CHAPTER 369: CHAPTER 354 DIVISION OF LABOR (3)_2

In the spring of this year, he and his third sister went to the village chief’s house to buy some chick and ducklings. After half a year, these chickens and ducks have all grown big and strong.

However, they only weight about one or two pounds each. Once the feathers and innards are removed, there’s barely enough for Chai Eying to eat alone.

He picked the fattest rooster to slaughter, leaving the hens to lay eggs. The eggs are a good supplement for the mother and her children, as instructed by their mother.

Nanny Jiang watched him busy at work and repeatedly said, "Young master, leave it, let me do it. How can you men do such chores?"

Li Xingmao laughed, "Nanny, you have to cook. Let me handle the chicken. It’s not that difficult a task."

Nanny Jiang chuckled, "The lady is pregnant, the young master has to bear the burden."

Li Xingmao laughed, "I’m not burdened at all, just helping a bit. She’s the one who’s really going through a lot."

Nanny Jiang smiled with satisfaction as she chopped vegetables.

It’s said the third young lady is unfortunate, but in her view, the third young lady is very blessed.

A wealthy in-law family isn’t always good. It’s not unheard of for a woman to be driven to despair by her husband.

They say the second young lady made a good marriage, but she heard that not long ago the second young lady was scolded by the second young master.

Hmph! Serves her right!

Li Xing’an came running into the kitchen, rolling up his sleeves, asking his elder brother, "Big brother, why did Mu Yuanxiu follow you to the county?"

"Oh, I asked him to come along. I didn’t know the way to the county; I was in a rush to find your sister-in-law and worried about wasting time finding the way. So I asked him to come with me." Li Xingmao said.

Li Xing’an scratched his head, "Really?"

"What, you think your big brother is lying?" Li Xingmao said with a stern face, "Day in and day out, you avoid proper responsibilities, always keeping an eye on Mu Yuanxiu. He’s clearly younger than you, yet more sensible."

Li Xingmao threw the half-plucked chicken into the basin and patted Li Xing’an’s shoulder, "If you’re quite free, finish killing and cleaning the chicken. Nanny Jiang will need it for the soup later."

Li Xing’an sighed, "Alright."

If he had known, he wouldn’t have asked—now he’s been assigned a task by his big brother.

Rolling up his sleeves, he sat on the stone block where Li Xingmao had been sitting. Glancing at Li Xingmao, who was picking dried red dates nearby, he said, "Big brother, if I kill and clean it, will I get a share of the chicken soup?"

Just as Li Xingmao was about to answer, the Second Young Master Li walked into the kitchen and sneered, "The chicken is for the pregnant lady, and you want to be greedy? When you’re pregnant, I’ll have your sister-in-law save you a drumstick!"

Li Xing’an was furious, "If you’re pregnant, then I am too!" He just asked casually; why did this damn second brother take it seriously?

The Second Young Master Li placed the two jars of wine he was carrying down, dusted off his sleeves with a sneer, "It’s you who’s greedy, not me. So, why would I get pregnant? It should be you."

Li Xing’an, "..."

Li Xingmao put the picked dried red dates in a big bowl and scooped some water to soak them.

He watched the two brothers bickering idly again and shook his head, saying, "Your sister-in-law is pregnant, I have to look after her and can’t take care of Jingjing. Jingjing is up to you two to discipline. However, if you lead him astray, I’ll give you two a hard time!"

This remark made the two brothers feel as exhilarated as if they had been injected with adrenaline.

"Rock-paper-scissors, whoever wins will look after Li Jing!"

"Hand game, hand game, the loser steps aside, the winner looks after Li Jing."

The brothers rubbed their palms together, gearing up.

Li Xing’an’s hands were still covered in chicken feathers, dropping feathers all over as he rubbed them together.

Soon, the Great Princess came over and mocked him.

"No need to play games, take care of him together. Whoever’s at home will take care of him," Li Xingmao said.

"Good, it’s settled!" the two brothers responded in unison.

Then, they glared at each other.

.

The Li Family’s dinner was particularly lively today.

Chai Eying was pregnant, and the whole family was delighted.

The Second Young Master and the third, Li Xing’an, dragged Li Xingmao off to drink and celebrate.

Prince Luling and Mu Yuanxiu chatted over drinks.

The three sisters played with Guoguo together.

Princess Consort Luling took care of Li Jing.

Li Lixing and Qin Hu also ate with the Li Family in celebration.

Li Yuzhu didn’t let Li Lixing drink alcohol, only tea, while Qin Hu, who could hold his liquor, had to drink in sips because no one dared to compete with him.

After dinner, everyone scattered to rest.

Mu Yuanxiu rode the mule back up Niu Tou Mountain, and the three sisters of Li Yuzhu packed Guoguo’s clothes and took her, along with her belongings, to sleep in their room.

They originally thought Guoguo might be restless in a different bed at night and cry.

Li Yuzhu did not dare to sleep deeply and kept her ears alert for any noises.

Now that there was some money in the family, and extra beds had been added, the three sisters no longer crowded onto one bed, instead each having their own, though still shared a room.

This was because the Great Princess and the Second Princess were timid and didn’t dare to sleep alone.

When in the Prince Mansion, there were a dozen maids and servant women accompanying them inside and outside the room, with candles burning all night. Now asked to sleep alone, they absolutely refused to go.

Li Yuzhu, in her previous life, was an orphan who liked crowds and company. In her past life, she couldn’t afford such a luxury, but in this life, she was more than glad to have a family.

Thus, the three of them agreed readily, unwilling to sleep in separate rooms.

With three beds placed in three directions, it reminded Li Yuzhu of her previous life’s school dormitory, perfect.

Guoguo was brought to sleep with her on the same bed.

Every now and then, she would reach over to check Guoguo’s little quilt, worried she might kick it off.

In the middle of the night, the Second Princess suddenly woke in panic, shaking Li Yuzhu, "Don’t let Guoguo catch a cold, check if she’s covered with the quilt."

A while later the Great Princess said, "Li Yuzhu, remember to wake Guoguo for bathroom."

Li Yuzhu, "..." She replied in a hushed voice, "Guoguo hasn’t kicked the quilt off, nor does she seem to need the bathroom."

The Second Princess and the Great Princess yawned in unison, "That’s good then."

The three of them were like worried moms fretting over everything.

Early the next morning, just as the sky turned light, Li Yuzhu opened her eyes and turned over to see Guoguo crawling towards the edge of the bed.

To prevent Guoguo from rolling off the bed, Li Yuzhu slept on the outer side while Guoguo slept on the inside.

Li Yuzhu lifted her leg to block Guoguo, "Where are you going? The sky’s not fully bright yet, sleep a bit more." She yawned.

"Auntie, bathroom," Guoguo said with a voice full of grievance.

Li Yuzhu’s sleepiness vanished in an instant, "Sweet...sweet Guoguo, hold...hold it in!"

If she wet the bed, Li Yuzhu would have her hands full!

Li Yuzhu quickly picked up Guoguo, hastily put on a pair of shoes for her, and rushed her to the washroom next door, where there was a small chamber pot especially for Guoguo.

Guoguo obediently relieved herself, and while standing up, struggled to pull up her pants.

Li Yuzhu covered the chamber pot with the lid, washed her hands in the basin, and went over to help Guoguo with her pants.

The little one, still sleepy, yawned continuously.

After doing up the little one’s waistband, Li Yuzhu also washed her hands.

"The sky’s not fully bright yet, let’s get a bit more sleep," Li Yuzhu said, picking Guoguo up and heading back to their bedroom.

Guoguo leaned against her shoulder, murmured an "Um," and yawned again.

Li Yuzhu couldn’t help but chuckle.

As they reached the bedroom door, two people suddenly rushed out.

Li Yuzhu nearly bumped into them.

"What’s with you? You almost ran into us," she said.

"Where were you going so early in the morning?" The Great Princess stretched and yawned as she headed back to her bed.