Chapter 974 - 972 Whose Child Is It?

Words : 1221 Updated : Sep 23rd, 2025

Chapter 974: Chapter 972 Whose Child Is It? Wang Yongzhu, with a sudden thought, placed the Buddha Beads on Old Granny Zhang: "Mother, these are Buddha Beads personally blessed by the Abbot of Huguo Temple in the Capital, able to ward off evil and cleanse impurities. Moreover, the fragrance of agarwood is beneficial to health. You should wear them, keeping them close at all times—" Upon hearing these were blessed by the Abbot of Huguo Temple and beneficial to health, Old Granny Zhang initially refused to accept them, thinking to herself that at her age, such treasures would be wasted on her? Usually, she would save good things for her own daughter. After some back-and-forth between mother and daughter, it was Old Granny Zhang who reluctantly gave in to Wang Yongzhu, ending up caressing the Buddha Beads on her wrist and chanting Buddha’s name multiple times. As she fiddled with the Buddha Beads, Old Granny Zhang brought up the main topic: "Earlier today, while I was chatting with your master’s wife in the backyard, I couldn’t help but feel that she was subtly inquiring about our Chongjin’s affairs. I didn’t understand what your master’s wife meant, so I casually mentioned a few difficulties and hardships Chongjin endured under Song Chunhua. Your master’s wife seemed heartbroken, even shedding tears; anyone would think she was Chongjin’s mother." Wang Yongzhu... She probably realized that Lady Qi has some old connection to the Qi Family. As mother and daughter chatted, Song Chongjin returned home. Upon seeing Song Chongjin’s usual expression, Wang Yongzhu felt slightly relieved. Entering the room, Song Chongjin noticed the collapsed corner of the heated kang bed, startled at first, but relaxed after hearing Wang Yongzhu broke it herself: "Be careful of your hand, is it hurt or scratched? What’s wrong with the kang? Tomorrow, I’ll have someone come and rebuild it." Outside, Old Granny Wu and Old Madam Ding exchanged glances, unable to resist clicking their tongues. Who would believe it if told? The Scholar Master, serious and stern-faced outside, is like this at home. The night passed without further conversation. The next day, both husband and wife had to rise early, one heading to the Academy, the other to Imperial Doctor Du’s House for medical study—truly sharing joy and hardship. After escorting Wang Yongzhu to Imperial Doctor Du’s House, Song Chongjin hurried to the Academy. Entering the house, Wang Yongzhu was first greeted by Lady Qi: "Yongzhu is here, where is Chongjin?" Upon hearing Song Chongjin went to the Academy, she fell silent. After identifying medicinal herbs with Imperial Doctor Du for half a day and memorizing medical books, the unclear parts were patiently explained by the doctor. Nearing noon, Lady Qi insisted Wang Yongzhu stay for lunch, and before leaving, organized a wagonload of items for her to take home, explaining that they were gifts from yesterday’s guests. Wang Yongzhu was reluctant, arguing that those gifts were given out of respect for Imperial Doctor Du, thus requiring return gifts to his household in the future, and she felt embarrassed by the ample gifts she received yesterday. However, Lady Qi insisted those items were specially chosen for Wang Yongzhu and would remain unused at Imperial Doctor Du’s House. Seeing Wang Yongzhu hesitate, Lady Qi jokingly questioned whether she no longer considers her a master’s wife? Realizing Lady Qi was determined to support them—no, to support Song Chongjin—Wang Yongzhu had no choice but to accept, planning to let Song Chongjin deal with the headache upon returning. Back home, the area where yesterday’s pit was dug had been planted with trees, leveled, and watered, with leaves glistening fresh with dew. Dong Laosan sat in the corner on a small bench, surrounded by bamboo poles, already stripped of branches, leaving only stalks. With a knife in hand, he split the bamboo poles, cutting them into even lengths. Carefully, he peeled off the outer layer of the bamboo stalk, setting it aside for reserve. Seeing Wang Yongzhu return, Lady Huang promptly greeted her and took her around to inspect the newly planted trees. Then said, "Today, my husband and I will be able to finish erecting the supports; tomorrow, we’ll move and plant the roses, and fortunately, the lotus tank will be finished and delivered in the morning." This husband and wife duo were efficient workers, transforming the little courtyard in just two days. Feeling satisfied, Wang Yongzhu said, "Thank you for your hard work." Lady Huang hesitated for a moment, knowing the remaining tasks would be finished by tomorrow and learning that the Scholar’s Lady acquired a master, requiring her to study at the master’s house every morning and return home in the afternoon. If she didn’t seize the chance to speak today, opportunities might not present again. Biting her lip and ensuring there were no others around in the courtyard, Lady Huang decisively knelt before Wang Yongzhu: "Scholar’s Lady, I—a humble woman—have a request for you—" ※※※ At this moment, in the Tian Family. It was shrouded in misery. Within the room, Lady Fang’s cries of pain echoed, while in the courtyard, Tian Sihai sprawled on the ground, blankly staring at the doorway with occasional flashes of fury and violence in his eyes. Zhang Qiuju stood at the entrance, glaring with her almond-shaped eyes and cursing: "Are you all dead? How can you care for people like this? How did it end up with bloodshed?" The newly purchased old women and maids exchanged glances, afraid to respond. After being bought, they never had a chance to serve Lady Fang. For show, Zhang Qiuju kept the maids and old women close, serving her. Until that serving maid came rushing early morning, declaring Lady Fang was bleeding. Zhang Qiuju hurriedly came to see, for this was the awaited child of the Tian Family, how could bleeding occur? After scolding the maids and old women briefly, Zhang Qiuju considered calling for a doctor. Initially, she wanted to summon her Eldest Brother, but on the verge of speaking, she remembered that worthless Eldest Brother had been disowned and expelled. Frantic, she stomped her foot, looking at her son still foolishly seated, quickly urging him: "Son, are you scared? Hurry, go call a doctor!" Tian Sihai, stirred by Zhang Qiuju’s push, snapped back to reality, showing a sinister smile when told to fetch a doctor: "Why call a doctor? That cursed fetus should just be lost—" Zhang Qiuju was outraged, slapping Tian Sihai: "What are you saying? Isn’t that fetus yours—not yours?" Mid-sentence, she caught on to her son’s implication, suddenly raising her voice by eight octaves. Her shout halted even Lady Fang’s cries from inside the room. Nearby maids and old women, hearing this, their eyes sparkled, ears perked up. Grabbing Tian Sihai, Zhang Qiuju dragged him to the corner of the courtyard: "Son, say it again? Isn’t the child in Lady Fang’s belly yours? Then whose is it?" Tian Sihai, clutching his face, hitting his head twice and burying it between his knees, remained silent. Zhang Qiuju energetically yet desperately urged: "Tell me! Whose cursed child is it?" Tian Sihai, subdued and silent, finally uttered with tearful desperation: "My father’s—" It was thunderstruck! Zhang Qiuju was thunderstruck by those three words, left stunned there, and after a moment fiercely screamed and stormed into the room.

Chapter 974 - 972 Whose Child Is It?

Comments (0)