Chapter 13: The Heir is a Woman 13

"Since this is what Third Sister wishes for, and she has no reservations in her heart, I cannot urge her otherwise."

"However, bearing children is ultimately a matter that risks one's life. I cannot do much else, but I can find some midwives and female physicians to come and help you recuperate."

Hearing Azhen's words, Ning Yutao finally understood the purpose of the people standing in the hall, and her heart couldn't help but feel a surge of warmth.

Her father didn't care one bit about the life or death of his married daughters; only Azhen would be this attentive.

Her desire to bear a son for her husband stemmed from the fact that he treated her exceptionally well, allowing her to experience a tenderness she had never felt in the Prince Ning Mansion. Bearing children was indeed a life-threatening endeavor, and frequent births could even deplete one's physical essence, but she was willing.

Ning Yutao knew even more clearly that Azhen was doing this out of concern for her, but since her husband held this single obsession, there was nothing wrong with it otherwise.

"Azhen..." Ning Yutao had a thousand words in her heart, but they stuck in her throat, unsure of how to express them. Azhen must feel quite helpless seeing her so persistent. Despite having gone through similar experiences, she was still following their father's old path, determined to bear a son at all costs.

But she swore to the heavens that even if she were fulfilling her husband's obsession, she would treat her daughter well and never let her suffer.

"Azhen, you should let them go back. I... I cannot afford to hire them," Ning Yutao said somewhat sheepishly. "If there truly is a problem, I will send someone to invite them then."

Currently, her health was quite good and did not require much recuperation, largely because she had recovered well after each birth. Her parents-in-law were not harsh people, which was one of the reasons she could make such a firm decision.

"Third Sister, do not worry about that. They will live in the adjacent courtyard from now on and will come daily to help you recuperate. You don't need to worry about any of it; consider it my way of caring for you. I don't want anything to happen to you," Azhen said. Seeing that Ning Yutao wanted to say more, her voice took on a pleading tone, "I don't want to lose you, my sister, because of some accident. My heart will only be at peace if my sisters are living well."

This left Ning Yutao with no way to refuse. Recalling the events of the recent period, she was deeply moved. Facing Azhen's gaze, she found herself agreeing almost as if possessed. Only after nodding did she realize that since she had already agreed, it would be difficult to go back on her word.

"Third Sister, I know I dislike seeing such things happen, but since you are willing, I cannot stop you. Because of this, if you feel unwell anywhere, you must tell the female physician immediately," Azhen warned again. "And if there comes a day when you no longer wish to bear children, you can tell me. The courtyard belonging to you in the Prince Ning Mansion will always be kept for you; you can return whenever you wish."

Moved to tears, Ning Yutao nodded repeatedly.

"And there are three nieces; Third Sister, do not neglect them," Azhen remembered this and asked suddenly, "With the current situation of the Fan household, raising children shouldn't be a problem, right?"

Ning Yutao froze for a moment before hurriedly saying, "It is fine for now."

When mentioning this, a trace of sorrow appeared between her brows.

It wasn't a problem now, but as the children grew and new ones were born, life would likely become tight. Beyond just feeding the children, she would have to prepare for their futures. A daughter's dowry and a son's betrothal gifts were both indispensable. The thought of these things made Ning Yutao's head ache.

"So, there will be problems in the future?" Azhen looked thoughtful. "That won't do. It's fine if the adults endure some hardship, but the children must not."

Ning Yutao was speechless. It was true; her three daughters were lovely and well-behaved. Her husband didn't lack affection for them and would even teach them to read and write; it was just his obsession with having a son.

"Third Sister, this matter must be planned for early."

Ning Yutao was somewhat dazed. She lacked capability; although the Prince Ning Mansion had provided a shop as part of her dowry, its revenue was mediocre and occasionally even incurred losses. She was not skilled in business, so she had eventually rented the shop out. The household expenses were covered by her husband's salary, and the shop's rent was currently being saved, but she hadn't even saved enough for one daughter's dowry, let alone the occasional extra expenses.

The more she thought about it, the more anxious she became about the future.

"If Third Sister doesn't mind, I actually have a way," a smile appeared on Azhen's face. "I see that Old Master Fan and Old Madam Fan are still quite robust. They could do some work to save up some silver."

"Furthermore, Third Brother-in-law isn't particularly busy. He rarely goes out drinking or idling with others, mostly spending his time reading and writing at home. Why not use his spare time to do some work to supplement the household income? It would also be a way to build up a foundation for your children in advance." Azhen looked up and added a compliment, "Third Brother-in-law is a man of high integrity; he likely won't accept charity from me, but he probably won't refuse to earn silver through labor."

If she insisted on bearing children, she had to recuperate well, and shouldn't she save up a foundation for the children?

Otherwise, would she be bringing so many children into the world just to let them go hungry?

"Third Brother-in-law, Old Master Fan, Old Madam Fan, what do you think?" Azhen was a woman of action. After proposing this idea, amidst Ning Yutao's internal conflict, she decided to wait until Fan Wenjue returned before leaving.

Upon hearing her words, the Fan family fell into silence.

"I heard that Old Master Fan and Old Madam Fan were once excellent farmers," Azhen complimented. "Coincidentally, there is a manor under the Prince Ning Mansion that is trying to cultivate improved seeds. It would be perfect for the two of you to go there."

Having come here today, Azhen had naturally investigated the Fan family; the crops these two had grown in the past were indeed quite good.

At only forty or fifty years old, why retire? It was better to stand up and build a foundation for their descendants.

Old Master Fan and Old Madam Fan were somewhat tempted.

Ever since their son passed the imperial examinations and became an official, they had been brought to the capital to enjoy a life of luxury, but their bodies had actually become somewhat uncomfortable. It was only after tending to the manor's flowers and plants that they felt a bit better.

Old Master Fan rubbed his hands together and leaned toward Old Madam Fan, whispering, "Old woman, I think this is doable."

Compared to being invited to those damn social gatherings, farming was truly better.

"I also think it's fine," Old Madam Fan whispered. She stole a glance at her son, wondering what his thoughts were.

Young Master Ning was right; with so many children to raise in the family, instead of doing nothing all day in the manor, it was better to do some work to save up for their grandchildren. Even the eighty-year-olds in their village didn't stop working; they were only forty or fifty, and going to the fields would definitely be no problem.

"Additionally, Third Brother-in-law has excellent calligraphy. The Prince Ning Mansion has opened several bookshops, and they are in great need of someone with his skill to help transcribe books."

While woodblock printing had already appeared in Northern Xia, the printing technology of this era was not as good as hand-copying. Especially for books with beautiful calligraphy, the prices would be much higher.

(End of Chapter)