Chapter 140: Expecting

Chapter 140: Expecting

One early morning after settling the village’s affairs, Qiu Huanian’s family packed their belongings and headed back to Xiangping Prefecture.

In late spring, the air was already warm. The sun had not yet risen, and a warm breeze stirred the dewy grass.

The soldiers escorting the Number One Scholar formed a procession, surrounding three carriages in the middle. Many gifts brought in the carriages were left behind, replaced by local specialties from the villagers.

The people of Dujia Village gathered at the village entrance, seeing the travelers off in the early morning light.

Qiu Huanian had experienced such scenes several times before. After saying goodbye, he lowered the carriage curtain and leaned against the soft interior wall, sighing softly.

The crack of a whip sounded outside, and the carriage began to sway slightly, moving forward and picking up speed.

Through the fluttering curtain, Qiu Huanian saw the lush farmland on both sides of the path. The corn was already waist-high, and the rice and sorghum were thriving. Wildflowers in pink, white, and blue dotted the fields.

A butterfly flew past the carriage window, its wings brushing his eyelashes. He leaned back, rubbing his eyes.

Qiu Huanian realized he didn’t know when he’d return to Dujia Village.

This village, where he’d lived since crossing over, was now left far behind.

The trip from Dujia Village to Xiangping Prefecture would take about two days. Perhaps from melancholy, Qiu Huanian’s spirits remained low. That evening at the inn, he only ate a few bites before losing his appetite.

Xing Mi went out to buy some soft pastries and brought them to the guest room in case Qiu Huanian got hungry at night.

After washing up, Qiu Huanian lay back on the inn’s kang, lying on the soft bedding he had brought with him. The familiarity comforted him.

Du Yunse pushed the door open, carrying a bowl of Four Deities Soup.

"I had Bai Quan prepare the ingredients and oversaw the cooking in the kitchen. Brother Hua, have some."

The four main ingredients of the Four Deities Soup were Chinese yam, poria, lotus seeds, and fox nut. More of a health tonic than medicine, it strengthened the spleen, nourished the stomach, cleared heat, and dispelled dampness.

Qiu Huanian struggled to sit up. Du Yunse placed the soup on the table, then came over and propped a large padded pillow behind Qiu Huanian, making sure he was comfortable before bringing the soup over.

Qiu Huanian half-hugged his knees, sipping the warm soup spooned to his lips. The warm soup soothed his throat and eased his discomfort.

After drinking half a bowl, Qiu Huanian shook his head, and Du Yunse put the bowl aside.

"This journey has been too rushed, with tight schedules and most of the time spent on the road. Brother Hua, you’ve worked hard." Du Yunse’s eyes were filled with concern as he came over to massage Qiu Huanian’s head.

Qiu Huanian nuzzled comfortably, then turned and hugged Du Yunse’s waist, resting his head on Du Yunse’s firm abdomen.

"Maybe it’s the constant traveling, I feel a bit... carsick." Qiu Huanian summarized his symptoms. "These past two days, I’ve been feeling very hot, but if I wear less, I feel cold. I have no appetite and sometimes feel nauseous."

Du Yunse’s hand instinctively tightened for a moment, then immediately relaxed.

"I’ll have someone check if there’s ice for sale here. Tomorrow, we’ll place an ice basin in the carriage and move the bedding there, so you can lie down more comfortably."

"When we return to Xiangping Prefecture, we’ll immediately ask Old Physician Gu to take a look."

Qiu Huanian chuckled, "I’m just a little unwell. You’re making too big a deal out of it."

Du Yunse slightly furrowed his brows and just looked at Qiu Huanian. After a few seconds, Qiu Huanian relented.

"Alright, alright, I know I need to take care of myself. It must be because I’ve been too tired lately. Once we reach the capital, I’ll rest properly for a while."

Du Yunse, knowing Qiu Huanian well, did not believe him. "Brother Hua, will you really rest once we reach the capital?"

Qiu Huanian, who had already listed one, two, three, four, five, and six plans to be executed in the capital in his mind, touched his nose.

"Good question," he said with a sheepish laugh.

Du Yunse gently pinched his earlobe, watching the skin beneath his fingertips turn red.

"Mmm..."

The pillow tumbled aside, and the soft kang mattress dipped under their weight.

A searing, lingering kiss claimed every corner of his mouth. Qiu Huanian’s body melted, and he nipped Du Yunse’s lower lip in playful retaliation, only to be met with a deeper kiss.

...

Qiu Huanian had hoped a good night’s rest at the inn would help, but the next day he felt worse.

In the corner of the carriage sat an ice basin that had finally begun to melt. Qiu Huanian, wrapped in a thin quilt and dressed in pajamas, reclined in Du Yunse’s arms, eyes closed to rest.

The road near Xiangping Prefecture was fairly smooth, and Bai Quan drove cautiously, minimizing the jolts.

Fortunately, the carriage was spacious enough, and there were no outsiders, allowing him to relax and rest like this.

Du Yunse held Qiu Huanian’s arm, gently massaging acupoints to ease his mind, his expression tense and focused.

Although Qiu Huanian's health had gradually improved over the past two years, Du Yunse always remembered Old Physician Gu's initial words. He was terrified that Qiu Huanian might leave him alone in this world.

Qiu Huanian keenly sensed Du Yunse's emotions and looked up to kiss his chin.

Young Master Du’s chin had a faint stubble, invisible to the eye but felt by soft lips.

Qiu Huanian felt a bit ticklish and curled his lips.

Du Yunse caressed Qiu Huanian's face, resting his chin on his forehead, silently saying nothing.

"Don’t worry, I know my body. It’s nothing serious, just exhaustion. If you’re still uneasy, we’ll see a doctor as soon as we reach the city tonight."

Du Yunse murmured softly, nuzzling into Qiu Huanian’s hair to breathe in its fragrance.

Knowing Lady Qishu was unwell, the entire caravan was on edge, pushing forward. They reached the prefecture city before the sun had even set.

Du Yunse handed a pre-written message to a capital soldier, urging him to ride swiftly to Old Physician Gu’s home.

Du Yunse's mentor, Wen Huiyang, had once saved Old Physician Gu's life, and both Du Yunse and Qiu Huanian had a history with the old physician. The old man was eager to oblige the newly crowned Number One Scholar, so he packed his medical kit and sent his eldest son to drive the carriage over.

Qiu Huanian leaned on the kang, his face slightly pale, and smiled apologetically, "It’s nearly dark, and I’ve inconvenienced you, sir."

Old Physician Gu stroked his beard, "A physician’s duty is compassion. You’ve been my patient for years; I had to come."

"Besides, you’re not like those haughty nobles. Saving Lady Qishu is akin to saving countless lives."

Qiu Huanian felt a bit embarrassed, "You’re too kind, sir."

Old Physician Gu shook his head, "I don’t mince words. Living in Xiangping, I’ve seen much clearly these past two years. When I pass on and my deeds are tallied, saving you will surely top the list."

Xing Mi brought over a small table, and Qiu Huanian laid his arm on it, allowing Old Physician Gu to check his pulse.

Du Yunse stood close by, anxiously watching, while Jiu Jiu, Chun Sheng, Meng Yuanling, and Yuan Jia’s siblings waited in the room for the verdict.

Somehow, Qiu Huanian had become the family’s pillar. His illness left everyone on edge.

Old Physician Gu deftly placed his fingers side by side on Qiu Huanian’s wrist, tilting his head as he felt for a moment, and slightly raised one eyebrow.

Du Yunse couldn’t quite decipher the meaning behind this expression. “Old Physician, is Huanian’s health in danger?”

Old Physician Gu chuckled without answering him. “It’s rare to see the Number One Scholar so flustered.”

Qiu Huanian defended his husband to this old prankster. “Yunse has faith in your medical skills, Old Physician. Please don’t keep us waiting.”

Old Physician Gu withdrew his hand, stroked his beard, and smiled meaningfully. “I’m afraid if I say it outright, no one in this room will stay composed.”

Qiu Huanian blinked, looking at Old Physician Gu’s expression. Could it be that this wasn’t an illness but rather a joyous thing?

What did he mean by saying no one would stay composed?

Du Yunse, standing by the kang, suddenly began to breathe rapidly and instinctively grabbed Qiu Huanian’s hand. “Could it be—”

Old Physician Gu nodded slightly, his expression teasing. “This old man might just walk away with a basket of eggs today.”

The first to react was Mumian, who was serving them. His face lit up with joy, and he immediately said to his son Bai Quan, “Quick, go buy eggs from the street and get some red silk.”

Qiu Huanian listened to their words, his mind felt as if it were shrouded in a veil. A possibility surfaced in his heart, but he couldn’t quite grasp it.

It wasn’t until Du Yunse took his hand and sat down beside him on the kang, meeting his gaze directly, that Qiu Huanian finally had a flash of insight.

He instinctively rested his other hand on his abdomen, still finding it hard to believe.

Old Physician Gu stopped keeping them in suspense. “Congratulations to the Township Lord and the Number One Scholar. The Township Lord is roughly a month pregnant. At this stage, most wouldn’t dare to confirm it, but this old man can tell.”

“The Township Lord’s health must be carefully nurtured now, and giving birth won’t be difficult. However, since he was originally somewhat frail, extreme caution is necessary. He must avoid overthinking or overexerting himself.”

“The previous prescription is no longer suitable. I’ll write a gentler, more nourishing one, to be taken alongside medicinal meals. Nourishing the body with food is the best approach.”

As Old Physician Gu explained various precautions, Du Yunse listened with the utmost seriousness, while the others, having regained their composure, began asking how they could help.

If Du Yunse hadn’t been sitting steadfastly by Qiu Huanian’s side, Meng Yuanling, Jiu Jiu, and Chun Sheng might have rushed over to congratulate them.

It took Qiu Huanian a while to process this, a sense of disbelief still lingering in his heart.

About a month ago—when he traced back the timing—it coincided with the night Du Yunse achieved the title of Number One Scholar.

Qiu Huanian still remembered the sight of the crimson Number One Scholar robe rising and falling on the kang, the flickering dragon and phoenix candles, Du Yunse’s jade-like face, sweat trickling down his high nose bridge, driving him to madness…

Qiu Huanian’s heart raced, his cheeks flushed, and he instinctively tightened his grip on Du Yunse’s hand.

Du Yunse clearly thought of the same thing, a hint of amusement flashing in the depths of his eyes, though he refrained from teasing Qiu Huanian’s thin skin at this moment.

Qiu Huanian took a deep breath, remembering the little life inside him, and quickly exhaled, being extra careful not to make any mistakes.

So, the discomfort of the past few days was because a little one had settled in.

When he first transmigrated here, Qiu Huanian hadn’t fully accepted that he could bear children. Later, as he and Du Yunse grew closer and he gradually integrated into this world, he had mentally prepared himself for this possibility.

But he hadn’t expected the surprise to come so suddenly, catching everyone off guard.

The warmth from their intertwined hands brought him a sense of calm, and a feeling of happiness began to fill his body.

“Little one, welcome to our world,” Qiu Huanian silently said in his heart.

Du Yunse gave him a questioning look, and Qiu Huanian smiled, shaking his head and giving him a light push.

"Stop sitting around like a fool. Go tell Wu Da to get the rewards ready, make sure the eggs and red silk Mumian talked about are ready, and wrap up a big red envelope for Old Physician Gu."

Qiu Huanian was likely the first to call the six-time Number One Scholar foolish.

Du Yunse did not argue. He stood up and said earnestly, "Let me handle all this, Brother Hua. Just rest and don’t worry about a thing."

The others in the room quickly caught on, congratulating him while bustling about with the preparations.

Qiu Huanian leaned back against a heap of pillows, watching his lively relatives and friends, and a smile slowly crept across his face.

"Township Lord," Old Physician Gu suddenly spoke.

"Hmm?"

"I once said that meeting Du, the Number One Scholar, was both a blessing and a curse for you."

Old Physician Gu paused and then said, "Now it seems, I was wrong."

"Meeting each other is the best thing that’s ever happened to you."