TSWPF -Chapter 366 Resentment

Seeing this, Miao Miao quickly spoke up to smooth things over. “Come, Madam, a humble cup for you. If your health isn’t up to it, tea will do instead of wine.” She slightly regretted coming with Zhu Xiulan—what a thoughtless person. Didn’t she know that even her husband wouldn’t dare offend the county magistrate casually? How could she, with her face, dare to offend the magistrate’s wife? Was she not afraid of incurring the county magistrate’s wife’s wrath?

From now on, I need to keep some distance from Zhu Xiulan. Can’t stick so close to her—otherwise, she’ll drag me down.

Li Qingling glanced at Miao Miao, raised her teacup, and smiled, saying thank you.

Cui Cuicui cast a subtle glance at Li Qingling, a vague suspicion forming in her heart.

Li Qingling is probably… pregnant.

She lowered her eyelids, hiding the brief shadow of gloom that flashed in her eyes.

Li Qingling didn’t notice Cui Cuicui’s expression; she was busy dealing with those coming to toast her. Luckily, Hu Juanjuan was there to help shield her—otherwise, she really couldn’t handle it alone.

Halfway through the meal, a sharp voice rang out: “The imperial edict has arrived! Madam Liu, come receive the edict!”

Everyone froze at the sound. An imperial edict?

Liu Zhimou reacted quickly, standing up to find Li Qingling.

“Madam, the imperial edict has arrived. Let’s go receive it.” Liu Zhimou came to Li Qingling’s side, helping her to her feet. He glanced at the other women present. “Ladies, please come out and receive the edict as well.”

When the imperial edict arrived, all present had to perform the kneeling salute.

Liu Zhimou led Li Qingling, following Mr. Luo, to the main gate. Everyone present knelt except Mr. Luo.

“By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees…” The eunuch recited a long list of gifts in his sharp voice. When finished, he handed the edict to Li Qingling with a courteous expression.

Li Qingling took it with both hands and said, “Thanks for the Emperor’s grace.” Only when she saw Liu Zhimou stand did she rise slowly.

Mr. Luo invited the eunuch in to sit and have a meal before leaving. The eunuch accepted without hesitation and followed Mr. Luo inside.

Li Qingling instructed the guards to move the items to the storage room.

This incident made Zhu Xiulan never dare speak recklessly again. She hadn’t expected the Emperor to value Li Qingling so highly—despite the distance from the capital, he had specially sent someone to deliver gifts.

This also meant that the Emperor held Liu Zhimou’s family in high regard. No matter how bold she was, she wouldn’t dare go against the Emperor.

Cui Cuicui glanced at Li Qingling with a complicated expression, then lowered her head and ate with no appetite.

“The Emperor truly values the county magistrate’s wife, sending gifts for her birthday,” Cui Cuicui said, smiling at Li Qingling.

Li Qingling smiled back, shaking her head. “You jest, Madam Cui. Why would the Emperor care about me? It’s my husband he values—I merely benefit from his favor.” She hadn’t expected the Emperor to send gifts on her birthday—it genuinely surprised her.

It seemed Liu Zhimou carried weight in the Emperor’s heart, which explained why the Emperor cared for their family.

Upon hearing this, Cui Cuicui gripped her handkerchief tightly, nearly wanting to tear apart Li Qingling’s happy smile. She wasn’t inferior to Li Qingling—why couldn’t she meet a man as good as Liu Zhimou?

Thinking of He Dianshi being stuck in prison for three years, her resentment only grew.

Li Qingling had no time to deal with Cui Cuicui and turned back to those congratulating her.

The Emperor’s gesture once again made her famous—she wasn’t sure if that was a blessing or a curse.

“The county magistrate’s wife really is fortunate…” Cui Cuicui murmured at Li Qingling. Before she could finish, the sound of more gifts arriving outside interrupted her, prompting Li Qingling to go receive them.

Watching Li Qingling hurriedly step outside, Cui Cuicui’s face twisted with anger.

Miao Miao turned to Cui Cuicui. “Do you want to go see who’s delivering gifts to Madam?”

Cui Cuicui forced a faint smile. “Yes, why not?”

When they reached the courtyard, they saw the guards carrying boxes inside.

They didn’t need to ask—nearby people were already whispering. These were birthday gifts from the capital’s Liu, Xue, and Lu families.

Judging by the guards’ strained shoulders, the boxes were heavy with real items, not empty tokens.

Seeing Li Qingling standing next to Liu Zhimou, Cui Cuicui’s jealousy boiled—she wanted nothing more than to take her place.

Watching the boxes being carried in, Li Qingling looked up at Liu Zhimou, slightly speechless. “Grandpa, why did they send so many things?”

She had intended to keep her birthday low-key, but…

Liu Zhimou smiled. “It’s from Grandpa. Take them without worry—no need to feel burdened. After hearing you’re pregnant, they’d probably have come themselves if they could, but since they can’t, they sent gifts instead.”

Liu Zhimou was right. At this moment, the three elders—Grandpa Liu, Xue, and Lu—were sighing at Xue’s residence.

“The girl should have received our gifts by now,” Xue sighed, lifting his tea cup with a mournful expression. “If the Emperor hadn’t forbidden me from retiring and returning home, I’d have been at her side, making sure she safely delivered the child. I just can’t rest my mind otherwise.”

When he received Mr. Luo’s boastful letters, he was both happy and envious—happy that Li Qingling was pregnant, envious that Mr. Luo was by her side.

When would the Emperor finally allow him to retire?

It was maddening… utterly maddening.

Grandpa Liu’s mood wasn’t much better. “Mr. Luo keeps writing letters to provoke me, saying how well he’s doing, making me want to rush to my grandchildren’s side. I’m their true grandfather—why should they be closer to Mr. Luo?”

He wished the period of his grandchildren being away would end quickly, so he could see them every day, and the great-grandchild soon to be born.

Thinking of the great-grandchild months away, Grandpa Liu wished he had wings to fly straight to Ninghua County.

Grandpa Lu sipped his tea slowly before speaking with slight concern. “Times have changed. Xiao Ling is pregnant and young. Without elders nearby, can she take good care of herself? The journey is far, and I can’t send my daughter-in-law to help for a few days.”

“I’ve sent two experienced women to help,” Grandpa Liu said.

“When did you send them?” Xue asked in surprise.

Grandpa Liu lifted his chin proudly. “This is one of my birthday gifts for Xiao Ling. Once I knew Li Qingling was carrying my great-grandchild, I arranged it. It’s my great-grandchild—how could I not take it seriously?”

Seeing Grandpa Liu’s proud expression, Xue wagged a trembling finger at him. “Good, Grandpa Liu, hiding such an important matter from us! Were you afraid we’d steal your thunder?” He felt slightly frustrated for not thinking of it himself.

Grandpa Lu looked at Grandpa Liu. He had wanted to send two women to care for Li Qingling but had no suitable candidates in the household. He had intended to find two elsewhere—only to have Grandpa Liu beat him to it.

Frustrating…

“Are the women you sent safe? They’re not spies, right?”

Grandpa Liu chuckled. “Safe. If they weren’t, how could I send them to Xiao Ling?” He had specially brought them to care for Li Qingling. “One was a maid accompanying an inner family bride, the other was Jing’er’s wet nurse. Upon hearing they’d be caring for Xiao Ling, both readily agreed.” These women had watched the youngest son grow up—they would be loyal to the grandchildren.

Hearing this, Xue and Lu grumbled in unison, confronting Grandpa Liu.

Grandpa Liu laughed heartily. “You’re jealous—jealous that I thought ahead!”

Li Qingling was unaware of the elders’ complaints. She looked at the two kneeling women and, after hearing their purpose, immediately helped them up.

The plump, fair-skinned woman was Nanny Yao, her father-in-law’s wet nurse, gentle and kind.

The tall, thin woman was Nanny Jin, her grandmother’s accompanying maid, serious and sincere.

The two women sent by Grandpa Liu seemed fine at first glance, but time would tell.

Seeing how much Liu Zhimou resembled Fourth Master Liu, Nanny Yao and Nanny Jin couldn’t help but cry.

“Fourth Young Master, you really look like Fourth Master,” Nanny Yao said through tears. After knowing her fourth master had passed, she had been gravely ill.

She never expected her Fourth Master to leave before her.

If only she had gone with Fourth Master back then… maybe… maybe he wouldn’t have…

When the master found her and asked if she wished to serve Fourth Young Madam, she nodded without hesitation.

It was her Fourth Master’s daughter-in-law. She wanted to care for her, ensuring she safely delivered Fourth Master’s grandchild.

“Just like him… really like him,” Nanny Jin wiped her tears. Among the young mistress’s children, she had cared most for Fourth Master, who had also treated her well, always thinking of her when buying gifts.

But… such a good child—how… how… could heaven be so blind!

Looking at Fourth Young Master was like seeing Fourth Master in his youth.

Liu Zhimou stepped forward, comforting them, urging them to stop crying.

After a moment, under his reassurance, the two women slowly stopped their tears.

Li Qingling breathed a gentle sigh of relief and kindly asked if they were tired. Did they want to rest before eating, or after?

Nanny Yao and Nanny Jin both shook their heads, insisting they were fine.

Seeing their resolve, Li Qingling didn’t press. She led them to the main table, had two chairs brought, and asked them to sit and eat.

Nanny Yao and Nanny Jin refused, wanting to stand behind her and serve.

Li Qingling, frowning, said firmly, “Today is my birthday. Sit and eat with me. There will be plenty of time in the future for serving me.”

At this point, if Nanny Yao and Nanny Jin still refused, they would seem ungrateful. They thanked Li Qingling and sat beside her.

Li Qingling smiled, then told the guests not to be formal and to continue eating.