Early in the morning, An Qien went to Anhe Hall to pay his respects to Mrs. Qiao.
The four aunts also came and sat on the seats on both sides of the main hall.
An Qien sat closest to Mrs. Qiao, Shen Shuli, Qing Cui sat on the left, Ruying, and Liang Wanru sat on the right.
Mrs. Qiao asked Mother Wu to call Mrs. Liu to come over. She and An Qien sat on both sides of Mrs. Qiao.
It seemed that there was something very important about gathering so many people this early in the morning.
Mrs. Qiao said calmly: "There are quite a few people in the mansion. It has been more than a year since the prince has recovered. I have not had a son and a half for such a long time. I have no face to see the old marquis."
As she spoke, Mrs. Qiao's expression and tone were heavy.
Mrs. Liu glanced at An Qien, as if telling her to give birth to the baby quickly.
An Qi'en's face was very calm and he didn't take it seriously at all.
Mrs. Qiao continued: "It makes sense that there has never been a legitimate son in the Marquis's house, so I decided after careful consideration that no matter which aunt gave birth to the child, as long as the first child is a brother, he will be raised under Qi En's name."
Mr. Qiao took a look and said to An Qien: "Having a baby is also a good sign for you."
An Qien nodded respectfully: "Let grandma arrange it."
Ru Ying subconsciously touched the child in her belly, thinking that it would be a rare blessing for him if the child could really be raised in An Qien's name.
Since ancient times, the status of legitimate concubines has been very different. Now that a concubine has become a legitimate son, this is a huge advantage.
Mrs. Qiao asked again: "If any of you have it, tell me as soon as possible, and I will be rewarded."
Qingcui touched her belly and sighed silently. If her brother was still alive, he would be his legitimate son.
Thinking of this, she glanced at Shen Shuli bitterly.
Shen Shuli glanced at the greenery and smiled proudly.
After Mrs. Qiao finished speaking, it was Mrs. Liu's turn.
"Having an heir is a big deal, and you must serve your son well. His duty in the palace is also very hard."
"Yes, ma'am."
Several aunts said in unison.
Mrs. Liu added: "With more women, there will be more right and wrong. If we do something sour and jealous, you will look good!"
Several aunts lowered their heads slightly to listen to the instruction.
Suddenly, Liang Wanru couldn't hold it back and retched twice while covering her mouth.
She felt like retching while sitting here early in the morning, and she couldn't hold it back any longer!
Mrs. Liu frowned and asked her, "Third aunt, what's wrong with you?"
Is this against her? Do you find what she said disgusting? Or are you really feeling unwell?
Liang Wanru's face was a bit ugly. She had lost weight these days due to whatever she ate and vomited.
She turned pale and glanced at Mrs. Qiao, and replied warmly: "Madam, I feel sick to my stomach after eating something cold."
Mrs. Qiao looked very gentle: "If you feel uncomfortable, go back and rest early."
Liang Wanru stood up and knelt down: "Thank you, old lady. I'm a poor concubine who won't be in the way."
Shen Shuli stared at Liang Wanru warily, Mrs. Qiao's attitude towards her changed greatly.
She used to be very unkind to Liang Wanru, but recently she has become much kinder to her.
Shen Shuli was pregnant, and Liang Wanru's vomiting was obviously abnormal.
After Liang Wanru sat down, Shen Shuli looked at her belly a few times.
At this time, Mrs. Qiao went on to get down to business: "Seven days later, the mansion is going to hold a recovery banquet for Jiang Hong. He escaped from death. This is a huge happy event, and we have to invite guests to the banquet to share the joy."
An Qien muttered to herself that it had been more than a year, what kind of recovery banquet should be held now?
She felt that things were not that simple.
Ms. Liu also felt strange and frowned and said, "Mom, this time is urgent. I'm afraid my relatives from my hometown won't be able to make it in seven days."
An Qi'en saw that this matter was Mrs. Qiao's own initiative. Logically speaking, Qiao Jianghong had caused one bad thing after another. How could the old lady not care about such a shameless person?
Mrs. Qiao took a sip of tea and returned to the Liu family: "The relatives from my hometown won't be here. The travel and traveling are tiring, and the government has to arrange for their food and accommodation. It's not troublesome. For this recovery banquet, we will invite some relatives and friends from the capital."
Mrs. Liu was still thinking about getting together with her parents' family, but the old lady heard that she didn't intend to invite them at all, and she deliberately set the time in such a hurry.
Liang Wanru looked at the old lady respectfully and asked softly: "Old lady, my mother is still in Beijing. Can she be invited to the recovery banquet?"
"Since you are still in the capital, please come." Mrs. Qiao agreed readily.
"Thank you, old lady."
Shen Shuli was even more certain that Liang Wanru might be pregnant, and she felt even more uneasy!
Both of them were pregnant, and her position was in jeopardy.
Mrs. Qiao glanced at An Qi'en and specifically asked: "Qi'en, your mother's family must all be present. Your sister must also be invited. After all, it is relatives who have to move around, as well as your friends and your brother's friends. Come here, let’s all have fun.”
Last time Shen Shuli beat up the legitimate son of the Liu family, the old ladies of the two families seemed to be harmonious on the surface, but in fact the Liu family looked down upon the Hou family.
Mrs. Qiao just mentioned it, and she will get over it for the sake of face. If the Liu family wants to come, they can do it, and if they don't, they can pull her down.
This healing feast has a purpose in itself.
"Yes, grandma." An Qien responded.
Mrs. Qiao was afraid that if she didn't give enough notice, all the people who shouldn't be there would be there, but the people who should be there didn't come.
She added: "By the way, please invite Mrs. Liu who gave you a lot of spices. I heard that the aromatherapy she prepared has a sleeping effect. I haven't been able to sleep well recently, so please invite her too."
An Qien suddenly realized that this was the original purpose.
"My granddaughter-in-law will send an invitation to Mrs. Liu."
What Mrs. Qiao heard from this meant that she would deliver the invitations, and it was up to Mrs. Liu whether the people would come or not.
"You should be more sincere if you go and invite me in person."
An Qi'en couldn't refuse and nodded: "Yes."
Mrs. Qiao had a smile on her face, raised her hands and said, "That's it for today, everyone, please step back."
.....
Coming out of Anhe Hall, Shen Shuli followed Liang Wanru.
When she walked to a rose flower, Shen Shuli called out to her: "Third Aunt."
Liang Wanru turned around and smiled: "Second Aunt."
Shen Shuli looked at her face and belly unkindly, and said with a smile, "Third Yi Niang will feel better if she eats some half summer soup."
"Thank you, Second Aunt, for your concern."
Both of them were polite on the surface, but their smiles hid their secrets.
Shen Shuli smiled faintly: "Why are you being polite to me? We all have a hard life as aunts. Please help as much as you can."
Liang Wanru smiled slightly, but was still very wary of her.
Shen Shuli then said: "Let me join you, just in time to give Fourth Aunt the little bellyband I made for her child."
Liang Wanru glanced at her dubiously, Ruying's belly wasn't ready for two months yet, so why should she get a bellyband so early?
Is she really so kind?
The two walked side by side, with two maids following behind.
Shen Shuli continued: "The Marquis Mansion is big, but it is also small. It is really difficult for our aunt's children to survive."
