211 Pregnancy
The old physician took out a pulse cushion and said with a smile, “Madam Li, since I’m here, I’ll take your pulse!”
“Sorry for your wait so long.” Li Yu reached out and placed her hand on the pulse cushion. After the old physician took her pulse for a while, he said, “It’s not very obvious. Perhaps it’s because it’s too early. In another half a month, we should be able to confirm it. Madam Li, don’t work too hard these days.”
Li Yu looked at the old physician in a daze. “Physician, do you mean that I’m pregnant?”
The old doctor smiled and said to Li Yu, “Yes, according to the pulse, you are. It’s just that it’s too early. I’m not very sure, but it’s better to be careful.”
Li Qing quickly asked, “Does she need some tonic?”
The old doctor put away the medicine box. “There’s no need. All medicine contains poison. Madam Li is very healthy. She doesn’t have to drink any tonic!” Li Qing hurriedly gave the consultation fee and reward money and sent the old physician away.
Li Yu sat there and gently touched her stomach. Calculating the time, her period had indeed been delayed for more than half a month. Li Yu thought happily, “Am I really pregnant? Baby, are you really here?”
After Li Qing sent the physician off, he came back and said with a smile, “Sister, am I going to be an uncle?”
“The physician said that it should be the case, but we can only confirm it in a few days. Why are you back so quickly? How did the county government judge the cases?”
Li Qing took out the banknotes from his pocket and handed them to Li Yu. “Here’s 500 taels of silver. It’s the Hu family’s compensation for the taking of the fields and the fine. The families in the village also took back the fields and received the compensation and silver.
Sister, someone in the hall sued Hu San for snatching a woman from a good family. Hu San and that butler were also arrested. He Cheng, who was crippled, also received the money for the medicine. Also, the family member of the guard who died also received the money.”
Li Qing took a sip of tea. “That County Magistrate Zhu is really ruthless. He sentenced Hu San’s father and Butler Hu to 50 strokes of the cane and exiled them to a cold place. Even the daughter of the Hu family was chased out of the county office.”
Li Yu looked at Li Qing. “He was at risk of losing his post. Of course, he has to give the people an explanation through the heavy sentence! That’s why most of the concubines are the source of trouble for the family. Those shameless people even said that it was a blessing for everyone! Damn it! Remember, you’re not allowed to take concubines in the future. If you do, I’ll break your legs!”
Li Qing chuckled and said, “Sister, don’t worry. I’ll do whatever you say. However, you can’t swear in the future. My nephew is listening!”
Li Yu knocked on Li Qing and smiled. “How do you know it’s your nephew? Isn’t it good to have a niece?”
“It’s better if I have a nephew! Rest well. Big Brother Xu and I will go to the village and give the fields to the tenant farmers. Yu Niang will buy a hen to stew soup for you!”
“Alright, come back early for dinner.” Li Yu watched as Li Qing walked out of the room to do something. She thought to herself, “Ah Qing, who was once a child, can also take charge now!”
Li Qing gave the fields to the tenants in the village and rented out the shops in Qingshan City. Before long, there was greater certainty that Li Yu was pregnant.
In the blink of an eye, it was the Qingming Festival. However, Li Yu couldn’t go to the grave because she was pregnant. Li Qing went to his parents’ grave alone and followed Li Yu’s instructions to add new soil and worship the small grave beside his parents!
After Li Qing swept the grave and paid his respects, he returned to the inn. Li Yu had already packed up and was waiting to set off for Qingchuan.
After Li Yu left, Zhou Jia received a letter from Shen Wu. Zhou Jia met Doctor Wen, who was still in high spirits, and said happily, “Sir, you’re still in Qingzhou! Why did you only come to look for me now?”
Doctor Wen smiled and said, “How would I know that you guys came to Qingchuan! If I had known, I would have come to look for you long ago! Where’s your wife?”
“Yu’er went back with my brother-in-law to pay respects to my parents-in-law. I’m afraid she won’t be back until mid-March. Sir, go wash up first. I’ll get someone to prepare food for you!”
“Alright.” Zhou Jia brought Doctor Wen to the bathroom. When he came out, he took out the letter that Shen Wu had brought. He found out that General Huang had been beheaded and his family exiled. Manager Ouyang was exempted from the punishment but given 20 strokes of the paddle. The Qingzhou government would also send a county lieutenant with the surname Yu to Qingchuan. The Imperial Court had also received news that Great Qi had the intention to invade Great Yong. The Imperial Court was preparing to send troops to guard Qingchuan. Great Qi had the intention to invade Great Yong! When Zhou Jia saw this, his heart, which had only relaxed for a short time, became tense again.
After Qingming, it rained for a few days. The light rain made the mountain path even more slippery. Since Li Yu was pregnant, the others didn’t dare to hurry. They advanced carefully.
From the middle of March, Zhou Jia went to the city gate every day to wait for Li Yu to return. When it was March 20th and there was no sign of Li Yu, he couldn’t help but worry.
Seeing Zhou Jia frown and return from the city gate unhappily, Doctor Wen comforted him. “Your wife is good at martial arts, so you don’t have to worry. It might be because of other matters that her trip was delayed!”
Zhou Jia forced a smile and said, “Sir! Yu’er hates evil. When she went home, she still had to deal with the matter of the old residence’s fields being occupied. I’m afraid that she has been plotted against.”
Doctor Wen rolled his eyes at Zhou Jia. “Your wife hates evil, but she’s not stupid! I think she’s much calmer than you are!”
Zhou Jia looked as if he had eaten honey. “Really! Sir, you have a high evaluation of Yu’er!”
Doctor Wen looked at Zhou Jia with disdain. “Tsk tsk! Look at you. In the past, your grandfather was worried that you were gay, but he didn’t expect you to dote on your wife! I won’t talk to you anymore. I’ll go to the streets today!”
“Alright, I’ll get Ah Lei to accompany you!”
“That’s good.” Doctor Wen carried the medicine box and a small stool. Ah Lei carried a small wooden table and a stool and followed Doctor Wen to the street.
As soon as Zhou Jia arrived at the government office, Mr. Qian came with a complaint. Mr. Qian said to Zhou Jia, “Sir, an old woman outside came to submit a complaint. She said that her daughter-in-law murdered her son! Since you haven’t returned from the city gate, I asked her to go back first.”
Zhou Jia took the complaint and saw that it was written that the son of a family on North Street was called Wang Daqiang. He had been doing carpentry away from home for the past two years and had caught a cold a few days after returning home. He died last night. His mother-in-law, Madam He, suspected that her daughter-in-law, Madam Su, had murdered her son and came to complain.
Zhou Jia thought to himself, “He suddenly died after catching a cold! Did that woman really kill her husband?”
Zhou Jia looked at Scribe Tu. “Mr. Tu, did the coroner you mentioned last time come back?”
“He’s back, my lord. Shall we call him?”
“Yes! Get someone to call the coroner. Let’s go take a look!”
“Yes, sir!” Scribe Tu sent the bailiff to invite Coroner Yang. Zhou Jia and Mr. Qian led the two bailiffs towards North Street. When they reached North Street, they saw a small courtyard with a white banner hanging in front of it. The courtyard was filled with people helping. A thin and small old woman with a thin boy sat on the ground of the central room, crying her heart out. Beside her, a woman knelt and covered her face as she cried.
211 Pregnancy
The old physician took out a pulse cushion and said with a smile, “Madam Li, since I’m here, I’ll take your pulse!”
“Sorry for your wait so long.” Li Yu reached out and placed her hand on the pulse cushion. After the old physician took her pulse for a while, he said, “It’s not very obvious. Perhaps it’s because it’s too early. In another half a month, we should be able to confirm it. Madam Li, don’t work too hard these days.”
Li Yu looked at the old physician in a daze. “Physician, do you mean that I’m pregnant?”
The old doctor smiled and said to Li Yu, “Yes, according to the pulse, you are. It’s just that it’s too early. I’m not very sure, but it’s better to be careful.”
Li Qing quickly asked, “Does she need some tonic?”
The old doctor put away the medicine box. “There’s no need. All medicine contains poison. Madam Li is very healthy. She doesn’t have to drink any tonic!” Li Qing hurriedly gave the consultation fee and reward money and sent the old physician away.
Li Yu sat there and gently touched her stomach. Calculating the time, her period had indeed been delayed for more than half a month. Li Yu thought happily, “Am I really pregnant? Baby, are you really here?”
After Li Qing sent the physician off, he came back and said with a smile, “Sister, am I going to be an uncle?”
“The physician said that it should be the case, but we can only confirm it in a few days. Why are you back so quickly? How did the county government judge the cases?”
Li Qing took out the banknotes from his pocket and handed them to Li Yu. “Here’s 500 taels of silver. It’s the Hu family’s compensation for the taking of the fields and the fine. The families in the village also took back the fields and received the compensation and silver.
Sister, someone in the hall sued Hu San for snatching a woman from a good family. Hu San and that butler were also arrested. He Cheng, who was crippled, also received the money for the medicine. Also, the family member of the guard who died also received the money.”
Li Qing took a sip of tea. “That County Magistrate Zhu is really ruthless. He sentenced Hu San’s father and Butler Hu to 50 strokes of the cane and exiled them to a cold place. Even the daughter of the Hu family was chased out of the county office.”
Li Yu looked at Li Qing. “He was at risk of losing his post. Of course, he has to give the people an explanation through the heavy sentence! That’s why most of the concubines are the source of trouble for the family. Those shameless people even said that it was a blessing for everyone! Damn it! Remember, you’re not allowed to take concubines in the future. If you do, I’ll break your legs!”
Li Qing chuckled and said, “Sister, don’t worry. I’ll do whatever you say. However, you can’t swear in the future. My nephew is listening!”
Li Yu knocked on Li Qing and smiled. “How do you know it’s your nephew? Isn’t it good to have a niece?”
“It’s better if I have a nephew! Rest well. Big Brother Xu and I will go to the village and give the fields to the tenant farmers. Yu Niang will buy a hen to stew soup for you!”
“Alright, come back early for dinner.” Li Yu watched as Li Qing walked out of the room to do something. She thought to herself, “Ah Qing, who was once a child, can also take charge now!”
Li Qing gave the fields to the tenants in the village and rented out the shops in Qingshan City. Before long, there was greater certainty that Li Yu was pregnant.
In the blink of an eye, it was the Qingming Festival. However, Li Yu couldn’t go to the grave because she was pregnant. Li Qing went to his parents’ grave alone and followed Li Yu’s instructions to add new soil and worship the small grave beside his parents!
After Li Qing swept the grave and paid his respects, he returned to the inn. Li Yu had already packed up and was waiting to set off for Qingchuan.
After Li Yu left, Zhou Jia received a letter from Shen Wu. Zhou Jia met Doctor Wen, who was still in high spirits, and said happily, “Sir, you’re still in Qingzhou! Why did you only come to look for me now?”
Doctor Wen smiled and said, “How would I know that you guys came to Qingchuan! If I had known, I would have come to look for you long ago! Where’s your wife?”
“Yu’er went back with my brother-in-law to pay respects to my parents-in-law. I’m afraid she won’t be back until mid-March. Sir, go wash up first. I’ll get someone to prepare food for you!”
“Alright.” Zhou Jia brought Doctor Wen to the bathroom. When he came out, he took out the letter that Shen Wu had brought. He found out that General Huang had been beheaded and his family exiled. Manager Ouyang was exempted from the punishment but given 20 strokes of the paddle. The Qingzhou government would also send a county lieutenant with the surname Yu to Qingchuan. The Imperial Court had also received news that Great Qi had the intention to invade Great Yong. The Imperial Court was preparing to send troops to guard Qingchuan. Great Qi had the intention to invade Great Yong! When Zhou Jia saw this, his heart, which had only relaxed for a short time, became tense again.
After Qingming, it rained for a few days. The light rain made the mountain path even more slippery. Since Li Yu was pregnant, the others didn’t dare to hurry. They advanced carefully.
From the middle of March, Zhou Jia went to the city gate every day to wait for Li Yu to return. When it was March 20th and there was no sign of Li Yu, he couldn’t help but worry.
Seeing Zhou Jia frown and return from the city gate unhappily, Doctor Wen comforted him. “Your wife is good at martial arts, so you don’t have to worry. It might be because of other matters that her trip was delayed!”
Zhou Jia forced a smile and said, “Sir! Yu’er hates evil. When she went home, she still had to deal with the matter of the old residence’s fields being occupied. I’m afraid that she has been plotted against.”
Doctor Wen rolled his eyes at Zhou Jia. “Your wife hates evil, but she’s not stupid! I think she’s much calmer than you are!”
Zhou Jia looked as if he had eaten honey. “Really! Sir, you have a high evaluation of Yu’er!”
Doctor Wen looked at Zhou Jia with disdain. “Tsk tsk! Look at you. In the past, your grandfather was worried that you were gay, but he didn’t expect you to dote on your wife! I won’t talk to you anymore. I’ll go to the streets today!”
“Alright, I’ll get Ah Lei to accompany you!”
“That’s good.” Doctor Wen carried the medicine box and a small stool. Ah Lei carried a small wooden table and a stool and followed Doctor Wen to the street.
As soon as Zhou Jia arrived at the government office, Mr. Qian came with a complaint. Mr. Qian said to Zhou Jia, “Sir, an old woman outside came to submit a complaint. She said that her daughter-in-law murdered her son! Since you haven’t returned from the city gate, I asked her to go back first.”
Zhou Jia took the complaint and saw that it was written that the son of a family on North Street was called Wang Daqiang. He had been doing carpentry away from home for the past two years and had caught a cold a few days after returning home. He died last night. His mother-in-law, Madam He, suspected that her daughter-in-law, Madam Su, had murdered her son and came to complain.
Zhou Jia thought to himself, “He suddenly died after catching a cold! Did that woman really kill her husband?”
Zhou Jia looked at Scribe Tu. “Mr. Tu, did the coroner you mentioned last time come back?”
“He’s back, my lord. Shall we call him?”
“Yes! Get someone to call the coroner. Let’s go take a look!”
“Yes, sir!” Scribe Tu sent the bailiff to invite Coroner Yang. Zhou Jia and Mr. Qian led the two bailiffs towards North Street. When they reached North Street, they saw a small courtyard with a white banner hanging in front of it. The courtyard was filled with people helping. A thin and small old woman with a thin boy sat on the ground of the central room, crying her heart out. Beside her, a woman knelt and covered her face as she cried.
