Chapter 300: Chapter 300: Ms. Li Nowadays

“Mother!” Ms. Li lowered her head, her voice a shy, petulant cry. Her face flushed crimson. What is Mother saying, and in front of so many people!

“What’s there to be shy about?” Ms. Su retorted. “After some time, give me another grandchild. Boy or girl, I’ll love them all the same.”

Ms. Su rolled her eyes at Ms. Li. She has changed since she returned, always acting so bashful, as if she can’t bear to be seen. It’s so irritating for someone with my temperament.

“Mother, let’s go sit down and talk,” Gu Qingli interjected, trying to smooth things over. Honestly, Mother, pushing for grandchildren in front of everyone like this… she thought, feeling a little exasperated.

Gu Qingli had been observing Ms. Li. She really has become more reserved, easily embarrassed. That’s a far cry from her old self. Still, knowing to be shy is an improvement. Her former muddle-headed ways were truly vexing.

“Alright.” Ms. Su turned, her gaze softening as she looked affectionately at Gu Qingli and nodded. My own daughter is still the most pleasing to the eye. The children I bore, no matter how I look at them, are wonderful. Those borne by others… well, they just don’t compare. It’s like trying to teach a pig; it’s a hopeless endeavor.

Gu Qingping remained silent. I know Mother doesn’t like Ms. Li. And truthfully, Ms. Li’s conduct isn’t the best. In the past, she was petty and insatiably greedy. Even now, she’s still unrefined and lacks presence. Currently, I haven’t embarked on an official career, and Mother manages the household, so Ms. Li isn’t causing any trouble. But if I were to enter politics or attain a higher status in the future, and Ms. Li still couldn’t present herself properly, I’d have to find another solution. He was already mulling it over. Of course, I’m not thinking of divorcing or abandoning her. Rather, I’m considering asking my sister to take her in hand and teach her. With Mother’s temper, Ms. Li would likely be beaten to death if left to her.

“Let’s go over there too,” Gu Qingping said to the meekly submissive Ms. Li.

Ms. Li nodded and followed, her movements affectedly dainty.

Gu Qingli and the others were already seated. Watching Ms. Li’s current behavior, they were all rather speechless.

Gu Qingli, in particular, felt a surge of anxiety for her brother. With her acting like this, how can she ever be the matriarch of the Gu Family?

“Brother, let me hold the baby,” Gu Qingli said, rising as Gu Qingping approached.

“Alright.” Gu Qingping handed the sleeping child to Gu Qingli, who cradled him carefully.

The baby was fast asleep, his small face thin and pale.

Gu Qingli frowned. Shouldn’t a two-month-old baby be chubby and rosy-cheeked? Why does this one look so malnourished?

She examined the baby more closely and noticed faint dark circles under his eyes. Indeed, there are dark circles. How could such a young baby have them? It’s not like he stays up all night.

“Mother, how has the baby been sleeping?” Gu Qingli asked.

“Not very well,” Ms. Su replied, her heart clenching as she saw Gu Qingli’s frown. “He’s often fussy at night. Li’er, is there something wrong with him? Since you’re here, please take a look.” Gu Qingping and Ms. Li also turned their gazes anxiously towards Gu Qingli.

Gu Qingli shook her head. “I can’t tell just by looking. Let me check his pulse. If it’s merely poor sleep, it shouldn’t be a major issue. Oh, by the way, is Sister-in-Law breastfeeding him, or is it a wet nurse?”

At the mention of breastfeeding, Ms. Su’s expression turned grim. “We hired a wet nurse.”

I just don’t understand it, Ms. Su fumed internally. Ms. Li hires a wet nurse after only one child, yet Li’er managed three without one. What on earth is Ms. Li thinking? I breastfed Ping’er myself. When Li’er was born, I had no milk, and she refused goat’s milk due to its strong gamy smell. That was why we had to hire Ms. Wu. If we hadn’t hired Ms. Wu, so much trouble could have been avoided later on. Wealthy families often hire wet nurses, but after what happened with Gu Qingli because of Ms. Wu, I’d never willingly hire one again.

“Oh. In that case, Mother, could you have the wet nurse express some milk for me to examine, or ask her to come here?” Gu Qingli requested. I’m sure the baby’s condition is related to the wet nurse. A baby this young should be growing rapidly, just eating and sleeping. There’s no reason for him to sleep poorly unless he’s unwell. I raised my three little ones myself; I know very well what to expect with babies and their ailments. Normally, sleeping adults or children breathe deeply and steadily. This baby’s breathing is rather quick and shallow.

Gu Qingli immediately took the baby’s wrist to check his pulse. As she did, her frown deepened. There really is something wrong. His heart rate is so high and his breathing so rapid while asleep. This doesn’t seem like an illness… it’s more like he’s ingested some kind of stimulant.

She focused, checking his pulse again. Yes, I can detect traces of Cloud Fragrance. It must have been transmitted through the wet nurse’s milk. Even an adult would become highly agitated from such a substance, let alone an infant!

“Li’er, how is he? Is there something wrong with the baby?” Ms. Su asked urgently.

“There’s a slight problem,” Gu Qingli said. “Mother, it would be best to send for the wet nurse.”

“So there really is a problem!” Ms. Su exclaimed, flustered and angry. “Quick, Ping’er, go and bring that wet nurse here!”

Hearing Gu Qingli’s words, Gu Qingping’s expression instantly darkened. He shot a glance at Ms. Li, then went to fetch the wet nurse himself.

Soon, Gu Qingping returned with the wet nurse, bringing her directly before Gu Qingli.

“Extend your right hand,” Gu Qingli said coolly to the wet nurse, who appeared to be a simple, honest woman.

“I… I’m not ill,” the wet nurse stammered, trembling.

“How did you know I intended to check your pulse? Did I say I was going to?” Gu Qingli retorted, her gaze icy.

“Ah? Then…” The wet nurse faltered, her panicked eyes fixed on Gu Qingli, still unwilling to extend her right hand.

Seeing this, everyone present understood what was happening.

“Extend your right hand!” Gu Qingli commanded sharply.

“Yes, yes…”

The wet nurse glanced at the grim faces in the room. Seeing them all staring at her, she had no choice but to timidly extend her right hand.

Gu Qingli took the wet nurse’s right hand and immediately checked her pulse.

Just as she suspected, the wet nurse’s pulse matched the baby’s.

Gu Qingli forcefully flung the wet nurse’s hand away. I truly want to slap her!

She shot a look at Gu Qingping, who had clearly been restraining himself. He beckoned to the matrons outside, and two stout, formidable-looking women immediately entered and seized the wet nurse.

“Madam! Eldest Young Master! Wh-what is the meaning of this? Why are you treating me like this?” the wet nurse cried out in terror.

Ms. Su shot to her feet, her expression ferocious. She grabbed the wet nurse’s chin and snarled, “Speak! What have you done to the Young Master? If you don’t confess honestly, I’ll drag you to the magistrate myself, right now!”

At the mention of the magistrate, the wet nurse’s body went limp. If the two matrons hadn’t been holding her, she would have collapsed to the floor, her legs trembling visibly.

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