The Daily Life of Farming and Raising Children in Ancient Mountain Residences

Chapter 254: Checking the Pulse

Another piece of news Shen Lie brought back was that the office no longer lacked paper. He vaguely guessed that both the hidden protection and Zeng Ziqian’s interest in his studies were related to the papermaking technique. This realization spurred him to work even harder.

By late July, paper was available outside the state school, which Shen Ning discovered when she went to settle the accounts for the calligraphy brushes. She no longer lacked money, managing the accounts for both her family and the village’s cooperative, and also handling the shop’s affairs. Her elder sister-in-law paid her a monthly wage, which she was saving up.

Shen Ning immediately bought a ream of paper, the kind made by their family. The paper produced by the state-run papermaking workshop was finer than what her elder sister-in-law had initially made.

When Sang Luo saw that paper had finally reached the market, she was quite pleased and asked Shen Ning about the price. Shen Ning held up three fingers: “The price has dropped by 30% compared to when there was a severe paper shortage.”

That meant it was at a 70% discount.

Of course, even at a 70% discount, it wasn’t cheap, because paper prices had been high to begin with. Sang Luo knew from making paper herself that it was a time-consuming and labor-intensive process.

“That’s still good.”

Sang Luo thought about the large backyard she now had. To get to the backyard, one had to pass through three courtyards. The courtyards in front, as well as the ones behind the west wing and the backyard, were usually locked, providing ample security. She told Shen Ning, “Get some more tree bark, and not just the type we used before. Try soaking mulberry bark and ramie as well.”

Shen Ning immediately understood that her elder sister-in-law wanted to continue experimenting with papermaking methods. She agreed enthusiastically and went out. Shortly afterward, she returned with Zhao Silang and others carrying baskets of mountain grapes.

In July, the mountain grapes began ripening. Sang Luo’s family had planted a lot of mountain grapes in the hilly areas. The cuttings hadn’t borne fruit quickly, but the transplanted ones bore fruit this year. Zhao Silang had asked Sang Luo when the grapes could be picked. For the past few days, the main task had been harvesting the ripe grapes, and the seven children from Daxing Village who were studying had also come to help.

No tuition was required; the children only had to bring some eggs and they could attend the lessons. The family was grateful, and the children appreciated the opportunity. They were quick to help with any easy tasks, whether it was for the Shen family or other small scholars’ families, and would always lend a hand when there was light work available.

The grapes were all placed in the second courtyard. The helpers were conscientious, knowing that the family had many business matters. They only entered the first courtyard and did not go beyond the east wing and the large backyard unless invited, so they only entered the second courtyard.

Naturally, the best place to dry things was the large backyard, but that did not stop Shen Ning from thinking about grape wine.

She really enjoyed it herself.

“Elder sister-in-law, what will we do with the grapes this year?” she asked eagerly.

Sang Luo looked at her and shook her head, “Let’s dry them to make raisins. We’ll use them to make snacks later.”

Shen Ning’s shoulders drooped. Sang Luo laughed, “We can make a little for ourselves, but not too much.”

She was already quite extravagant. Making some bread, cakes, and dried meat was acceptable, but making wine was not practical at the moment, and Sang Luo didn’t want to cause any trouble for herself.

She said they could make a little for their own consumption without specifying what, but Shen Ning understood immediately.

“You’re the best, elder sister-in-law!”

She was so happy she wanted to hug Sang Luo’s arm and act a little spoiled. But seeing Sang Luo’s noticeably large belly, she hesitated and stopped. She stared at Sang Luo’s belly for a while and asked with concern, “Elder sister-in-law, is your belly bigger than Ah Ge’s?”

Her elder sister-in-law was slender. Even during pregnancy, she paid attention to her diet and didn’t have many cravings, so she hadn’t gained much weight. Her belly wasn’t as large as Ah Ge’s before, so why had it grown so quickly this month?

Shen Ning, who often interacted with Xiao Ya’er, handled the household accounts, and visited the Chen family frequently, was sensitive to these changes. She hadn’t seen her elder sister-in-law out and about much recently, so she wasn’t entirely sure.

She was always the most concerned about her elder sister-in-law. Not wanting to worry her further, she decided not to mention the grapes and went to the Chen family instead.

Zhou Ge was making a small coat for a child, using the fine cloth and silk that Sang Luo had given her. The silk was soft and smooth, but she was saving it for when the child was older and used fine cloth instead. When Shen Ning arrived, she asked if she could stand up so she could see, and then stared at her belly.

“What are you looking at, An Ning?” Zhou Ge asked with a smile as she came out of the room.

Shen Ning compared Zhou Ge’s belly to her elder sister-in-law’s and realized that her elder sister-in-law’s belly did indeed seem a bit larger.

She was puzzled. They had all gone to the city to see a doctor together, and her elder sister-in-law was clearly earlier in her pregnancy compared to Ah Ge. The doctor hadn’t given a clear indication of pregnancy at first, so why was her belly larger now?

Since Sang Luo became pregnant, Shen Ning had been responsible for the household’s daily diet. Therefore, when Nanny Zhong came to give Sang Luo instructions, she hadn’t avoided Shen Ning and had answered many of her questions. Shen Ning knew that in the later stages of pregnancy, the belly shouldn’t be too large, as it could cause difficulties and dangers during childbirth.

Shen Ning was somewhat anxious and didn’t dare ask directly, fearing that speaking of it might be inauspicious.

“I was just comparing Ah Ge’s belly to elder sister-in-law’s. It seems that elder sister-in-law’s belly has been growing quite fast recently.”

Old Madam Chen smiled and said, “That’s normal in the later months. The baby grows quickly at this stage.”

Shen Ning nodded but remained concerned. The next day, despite it not being a special occasion, she got up early to make cakes and bread. She kept one portion for Sang Luo and took the rest to the governor’s residence, along with a few others heading to the state school.

Sang Luo was both amused and touched. Shen Lie, hearing from Shen Ning that Sang Luo’s belly seemed slightly larger than Zhou Ge’s, became worried and was distracted even during his trip to the state school.

When Shen Ning arrived at the governor’s residence, people there knew her as the young lady of the Shen family from Daxing Village. Especially the close maidservants and wet nurses of Concubine Fan, they recognized her and welcomed her with smiles.

Having followed Sang Luo for years, Shen Ning was well-versed in etiquette, even though Sang Luo hadn’t taught her specifically. She knew common courtesies from her reading and had asked her elder sister-in-law for guidance. She greeted Concubine Fan properly, presented her own gifts, and, after Concubine Fan inquired about her elder sister-in-law’s condition, proceeded to discuss the main topic.

She said she wanted Nanny Zhong to check on her elder sister-in-law’s condition, feel her pulse, and see if any adjustments to her diet were needed.

Concubine Fan was pleased to see a thoughtful thirteen-year-old like Shen Ning. “Even if you hadn’t come, Nanny Zhong would have visited in a few days. In the later stages of pregnancy, the baby grows quickly, so it’s important to be attentive and make more frequent visits. Since you’re here, it’s perfect. Let Nanny Zhong go with you now and make good use of the excellent snacks you brought this morning.”

Several of Concubine Fan’s close maidservants smiled quietly. Shen Ning thanked Concubine Fan with a smile and successfully took Nanny Zhong back to Daxing Village.

……

Sang Luo’s condition was generally good, and her diet was also carefully managed. Nanny Zhong had initially thought it was just a routine visit, but upon seeing Sang Luo after more than twenty days, she appeared somewhat surprised, though she quickly masked her reaction.

After greeting Sang Luo and inquiring about her diet and daily routine, Nanny Zhong checked Sang Luo’s pulse several times but could not discern anything unusual.

“Everything seems fine. There’s no need for special dietary supplements; just continue with your usual diet.”

When she returned to her own mistress, she reported, “Her belly seems to be growing a bit faster than usual. The diet is quite normal, her complexion is good, and she hasn’t gained much weight. It’s just that her belly looks somewhat larger for this stage.”

Concubine Fan asked, “Shen Ning and her brother Shen An were twins. I’ve heard that families with twins are more likely to have twins again. Could Sang Luo be expecting twins?”

Nanny Zhong wasn’t sure. “I also thought the same. I listened carefully to her pulse for a while but couldn’t detect any sign of twins. However, I’m not a doctor, so it’s possible that my skills are lacking. Since I didn’t notice anything unusual today, and the belly isn’t particularly large, I didn’t want to say anything that might cause undue worry for Sang Luo.”

Since Nanny Zhong admitted her limitations, Concubine Fan considered the old doctor in the Shezhou medical clinic to be even less reliable. She thought for a moment and said, “Let’s wait and see. You should visit more frequently, every three to five days.”

Nanny Zhong accepted the order.

……

Five days later, Nanny Zhong returned to Daxing Village. Sang Luo, who had no experience with modern prenatal check-ups, was somewhat puzzled by the frequent visits.

Nanny Zhong remained calm, smiling as she said that such frequent visits were normal in the later stages of pregnancy. In the past, when she served other ladies, she had to check their pulse daily.

Sang Luo, accustomed to the life of ancient nobility, dispelled her doubts. She was content with her good diet and sleep, and her interactions with Shen Lie and the baby were all positive. There was no need for further worry.

Unbeknownst to her, early in August, An Qi returned to the capital.

“A larger belly?”

This was the first time in his life as a father of five that the emperor heard such a report from a subordinate.

“Yes, Nanny Zhong, who is skilled in obstetrics, visited twice but didn’t find any problems. Governor Zeng informed his subordinates that childbirth is like crossing a threshold, and if the baby’s belly is too large, it can be dangerous…”

This statement made the emperor realize the gravity of the situation.

Yes, if every childbirth for his wives and concubines had been smooth, he would have more than five children now, and among them, one mother had already passed away.

The emperor straightened his back abruptly.

He paced a few steps in the imperial study and then called for Cen Xi, “Go and summon Doctor Xu to see me.”

He added, “Make sure it’s discreet.”

Cen Xi was taken aback. Doctor Xu specialized in gynecology, didn’t he? But he bowed and quickly withdrew.