novelAbuy Chapter 552 - 548 I Have Never Had a Child (Three More)
Chapter 552 - 548 I Have Never Had a Child (Three More)
"How could that be? We may not have much else, but we’ve got plenty of chickens. There’s this one chicken that’s fond of going to others’ vegetable gardens. If you take care of it for me, you’d actually be helping us!"Aunt Ge finished speaking, went into the kitchen, and got a bowl with half a bowl of water in it. In her other hand, she held a kitchen knife. She marched straight up to a large white rooster and grabbed it at once.
Before the rooster could even make a sound, she swiftly slashed its neck.
The chicken’s blood started pouring out, and her small bowl was perfectly positioned to catch all the blood.
After doing all this, Aunt Ge went back to the kitchen to boil water.
Lu Yuanfeng followed her in to help with the chicken.
Mu Shuangshuang took the small crayfish in her bamboo basket to the kitchen.
"What are you two doing in here? Out, out! I’ll handle the work here!" Aunt Ge unceremoniously ushered them out.
Mu Shuangshuang quickly said, "Auntie, only I know how to cook what’s in my basket. I’ll prepare it in the kitchen for you."
"No, no, I’ll stew a chicken at noon, maybe kill a fish too, that’s enough food. You go accompany my daughter-in-law Xiuxiu for a chat. That girl hasn’t seen a young lady in ages and is dreadfully bored."
While pushing Mu Shuangshuang out, Aunt Ge even assigned her a task.
To be honest, this old lady was rather endearing.
Unlike others who would be polite with you, she spoke as if giving orders, yet it wasn’t off-putting.
In the back room of the courtyard, Mu Shuangshuang met Xiuxiu, whose belly was as large as a drum.
Xiuxiu was sitting on the bed embroidering flowers. Upon seeing Mu Shuangshuang, she excitedly stood up.
"Brother Sandan just spoke about you. You’re really pretty."
Mu Shuangshuang’s smile grew even brighter.
It was actually the first time someone besides Lu Yuanfeng had said she was pretty.
But Xiuxiu wasn’t lying; Mu Shuangshuang indeed became more beautiful the more she was looked after and as she gradually gained weight.
"How far along is your baby? When are you due?" Mu Shuangshuang took a few steps forward and stared at Xiuxiu’s belly, trying to figure out something.
"Soon. My mom said it will be in the middle of this month."
Mu Shuangshuang nodded, "That’s really soon then."
It’s already early September, the blooming season for osmanthus flowers. Mu Shuangshuang remembered Liu Zian saying that when the osmanthus was in full bloom, the Autumn Examination results would be released. The rıghtful source is novelhall.com
By that time, Mu Dade’s matters would more or less be settled.
"Shuangshuang, is your name Shuangshuang?"
Xiuxiu usually didn’t have many friends and stayed at home to rest during her pregnancy. Suddenly having someone around her age, she naturally had a lot to say. Since Ge Sandan only mentioned Shuangshuang’s name once, she needed to confirm it.
"Yes, Xiuxiu! By the way, do you want something to eat? Let me see if I can make something for you, like snacks or pastries."
Mu Shuangshuang was thinking of making osmanthus buns or baking cookies, considering she also wanted a bite to eat.
Xiuxiu swallowed her saliva.
"Can I? Will my mom say anything?"
"Of course... I don’t know, but don’t worry. I’ll make it for you for sure when Aunt Ge is asleep."
Mu Shuangshuang thought that since they didn’t allow her to work in the fields, she might as well make snacks for them at home.
The plan was set; it just waited for after the midday meal when Aunt Ge took a rest.
Half an hour later, a large pot of chicken soup was done. The aroma teased everyone’s cravings.
Conveniently, Aunt Ge called everyone to set the table. Mu Shuangshuang supported Xiuxiu as they walked to the kitchen.
In the kitchen, the smell of food blended together. Lu Yuanfeng and the others helped move tables and set stools. Mu Shuangshuang got water for Xiuxiu to wash her hands.
With all these chores done, it was time to eat.
At the dinner table, Aunt Ge handed a big drumstick to Xiuxiu, reminding her, "After you finish eating, go rest. Tell me if you want anything to eat, and I’ll make it for you. All that matters is that my grandson in your belly is doing well."
Xiuxiu originally wanted to say thank you, but the words got stuck in her throat.
Her mother-in-law was great in all aspects, except she was overly fixated on carrying on the family line.
From the first day Xiuxiu got married, Aunt Ge nagged her endlessly about carrying on the family line and having a grandson.
"Mom, why are you talking about this? The baby’s almost born—whether it’s a girl or a boy has long been decided," Ge Sandan disagreed.
"I’m just concerned about Xiuxiu, alright? I dreamt last night that Xiuxiu gave birth to a chubby boy, so I’m asking her to rest well today," Old Mrs. Ge chided Ge Sandan with a glance.
She then turned to Xiuxiu and said, "Don’t mind Sandan, Xiuxiu. Women, you know, must give birth to sons. What’s the good in having daughters? They end up as someone else’s wife. If you have a son, he can even bring a wife into the family.
If you give birth to a son, I’ll be your servant, looking after you for a lifetime."
Aunt Ge’s words made everyone present feel somewhat uncomfortable.
Although everyone understood Aunt Ge’s intense desire for a grandson, they knew she wouldn’t genuinely dislike a granddaughter.
But saying this in front of Xiuxiu, a pregnant woman, made her uneasy.
"Auntie, you’ve worked hard today, have more vegetables." Mu Shuangshuang proactively offered Aunt Ge a piece of chicken.
She continued, "Auntie, I think Brother Sandan is right too. Both sons and daughters are your dear grandchildren, and they’ll need the best grandmother in the world to care for them."
"Look, in just a short while, we’ve had both fish and meat, and it all tastes so good. Having you as their grandma, they’ll be truly blessed."
"Hahaha, Shuangshuang, this girl, what a sweet mouth. If I had a granddaughter as obedient as you, there’d be no worries." Aunt Ge laughed heartily, her crow’s feet becoming more pronounced.
The topic of grandchildren ended, and everyone took a sigh of relief in their hearts.
Secretly, Xiuxiu gave Mu Shuangshuang a grateful glance.
The meal concluded amid nervous anticipation.
The three men, after a short rest, went out to work in the fields, while Mu Shuangshuang was in Wang the blacksmith’s courtyard tending to the osmanthus tree.
Suddenly, a scream came from Xiuxiu’s room.
Mu Shuangshuang dropped the osmanthus she was holding and rushed into the courtyard, only to see Xiuxiu clutching her belly, writhing in pain on the ground.
"Xiuxiu, what’s wrong?"
Mu Shuangshuang was stunned, quickly going forward to support Xiuxiu.
At the commotion, Aunt Ge also came out.
She said to Mu Shuangshuang, "This must be labor, Shuang, help me get Xiuxiu inside and look after her for a bit. I’ll go to the neighboring village to fetch the midwife."
Mu Shuangshuang wanted to say that there might not be enough time to get someone now, but as soon as they got Xiuxiu onto the bed, Aunt Ge dashed out, too fast to call back.
"It hurts... Shuang, my belly hurts..." Xiuxiu cried out with a pale face.
"Xiuxiu, what do I do? I..."
Mu Shuangshuang had never given birth and had no experience. She knew she needed to boil water, but she couldn’t just leave now—