jdhmnovel Chapter 249 Deep Mother-in-Law and Daughter-in-Law's Affection During Childbirth
Chapter 249 Deep Mother-in-Law and Daughter-in-Law's Affection During Childbirth
Mother-in-law
In the early morning at Jiang's residence in the Nanzhao Kingdom, sunlight filtered through the dappled leaves, casting shimmering shadows on the ground.
A gentle breeze carries a hint of coolness and the fragrance of flowers and plants in the courtyard.
Jiang Yichen's mother, Madam Lin, got up early. She was dressed in a simple but neat outfit. Although she was middle-aged, the years had not left too many marks on her face, and her eyes and brows revealed gentleness and love.
Lin tiptoed into the kitchen, where a faint smell of cooking wafted through the air.
She skillfully rolled up her sleeves, preparing to make her daughter-in-law Yan Dongdong's favorite pickled vegetables, who was pregnant and suffering from severe morning sickness.
During this special period, Lin was focused on doing something for Yan Dongdong so that she could eat more and get more nutrition.
"I have to make these pickled vegetables extra delicious today. Poor Dongdong is suffering so much from morning sickness."
As she talked to herself, Mrs. Lin took out fresh vegetables from the cupboard. She had personally selected these vegetables at the market early that morning; each one was plump and juicy.
Lin first carefully washed the vegetables, leaving no leaf untouched, her movements gentle and focused.
Her eyes were full of concern, as if these vegetables carried her deep love for Yan Dongdong.
After washing the vegetables, she placed them in a bamboo basket to drain and then began preparing the seasonings needed for pickling.
Salt, sugar, Sichuan peppercorns, star anise... Lin placed the seasonings on the table one by one. Her hands trembled slightly, a mark left by the years, but her movements remained skillful.
She recalled how she pickled vegetables when she was young, and thought about Yan Dongdong's taste, repeatedly deliberating on the amount of seasoning.
"Dongdong likes it a little sweeter, so put in more sugar," Lin muttered softly, a gentle smile on her face.
While the vegetables were drying, Lin went into the yard and took a clean earthenware pot from under the eaves.
She specially chose this earthenware jar; it's perfect for pickling vegetables.
She gently wiped the earthenware jar, her eyes filled with anticipation, as if she could see Yan Dongdong's satisfied expression as he ate the pickled vegetables.
With everything ready, Lin began pickling vegetables.
She layered the vegetables into the earthenware pot, sprinkling a layer of seasoning evenly over each layer.
Her movements were methodical and orderly, as if she were accomplishing something extremely important.
During the pickling process, Lin would occasionally press the vegetables gently with her hands to allow the seasonings to penetrate better.
"Dongdong, just bear with it a little longer. Once the pickled vegetables are ready, you'll be able to eat again."
Lin spoke softly to the earthenware pot, as if Yan Dongdong could hear her.
After pickling the vegetables, Lin covered the mouth of the earthenware jar with a clean white cloth and then tied it tightly with a rope.
She placed the earthenware jar in a corner of the kitchen, where the temperature was just right for the pickling of the vegetables.
Looking at the earthenware jar, Lin felt a sense of accomplishment and looked forward to the moment when the pickled vegetables would be successfully pickled in a few days.
Over the next few days, Lin would go to the kitchen every day to check on the pickling of the salted vegetables.
She gently lifted the white cloth, smelled the pickled vegetables, observed their color, and her expression changed along with the changes in the pickled vegetables.
"Hmm, it smells better and better, looks like it'll be ready soon."
Mrs. Lin nodded in satisfaction, her eyes sparkling with joy.
Finally, with Lin's meticulous care, the pickled vegetables were successfully pickled.
Early in the morning, Mrs. Lin came to the kitchen and carefully opened the earthenware pot.
A rich aroma instantly filled the air—the unique fragrance of pickled vegetables, a blend of fresh vegetables and mellow seasonings, making one's mouth water at the mere smell.
"Dongdong will definitely like this flavor," Lin said to herself with a smile, her face beaming with happiness.
Lin used clean chopsticks to pick out some pickled vegetables and put them on a plate. She then specially chopped some fresh scallions and sprinkled them on top to add color to the pickled vegetables.
She carried the plate and walked quickly toward Yan Dongdong's room.
At this moment, Yan Dongdong was sitting on the edge of the bed, looking exhausted. The morning sickness of the past few days had made her look quite haggard; her face was pale, and her eyes revealed a hint of helplessness.
Seeing Lin enter, Yan Dongdong forced a smile: "Mother, you've come."
Madam Lin walked to the bedside, placed the pickled vegetables on the table, and said gently, "Dongdong, Mother made your favorite pickled vegetables. Try them and see if you like them."
Yan Dongdong looked at the pickled vegetables on the table, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes: "Wow, Mom, how did you know I wanted to eat this?" She picked up her chopsticks, took a piece of pickled vegetable, and put it in her mouth.
"Mmm, so delicious!" Yan Dongdong's face showed a long-lost satisfied smile. The taste of the pickled vegetables immediately whetted her appetite.
Seeing Yan Dongdong eating with relish, Lin felt gratified: "If it's delicious, eat more. You've lost weight these past few days because of morning sickness, so you need to eat more to nourish yourself."
While eating pickled vegetables, Yan Dongdong said with emotion, "Mom, thank you, you are so good to me."
Madam Lin gently patted Yan Dongdong's head and said, "Silly child, you are my daughter-in-law. If I don't treat you well, who else should I treat well? You are pregnant now, and you are a great contributor to our family. You must take good care of yourself."
With Lin's care, Yan Dongdong's appetite gradually improved.
Every day, she would eat some pickled vegetables made by the Lin family, which helped alleviate her morning sickness.
This pickled vegetable dish, filled with maternal love, became Yan Dongdong's warmest memory during her pregnancy.
As Yan Dongdong ate her pickled vegetables, her eyes reddened slightly. She hadn't expected that her mother-in-law would remember her casual remark about liking pickled vegetables and even make them for her herself. This thoughtfulness filled her with gratitude.
"Mother, please sit down and have something to eat with me," Yan Dongdong said warmly, pulling Lin's hand.
Madam Lin smiled and waved her hand, "No, Mother has already eaten. You should eat more. Seeing you eat so well makes Mother happy." Her gaze remained fixed on Yan Dongdong, her eyes filled with deep affection.
Yan Dongdong picked up another piece of pickled vegetable with her chopsticks, savoring it carefully. The salty, savory, and slightly sweet flavor spread across her tongue, evoking many fond memories. "Mom, this tastes just like the one my grandma used to make when I was little. It's so delicious!"
Madam Lin was slightly taken aback, then smiled and said, "Really? Then I'll make it for you often from now on, as long as you like it." She reached out and gently brushed a strand of hair behind Yan Dongdong's ear, her movements tender and full of care.
At this moment, Jiang Yichen walked into the room and saw Yan Dongdong happily eating pickled vegetables. A surprised smile appeared on his face: "Dongdong, you can eat now? That's great!" He quickly walked to the bedside, looked at the pickled vegetables on the table, and then looked at Lin Shi, saying gratefully: "Mother, thank you, you've been a great help."
Lin smiled and said, "No need to thank me, this is what I should do. Dongdong is pregnant, we have to make sure she eats and drinks well so that the baby can grow up healthy."
Jiang Yichen sat down next to Yan Dongdong and asked curiously, "Dongdong, how does it taste?"
Yan Dongdong nodded with a smile: "It's especially delicious, Mom's cooking is amazing." As she spoke, she picked up another piece of pickled vegetable and brought it to Jiang Yichen's lips: "You should try some too."
Jiang Yichen opened his mouth and ate the pickled vegetables, nodding in praise: "Mmm, it's really delicious, no wonder it's made by my mother."
The family sat together, chatting and laughing, a warm atmosphere filling the room. Yan Dongdong's spirits, which had been dampened by morning sickness, recovered considerably at this moment; color returned to her face, and her eyes sparkled with happiness.
After that, Lin would prepare different kinds of food for Yan Dongdong every day, including pickled vegetables and various nutritious and appetizing dishes. She would get up early to go to the market to select the freshest ingredients, and then work in the kitchen for a long time, just to make sure Yan Dongdong was satisfied with his meal.
As Yan Dongdong's belly grew larger, her movements became increasingly difficult. Lin always stayed by her side, taking meticulous care of her daily life. She would accompany Yan Dongdong for walks in the courtyard, reminding her to be careful as they went; in the evenings, she would prepare warm foot bath water for Yan Dongdong to help her relieve the fatigue of the day.
Once, Yan Dongdong suddenly wanted to eat sour plum soup in the middle of the night. When Lin found out, she immediately got up and went to the kitchen to make it for her without saying a word.
When the plum juice was ready and served to Yan Dongdong, Lin's forehead was covered with fine beads of sweat, but she didn't care at all. She just asked with concern, "Dongdong, try it and see if you like it?"
Yan Dongdong took the plum juice, took a sip, and was moved to tears: "Mom, it's so delicious, thank you so much for troubling me so late."
Lin said with a smile, "It's no trouble at all. I'll make it for you anytime you want to eat it."
Under Lin's meticulous care, Yan Dongdong successfully navigated the most difficult time of her pregnancy.
As the due date approached, the entire Jiang family was filled with a tense yet expectant atmosphere.
Lin and Jiang Yichen were busy making final preparations for the upcoming new life.
"Dongdong, don't worry. Childbirth is painful, but it will pass quickly. Mother will always be by your side," Lin said softly, holding Yan Dongdong's hand.
Yan Dongdong nodded vigorously: "Mom, with you here, I'm not afraid."
Finally, on a bright and sunny morning, with a loud cry, Yan Dongdong gave birth to a healthy baby.
Hearing the baby's cry, Lin and Jiang Yichen finally felt relieved. They walked into the delivery room with joy on their faces and looked at the weak but happy Yan Dongdong and the lovely baby, their hearts filled with emotion.
"Dongdong, you've worked so hard. You're a great contributor to our family." Jiang Yichen walked to the bedside, gently held Yan Dongdong's hand, his eyes full of heartache and love.
Lin held the baby, beaming from ear to ear: "This child is so cute, just like Yichen when he was little. Dongdong, you get some rest, leave the baby to your mother."