In the middle of the night, Yu Shu sits at the table and pinches the bridge of her nose. She puts down the handwritten notes that she has only read a few pages and prepares to change clothes and go to bed.
When Xue Rui came in the afternoon, he disturbed her so much that she didn't even have the mood to read. She sat there for nothing for the whole night and memorized everything. There were probably not many women in this world who wouldn't be moved after hearing a man swear to marry her.
Xue Rui asked her to think about it. She thought about it and looked at him purely from a woman's point of view. There was not a single bad thing about this person. He was knowledgeable, elegant, came from a prestigious family, had good looks, and was a loyal person. What was rare was that he could treat her with sincerity.
If she met such a man in her previous life, she couldn't think of any reason to refuse him. But in this life, she has to think about it again and again when she meets Xue Rui.
What kind of family background did Xue Rui have? He was a senior statesman of three dynasties, the eldest son of the current Left Minister Xue's Mansion, the nephew of the Imperial Concubine, and a descendant of nobility who called the Princes and Heirs brothers. He grew up in luxurious clothes and luxurious horses, and compared to a commoner like her who was born in the streets, it was like heaven and earth.
She doesn't belittle herself, but with Xue Rui's condition, he can even marry a princess.
Speaking of which, a year ago, the Xue family intended to marry the Ji family. They liked Ji Xingxuan, so they sent a housekeeper to Yiyang. At that time, she was roasted by the Ji family and was chosen to warm the bed. They even asked several masters to look at her together for fear that her fate would offend Young Master Xue. Ji Xingxuan's father had to be humble in front of a housekeeper of the Xue family and didn't dare to speak loudly. It can be seen that the Ji family has high standards. Even the Ji family, which is a local noble family, looks down on them, let alone her, who has no parents and whose mother is a concubine.
If one day, she and Xue Rui come to an agreement and the two families go on a blind date, will the Xue family not give her any face? Will Zhao Hui and her husband not be implicated? Will she be able to tolerate her temper?
Not to mention that Xue Rui would protect her. Since when did she want to rely on others to live? Didn't she fight step by step until now? If she was willing to lower her head and admit defeat, would she still be herself?
"Sigh." Yu Shu wiped her face and laid on the bed with a heart full of worries. She was still thinking about the gap between her and Xue Rui when she heard the door suddenly being pushed open and Yun Dou rushed in.
"Miss, Miss, Madam is about to give birth!"
Yu Shu was shocked and quickly got up from the bed. He put on his shoes, grabbed his jacket, and hastily put it on. Without stopping, he ran out.
Yesterday at breakfast, she heard He Fangzhi say that it would be half a month. Now that Zhao Hui was suddenly going to give birth, and she was at an advanced age, it would be strange if she didn't panic.
*
*
*
On the fifth day of April, in the early morning, Zhao Hui gave birth to a son. Both mother and son were safe.
The He family finally had a successor. Old Madam He was so happy that she cried. She gave a big red envelope to the midwife and rewarded the servants inside and outside the room.
Yu Shu was also very happy. Along with the old lady's share, she also tipped some money for the wedding.
Needless to say, He Fangzhi didn't sleep for the whole night. Her eyes were red as she stood by Zhao Hui and her son's bed, expressing her gratitude in a low voice. She didn't care if Zhao Hui, who was in a deep sleep, could hear her. "Thank you so much, my wife. Thank you for your hard work … I'm so tired …"
Yu Shu and Yu Xiaoxiu stood at the door and looked around, listening to his silly words. They couldn't help laughing.
At dawn, Mrs. Shen brought the wet nurse, who had been asked by Yu Shu to look at the birth date, into the yard and placed her in the next room. She carefully carried the baby over to breastfeed. Yu Xiaoxiu wanted to follow her, but Yu Shu grabbed his collar and pulled him away. She urged him to pack his books and send him to school.
When Yu Shu walked him out of the door, Pei Jing happened to rush over with Madam Qin. Last night was so busy that no one sent news to Eldest Brother-in-law. In the morning, Old Madam He reminded them to send someone to report the good news.
Mrs. Qin went to the backyard to visit Zhao Hui. As a man, Pei Jing couldn't go in, so he waited for news in the living room. After sending Yu Xiaoxiu away, Yu Shu came back to drink tea with him. The two sat together and chatted. As they talked, they talked about how several chambers of commerce came to invite Yu Shu yesterday.
"Four chambers of commerce came and offered me five hundred taels a month. They invited me to join them, but I didn't agree." Yu Shu said. Pei Jing was a little surprised. "These four chambers of commerce are all famous in the capital. Five hundred taels a month is not a small amount. You don't need to do anything extra. Why don't you go?"
"Uncle, you forgot that I am still the manager of Wangji Building and will go to Taishi Shuyuan to study. How can I care about other people's business? Besides, they won't give me six thousand taels a year for nothing. At that time, they will use my reputation to make trouble and delay my study. "Yu Shu explained.
Pei Jing nodded. "That's right. You understand. That's good. Now you should put your studies first. Don't waste your reputation."
Yu Shu rolled her eyes and suddenly asked, "I am a little puzzled. Uncle is the manager of the Thai Heng Chamber of Commerce. I thought you would be the first to invite me. Why are you advising me to help others?"
Pei Jing twisted his lips and rolled his eyes at her. He said in a bad mood, "You are my niece. You are not an outsider. If I have a problem, I will thicken my face and ask you. Why do I need to give you money for nothing? Besides, the Thai Heng Chamber of Commerce doesn't belong to me alone. Who am I going to do good for?"
Hearing his straightforward words, Yu Shu couldn't help but chuckle. She thought to herself that her uncle was indeed a wonderful person. He didn't seem like a merchant who only cared about profit, but he was actually very clear about everything.
As they were talking, He Fangzhi came out with an unshaven beard. When Pei Jing saw him, he laughed at him and quickly asked his little nephew.
Yu Shu gave up her seat and went to the back to look at her child.
*
*
*
The news of the He Family's new addition quickly spread to the neighbors. That afternoon, many people sent gifts over. The gifts were not light, and it was obvious that they were here for Yu Shu, the female fortune teller.
Zhao Hui couldn't manage the family's affairs. Yu Shu didn't go to Taishi Library today and accepted the gifts. Because there were too many gifts, there was no place to put them, so they were all piled up in a storeroom.
Yu Shu had a white and chubby younger brother. She was in a good mood and sat in the living room. She chatted and joked with these aunts without any airs.
So this afternoon, the living room was full of people. Those who came early sat and didn't want to leave. Those who came late found a place to stand. It was like a lively market.
Yu Shu saw the scene and secretly thought that it was time to tidy up the house Liu Tan gave her and move the whole family to a more spacious environment.
At dusk, Yu Shu asked a maid to send the last neighbor out. Then, she closed the door and went back to her room to rest.
Yun Dou came in quietly with a wooden plate, "Miss, Master asked the kitchen to cook chicken ginseng. Madam asked to serve it to you. There is still some time before dinner. You should warm your appetite first."
"Put it aside. Pour me a glass of water first." Yu Shu leaned on the bed and was too lazy to move. After sitting for the whole afternoon, her back was sore and her throat was dry. It was not easy to chat with a large group of people.
Yu Shu squinted at the sky outside the window and muttered, "Xue Rui better not come at this time."
Just as she thought of this, someone outside the room reported, "Miss, Master Xue sent someone to deliver something. I brought it in."
Yu Shu looked outside the door and waved her hand to signal Yun Dou to bring it in. After a while, a tube of tea and a note were sent to her.
Yu Shu opened the note and saw the leisurely handwriting —
Recently, I came to drink tea, but you disliked it. It is better to prepare four taels and come tomorrow to drink.
After reading these two sentences, Yu Shu pursed her lips. In the end, she couldn't hold back her laughter. She didn't know whether this person was too self-aware or thick-skinned. She just said something out of anger yesterday, but he remembered it. He even prepared his own tea. Why didn't he just bring a bucket of water and come to her place to boil tea?
Yu Shu smiled as she held the teacup and note in her hand, and she suddenly became slightly more open-minded. A modest gentleman like Xue Rui was tactful and sensible. Since he wouldn't make it difficult for her to make a decision, then why should she bind herself in a cocoon and look for trouble for herself? It was better to let nature take its course.
"Take it." Yu Shu handed the tea tube to Yun Dou and said, "Next time Mr. Xue comes, use this tea to entertain him."
Then, she folded the note and stuffed it into the small cabinet at the head of the bed. She put it together with the silk sleeve and put away her troubled thoughts.
*
*
*
The next day, Yu Shu woke up early to see her little brother. Then, she went out with Yu Xiaoxiu. She sent him to Baichuan Academy on the way and then headed to Taishi Shuyuan.
She waited for Xin Liu in the female dormitory and explained to her why she didn't come yesterday. When Xin Liu heard that her family had a child, she quickly congratulated her. She searched all over her body and pulled off a silver chain from her wrist. There was a small bell hanging on it. When it was shaken, it would make a clear and melodious sound.
"Here, this is for you. This is a good treasure that my Fifth Brother gave me." Xin Liu proudly shook the silver bell and stuffed it into Yu Shu's hand. She said, "It is easy for children to meet dirty things. They will be scared and cry. Hang this Qingxin Bell on his cradle. When you see him crying, ask the nanny to shake it. It will definitely be useful."
Yu Shu looked at the fine silver bell in her hand doubtfully. She thanked her and put it away. She was more or less curious about the Fifth Brother that she mentioned several times.
"By the way, can you stay here with me tonight?" Xin Liu embarrassedly asked Yu Shu. "You didn't come yesterday, so I became an apprentice of another old academician in the Astrology Department. I picked up an errand to record. Tonight, I will go to the observatory. I am afraid to be alone. You are brave enough to accompany me."
Yu Shu thought about it and nodded. "That's fine. I will go home in the afternoon to pack some clothes. I will go with you tonight."
Xin Liu saw that she agreed and smiled. Then, she thought of something else and pouted. "I didn't want to trouble you, but Yuerou listened to her mother and became an apprentice of a Daoist. She got another errand. Hmph, she is still with that Ji Xingxuan."
When Yu Shu heard this, she was silent for a moment. Then, she said nonchalantly, "I see that you don't like Ji Xingxuan. Why is that?"
Xin Liu's eyes avoided her question. She turned her head and said, "Isn't there a rumor that Right Adjudicator Ji practiced favoritism during the Da Yan Examination? How can Ji Xingxuan be innocent? I don't think she is good, so I naturally dislike her."
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