“Second sister-in-law is indeed carrying two children.”
Lan Shuang frowned slightly. “Grandmother, you didn’t know before?”
The original owner had no medical skills and naturally never checked Xu Chahua’s pulse. But pregnant women from wealthy families would hire a court physician to ensure a safe pregnancy.
“No, we didn’t know.”
Old Madam Lan’s cloudy eyes were full of anger.
“So that means the tonic that second sister-in-law took back then might not have been enough to protect both children.”
“Grandmother, childbirth is already life-threatening for a woman, let alone carrying twins,”
Lan Shuang said, her expression grave. “And second sister-in-law has been overly anxious recently—these children may not reach full term.”
“Shuang’er, what can be done?”
Even the usually composed Old Madam Lan looked flustered for the first time. She grasped Lan Shuang’s hand, her fingers trembling slightly.
“I have to protect Yong-ge’s wife and children. Midwife, are there any midwives in this village?”
“Grandmother, don’t worry. I’ll personally deliver the babies for second sister-in-law.”
Lan Shuang’s calm tone brought a strange sense of relief. “I will make sure to safeguard second brother and second sister-in-law’s children.”
“But Shuang’er, you’re still an unmarried girl,”
Old Madam Lan said, not because she doubted Lan Shuang, but because childbirth required skill and experience. Previously, she had assumed that second sister-in-law would give birth later, so preparation wasn’t urgent. But now they had to act.
“Being unmarried doesn’t stop me from delivering second sister-in-law’s babies.”
Lan Shuang smiled lightly. “Grandmother, just focus on keeping second sister-in-law’s mood stable. Only if her mind is calm will the children be safe.”
“All right. For Yong-ge’s sake, I will do my best.”
Old Madam Lan nodded, and Lan Shuang handed her a small sachet.
“Grandmother, I’ve noticed you haven’t been sleeping well lately. I put some herbs in this pouch to help calm your nerves. Keep it under your pillow and you’ll rest better.”
“Shuang’er, you are thoughtful,”
Old Madam Lan said, moved. She knew she had not spoiled the wrong child—having Lan Shuang in the family was a blessing for the Lan household.
After leaving Old Madam Lan’s room, Lan Shuang headed toward the ancestral hall, following the directions Xu Chahua had given.
In the darkness, Lan Shuang crouched on the roof of the ancestral hall and saw Xu Dabo’s family kneeling inside.
No candles burned in the hall, leaving it pitch black. A woman quietly pushed the door open and stepped in.
“It’s dark, everyone is asleep. Come, eat something quickly.”
“Big sister-in-law, is it true? The village head really wants us to kneel for three days?”
Xu Dabo’s wife handed the black buns to the children, her tone urgent.
The visitor was the village head’s wife, and she said impatiently:
“All the words have been said. If you leave before the three days are up, how can my husband maintain his authority in the village? The fact that he lets me bring food to you is already generous. Don’t push your luck.”
“Big sister-in-law, we understand. Thank you!”
Xu Dabo’s wife had no choice but to swallow her frustration. Once the head’s wife left, Xu Dabo snorted coldly:
“He sure knows how to play both sides.”
“All right, the village head has it tough too,”
Xu Dabo’s wife sighed. “Anyway, we won’t starve. But when we get out, I’ll make sure Chahua’s family pays for this!”
After this, Xu Dabo’s wife utterly despised Lan Shuang. She even kicked her youngest, still unmarried, son.
“Youngest, what do you think of that little she-devil?”
“She’s quite something,”
Xu youngest said, thinking of Lan Shuang, unable to hide his admiration.
“Then you figure out how to sleep with her!”
Xu Dabo’s wife said viciously, “Marrying a woman like that would be our family’s good fortune. I heard Chahua’s husband’s family is pretty well-off—maybe they’ll bring a hefty dowry.”
“Mother, I would like to…”
Xu youngest shrank his neck in fear. “But that girl is so formidable, I couldn’t possibly handle her.”
“You’re foolish. With a coward like you, she’ll never look at you.”
Although Xu Dabo’s wife doted on her son, she knew the truth: he was indeed no prize.
iBut he dared to imagine it.
“I’ll make you a pack of strong medicine later, Mother!”
“Good, I’ll do as you say.”
Xu youngest rubbed his hands lecherously; of course he wanted this. He’d heard she was a government official’s daughter, and very beautiful.
The other married brothers instantly envied the unmarried Xu youngest.
Lan Shuang, seeing their scheming to plan against her, had initially thought of giving them a small lesson.
But now… no need.
They had brought this on themselves.
She rummaged through her space and found a packet of powdered medicine. Then she lifted a roof tile and sprinkled it down little by little.
Inside the ancestral hall, Xu Dabo’s wife was spitting saliva in anger.
“When she marries into our Old Xu family, we’ll see who dares defy me. Let her be so fierce—she’ll serve me.”
“Mother is right. The wife I marry is here to serve you.”
Xu youngest bowed submissively to his mother, then suddenly sneezed.
“Ah-choo…”
“Ah-choo…”
Everyone felt a cold breeze sweep past, but paid it no mind, even complaining about Lan Shuang.
“It’s all that woman’s fault! This ancestral hall is spooky, truly frightening!”
“Mother, maybe we should sneak back? They’re all asleep anyway.”
“Third brother is right. We can come back early in the morning. I can’t endure kneeling for three full days.”
“…”
“Yeah, let’s go back and rest.”
Xu Dabo had wanted to leave anyway. Hearing his sons say this, he immediately rose.
In the darkness, Lan Shuang’s smile was icy. Did they think they could get away with that? They were dreaming.
She lightly tapped on her toes, and before they could open the door, she quietly hung a lock.
“Huh? Why won’t it open?”
“The village head’s wife was just in here, maybe she locked it?”
“…”
“That big sister-in-law talks sweetly, but her actions are truly ugly.”
Xu Dabo’s wife’s nose twisted in anger, while Lan Shuang smirked slightly from the shadows.
She then clapped her hands lightly and went home in style.
After washing up, she continued making a batch of life-saving poisons and antidotes.
By the time she woke again, it was early morning. She washed her face and dragged the sleeping Lan Su out of bed.
“Su-ge’er, from now on, you’ll wake at this time every day. If you regret it now, it’s still not too late.”
“So early?”
Min Ruolan, still groggy, felt terribly worried.
“Su-ge’er is only three years old. He’s at the age when children need a lot of sleep.”
“Mother, I’m not sleepy.”
Lan Su clumsily put on his clothes. Min Ruolan tried to help, but Lan Shuang’s sharp gaze stopped her.
“My father and several older brothers also started learning martial arts at this age. Since you’ve entrusted Su-ge’er to me, I must suppress any motherly leniency.”
“Thank you, Shuang’er.”
Though reluctant, Min Ruolan eventually watched as Lan Shuang took Lan Su to the small courtyard.
This was only the first day of practice. Lan Shuang carefully began laying the foundation, helping him develop good habits.
“Su-ge’er, waking early at first will be tough, but if you persist, it will become a habit.”
“Gugu, I’m not afraid!”
At first, Lan Su’s face was full of determination, but after finishing the morning exercises and eating breakfast, exhaustion had wiped the smile from his face.
“Su-ge’er, have an egg to replenish your energy.”
Both Min Ruolan and Old Madam Lan were deeply concerned for him. Since birth, Lan Su had been the heart of the Lan family and had never endured such hardship before.