Chapter 153: Twins

Chapter 153: Twins

It was two months before Madam Xiao arrived.

A Yuan was already four months pregnant, her baby bump clearly visible.

Hui Gu, still worried about her son, took the opportunity to return to the Zhou residence since her morning sickness wasn’t too bad.

“Mistress Xie, someone from the Marquis’ estate has come.”

Chun Tao led the visitor inside. A Yuan, seated on the couch by the window, looked up upon hearing this.

“Nanny Zheng? Why is it you?”

Nanny Zheng held a bundle in the crook of her arm and curtsied upon seeing A Yuan.

“The Marquis is concerned about your health and sent this old nurse to attend to you.”

As soon as Hui Gu left, Wei Xun received word.

With no elder around A Yuan, Nanny Zheng was the most suitable person to care for her.

“The Marquis’ household needs you to manage affairs—how could they spare you? I have Chun Tao here, so there’s no need to trouble you.”

With her brother absent, Wei Xun waltzed into the General’s residence like he owned the place. She wanted to refuse but couldn’t stop him.

Now, he was boldly sending servants her way.

Nanny Zheng expected A Yuan to refuse. She set the bundle down and knelt at A Yuan’s feet.

A Yuan’s pregnancy had been difficult, her belly large, and her legs swelling up daily.

Though Chun Tao was married, she hadn’t yet had children and didn’t understand the hardships of pregnancy. A Yuan had been bearing the discomfort of her swollen legs alone.

Nanny Zheng rubbed her hands warm, lifted A Yuan’s skirt, and exposed her swollen legs, then began massaging them.

“Others can manage the Marquis’ affairs. The Marquis said that if you refuse this old nurse, I wouldn’t be allowed back. Mistress Xie, you’ve always been kind-hearted—you wouldn’t let this old nurse be turned away by the Marquis, would you?”

Nanny Zheng was well aware of A Yuan’s soft heart. Wei Xun had indeed said such words, but only to pressure A Yuan into keeping her.

Otherwise, being Wei Xun’s wet nurse, he would never have dismissed her.

Moreover, she was Chang Yuan’s foster mother and Chun Tao’s mother-in-law. For Chun Tao’s sake alone, A Yuan would accept her.

Her hands worked firmly yet gently, never causing pain.

A Yuan felt warmth spread from her feet to her calves, the swelling and ache easing as the blockage dissolved, making her whole body relax.

“If you let this old nurse stay, I can massage you daily. Judging by your belly, Mistress Xie, you’re likely carrying twins. Even if the General’s household has servants to care for you, none have my experience. I cared for the late Madam when she was pregnant with the Marquis. Don’t think of me as someone from the Marquis’ estate—just treat me as Chun Tao’s mother-in-law. Let me care for you until the birth, and then you may send me away. Is that acceptable?”

With Nanny Zheng making such a heartfelt plea, how could A Yuan refuse?

“Then you must leave after I give birth.”

“Yes!”

Having secured her stay, Nanny Zheng’s wrinkled face creased into a smile.

A Yuan looked away awkwardly but then turned back to ask, “Nanny, you mentioned earlier that I might be carrying twins—is that true?”

Her belly was noticeably bigger than during her pregnancy with A Man. At just four months, it already felt uncomfortably heavy. Yet, having never seen other pregnant women, A Yuan had no frame of reference for how a twin pregnancy should look.

At Nanny Zheng’s words, her heart leaped into her throat.

Nanny Zheng was merely speculating. "This old woman can’t say for certain, but I’m fairly sure. You’ve had little appetite this time, yet your belly is so large—clearly a sign of twins. If my lady has doubts, you could have a physician examine you."

"All right."

A Yuan lowered her head, cradling her belly as she nodded.

The physician arrived swiftly, brought personally by Wei Xun. At the sight of the man, A Yuan’s eyes darted away, but she did not send him away.

"Imperial Physician Zhang, please examine her at once."

Imperial Physician Zhang was the palace’s most skilled in women’s childbirth. His grandfather shared lineage with Empress Zhang’s grandfather, making him aligned with the Crown Prince’s camp—thus, there was no worry he’d gossip about A Yuan’s situation.

At Wei Xun’s command, Imperial Physician Zhang stepped forward with his medicine chest. "Lady Xie, please extend your hand to me."

Given the propriety between men and women, even a royal physician could not directly inspect a woman’s belly. But a skilled doctor could discern multiple pregnancies through pulse diagnosis alone.

"Your pulse rolls like marbles—strong and vigorous—yet there is a faint second thread. The two pulses alternate in prominence, a clear sign of twins."

"It really is twins!"

A Yuan’s eyes lit up, instinctively turning to Wei Xun.

Wei Xun’s breath caught. He approached the bedside, gently taking her hand, his voice tender. "Yes, twins."

"A Yuan, you’ve been through so much."

He’d seen her struggle. More than once, Wei Xun had nearly begged her to end it, yet A Yuan had persisted.

He wasn’t fooling himself—A Yuan had not kept the child out of affection for him. But the mere thought of her carrying his children left his chest tighten with emotion.

Their hands clasped together, like any excited expectant parents. Nanny Zheng watched with a gratified smile.

Lady Xie still cared for her lord. Perhaps once the children were born, the two would reconcile.

Imperial Physician Zhang went on to list further precautions. A Yuan’s pregnancy was unstable; even at four months, there remained a risk of miscarriage.

"Your constitution is weak, my lady. You must eat more, lest the children lack nourishment and suffer lasting ailments. Moreover, delivering twins is more arduous—you must not remain sedentary..."

A Yuan paled, memorizing every warning.

Her pregnancy with A Man had been so smooth that she had assumed this one would be the same. After hearing Imperial Physician Zhang’s warnings, chills ran down her spine.

"I... I will remember."

Nanny Zheng escorted Imperial Physician Zhang out, taking Chun Tao along. The room fell quiet, leaving only Wei Xun and A Yuan inside.

The light summer blanket draped over her swollen belly. Wei Xun knelt beside her, unable to look away.

The thought of his children growing inside her left him breathless with tenderness.

"Tomorrow, I’ll send a few more trusted caretakers. In your state, you must not lack attendants."

"There’s no need..." A Yuan automatically protested.

"The general’s household has staff enough."

She had simply wanted to keep her pregnancy a secret before, even from Steward Xie.

Now that she knew she was carrying twins, A Yuan knew she couldn't keep hiding it without risking her health.

"I don't trust anyone else. A Yuan, please let them help, won't you?"

Wei Xun held her hand, his eyes pleading.

"Remember, I'm their father too."

A Yuan could refuse him at other times, but when it came to the children, she hesitated.

She barely knew the marquis's maids and wasn't sure how attentive they would be. If something went wrong and harmed the twins, she'd never forgive herself.

"A Yuan..."

Wei Xun spoke again. A Yuan lowered her gaze. "Just this once."

"Good!"

Wei Xun's face lit up at her agreement, and he tightly gripped her hand as he vowed, "You can rest assured, they will take good care of you and our children."

A Yuan pulled her hand away awkwardly. He shifted his palm to her belly.

The light summer blanket did little to muffle the movements beneath.

Suddenly, Wei Xun felt what seemed like a kick against his hand. His face went still, his eyes widening in stunned disbelief. "The baby... it moved!"