Chapter 103: Three Years of pregnancy

Chapter 103

Da Zhuang walked over and said, "Mother, Madam County Mayor, you should go back soon. It's windy outside."

"It's fine," Li Yao said. "How many acres can you plow in one day?"

"About one acre. The mountain soil here is too hard, and the ox is small."

Li Yao watched for a while and realized it was difficult to plow. Nnêw n0vel chapters are published at novelhall.com

In fact, the small ox had grown quite big after being raised for so long. It shouldn't have such a hard time. Being able to plow only one acre a day was too little.

In her memory, one ox could plow at least two acres of paddy fields while plowing, harrowing, and bundling together. Could her memory be wrong?

No, that wasn't it.

She suddenly realized what was off about the plow Da Zhuang was using.

She racked her brain trying to remember what plows were like in her past life. Finally she remembered what was different.

The beam of past life plows was curved, while Da Zhuang's was straight.

"Da Zhuang, let's go back for today. We need to modify the plow a bit."

"Okay."

Da Zhuang didn't think much of it. He packed up and went home. Then as Li Yao instructed, he went into the woods and chopped down a small, curved tree.

Following her memories, Li Yao had Da Zhuang start working on it. After a morning's work, a curved-beam plow was complete.

"Let's go try it out again."

Carrying the new plow head back to the field, Da Zhuang skillfully attached it to the little yellow ox's back. Then he started plowing.

"Go on-"

With his shout, the little yellow ox immediately started walking, pulling the plow.

Expecting the usual struggling, the ox was surprised that it was so easy to pull this time. It quickened its pace.

Behind operating the plow, Da Zhuang was even more pleasantly surprised.

The previous plow took great effort just to hold down. The slightest lack of control would make it sway left and right, often resulting in missed patches.

But this new plow was so easy to operate. Just a little effort allowed easy control of direction and depth. The speed was several times faster than before!

If plowing just one round, he felt he could plow five acres in a day!

"Mother, this new plow is too amazing!"

"It's great, but remember to rest. People and oxen can't get worn out." Li Yao instructed.

"I understand, Mother."

"Examine me?" He Xiaoya looked confused. "Mother, I'm fine. Why see a doctor?"

"I said to see one, so eat."

The children didn't dare ask any more after not experiencing Li Yao's "sternness" for so long.

The County Mayor's wife understood. As a mother herself, she naturally knew Li Yao's intention.

After lunch, Da Zhuang and his brothers went about their business. Li Yao, Li Zhen, and He Xiaoya stayed home.

After taking He Xiaoya's pulse, the doctor happily congratulated, "Congratulations Mistress Li, congratulations on your daughter-in-law's pregnancy!"

"Are you sure you didn't make a mistake?"

"Mistress Li jests. I've diagnosed hundreds of pregnant women. I've never been wrong."

Li Yao's mouth twitched. He Xiaoya flushed red, feeling flustered yet excited.

She had been married to Da Zhuang for eight months and was finally pregnant!

Mother and Da Zhuang should be very happy right?

She just wondered if it was a boy or girl.

It'd be great if a boy, but if a girl, she didn't know if Mother-In-Law would be unhappy...

In an instant, He Xiaoya thought of many things.

"Miss Li, I offer congratulations as well." The County Mayor's wife said. "I'll prepare a gift for Xiaoya."

After seeing the doctor off, Li Yao solemnly called He Xiaoya over, "Now that you're pregnant, there are things to pay attention to."

"Mother, I'll listen to everything you say."

"From now on, let Xiao Hui do the laundry, cooking, and cleaning." Li Yao said. "Don't do any farm work, avoid cold water, don't go near the soap workshop, eat plenty of meat and eggs every day..."

Listening to Li Yao's constant instructions, He Xiaoya grew dizzy.

Doing nothing while eating well, wasn't this becoming a young mistress of a wealthy family?

"Mother, if I do nothing, then what do I do?"

It's said pregnancy makes one silly for three years. And she had just conceived, already losing logic when speaking.

"Take walks, exercise," Li Yao thought for a bit, "If really bored, do some needlework and embroidery. I'll have Da Zhuang buy you some silk. Fiddle with it however you like."

"Remember it all?" Li Yao asked finally.

"I remember."

He Xiaoya felt she was definitely the most fortunate daughter-in-law under heaven.