Chapter 144: Morning Sickness

**Chapter 144: Pregnancy Nausea**

On a spring evening, the sky had not yet fully darkened.

Although the window was open, A Yuan still felt an overpowering fishy smell in the room, and her face remained pale.

"My lady, the physician has arrived."

Chun Tao led the physician inside. A Yuan gestured for him to sit, then extended her hand for him to take her pulse.

This physician was renowned in the capital as a master of women’s medicine, famously known as the "Child-Granting Guanyin" (a fertility goddess), especially skilled at detecting pregnancy.

His fingers rested on A Yuan’s wrist for only a moment before he reached his conclusion.

"My lady is indeed pregnant. Though it has been less than a month, the slippery pulse (a traditional indicator of pregnancy) is already very clear."

So she was really pregnant? A Yuan's expression turned dazed.

When she had carried A Man, she had still been Wei Xun’s concubine, and A Man had been forced to endure the shame of being labeled a bastard. What would become of this child?

She and Wei Xun had no legitimate relationship. In the eyes of others, their relationship was over. If she suddenly became pregnant, what rumors would spread?

A Yuan wasn't afraid for herself, but she could not bear the thought of her child suffering.

Noticing the lack of joy on her face and recalling her status, the physician carefully offered, “You are still early along. If you do not wish to keep the child, I can prepare a medicine that will not harm your body.”

“I need to think…” A Yuan’s lashes trembled slightly. “I need to think some more.”

Though the child had come at an inconvenient time, the thought of ending it pained her deeply.

The physician nodded understandingly. “Please consider carefully, but if you decide against it, it’s best to act soon. Otherwise, once the pregnancy progresses, ending it will cause serious harm to your health.”

“I understand. Chun Tao, please see the physician out.”

A Yuan managed a weak smile as she spoke to the physician.

“Of course. Physician, please come this way.”

Chun Tao understood immediately, leading the physician out through the back door and slipping a pouch of gold coins from her sleeve into his hand.

“We appreciate your discretion today. Please keep this confidential.”

Having practiced in the capital for decades, the physician knew well what should and shouldn’t be said.

The capital teemed with powerful nobles—he had no intention of meeting an early demise.

He hefted the pouch in his palm and smiled. “Rest assured, I was never at the general’s residence today.”

......

Back in the courtyard, A Yuan hadn’t moved, her gaze fixed absently on the flickering candlelight.

Chun Tao stepped forward to adjust the wick, brightening the flame, then placed a robe gently over her shoulders.

“My lady, please be gentle with your eyes.”

“Mmm.”

A Yuan returned from her thoughts, blinking away the sting of staring too long at the flame. Her eyes ached, though not nearly as much as the anguish in her heart.

“My lady… what will you do about the child?”

Chun Tao asked carefully. Her mistress's relationship with the Young Marquis still hadn’t improved. If the child were born, what would her mistress say when others asked about the father?

Even if the general was powerful, it would be impossible to stop all the gossip. Her mistress was already in a difficult position, and privately, Chun Tao didn’t want her to keep the child.

A Yuan lowered her head, placing both hands over her abdomen.

It was still flat—completely impossible to imagine that a child was growing inside.

She knew this child shouldn't be kept, but as a mother, how could she bring herself to get rid of it?

"It’s late. Get some rest."

"Mistress..."

A Yuan didn’t reply, but her attitude made her stance clear.

Chun Tao stomped her foot, her expression growing even more worried.

This was all the Young Marquis’s doing—he kept pursuing her, yet it was always her mistress who ended up hurt.

At the Estate of the Marquis of Peace, Wei Xun suddenly sneezed, and Chang Yuan hurried to close the window.

"My lord, have you caught a chill?"

"It’s nothing."

Without A Yuan by his side, he went back to being his cold, unapproachable self.

"Has Zhou Yan’s residence been chosen? When is he moving out?"

He’d had enough of Zhou Yan staying at the general’s estate.

"According to news from the Eastern Palace, the earliest is three days from now. The Zhou residence will be in the eastern district—the farthest one available from the general’s mansion."

Wei Xun was never one to forgive—better if Zhou Yan never saw A Yuan again.

"There’s one more thing. When Lord Zhou arrived in the capital, he brought a concubine, but the Zhou matriarch disapproved and still wants to push for a marriage between Lord Zhou and Mistress Xie."

"What does Zhou Yan think?" Wei Xun frowned.

Wei Xun had known about Yue Niang’s existence from the start and understood she was a tool used by noble families to control Zhou Yan.

But he hadn’t expected Zhou Yan to bring Yue Niang back to the capital.

"I’m not sure," Chang Yuan scratched his head, "but according to people in the general’s estate, today Yue Niang brought Mistress Xie fish broth, which made her sick. Lord Zhou was furious and harshly reprimanded Yue Niang."

His men couldn’t enter A Yuan’s courtyard, but they might get some clues from Yue Niang.

Hearing that A Yuan was unwell, Wei Xun’s face tightened with worry. "Did they call a physician?"

"Doesn’t seem like it..."

The latest report hadn’t come in yet, so Chang Yuan couldn’t be certain.

Wei Xun bolted up. "To the general’s estate!"

......

A Yuan tossed and turned through a restless sleep, hearing a child’s cries in her dreams.

This time was different from when she carried A Man. Back then, A Man had been her reason to live—the only bright spot in her dark world. No matter what, she had to have her.

But for this child, A Yuan was deeply torn.

Bringing it into the world would not only hurt her—it would hurt the child the most.

"Mother... Mother..."

The child's cries in her dream grew louder, and A Yuan flinched away, trying to escape. She couldn’t bear to listen, afraid her heart would soften.

"Ah!"

A Yuan jolted awake, still shaken by the nightmare, her forehead damp with cold sweat.

Wei Xun pushed the door open, moonlight streaming in behind him and lighting up the dark room. Her eyes locked with his.

"Wei... Wei Xun?"

As the man drew closer, she half-wondered if this was still a dream.

Her face was pale, her eyes wide with lingering fear.

His chest tightened, and he hurried forward. "Is something wrong?"

His palm was broad and warm. She jolted back to reality, realizing this wasn’t a dream.

She pulled her hand away, her lashes fluttering down. "Why are you here?"

She had just found out about the pregnancy and didn’t yet know how to face him.

And being the General’s residence, the way Wei Xun had waltzed in so boldly was truly too much.

He couldn’t very well say he’d come because he heard she was unwell, so he blurted out an excuse.

"I dreamed you were sick. I had to see you."

"A Yuan... Are you feeling sick?"

Sick...

Her face turned even paler. Her heart lurched—did he know?

But she had only confirmed her condition today. He couldn’t possibly know.

Maybe he really did have the dream.

Her fingers dug into the blanket as she forced herself to stay calm. "I’m fine. You should go, Lord Wei."

She didn’t dare stay with Wei Xun for long—he was scarily observant.

Chun Tao, who slept in the outer chamber, woke at the sound, thinking A Yuan was up for the night.

She threw on a robe and lit a candle as she walked in. "My lady, you’re with child now—you should rest. If you need anything at night, just summon me."