The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 1678 - 1672: After Pregnancy

The maid below had already served hot tea and snacks.

Wang Yongzhu looked at the clear tea and quickly instructed the removal of the tea in front of Lady Shen, replacing it with plain water.

She also inquired about the filling of the snacks and only placed them in front of Lady Shen after confirming they were safe for pregnant women.

Lady Shen saw Wang Yongzhu’s meticulous and considerate actions and felt grateful in her heart.

Remembering her purpose, she stood up, solemnly performed a curtsy, and said to Wang Yongzhu, "Madam, I am eternally grateful for your great kindness to my Shen family! If not for you, I wouldn’t know when our Shen family could recover its former glory!" Saying this, her tone choked with emotion.

She originally thought that in this lifetime, there was no hope, and she was just holding on to a slim hope, thinking if her generation couldn’t make it, and she hadn’t completely reconciled with Wu Zhongbao, according to her plan, she might have to seek a divorce with Wu Zhongbao after a few years.

By then, she would find a place where no one knew her, rely on her embroidery skills to make a living, and adopt a child to whom she could pass on all her skills, hoping that maybe one day they would meet a noble patron who could restore the Shen family to its past glory.

Who knew, a noble patron was right beside her.

Since meeting Wang Yongzhu, her father-in-law’s strange illness was cured, and they had two years of peaceful days. Her once precarious relationship with Wu Zhongbao also greatly improved.

Not to mention, out of a little gratitude in her heart, she wanted to do something for Wang Yongzhu, so when she heard that Wang Yongzhu wanted her to make a family blessing garment, she did it with utmost sincerity.

Unexpectedly, it was that very garment that fulfilled her greatest wish, the goal for which the Shen family had strived for generations.

When she received the news from Wang Yongzhu that her craftsmanship was favored by the Empress, and even the Emperor spoke highly of it, she nearly fainted in excitement.

Wang Yongzhu asked her to pick some well-embroidered pieces and send them to the Capital City.

She knew this was a great opportunity that Wang Yongzhu had procured for her and the Shen family.

She seized it and was rewarded!

The Shen family’s embroidery once again became a royal tribute! Even if she died at this moment, she could face her ancestors without shame!

At that time, she cried with excitement, choosing embroidery pieces while also going to offer incense and pray, wanting the ancestors of the Shen family to know this good news.

After offering incense to the Shen family’s ancestors, she stood up but felt dizzy and fainted.

When she woke up, she learned she was pregnant, over a month along.

It was truly a double blessing.

Not only was Lady Shen excited and happy, but Wu Zhongbao and Lady Wu were also overjoyed.

They all felt that the child in her womb was truly blessed.

Previously, Wu Zhongbao already had growing feelings for Lady Shen, and now knowing that she was pregnant, he couldn’t cherish her enough, fearing she would dissolve if held in his mouth, fly away if held in his hand, eager to carry Lady Shen in his arms everywhere for peace of mind.

Not to mention Lady Wu.

Lady Wu’s only hope now was for Lady Shen to get pregnant and provide an heir for the Wu family, so she would have face when meeting Old Man Wu in the afterlife.

Therefore, hearing that Lady Shen was pregnant, she was even more delighted.

Now that the family’s situation was better, she used to think it was necessary to economize, hiring only a maid to clean and cook seemed sufficient.

But now that Lady Shen was pregnant, she quickly bought a maid and a maidservant specifically to take care of Lady Shen.

And as for the embroidery store, according to Lady Wu’s idea, Lady Shen should stop going to avoid any upsets.

But Lady Shen wouldn’t agree, without the embroidery store, there would be no present for Lady Shen.

If she were to wash her hands of it just because she was pregnant, with Wang Yongzhu still in the Capital City, and the few embroideresses she brought along at the embroidery store being crucial,

what would happen to the embroidery store if she let go at this time? 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Not to mention, she had just received such a great favor from Wang Yongzhu, is this how she was going to repay her?

How could one act so shamelessly? She simply couldn’t do it.

Moreover, when she went to the embroidery store, Wu Zhongbao would take her to and from every day, and the store was quiet, with people from the yamen watching at all times, who would dare to cause trouble?

If she stayed home every day, she’d only make herself sick; going out for a stroll, teaching apprentices, embroidering a little, would make life easier.

After hearing Lady Shen speak, Lady Wu understood the great grace that Wang Yongzhu and Song Chongjin had bestowed upon them.

If she truly quit and went home to nurse her pregnancy just because she was pregnant, it would indeed be ungrateful.

But the little treasure in Lady Shen’s belly, being a precious treasure of the Wu family, couldn’t be subjected to any strain!

The situation was at a stalemate until Wu Zhongbao made the final decision, assuring that he would carefully look after her and that nothing would happen to his wife.

Besides, it’s early in the pregnancy; as long as she pays attention to some things, she’ll be fine.

He had consulted the doctor, who said that the first three months should be observed and, after that, it would be okay.

If Lady Wu insisted that Lady Shen should stay home, then fine, they would resign and all return to Jing County.

Lady Wu finally went silent, understanding that the Wu family’s current good fortune relied on their relationship with Song Chongjin and Wang Yongzhu.

She only thought that since they were on good terms and old acquaintances, and as Wu Zhongbao and Lady Shen were too embarrassed to speak, she, being older, could thick-skinnedly mention it to Song Chongjin, who would probably still give her face.

After all, back when Song Chongjin was in dire straits, Lady Wu did show him some kindness.

Once Lady Shen gave birth, they could work hard to repay this favor.

But hearing Wu Zhongbao’s words, she felt self-mockingly embarrassed. Getting older, she was always remembering Old Man Wu’s last wishes, to the point of being obsessed.

Afterwards, Wu Zhongbao also dutifully persuaded Lady Wu, assuring her that she would definitely be able to hold a grandson smoothly.

Lady Wu stayed in her room, mulling over it for two days, and then gave up.

Although she was still somewhat worried, she never again prevented Lady Shen from going out.

Wang Yongzhu was unaware of all this, but Lady Shen knew in her heart, and besides gratitude, she also felt a bit of guilt towards the unaware Wang Yongzhu.

She always felt she was somewhat letting Wang Yongzhu down.

In the past, Lady Shen couldn’t hide anything from Wang Yongzhu, and now that she was pregnant, whatever was on her mind showed on her face.

Wang Yongzhu found it strange, and while having someone help Lady Shen up, she said, "This was just a simple thing to do! The reason there is today is because of the Shen family’s traditional needlework, and because your embroideries are good, catching the eyes of His Majesty and the Empress, it is your destiny! Even without my recommendation, given the chance, the Shen family’s needlework surely would not be buried! There is no need for such formalities!"

"Moreover, with the relationship between our two families, isn’t doing this making us distant?"

This made Lady Shen feel even more guilty, and now that she was pregnant, she was more emotional and immediately began to tear up.

Wang Yongzhu was quite taken aback and hurriedly comforted her for a while until she calmed down and then had someone bring water for Lady Shen to wash her face.

When there was no one left in the room, Lady Shen, sniffling, vaguely mentioned being pregnant and almost unable to manage the embroidery store, feeling apologetic to Wang Yongzhu.

Wang Yongzhu finally understood.

As soon as she thought about it, she realized that it must be Lady Wu’s high regard for the unborn child because of Old Man Wu’s dying words.

But Lady Shen, this strong woman, always swallowed her hardships alone, never showing a hint of them.

Yet now, for something like this, she could cry from grievance, likely because of her deep feelings with Wu Zhongbao as a loving couple, a loved person is always a bit more delicate, while someone unloved has to endure everything silently.

Moreover, it could be attributed to pregnancy, as she had heard before that pregnancy could somewhat alter a woman’s temperament.

To possibly turn a strong woman into someone as soft as water, easily brought to tears, was more than just a small change; it was like transforming a live person entirely, wasn’t it?

Wang Yongzhu couldn’t help but associate it with herself and theorized that before pregnancy, she was sensible, strong, and fearless in arguments!

After getting pregnant, would she become unreasonable, weak, delicate, and helpless? The most frightening part is, now she does the arguing, but after getting pregnant, will it be others arguing with her?

Thinking of this, Wang Yongzhu felt completely unsettled!