The Daily Life of a Down-on-Hard-Life Medicine Girl Supporting Her Family

Chapter 28: To Marry a Second Wife
"Is this true?"

"Yes, Miss, it's all over the capital. They say that Physician Xiao's eldest granddaughter, the second young mistress of the Wu family, went into labor and had a difficult delivery, giving birth to a girl. She survived, but she can no longer have children." The maid Qin'er was very angry: "The eldest young lady of the Xiao family has already suffered so much, and now she's being cursed by that young lady of the Wu family, who says she's born with bad luck."

"That bitch, I'll see what kind of good fortune she has and what kind of good family she can marry into!"

Upon hearing the old woman's and maid's words, Qiu Yan immediately cut off the flower in her hand: "Watch how I deal with her."

"Miss……"

We are all young ladies, it doesn't seem right for a young lady to punish someone, what if it damages her own reputation?
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing," Qiu Yan said. "Nuan Nuan entrusted Sister Yu to me for care as soon as she left the capital. How could I sit idly by while she was being bullied?"

"Miss……"

"I'm going to find my mother, and I'll visit Sister Yu at the Wu family's house tomorrow."

“But…” the wet nurse said, “Our household has never had any dealings with the Wu household.”

It is said that birds of a feather flock together. The inner quarters of the Wu family were in a mess. Madam Qiu never spoke to Madam Wu, the second wife. At most, they would nod to each other when they met.

"I'm not going to see Madam Wu, I'm just going to visit Sister Yu."

"Miss, why not wait until the baby's third-day celebration?"

"Third-day celebration?"

"Yes, on the third day after a baby is born, a bathing ceremony is held, where relatives and friends gather to wish the baby good fortune. This is called 'washing the baby on the third day,' also known as 'washing the baby on the third day.' The purpose of 'washing the baby on the third day' is twofold: first, to wash away impurities and ward off disasters; and second, to pray for good fortune and auspiciousness." The wet nurse said, "There will also be a basin to be added during the washing ceremony, Miss. You should prepare these things well in advance."

"What does 'add a basin' mean?"

"The third-day bath is performed by the midwife..." After the wet nurse's explanation, Qiu Yan exclaimed that there were so many rules.

"The arrival of a new baby is a joyous occasion, so naturally it should be celebrated."

"Alright then, we'll add a gold bracelet for you later."

"Yes, I will prepare it right away."

What Qiu Yan didn't know was that while the addition of a new baby was a joyous occasion according to the wet nurse, it wasn't such a thing in the Wu family at all.

When Madam Wu, the wife of the second son, heard that she had given birth to a daughter, she couldn't suppress the smile on her face.

It's good to have a daughter. The eldest young mistress has given birth to two daughters, and the second young mistress has also given birth to a daughter. This Wu family will eventually be inherited by the child in her womb.

It's hers, she can't escape it!
In Lord Wu's study, he looked at his second son and sighed.

"Xiao's health has been severely damaged, so she should rest and recover well," said Lord Wu. "You should study hard, pass the imperial examination, and then have your mother find you a noble concubine."

“Father, a child born to a concubine is a son born out of wedlock.” But the second young master Wu disagreed: “I don’t want my son to be born with the title of a son born out of wedlock.”

There were many illegitimate sons and daughters in the household, and he watched them with cold eyes, none of them having an easy time.

"Once the child is born, he can be registered under the Xiao family's name, wouldn't he then be a legitimate son?"

"Father, why must I be adopted into the Xiao family? The Xiao family has been raided and exiled. Having such a maternal family might hinder my future. People are pointing fingers at me at the academy. If it weren't for the fact that she is pregnant, I would have divorced her long ago."

"You..." Lord Wu thought about it again and realized that his son's idea was also correct.

He was negligent.

"Then what do you suggest we do?"

"My son wishes to ask Madam for help in finding a noblewoman to marry into the family as a secondary wife. The children born will not need to be adopted into the Xiao family, and the affairs of the Xiao family will not affect the children's future." "Do as you please."

Lord Wu felt that he was probably getting old. It seemed that his son was still very clever. This idea was truly killing two birds with one stone.

The inner courtyard of the Wu family mansion was always a sieve, and within half an hour, the news that the second young master was going to marry a concubine reached the ears of Granny Zhou.

"Granny, this must be kept a secret." Mo Lan and Jian Lan were furious: "They have no conscience. Do they think Miss has suffered enough? Or are they not satisfied until they have angered Miss to death?"

"You silly girl, you told me to stop them, but you should at least keep your mouth shut." Granny Zhou sighed. These so-called high-class families really don't know what's good for them!

When Madam Wu heard the second young master ask her to help find a concubine, she was surprised, but immediately agreed.

As soon as the second young master left, Madam Wu's face lit up with a big smile.

"Look, this is the good son of the late wife. Not only did he take a maid to bed during the mourning period, but he also complained that the first wife had a daughter and wanted to arrange for him to marry a concubine."

"Madam, are you really going to find a match for him?"

“What’s the point of looking for a matchmaker? People will laugh their heads off at the Wu family. No respectable family would ever ask the Wu family to be their in-laws,” said Madam Wu. “However, this matter should be made known to everyone.”

Once the word is out, whether she does it or not is entirely up to her.

Anyway, they won't be satisfied until they destroy themselves.

Look, they've delivered this leverage to our doorstep; why not take advantage of it?

Xiao Chunyu was looking at her sleeping daughter. She noticed how her daughter changed every day and how much she changed every three days. She couldn't help but kiss her fair and tender daughter.

"Second Young Mistress, Madam Qiu and Miss Qiu have come to witness the baby's third birthday celebration."

"Who?"

"The Qiu family, Miss Qiu," Mo Lan said. "Miss Qiu and the Second Miss are good sisters, have you forgotten?"

"Oh, is it Sister Qiuyan?" Xiao Chunyu said, "Quickly, quickly help me freshen up and wash. I'm going to see Madam Qiu and Miss Qiu."

"You don't need to get up."

Unexpectedly, Madam Qiu and Miss Qiu had already been led in by the servants.

"Sister Yu, you're in your postpartum period, you can't get up and let the wind blow on you, you'll catch a cold."

"Mrs. Qiu, Miss Qiu, thank you for coming to see me."

It seemed the Wu family had no intention of holding a third-day celebration, and since her family members were not in the capital, she hadn't taken it seriously. Unexpectedly, there were guests, which moved her deeply, and tears streamed down her face.

"You child," Madam Qiu could tell at a glance that Xiao Chunyu had suffered a lot of grievances in the Wu family. There were rumors that the Wu family's young lady cursed her, and the second young master of the Wu family wanted to take a concubine. She was also a woman, and when she put herself in her shoes, she thought that she really couldn't live like this.

As a mother myself, I felt heartbroken: "Yan'er and Nuannuan are good sisters, so you are naturally their good older sister. We're all family, so it's only right that they come to see you. Stop crying, you shouldn't shed tears during your postpartum period."

"Yes, I'm happy." Although she felt bitter and wronged inside, what she said had a different meaning.

Without the support of her family, a woman wouldn't even dare to cry out loud.

"Sister Yu, have you agreed to the Second Young Master's plan to marry a concubine?"

what?
The second young master wants to marry a concubine?
Chunyu froze on the spot: When did this happen? Is he really going to marry a concubine?

(End of this chapter)