Joyful Motherhood in a Rural Family - Chapter 588
Chapter 588: Chapter 588: Zuo Xingyu’s Loss
Here, customs dictate that a wooden bow should be hung for the birth of a boy, while a handkerchief should be hung for a girl. Now that the Di Family is celebrating three joyous occasions simultaneously, of course, both items need to be hung.
The reason for this practice is that doing so can serve as a warning.
Within the first three days after childbirth, apart from the parturient’s family members, no outsiders are allowed to enter the delivery room without permission, and hanging a big red lantern along with the wooden bow and handkerchief would let others avoid suspicion and prevent any disturbance to the newborns.
Crackle! Pop!
Firecrackers burst in front of the main entrance of the official residence, immediately attracting the attention of nearby households.
The crowd pointed at the well-hung wooden bows and handkerchiefs on the door, guessing whether Mrs. Sub-captain was celebrating the joy of having a child or a male child.
However, very soon, a houseman scattered red-shell eggs, wedding candies, pastries, and sounded gongs to announce the good news: “Our Madam has given birth to triplets, one girl, and two boys. This is truly a blessing!”
“My goodness! Triplets? This is a great blessing! This is extraordinary…”
“I say Lord Di is blessed, despite several setbacks, he has overcome them without any harm, and now his wife has given birth to these children – true joy from heaven!”
“One can’t help but be envious of such blessings. And it’s a girl and two boys. Amazing!”
Everyone was talking about it, and soon, news of this event spread rapidly throughout Macheng County.
At this moment, Liu Zhi’er’s heart was in turmoil, unsure of how to break the news to Liu Sisi.
The third child, still wrapped in swaddling clothes, had already been found to be dead by others, but she knew!
Moreover, it was not just that. Although Granny Xu hadn’t mentioned it, she most likely knew as well, right?
Liu Zhi’er was uncertain about this and didn’t dare to confirm whether or not Granny Xu had told Sisi about it!
But at the moment, Sisi was still unconscious, her clothes and beddings had been changed, and Di Yelei was holding her, still sound asleep, and carefully placing her in a soft, thin quilt.
Afterward, he sat down beside Liu Sisi, and the two held hands tightly together without letting go.
He was calling Liu Sisi softly with his deep and charming voice, talking to her.
Seeing this loving couple, Liu Zhi’er couldn’t bring herself to break the news at this moment!
She could only silently put the child on the newly laid bedding next to them and left the room.
Outside, while Elderly Mr. Di and Old He were talking, Zuo Xingyu slipped away quietly.
Looking back and seeing a girl kneeling on the edge of the stone platform, playing with something in her hands, and laughing heartily, he narrowed his eyes; he had seen this scene many years ago.
With a heavy heart, he retracted his gaze and walked slowly towards the exit of the official residence.
What stood between them now was far more than just a high wall!
Playing in the pavilion, YingEr suddenly sensed a strange gaze behind her and instinctively turned her head, only to find nothing!
She couldn’t help but frown, pout her little mouth, and then continued to play.
“Constable Zuo, wait!”
Ms. Gao caught up from behind, prompting Zuo Xingyu to stop instinctively.
But Gao had moved so quickly, she had collided directly with him!
Zuo, the constable, instinctively dodged, leaving Gao’s lunge to hit nothing, and she stumbled and fell to the ground. Regaining her senses, Gao did not stop there; instead, she turned around, grabbed onto one of Zuo’s pant legs, and forcefully tore it open.
“Oh dear! This was purely accidental, Constable Zuo. Please don’t be offended.”
Although Gao apologized, her face remained grinning.
Zuo Xingyu’s brow furrowed but then relaxed.
“No problem!”
He wasn’t a fool; if he couldn’t tell that Gao was doing it on purpose, he wouldn’t be worthy of his constable title.
Gao raised her arm, grabbing his coat’s hem and yanked it once more, tearing his coat at the seams.
“Constable Zuo, Old Master mentioned that in three days, there will be a family feast. Since you are Lord Di’s brother, you must certainly attend. Please make sure to come.” Gao had a smiling face while she stuffed four red-shell eggs into Zuo’s hand.
“Of course!”
Not being a man of many words, Zuo Xingyu stared deeply at Gao before walking around her and quickly exiting the official residence.
Glancing back, he sighed in his heart.
From now on, it would be best for him to avoid coming here!
Immediately afterwards, he walked away in large strides.
But just after turning two street corners, he saw one of his colleagues coming over, cursing and complaining. Upon seeing the disheveled Zuo Xingyu, he curiously sized him up.
“Today really is strange; why is everyone acting so weird! Say, Constable Zuo, your coat and trousers are torn; did you go to a puerpera’s house? I knew you couldn’t be trusted, you rascal!” His colleague laughed boisterously.
“Hmm? Are you saying there’s a hidden meaning behind this?” Zuo Xingyu raised an eyebrow, pointing to his torn clothes and asking curiously.
“Of course! If you didn’t sneak into a confinement house, who would tear your coat’s hem and rip your pant leg as well? And you’re holding four red eggs in your arms. It’s like you ‘born life’ for their child. Otherwise, who could get close to you, Constable Zuo?” His colleague laughed heartily.
So that’s how it was!
Zuo Xingyu finally understood what had happened.
“Do you want to eat red-shell eggs? Go straight and turn left to get there.” He pointed casually behind him.
“Alright! Straight ahead and then left… Huh? Isn’t that Lord Di’s house?” The colleague suddenly realized, “Oh, so Mrs. Di has given birth? No wonder Lord Di stole my horse and rode off today. If I had known earlier…”
Zuo Xingyu didn’t have the patience to listen to his colleague’s endless chatter and simply turned away.
Looking back at the direction of Di Residence, then at Zuo Xingyu walking away, the colleague decided to go to Di Residence that day and ask for some red-shell eggs to eat and share in the joy.
Inside Di Residence, after Zuo Xingyu left, Ms. Zhao and Ms. Xin naturally didn’t stay either. The two went their separate ways back to their rooms.
As Zhao stepped out of the courtyard, she glanced back at the yard gate and spat on the ground before leaving, murmuring in a low voice, “Some people really do have better luck! Why wasn’t I born with such a good fate!”
Behind her, Xin lowered her eyelids, concealing the mockery in her eyes.
With the way you are, you wish to have such good fortune? What a dream!
