Gu daren entered the main room with a dark expression, striding forward with heavy steps.
He didn’t even glance at Gu Jiu and the others, nor did he pay attention to Bai yiniang, who was kneeling in the corner. Instead, he walked straight toward the bedroom.
Ping mama stood at the doorway and blocked his way. “Please stop here, laoye. It is unclean inside. It would be better for you to wait outside.”
Gu daren’s face remained cold as he said, “No need. Benguan’s wife and child have suffered an accident—how could benguan just sit and wait?”
With that, he pushed past Ping mama and entered the bedroom.
Ping mama was helpless and quickly followed him inside.
Xie shi lay on the bed, her face pale, her lips purple, and her entire body covered in a cold sweat. She was weak and powerless, her body trembling under a thin quilt. She had been unconscious, but upon hearing the commotion, she slowly opened her eyes.
“Why has laoye come? It’s unclean here. Ping mama, quickly ask laoye to leave.”
“It’s fine,” Gu daren said as he sat down on a round stool beside the bed.
Xie shi panicked slightly, feeling uneasy. She covered her face with her hands. “How can I let laoye see me in such a state?”
Gu daren remained expressionless. “There’s no need to worry. I have seen you in every state. I will not dislike you for this.”
Xie shi was deeply moved.
Gu daren turned to Doctor Xu and asked, “What’s the situation now?”
Doctor Xu shook his head regretfully. “The child could not be saved.”
Xie shi suddenly burst into tears.
“Laoye, this is all my fault. I failed to protect our child. What should I do?”
She turned to her side, burying her face in the blanket, and wept bitterly.
Chun He, a maid, knelt by the bed and sobbed. “Taitai, this isn’t your fault. It’s all Bai yiniang’s fault. Laoye, please seek justice for taitai!”
Xie shi covered herself with the quilt, shaking her head repeatedly.
Her muffled voice came through, “Don’t blame Bai yiniang. It’s all my fault. This child and I had no fate…”
Before she could finish, she was already sobbing uncontrollably.
Ping mama wiped her tears and advised, “Taitai, please stop crying. You’re in confinement; crying too much may harm your eyes.”
“My child is gone. How can a mother not feel heartbroken?” Xie shi cried so hard that she was nearly out of breath.
The maids, too, were moved to tears, their faces full of sorrow.
Inside the room, the atmosphere was heavy with grief. Even Doctor Xu sighed deeply.
“You all should try to console taitai. If she keeps crying, it will harm her health.”
Chun He wiped her tears and pleaded, “Taitai, please don’t cry anymore. Your health is more important.”
Xie shi sobbed a few more times before wiping her tears away. Looking at Doctor Xu, she asked anxiously, “Doctor, will I be able to conceive again in the future?”
“This…”
Doctor Xu hesitated.
Gu daren urged, “Doctor Xu, speak freely.”
Doctor Xu pondered for a moment before saying, “Taitai is older now. This pregnancy was already difficult, and now that she has lost the child, it will be even harder for her to conceive again in the future.”
Xie shi burst into tears once more. “My poor child, just like that, you’re gone.”
Chun He knelt beside her, crying while trying to comfort her. “Taitai, please don’t cry. Laoye is still here.”
Xie shi’s cries gradually quieted, but she did not turn around. She continued facing the inside of the bed, her shoulders still trembling.
Chun He knelt before Gu daren and pleaded, “Laoye, please seek justice for taitai. She finally conceived a child, yet it was lost just like that. This is all Bai yiniang’s fault!”
Gu daren asked, “What did Bai yiniang do? Why did taitai suddenly have a miscarriage?”
Chun He wiped her tears and replied, “Nubi wasn’t there for the entire incident. When nubi entered the room, nubi only saw Bai yiniang suddenly falling onto taitai. Taitai screamed in pain, but Bai yiniang did not move at all. Soon after, taitai started bleeding.”
Gu daren looked around and asked, “Did anyone see the entire event?”
Everyone shook their heads.
Chun He added, “At that time, only taitai and Bai yiniang were in the room. Nubi had gone to fetch the medicine for taitai, but before she could drink it, the child was already gone.”
Gu daren immediately commanded, “Bring Bai yiniang here!”
A maid, Dong Mei, ran out and stood under the eaves, calling out, “Bai yiniang, laoye is summoning you inside.”
Bai yiniang, looking frail, stood up unsteadily. As soon as she did, her body swayed, and to everyone’s shock, she collapsed onto the ground.
“Oh no! Bai yiniang has fainted!”
“Heavens! She’s bleeding… Could something have happened to her?”
Gu Yue sneered viciously, “Serves her right!”
Gu Jiu ignored the others and stepped forward to examine Bai yiniang.
The hem of her dress was already stained red with blood, and more blood continued to seep out.
Gu Jiu checked her pulse and was startled—Bai yiniang was pregnant, about two months along.
At that moment, Gu daren heard the commotion and stepped out of the room.
Gu Jiu stood up and moved aside without saying a word.
With Doctor Xu present, there was no need for her to interfere.
“What happened?” Gu daren asked with a dark expression, his tone carrying an underlying fury.
Dong Mei replied, “Laoye, Bai yiniang collapsed as soon as she stood up. She’s also bleeding. Nubi doesn’t know what’s happening.”
Gu daren immediately ordered, “Someone, come! Carry Bai yiniang to the side chamber and call Doctor Xu to treat her.”
Doctor Xu nodded. “That is appropriate.”
With that, he followed the maids into the side chamber.
Gu daren stood there, his sharp gaze sweeping over everyone.
Gu Yue lowered her head guiltily—though she hadn’t touched Bai yiniang, she had cursed her several times.
Bai yiniang’s collapse had nothing to do with her, yet she still felt uneasy.
Gu daren didn’t say a word, but his gaze alone was enough to intimidate everyone.
Although the people present may have had their own thoughts, they all behaved themselves in front of him.
Gu daren snorted coldly and turned to enter the side chamber.
Gu Yue was stunned.
She tugged at Gu Shan’s sleeve. “Did you see that? Father actually went into the side chamber! Mother is still lying sick in bed, yet he went to see Bai yiniang!”
“Shh! Keep your voice down!”
Although Gu Shan was also displeased, she was not foolish enough to say it out loud.
Gu Yue stomped her foot in anger, unable to believe how heartless Gu daren was.
Inside the side chamber, Doctor Xu was checking Bai yiniang’s pulse.
Gu daren asked, “Why did Bai yiniang faint?”
Doctor Xu hesitated before answering, “Daren, Bai yiniang is pregnant. She has been overly fatigued lately, which caused her to faint.”
Gu daren was taken aback. “Bai yiniang is pregnant?”
“Indeed!” Doctor Xu confirmed with a bow.
Gu daren was surprised yet pleased. “How far along?”
“Approximately two months.”
Gu daren nodded repeatedly, then asked, “She fainted today and even bled. Can the pregnancy be preserved?”
Doctor Xu considered for a moment before replying, “Don’t worry, daren. Bai yiniang’s situation is different from taitai’s. After all, taitai is older and has given birth to four children already, so her body is weaker. It wasn’t surprising that the child couldn’t be kept. But Bai yiniang is young and healthy. With proper rest and care, the child should be safe.”
Gu daren’s expression softened. “That is good. Thank you, Doctor Xu. Please prescribe some medicine.”
“Yes.”
Gu daren then ordered his servants to prepare a soft sedan chair to carry Bai yiniang back to Xiangsi Courtyard.
Shangfang
Xie shi leaned weakly against the headboard, gazing out the window.
She asked, “What’s happening outside now?”
Chun He hesitated.
Xie shi said calmly, “Speak. No matter what it is, I can handle it.”
Only then did Chun He cautiously report, “Bai yiniang fainted, and she was found to be pregnant, nearly two months along. Laoye has ordered her to be carried back to Xiangsi Courtyard.”
Xie shi was stunned for a moment. Then, she let out a mocking laugh.
“So, Bai yiniang is actually pregnant?!”
Xie shi’s tone was cold and indifferent, but Chun He could hear the overwhelming killing intent behind it.
She couldn’t help but shudder. “Taitai, laoye is just outside. Shall I invite him in?”
Xie shi shook her head. “If laoye’s heart was truly with me, I wouldn’t need to call him. He would come in on his own.”
“But…”
Xie shi, however, closed her eyes, clearly unwilling to listen to Chun He’s nagging.
Chun He immediately fell silent, standing still like a frightened chick, feeling indignant on Xie shi’s behalf.
Even though Bai yiniang had been sent away, Gu daren had not forgotten Xie shi.
Gu daren turned back to look at the children standing under the eaves. “All of you, return to your rooms. There’s nothing more to see here.”
Gu Yue, her eyes red from crying, pleaded, “Father, nü’er wants to stay with Mother.”
Gu daren’s expression darkened, clearly displeased. “Go back. Did I permit you to leave your room? Have you finished copying the family rules?”
Gu Yue, feeling utterly wronged, burst into tears and ran out of the main hall.
Gu Jiu took the lead, bowing slightly. “Father has worked hard. Taitai is unwell and needs rest. My da jiejie, fourth sister, and I will come to pay our respects another day.”
With Gu Jiu leaving, Gu Zhen had no reason to stay and quickly followed.
Gu Shan hesitated for a moment before saying, “Nü’er will come early tomorrow morning to greet Mother.”
Then, she too left in a hurry.
Gu daren re-entered the main bedroom.
Inside, the room was quiet. Xie shi lay in bed, appearing to be asleep.
Gu daren subconsciously lightened his footsteps and sat down on the round stool by the bed.
Chun He was momentarily stunned but quickly came to her senses and was about to wake Xie shi.
Gu daren waved his hand, stopping her.
Chun He obediently stayed silent, standing in the corner and trying to make herself as unnoticeable as possible.
A faint scent of blood still lingered in the air, sharp and unpleasant.
Against this backdrop, Xie shi’s pale complexion made her appear even more fragile and pitiful.
Gu daren stared at her back, his emotions complicated. At some point, she had become so thin and frail.
He still remembered how she had been when she was younger—her figure had been plump, giving her an air of prosperity.
So many years had passed. The once youthful and round-faced woman had borne his children, aged day by day, and grown thinner and weaker.
Gu daren let out a soft sigh and gently held Xie shi’s hand.
Xie shi stirred slightly, then turned to face him with clear, alert eyes. “Laoye, you’re here.”
Gu daren gave a small nod. “I am here.”
Xie shi slowly sat up, leaning against the headboard, and took a deep breath. “I heard that Bai yiniang is with child. Congratulations, laoye.”
Gu daren stared at her, as if trying to determine whether she spoke sincerely or sarcastically.
Xie shi coughed lightly, her brow furrowed with sorrow.
She said, “I lost my child, but fortunately, Bai yiniang is expecting. She has few people around her, and the maids in her care are inexperienced. Laoye, perhaps it would be best to select a few suitable senior servants to take care of her.”
Gu daren fixed his gaze on her. “Is that truly what you think?”
Xie shi gave a self-deprecating smile. “At this point, all qieshen wants is to recover my health and not become a burden to laoye. As for anything else, qieshen can’t concern myself with it anymore.
“If laoye wishes to hold someone accountable for Bai yiniang’s fainting, qieshen will take all the blame. It was qieshen’s fault for being too harsh on her these past days and making her suffer.”
Gu daren gently stroked the back of her hand.
Xie shi remained quiet, her eyes brimming with warmth so deep it threatened to overflow.
Gu daren looked at her and said, “Take good care of yourself. This fu still needs you.”
Xie shi shook her head slightly. “Qieshen’s body is weak. Qieshen won’t be able to help much in the future.”
“Don’t say such things. This fu must still be managed by you. I trust you with it.”
The phrase “I trust you with it” struck the softest part of Xie shi’s heart.
She covered her mouth, silently weeping.
Gu daren comforted her. “No more tears. Just focus on managing the fu well for me. You are still my wife, still the lady of this fu.”
Tears clung to the corners of Xie shi’s eyes as she looked at Gu daren. “You don’t blame me? You don’t resent me?”
Gu daren smiled. “We are husband and wife. As long as you continue to consider my well-being in all things, you will always have a place in my heart.”
Xie shi smiled through her tears. “I understand now. I was blinded by foolishness before and made mistakes. From now on, I will remember to follow the principle of ‘a wife follows her husband’ and will not trouble you again.”
Gu daren nodded approvingly. “That is good. Once you recover, this fu will still be in your hands.”
Xie shi first hummed in acknowledgment before nodding in agreement. “Qieshen will not let you down, laoye. For the sake of our children, qieshen will take good care of this fu.”
Gu daren smiled with satisfaction.
“I knew you were a sensible woman. As for Bai yiniang, I leave it to you to assign capable senior servants to look after her. Ensure that she safely delivers the child.”
Xie shi lowered her gaze and responded softly.
Gu daren patted the back of her hand. “Rest well and prioritise your health above all else.”
“I will listen to you, laoye.”
After a few more words of advice, Gu daren finally left.
The moment he was gone, Chun He was so overwhelmed with emotion that she nearly burst into tears.
“Taitai, you have finally endured to see the light! Laoye still cares about you.”
Xie shi’s face remained cold and indifferent, without a trace of excitement or joy.
Chun He was stunned. “Taitai, aren’t you happy?”
Xie shi’s expression remained neutral. “What is there to be happy about? All of this was mine to begin with.”
Managing the fu, disciplining concubines, raising children—these had always been her rightful duties.
Now, they were merely being returned to her. What was there to celebrate?
Xie shi sighed faintly. “Where is Ping mama?”
“Taitai wishes to see Ping mama? Nubi will fetch her at once.”
Xie shi nodded.
Chun He hurried out to call Ping mama.
Soon, Ping mama entered the room with Chun He.
“Greetings, taitai. Congratulations, now that the storm has passed.”
Xie shi looked exhausted and waved her hand. “Chun He, go oversee the kitchen maids boiling my medicine. Make sure they don’t slack off.”
“Yes, taitai.”
Once Chun He was gone, only Xie shi and Ping mama remained in the room.
Ping mama stepped forward and bowed slightly. In a low voice, she said, “Taitai, you chose the right timing. It seems that laoye will no longer interfere with the stronghold that da laoye has established in Jinzhou.”
Xie shi coughed lightly. “How many spies has da ge placed in Jinzhou? First the fabric shop, then the tavern, and now the rice store—what exactly is he trying to do? Why so many spies? Who is he watching?”
Xie shi stared at Ping mama, her eyes burning with anger.
Ping mama replied, “This concerns the East Palace. The less taitai knows, the better.”
“You wretched old servant!” Xie shi cursed, furious.
Ping mama remained expressionless. “If scolding a few times can ease taitai‘s anger, then taitai might as well scold a few more times. Actually, taitai need not be so upset. How da laoye arranges things is beyond nubi’s knowledge.”
“Nubi is merely a messenger between the da laoye and taitai. These questions that taitai asks, nubi also wishes to know the answers to. Perhaps da laoye has his own deep considerations for these arrangements.”
Xie shi let out a cold snort. “He’s just a madman.”
Her words were filled with dissatisfaction toward her elder brother, Xie Mao.
Xie shi‘s body was weak. After speaking a few more sentences, she began to feel breathless.
This only made her more frustrated. “Because of his matters, my health has been ruined. Who knows how long it will take to recover?”
Ping mama comforted her, “Taitai should not overthink and should focus on recuperating. Doctor Xu also mentioned that this child was never viable to begin with and should have been removed earlier. But because of the medicine used to forcefully keep the child, it caused taitai’s body to suffer greatly. Now that this incomplete child has finally been removed, taitai‘s health will surely recover.”
Xie shi let out another cold snort. “You heard it too. My body has been damaged. From now on, I will never be able to conceive again.”
“Taitai already has two sons and two daughters. Whether or not there are more children in the future is not important.”
Xie shi sneered. “You say it’s not important, yet that wretched woman, Bai yiniang, turned around and got pregnant. How infuriating! If we calculate the time, she conceived when laoye was ignoring me. Now, laoye is even warning me to ensure that Bai yiniang safely delivers this child.”
Ping mama reassured her, “Even if Bai yiniang successfully gives birth, she poses no threat to taitai. Taitai need not worry.”
“I’m not worried. But this resentment in my heart, I cannot swallow it down.”
Xie shi was filled with anger.
Ping mama, however, felt a little impatient.
Taitai was simply too short-sighted, always fixated on the trivial matters of the inner courtyard. Meanwhile, the capital itself was on the verge of drastic change.
Of course, expecting taitai to concern herself with the affairs of the imperial court was unrealistic.
Forget it. With a taitai like this, she could only put in more effort to manage things properly.
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