Lady of Fortune, Jiao Niang

Chapter 61

Before Doctor Li came, he didn't know what matter Ye Jiao had.

When Tie Zi called him over, he only said that Second Young Master was asking him to come examine Second Young Mistress and check on her well-being. But Doctor Li had been taking Qi Yun's pulse since he was born, and because Qi Yun's health was poor, they met almost every few days, so he could be said to understand him.

If there wasn't something particularly important, he wouldn't specifically call him over.

Originally Tie Zi said he could go the next day, but Doctor Li thought the matter was more serious. Qi Yun really was just asking him to come check on her well-being, not because of any illness, so it wasn't urgent. But Doctor Li felt the matter had reached a point where it couldn't be delayed.

Hurriedly carrying his medicine box over, Doctor Li originally wanted to go to the front first to ask Qi Yun what had happened, but he couldn't find him. His subordinates only said that after the three brothers finished dealing with the guests, they went out together, but didn't say where they went.

Unable to find Qi Yun, Doctor Li went to find someone to look for Ye Jiao. Who knew that when the person returned, he said to Doctor Li: "I'll take you to find Madam."

Doctor Li was covered in sweat, thinking to himself that something big had indeed happened. Look, it had even alarmed Liu Shi!

But when he entered the main hall, what Doctor Li heard was Liu Shi saying to him: "Mister Li came at just the right time, take a look at her."

And this "her" he was referring to was not Ye Jiao, but a woman Doctor Li didn't really recognize.

But seeing Madam Zhang beside her, Doctor Li knew this person was Madam Qian. However, Madam Qian usually wore a thin veil, so Doctor Li only remembered her veiled appearance. This was the first time he'd seen her with the veil removed.

Her appearance wasn't particularly attractive either. Why had she been covering it before...

However, Doctor Li wasn't the type to enjoy gossiping about others. He first quietly asked Liu Shi: "Madam, I came to check on Second Young Mistress's well-being."

Liu Shi was startled, as if she hadn't expected her daughter-in-law to have any problems. Ye Jiao looked toward Little Su: "Didn't my husband call him here?"

Little Su immediately replied: "It was Young Master's orders, to also examine Young Mistress."

Meanwhile, Madam Qian's face grew even paler, and her abdomen seemed to be in some pain. Liu Shi waved her hand and had Doctor Li go examine her first.

Doctor Li bowed and quickly went over, taking out his pulse pillow for Madam Qian to place her hand on. Then he pressed on Madam Qian's wrist and said to her: "Madam, please stick out your tongue for me to see."

But Madam Qian wouldn't open her mouth. She had always valued face, and was even more spoiled at home. Having her open her mouth and stick out her tongue in front of everyone would probably embarrass her to death first.

But Doctor Li had little patience with her. He still had Second Young Mistress on his mind, who was the proper employer, and he hadn't detected any serious illness from the pulse just now, so his tone was somewhat stern: "Your body is your own. If Madam doesn't cooperate, this old man cannot save you either."

Madam Zhang became anxious. In her view, the unborn grandson was most important. What did face matter?

In her urgency, she reached out to pry open Madam Qian's mouth. Madam Qian felt pain and finally opened her mouth.

Doctor Li took a look, then released her, putting away his pulse pillow while saying: "Has Madam recently had poor appetite, nausea and fatigue, and some distorted vision?"

Madam Qian nodded. Madam Zhang said: "Isn't that how it is?" When pregnant, who doesn't have poor appetite and nausea?

But Doctor Li hadn't heard what they'd said earlier and didn't know what Madam Zhang was referring to now. Hearing this, he just nodded: "Mm, most are like this. Madam must not get angry recently. It's best to maintain peace of mind, eat less cold and greasy foods. I'll prescribe medicine for you to take home. Ten days or half a month and you'll be better."

Ten days or half a month and she'll be better?

Ye Jiao blinked, asking Spring Orchid somewhat strangely: "Spring Orchid, isn't it supposed to be ten months of pregnancy?"

Dong Shi was also confused, but since she was from the medicine shop, she quickly figured out Doctor Li's words, and then her face showed a strange expression.

She seemed to want to laugh but was holding it back, making her mouth tremble.

Sure enough, Doctor Li was particularly puzzled: "Pregnancy? Who's pregnant?" As soon as the words left his mouth, Doctor Li realized, and looked at Madam Qian: "Madam may have misunderstood. You just have unresolved internal heat, plus accumulated stress, which has injured your spleen and stomach. Taking medicine will cure it."

As soon as these words came out, many people showed expressions similar to Dong Shi's.

Although most of the people present didn't understand medical principles, when these few words were put together, they could still figure out the meaning.

Wasn't this just being angry?

But the more they knew the reason, the more amusing they found it.

Everyone present had eyes and ears. They had clearly seen Madam Zhang and Madam Qian coming to cause trouble just now, and they understood perfectly in their hearts. Although they maintained face and never said anything to them directly, they truly looked down on them somewhat in their hearts.

If they wanted to fight and compete at their own home, that would be fine. At least it would be behind closed doors with no one knowing. But bringing this fighting outside, especially choosing the time when the Qi family was celebrating good news, truly showed no sense of propriety.

Moreover, using a child to show off was indeed somewhat contemptible.

Their child had grown up and achieved top honors before hosting a banquet. Your unborn child should be revered as a top scholar?

Now even the belly they could use to show off was gone. Wasn't this laughable?

But no one laughed, not out of consideration for Madam Zhang and Madam Qian's face, but because they felt this was the Qi family's Third Young Master's banquet after all. If they laughed out loud, Liu Shi might also feel uncomfortable.

But what they didn't expect was that Liu Shi was very comfortable, extremely comfortable!

She and Madam Zhang had always maintained surface politeness. Previously not arguing with Madam Zhang didn't mean Liu Shi had no temper.

On the contrary, Liu Shi had always found her annoying, just didn't want to lower herself. Plus, Madam Zhang used to always use Qi Yun's health to provoke her. Liu Shi didn't dare get angry, fearing that getting angry would also implicate her second son's fortune, so she could only endure it.

Later, after Jiao Niang's incident at the temple, Liu Shi had vented her anger and didn't plan to deal with her anymore. But who could have expected Madam Zhang would still come looking for trouble.

Now it was good. Someone had delivered their own face and their own slap. Not hitting would feel like letting down this convenient kindness.

If someone laughed, Liu Shi would probably only agree in her heart and wouldn't be angry at all.

Fang Shi was someone who was particularly good at flattery as long as it didn't involve money. Seeing Liu Shi's silent demeanor, she naturally understood her mother-in-law's mood.

With an exaggerated look of surprise on her round face, Fang Shi said: "Doctor Li, you must be careful not to misdiagnose, otherwise Nanny Liu's plain noodles would be made for nothing."

Before Doctor Li could speak, Madam Zhang started shouting: "Impossible! Previously they clearly said my daughter-in-law had a slippery pulse!"

Hearing this, Doctor Li frowned. While it was true that doctors had parental hearts, if someone questioned his medical skills, it would always be annoying, and his voice naturally became cold: "She just has stomach discomfort and some bloating. If you don't believe it, just find someone else to take her pulse, or wait ten months and see what happens."

What could bloating produce after ten months?

Gas?

Liu Shi looked somewhat helplessly at Doctor Li and the amused crowd. How had she never noticed before that this gray-haired old doctor could also tell jokes with a straight face?

Fang Shi laughed and joined in: "Then the plain noodles weren't made wrong. They're good for the stomach."

Liu Shi's eyes showed some amusement, but she still reached out and patted Fang Shi's hand. Fang Shi understood and tactfully stopped talking.

Doctor Li threw out that remark and stopped looking at Madam Qian, picking up his box to go find Ye Jiao. But Ye Jiao stood up and said to Doctor Li: "Please examine Spring Orchid first."

Dong Shi had been happily watching the drama and was startled when she heard this: "Jiao Niang?"

Ye Jiao felt she was pregnant, but since she'd only used leaves wrapped around the little fox's furry claws to take pulses before, she wasn't sure how accurate it was. She just said to Doctor Li: "I notice Spring Orchid's appetite isn't very good either. Why not examine her as well."

Dong Shi didn't even understand where her appetite was poor, but since Ye Jiao had said so, she couldn't refuse and extended her hand.

After a moment.

"Congratulations Boss Lady, this is a joyful pulse, over a month along."

Madam Zhang who wanted to faint immediately: ...

Madam Qian whose tears wouldn't stop: ...

As soon as these words came out, the people who had just been holding back laughter suddenly looked at Dong Shi in surprise.

Dong Shi stared blankly at Doctor Li. Seeing Doctor Li bow to her, she suddenly stood up, but quickly sat back down, being extremely careful.

Dong Shi trusted Doctor Li's medical skills, so after he spoke, she didn't question the truth.

Because of this trust, she knew that what she had long hoped for had finally come true.

In her great joy, Dong Shi couldn't control her tears, which fell like rain.

Hui Niang saw she was overcome with joy and gently comforted her, though her heart felt somewhat bitter.

Dong Shi reacted quickly enough, pulling off her silver pouch and stuffing it all into Doctor Li's hands: "Take this, hold it, reward money."

Doctor Li's face showed a smile, and he wasn't polite, directly pocketing the money pouch.

Liu Shi was also happy for Dong Shi, but she was more concerned about her own Jiao Niang, saying only: "Jiao Niang, didn't you also have poor appetite? Why not have the doctor examine you as well."

Just now people might believe that Dong Shi had poor appetite, but saying Ye Jiao had poor appetite...

Fang Shi silently looked at the several empty plates in front of her Second Sister-in-law, coughed lightly, and didn't expose it.

Ye Jiao was holding Dong Shi's hand to comfort her. Hearing this, she casually extended her hand.

Doctor Li immediately became cautious, losing his previous ease and being extremely careful as he felt Ye Jiao's pulse.

It wasn't that he had noticed anything, but because his Second Young Master was usually a ruthless character. He dared not misdiagnose.

If he was wrong, Second Young Master's face... cough cough, he couldn't think about it.

But soon, Doctor Li showed a surprised expression, moved his fingers again, and his face broke into a smile.

Withdrawing his hand, he bowed again: "Congratulations Second Young Mistress, undoubtedly a joyful pulse."

Madam Zhang who was about to faint from anger: ...

Madam Qian who was completely speechless: ...

Ye Jiao: ...???

"Really?" Liu Shi's voice was trembling, her hands holding the prayer beads were shaking.

She truly hadn't expected this. She had just been grateful to heaven for giving her son new life. She had never dared hope that Qi Yun could have children so soon. Who knew, who would have thought...

Doctor Li didn't show the impatience toward Liu Shi that he had toward Madam Qian, respectfully replying: "Madam, Second Young Mistress should already be two months along."

Two months, neither long nor short, but she should have felt something by now.

Liu Shi looked at Ye Jiao, reaching out to grasp her hand: "Jiao Niang, do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?"

Little Ginseng was somewhat dazed, and when asked, only instinctively shook her head, then nodded: "I just feel a bit sleepy..."

That meant there was no other discomfort. What kind of problem was feeling sleepy?

Madam Qian over there had stomach bloating that made more commotion than this. Who would have known that their soft little Jiao Niang's belly could contain a little life?

Hearing this, Liu Shi beamed with joy, no longer maintaining her usual composure and stability, but loudly said: "Someone come, quickly give Mister Li a reward, a generous one!"

Doctor Li was also happy to hear this news, smiling broadly, thinking that diagnosing Boss Lady and Second Young Mistress with joyful pulses in one day and receiving two reward payments was truly excellent luck.

Dong Shi happily took Ye Jiao's arm, her joyful voice somewhat hoarse: "Jiao Niang, Jiao Niang... this is wonderful, truly wonderful. I knew you were blessed with good fortune, I knew..."

Hui Niang sitting nearby looked at Ye Jiao, blinked, and gently extended her pale hand, carefully placing it on Ye Jiao's hand, as if Ye Jiao had now become a porcelain doll that couldn't be handled roughly and needed careful treatment.

Fang Shi was the most clear-headed now, hurriedly saying: "Mother, the front doesn't know yet."

Liu Shi also remembered, not bothering with the people congratulating her, first calling over Nanny Liu: "Nanny Liu, go find someone to call Second Son back, tell him his wife has big news, quickly!"

Nanny Liu was also all smiles, agreeing and walking quickly away.

But all this commotion didn't disturb Little Ginseng. She looked at them somewhat bewildered.

She had indeed been sleepy lately, but Ye Jiao didn't think there was anything wrong with that. Moreover, she had always been healthy and didn't have the habit of taking her own pulse, so she had never paid attention to it.

Now even though Doctor Li had said so, Ye Jiao was still somewhat hesitant, grasping her own wrist.

After a while, confirming it was indeed a slippery pulse, she gently placed her hand on her lower abdomen.

Slender and soft, but Ye Jiao knew there was a baby inside.

Others' joy seemed to influence her too, and the corners of her mouth turned up.

However, there was one question that Ye Jiao knew was impossible but still kept thinking about: What if the baby had grass growing on its head?