Chapter 389 - 388: Tastes (Monthly Ticket 550+)

Chapter 389: Chapter 388: Tastes (Monthly Ticket 550+)

Yunluo was woken up by a little kick from the small being in her belly.

In recent months, this was the strongest kick she had felt, so powerful that Yunluo couldn’t help but gasp in surprise.

She didn’t get up immediately but lay in bed catching her breath.

Outside, it was already bright, with white light filtering through the curtains, even lighting up the bed inside.

Yunluo reached out and felt for the statue on the inside.

She loved it so much that she wanted to keep it by her side even while sleeping last night.

She ran her fingers over the woodcarving; it was polished so smoothly that it didn’t feel rough at all. Yunluo held it before her eyes and couldn’t help but laugh again.

Not until her hands ached did she put the statue down, propping herself up with both hands and slowly sitting up.

Jin Rui heard the movement and smiled as she hung the curtain onto the bronze hook at the head of the bed, "Madam is awake?"

Yunluo squinted her eyes, as it was really too bright outside without the curtain shielding her.

Jin Rui noticed Yunluo’s movement and said, "It snowed heavily last night, and now it’s accumulated. The sun just came out, making it glaringly bright.

Yunluo slipped on her shoes and got out of bed, didn’t bother to freshen up, and walked to the window, gently pushing it open.

A silvery white scene greeted her.

The snow in the courtyard had already been swept into piles, yet the eaves were still covered in white, and the cold wind hit, scattering the warmth in the room.

For a moment, Yunluo didn’t feel cold; instead, she felt refreshed and invigorated.

Jin Rui, fearing she might catch a chill, urged her to wash and dress.

Today was Yunluo’s birthday, and in the morning, besides the rice cake, there was also a bowl of longevity noodles.

After sipping a mouthful of sweet soup, Yunluo felt comforted all over, "I didn’t remember it myself, I thought you all might forget too."

Jin Lan covered her mouth, laughing, "The Princely Heir remembers; how would we dare forget?"

Yunluo smiled deeply, Mu Lianxiao keeping her in his thoughts was sweeter than overturning a jar of sugar.

Perhaps due to her increased size, Yunluo had an excellent appetite, finishing a bowl of longevity noodles, a few pieces of sweet rice cake, and peeling an egg.

Jin Rui, concerned she might feel cloyed, added a couple of pieces of pickled vegetables to balance it out for Yunluo.

During the day, many items were sent from the government office to celebrate her birthday, and they even sent a sedan chair to fetch her over.

Yang Family personally came to welcome her, holding her hand, she said, "On such a good day, there’s no reason for you to spend it alone."

Yunluo, leaning on Yang Family, laughed, "I just knew you care for me."

The two of them went together to see Yan Family.

Yan Family had just stopped vomiting and wasn’t in good spirits.

With a sour plum in her mouth, Yan Family softly said, "Would Fifth Aunt like to try one?"

Yunluo quickly waved her hand, "I can’t handle sour things."

So Yan Family let it go and said, "Tell me, why is it that when women are pregnant, their taste becomes so picky?

Not long ago, I craved sweet things, but these days I love sour, and next month I might crave something spicy.

This constant fussing is really tiring the cooks out."

Yunluo laughed uncontrollably, tilting her head and pondering, "Isn’t it just like that? I can’t figure out how expecting a child changed my tastes developed over more than ten years."

Yang Family pinched Yunluo’s cheeks, joking, "How have you changed? You’re still all about sugar; just give you a jar of it and you’re happy as can be.

I still remember when you were little, you’d cry and refuse to eat, shouting at the top of your lungs.

Grandmother was frightened by your cries, dabbed some sugar with chopsticks to feed you, and you immediately calmed down."

Yan Family couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

Although Yunluo didn’t remember those events, listening to Yang Family brought laughter to her face, and she burrowed into Yang Family’s embrace in a playful manner.

Yang Family held her, sighing, "Looking at you reminds me of Yun Hu.

Your second sister says she wants to have a child after Wen Yu passes the exams.

I’m not worried about Wen Yu failing; I’m worried that once he passes, he’ll be sent elsewhere, and with Yun Hu following him on duty who’s going to care for her in her pregnancy?

Here in the capital, she has so many family members watching over her, and her sister-in-law taking responsibility. But if she goes on duty for the first time, I worry.

I’ve asked Grandmother to advise her many times in letters, but she’s stubborn and doesn’t listen to me."

As Yang Family spoke, she couldn’t help sighing.

Yunluo could tell Yang Family genuinely cared deeply for her stepdaughter.

Yan Family and Yunluo comforted Yang Family together a few times.

Yang Family dabbed at her eye corners, waving her hand, "Today is Yunluo’s birthday, let’s not talk about that little ingrate."

At noon, Yang Family prepared a table of good dishes.

With two pregnant women in the house, there were many restrictions on food, so everything prepared was both something they could eat and liked.

This only put a strain on Du Huarang and Du Yuntao, with the table full of sour and sweet dishes that weren’t to a man’s taste.

However, having more people in the house is joyful, made them happy, so they weren’t picky and the meal was harmonious and enjoyable.

Yunluo returned to Guishu Alley in the evening.

Several carriages were crowded at the alley entrance, and her sedan chair barely passed by after they shifted a bit.

Yunluo inquired through the sedan chair to Hong Jinbao’s household, "What’s going on?"

Hong Jinbao’s household replied, "I heard it’s a new move-in; they have wealth, bringing all their furniture with them, just moving in now, so it got blocked."

Yunluo clicked her tongue.

She had seen people who maintained elegance even after long journeys, but such meticulousness was rare indeed.

At night when lying down, Yunluo gradually found it difficult to turn over, and waking up in the morning, not just her waist and back, even her legs felt heavy.

Every day, Jin Rui massages her, giving Yunluo a bit of relief.

Doctor Feng advised her to walk often, but Yunluo would be panting after just one circuit in the garden.

Even so, Yunluo followed the advice of Doctor Feng and Yang Family and didn’t laze around the couch without moving.

Yang Family came to discuss the matter of the wet nurse with Yunluo.

Even though the main house had been in Lindong for many years, the number of household children was not as many as in the capital.

There weren’t many women who had just given birth or were about to, so Yunluo didn’t have to worry about having too many choices.

Those chosen by Yang Family were loyal, ensuring peace of mind.

The two deliberated and picked three, waiting until after Yunluo delivered to see which milk the child preferred.

By the end of the month, Yang Family became quite busy.

For Laba (the eighth day of the twelfth month), the government office was going to distribute porridge at the city gate; in previous years, Yan Family assisted Yang Family, but this year, Yang Family managed alone.

There were many preparations needed for the twelfth month, and the stores and manors needed accounting; Yunluo decided to stay in Guishu Alley, avoiding adding trouble for Yang Family at the government office.

Hong Jinbao’s household discussed the plans for the twelfth month with Yunluo.

In faraway Lindong, the rites were not as elaborate as in the capital, but they couldn’t be sloppy either.

Fortunately, the employees were competent, sparing Yunluo much effort.

As the end of the month approached, Yunluo grew somewhat restless.

Shuying had said that Mu Lianxiao would return to Xuancheng by month’s end, and she was eagerly awaiting his arrival, but he was still nowhere to be seen.

With her heart set on it, the days seemed to drag on slowly.

Finally, on the second day of the twelfth month, Mu Lianxiao returned home, weary from the journey.