Chapter 287: Gestation
Urp! Su Yaoguang crouched nearby, dry heaving.
“Jing’er…” Jia Chunni shouted loudly.
Jiang Jing, who was seeing patients inside, heard Jia Chunni’s voice and hurried out, asking, “What happened?”
“Yaoguang is not feeling well.” Jia Chunni pointed in Su Yaoguang’s direction.
Jiang Jing strode over, grabbed her wrist, and took her pulse under Su Yaoguang’s dazed and foolish gaze.
“No need to be so dramatic, right?” She had only dry heaved once, and they were making such a big fuss, as if they had been prepared for this day all along.
After taking Su Yaoguang’s pulse, Jiang Jing said, “Did you eat something cold yesterday?”
“In such hot weather, of course I had to eat something cold. You all know I love cool things!” Su Yaoguang said embarrassedly.
“So you ate too much ice.” Zhang Yingdi said irritably, “You little glutton, I thought…”
“Thought what?” Su Yaoguang chuckled, “That I was pregnant? How could that be?”
Zhou Wangshu came home early and returned late; even if the two slept on the same couch, husband-and-wife matters were rare.
Of course, rare, not nonexistent.
Zhang Pandi and Jia Chunni also thought Su Yaoguang was pregnant. When Zhang Zhaodi was pregnant before, she had the same reaction, so they were so nervous. Now hearing that Su Yaoguang had eaten too much ice, they all looked at her irritably.
“I’m still young, let it happen naturally.” Su Yaoguang said, “Jing’er can vouch for it, my body is perfectly fine!”
“Her body is indeed quite good.” Jiang Jing said, “Also, I said she ate too much ice, but I didn’t say she wasn’t pregnant!”
“Jing’er, what do you mean?” Several pairs of eyes looked at her with surprise.
Jiang Jing smiled and said, “What I mean is that Yaoguang sister is pregnant. You can’t eat too much ice for this period; you have to think about the one in your belly.”
“Oh my god! Yaoguang, you’re pregnant.”
“Heaven bless, finally pregnant. You and Wangshu have been married so long, and your relationship is so good; we were really worried.”
“What’s there to worry about?” Jiang Jing said, “Didn’t I say it? Yaoguang sister’s body is very good. Her getting pregnant was just a matter of time.”
“You’ve taken Yaoguang’s pulse, but have you taken Wangshu’s? Yaoguang’s body has no problem, but does Wangshu’s body have no problem?”
Jiang Jing fell silent.
She really hadn’t checked Zhou Wangshu for male issues.
“Jing’er, how big is the child?” Zhang Pandi asked.
“Two months.”
“Yaoguang, with such good news, you must tell Wangshu right away. Go back early today!”
They were now living in the backyard of the yamen.
“Okay.” Su Yaoguang was also a bit eager to tell Zhou Wangshu the good news.
After Su Yaoguang returned, she felt sleepy and first slept in the room for a while. When she woke up again, it was already dark. She happened to be hungry and wanted to go to the kitchen to see what good food there was for dinner tonight, but as soon as she reached the front yard, she saw Zhou Wangshu standing face-to-face talking with a woman.
That woman was sweet and delicate-looking, gazing shyly at Zhou Wangshu with affectionate eyes. With Su Yaoguang’s eyesight, she clearly saw that the rouge and cosmetics the woman was using were actually new products from their Peach Blossom Workshop.
This batch of new products was scarce in quantity and extremely expensive. It showed that the young lady had really put in effort.
Su Yaoguang recognized that the woman was the county magistrate’s eldest daughter.
The woman threw herself toward Zhou Wangshu.
Zhou Wangshu stepped back a few steps, dodging the young girl’s scamming by feigning injury.
“Miss Zhang’s body isn’t doing too well!” Zhou Wangshu said indifferently.
The woman fell on the ground and embarrassingly got back up: “Prime Minister…”
“Since Miss Zhang’s body isn’t doing well, I happen to have a tonic here; let’s give it to Miss Zhang to nourish her body!”
Zhou Wangshu said, taking a packet of medicinal powder from his bosom and handing it to the attendant beside him.
The attendant took the medicinal powder, directly pinched Miss Zhang’s chin, and poured the powder into her mouth.
Miss Zhang’s eyes were full of terrified expression.
Why?
She had seen that Prime Minister’s Wife; she was just a crude village woman. Though she had a bit of delicate beauty, she was far inferior compared to her.
She heard that the Prime Minister’s Wife was someone he met when he was down on his luck, and he married her only to repay a kindness. This showed the Prime Minister didn’t like her at all. If so, a beautiful woman like her throwing herself at him should make him enjoy it greatly; why was he so rough with her?
“Prime Minister, this medicine… cough cough…” Miss Zhang tried to spit out the medicine.
“Don’t worry, it’s not poison, just… a medicine to make Miss Zhang stronger and more spirited. Oh, the folk call it—Spring Day Drunk.”
Miss Zhang’s eyes became even more terrified.
Wasn’t that an aphrodisiac?
Miss Zhang soon had a reaction.
She got back up and pounced toward Zhou Wangshu.
Zhou Wangshu kicked her away with one foot.
“Men, take Miss Zhang to the county magistrate and tell him to properly discipline his daughter. Next time, it won’t be just a light punishment.”
After Zhou Wangshu dealt with the trouble in front of him, he turned to return to his courtyard, but as soon as he turned, he saw Su Yaoguang standing opposite.
At that moment, his expression became panicked.
“Wife…” Zhou Wangshu nervously ran over. “Madam, when did you arrive?”
How much had she seen?
If she saw him dealing with Miss Zhang, would she think he was ruthless?
“What happened to that Miss Zhang?” Su Yaoguang pretended not to know, “I saw her seem to have fallen ill; perhaps her body is unwell?”
“Yes, that Miss Zhang has an old ailment and suddenly had an attack here. I was just about to have my subordinate send her back to the county magistrate. Madam, don’t go over; be careful she goes mad and hurts you.”
“Then I won’t go over.” Su Yaoguang said, “I have something to tell you.”
“Let’s go back to the room.”
“Let’s go to the kitchen first; I’m hungry and want to see if there’s anything to eat in the kitchen.”
Zhou Wangshu pulled her toward the kitchen.
The cooks were preparing dinner and, seeing the Prime Minister and Prime Minister’s Wife suddenly appear, panic-strickenly knelt down one by one to bow.
“Who made yesterday’s sweet-and-sour fish?” Su Yaoguang asked.
The cooks looked at each other.
One of them tremblingly raised his hand: “It was me.”
“Your cooking is good; I really like it. I wanted to reward you with silver yesterday, but heard you had a family matter and left early. Giving it to you today is the same.” Su Yaoguang said.
Zhou Wangshu took a ingot of silver from his bosom and tossed it to the cook opposite, who caught it in fear and trepidation.
“Make another one today.” Zhou Wangshu said.
“Yes, yes, yes.” The Prime Minister’s Wife liked his cooking; this was a great honor for the cook, allowing him to hold his head high among his peers.
Most importantly, the Prime Minister personally rewarded him, and it was two taels of silver, directly solving the problem of his old lady having no money to see a doctor.
Su Yaoguang walked around the kitchen, ordered a few dishes, and had them delivered to the backyard when ready.
“Madam, you’re in a very good mood today?” Zhou Wangshu looked at her puzzled.
“That obvious?” Su Yaoguang smiled at him.
“Very obvious.” Zhou Wangshu held her arm, “The new shop has been open for half a month; business must be good, right?”
“Our Peach Blossom Workshop’s things sell well anywhere. We cooperated with Cui Rong before; Cui Rong sold our products to the enemy country, giving me dividends every half year or year—that’s no small income, showing they sell very well.” Su Yaoguang said, “But I’m happy today not because of business matters.”
“Then what is it?” Zhou Wangshu asked.
“Guess.” Su Yaoguang stopped, facing him, looking into his eyes. “It’s related to you.”
“Definitely not career-related; after all, I have nowhere left to be promoted. If it’s life-related, there doesn’t seem to be anything… I really can’t guess.”
“Cup your ear over here.” Su Yaoguang beckoned him with her finger.
Zhou Wangshu curiously leaned his head over slowly.
Su Yaoguang leaned to his ear and said word by word: “You—are—going—to—be—a—dad.”
Zhou Wangshu’s pupils widened.
He stared blankly ahead.
After Su Yaoguang pulled back, Zhou Wangshu put his arm around her shoulders and looked at her eagerly: “Yaoguang, what did you say?”
“If you didn’t hear, forget it.” Su Yaoguang teased him.
“No, no, say it again. Let me check if I hallucinated it.”
“You didn’t hear wrong; saying it again is the same. You—Zhou Wangshu, our youngest Prime Minister Lord is going to be a dad; the little one in the belly is already two months old.” Su Yaoguang smiled at him, “Happy?”
Zhou Wangshu hugged her tightly: “Yaoguang… Madam… I’m not dreaming; this is real.”
“Not a dream; it’s real. Our family is adding a new member.” Su Yaoguang patted his back, “Zhou Wangshu, you said before that all your blood relatives are gone. Now I’m telling you, you have blood relatives now. The one in my belly will come out to keep you company soon. We’ll have a second child later. You’ll never be lonely; we’ll always be with you.”
Zhou Wangshu kissed Su Yaoguang’s forehead and picked her up.
“What are you doing? I can walk myself.” Su Yaoguang patted his shoulder.
“You’re heavy now and must tire easily; I need to take good care of you. Right, I need to write a letter to father-in-law and mother-in-law; from here, it can be delivered in ten days or half a month.”
After Zhou Wangshu carried Su Yaoguang back to the room.
When the kitchen sent food over again, Zhou Wangshu found an experienced old woman to care for Su Yaoguang and asked about many things to note during pregnancy.
Seeing Zhou Wangshu asking so many questions, more nervous than her the pregnant one, Su Yaoguang said to the old woman: “You can withdraw first; come again tomorrow.”
If not stopped, Zhou Wangshu wouldn’t sleep tonight. He was entirely in the tense excitement of becoming a dad.
“Husband, I’m sleepy; come sleep with me!” Su Yaoguang found an excuse.
“Okay, pregnant women get sleepy; I’ll sleep with you.”
Zhou Wangshu was busy with official duties every day, physically and mentally exhausted, even more tired than her. But now he was in an excited state; if not relaxed, he might stay excited all night.
Su Yaoguang leaned in Zhou Wangshu’s arms.
“Close your eyes.”
Zhou Wangshu immediately closed his eyes.
After some time, Zhou Wangshu’s breathing became even.
“Finally asleep.” Su Yaoguang muttered to herself, “What an idiot.”
After Zhou Wangshu’s letter was sent out, it arrived at the border city on the eighth day.
At this time, Zhang Zhaodi was playing in the garden with her several-months-old child; the letter was directly delivered to the General’s Mansion.
Zhang Zhaodi knew Su Yaoguang and the others had gone to New Capital City. If they wanted to go, it would take half a month from here to New Capital City, but they hadn’t received the Emperor’s order yet, so they couldn’t leave on their own.
Moreover, the new imperial palace’s construction wasn’t something done overnight; now the Emperor and civil and military officials hadn’t moved there yet, so they had no need to move.
Zhang Zhaodi opened the letter and, seeing the content, her eyes filled with joy.
“Where is the General now?” Zhang Zhaodi asked.
“Replying to Madam, the General is at the training grounds.”
“Call him back immediately; say there’s an urgent matter.”
“Yes.”
Soon, Su Rende hurried back, rushing in and looking for Zhang Zhaodi’s figure. Seeing Zhang Zhaodi and the child safe, he relaxed.
“Madam, what is it?”
Zhang Zhaodi handed him the letter, her eyes red, and said: “A letter from Yaoguang and son-in-law; come read it quickly.”
Su Rende took it and, seeing the content, said repeatedly: “Good, good, good! This is great news!”
“I miss Yaoguang; I want to see my daughter. We’ve mother and daughter relied on each other for so many years; this is the first time we’ve been apart so long. Husband, how about I go to New Capital City first!” Zhang Zhaodi said, “Otherwise, when will this wait until?”
“Madam, don’t rush. I’ll first write a letter to the Emperor, saying I want to take you to New Capital City first to help out. Once His Majesty replies, I’ll set off with you immediately. I’ve calculated: sending it express eight hundred li, we can get a reply in half a month.” Su Rende said.
“Isn’t that not great?” Zhang Zhaodi said, “Express eight hundred li is generally for military reports. Using it rashly would really trouble the people and waste resources.”
“Then we won’t send express eight hundred li; you wait a bit more. At most a month, we’ll get a reply. Is that okay? I really can’t rest assured letting you go to New Capital City alone. Also, the child is still young; resting your body another month would be more proper.”
“Okay, then we’ll wait for the Emperor’s reply.”
“General, Madam, that Mr. Xiao has been making noise in the prison, saying he wants to see the eldest daughter.” A soldier came over and said.
“Ignore him.” Su Rende said coldly, “What is he? My daughter isn’t someone he can see just because he wants to. He won’t see my daughter in this lifetime.”
Zhang Zhaodi said: “Let’s go see him! He still has the energy to seek Yaoguang despite daily torture; I really want to know what tricks he’s using to bewitch our daughter.”
“Alright. Let’s go see him.” Su Rende said.
Su Rende had the wet nurse take good care of Su Yunji, and he took Zhang Zhaodi to the prison.
Just entering the prison, a thick bloody smell assaulted the nose.
Xiao Yanci was hung there, without a single piece of good flesh on his body, blood flowing from it.
“My god, his life is really tough; he’s not dead even like this.” Zhang Zhaodi covered her mouth and nose.
