Zhou Shuren touched Zhulan’s belly. This child was a good thing. With this child, he and Zhulan would strive to live; the longer the better. They wanted to see their child marry and have children, to support him. Ancient times best illustrated the importance of family connections. As long as the maternal family was powerful, the husband’s family could only treat their daughter well. If the child were a boy, he would raise him with care. His and Zhulan’s child would definitely be the best.

Zhou Shuren felt different, completely different. He used to do everything casually. To be honest, chasing after children was just to live better and incidentally prepare a future for his adopted children.

But now, he felt alive, full of fighting spirit. Hmm, some of his previous plans could be changed.

The two first-time parents in the main courtyard smiled foolishly, and soon they were discussing what to name their child.

In the eldest branch, Li Shi almost dropped her son when she heard the news. Fortunately, the Juanhua caught her quickly. The child cried loudly in fright, and Li Shi and Boss Zhou came to their senses.

Seeing that the child was all right, Li Shi slapped her hand hard. She had been quite startled and almost dropped her son. The child kept crying, and she felt sorry for him. She gestured to Juanhua to take the child out for a walk.

After Juanhua left with the child, Li Shi exclaimed, “Honey, Mom is pregnant?”

She was truly shocked. Then she realized that she should indeed be pregnant. Her in-laws were so affectionate; she had wondered if they didn’t want the baby, which was why there hadn’t been any news for several years!

Li Shi remembered that her Second Shěn had also given birth to another child in her forties and had not thought much of it. There were quite a few such examples in the village, though there were also many women who had died in childbirth.

Li Shi’s heart tightened again, but then she thought, the Zhou family can afford doctors and all sorts of expensive medicines; it should be alright, right?

Boss Zhou said blankly, “We will indeed have a little brother or sister soon.”

After saying that, Boss Zhou felt a toothache. How old was he? In a few years, his eldest son would be engaged, and he would be a big brother again. Very good; his father was very powerful.

Li Shi and Boss Zhou exchanged a glance and sighed. Li Shi sighed because she and her son had fallen out of favor; their youngest son and eldest grandson were their lifeblood.

In the third branch, Dong Shi’s lips twitched. Was her mother-in-law pregnant? Her mother was in her thirties when she gave birth to her—her mother-in-law was something else!

At the thought that a year from now there would be a baby-like little shūzi or gūzi, Dong Shi felt a pang of envy. She had not even consummated her marriage yet!

Changlian also looked up at the sky speechlessly. He thought that given how much the old man disliked them, he’d had enough of the child, but this was truly unexpected.

Xuehan, being a girl, not only managed the household at her age but also understood everything. Xuehan was worried about her mother’s health; she remembered how her mother’s health had been very poor a few years ago.

At breakfast, Zhulan enjoyed everyone’s attention. Although the gazes were subtle, Zhulan still felt everyone was looking at her belly.

Li Shi dared not lean against her mother-in-law anymore; her weight had returned, and she was even rounder than before. Afraid of bumping into her mother-in-law’s belly, Li Shi couldn’t help but keep her distance. Her father-in-law’s gaze was terrifying, as if he would throw her out if she dared to lean on him.

Zhulan was still very happy, but seeing the children all looking at her, she couldn’t help but blush. She felt like she was in her thirties, but her body was forty. Being pregnant at this age was indeed inappropriate. Just thinking about it made her ears turn red, and her head felt hot.

Zhou Shuren coughed and said, “Alright, let’s eat.”

As soon as Zhou Shuren spoke, the Zhou family members dared not look anymore and lowered their heads to eat.

After breakfast, Zhou Shuren walked away with light steps; anyone could see that he was in a particularly good mood. He even seemed to be waiting for everyone to ask him questions.

Chen Daren didn’t want to fall for it; he had been tricked too badly by Zhou Daren. In the past two years, Zhou Daren had intermittently swindled quite a few books from his collection. He resolutely refused to ask and walked away indifferently.

He Daren, on the other hand, wanted to ask, but his past experiences hadn’t been pleasant. Why was his face still so dark? Thanks to Zhou Daren, He Daren nodded and went to attend to his work.

Zhou Shuren, “…”

No, don’t be like that! He really didn’t intend to trick anyone today; he truly had good news!

At the Zhou family, Zhulan sent Liu Ya to her parents’ home to inform them. Zhulan spoke with a blush on her face; she didn’t know what her parents thought of her!

Xuehan gently touched her mother’s belly. “Mother, are you really not feeling unwell?”

Zhulan shook her head. “No, I feel perfectly fine. You can tell by how much I ate this morning.”

Two bowls of porridge, a steamed bun, and a bowl of steamed egg custard.

Wu Ning looked at the list of things pregnant women should avoid, and she saw crab. “Auntie, you ate crabs some days back. Are you really okay?”

Xuehan asked anxiously, “Mother.”

Zhulan touched her belly and smiled at Xuehan, “When your second sao felt nauseous, I felt nauseous too. I ate a few bites and was fine. If something was wrong, I would have reacted by now.”

Xuehan and Wu Ning were relieved. Xue Han smiled. “Then we should thank our second sao.”

Zhulan smiled; indeed, they should thank Zhao Shi. Zhao Shi and Second Zhou’s little schemes hadn’t stopped. “Liu Ya, have Steward Ding send someone to Chuanzhou to tell Second Master the good news.”

This time, the couple from the second branch of the family should finally shut up. So what if the child looks like her? She and Zhou Shuren have their own child. Well, even if they didn’t have a biological child, she wouldn’t let Second Zhou and his wife come back just because of the child.

(End of Chapter)

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