Climbing on the Sparrow Branch – CH 830

Chapter 830: Auspicious Sign

The Pei family was preparing for a wedding, but they kept it low-key. An Zhi only invited her sister-in-law and Yu Yao from next door to help.

Binglu’s dowry had been prepared long ago.

However, the date was approaching, so purchasing ingredients for the banquet and doing the bookkeeping required many people.

By the fifteenth of the month, everything was almost finished, and they were just waiting for Shunzi to come and fetch the bride the next day.

That evening, An Zhi invited her sister-in-law and the others to stay for dinner.

Binglu, being a girl of marriageable age, was not receiving guests at this time; Cuisi took her place to serve An Zhi.

Cuisi had just passed her coming-of-age ceremony and was much older than when she was ten, and her appearance had become even more beautiful.

An Zhi toasted her sister-in-law, “Thank you so much for your help these past few days. Shunzi’s coming tomorrow; he should toast you a few more times.”

Huiping laughed. “Of course, we will drink. But do not drink too much; Shunzi’s been waiting for so many years, and he’s getting married tonight, haha.”

After spending time in the Northwest, Huiping had become increasingly outgoing, and Yu Yao, with her equally carefree personality, laughed along.

However, Zhang Huai’an and Tao Ruiming at the next table felt a little embarrassed.

An Zhi gestured to her sister-in-law to stop laughing; there were still young women at their table. Huiping quickly stopped smiling and looked at Zhang Qiong across the table. “Qiong’er, I heard your mother is very worried about your marriage. How about I introduce you to a few generals from the Northwest? They are all typical Northwestern men, guaranteed to dote on their wives.”

Most young women would have blushed at this, but Zhang Qiong readily agreed, “Thank you, Aunt, but you will have to talk to my mother about it. I’m not worried.”

Huiping looked at Yu Yao. “What do you think, sister-in-law?”

“You have suitable candidates… Of course, that’s great!” Yu Yao and Huiping had spent several days together, both being very outgoing and easygoing people, and got along very well. “Tell me quickly, what kind of young men are they?”

Huiping immediately named several young men, then picked up his wine cup and downed it in one gulp. “These are all quite good, among them… Hey, sister-in-law, what’s wrong?”

Yu Yao had just smelled the fishy smell in Huiping’s bowl when her stomach started to feel uncomfortable. She gagged slightly and said it was nothing, “Maybe I ate too much… ugh.”

“That’s not right. You do not look like you’ve eaten too much,” Huiping frowned.

An Zhi immediately sent someone to fetch the family physician.

“No need for all that trouble. On such a joyous occasion, there’s no need to call the physician. Just rest at home for a while.” Yu Yao herself did not feel anything was wrong; she was usually quite healthy, and since Uncle Gong had examined her, she felt even better. “It’s probably just that the fish got cold and a little fishy; ​​it’s really nothing.”

“But we should still call the physician to come and take a look.” An Zhi helped Yu Yao to the side and brought her a cup of tea. “Everyone has almost finished eating; it will be reassuring to have the physician check on us.”

Hearing this, Yu Yao did not say anything more.

Zhang Huai’an also came over, and after asking a few questions, Yu Yao got annoyed. “Go play with Pei Que and the others; I’m really fine.”

Zhang Huai’an refused to leave. “I do not have much fun with them. Qiong’er, take your younger sisters to play first.”

Zhang Qiong glanced at her mother worriedly, but knowing her father was concerned about her two younger sisters being too young, she took them out to play first.

The family physician arrived quickly. When he took Yu Yao’s pulse, she seemed quite relaxed, as she had been feeling fine lately, except for being a little sleepy.

After a while, the physician bowed to Zhang Huai’an, saying, “Congratulations, Minister Zhang; congratulations, Madam of Zhang! It’s a pregnancy pulse.”

Upon hearing it was a pregnancy pulse, Yu Yao’s first reaction was not joy, but rather a question, “Doctor, you have not made a mistake, have you? I’m this old; how could I be pregnant?”

“No mistake. I checked for quite a while myself, and it is indeed a pregnancy pulse,” the doctor explained. “In the past, some women gave birth at fifty, so it’s normal for you to be pregnant in your thirties. Moreover, you’re in good health, and you’ve been taking good care of yourself recently, which is why you’re pregnant.”

Yu Yao had taken the medicine given to her by Uncle Gong, but having long since given up on this, she dared not hope for it again, focusing instead on improving her health.

Zhang Huai’an was also stunned, his mouth agape, unsure whether to laugh or cry for a moment.

Yu Yao had only three daughters and no concubines. The couple had prepared for a son-in-law to marry into the family later, so no one expected Yu Yao to become pregnant again.

An Zhi clapped her hands and cheered, “This is wonderful news! Sister Yu, did you not want to be pregnant again? You should be happy!”

“I…I feel like I’m dreaming?” Before she could finish her sentence, tears streamed down Yu Yao’s face. She turned to look at Zhang Huai’an, wanting to speak, but nothing came out; she could only cry.

Zhang Huai’an, realizing what was happening, hugged Yu Yao tightly. “Do not cry; this is good news.”

“I…I cannot hold it in,” Yu Yao sobbed.

Just then, Zhang Qiong, who had quietly returned, saw her parents embracing in anguish. Startled, she stumbled and bumped into the wall. “Father, Mother, is Mother sick?”

“No,” Huiping interrupted, seeing Zhang Huai’an and his wife crying. “It’s good news! Your mother is pregnant! You’re going to be a big sister again!”

“Pregnant?” Zhang Qiong was stunned for a moment before realizing what that meant. “But…but Mother is not…”

For a moment, Zhang Qiong could not speak.

Yu Yao cried for a while, then, after calming down, she felt embarrassed and pinched Zhang Huai’an hard.

Zhang Huai’an did not understand what was wrong, but since Yu Yao was pregnant, he could only patiently ask, “Why did you pinch me?”

“It’s all your fault! Like an old clam giving birth to a pearl, people will laugh at us if we tell anyone!” Yu Yao said shyly.

The others, seeing Yu Yao act so coquettishly for the first time, tactfully led Zhang Qiong outside, leaving the room to Yu Yao and her husband.

Zhang Huai’an grabbed Yu Yao’s hand. “What’s so funny? It’s our ability to have children. If they are so capable, let them have children, too. You’re usually such a straightforward person; why are you fussing over this? We finally have a child again, so you need to take good care of yourself. Do not go to any banquets these days; just stay home and rest.”

Yu Yao was also afraid of something going wrong if she went out. Before, unaware of her pregnancy, she often went out, and now the thought terrified her. “This time, I must be strong and shut those gossipy women up. From now on, if anyone dares to send you a woman, I will go and chop them down!”

In the past, she had suppressed her anger, but Yu Yao lacked the courage to lash out, so she simply ignored them. But this time, she did not want to endure it anymore.

“Ah, speaking of which, I really have to thank An Zhi and the others,” Yu Yao said sincerely. “If it were not for them having Uncle Gong help me regulate my body, I would not be pregnant again. You must remember this kindness; do not let being an official make you stupid. Since you’re in the capital, having good friends is very important. After all, the Zhang family has no one else to support them; you can only rely on yourself.”