bayedsolid Chapter 154
Chapter 154
"Dad, let's practice together. Madam Gong said that the Five Animal Exercises, also known as the Longevity Exercises, are very good for the body." Jia Qingwu followed up with the suggestion.
"Really?" Old Master Jia didn't respond. He carefully examined his daughter's complexion and said, "You seem to be looking better. You guys can practice. I'm relieved to see you're doing well. I have something else to do, so I'll leave first."
He said that without waiting for anyone else to speak, he turned and walked away as if someone was chasing him.
"This old man." Madam Jia smiled and shook her head, "Let's continue."
The Five Animals Exercises weren't actually difficult; the movements were slow, and the difficulty lay in the coordination with the breathing. But since everyone was free, and Madam Gong wasn't impatient, she could just practice slowly.
Jia Qingwu finished her bowl of rice today and took a short nap.
Madam Jia came to visit in the afternoon and brought some nourishing herbs that could be used in herbal medicine. She asked Jia Qingwu a few more questions and learned that she hadn't been ill for two days. She smiled sincerely and said, "That's good. My little sister is well, and that's the most important thing in this family."
"Thank you for your concern, sister-in-law." Ever since she married in, Madam Jia had managed the household perfectly, both inside and outside. She treated her, her married-in sister-in-law, like a real sister, and Jia Qingwu had always respected her.
"We are all family, there is no need to be polite. When your brother comes back, you must tell him the good news and let him be happy too." Mrs. Jia said with a smile.
"I haven't seen you these days, brother. Are you very busy?" Jia Qingwu asked with concern.
"I'm a bit busy, but I should be able to relax soon."
After a few words of small talk, Mrs. Jia left. A little later, Mrs. Jia II arrived, also bringing medicinal herbs. She greeted the old lady, inquired about Jia Qingwu's health, and then left.
That evening, Jia Sansi returned and learned that Jia Qingwu was doing much better. He personally came to visit her and saw that she seemed to have gained a little weight. He was delighted. "My little sister looks much better. I'm sure she'll be back to her old self soon. Would you like to have dinner with us in the front room today? I'll have the kitchen bring the medicinal food to the front room so we can have a reunion dinner."
Jia Qingwu looked at Xia Chu and saw her nod, so she said, "Okay, big brother, go first, I'll be there soon."
Jia Sansi's happiness was beyond words. "Okay, I'll ask the kitchen to prepare a few dishes you like. What does Xia Xia like to eat? I'll ask the kitchen to make it."
"I..." I wanted to say I wasn't picky, but these past few days, I'd been eating bland food with Jia Qingwu, leaving my mouth with no taste. I wanted some meat, and actually, I wanted braised pork elbow, but that dish was too time-consuming, and I clearly didn't have enough time. "Anything with meat is fine."
"That's easy." Jia Sansi glanced back, and Changxi immediately understood and went to the kitchen to inform him. "Then you guys come over later, I'll go first."
"Okay." Jia Qingwu nodded. "Take care, big brother."
"See you later, uncle." Xia Chu waved with a smile.
Jia Sansi was dazzled by her smile, as if he saw his younger sister in her youth. This made him feel closer to Xia Chu, although his feelings for this niece were still stuck in his childhood. Xia Xia was clever and cute as a child, with a sweet mouth and clear speech, and she often made the family laugh.
He felt a little uncomfortable with the grown-up Xia Xia, and he didn't really have deep feelings for her. It was mainly because of his younger sister's illness, but that smile today was like seeing his younger sister, and also like seeing the soft, smiling little girl from their childhood. His expression relaxed, his eyes kind, "Okay, see you later."
Jia Qingwu noticed this and was happy for Xia Xia. She knew her own health well, and she felt she might not live much longer. If she died early, her brothers might look after her, but it would be hard to say how much they cared for her. If everyone in the family liked Xia Xia, they would do their best to help her when she came to the Jia family for help.
Xia Chu didn't know that Jia Qingwu had thought so far. If she knew, she would definitely be moved.
The love of the parents is far-reaching.
Jia Sansi said it was a reunion dinner, and sure enough, all the members of the Jia family attended.
However, there were too many people, so they separated the tables into two groups. Since they were all family members, there were no screens separating them, so they ate together in a lively atmosphere.
The sight of a whole family gathered together is the favorite sight of the elderly. Both Mr. Jia and Mrs. Jia are very happy. What could be more joyful than having a house full of children and grandchildren?
Of course there were, such as the birth of a new baby. Halfway through the meal, Mrs. Jia San cried out in pain and doubled over, clutching her stomach.
Madam Jia reacted immediately, "Help her quickly, what happened to the third wife? Did she start a fight?"
"It seems..." Mrs. Jia San gritted her teeth and squeezed out a sentence, "I'm about to give birth."
"Third brother, help the man back. That girl, run quickly and tell the midwife to wait in the room." Old Lady Jia was calm as she issued orders one by one. "Tell the kitchen to prepare hot water and call the doctor. Old lady, go to the storehouse and get some ginseng to make ginseng tea."
"Yes." Everyone took the order and got busy.
Jia Qingwu felt a little uneasy in this tense atmosphere. Her heartbeat began to accelerate and her face gradually turned pale.
"Mom?" Xia Chu was about to ask Jia Qingwu whether to go back or follow her to take a look, but she noticed that Jia Qingwu looked uneasy. "Mom, what's wrong with you?"
"It's okay." Jia Qingwu's eyes wandered for a moment, but she forced them back in. No, she couldn't have a seizure now and cause more trouble.
But how could she bear this? Her head had already started to ache, and her mind recalled the fear she had just felt when she lost her daughter, and the pain she felt when Sun Wujiu coldly informed her that he was going to take a concubine. It was as if someone had poured a basin of ice water on her in winter, chilling her from head to toe.
The others had been following Jia Kuan, but when they heard Xia Chu's voice, they all turned back. Old Madam Jia helped the nanny stand up and called softly, "Nini, Nini..."
"Little sister?" Jia Sansi walked over quickly and knew something was wrong when he saw her expression. "Go and ask for Mr. Gong, Changxi!"
"Nini, wake up, child." Old Master Jia also came over.
"Mom!" Xia Chu hugged Jia Qingwu tightly and lowered her head to meet her eyes. "Mom, I'm here! Look at me."
But Jia Qingwu's eyes gradually lost focus and her expression became painful.
"Mom! I'm back!" Xia Chu held her face, "I'm back! Look at me, I'm here."
Jia Qingwu paused, her gaze refocusing slowly on Xia Chu's face. "Are you back?"
"I'm back, I'm back. We practiced the Five Animal Exercises together in the morning, and played the pipa and wrote music in the afternoon. Have you forgotten?" Xia Chu continued.
"Five Animal Exercises, playing the pipa?" Jia Qingwu repeated blankly, then lowered her head, as if searching for something. "Where's my Xia Xia?"
"I've grown up, here I am." Xia Chu raised her head, "Grow up, look at me."
Jia Qingwu stared at Xia Chu for a long time before she seemed to wake up. "Xia Xia, is Mom sick again?"
Everyone in the Jia family breathed a sigh of relief. Old Madam Jia took two steps back and was supported by the nanny behind her.
With his daughter-in-law about to give birth and his daughter ill, Mr. Jia was extremely nervous and exhausted. Seeing his daughter recover, he said softly, "Xia Xia, take your mother back to rest."
Jia Qingwu leaned against Xia Chu, biting her lip and apologizing to her family. Everyone offered gentle comfort, and no one blamed her.