Good Fortune Arrives at the Door of a Rural Doctor's Daughter

  At night, Lian Qing supported Fu Qiu Lian half-reclining on the couch and handed her a cup of honey water. "Drink a little, if you really can't drink it, then just use it to moisten your throat." Fu Qiu Lian had been feeling a bit overheated these past two days, so this was made with honey, pear, and lily, boiled into a sweet and sour water that also helped to clear the heat.

  "Thank you, sir." Fú Qiū Lián's eyebrows and eyes curved into a smile as she accepted the Yǔ Guò Tiān Qíng color ceramic tea cup, took two light sips, placed it to one side, and suddenly raised an eyebrow at Lián Qīng, "Sir, do you prefer having more daughters or more sons?"

  "What's with the question?" Lian Qing was puzzled, looked up at Fu Qiu Lian, helped her wipe away the dirt on the corner of her mouth, and saw that Fu Qiu Lian was staring at him with an expression as if she wouldn't rest until she found an answer. He couldn't help but laugh, "Sons and daughters are all my flesh and blood, do you still think I'd be biased?"

  "It's hard to say." Fu Qiulian pouted, stretched out her hand to help Lian Qing tidy up the wrinkled hem of her clothes, and tilted her head slightly. A hint of cunning flashed across her eyes, "Don't you see that in our village, many families prefer sons over daughters?"

  "That's them. The husband won't know." After a pause, Lian Qing looked at Fu Qiu Lian with piercing eyes, "Besides, this is our first child, and the days ahead are long, what's there for you to worry about?"

  Lian Qing's words made Fu Qiu Lian's face suddenly flush red.

  Although he was a serious person and said serious things, for some reason, she felt that the previous words had a few hints of joking and teasing.

  "It's late at night, husband, aren't you sleeping yet?" Or perhaps it was because she had a double body, Fow Autumn Lotus felt that she had been very tired lately, as if she could fall asleep as soon as her head touched the pillow. At night, she woke up and opened her eyes, not unexpectedly seeing that dim lamp.

  Lian Qing put down the book in his hand, looked up, and his eyes showed a few points of excessive concentration and fatigue, but in the blink of an eye, he swept it away. He smiled apologetically at Fu Qiu Lian on the couch, "I'm afraid I disturbed you, I'll go to the outer house tomorrow. If you have anything, just call out, I can hear it."

  "Master, you've forgotten my words again. Reading books isn't something that can be rushed, just like treating an illness, even taking medicine requires patience, otherwise, there's the saying 'diseases come like a mountain and go like pulling silk'. Master, reading books isn't this principle? Fow Autumn Lotus suddenly lost her sleepiness, casually picked up a pillow to support her back, comfortably adjusted her posture, and smiled sweetly at Lian Qing, "Besides, Master, if you keep studying day and night without rest, I'm worried sick."

  Lian Qing's eyes lit up slightly, he looked at Fu Qiulian, wanting to ask if what she said earlier was true, did she really care about him? But the words that rolled to the tip of his tongue rolled back down again.

  He can't get it out of him!

  The next morning, the entire Fu family was busy. Today is indeed Mr. Fu's 50th birthday, and several old people including Liu Mama were all dressed in brand new clothes, rushing back and forth with their feet not touching the ground. Fortunately, Fu Zhanqiang had brought over those brothers from the yamen to help out early on, otherwise, this three-day banquet would really be impossible to manage!

  The Fu family is renowned throughout Liu Shui Town for their generosity. Old Master Fu is a businessman with excellent connections outside, cautious in his dealings but kind and charitable. Although the head of the Fu household works in the government office, he doesn't have the reputation of being ruthless like others might think; instead, he has a heroic and generous spirit. Today is Old Master Fu's birthday celebration, and aside from the group of brothers from the government office led by Fu Zhanqiang, most of the guests are business associates of Old Master Fu. As noon approaches, the guests begin to arrive one after another.

  The male guest was naturally received by Fú Zhāng, the eldest son of the Fú family. He led him directly to the front hall. Although most people knew that the Fú family had no female hostess, there were occasionally one or two families who brought female guests, and this task fell on Fú Qiūlián's shoulders.

  "Mrs. Liu, this is my daughter-in-law, and daughter-in-law, this is the wife of our town's magistrate." Mrs. Liu did this because she was afraid that Fu Qiu Lian didn't know who the other person was, so she directly pointed out her identity, smiled and bowed to both of them, then helped Fu Qiu Lian up, "Young lady, take your time."

  Fu Qiu Lian smiled and bowed, "Mrs. Liu." This was her brother's boss's wife, in other words, the boss's wife, someone who could make or break her brother's future prospects, so she couldn't afford to be rude to her.

  "Ah, so this is the scholar's wife, indeed a lucky one. Just look at her eyebrows and eyes, they're pleasing to behold." Mrs. Liu, in her thirties, wore a gold hairpin on her head, a bright golden bangle with silk threads and pearls on her wrist, and a large red embroidered silk dress. Her eyebrows and eyes showed not a hint of humility, nor did she intend to conceal her arrogance. After Fugui Lian finished paying her respects, Mrs. Liu smiled slightly and made a gesture of support, "Scholar's wife, no need for such grand courtesy. Today we are the guests, you are the host."

  "Mrs. Liu, you're too polite, please, after you." Mrs. Liu looked at Fu Qiulian with satisfaction, held the maid's hand and sat down in the main seat with a dignified air - what about being the wife of a scholar, shouldn't she still be given courtesy?!

  Later, several more ladies arrived, mostly the wives of Mr. Fu's business associates. Unlike Liu TaiTai earlier, they didn't have that kind of aura and prestige. One by one, they smiled and took Fu QiuLian's hand, asking her questions left and right. Some even laughed and shifted the topic to Fu QiuLian's belly, "Madam is already seven months pregnant, hehe, just looking at it, I can tell it's a boy."

  "Whether it's a son or daughter, my husband and I will both love them." Fú Qiūlián's words were like stirring up a hornet's nest. As soon as she finished speaking, someone shook their head and said, "Don't believe what Fú's sister is saying. Men always want sons. You can't be too careless. If this child really is a daughter, I'm advising you to hurry up and have another one. Your husband is a famous scholar in our area, who knows how many people are eyeing him from behind his back? You should keep that in mind."

  "Don't worry, I understand." Fuyu Lian felt as if several rows of crows had flown past her eyes. These people were originally here to celebrate her father's birthday with their husbands, so how did it suddenly turn into a criticism meeting? She smiled shyly and took advantage of the woman's pause in speech to hand her a cup of tea, "Have some tea."

  Shut your mouth, won't you stop talking already?

  Mrs. Liu lifted the curtain and walked in, bowed, and said that the seats were ready, please go to your seats. Fú Qiūlián pursed her lips and smiled, "Ladies, shall we proceed?" But Fú Qiūlián's gaze was directed at Mrs. Liu on the main seat.

  What can you do? His husband is an official after all!

  "Hmm, let's just forget about it then." Mrs. Liu smiled in satisfaction, this daughter of the Fow family was quite perceptive after all. She took two steps forward before stopping and turning her head to look at Fu Qiulian, but didn't say a word.

  Fu Qiu Lian quickly gave Liu Mama a glance, and Liu Mama smiled and bowed her body. "Madam, please follow me this way."

  Mrs. Liu nodded and followed with her hand on Xiao Tou's head.

  Behind her back, Fu Qiu Lian raised her head slightly and gazed at the distant sky with a hint of speechlessness.

  How big is this official?

  The lady's imposing manner was fully displayed!

  In the front hall, Mr. Fu was initially seated in the first position, but when Director Liu walked in surrounded by several attendants, Mr. Fu, who was also the birthday star that day, quickly got up and offered his seat, saying "Please, Director Liu."

  "Haha, I'm here to celebrate your birthday, Master Fu. As a guest, I should follow the host's lead, how can I steal your thunder?" Mr. Liu, in his thirties, made a polite gesture with his hands, but Master Fu wouldn't dare accept it. He sidestepped and Fuzhou had already smiled and bowed, "Sir, please take the seat of honor instead. Otherwise, my father would be uneasy even if he's sitting there."

  The father and son, with much ado, invited Lord Liu to take the seat of honor, while Old Master Fu sat beside him. On either side were Lian Qing and Fu Zhanqiang. Lord Liu looked at Lian Qing, his eyes filled with admiration. "I'm here to offer my early congratulations, Lian Xiūcái, on your upcoming success in the autumn examination, and becoming a jinshi. At that time, you will be the youngest jinshi in our town."

  "Thanks for your kindness, sir, and I'll take your auspicious words to heart."

  Both sides clinked cups and exchanged toasts, the atmosphere was extremely harmonious. During this time, someone came over to wish Mr. Fu a happy birthday and offered him a drink. Of course, Official Liu also took advantage of the opportunity to drink quite a bit. Even Lian Qing, this young scholar, somehow ended up being forced to drink a lot as well. Before long, his head started to feel dizzy. Fortunately, Fu Qiu Lian had anticipated this and had already prepared a hangover soup in the kitchen. Liu's mother quickly ordered someone to bring it over, and after downing a bowl of the sour, spicy, and slightly minty broth, the effects of the alcohol did indeed dissipate somewhat!

  The men had a good time eating and drinking together, but afterwards, Fu Qiu Lian was secretly complaining that this Mrs. Liu's display of wealth was too extravagant.

  Take a bite of fish and say the fire is too fierce for cooking fish.

  Took a sip of soup, thought it was too salty.

  Stir-fried greens with a clear broth, huh? Does your family really not use oil when cooking?

  She can even pick out a sentence from the tea water, "This tea has only been simmered twice and then brewed, it's still owed some!" Hearing this, Fu Qiu Lian was so angry that she wanted to directly bring up a bowl of boiling water.

  I'll let you choose.

  Are you still picking on me? Is your family's boiled water different from mine and not as good as mine? Ah, disgusting!

  If it weren't for her father's 50th birthday today, she wouldn't bother to argue with Mrs. Liu. In case she offended the other party and ruined her father's good day, she would have stormed out or left in a huff.

  Do whatever you want, I'm not serving you anymore!

  Now, looking at Mrs. Liu's proud face, even her eyebrows and eyes are full of complacency, Fu Qiulian can't help but twitch the corners of her eyes. You say, after all, she's just a mediocre official's wife, saying that being a seventh-rank official is already an honor for you, why show off like this?

  "I say, Lian Jia's three daughters-in-law, you're at least the daughter of a scholar, and although it's not certain, there's also a possibility that you're the daughter of a jinshi. Your behavior from now on must be careful, hehe, after all, you can't lose face for your husband's family, right?" Madam Liu covered her sleeve and chuckled lightly, thinking she was very elegant as she smoothed out a strand of hair by her temple, smiling at Fu Qiu Lian. "For people like us, status is the most important thing. In situations like today, there are some people you shouldn't be talking to."

  This sentence was heard, Fu Qiulian hated that she didn't pounce over and cover her mouth directly. What kind of woman is this? Isn't this slapping the face of the Fu family?

  You said you came to celebrate the birthday, or do you think our old master is annoying you, so you came to give our Fú family a reason to be angry? You know that Liu's wife just said one sentence, which successfully offended everyone at both tables of Fú Qiūlián, except for Liu's wife and Fú Qiūlián themselves.

  Mrs. Liu thought herself a government official's wife, while Fowa Lian was at least the daughter of a scholar, so she could barely sit with her, and she also needed someone to look up to, didn't she? As for others, they were all just commoners, how could they be mentioned in the same breath as her?

  She thought so and did so. So, she said directly that I look down on you businesswomen! She was self-righteous and superior, so she didn't care about the occasion, didn't put others in her eyes, but it was a pity for Fu Qiulian.

  She can't.

  Not to mention that the Fu family is a business family, Old Master Fu's main business is doing business. Even if it was just a few madams following their husbands to come and wish Old Master Fu a happy birthday, they came with great fanfare, but ended up being looked down upon and scolded here?

  Will Master Fu still go out and do business in the future?

  Do you still want to deal with these people?

  Fu Qiu Lian sighed, her eyes darting to the side as she glanced at several women with unsavory expressions looking over at them. Resigned, she stood up and said, "Liu Tai Tai, what are you talking about? I'm just lucky, that's all. It just so happens that my husband is a good person, otherwise, wouldn't I be just a merchant's daughter? Even you, Liu Tai Tai, if it weren't for Liu Da Ren getting help from a noble person a few years ago, he'd probably still be at home studying hard and not paying attention to anything outside. Where would the Liu Da Ren who is now devoted to the people and praised by everyone in our town come from? The world is always changing, fortune rises and falls, today's situation may seem one way, but tomorrow, who can say what will happen? You tell me, isn't that right, Liu Tai Tai?"

  "It's not just talk, even San Niangzi said so, and she's indeed a scholar's wife." The faces of several women relaxed, one of whom glanced at Liu Taotai with a hint of a smile, "Just like in our family, my younger brother-in-law is extremely talented, we've even hired two tutors for him, and they all say he can take the imperial exam soon. Who knows, maybe next year our town will have another young scholar."

  The women were chattering away, and Fú Qiūlián couldn't possibly ignore Mrs. Liu, the previous conversation was just to give a few merchant wives an excuse, otherwise, the Fú family would be in trouble. Seeing the lively atmosphere, she slightly turned her eyes, picked up the tea and smiled at Mrs. Liu, "They said their own, but I heard from my brother that Mrs. Liu is a very good person, I don't know if I can have this honor, let me toast to Mrs. Liu?"

  "You have a sharp tongue, indeed a scholar's wife." Mrs. Liu also smiled, but she wasn't foolish, and she had caught the implication of Fow Autumn Lotus' previous words. Although she still didn't take it seriously in her heart, she understood that she couldn't afford to offend the merchants in this town, especially since her own husband was relying on them.

  She picked up the wine cup in front of her and smiled, "You're a married woman, at this time you should be careful, don't drink tea either, lest something goes wrong, and then let Lian Shucai blame me in his heart. However, I appreciate your kindness." She drank it all in one gulp, smiling at Fu Qiulian, "I've seen you before, now you're much better than before, a woman should be like this."

  "Yes, I also went through a lot of things before I understood." Fu Qiulian was taken aback for a moment, but then she relaxed. Fu Zhanqiang was under Liu Daren's command, and Liu Taotai had seen his previous life, so it was all right. She smiled and picked up her chopsticks to try the sweet and sour fish, "This fish is extremely delicious, Liu Taotai, you should try some?"

  "Ah, it's not bad." Mrs. Liu focused her attention on the food in front of her, occasionally exchanging a few words with Fu Qiulian, and the atmosphere finally relaxed a bit. Fu Qiulian couldn't help but secretly let out a sigh of relief in her heart...

  If Mrs. Liu insists on putting on airs, she really has no way out!

  Half an hour later, they were full of food and drink.

  In the backyard, a troupe of performers was invited, and Liu's mother had prepared tea and refreshments early on. Guazi snacks were served, and Fú Qiūlián led several ladies to move their seats. The tea was refilled, and then she handed out playbills for Liu's wife to choose the first two acts, "Er Lang Visits His Mother". The remaining ladies chose another two acts at will. After some thought, Fú Qiūlián added an extra act of "Birthday Wishes" and handed the bill over to Liu's mother.

  After a stick of incense time

  The sound of gongs and drums, the water sleeves danced lightly, and the curtains were opened with a "ya" sound. Fu Qiu Lian only showed her face before the play started, and as soon as it began, she excused herself along with Mrs. Liu and others, and was led by Old Mother Liu to rest in a small hall on the side.

  The drumming is too loud, she doesn't want those sounds to stimulate the baby in her belly. What if the little one's eardrum gets stimulated and something happens, who will she cry to?

  This place is a nightmare, no skills, no equipment, not even Western medicine, only Chinese medicine. All she can do is be careful, more careful, and even more careful!

  Of course, Mrs. Liu didn't say anything on the surface, but maybe she would feel uncomfortable in her heart. She came to your house for her birthday celebration, and you actually had the idea of leaving early and not accompanying her?

  Although she said nothing, I estimate that in her heart there are always a few points of discontent. Unfortunately, compared to Fuyu Lian's unborn child, her slight carelessness was completely ignored by Fuyu Lian!

  Although she hadn't done anything, as soon as Fu Qiulian lay down on the couch, she felt a wave of exhaustion wash over her, making it hard for her to catch her breath.

  She was startled and took a deep breath, whispering to Liu's mother, "Don't make any noise, hurry up and help me get a cup of scalding hot brown sugar water."

  "Miss, are you uncomfortable somewhere?" Liu's mother was startled and hurried to see Fu Qiulian, only to find that Fu Qiulian's face didn't look good. With a sudden surge of anxiety, "Miss, please rest for a while, I'll go find the master and young master right away."

  "You're being reckless, today is Father's 50th birthday, everyone is happy and joyful, if you go, won't that make Father have a bad birthday? How can I be at peace with that?"

  "But Miss——" Liu's mother stomped her foot, no matter how she tried, she couldn't compare to the young lady and the little one in her belly. She turned around to leave, but was pulled back by Fu Qiulian, "Mom, you forgot about the prescription I gave you? You've already taken that medicine, shouldn't it be taking effect?"

  "This is true, but I had two doses yesterday, and this morning my stomach doesn't feel as bloated..." Fú Qiūlián interrupted her, with a comforting smile on his face. "Look, I can diagnose myself, I know my own body's condition, it's just that I'm a bit tired. Help me get a cup of hot sugar water, and after drinking it, I'll rest here for a while, and once I catch my breath, I'll be fine."

  "Really?"

  "Nature is true. Mother, you are mistaken, this is indeed the child of my husband and me, would I still let something happen to the child in my belly?"

  "That old slave will go now, young lady, you wait here."

  "Alright, go ahead." Fu Qiulian waved her hand, and after Liu's mother left, she herself straightened the soft cushion behind her, found a comfortable position to lean against, raised her hand to press her eyebrows twice with force, and slowly closed her eyes.

  She didn't fool Liu's mother just now.

  I'm just a bit tired. I guess it's because I've been living a life of luxury for the past few days, and suddenly following Mrs. Liu and others to socialize for half a day is a bit uncomfortable?

  At this thought, Fu Qiulian's mouth curved upwards.

  This person is indeed easy to change from being frugal to being extravagant.

  How many people in their past lives went to work with a big belly until just before giving birth? It was her, although she had never been pregnant, but she always got sick and still bit her teeth and went to work, even for surgery, it wasn't uncommon for her to stay up for several days and nights.

  Unexpectedly, after only six or seven months of pregnancy, just accompanying a few women chatting and eating, half a day has passed, and I'm already feeling somewhat unbearable. Hehe, it's clear how great the impact of this environment is on people!

  There were footsteps approaching, Fu Qiulian heard them but didn't open her eyes. Her lips moved slightly, "Liu Mama, put the sugar water to one side and let it cool down a bit, I'll drink it myself later."

  The other party did not make a sound.

  His footsteps were directly towards her bed, and Fu Qiulian was slightly startled. She opened her eyes to see Lian Qing standing in front of her with a worried face. "Wife, how are you? I just heard from Liu Mama that you're not feeling well. Where does it hurt? I'll go call the doctor."

  "How did you come, didn't I tell Liu's mother that I'm fine?" Laughing and pulling Lianqing to sit beside her, she patted his hand soothingly, "Husband, don't worry, I really am fine. I'm just a bit tired, so I hid here to take a break."

  "Really?"

  "Isn't it true? This is our child, I must think of the kid even if not for myself." Fú Qiūlián's words made Liáng Qīng nod in agreement, "This is indeed so, but you and the child are equally important to me, I cherish both very much."

  "Oh, is that so? I thought you only cared about the child in my belly." Fugui Lian's words made Lian Qing's face tense up, afraid that she had misunderstood something, and he quickly shook his head to explain, "That's not what I meant, you and the child are both my family, how could I not care about you and only worry about the child?"

  "Don't worry, everything I said is true."

  Looking at Lian Qing's tense expression, Fu Qiu Lian couldn't help but purse her lips and smile, her eyes gleaming with a hint of flirtation. She glanced around the door and saw no one, then slightly raised her head, opened her mouth, and gave Lian Qing a quick peck on the cheek!

  Lian Qing's face suddenly turned red.

  Like cooked shrimp.

  "Mother, daughter, this is porridge with added ginseng and red dates, it's been simmered over low heat for a long time now. You, hurry up and drink it! I still have to go to the front... Liu Mama, take care of the young mistress, let her be careful, if she's tired, just rest in the house, those guests outside aren't as important as her body."

  "Yes, Brother-in-law."

  Liu's mother walked in from the doorway, took over the rice porridge placed on one side, and was very puzzled. "How did the young master leave so quickly? He brushed past Lao Nü like a gust of wind, and his voice is still echoing in the room. You've vanished into thin air."

  "Brother called him." In fact, the awkward scholar husband at home was embarrassed, hehe, thinking of his earlier frightened appearance like a small white rabbit, although he was nervous in his heart, but still pretended to be calm and instructed Liu's mother to come in and serve him. Fow Autumn Lotus thought it was funny and her heart felt warm.

  Lian Qing, he's getting better and better.

  "Oh, so it was Master Liu looking for you, no wonder." Liu's mother smiled and looked at Fu Qiulian, feeding her rice porridge spoon by spoon. "Miss, please have some of this, it's the best for your stomach. This morning was a rush, not even us old slaves had time to think, but Master Liu specially ran to the kitchen to instruct them, and they only prepared this especially for you."

  "Yes, husband is indeed very meticulous."

  "It's not just being meticulous, I can see clearly that Master is truly fond of you from the bottom of his heart." Liu Mama carefully fed porridge to Fu Qiulian, looking at this young master who she had raised since childhood with a mix of pride and concern. After thinking for a moment, she finally spoke in a serious tone, "Miss, getting married is not like being at home. Although Master and the elder master dote on you, it's Master who will spend the rest of his life with you. Men are like this, sometimes we women have to be gentle and accommodating, we can't always be as straightforward and confident as we were at home."

  "Mom, don't worry, I understand."

  "Ah, you're back this time, and Mom is happy to see it. My girl has finally grown up." Liu's mother put down the empty bowl of porridge, took a handkerchief, and helped Fu Qiu Lian wipe away the sauce from the corner of her mouth. With a mix of comfort and sadness in her eyes, she said, "I know you're not having an easy time, and you must feel wronged in your heart. But think about it, which woman doesn't have a hard time after getting married? In any family, there are times when you have to swallow your pride. This bowl and chopsticks will clash with the pot lid sometimes. Listen to me, dear, sometimes when facing your husband, you should know how to be coquettish, but don't always argue and refuse to give in."

  "Mom, you're really my mom."

  "How dare I, this is not something to be said lightly. Miss, you're going to shorten my lifespan with these words." Liu mama's heart was also stirred as she gently stroked Fu Qiulian who was lying in her arms.

  This is a girl who grew up by herself.

  Look, what a good girl?

  Even this old woman attaches great importance to it.

  How could it be that the girl from their family is so arrogant and domineering, unreasonable, and disobedient to her parents-in-law? It must be those people who are talking nonsense. It's definitely like that!

  People are all biased, for example, Lao Lian is biased towards the twins born to Li Shi, and Fu Lao Ye is fond of his youngest daughter who was raised since childhood. So, Liu Mama's heart naturally leans towards Fu Qiu Lian between the Lian family and Fu Qiu Lian.

  It's not that she looks down on that family, what's so special about that family anyway?

  If this marriage had not been promised by the deceased lady, relying on the old master's love for his own daughter 'holding it in her mouth and fearing it would melt, holding it in her palm and fearing it would wither', what high door can't their daughter marry?

  Why bother going home and suffering all this?

  "Mom, I'm much better now. Let's go out and take a look." Fú Qiūlián had been lying down for about half an hour, and the play outside should be almost over by now. She took a glance at the sky outside, the sun was leaning westward, it was probably around 4 or 5 o'clock. Someone should be saying their goodbyes soon. As the only female guest in this household, if she didn't show her face for a bit, she feared someone would think she was being too arrogant.

  "Miss, you're not feeling well. Why don't I tell the master and you can rest here?" Liu Mama didn't care about guests or no guests, in her heart, her own young lady was the most important!

  "Mom can't, you said that in the past, originally only two or three points, I'm afraid my dad would have heard it as ten points." Fu Qiulian smiled and stood up to walk outside, "Besides, this time has already passed, really no harm done."

  "Be careful, miss. Let me help you." Liu's mother stepped forward to support Fu Qiu Lian with a mixture of emotions in her heart, wondering what had gotten into her own daughter who had never been so polite before?

  It has always been so since ancient times.

  Now, however, they can also think of guests and the difficulties faced by Lao Ye and Da Ye. This change seems good, but for Liu Mama, Fu Zhanqiang and others, it is undoubtedly a heartache for Fu Qiu Lian.

  "Mrs. Liu, I'm really sorry, I suddenly felt a bit unwell just now, and I'm late, which is rude of me. I'll make it up to you another day." Fú Qiūlián's words made Mrs. Liu laugh, and she took Fú Qiūlián's hand, "What are you saying? We women all have this kind of moment, our bodies and children are the most important things. Are you feeling better now? Otherwise, why don't you go rest in the back for a while? I'll sit here for a bit, and when our master leaves, I'll leave too. Let's talk again another day when you're feeling completely recovered, okay?"

  Although she didn't understand why Mrs. Liu's attitude changed so quickly within an hour, Fu Qiu Lian was very happy and bowed to Mrs. Liu, "Then I must thank you for your kindness, Mrs. Liu. When I have the chance, I will definitely visit your home and bother you, but I'm afraid you'll find me a nuisance."

  "How could it be possible? I'm the one who's been searching for it everywhere."

  Mrs. Liu smiled and pulled Fu Qiulian's hand, the two sat together intimately chatting, but in their minds they were echoing the words of their master that the servant had previously come to transmit - must take good care of Lian Shi, can't afford to offend or give a bad face.

  Although Mrs. Liu was very puzzled, she had one advantage - she listened to her husband's words as if they were golden rules. So when Mr. Liu asked her to get along well with Fu Qiu Lian, although she was unhappy in her heart, when Fu Qiu Lian came out again, she still put aside her so-called identity and smiled while talking to Fu Qiu Lian, trying to get close to her.

  What about other people?

  Still not in Mrs. Liu's eyes!

  I thought it was just lunch, but the people in front got excited and drank all the way to evening. As a result, the women who stayed behind also had dinner together. However, there were not many people left, except for Mrs. Liu, only two other ladies, Mrs. Chen and Mrs. Huang, who had close business dealings with Old Master Fu.

  Outside, the wine and dishes continued, with people clinking cups and changing plates. In the back house, however, Fu Qiulian had only set one table. She smiled and invited a few guests, "Mrs. Liu, Mrs. Chen, Mrs. Huang, please help yourselves. I don't drink and can't eat some of the dishes, so you ladies feel free to enjoy."

  "Fang's family, don't worry, we won't starve ourselves." The speaker was Mrs. Chen, with a plump round face and a somewhat auspicious appearance, her big eyes shining with cleverness. "Mrs. Liu, Mrs. Huang, isn't that right?"

  Mrs. Liu was too lazy to bother with her, but she was worried that if she didn't show some interest, Fu Qiulian might get angry or be overly sensitive. She nodded casually and smiled at Fu Qiulian, "This lotus seed waist nut is actually not bad, and it's not greasy either. It's just right for someone like you to eat more of, why don't you try some?"

  "Thank you, Mrs. Liu. You eat too."

  Although it was hard to understand the change in Mrs. Liu's attitude, Fu Qiulian was delighted with this change, otherwise, she would have been more tired of entertaining her. In this way, no matter what Mrs. Liu thought in her heart, on the surface, they were all smiling and enjoying themselves, which was enough.

  After dinner, Liu's mother sent someone to the front to respond, and it shouldn't be so soon to disperse. Fú Qiánlián couldn't help but click her tongue, it had been more than half a day, how could these people have so many words to say when they were together?

  Mrs. Liu smiled, "Never mind them, Fudazi, we haven't had much to say to each other before, let's take advantage of today and have a good chat while the men are drinking ahead, isn't that just right?"

  "I'm afraid I'm not eloquent, and what I say might not be to your liking, Mrs. Liu." Fu Qiulian smiled slightly and personally poured tea for Mrs. Liu, while also smilingly offering pastries to the other two ladies, "These were made by our family's chef, they're quite clean, would you like to try some?"

  "Fu Jia sister, you have a kind heart."

  Three women are already a handful, let alone four or five. Mrs. Liu was initially still with an arrogant attitude, except when facing Fu Qiulian she was slightly better, the rest of the time she just smiled and didn't speak to Chen Taotai and Huang Taotai, but they didn't mind, only picking out the pleasant words that made people feel happy. Before long, they had actually teased Mrs. Liu into putting down her guard, and instead kept asking them "what's next" and "how" this and that. Fu Qiulian saw clearly that Chen and Huang Taotai were visibly relieved.

  She smiled after thinking for a moment.

  In the front, there was no dispersal of the crowd, and it was Mr. Chen and Mr. Huang who accompanied Director Liu, while in the back, Mrs. Chen and Mrs. Huang were clearly trying to curry favor with Mrs. Liu without making a sound, probably because these two families had some business to ask of Director Liu. She thought about it but didn't bother to intervene, just letting the three of them talk, while she herself leaned against the large pillow drinking the honey tea that Liu's mother had specially made for her. When it was past eight in the evening, Fú Qiūlián quietly beckoned to Liu's mother, "Go to the front and keep an eye on things, if anyone gets drunk, send over some sobering soup in time. And quietly ask my brother if he wants to stay overnight with the guests."

  Liu's mother smiled and nodded, "Don't worry, miss. I'll go now." The weight in her heart was finally lifted a bit. The young lady really understood things. This way, even if the young master became an official in the future, as long as the young lady took good care of him and taught their children well, being virtuous and kind, he would never dare to treat her poorly!

  How could Fuyang Lian know that she was thinking so much? She just looked at the lady in front of her, who was talking about the food and drink of various families, and then talked about the gossip of which family's master, looking at Mrs. Liu, who started with a dignified expression but later became enthusiastic, with a look of relish on her face, and couldn't help but think to herself, "Indeed, women are born to love gossip", the ancient people were truly not deceiving me.

  She listened with her head bowed and eyes lowered, occasionally refilling the three men's tea cups, and chiming in with a word or two from time to time. Before she knew it, more than half of the time had slipped away!

  Ten o'clock.

  "Miss, Master said don't keep the guests too long, it's about half an hour or so, and then we should disperse."

  "How much longer? I know, you can withdraw."

  "Miss, the master also instructed me that it's getting late and you're not as strong as others. Let me escort you to rest, I'll accompany you, it's better this way."

  "Mom doesn't use it, I'm not that delicate, I can hold on." Although a bit tired, at 10 o'clock, it's still not too late. In my previous life, those who stayed up all night and slept at one or two were many.

  "If Mom feels uneasy, why not go and help me cook some midnight snacks to eat? Fú Qiūlián looked at Liu Mama's worried face, pulled her hand and smiled lightly, "I want to eat Mom's cooked chicken noodle soup with a plate of small yellow cucumbers, it smells so good."

  "All right, I'll go and make it for you, miss."

  "Let's make some more and send some to the guests in front and back." Fu Qiulian smiled and reminded Liu Mama, "I don't know if other guests will eat it, but Brother, Father, and Husband will definitely use it."

  "Don't worry, miss, I'll go myself."

  Mrs. Liu smiled and turned to leave, while Fu Qiu Lian glanced at the few ladies next to her who were still chatting with flying eyebrows, especially Mrs. Huang and Mrs. Chen, who were saying things that Mrs. Liu loved to hear. She couldn't help but wonder in her heart what these two families wanted from Mr. Liu.

  She then threw away this idea and minded her own business.

  After another two quarters of an hour, Liu's mother brought out a food box. Fu Qiu Lian smiled and said, "Ladies Liu, Huang, Chen, this is chicken noodle soup cooked by our household servant. It's my favorite dish. Today is quite late, I suppose you all must be hungry too. Why don't we each have some?"

  "That's very kind of you, thank you so much, Miss Fu."

  Each of them had a bowl, and Mrs. Liu sniffed it twice, smiled, "It smells good, and the color is good too. I'll try a bite first." But she had only eaten a few bites when she covered her stomach and cried out, "Oh no, it's killing me! I'm in so much pain, my stomach is killing me from eating this noodle dish - it's unbearable!"

  Digression

  Seeking first subscription——Thank you all! A nearby little beauty's first kiss——