RMM – Chapter 99 A Precious Little One

Su Ruo stared at the big pile of things stacked on the floor, a line of black exasperation practically hanging over her head, completely at a loss for what expression to make.

“How is it? We went out early this morning to buy all this. Everything is the best quality and top grade—you don’t have to worry that it’ll be bad for the baby. Oh right, is there anything else you want? I’ll go buy it for you this afternoon.”

He Wen plopped down beside Su Ruo, face full of smug satisfaction, as if she had accomplished some extraordinary deed.

The others were also watching Su Ruo expectantly, eyes sparkling, practically shouting praise us, praise us!

None of them had ever done such a thing before, so the whole experience was wildly novel to them.

“I can really feel your good intentions,” Su Ruo sighed helplessly, “but… why are you buying all these things right now?”

Toys she could accept—they could at least be played with. Extra clothes might be wasteful, but they could be rotated and worn. But baby formula? By the time the child was born, it would have long expired!

She had seen people act unreliable before, but never to this degree.

“It’s for our little darling. Why are you fussing? It’s not for you. Sleep more and stop overthinking,” He Wen replied carelessly. To her, it wasn’t even much money. Su Ruo’s baby was precious beyond measure—spending more was only natural. Besides, there would be plenty of time in the future to keep buying things.

Su Ruo pressed her temples. “Unbelievable. You really are like rich people wasting food and drink. Save some money, okay? If you don’t know where to spend it, donate it to an orphanage. That way it’ll count as accumulating blessings for my child. But please, stop buying these things—it’s a total waste. I’m not giving birth to a litter. One baby can’t possibly use so much!”

Thinking of how excited her own family already was over this child, Su Ruo knew there would be no shortage of gifts from them. She really didn’t need He Wen and the others piling on.

“Well, well, since when has our Lady Su become so humble? Did the sun rise in the west today?” Ye Huaiming squinted at her, humming. “Once your child is born, he’s guaranteed to be a precious little prince or princess, showered with love. True, our affection may not mean much compared to that, but at least give us a chance to show a token of our hearts, hm?”

Ye Huaiming couldn’t help but sigh again at how fast time had flown. Yesterday, it seemed, she had still been the girl carousing with them without a care. Today she was about to become a mother.

But Su Ruo was truly blessed. Her child would be born into a position like a little crown prince—protected by both the Xi and Su families. A life of security lay ahead.

With the leadership transition approaching, everyone could see the open and covert struggles between the Wang faction and the Gu faction. Odds were, the next person at the top would come from one of these two groups.

The Wang faction had risen quickly in recent years, winning support and extending influence everywhere, looking like an up-and-coming force. But the Gu faction was an old power in the capital, steady and unmoving, never rushing for fame or profit, like a wise elder biding its time.

No one could predict whose side the supreme leader favored—he supported the Wangs in some ways, but treated the Gus warmly as well. Everything was clouded in mystery.

If the Gu faction rose, then the Xi and Su families would ascend along with them. If they lost, their strength still guaranteed they would not suffer much—at worst, a transfer or stalled promotions. And besides, could the Gu family really be dismissed so easily? They had built step by step over decades, standing tall in the capital. They weren’t about to let newcomers trample them.

So in any case, the glory of the Xi and Su families would continue for some time. No drastic changes seemed likely.

Well, whatever—these were matters for the higher-ups. What did they have to do with someone like him? Ye Huaiming chuckled inwardly. He was neutral anyway. Best to just keep such thoughts private—no one would dare discuss them openly.

So he quickly set aside his musings and grinned again: “When this baby is born, what should he call us?”

Good question. Uncle? Auntie?

“Whatever you want him to call you, he can,” Su Ruo replied.

The group was just making a racket over this when Shen Liang came in carrying some food, with Xi Yuehui behind him, both hands full.

Knowing they had gone shopping for them, He Wen and the others quickly got up to take the bags. They couldn’t help thinking how astonishing it was that the minister’s wife herself was running errands for them.

“Mom, don’t let them flatter you,” Su Ruo said, pulling Zhang Huaqing to sit down. “The baby can call them whatever he wants when the time comes.” She reached to pour water—

“Hey! Stop!” He Wen yelped.

Su Ruo watched as He Wen poured water for her mother-in-law instead. At this point, she had learned to keep her face expressionless. The moment she got pregnant, everyone treated her like fragile porcelain.

She knew they meant well, and sighed inwardly: Baby, did you see that? So many people treasure you already. You’d better grow up healthy and obedient.

Shen Liang looked around the lively ward. With friends visiting, Ruo looked genuinely happy. She must have been bored cooped up here, so letting them stay a while was good for her mood.

“You all sit for a bit. I’ll run home to check on things,” Shen Liang said. “Don’t go buying more stuff this afternoon—the baby’s still tiny, way too early for that. Just keep Ruo company; she must be stifled staying here.”

As she left, she was already thinking of what to cook for Su Ruo’s lunch. She was full of energy these days, doing everything personally and happily.

After Shen Liang left, He Wen joked: “Ruo, your mother-in-law treats you so well. My mom never did that for me—she only ever looked at me like I was her mortal enemy.”

Everyone burst into laughter.

“In the future, I’ll follow Ruo’s example,” He Wen said dramatically. “I’ll marry a childhood sweetheart. The man doesn’t matter—so long as I get a mother-in-law half as kind as Auntie Shen, I’ll be satisfied.”

Su Ruo snorted. “With your character? Don’t dream too much. Leave it to fate.”

That made He Wen bristle. “Hey, what’s that supposed to mean? You can’t stand to see me happier than you, is that it?”

Su Ruo laughed until she bent over. “Fine, fine—so long as you’re happier than me, ha!”

Just then, Wen Shaoning’s eyes glinted mischievously. “Actually, He Wen, your dream isn’t so hard to realize. In fact, I’d say it’s quite easy.”

Xi Yuehui chuckled too. Right—Shaoning’s reminder jogged his memory. Feng San had been utterly smitten with Su Ruo, and by extension, He Wen.

Feng Weijia, the third son of the Feng family, was spoiled and pampered, known around the capital as “Third Young Master Feng.” Unlike his flamboyant elder brothers—Gu Da and Liang Bo’an—he had suddenly “mended his ways” a few years back and gone into business with Liang Bo’an, becoming a respectable young man.

They had wondered if he’d been possessed. Him reforming was more shocking than the sun rising in the west.

After watching him for a while, they realized what was going on. His eyes practically glued themselves to He Wen. It was obvious—he was in love. They were all stunned. Feng San, of all people, falling for He Wen? Totally unexpected. But the more they thought about it, the clearer it became—he had even changed his whole life for her.

So yes, if He Wen wanted a childhood sweetheart husband, it wouldn’t be hard. If she nodded, Feng San would marry her tomorrow.

He Wen, unaware of their thoughts, asked in puzzlement: “What do you mean easy? Come on, tell me!”

But Xi Yuehui and Wen Shaoning just exchanged knowing smiles and kept silent. Best to leave this to Feng San himself.

He Wen glared at them in contempt before turning back to chat with Su Ruo.

“By the way, Ruo, when did you get pregnant? And why are you hospitalized?” Ye Huaiming asked. The news had come so suddenly.

“Almost two months now. I didn’t notice at first because there weren’t any obvious symptoms. The doctor said the pregnancy wasn’t very stable, so I was admitted to rest.”

Su Ruo smiled lightly, not mentioning that she had fainted from overwork. Nothing serious, but if it spread, people would blow it out of proportion.

“Two months? Then in seven more, the baby will be here? Oh my god, what a surprise! I can’t wait!” He Wen cried dramatically, eyes shining with excitement.

She even pressed her head to Su Ruo’s stomach to listen, only for Su Ruo to shove her away with disgust.

“Shoo. It’s only two months—what can you possibly hear? It’s not even formed yet. Don’t scare the baby.”

He Wen rolled her eyes, then turned to the others: “Tsk tsk, look at that—hasn’t even given birth yet and she’s already heartless and ungrateful!”

Wen Shaoning chuckled. “With how loud and clumsy you are, you really might scare our little prince.”

“Exactly,” He Wen said, grinning. “Su Ruo’s child is bound to be a precious one, a little prince or princess with a bright future!” After all, the Xi family’s heir, with the Su family as maternal support—how could the child’s status be anything less?

“Stop, stop!” Su Ruo cut them off. “Don’t say such things—you’ll jinx my baby.”

All this talk of “little princes” and “future glory” sounded too flashy and ostentatious. The baby wasn’t even born yet—what would people think, hearing such things? She didn’t wish for anything grand. As long as her child was safe and healthy, that was blessing enough.