High-class maid

During the few days that Granny Zhou was sick, several people from the small kitchen took turns taking care of her. Either Shan Tao would bring her medicine, or Chen Shan's family would bring her food, and then Shen Xing'er would take it away.

In ancient times, a common cold could be fatal, so people would stay indoors until they were fully recovered.

After Granny Zhou recovered from her illness, she cooked four dishes herself, but dared not cook too many because they were ingredients from the master's household. That night, after everyone had finished their work, they gathered in Granny Zhou's room.

"I've been suffering from a cold these past few days, thank you all so much. If it weren't for your care, I might have died here. I've prepared a little wine, please don't mind it," said Granny Zhou gratefully.

"Pah, pah, pah! What are you saying? What do you mean by 'alive or dead'? It's just a minor cold. Don't say such unlucky things," Chen Shan's wife said.

“We still have to work tomorrow, so I won’t urge everyone to drink. This Da Hong Pao tea is something I had someone buy from outside. Let’s drink tea instead of wine today. Cheers!” Granny Zhou said, picking up her teacup.

Shan Tao and Shen Xing'er also quickly picked up their teacups. That night, the guests and hosts enjoyed the meal to the fullest.

The next day, their tea room was very busy. Because it was the first day of the lunar month, all the younger generation had to come and pay their respects to the old lady, and there were so many people who needed tea that Shan Tao and Shen Xing'er were constantly boiling and pouring water.

Meanwhile, inside the old lady's room...

The old lady, the second wife, the first wife, the eldest master, the second master, and several younger relatives were all eating together. The eldest master was very strict and never allowed his concubines to come to the old lady's courtyard.

Today, the Second Master actually brought his favorite concubine, Zhang. Since everyone only gathers together on the first and fifteenth of the month, the First Master didn't bother to say anything to him, and everyone pretended not to see Zhang.

The second wife's face was as black as the bottom of a pot. These days, she had been suppressing Zhang Shi in every way. On the surface, Zhang Shi had obeyed her, but today she actually secretly followed her to pay her respects! This was a slap in the face to the second wife.

Just as everyone was eating, Zhang, who was standing behind the second master, suddenly vomited. Everyone present had given birth, and they all understood what was going on.

The second wife's face darkened even more, and she didn't even bother to pretend anymore.

"Zhi'er, what's wrong with you? Someone, quickly summon the physician!" Before the Second Madam could scold her, the Second Master jumped up in a panic.

"I...I'm fine. Perhaps I've been eating too much raw or cold food lately, and my stomach is a little upset. I apologize for disturbing your enjoyment," Zhang said weakly.

"Hmph, since you know you've disturbed our enjoyment, why don't you leave now! Master is just being delirious with worry, how could I possibly call for the royal physician?" the second madam said with a dark face.

"you!"

The second master was only concerned with his beloved concubine and arguing with the second wife, completely ignoring the sullen faces of the first master and the old lady.

The eldest master was about to reprimand the second master, but then he remembered that Zhang was, after all, a woman and his "sister-in-law," so he shut his mouth.

The First Madam glanced at the Old Madam's expression and, seeing that she wasn't too opposed to Zhang Shi, said, "Alright, since we've already gone to call the physician, let's see him here before going back. Otherwise, people will say that our Minister's Mansion is cheating people."

After the masters finished their meal, Doctor Qian also arrived in a hurry.

After taking Zhang's pulse, Doctor Qian said to the old lady, "Congratulations, Madam, and congratulations, Second Master. This young lady is pregnant and has been pregnant for about three months."

"Pregnancy?!" the second madam exclaimed in shock. Wasn't the second master impotent? How could she be pregnant? But she would never say that out loud.

The second master was so happy he was spinning around in circles. He never expected that his concubine could still get pregnant even though his son was already so grown up. Didn't this indirectly prove his virility?

The old lady's expression didn't show much change, but she was still very unhappy with Zhang's self-righteous cleverness. We're all foxes, why are you pretending to be a ghost? Choosing to announce your pregnancy on the day of paying respects, and even being three months pregnant, Zhang is really full of petty tricks.

"Dr. Qian, you've been in charge of this concubine's morning pulse diagnosis. Didn't you detect her pregnancy? Or were you deliberately keeping it from me, the mistress of the house?" the second wife asked.

"This, this..." Doctor Qian had heard that the Second Madam was fierce, but he didn't expect her to be this fierce, asking the question in front of so many people.

Just as Doctor Qian was hesitating whether to apologize, Madam Zhang quickly said, "Madam, it's because my menstrual flow has been irregular and my spleen and stomach aren't very good, so I didn't take it seriously. Please punish me."

The second master quickly protected Zhang Shi and said, "Alright, Ruolan, don't hold it against her. She's always been weak and inexperienced, so don't frighten her."

The second wife snorted and then fell silent.

Then, the second master said to the old lady with a smile, "Mother, I have a favor to ask. Today is the first day of the month, and this happy event has occurred. Zhang Shi has made a contribution by getting pregnant. Why don't we promote her to the rank of concubine?"

The second wife was both angry and amused upon hearing this. So all their troubles were just to become concubines? Yes, becoming a concubine meant no longer being a servant, but a mistress. For a moment, even the second wife felt sorry for herself.

She looked at the old lady pleadingly, afraid that the old lady would agree to the second master's request.

After giving her a reassuring look, the old lady said, "Being pregnant is not a merit; it is what she should do as a servant, and it is her honor. Since Zhang Shi is so frail, let her stay in her courtyard and not come out until she gives birth."

"Furthermore, Zhang is ignorant, but aren't her maids also ignorant? When the masters pay their respects, what right does a lowly concubine like her have to do that? Each of Zhang's maids should be slapped five times on the hand."

The second master and Zhang Shi immediately stopped laughing; it turned out that the old lady had seen through their little scheme long ago.

However, the old lady still understood the principle of giving a sweet treat after a beating. She said, "This is Zhang's first pregnancy, and three months have passed and no one around her has noticed. They are all stupid. Granny Sun, you should go and take care of Zhang until she gives birth."

After everyone had paid their respects and left, the old lady kept the second wife and the first wife behind, and the two of them together comforted the second wife.

"Ruolan, don't be too angry. Getting angry will only hurt your health. Zhang's behavior will only make people think she's not respectable."

As fellow mistresses, the First Madam could understand the Second Madam's feelings very well. Since there was no conflict of interest between them, she sincerely offered her advice.

“Sister-in-law, I know you mean well, but people who don’t know the situation might think they are a couple. I don’t care if they conspire to scheme against me, but I, Yizhou, have seen it all. What does he think?”

When her son was mentioned, the second wife could no longer hold back and burst into tears.

When the second young master was mentioned, the old lady also spoke up: "No matter what, she is pregnant. You must ensure her safe delivery. This is the demeanor of a mistress. Don't worry, with me here, she can't cause any trouble."

The old lady patted the second wife's hand reassuringly.

The second wife nodded with tears in her eyes. She wasn't afraid of Zhang Shi, nor was she afraid of the second master; she just felt utterly exhausted. None of these events brought her any joy.