Marrying a treacherous official

Yunji was awakened by a silver needle.

With her eyes still blurry, she looked at the female doctor outside the gauze curtain who was taking her pulse. The doctor was holding a thin, long needle and was about to stick it into her arm. She immediately begged for mercy.

"Doctor, please have mercy. Let's talk this out."

"The First Madam has finally woken up."

Granny Kong lifted the curtain and beamed with joy as she announced the good news to her:

"Congratulations to the First Madam on being one month pregnant. This old servant has already informed General Li of the good news and will send a message to the Master by carrier pigeon as soon as possible."

After a brief moment of joy, Yunji was met with a quiet calm.

That was the baby that she and Cui Zemin were absolutely certain would come. When it finally arrived, an overwhelming joy that she could not resist instantly overwhelmed her.

Then, a sharp pain from the needle made everything appear as an illusion.

"Ouch—, it hurts a little."

"Don't worry, Madam, the needles will be removed soon."

Physician Li quickly removed the silver needles from her hand and retreated outside the tent to wait without saying another word.

Granny Kong immediately stepped forward to explain:

"When Xi Kui came to serve the First Madam in the morning, she couldn't wake her up no matter how she called her. She was so frightened that she immediately ran out to find a doctor. General Li heard this and invited Physician Li from the Tiger Wing Army to come and take the First Madam's pulse."

She glanced at Physician Li, who stood with his head bowed outside the tent, and said with complete relief:

"Physician Li is highly skilled in medicine and has the ability to bring the dead back to life. He saved countless wounded soldiers in the war camp and also delivered babies for women during the war. Before the old man left, he specifically entrusted Physician Li to treat the madam."

Yunji was surprised that Cui Zemin was so thoughtful, even arranging this for her in advance.

"Physician Li, how am I feeling?"

"The First Madam is well."

Physician Li replied calmly, "It's just that the excessive sleepiness is caused by poor blood circulation and malnourishment of the mind. I gave the First Madam acupuncture to regulate her Qi, and her health is now fine."

Yunji said gratefully, "Thank you for your trouble, Physician Li."

Upon hearing that the First Madam was experiencing poor blood circulation, Granny Kong immediately wanted to help her recover.

"Please forgive this old servant for not taking good care of you. You just made the First Madam feel unwell. I will catch the chickens that are free-range on the mountain and put them in a cage to make soup for you."

"No matter how good pheasant is, you can't make soup with it every day."

Knowing how much Granny Kong valued having children, and fearing that she might overdo it, Yunji turned to Physician Li beside her and asked:

"Could Physician Li prepare a menu for Granny Kong?"

"I'll write a list for the First Madam as soon as I go out."

Physician Li immediately understood the First Madam's meaning.

Granny Kong followed Physician Li out to get the menu. When she returned, she called the cooks over and gave them a lecture, telling them that since the First Madam was now pregnant, all her food had to be carefully prepared and that no mistakes could be made, otherwise the Master would never let them off the hook.

She then summoned Huachao and Xikui to the accounting room and gave them detailed instructions, which lasted for half an hour.

After leaving the tent, Hua Chao and Xi Kui stood guard by the First Madam's side without leaving her side for a moment.

Granny Kong then summoned the maids, servants, and guards in the courtyard for a lecture. Even the shop managers who came to report their accounts were not spared. They were ordered to make their businesses thrive and not to cause trouble for the First Madam, or they would be severely punished.

With such "publicity," the news of Yunji's pregnancy quickly spread.

That evening, Madam Gu, accompanied by Chunxuan, came to the Marquis's residence to visit Yunji.

Yunji was reclining on the chaise longue, fanning herself with a round fan with a silk embroidered grape design. When she saw Madam Gu rushing into the pavilion, she was so startled that she dropped the fan.

"Why did Auntie come over?"

"I heard from Madam Huo that you are pregnant, so I rushed over to check on you after dinner."

Madam Gu was invited to sit on a white rosewood chair. She took Yunji's hand and asked her in detail:

"Do you have any stomach upset?"

"Don't worry, Auntie, I'm eating more than I used to."

"Then you must be very careful in everything you do, especially in the first few months."

Looking at her pregnant belly, Madam Gu said, "Your husband has gone to Xijing to take up a post. You will inevitably feel empty and sad without a wife by your side. Don't panic. Your family is right here with you and will always support you as you move forward."

She rushed over to put Yunji's mind at ease.

Yunji grasped Madam Gu's hand in return and said:

"Don't worry, Auntie, I'm not that inexperienced. I can handle anything."

Chunxuan sat beside her and said with concern:

"Madam, you can no longer handle household affairs as before. It's important for you to put down your responsibilities and take time to recuperate."

"Mrs. Huo is absolutely right."

Hua Chao smiled gently at her:

"After learning that the First Madam was pregnant, Old Madam Gu transferred two capable old stewards from Cishou Hall to Qinghui Garden to take charge of the affairs of the Marquis's various estates under the First Madam's orders."

"This servant assists the steward in managing the accounts of the various shops in the mansion. Now the managers and estate owners are managing their shops and estates with great skill. As long as the supervision is in place, there will definitely be no major mistakes."

"Granny Kong is very experienced. With her taking care of the First Madam's daily life and managing the maids and servants in the courtyard, the ladies can rest assured."

Chunxuan nodded in satisfaction after hearing these words.

She knew that with Hua Chao around, everything for the First Madam would be arranged perfectly.

"Since the First Madam has suddenly become unemployed, it won't do for her to be without anyone to talk to. I'm resting in the mansion during my pregnancy, and since I'm idle anyway, I might as well take some time to come over and chat with the First Madam."

"You, you can't even hide your little thoughts."

Madam Gu, seeing through the situation but saying nothing, said, "Ji'er, I think Madam Huo's suggestion is good. This way, you can look out for each other."

Yunji looked at Chunxuan's increasingly prominent belly and said:

"It is not appropriate for Madam Huo to travel back and forth so frequently. I heard that General Huo will soon be sent to Xiaoguan to take up his post. Why don't we prepare a side room in Dongli Courtyard for Madam Huo to stay in temporarily? Once she has successfully given birth to a son, General Huo can take her back whenever he returns."

"I appreciate Madam's kindness."

Now that Chunxuan has married, it is not appropriate for her to stay in the Marquis's mansion. "But this is absolutely not a good idea."

"I will inform the Marquis and my grandmother about this matter, and then we will keep Madam Huo here."

Yunji insisted:

"Madam Huo is staying here to help me during my pregnancy. If possible, I would appreciate it if Madam Huo could teach me some needlework."

"Does the First Madam want to learn needlework?"

Chunxuan was utterly stunned, and even Madam Gu looked at her in astonishment.

In the old days, when a woman was about to be married, the first wife would put in a lot of effort, let alone sewing a wedding dress, even embroidering a purse.

Yun Ji proudly lied:

"After becoming pregnant, one naturally has to think about the baby in one's belly, so one should embroider a tiger-head hat for it."

Madam Gu couldn't help but burst into laughter, leading Hua Chao and Chunxuan in a burst of laughter.