"Alas, it's all because our family lacks capability. Your grandfather and father have been upright all their lives, and so my good daughter doesn't even have a decent set of jewelry to present." The old lady said soothingly to Gu Antong, but her eyes were viciously fixed on Bai Suihe.
Bai Suihe was very different today; shouldn't she be nervously offering things up? Yet here she is, digging a pit for them.
"Third sister-in-law, look at how you're upsetting mother," Xu Yulan, who had been watching the scene unfold, finally spoke up, "It's just a set of jewelry, letting the niece borrow it is not taking it away from you. Why say such things to hurt the family's feelings?"
Bai Suihe said, "Second sister-in-law, I didn't mean anything like that. I just feel that lending jewelry is inappropriate. My family went to great lengths for my dowry, many items are still remembered by everyone, and I've only been married for less than two years. Now the jewelry is going to the niece; how should people who know about this talk about our family?"
Upon hearing this, the First Young Madam, Liu Yun's, face changed dramatically. In wanting to dress up her daughter beautifully, how could she have overlooked this issue?
Back then, when the third sister-in-law's dowry was presented, everyone was astonished for days, and people on the street discussed it for a long time; even she could recite the details like a treasured collection. It was really inappropriate for her daughter to be taken out wearing it, otherwise, they would indeed bear a bad reputation.
"This is all a misunderstanding, just a young girl being fond of dressing up, acting on a whim. When I get the chance, I'll take her to the jewelry store to find something suitable." Liu Yun quickly shook her head slightly at Gu Antong; this matter can't be done like this.
Pretending to scold, she said, "Rest assured, even if I have to sell the pot and pans, I'll dress you beautifully. When we go to the princess's residence, we can't lose face for our Gu Family."
The old lady came to realize as well that the third daughter-in-law was very different today, having been suppressed for so long, is she now disobedient?
Moreover, Liu Family is also foolish, intimidated by Ms. Bai, and doesn't think things through?
In Shang Jing, marriages happen every day. Many have richer dowries than Ms. Bai's; at most, they would marvel at the Bai Family's affection for their daughter, who would remember the exact number of dowry items?
Now that things have been said, it's not appropriate for her to speak further, so she pretended to have a headache and had them all leave.
Xu Yulan knew she wouldn't gain any advantage now, so she briskly turned around and left. After all, with an aunt present, they won't be missing out.
Bai Suihe also didn't want to stay here any longer and annoy them, so she carried her belly and, with the servant girls assisting, went straight back to the backyard.
It seems now that rigid rules are a double-edged sword; at least the old lady has to consider saving face and doesn't dare to overstep for the time being.
Had she not married into the family for over a year, her dowry would have been lost long ago.
Previously, they only hinted subtly, but today they directly asked, it seemed the Gu Family couldn't hold back either.
It was just the original owner's soft character that allowed her to be manipulated for so long.
Xu Yulan watched them leave, then turned again to enter the main courtyard, "Aunt, our Xu Family is still waiting for the money to renovate the ancestral hall, you see..."
"Sigh, the silver I gave you to take back before was already my last savings. Now, every month your father-in-law hands the household expenses directly to the head of the house, and I'm really unable to manage here.
Go back and tell your father and them that renovating the ancestral hall is the business of the Xu Family men, we married-out daughters should not hinder their filial piety."
Xu Yulan frowned slightly, "Now it can only be so."
After Xu Yulan left, the old lady rubbed her forehead and asked, "Nanny Zhou, do you feel that Ms. Bai has changed quite a bit today?"
Nanny Zhou promptly stepped forward to assist, "This old servant didn't notice, maybe the Third Young Madam's body hasn't recovered fully, when a person is sick, there's bound to be some erratic fire, maybe it'll pass in a few days."
"Hopefully. Send someone to watch the front, if the master returns, remember to inform me promptly."
After saying this, the old lady closed her eyes for a nap, and whether she actually fell asleep was known only to herself.
Back in her own courtyard, Bai Suihe couldn't help but massage her back, feeling a bit hungry again.
The lunch was richer today, but quite greasy, full of fish and meat dishes.
"Third Young Madam, shall I send someone out to our restaurant to bring food over?" Dong Mei asked softly as she saw Bai Suihe putting down her utensils.
"Forget it, I'm almost full; bring some fruits over."
After eating a small pear, Bai Suihe ordered the maidservants to leave.
Standing outside, Dong Mei felt worried, "Spring Fragrance, don't you think our young madam is a bit strange today?"
"A little bit, it might be related to yesterday, the old lady was overly harsh, and our young madam is saddened."
The topic was no longer pursued, fearing that someone might overhear, making things difficult for their young madam.
The two servant girls were there feeling sorry for Bai Suihe, who was already lying down on the bed, "When will this life be over?"
It's better to think about how to protect the child in the belly from being safely born during the exile.
She caressed the fetus in her belly, "Baby, mommy's ability is indeed limited. In half a month, you'll have to endure hardship with mommy, fearing that I won't be able to protect you well."
While pondering the daily life with her original and villain husband, fearing a slip might occur, the fetus suddenly moved again.
"Mommy..."
Bai Suihe quickly sat up, searching the room. Hadn't she heard wrong? Was there a little child running to her room?
But the sound wasn't from the two little young masters of the first and second house, it sounded very tender.
"Mommy..."
Bai Suihe became certain she hadn't heard wrong, but someone was calling. The soft and tender voice made one immediately feel relieved.
"Who's calling?" Bai Suihe almost crawled under the bed, inspecting inside and out but found no results. She could only return to the bed, holding her belly.
"Did traveling through time not bring any benefits, instead leaving me ill?" Bai Suihe mumbled to herself.
"Mommy..."
The calling continued, Bai Suihe took a deep breath and called into the void, "Alright, stop calling, where are you?"
"Mommy, your daughter is in your belly."
Bai Suihe was so frightened that she immediately stood up, her pupils dilated, staring at her belly, "You... you... are you my daughter?"
Is it really not a hallucination? Since when did things become so defying, even the fetus would speak?
Oh dear, my heavens, if this child were to speak upon birth, everyone would find it incredible, let alone speaking from the belly.
"Mommy, it's me. I've been talking to you all along, but you haven't responded. Today, you seem able to hear me." The babyish voice seemed to ring in her ears.
"Call me again," Bai Suihe said, covering her ears and speaking to her belly, she had a question that she needed to clear first.
"Mommy..."
Indeed, she heard it again. The sound wasn't coming from her belly, but resonating within her own ears.
Good, as long as the fetus doesn't make sounds that others can hear, the mother and daughter won't suffer from it.
"Good daughter," Bai Suihe accepted this well, if she can sleep through to this era, a daughter being a bit magical is also acceptable.