Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law-Chapter 392: Vigilance Is Essential

As the woman of Chen Mo, the Marchioness, Xia Zhining naturally could grasp the recent happenings outside.

Moreover, she also had some understanding of things unknown to the world.

She knew that Chen Mo had captured the family members of Prince Huai alive. Before coming to Linzhou, she had heard from Zuo Lianglun that before marrying Prince Huai, Princess Consort Huai, Xiao Yunxi, was known as the most beautiful woman in Jiangnan. That scoundrel hadn’t even spared Ning Wan and Liang Xue, let alone someone as noble as Princess Consort Huai.

Besides, that scoundrel loves to forcefully pick soft persimmons.

Sure enough, news spread that Madam Hui from Prince Huai’s Mansion had betrothed Princess Chu Juan to Chen Mo as a concubine.

So, in Xia Zhining’s eyes, since Chen Mo hadn’t returned after taking Linzhou, he must be entangled with Princess Consort Huai and Chu Juan.

"Sister, do you miss your husband?"

At this moment, a soft voice arose, and a young lady in a plain dress, without makeup or ornaments, approached from not far away, carrying a steaming bowl of soup.

Wu Mi came to the pavilion, placed the bowl of soup on the stone table in front of Xia Zhiqing, and softly said, "Sister Zhiqing, I made this prenatal soup especially for you. It helps strengthen the spleen and stomach, ensures adequate nutrition for the fetus, and is good for preventing nausea. You’ll feel better after drinking it."

Though Wu Mi was younger than the two sisters and entered later, she was Chen Mo’s wife, the main wife, so she naturally had the right to call them sisters.

Not just them.

Even Han Anniang had to call Wu Mi sister.

"Thank you, sister." Xia Zhiqing had privately inquired about Wu Mi and knew she had studied medicine from a young age and was quite talented, already possessing excellent medical skills at a young age. While picking up the bowl to drink, Xia Zhining said, "Sister Wu Mi, my throat feels a bit uncomfortable. Could you make some medicine for me to drink?"

"Open your mouth and let me see." Wu Mi, without suspecting anything, seriously offered to help Xia Zhining.

Xia Zhining opened her mouth.

Wu Mi took a look, then murmured, "No signs of inflammation."

"Do you feel any pain or itchiness?" Wu Mi asked.

"Just a slight pain." Xia Zhining replied.

"Your throat color looks normal, indicating it’s not caused by inflammation. Just drink more water regularly, it’s not a big issue." Wu Mi said.

"Then, Sister Wu Mi, do you have any medicine that might help ease it?" Xia Zhining asked.

"I’ll make you a cup of medicinal tea." With that, Wu Mi went off to make it for Xia Zhining.

After Wu Mi left, Xia Zhiqing looked at Xia Zhining in surprise: "Zhining, why didn’t you mention earlier that your throat was uncomfortable?"

With that, she was about to pick up the soup bowl and drink the prenatal soup.

Xia Zhining quickly stopped her: "Sister, don’t drink it, I lied to her."

Xia Zhiqing was startled and lightly frowned: "Sister Wu Mi seems like a nice person, why would you lie to her?"

"One should never harm others needlessly, but it’s essential to remain cautious. She is the main wife, but you, sister, are a concubine, and now you are expecting a child before her. If it turns out to be a boy, how could she not be worried? What if she put something in this prenatal soup, wouldn’t the baby be in danger?" Xia Zhining said earnestly.

Her concern arose partly because she wasn’t familiar with Wu Mi.

Secondly, she had heard about the Wu Family luring Chen Mo to Jiangdong under false pretenses, making Xia Zhining wary of Wu Mi.

Xia Zhiqing paused, then smiled: "Zhining, you’re overthinking it. Sister Wu Mi isn’t that kind of person, she could never harm me."

"Whether or not she would harm you, there’s no harm in being careful. You’re due in less than three months, it’s best to be prudent." Xia Zhining advised.

"Then this prenatal soup..." Xia Zhiqing, prompted by her sister, felt that not drinking it wouldn’t make much difference.

"I’ll take care of it, just tell her you’ve finished it when asked. We’ll remember this gesture nonetheless." Xia Zhining replied.

"Alright..."

...

In another part, in Nangong Ru’s room, Nangong Wen’s wife Ma Clan came to chat about family matters.

However, it wasn’t just casual chat, but really to encourage Nangong Ru to think more about the family and strive for the family’s benefit.

Where there are people, there is intrigue.

When Chen Mo initially annexed the Nangong Family’s Navy, it upset the Nangong Family greatly, and they were quite displeased with Chen Mo, causing their investment in him to decrease.

However, with the news of Chen Mo’s marriage alliance with the Wu Family, his capture of Huai State, showcasing his Third-Grade Martial Artist prowess, and forming alliances with Xiliang and the Shu Residence, the Nangong Family’s dissatisfaction vanished, and they increased their investment again.

For at this time, the Nangong Family saw immense prospects in Chen Mo.

Ma Clan told Nangong Ru, "A woman’s youth, if well maintained, lasts only about ten years. With so many women around the Marquis, not every one can receive his deep affection. Hence, for a woman, having a child is the future’s safeguard. If you can bear a healthy son for the Marquis, even if he doesn’t inherit the Marquis’ legacy, your status shouldn’t be too low in the future."

Nangong Ru blushed slightly and said, "Sister-in-law, I know this, but it also depends on pregnancy luck. In the rear court currently, only sister Zhiqing is expecting, even sister An Niang, who followed our husband the earliest, hasn’t shown any sign yet."

Ma Clan smiled mysteriously, then pulled out a recipe from her sleeve: "This is a recipe I received from a divine doctor before I conceived our girl. Your brother and I only needed one course to conceive. Try it when the Marquis returns..."

With that, she passed the recipe to Nangong Ru.

"Will this work?" Nangong Ru’s face reddened further.

"You’ll find out if you try." With that, Ma Clan handed a talisman to Nangong Ru, saying: "This is a child-seeking talisman I got for you from the Daoist Temple, make sure to wear it."

Nangong Ru: "..."

...

Ning Wan and Han Anniang were assisting in managing the Fu Ze Restaurant.

The reason why Han Anniang was involved was that after arriving in Linzhou, she felt idle every day because Chen Mo wasn’t around, so she proactively approached Ning Wan to offer her help.

In the rear courtyard, Ning Wan was always in an awkward position, although Han Anniang and the others had tacitly acknowledged her as Chen Mo’s woman, her relationship with Chen Mo wasn’t made public.

So, Ning Wan also wanted to establish good relations in the rear courtyard, and when Han Anniang offered her help, she agreed without hesitation.

...

Liang Xue, on the other hand, was mingling with Yi Shiyin and Song Min.

In the rear courtyard, the three of them considered themselves the most idle.

The three were now playing Arrow-In-The-Pot in a shaded spot.

Arrow-In-The-Pot, Liang Xue was a seasoned player.

Almost every arrow she threw landed accurately into the copper pot, casually throwing an arrow, she glanced at Song Min and said, "Min’Er, you are still a maiden, right?"

Originally engaged in playing earnestly, Song Min’s face instantly flushed red, like a boiled shrimp, and said, "The Marquis... said I’m still young."