Chapter 9

Chapter 9

On the very day my pregnancy was confirmed, Concubine Bai fainted.

Ruomei muttered under her breath, “You just found out you’re expecting, and she immediately makes a grand show of calling for a doctor. It’s truly bad luck.”

Over the years, Wu Zhiyu had remained childless.

His previous wife, Madam Li, had been in poor health and never bore him any children.

Concubine Bai came from a brothel. It was said she had been forced to drink contraceptive tonics in the past, making it difficult for her to conceive.

Now that I was pregnant, the Dowager Marchioness was so happy she couldn’t stop smiling. She rewarded me with many precious ingredients and even sent an experienced matron to oversee my diet and daily life.

Wu Zhiyu also began to take me more seriously, visiting my courtyard several times.

No doubt, all of this must have tasted like bitter gall to Concubine Bai.

However, I was genuinely happy to have a child.

Whether it was a boy or a girl, my ties to the Marquis’ Mansion would deepen.

I would finally be able to secure a firm footing here.

A woman relies on her husband for the first half of her life, and on her children for the second.

One day, the doctor checked my pulse and said my health was excellent and the pulse was strong; I simply needed to focus on a peaceful pregnancy.

I was in high spirits. For lunch, I ate a large bowl of wontons and an extra goose-fat roll.

Since I became pregnant, it wasn’t just Ruomei who wore her joy on her face; even the other servants in my courtyard walked with a spring in their step, looking radiant.

But that evening, Wu Zhiyu suddenly arrived.

He asked about my condition, and after learning everything was fine, he spoke with measured hesitation.

“I’ve heard that your father’s superior is about to be promoted. Your father has always been steady and reliable. If I were to intervene on his behalf, he could certainly rise another rank.”

His tone was strange. I could only reply, “There is no need for the Marquis to trouble himself. My father’s talents are not particularly outstanding; it would not be good for his rank to exceed his merit.”

My father was a decent scholar, but he was far from sophisticated when it came to navigating the world of officialdom.

Wu Zhiyu raised an eyebrow. “Don’t women… usually hope for a powerful maternal family so their lives in their husband’s home will be easier?”

I sighed inwardly. No matter how much my father prospered, he would never surpass the Marquis Jing’an.

If he could, I would have divorced the man immediately and married a real husband.

I wouldn’t have to live this life of swallowing my pride and treading on eggshells.

Of course, I didn’t dare say that. I simply said, “Truly, there is no need.”

Wu Zhiyu looked at me deeply and hesitated for a long moment before finally speaking.

“Now that you are pregnant, Xiniang… she is in a very bad state emotionally…”

How was I supposed to respond to that?

I could only keep my mouth shut.

Wu Zhiyu sighed. “Xiniang has been with me for so long, yet she hasn’t been able to bear a single child…”

I said, “With slow and careful treatment, she will have one eventually. My aunt on my father’s side knows a specialist in women’s health; I can introduce her to Concubine Bai when the time comes.”

These were mere pleasantries.

Concubine Bai was so delicate that I wouldn’t dare recommend a doctor to her.

Wu Zhiyu looked into my eyes and gritted his teeth.

“I can… ensure both your father and your uncle are promoted by one rank.”

“If… if you give birth, your first child… can you give it to Xiniang to raise?”