SGEIRS -Chapter 470 Madam Dong Is Pregnant

On New Year’s Eve, the family banquet was in full swing, and everyone appeared cheerful.

Gu Xiuming used to join them for the New Year’s Eve dinner for more than ten years. This year, without his presence, some people thought of him, but wisely did not bring him up in such a setting, so as not to dampen the mood.

According to the officials escorting Gu Xiuming and Li Wan’er, Gu Xiuming had nearly fallen seriously ill on the way, but eventually survived. Both he and Li Wan’er arrived in Yazhou alive.

However, even after arriving in Yazhou, the two of them could not be loving and harmonious. On the journey there, they argued countless times. Without the escorting officials, they probably would have fought. With their presence, the officials at least had some entertainment, making the journey less dull.

Sometimes, no matter how much one likes someone, in the face of personal interest, that person can become worthless, and all past vows and promises are meaningless—this is reality.

In Gu Xiuming’s heart, Li Wan’er had gone from being cherished to being an eyesore. If nothing unexpected happened, they would likely torment each other for life and would never reconcile.

After the family banquet ended, the younger generation stayed up with the Old Madam Gu to welcome the New Year.

At midnight, everyone returned to their own quarters to rest. Since becoming pregnant, Meng Jinyao had the habit of sleeping early, and by this point, she was yawning repeatedly.

Gu Jingxi looked at her standing as if she might fall asleep, then glanced at her belly. Carrying or hugging her wasn’t an option—it would put pressure on the child—so he said, “A-Yao, just hold on a little longer; you’ll be able to sleep soon.”

Meng Jinyao nodded, yawned again, and asked, “Now that I have an imperial edict, do I need to pay my respects at the palace tomorrow morning? Last year, on the first day of the lunar new year, Mother went to the palace.”

Gu Jingxi replied, “This year, it’s not necessary. The Empress isn’t in the mood to receive the wives of officials, and His Majesty has ordered that on the first day of the lunar year, the civil and military officials and their wives need not go to the palace to pay respects.”

Meng Jinyao nodded again. “That makes sense. It’s been less than a month since the Crown Prince passed away.”

Putting aside their positions, the Emperor and Empress were still ordinary people; the pain of losing a child was no less than any other parent.

Yongchang Marquisate.

Madam Dong was hosting the family banquet. Since the Meng family was not large, she had a relatively light workload, yet she still felt exhausted and drowsy.

The maid noticed her yawning and looking listless and softly suggested, “Madam, perhaps you should rest for a while? I can watch over things for you.”

“No need.”

Madam Dong shook her head slightly. She knew well that her mother-in-law was difficult to deal with. If she rested during the banquet and something went wrong, her mother-in-law would scold her tonight.

When she first entered, her mother-in-law’s attitude had been acceptable. But upon learning that she intended to economize and reduce expenses, the mother-in-law had voiced some criticism. Later, when Madam Dong failed to persuade the eldest daughter to help the Meng family, her mother-in-law’s displeasure grew, demanding that Madam Dong diligently observe morning and evening rituals and respect her elders.

Madam Dong had been a daughter-in-law elsewhere before. Compared with her previous husband’s family, the Meng family was higher in status but far more difficult in every other aspect. Her previous in-laws were reasonable and kind—they understood her youth and widowhood, and after she observed the three-year mourning period, they even suggested she return to her family to remarry. When she married, the previous family had even sent her a congratulatory gift.

In comparison, her current life felt like falling into a pit of fire. Her mother-in-law was unkind, and although her husband currently doted on her, she understood he was not a good man. Who knew how long his affection would last?

The maid, worried for her, insisted again, “Madam, tonight we need to stay up to welcome the New Year. If you don’t rest now, how will you have energy later?”

“I’m fine,” Madam Dong replied. “I’ll just keep myself busy and pass the time tonight.”

The maid heard this and didn’t press the matter further.

At the family banquet.

Meng Jinyao and Meng Jinyu had already married out, leaving only five people at the Meng family table. Even among them, there was no real harmony; everyone had their own grievances.

Meng Chengzhang harbored resentment toward his father, grandmother, and younger brother.

Meng Chengxing felt resentment toward his elder brother, father, and stepmother. Originally, he had no issues with his father, but now that his father focused on his elder brother and neglected him, he felt like an abandoned child and became dissatisfied.

Old Madam Meng was displeased with her daughters-in-law. Meng Dongyuan was dissatisfied with his unaccomplished youngest son.

Madam Dong, aside from Meng Chengzhang, was displeased with the other three.

Thus, when the five sat down for the New Year’s Eve dinner, their faces were polite but their hearts were not; it was hard to be genuinely cheerful. The banquet was somewhat quiet.

In previous years, the New Year’s Eve banquet had been lively. This year felt unusually subdued. Old Madam Meng’s dissatisfaction with her daughters-in-law had increased. What use was it to have studied the Four Books and Five Classics, to know poetry and prose, if one could not liven up the gathering? In this aspect, she fell far short of Madam Sun.

Meng Dongyuan offered a piece of fish to Madam Dong.

She had no intention of eating it, but did not want to offend her husband publicly. She picked it up, ready to eat, but the smell of fish made her nauseous. She immediately covered her mouth and gagged.

Old Madam Meng’s face fell. “What’s the matter? You can’t even sit still for a meal. Even if the dishes aren’t to your taste, there’s no need to make such a scene.”

Madam Dong hurriedly explained, “Mother, I don’t know why, but the past couple of days, the smell of fish makes me want to vomit.”

Upon hearing this, Old Madam Meng pondered for a moment and softened her tone. “Very well. After the meal, let the Ling household physician examine you.”

Madam Dong was pleasantly surprised and nodded lightly. “Alright.”

After the meal, the Ling household physician arrived with a medical kit to examine Madam Dong.

When the physician’s fingers touched her wrist, Old Madam Meng’s eyes showed a hint of anticipation. After taking her pulse, she asked, “Well?”

The physician smiled and congratulated them: “Congratulations, Madam, congratulations, Marquis, and congratulations, Madam Dong. This is a joyous pulse—you are more than one month pregnant.”

The announcement stunned everyone present.

Madam Dong could hardly believe her ears. In the years she had been married to her previous husband, she had never conceived. Everyone had said she could not bear children, and she had believed it herself. Yet now, she was pregnant?

Old Madam Meng immediately beamed with joy, and even looked upon Madam Dong more favorably. Their family had not had a new child for some time, and they had long assumed Madam Dong could not conceive. No one expected she actually could.

Meng Dongyuan was equally delighted. His wife had not been able to conceive with her previous husband, but now she could with him. That proved he was far superior to that man, who was not only useless but also a short-lived fool.

Meng Chengzhang was somewhat surprised but happy as well. With his stepmother pregnant, he would have a younger brother or sister. His stepmother was kind and sensible, capable of raising the child well. If it was a girl, she would be a lovely little sister; if a boy, he could share the responsibility of rebuilding the Meng family. As for his third younger brother, he held no expectations—if he did not cause trouble, that was enough.

The only one unhappy was Meng Chengxing. He had never wanted a stepmother, and now that she was pregnant, his father would have yet another child. Would there still be a place for him in his father’s heart?