Chapter 252: Undercurrents

Chapter 252: Undercurrents

As the host, Cao Qian couldn’t afford to be away for too long. When he returned to the front courtyard hall, he put on a smile and greeted the guests, hiding his emotions.

"Lord Cao, what kept you so long?" someone warmly inquired.

Cao Qian, with an apologetic expression, replied, "I was delayed helping my father with his medicine. My apologies."

Upon hearing this, the guests immediately praised, "Serving your father's medicine yourself, Lord Cao—your filial piety is truly admirable."

Cao Qian modestly said, "It's just a son's duty, nothing to make a fuss about."

"Grand Tutor Cao looks so full of life—a man destined for longevity," someone flattered.

At this, Cao Qian's expression shifted almost imperceptibly.

Prime Minister Xie and Zhou Tai Fu noticed this subtle change and shared a quick, knowing look.

Zhou Tai Fu said, "Grand Tutor Cao is so wise and insightful. I’d love to hear his thoughts. When might he be free?"

Cao Qian's gaze narrowed slightly, regretfully saying, "My father has already gone to rest after his medicine. I’m afraid he won’t be joining us."

"No worries, there’s still the evening banquet," Zhou Tai Fu said with a reassuring tone.

Zhou Tai Fu’s persistent questioning annoyed Cao Qian, but he couldn’t let it show.

"My father needs peace and quiet to recover. He won’t be attending the banquet. Please understand."

Cao Qian clasped his hands in apology to Zhou Tai Fu and the others.

Most of the people in the hall were Cao Qian's faction and Grand Tutor Cao's disciples, who immediately said, "Lord Cao, you’re too considerate. Grand Tutor’s health comes first. We completely understand."

"What a shame. I wonder when we’ll see the Grand Tutor again," Zhou Tai Fu said, reluctantly dropping the matter.

Cao Qian managed a strained smile and stayed silent.

As expected, Grand Tutor Cao didn’t show up at the evening banquet.

As night fell, the birthday banquet wrapped up, and the guests began to leave.

With this rare chance to visit home, Cao Muxue wanted to see Grand Tutor Cao one last time before heading back to the palace.

Cao Qian stopped her, saying, "Your grandfather had a rough day and isn’t feeling well. He’s already asleep—don’t bother him."

The Empress also said, "It’s getting late. You should head back to the palace now."

At their words, Cao Muxue obediently got into the carriage with Yu Cheng.

The Empress lifted the carriage curtain, her eyes heavy with meaning as she looked at Cao Qian.

Cao Qian said solemnly, "Your Majesty, don’t worry. I’ll look after my father."

The Empress’s eyes filled with tears. She nodded, clasped her hands, and let the curtain drop.

The carriage wheels turned, and with guards leading the way, it slowly pulled away.

Inside the carriage, the Empress closed her eyes and whispered silently in her heart.

"Father, please forgive this unfilial daughter of yours."

The carriage was pitch dark, a solitary tear slipping down the Empress's cheek.

All afternoon, her heart had been in turmoil, as if simmering in a pot of oil, and now she could finally drop her facade and release her pent-up emotions.

Although the rain had stopped, the gloom lingered, weighing heavily on her heart.

By the time Yu Zheng returned to the prince's palace, the sky had darkened.

Jiang Shu had just finished her bath and was sitting on the plush couch reading a book.

Seeing Yu Zheng enter, she happily rushed to greet him.

"Darling husband."

Yu Zheng, who had been serious and collected, softened his expression, and a faint smile touched his lips at the sight of the smiling figure approaching him.

"Did you manage to eat well tonight?"

Jiang Shu had been struggling with her appetite since becoming pregnant, and without him accompanying her today, he worried she might not have eaten enough.

"Yes," Jiang Shu responded, moving closer to Yu Zheng.

Yu Zheng said, "Let me freshen up first."

Having spent the day among men, it was inevitable that he would pick up some odors.

Jiang Shu, with her sharp nose, noticed and stopped in her tracks.

After Yu Zheng finished bathing and came out, Jiang Shu set aside her book and asked about the Cao family's birthday celebration.

Yu Zheng sat on the couch and spoke with her, when suddenly Jiang Shu's expression stiffened, and her words trailed off suddenly.

"What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" Yu Zheng immediately asked with concern, his dark eyes widening in alarm.

Jiang Shu, still dazed, looked at Yu Zheng with her almond eyes, utterly confused and at a loss.

Seeing this, Yu Zheng barked urgently, "Someone, go fetch Physician Fang!"

Chuyu, who was outside, heard the command and hurried off.

"Shu'er, you..." Yu Zheng stared intently at Jiang Shu, his expression anxious.

Jiang Shu came to her senses, her eyes flickering, and a soft smile spread across her face as she said, "My husband, I think I felt him move!"

"What?" Yu Zheng didn't understand at first.

Jiang Shu took his hand and lightly placed it on her slightly protruding belly.

Yu Zheng was puzzled until a tiny flutter reached his palm, his dark eyes widening in astonishment, and then his face lit up with pure joy.

Their child was moving.

At four months pregnant, this was the first time the child had moved in Jiang Shu's belly. When Jiang Shu first felt it, she thought it might be an illusion.

With no prior experience, she found it absolutely miraculous, which was why she had been momentarily stunned.

Yu Zheng's large, warm hand remained on Jiang Shu's belly, but after waiting for a long time, there was no further movement beneath his palm.

Yu Zheng frowned, "Why has he stopped moving?"

Jiang Shu blinked, showing she didn't know either.

Just then, Fang Nanxing arrived, and Yu Zheng turned his question to her.

Fang Nanxing said, "In the early stages, the baby is small and moves less frequently. As time goes on, the movements will gradually become more frequent and stronger."

Fang Nanxing checked Jiang Shu's pulse and confirmed that both she and the baby were fine, with the fetal movements being normal for this stage of pregnancy.

Hearing this, Jiang Shu and Yu Zheng were relieved.

After Fang Nanxing left, Yu Zheng crouched down, his dark eyes fixed on Jiang Shu's belly.

"Good baby, move again, let your daddy see," Yu Zheng coaxed softly, his eyes filled with anticipation.

Jiang Shu was amused and burst into laughter.

Yu Zheng waited for a while, but there was no movement, leaving him somewhat disappointed.

Jiang Shu suggested, "Why don't you play a lullaby for him?"

Hearing this, Yu Zheng immediately stood up, grabbed a jade flute, and started playing it towards Jiang Shu's belly.

The cheerful and lively lullaby played, and both of them stared intently at her belly.

They were just trying it out, but halfway through the tune, the baby actually moved.

They looked at each other in surprise, and Yu Zheng stopped playing, asking, "Does he like it?"

Jiang Shu gently stroked her belly and said softly, "Daddy is playing for him, he must like it."

Yu Zheng smiled and continued playing.

But after playing two more tunes, the baby didn't move again.

Jiang Shu covered her mouth and yawned, saying, "He must have fallen asleep."

If he kept playing, she'd fall asleep listening.

"Yes, we should sleep too," Yu Zheng said, putting down the jade flute, picking up Jiang Shu, and carrying her to bed.

That night, Jiang Shu dreamed of a lovely, jade-like child running towards her with laughter, calling out in a sweet, childish voice.

Jiang Shu held the child, her lips curling into a joyful smile, her face serene and content.

When Yu Zheng got up to attend morning court, he saw the expression on Jiang Shu's face and knew she was having a beautiful dream. He couldn't help but smile, placing a gentle kiss on Jiang Shu's forehead.

Jiang Shu slept soundly, undisturbed.

The rain started again, and the sky turned a dull gray.

After returning from court, Cao Qian went straight to Grand Tutor Cao's courtyard.

"Has anyone been inside?" Cao Qian asked sternly.

The trusted guard watching the house replied, "No one has been inside."

Cao Qian nodded and sternly instructed again, "Keep a close watch on the house, no one is allowed in."

"Yes," the guard responded respectfully.

"Also, go and handle something," Cao Qian whispered to another person.