Chapter 27: Visiting Mother

  After the New Year, the Sun family returned to Suzhou. The Jiangning Weaving Bureau was still busy with work, because on February 12th, it was Cao Yun's second son Cao Shun's hundredth day. Unexpectedly, Li Shi fell ill at this time.

  Cao Gong had originally planned to bring up the matter of Cao Yun in the first month, and drive away those few blind old women. However, seeing Li Shi lying ill in bed, he didn't want to disturb her too much, so he could only put this matter aside for now.

  As he watched Li's daily decline, Cao Yu's heart was filled with anxiety. In the past few years at the Cao residence, he had been deeply grateful for Li's loving care. If Old Lady Cao's doting on him was like a fire that warmed one's heart, then Li's affection towards him was like gentle rain and breeze, making one feel completely immersed in it. Moreover, Cao Yu could see from Li's eyes that she regarded him as her own. The greatest people in the world are mothers, and also the most pitiful ones.

  Cao Gong inquired about the doctor who had examined Li's illness, and was told that it was a case of heart fire depression, blood vessels not adjusting, needing to be regulated, and diet should be light. Heart fire, could it be because of Concubine Liu's new son? The speculation in the mansion wasn't just one or two people, even Old Lady had heard rumors, but she didn't believe them. Li was from a good family, virtuous and kind, previously also took good care of Liu, personally selecting wet nurses and midwives, if it were jealousy, it wouldn't have appeared only now.

  In the following year, Cao Yin invited Song Fuzi from Hangzhou to come and be a teacher in his household. Song Fuzi had previously taught Cao Gu for half a month. He was tasked with instructing Cao Gu and his younger brother Cao Cong in their studies. Due to his concern over his mother's illness, Cao Gu would hurry back to the inner residence after class every day. Song Fuzi understood his filial piety and did not reprimand him excessively. Only Cao Cong would often be detained by the teacher and punished with writing large characters.

  Weaving Department, Kaiyang Institute.

  Cao Gutong held a bowl of snow pear silver ear, sat on the small stool in front of the bed, and personally fed Li Shi. Although Li Shi had no appetite, she didn't want to go against her son's wishes, so she pretended to drink two mouthfuls. The white jade ruyi that was originally hanging from the headboard was gone, it seemed that the rumor about the mistress and the old master quarreling and smashing the ruyi was true.

  Cao Guang was thinking, when he heard a little maid at the door say: "Madam, Zhang Yiniang has come to pay her respects."

  "Come in!" said Mr. Li, wiping his mouth with a handkerchief.

  This aunt was none other than Liu Li, who wore a sapphire blue dress and walked in with a small maid. Due to the recent childbirth, Liu Li's figure appeared slightly plump, adding more charm to her appearance. Seeing Cao Yun also present, Liu Li paid respects to Madame Li before giving Cao Yun half a bow, saying: "Master is also here!"

  Cao Gong got up and slightly bowed his head in return: "Auntie is at peace!"

  "Master's stature has increased again, isn't it, madam?" Luli smiled lightly and took a bowl of soup from the food box held by the maid: "Knowing that madam has been disgusted with greasy things for two days, I simmered this ham and winter melon soup, not even adding a single drop of oil. Madam, please drink a few sips, it's considered my filial piety!"

  "Take a look at your delicate fingers: don't bother doing this again next time, I'll accept your kindness as is, no need to trouble yourself with these things!"

  "I'm from a poor family, I won't hide it from you, madam. Before entering the old lady's household, I've done all sorts of chores like washing clothes and fetching water. Now that I'm being supported by the old lady and you, madam, I, Luli, dare not forget my humble origins. Why would I be so arrogant?" Luli's expression showed a hint of unease and fear.

  "I know you're not that kind of person. Don't worry, this is an old illness, I got it when I gave birth to Ruan'er back then. With all the guests in the first month and being tired, it's gotten worse." Li Shi saw Liu Li's expression and comforted her with soft words.

  Cao Gong watched from the sidelines, seeing that Liu Li's expression changed on her face, and she didn't like it in her heart. If she hadn't deliberately shown this fearful color in front of people, she wouldn't have made her mother bear the name of jealousy. Looking at how her mother treats Liu Li now is no different from before, it seems that the knot in her heart is not about Liu Li giving birth to a child.

  After Liu Li left, Cao Yu asked in a low voice: "Mother gave birth to the child and fell ill with her old illness? Was it a difficult delivery?"

  Mr. Li listened to his son's questions, recalling the past, and slowly began to speak: "The year you were born was a full moon, but it was a difficult birth. You were born after three days and three nights, and I fainted several times." At this point, looking at his son with boundless love: "Heaven had mercy, and you were finally born safely, weighing five pounds and five ounces. Although your body is a bit weak, the weight was substantial."

  "Five jin and five liang?" Cao Yun couldn't help but feel a little surprised when he heard this number. To think that at this time, one jin was equal to sixteen liang, so five jin and five liang converted to eight and a half jin in that world. An eight-and-a-half-jin baby, such a chubby boy, how could his body be so poor? Was it because his mother had a difficult labor and stayed in the womb for too long?

  Mr. Li nodded slightly, with a hint of bitterness in his smile: "In the blink of an eye, twelve years have passed, and twelve years are gone!"

  "A mother's kindness in raising me, I will remember for the rest of my life. I will definitely be filial to my mother and take good care of her. Please don't worry about anything, Mother, and take good care of your body!" The saddest thing in the world is "the son wants to support but the parents won't wait". Cao Yun thought of this phrase, not knowing whether he was missing his parents from the previous generation or feeling heartache for Li Shi in front of him, his voice slightly choked with sobs.

  "Cough, cough!" The deliberately loudened cough signaled that Cao Yin had returned to his room.

  Cao Gong got up: "Father is back!"

  "Hmm!" Cao Yin said: "Go take a look at Old Lady's side, don't let Grandmother worry about you!"

  "Yes!" Cao Gong responded, and then exited the room. However, he didn't leave immediately. Even if Madam Li wasn't upset about the matter of Ruri giving birth to a son, she must have had some connection with Cao Yin. A noblewoman who rarely left the house, what else could be so important to her besides her husband and children?

  "Shu Qing, get well soon, so the old lady and the kids won't worry!" Cao Yi called out to his wife's private name, speaking softly.

  "Am I just suffering for Huan'er?" said Li, choking back tears.

  "That year coincided with the emperor's western expedition, and as subjects, it was not easy to hold a banquet. Cao Yi's voice was somewhat heavy."

  "The Holy Carriage went west, and the people were not forbidden from rejoicing. When Sheng Yan's child was born, the old imperial consort in the palace had just passed away, and it hadn't even been 100 days yet. And now Rong Er is like this too." Li Shi said: "It's not just about the 100 days, why did you hold an ancestral worship ceremony when Shun Er was one month old? He's not even the first son, even if you dote on the younger one, this is a bit excessive!"

  "This is none of my business, I was too happy after Shun'er was born and didn't think so much!" Cao Yin said with a sigh.

  "Is Yuan'er really inferior to his younger brother? When Yuan'er was born, you were busy with your affairs and didn't pay much attention to him; why is it that now Shun'er has been born, Master is so indulgent in the joy of having a son? What do you plan to do with us two mothers?" Li Shi asked repeatedly.

  Cao Yin remained silent for a long time, and after a while, he sighed and said: "I will know my fate next year. My father and grandfather did not live to be fifty years old. Who knows how many more years I can live? Others at my age already have children and grandchildren. But I had Yu'er when I was nearly forty, and added Shun'er more than ten years later. I'm so happy that I'm a bit dazed! From now on, I will be careful not to make Rong'er angry again!"

  Mr. Li heard his husband say that it was bitter and sour, the original dissatisfaction had long since dissipated, and he hurriedly said: "The old master is kind and will live to be a hundred years old!"

  "Is it kind to the heart?" Cao Yin said with a hint of self-mockery: "In these ten or more years, there have been many people who died at my hands. How can I say that each and every one of them deserved to die? If there is such a thing as retribution, I only hope it all falls on me, so that Yan'er and Shun'er can be safe."

  When Cao Gong left, his footsteps were a bit heavy. The Cao family had never lived beyond fifty years old, and the historical records of Cao Yan's death were six years later, but who could guarantee that history would not deviate? If history did not change, then Cao Yan should only have one son, Cao Gong, or else there would be no reason for Cao Gong to pass away and leave behind a successor, Cao Yi. Cao Yi was the fourth son of Cao Quan from the Western Manor, and he was four years old this year. If history remained unchanged, then little Shun'er would be destined to die young; if history changed, then it was unknown whether Cao Yan could hold on until six years later.

  Xuan Rui Tang, west wing room.

  The old lady leaned on the soft couch, holding Cao Shun in her arms, listening to Cao Shun's wet nurse say: "Brother is clever and well-behaved, not crying or making trouble, when he's hungry, he waves his small arm vigorously. It's really the old lady's good fortune, who can have such a well-behaved child!"

  The old lady smiled and said: "Although the face is more like jade, but this quiet nature is no different from his brother's. Nang'er was also well-behaved when he was a child!"

  When Cao Guang came in, the maids and servant girls all bowed down to greet him. The old lady had held her little grandson for a while and was also tired, so she handed Cao Shun over to his wet nurse and invited Cao Guang to sit down by the stove: "Has your mother been feeling better these past two days? Did you use the wild ginseng I sent someone to deliver the other day?"

  "Much better, it seems that after a few more days of recuperation, I'll be able to get out of bed. Don't worry, Grandmother. The ginseng hasn't been used yet, the doctor said to clear my intestines and stomach for two days first, then nourish me afterwards!"

  The old lady nodded, reached out and touched Cao Guang's small face: "My good grandson has been working hard for these few days, his face is thin with fatigue. With your filial piety, it was not in vain that your mother doted on you every day!" As she spoke, she pointed to Cao Shun being held in the nanny's arms: "Go take a look at your brother, he'll be 100 days old in two days, and his appearance is quite endearing!"

  "Yes!" Cao Gong responded loudly and stood up, walked to the wet nurse's front, stretched out his hand to take over Cao Shun.

  The wet nurse was afraid that Cao Gun would not know how to hold the child, and looked at the old lady with difficulty. Seeing the old lady nodding, she reluctantly handed Cao Shun over to Cao Gun's hands.

  Cao Kun had never eaten pork, but he had seen pigs walking. He held the child in a very proper posture. Cao Shun's small face was chubby and round, with big eyes that were bright and curious. When someone else held him, he didn't feel shy at all, and stretched out his little arm to hug Cao Kun tightly.

  Cao Guang and Xiao Cao Shun exchanged a glance, but in their hearts, they were thinking of something else. Cao Yin's love for his youngest son was so deep, perhaps the reason he died of illness was not because of the depletion of the national treasury, but because of the untimely death of his young son? If that was the case, then many things that had puzzled them in the past would become clear. Although the Cao family's embezzlement was extensive, they were protected by Kangxi, and Cao Yin did not have to die of depression because of it.

  How can I prevent this lovely infant in front of me from dying prematurely, how can I make Cao Yun live a few more years. Cao Yun thought about it with a headache and started to regret for the Nth time why he didn't study medicine in his previous life.