The Eldest Daughter of a Rural Family

Zhao Liniang, however, was completely unabashed; despite her big belly, she still managed to keep Pei Zongli in her room, and the next day she complained of backaches, poor sleep, and the need for nourishment.

Qian Wanxiu then instructed Mother Qian to purchase chicken, duck, fish, and meat every day to provide Zhao Liniang with daily nourishment.

The vendors at the market praised Qian Wanxiu’s generosity of spirit, saying that even though she was a concubine who had climbed her way up, if she needed to be nourished, Wanxiu would nourish her. A country girl is not a pampered young lady, hearty and robust; why nourish her every day?! Lady Qian, coming from a distinguished family, was too generous, too indulgent.

Then people began to say that Pei Zongli completely relied on Lady Qian, leaning on the Qian family, yet now he doted on his concubine. Lady Qian was so kind to the concubine, surely because Pei Zongli had ordered her to be.

Qian Wanxiu further arranged for the purchase of a considerable amount of bird’s nest from Runing Prefecture, "Our family now has many places to spend money, and the business in the shop isn’t too good. Bird’s nest cups are too expensive, and nobody in the house has ever been willing to eat them. Since Liniang is pregnant and needs to be nourished every day, I bought some broken bird’s nests to stew for her – it’s nearly the same."

"You’ve worked hard," Pei Zongli said as he took her hand. After thinking it over, he exchanged a jade thumb ring he had received as a token of respect for a jade ring, which he brought back and presented to her.

While Qian Wanxiu verbally protested against him wasting money, she frankly liked it and was very happy.

Pei Zongli smiled and pulled her into the bedchamber.