frightfiction Chapter 571: Second Daughter
Chapter 571: Second Daughter
Although Chen Sufen was bumped by Chun Wang, fortunately, she usually had a nutritious diet and exercised regularly, so she was in good health.
Therefore, apart from giving birth five days early, she did not encounter any major issues.
The entire delivery process went relatively smoothly, and by noon, the sound of a loud cry came from the delivery room.
Tong Huaqiong and Gu Dahuan, who were waiting at the door, breathed a sigh of relief.
Ma Wenpo handed the baby to Tong Huaqiong, saying, "Congratulations, your family has another precious daughter."
She then carefully watched Tong Huaqiong’s reaction.
Tong Huaqiong glanced at the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes; the newborn was wrinkled, but she remembered that Hua Er looked like this too when she was born. Now, Hua Er has grown up to be fair and chubby.
"Daughters are wonderful; they are like an intimate little girl for their parents," Tong Huaqiong said and then asked, "How is Sufen?"
Gu Dahuan also asked, "Aunt Ma, is Sufen alright?"
Ma Wenpo replied, "She’s fine, just a bit weak after the birth. She drank a bowl of ginseng soup."
Tong Huaqiong, still worried, asked Doctor Zhang to check Chen Sufen’s pulse. When Doctor Zhang came out and confirmed Ma Wenpo’s words, Tong Huaqiong finally felt relieved.
She had been anxious all morning, hearing Chen Sufen’s cries, fearing childbirth as if walking through a gateway to hell, especially in ancient times where medical conditions relied heavily on natural resilience, making the risks even greater.
Fortunately, Chen Sufen managed to pull through.
Tong Huaqiong passed the infant to Gu Dahuan.
Gu Dahuan held his little daughter in his arms. He initially hoped this child would be a son, making a pair with Man Er to form the character "good," but now she was a daughter. It was impossible not to feel disappointed, but only for a brief moment. Holding his daughter, he smiled.
Tong Huaqiong said to Gu Dahuan, "I truly think having a daughter is wonderful. When Sufen wakes up, you mustn’t mention anything about wanting a son, or I won’t agree."
Gu Dahuan nodded.
Chen Sufen often touched her belly, saying to Man Er that there was a brother inside, which Tong Huaqiong naturally overheard.
During this era, having sons in the family was vital because if there were no sons, the family line would end, and the land and property would be handed over to nieces and nephews under the clan’s guidance.
It was understandable that Gu Dahuan and Chen Sufen wanted a son, especially since they already had a daughter.
But having given birth to a daughter, Chen Sufen might be saddened by it, which was why Tong Huaqiong instructed Gu Dahuan not to discuss the topic of having sons with her.
As for whether they wanted to continue trying for a son or how many more children they intended to have, that was not something Tong Huaqiong would interfere with.
However, if they harbored any dislike towards the newly arrived daughter, Tong Huaqiong would not stand for it.
Ma Wenpo clicked her tongue, seeing no sign of displeasure on Tong Huaqiong’s face and hearing her personally instructing Gu Dahuan. She finally believed that Tong Huaqiong genuinely didn’t mind that her daughter-in-law had given birth to daughters instead of sons.
"Dahuan, your mother is right; daughters are just as good. Your wife bearing you two daughters is a blessing. They say flowers bloom before they bear fruit, and since two flowers have already bloomed, there will definitely be two fruits in the future," Ma Wenpo said to Gu Dahuan.
Like most people of that era, Ma Wenpo believed daughters were good but having sons was even better, so her congratulations to Gu Dahuan took a slight detour.
She had forgotten about Xiao Long.
Gu Dahuan chuckled silly, saying, "Our family has Xiao Long, who is a son."
Ma Wenpo slapped her thigh, realizing she had forgotten about the adopted one.
Tong Huaqiong didn’t mind, as she knew Ma Wenpo had no ill intentions.
"Thank you for your hard work," she said.
"Thank you for your hard work, Zhang Shengshou," she added.
Tong Huaqiong handed two red envelopes to Ma Wenpo and Zhang Shengshou.
Ma Wenpo squeezed it, feeling at least five taels of silver inside, and her face bloomed into a smile. She genuinely wished for the prosperity and growth of the Gu Family.
Zhang Shengshou, who had been dragged here midway by Su Chengmin and felt peeved, touched the silver inside the envelope and asked if there was anyone else in the family who needed a pulse check.
Since Tong Huaqiong, apart from Huang Yuanwai, was such a generous client in Yan Guan Town, he knew he had to maintain a good relationship.
As everyone gathered around to congratulate Tong Huaqiong’s family on their new addition, initially, when Ma Wenpo announced Chen Sufen had given birth to another daughter, some people sighed, while others pondered. But seeing Tong Huaqiong not only unbothered but quite happy, words of congratulation were generously showered upon her.
"What’s the use of Manager Tong having such a big business? In the end, the family is not flourishing, and Chen Sufen has given birth to two daughters. No wonder Gu Dahuan had brought one from outside before," a village woman, envious of Tong Huaqiong, muttered.
Her daughter-in-law had not been selected by the embroidery workshop, which left her upset. Hearing that Chen Sufen had given birth to a daughter, she felt a sense of relief.
The gossiping woman couldn’t help but comment spitefully.
Chen Sufen’s maid, Xiao Xi, was bringing ginseng soup for her and overheard the comment. She went to the door and retorted in the woman’s face: "So what if she’s given birth to two daughters? Our master cherishes the Eldest Young Madam more than gold, whereas you didn’t even get a bowl of brown sugar water for your daughter-in-law who gave you two sons."
"If you speak recklessly at our door, I’ll tear your mouth apart."
Xiao Xi was fierce and bold. During her time in the village, she had figured out all the relationships, including the family matters of this gossiping woman.
The gossiping woman, feeling thwarted in her heart, dared not shout back loudly. Her daughter-in-law still hoped to join the embroidery workshop in the future, and offending Tong Huaqiong would mean no chance during the next recruitment.
So she bit her lip and slipped away along the wall.
Tong Huaqiong, fearing any unforeseen incidents after Chen Sufen’s delivery, instructed the maids and women to cook for Ma Wenpo and Zhang Shengshou and keep them until it was clear Chen Sufen was out of danger.
Facing the ancient times, Tong Huaqiong’s greatest fear was childbirth.
Even with advanced medical conditions in modern times, postpartum complications like heavy bleeding hours after are possible. Tong Huaqiong dared not gamble on Chen Sufen being completely safe from it.
Ma Wenpo and Zhang Shengshou, given the generous red envelopes, naturally put in their best effort.
By dusk, after Chen Sufen had drunk two large bowls of chicken soup and was able to move around, Ma Wenpo and Zhang Shengshou were sent back by Su Chengmin.
Tong Huaqiong placed the baby next to Chen Sufen on the bed.
Upon learning she had another daughter, Chen Sufen felt a wave of disappointment and tearfully apologized to Tong Huaqiong.
Tong Huaqiong: "..."
Tong Huaqiong said, "Sufen, in our family, having a son or daughter is the same."
Chen Sufen cried, "But it’s not the same. Sons can take the imperial exams, become officials, and bring glory to the family. Daughters cannot. If there’s no son, the family will be bullied."
Tong Huaqiong was at a loss for words.
However, it was normal for Chen Sufen to think this way. Being a pure ancient person, she was already better than most, wanting a son but never mistreating her daughters.
Did Chen Sufen know what her Man Er would ultimately become?
She would become the Empress, elevated from a commoner status by toppling Gu Jingzhe in her past life.
If such a daughter doesn’t bring glory to the family, Tong Huaqiong didn’t know what would.
But, of course, Chen Sufen didn’t know this.
"Who says daughters can’t bring glory to the family? I think Taohua running a business and opening a shop is quite glorious. Being bullied without a son happens in others’ homes, not in ours. Who would dare bully you? Would it be Gu Dashi, Gu Jingzhe, or Yaozu?" said Tong Huaqiong.
Tong Pandi, sitting nearby, also added that having daughters was a blessing, stating she would just spend her life with her two daughters.
Chen Sufen thought for a while, touched her little daughter’s face, and began to feel happy again.