Chapter 737: Brother and Sister-in-law Arrive
Translator: Henyee Translations | Editor: Henyee Translations
Amidst the laboring woman’s agonizing screams, Chu Qingning took a few deep breaths and stepped forward with the medical tools, ready to act, but ultimately couldn’t overcome her fear.
“Check if my fifth sister has arrived yet?” she requested.
One of the midwives responded, “I’ll go and see.”
As she finished speaking, the door opened, and Chu Qingzhi walked in. She put on gloves, sanitized her hands with strong liquor, took the medical tools from Chu Qingning, and began the emergency procedure, explaining the process to her.
Soon, the baby was born.
Chu Qingzhi wrapped the baby and handed it to the midwives, then taught Chu Qingning how to stitch the wound. “Fourth Sister, can you handle it?”
Chu Qingning, feeling a bit overwhelmed and pale, thought of vomiting a few times, “I might need a bit more time.”
“It’s okay, take your time.” Chu Qingzhi commended her, “Your quick response was excellent. Without you today, the mother might have been in danger.”
These words instantly instilled Chu Qingning with a sense of sacred duty, “I’ll do better next time.”
Chu Qingzhi smiled and nodded, “I believe in your capabilities.”
After taking care of the mother and the room, Chu Qingzhi gave some postnatal care instructions before leaving the room with Chu Qingning.
Granny Sun joyfully invited them, “Qingning, Qingzhi, come have some sweet eggs as thanks. Who knows what might have happened without you today?”
Eating sweet eggs is a custom to celebrate the birth of a child. Wealthier families prepare these as a treat for visitors.
Chu Qingning thanked her, “Thankyou, Granny Sun.”
During the meal, Granny Sun handed over three taels of silver as a fee, grateful for saving her daughter-in-law and grandchild.
Chu Qingzhi signaled Chu Qingning to accept it and whispered some advice to Granny Sun, “The mother has a wound, so she should eat more carp soup to help it heal. And they should abstain from intimacy for three months to avoid complications.”
Granny Sun nodded vigorously, “I’ll make sure of it.”
“Good.” After the meal, the sisters left.
Chu Qingzhi headed to the woods, while Chu Qingning returned to her room to document the day’s medical procedures for future reference.
In the workshop area.
Shen Ruyue packed ten kilos of small cakes into the goods for the Tan family and instructed the delivery people, “When you deliver, tell the shopkeeper that the small cakes are for a trial sale, and ask them to pay attention to how well they sell.”
“We understand.”
“Off you go.” Shen Ruyue then packed more small cakes for other merchants, giving the same instructions, and waited for feedback.
At the county office.
The county magistrate had no interest in dealing with three men bitten by wolves. Thinking it related to the Chu family, he simply handed the case over to Chu Xujin.
Chu Xujin visited the jail, feeling a tinge of sympathy for the pitiful men, “Will you go after Tian Xiaoqiu again?”
Only those who had experienced the terror of the three wolves could understand its extent. Who would dare?
“We dare not, we dare not. Can you let us go?”
Pleased with their response, Chu Xujin warned, “Remember what you’ve said.
If you go after Tian Xiaoqiu again, this jail will be your home.”
“We’ve learned our lesson. Can we go now?”
“Stay put. You’ll be released after a month.” A lesson was needed to prevent reoffending.
“We understand we were wrong. Please let us go.” They couldn’t stand another moment in jail.
“Stay here.” Chu Xujin ignored their pleas and left the jail.
At the inn.
Jiang Zhaozhong brought his brother and sister-in-law, along with his two nephews, to an inn. “Brother, sister-in-law, rest for a bit. I’ll invite the matchmaker this afternoon to discuss things with you.”
Wu Yan tentatively asked, “Could we meet the girl first?”
Jiang Zhaozhong paused, “What do you mean, sister-in-law?”
Wu Yan hurriedly explained, “I mean no offense, just genuinely wish to meet her.” Seeing Jiang Zhaozhong’s continued gaze, she added, “You are now a Martial Champion. An ordinary girl wouldn’t match you. Just so you know, if the girl isn’t suitable, we won’t agree.”
Jiang Tao echoed her sentiment, “I share your sister-in-law’s view. We’ve raised you through hardship, and you’ve become a Martial Champion. Marrying an ordinary girl wouldn’t justify our efforts.”
Jiang Zhaoyong had always been grateful that his sister-in-law and brother brought him up. In the end, he agreed. “I’ll go and talk to her.”
“Go on, we’ll wait,” Jiang Tao encouraged.
Jiang Zhaozhong, concerned about his brother and sister-in-law’s travel fatigue, suggested, “How about we talk after lunch?”
Jiang Tao waved off the suggestion, “No, let’s do it now. I and your sister-in- law are eager to meet her. Finalizing your marriage would ease our worries.”
Hesitantly, Jiang Zhaozhong agreed, “Alright, then. I’ll go now.” He then went downstairs, instructed the innkeeper to serve meals to his brother and sister- in-law, and headed for Chu village.
In the Chu Village.
While Chu Qingning was recording medical notes, Jiang Zhaozhong didn’t directly approach her but sought Li Qingyu instead.
“Aunt Chu, I’d like to discuss something with you.”
Li Qingyu was preparing lunch when she heard him say, “Just speak your mind.”
Jiang Zhaozhong diplomatically said, “Aunt Chu, my brother and sister-in-law have arrived, currently staying at the county inn. They’re grateful for your care and, coincidentally, tomorrow is my birthday. They thought it would be a good occasion to invite you all for a meal. What do you think?”
“Your birthday is coming up?”
“Yes.” Tomorrow was indeed his birthday.
Li Qingyu smiled and agreed, “Alright, we’ll definitely come.”
Jiang Zhaozhong sighed in relief, “Then it’s settled.”
“Sure.”
After checking on Chu Qingning, Jiang Zhaozhong hurried back to the inn to inform his brother and sister-in-law of the arrangement.
In the walnut grove.
By noon, most of the walnuts had been harvested and filled several bags, catching any leftovers.
Chu Qingzhi arrived at the walnut grove, “Lunch is ready, come with me.”
Everyone was surprised to hear about lunch.
Wan Haonan initially declined, “We can’t let the lady both give us work and feed us. We should head back to the county for lunch.”
Chu Qingzhi explained, “General Tang left me some money when he departed. Don’t worry, it’s not charity.”
The group was both surprised and touched, “General Tang really gave money?”
“Yes, let’s go.” Chu Qingzhi beckoned everyone to follow her back to the village.
Preparing lunch for the children and now making a bit more wasn’t too troublesome.
Chu Qingzhi led everyone to the ancestral hall, “Please, take a seat.”
Wan Haonan, observing the children queuing for food, suggested, “No rush, let the children eat first.”
From being abandoned to being cared for, the wounded soldiers felt deeply moved. They were fortunate to have met General Tang, who had such a kind fiancee. Otherwise, their fate would have been grim, as seen by the fates of many other wounded soldiers.