Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 538: New Year

On the third day of the wedding, Chen Jinyu led her new husband Ma Yaosong back to her parental home.

The whole Chen family lived in the Nanyang Prince Mansion, which was also where Chen Jinyu’s family was. As soon as Chen Jinyu stepped into the Prince Mansion, she couldn’t help but whisper, "It’s only been two days, but why does it feel like a long time since I last came back?"

With a rosy face, Ma Yaosong whispered with a laugh, "Me too. I’ve gotten used to living in the Prince Mansion these past few years, and now suddenly changing places takes some getting used to. How about we stay in the new house for a few days, then come back?"

Chen Jinyu was a bit tempted. After hesitating for a moment, she said, "Better not. Grandfather and the others want to stay in the new house until after the New Year before returning to Biyang County. I’m a newlywed daughter-in-law; there’s no reason for me to leave after just a few days. Let’s stay at least until after the full moon celebration."

It’s a custom in Da Liang that a newlywed’s house should not be unoccupied for a month. With Ma Family elders around, it wouldn’t be proper for her, a new daughter-in-law, to be too capricious.

Ma Yaosong felt moved and held Chen Jinyu’s hand tightly: "I’ll listen to you."

Chen Jinyu turned her head and gave him a sweet smile.

"I’ve been waiting for you both since early morning." A familiar young girl’s voice sounded ahead: "Why are you two dawdling so much?"

Chen Jinyu and Ma Yaosong approached hand in hand and said: "Greetings to the Commandery Princess."

Jiang Shaohua smiled warmly and helped Chen Jinyu up: "Today is a good day for you two to visit your parental home, there’s no need for so many formalities."

Then she smiled at Ma Yaosong and said: "Sister Jinyu was my playmate when we were young, we grew up together like sisters. If she were to suffer any grievances in the future, I would have to hold you accountable for it."

Ma Yaosong agreed without hesitation: "Rest assured, Commandery Princess, I will certainly treat her well and never let her suffer any grievances."

Chen Jinyu bit her lip, her eyes full of laughter: "If you suffer any grievances, you can also complain to the Commandery Princess."

Jiang Shaohua replied with a laugh: "How could I meddle in a prince mansion official’s family affairs?"

Ma Yaosong: "..."

So he was the one to just be bullied!

Chen Jinyu and Jiang Shaohua laughed together.

"You should hurry to see Chief Historian Chen; County Magistrate Chen and others are also waiting for you." Jiang Shaohua smiled and advised: "I’ve already instructed the kitchen to prepare fine wine and food; we’ll have lunch together at noon."

Chen Jinyu replied happily. The newlyweds warmly held hands and left.

For Ma Yaosong, as the Chen family’s son-in-law, apart from the day of the wedding, this was his first official visit. Faced with Chief Historian Chen and County Magistrate Chen, who were incredibly familiar individuals, seeing them again under a different identity made even someone as smooth and thorough as Ma Yaosong a bit nervous.

He respectfully clasped his hands and performed the junior’s greeting.

Chief Historian Chen, however, was very agreeable, smiling and saying: "We’re all family, no need for so many formalities, sit down and talk."

Ma Yaosong complied, and sat next to his brother-in-law Chen Haoran.

Chen Jinyu also wanted to sit, but County Magistrate Chen couldn’t help but remind her: "While we’re here talking, you go with your mother and sister-in-law to the room and chat."

It’s evident that she was used to officialdom, accustomed to sitting in the same room with men, showing no shyness or restraint as a newlywed returning to her parental home.

Chen Jinyu replied cheerfully and confidently followed her mother and sister-in-law.

County Magistrate Chen thought to himself, just as well there’s this simple-minded son-in-law; otherwise, with his daughter’s temperament and character, who else could she marry?

Mrs. Yao held her daughter’s hand and inquired softly, "Are you comfortable living in the new house? Do you enjoy the three meals a day? How does the Ma family treat you?"

Chen Jinyu casually replied with a smile: "Not quite used to living there, but the food is delicate, and the Ma family is very kind and polite to me."

Only then did Mrs. Yao feel relieved and advised: "You must be respectful and courteous to the elders, and not too casual with your words."

Chen Jinyu raised her eyebrows, smiling with confidence and composure: "Don’t worry! I’ve accompanied the Princess in and out of the Imperial Palace and the court, I’ve seen every kind of scene. Handling my husband’s family elders is not a problem."

Xue Liuniang saw her little sister-in-law so vibrant and confident, finding it both amusing and enviable: "Jinyu has seen grand occasions, her perspective and knowledge far surpassing ordinary people. To have the good fortune of marrying Jinyu, is to the benefit of Ma Yaosong, and indeed a blessing for the entire Ma family."

Chen Jinyu beamed with joy at being praised: "Sister-in-law always stays in the boudoir, unaware of the feeling of going out to work and handle affairs. When you go to work at Ye County Academy in the future, you’ll know. Each day busy and fulfilling, each day fresh and different."

"It’s like flying out of an exquisite birdcage, seeing high mountains and seas, and you’ll never want to return to the cage."

Xue Liuniang’s dark eyes shone with longing. Just as she was about to speak, her eyebrows suddenly knitted, and she clasped her stomach with her hands.

Chen Jinyu was startled: "What’s wrong with my sister-in-law?"

Mrs. Yao, being experienced, was much calmer: "It’s the labor pains. Don’t worry, I’ll have someone fetch the midwife."

When a woman is pregnant and giving birth, there’s no set day. Some may be ten days half a month later than expected, some come earlier. As Xue Liuniang returned with Chen Haoran, Mrs. Yao had deliberately sought out a midwife in advance, just in case. Little did they expect that she’d be needed today.

Within moments, Chen Haoran got the news and hurriedly ran over, sweating with anxiety: "Liuniang, how are you now? Is it very painful?"

Xue Liuniang, experiencing labor pains for the first time, was in such pain that her face turned pale, unable to speak.

Chen Haoran was urgently pacing.

Mrs. Yao found her son to be in the way: "How could childbirth not be painful? You have strength, help Liuniang to the delivery room to lie down."

Chen Jinyu steadied her resolve and said: "Sun Zelan is also here, I’ll go get her to come over."

...

The news quickly reached Jiang Shaohua’s ears.

Jiang Shaohua was also somewhat surprised, then laughed: "Today, the Chen family has two happy events; this is a great joy. Yin Zhu, go to the kitchen and tell them to prepare a few more tables of wine and food."

"Qin Hu, spread the Commandery Princess’s word; tell the Prince Mansion officials to be ready for the celebratory feast."

"Meng Sanbao, immediately go to Governor Xue’s Mansion to deliver the message."

After arranging everything, Jiang Shaohua turned to Cui Du beside her and sighed: "Before, it was always Chen Sheren and Ma Sheren running errands and delivering messages. Now that Ma Sheren is our Chief Steward, and Chen Sheren has taken a month’s leave for marriage; the Commandery Princess almost has no one to use."

Cui Du laughed: "What it amounts to is that you’re not used to having Chen Sheren away from your side."

Isn’t that the case?

All these years, she and Chen Jinyu have been inseparable, even when going to the Capital City and entering the Imperial Palace. Now in these two days while Chen Jinyu is newly married, absent from her presence, it feels like something is missing.

Jiang Shaohua also smiled: "Bear with it, she’ll be back after this month."

Cui Du, being rarely sour, replied: "We often don’t see each other for months, yet you never miss me like this."

Jiang Shaohua laughed out loud: "You even have to compete over this!"

Childbirth for women can take two or three days; under particularly smooth circumstances, it takes at least two or three hours.

This time, Xue Liuniang’s delivery was relatively smooth. She endured from morning until twilight, for four hours, before delivering a plump baby girl.