard, his tone resolute, his eyes sincere. "How about... how about I marry you? I doubt the Rong family will arrange a good man for you. Marrying me is better than marrying anyone else." "I just praised you for growing up, and you're being silly again. Do you want to cause a family upheaval?" I poked his forehead hard twice without any politeness. "Besides, my cousin isn't pitiful." Don't even mention you can't get past your uncle's approval; Cheng Zhu Ri will be the first to disagree. I've already paved the way for myself. I've already gained so much in this life, and I've also had a deeply unforgettable love affair. That's enough. "Go back, I'm going to sleep too." She called Zhuxing back, then turned to Chengshun and said, "Don't forget to add a basin of water to your master's room; the stove is burning brightly and he'll get thirsty." "Yes, Miss." Perhaps that's how fate works; the more you try to prevent something from happening, the more likely it is to become a reality, and with such speed that it catches you completely off guard. My uncle could control his own family, preventing the servants from gossiping, but he couldn't stop Madam Rong. A few days later, the esteemed Madam Rong, my godmother, came to visit again, wanting to act as matchmaker for the godfather she had chosen. They were determined to finalize the matter while Cheng Zhuri was away. The ever-smiling Maitreya Buddha had become a harbinger of death. =====================================================================================

"Ah!!" Another piercing scream came from the aunt's room, sending a chill down the spine in the quiet night. Our hearts, already clenched, were once again gripped by the aunt's cry. We watched as the maids rushed in and out, bringing in basins of hot water, only to bring out basins of bright red, visibly bloody water. We waited anxiously in the outer room, our faces growing increasingly somber; no one spoke. Two whole days passed, and the child still hadn't come out. The longer it dragged on, the greater the danger to both mother and child. A pungent, acrid smell of blood permeated the room. The aunt's voice grew weaker and weaker; she had lost so much blood that even a strong man couldn't bear it, let alone a frail woman. The joy of life had long been replaced by the fear of death. The shadow of death loomed over everyone in the family. I've never been a Buddhist, but at that moment, I prayed incessantly to Heaven, begging for the safety of mother and child. Perhaps it was the stimulation from Xiao Yaomei that led Rong Yuwei to make the final decision, cooperating with Madam Rong to stage another charade, indirectly causing her aunt's premature birth, which terrified the whole family. Although Doctor Lan had said that there was a high possibility of her giving birth prematurely, no one expected it to be now. After all, the child had only been in her womb for a little over seven months. Could mother and child be safe? When my uncle asked Doctor Lan about the chances of mother and child being safe, and saw him hesitate for a long time before slowly extending three fingers, we were stunned as if struck by lightning. Rong Yuwei fainted on the spot, and even my tough uncle panicked, muttering to himself. Zhuqin rushed home immediately after receiving the news, and I made arrangements as soon as possible, asking Uncle Qi to select two strong and skilled horsemen, each with two of the strongest and fastest horses. The horses would keep running, and we would try to call Cheng Zhuri and Zhuyue back from Hangzhou as soon as possible, preparing for the worst.

When we saw Aunt Qin come out, Zhuqin, my uncle, and I all rushed forward and surrounded her, asking in choked voices, "Aunt Qin, how is Aunt's health now?" "Did the midwife say how much longer it will take for Mother to give birth?" Zhuqin's voice also changed, her eyes filled with tears.

We held back our tears, afraid to cry, forbidding it from our uncle. "Tell the midwife that if all else fails, save the mother," our uncle said in a rough, hoarse voice, his eyes closed as he sighed bitterly, "I only pray for the mother's safety." After two days and two nights without sleep, Qin Ma looked haggard, her hair loose at her temples, a few strands clinging to her cheeks. She was so exhausted she could barely lift her eyelids. She didn't say a word to our questions, only nodding slightly to our uncle before picking up the ginseng chicken soup and hurrying back into the inner room.

Since waking up, Rong Yuwei had been in a daze, like a lost soul, her eyes darting around, her face pale as she sat silently to the side, clutching her handkerchief tightly. For the past two days, the Rong family had been sending over a steady stream of fine medicinal herbs, including a precious century-old wild ginseng. Doctor Lan examined it and nodded repeatedly, saying it was an invaluable life-saving treasure, perfect for replenishing her aunt's strength. He instructed us to stew two-thirds of it into a soup for her, and to slice the rest thinly, telling the midwife to give her a slice every two hours. Zhu Xing hated the Rong family to the core, and his gaze towards Rong Yuwei was like a dagger, filled with resentment. His uncle, fearing he might lose his temper and scold Rong Yuwei, ordered him to stay in his room and not come out, promising to inform him immediately of any news. "I already said I didn't need it, why are you bringing it up again?!" Uncle paced back and forth anxiously, accidentally bumping into the maid who brought the snacks. His face was ashen as he sternly shouted, startling the little maid who shrank back and trembled, almost knocking over the food plate. "Dongmei, you can go now." The second madam took the snacks, waved Dongmei away, and gently comforted her, "I asked the servants to bring these, sir. My sister is lucky, she'll probably be alright. You haven't eaten for three meals, you should at least have some soup to fill your stomach, you need to take care of yourself." "Leave it, I can't eat." Uncle waved his hand impatiently, his gaze never leaving the inner room. Aunt remained silent for a while. “Master, please drink first. This family still depends on you. You mustn’t fall ill.” The third wife also came up. “My second sister and I will go to the Bodhisattva to burn incense and pray for the safety of the mother and child.” The uncle seemed to ignore her, and after a long while, he nodded. “Hmm, go quickly.” The second and third wives exchanged a glance, their expressions somber, and silently left the room. The long wait was suffocating. Apart from the occasional shouts of the midwife, “Push! Push harder!” and the intermittent, heart-wrenching cries and groans of the concubine, the outer room was deathly silent. The maids and servants kept their heads down and moved stealthily, afraid of angering the uncle. "It's born! It's a girl!" Finally, before dawn on the third day, the midwife's long-awaited announcement of good news came from inside the house. A sense of relief washed over me, and my tense nerves finally relaxed. However, my uncle's face showed no joy; he just kept calling out to him, asking how the mother was. Upon hearing the word "safe and sound," he instantly relaxed completely, letting out a long sigh and slowly slumping into a chair. Even Rong Yuwei's bewildered eyes cleared, her hands clasped together, muttering something as if thanking heaven for her aunt's safety. But the silence inside made the weight on our hearts lift again. Why hadn't we heard the baby cry? Why hadn't the midwife come out to ask for a reward? Our relaxed nerves tightened instantly once more. As if possessed, I lifted the curtain and rushed in. My aunt lay quietly on the bed. Childbirth had exhausted her last bit of strength. After giving birth, she was so tired that she fainted. Her hair, soaked with sweat, was disheveled and tangled on her face. Her pale complexion contrasted sharply with the blood trickling down between her legs. Qin Ma was helping her wipe her body. "No one is allowed to come into the delivery room casually. You are still an unmarried girl. Get out!" The midwife pushed me, trying to drive me out.

I don't know where the strength came from, but I pushed aside the woman who was twice my size. "I want to see the baby." Aunt Qin spoke up, "Aunt Li, she's our cousin. Let her stay." Duo Duo's limbs were as thin as sticks, her belly barely bigger than my hand, her skin wrinkled and terribly thin, her whole body purple, her breath weak, her chest barely rising and falling. The midwife grabbed her tiny feet, hung her upside down, and patted her bottom a few times, but the baby still didn't cry. The midwife wrapped her in a small coat and shook her head. "The baby is premature, too small, and hasn't cried at all. I'm afraid she won't survive." My legs went weak, and I almost collapsed. I shouted, "Impossible!" "Blood, blood... so much blood!" Aunt Qin screamed in terror. "Doctor, quickly call Doctor Lan!"

Following the sound, Zhuqin saw that her aunt's newly changed white quilt was now stained red, and blood was gushing out like water—it was postpartum hemorrhage! Zhuqin, who had followed her in, was so shocked by the sight that she collapsed to the ground. Suddenly, a wave of dizziness washed over her; everything around her seemed to be shaking. She bit her tongue hard, using the pain to clear her mind. "I can't fall," she thought. "Dr. Lan is trying to save my aunt. I have to find a way to save Duoduo, or she'll have no hope. I come from the modern world; my medical knowledge is far superior to that of a midwife. Perhaps I can save her. How can I give up so easily without trying? She's still breathing. After such a long labor, maybe she's suffering from oxygen deprivation due to the regurgitation of amniotic fluid." Calming myself, I carefully took the baby and placed her on the table. I untied her brocade jacket and gently parted her lips. There was saliva inside, and in her nasal cavity too. I sucked it all out, spitting it out mouthful by mouthful. Then I gave her mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, forcing her to breathe. A strong thought rose in my mind: I must save her. If Duoduo didn't survive, my aunt would have no hope at all. Time passed slowly, and my heart grew increasingly uncertain. I dared not stop what I was doing. Duoduo, cry out, cry out quickly, everyone is waiting... I don't know how much time passed, but finally she let out a soft cry, like a pitiful kitten. I handed her to the wet nurse who was staring blankly at me and instructed, "Hold her tight. The little girl's body is cold. Warm her with your body heat and feed her some more milk." "Dr. Lan, how is she?" My uncle was anxiously waiting. After seeing Dr. Lan come out of the delivery room, he stepped forward and asked.

Doctor Lan shook his head. "My medical skills are limited; I can't save her. Right now, I can only stop the bleeding with acupuncture. Quickly prepare this medicine and give it to her." He glanced at Rong Yuwei. "If we can get Physician Du from the Imperial Hospital, perhaps there's still a glimmer of hope." Physician Du, known as "Master Du," was the head of the highly skilled Imperial Hospital, renowned for its exceptional medical skills. He had a deep connection with the Rong family, and only Rong Yuwei could persuade him to come. Hopeful eyes were all fixed on her. "I'll go get him, Father! Don't worry, I'll definitely get Physician Du here. Wait for me, wait for me..." Rong Yuwei said, stumbling towards the door. "Prepare the sedan chair! Granny Wang, prepare the sedan chair..." The Rong family was indeed resourceful; Physician Du arrived in less than two hours. Doctor Du, though nearly seventy, had a ruddy complexion and a vigorous spirit. His steady gait and youthful appearance made him look like he was in his fifties. His aunt's chances of survival seemed to have increased. He took her pulse in both hands, shaking his head repeatedly, and finally uttered four words: "It's beyond saving," urging us to prepare for her funeral. The newly glimmered hope was shattered once more. From despair to hope, and then back to despair again, it plunged us into the deepest abyss. Rong Yuwei knelt on the ground, clutching Doctor Du's sleeve tightly, and wept uncontrollably, "Father Du, please think of something! Mother can't just leave like this. She's still young. This family can't do without her. I can't face my husband..."

“My dear niece, a doctor’s heart is like a parent’s. If I could save her, how could I stand by and watch her die? But life and death are predestined. I am just a doctor, not a god. This child has exhausted her life force and cannot be saved.” Doctor Du helped Rong Yuwei up. “I can only prescribe strong medicine to try to prolong her life so that she and her husband can see each other one last time. It could be three days at most, or two days at least. You should give me your instructions quickly.”

After drinking the medicine prescribed by Physician Du, the aunt finally woke up in the afternoon. "My child...where is my child?" Her voice was barely audible, and the first thing she said after opening her eyes was to see her baby. "Yuehua, don't worry, the baby is fine. It's a girl. She's sleeping after drinking her milk." The uncle beckoned for the wet nurse to bring Duoduo's head closer to the bedside so she could get a good look. Duoduo's vitality was remarkable; even Physician Du had praised her. "Master, our Zhuhua has finally been born." Seeing her daughter safe and sound, the aunt's pale face broke into a weak smile.

She was the fourth daughter of the Cheng family. Following the order of musical instruments, chess, calligraphy, and painting, Duoduo's full name was Cheng Zhuhua.

My uncle replied softly, "Zhu Hua is a lucky child; she'll surely have a blessed future." After looking at the child, my aunt glanced around and said to us, who were by the bedside, "Yuwei, Xiaoxiao, Zhuqin, you all go out first. I have some words to tell Zhuxing." My aunt was leaving a final message. I took Zhuqin's hand and silently left her room. Zhuxing, Zhuqin, and Rong Yuwei were each called in for private conversations, and when they came out, they all looked sorrowful and overwhelmed with grief. Finally, it was my turn. "Xiaoxiao," my aunt reached out her hand to me. I quickly ran forward, knelt before the bed, and took her hand. A weak smile appeared on my aunt's pale face. "Xiaoxiao, your aunt is going to die. I entrust Duoduo to you. Promise me you'll take good care of her for me."

She couldn't agree. If she did, she would lose her will to live. Her cousin hadn't returned yet. Tears streamed down her face as she shook her head desperately, sobbing, "Xiaoxiao won't agree, she can't agree. Uncle won't agree, cousin won't agree, and Duoduo certainly won't agree. No one can replace a mother's love. Aunt, you'll get better..." "If I could live, how could I bear to leave her, to leave your uncle and the others?" Tears welled in her eyes, sliding down her temples and slowly disappearing into the pillow. "Take good care of Hua'er for me. I can only feel at ease entrusting her to you. Although Hua'er has the love of her father and brothers and won't suffer any injustice, men are often thick-skinned. How can they understand the cleverness of a young girl? Zhuqin is already married, and now we're counting on you. Just agree so that I can close my eyes in peace." Tears soaked her clothes, and she couldn't bear to refuse her aunt's hopeful gaze. She nodded and choked out, "I've heard people say that if you plant good seeds, they will eventually bloom and bear good fruit. From the first day I came to Chengjia, your kindness and affection for me were planted in my heart. Now it has blossomed and borne fruit, and I will plant it in Hua'er's heart as well. Hua'er is not only my cousin but also my daughter. I will love her as my own daughter. I will tell her everything about you, and I will think of you day and night..." Before she could finish speaking, she was already sobbing uncontrollably. "Aunt, don't worry, as long as I am in Chengjia, I will sleep in the same bed with her every night, listen to her little thoughts, and never let her suffer any grievances." “Good child, all the love your aunt has given you has not been in vain. Don’t cry. Life and death are predestined. It must be the karma I created in my past life that makes this life so difficult to be fulfilled. It was all arranged by Heaven long ago.” My aunt raised her hand and gently wiped away my tears. “Xiaoxiao, call me Mother… I’m afraid I can’t wait to come home every day. I’ve waited more than ten years to say ‘Mother.’” “Mother.” I took her hand and pressed it against my cheek. “You are Xiaoxiao’s real mother. Xiaoxiao has always considered you her own mother.” When you meet Wen Xiaoxiao’s real mother in heaven, she will only thank you. My aunt nodded slightly, tears glistening in her eyes, a satisfied and gratified smile on her face. "Master, my sister is coming to pick me up." After talking with four people, my aunt was exhausted and barely breathing. "If she asks about Xiaoxiao, I... what should I say... what I promised her at her grave... I'm so sorry." "I'll take care of it, I'll take care of it. I'll definitely take care of Xiaoxiao and Zhuri's affairs." My uncle was in tears. Since my aunt's hemorrhage, he had stayed by her side every step of the way. "I know what you're thinking. You wait, I've already asked Uncle Qi to prepare. As soon as Zhuri gets home, they'll take care of it. Xiaoxiao is waiting for you to comb her hair, waiting to serve us tea." "I'll wait, I only pray that God will give me more time so I can see Zhuri one last time." A glimmer of light flashed in my aunt's dim almond eyes, and a faint smile appeared on her lips. "Xiaoxiao, you go out first. I have some things to tell your uncle." I was speechless, staggering out of the house. Two days later, this was the deadline given by Physician Du. "Zhu Ri...has Zhu Ri returned?" Aunt's voice was as soft as a whisper, barely audible. We knew what she was saying even without hearing it; her time was near, her heart longing only for her eldest son. Zhu Qi and her sister had already returned home, and even Uncle, Aunt, and Liu Yu and his wife had come. We surrounded her to see her off, the house shrouded in sorrow. "Almost there, almost back, Yuehua, just wait a little longer, Zhu Ri will be here soon..." Uncle kept talking, but he couldn't stop the final moment. Aunt's half-closed eyelids slowly closed, her hand gently slipping from Uncle's grasp and falling to the edge of the bed. That soft voice struck our hearts hard. "Yuehua, Yuehua?" Uncle called softly twice, but after a long silence, he trembled and placed his index finger to her nose to check for breath. Uncle froze, completely still. "Yuehua, Yuehua..." Uncle held Aunt's body tightly, tears streaming down his face. "You're gone just like that. It's retribution. It's all my retribution..." The family burst into tears. Zhuqin and I hugged each other and wept bitterly. Aunt was still gone. She didn't get to wait for Cheng Zhuri. Even in death, her face was still turned towards the door.

First Version: Falling in Love is Easy, Staying Together is Hard - Chapter Forty-Four: Separation

Today is the second night since my aunt passed away. The house is brightly lit, as bright as day. Zhu Xing, Zhu Qin, Rong Yuwei, Zhu Qi, Zhu Shu, and I are kneeling in front of her bier to keep vigil. Originally, Liu Yu and his wife wanted to stay, but my grandmother was so heartbroken that she cried herself to sleep and has been bedridden ever since. After my grandfather passed away two years ago, she became depressed and taciturn. The news that my aunt was pregnant again was a ray of sunshine in her gloomy life, and her spirits gradually improved. She made many clothes, shoes, and hats by hand and sent them over. Now, she is once again burying her child. Upon hearing the bad news, she fainted on the spot. Her two daughters passed away before her. After she woke up, she kept muttering that she had lived too long and had taken away the blessings of her children and grandchildren. My uncle was afraid that something might happen to her, so he sent Liu Yu and his wife back to take care of her. Like a white candle as thick as a child's arm, tears streamed down its face, accompanied by the crackling sound of the wick bursting. Suppressed sobs rose and fell throughout the room. Over the next few days, Zhuqin and I had cried our eyes out. Rong Yuwei was equally grief-stricken, her eyes swollen and red like two walnuts, filled with remorse and fear—fear of how to face her family, fear of how to face Cheng Zhuri's impending return home. Zhuxing's eyes were the most worrying; her bloodshot pupils burned with the flames of hatred. She hadn't uttered a single word since her aunt's death. My heart was filled with deep resentment towards Rong Yuwei and the Rong family. I wanted nothing more than to slap her twice to vent my anger. But remembering my aunt's dying words—that we must not cause trouble, that harmony in the family brings prosperity—and my uncle's repeated admonitions, all I could do was grit my teeth and clench my fists.

Shortly after midnight, a cacophony of barking dogs and the rapid clatter of horses' hooves in the snow, mingled with the mournful neighing of horses, shattered the stillness of the snowy night. "Bang! Bang! Bang!" The door was pounded on. "Open the door! Open the door quickly!" It was Cheng Zhuri; he had finally returned, but he was too late. His aunt had already passed away. In ancient times, filial piety was paramount; descendants were expected to be by their elders' side until their death, symbolizing a peaceful end. As the eldest son, Cheng Zhuri, for whatever reason, had not been by his aunt's side before her passing. He was now forever branded an unfilial son.