Chapter 62

Chapter 62

Lu Yu lay still on the bed, his cheeks sunken, body wrapped in bandages, eyes tightly shut—like a corpse.

Lin Shuyun could no longer suppress her emotions. She leaned forward slightly, her trembling hand reaching for Lu Yu’s, only to recoil from its icy coldness.

The charcoal stove in the tent burned fiercely, yet even that summer-like heat failed to warm Lu Yu’s body.

Lin Shuyun continuously rubbed Lu Yu’s palm, trying to infuse warmth, but even when her own hands grew numb, it was futile.

The panic and unease in her heart intensified. Tears, like pearls, dropped onto the man’s hand as she sobbed, "Lu Yu, you cannot die. Please, you must live."

She suddenly recalled the old military doctor’s advice: to call to Lu Yu near his ear.

Lin Shuyun gently patted Lu Yu’s hollow cheeks. Before she could speak, tears began to flow again.

She wept so hard she couldn't utter a word. An Ran gently embraced her, offering a steady support for her heavy body.

An Ran softly comforted, "Don't cry. He will wake up."

Lin Shuyun’s eyes were already bloodshot. Her hand suddenly rose, as if to strike Lu Yu.

An Ran’s eyes widened in alarm, but as she reached out to intervene, she saw Lin Shuyun’s palm descend gently, merely patting Lu Yu’s cheek.

Lin Shuyun’s eyelashes trembled slightly, tears still streaming. "Lu Yu, all those years I resented and hated you, but I never wished for your death..."

Their love in the northwest was not feigned. Lu Yu was handsome, upright, and had protected her during the crisis after Yun’s father’s death. Giving her heart to him was almost inevitable.

She still remembered that time in the Yun County medical clinic, watching the dying Lu Yu in despair. His fever would fill her with anxiety, and his unconscious trembling would tear at her heart.

When he finally awoke, she feared her undeniable affection would be discovered. Instead, he took her hand and poured out his feelings.

She realized then that, from that moment on, she had utterly lost this battle waged in the name of love.

Later, in the capital, she and Zhang'er endured immense hardship. Had Lin Shuyan not found them, they would likely have perished.

She had hated Lu Yu for six long years. During those years, waking from nightmares, she could never suppress the resentment in her heart.

But when Lu Yu ventured alone into enemy territory to save her, using his own body to shield her from gleaming cold arrows, when she heard the sound of arrows piercing flesh, his broad back staunchly protecting her slender form—

Watching Lu Yu endure pain to lure the enemy away from her—

Seeing him severely wounded, lying on the bed with breath as faint as a gossamer thread, his life as fragile as a reed about to break—

The towering wall of hatred in Lin Shuyun’s heart crumbled in an instant.

Her eyes reddened, and as she had often done before, her fingers gently touched the tiny mole near the corner of Lu Yu’s eye. Hoarsely, she said, "Lu Yu, you cannot die. I cannot bear losing you a second time."

"Don't be so cruel, making me watch you leave with my own eyes..."

"After you wake up, can we live peacefully together?"

Lin Shuyun whispered through her tears, but Lu Yu on the bed showed no response, not even a flicker of movement. His breathing grew even fainter.

She sat quietly on the small cot beside Lu Yu’s sickbed, her eyes fixed intently on him.

At the slightest stir, she would hurriedly stand, her fingers lightly checking for his breath. Only when she confirmed he was still alive could her heart momentarily settle.

An Ran watched with heartache but could not persuade Lin Shuyun to leave. Seeing her grow increasingly thin, her belly appearing even larger,

she could only have the maids make the soft couch more comfortable and prepare more nutritious meals. But to Lin Shuyun, the food tasted like ash, and and she could hardly swallow a bite.

Late at night, the old military doctor estimated the time, checking Lu Yu’s eyelids. Seeing no sign of consciousness, he sighed deeply.

Lin Shuyun’s heart clenched, tears immediately filling her eyes. Supported by An Ran, she stood and asked, "Is it... not..."

But the words caught in her throat. The old military doctor carefully took a bowl of herbal decoction from the medical assistant.

"Granddaughter, this ginseng soup must be poured down the young master's throat while it's hot. I will assist with acupuncture."

An Ran hurried over to take over. But Lu Yu's teeth were clenched tight. The medical assistant used all his strength to force open just a small space.

"Pour it!"

At the old doctor's command, he swiftly inserted the acupuncture needles.

Lu Yu's body trembled slightly, a muffled groan of pain escaping his lips. A single glistening tear trailed from the corner of his eye.

Lin Shuyun covered her mouth, her eyes filled with tears of hope. But soon, Lu Yu returned to a death-like stillness.

Sweat dripped continuously from the old doctor's forehead. He continued inserting needles, calling out, "If the reversal of qi persists for three days, the stomach energy will be exhausted. If a person remains unconscious for three days, even a deity could hardly save them."

"Young master, if only you would wake for a moment."

Lin Shuyun could no longer bear to watch. She turned her back to the sickbed, tears streaming down her face.

Even after the old doctor finished the acupuncture, Lu Yu showed no reaction.

The sun rose again, then set once more. By the second deep night, Lu Yu remained faint and critically ill.

The old doctor continued force-feeding Lu Yu ginseng soup, increasing the dosage of medicine, and applying more acupuncture.

But this time, Lu Yu showed no reaction at all.

The old doctor and An Ran exchanged a glance, a shared grief flashing in their eyes. They said nothing, merely sitting silently in the tent, keeping watch.

Humans are sensitive to atmosphere. Lin Shuyun sensed their despair. She tightly gripped Lu Yu's cold hand, placing it gently on her heavily swollen belly.

Her hollow heart felt as if it were bleeding, her empty body with nothing to lean on. She could not utter a single word.

Suddenly, Lin Shuyun's belly tightened. A sharp pain pulled from her abdomen. Instinctively, she clutched Lu Yu's hand.

Before she could endure the pain, a flow of liquid streamed down her legs.

Her eyes widened, her face already streaked with tears. Trembling fingers gently caressed Lu Yu's cheek. "This child is coming early. As its father, won't you even take a look?"

Hearing this, An Ran quickly had someone lead Lin Shuyun to the bed on the right side of the tent.

But Lin Shuyun clung tightly to Lu Yu's fingers, her longing gaze fixed on him.

Childbirth always takes time. Lin Shuyun did not know if this parting would be the last time she saw Lu Yu alive.

She stood there, imprinting his face in her heart, before allowing An Ran to support her around two screens to the bed.

An Ran quickly had the cook prepare a bowl of egg noodles and, regardless of Lin Shuyun's wishes, fed it to her.

Sweat beaded on her forehead. "You've already given birth twice. Listen to my instructions, and don't lose your strength."

Lin Shuyun nodded tearfully, her agreement heavy with emotion.

Initially, Lin Shuyun could endure the contractions, but her mind grew hazy.

She lifted her head, gripping An Ran's arm, and asked hoarsely, "Is he still alive?"

Lin Shuyun's child was premature, and An Ran had no time to attend to Lu Yu's condition. But seeing the stains of tears and sweat on Lin Shuyun's pillow, she said with forced firmness, "He's alive. The heir is still alive. Focus on giving birth safely first."

Lin Shuyun replied hoarsely, "Okay."

It was unclear whether a few moments or several hours had passed.

Wave after wave of pain tormented Lin Shuyun's lower abdomen. Sweat streamed down her pale cheeks and temples, and suppressed, agonized gasps and moans escaped from deep in her throat.

The sounds of her suffering gradually reached the other side of the tent. The medicine boy, who was feeding Lu Yu his herbal decoction, suddenly noticed Lu Yu's fingers trembling slightly.

He called out loudly, "Master, the heir—his fingers moved!"

The old military physician hurriedly examined Lu Yu's eyes, his hands trembling as he picked up the golden needles. He whispered a few words to the medicine boy and continued administering acupuncture.

On the other side, An Ran, hearing the medicine boy's message, tightly held Lin Shuyun's hand. "My lady, if it hurts, scream if you need to. Don’t worry about losing strength—I will ensure both of you are safe."

Suddenly, an intense pain struck. Lin Shuyun instinctively tensed her body, arching her neck backward. Her mind was filled with fear that Lu Yu was near death, and both her physical and emotional agony erupted into a heart-wrenching cry.

The old military physician, his hands shaking, watched as Lu Yu slowly opened his eyes, his gaze vacant and unfocused. He picked up a candlestick and moved it before Lu Yu’s eyes, guiding his gaze gradually toward the light.

Suddenly, Lin Shuyun’s painful moans echoed from next door.

Lu Yu couldn’t remember why he was lying there, but the sound of Lin Shuyun’s voice set his nerves on edge. He struggled to sit up, but his weakened body felt glued to the sickbed.

He turned his eyes slightly toward the old military physician, parting his lips, but no words emerged from his throat.

Tears welled in the old physician’s clouded eyes as he grasped Lu Yu’s hand and said chokedly, "The lady is giving birth. Do not worry, heir."

Lu Yu’s frail face was filled with worry. He tightly clutched the old physician’s sleeve, refusing to let him go.

"All is well, heir. Do not trouble yourself with worry," the physician reassured.

Lu Yu shook his head, still gripping the sleeve. In a voice as rough as gravel scraping the ground, he gasped, "Let... me... go..."

The old physician held Lu Yu’s icy hand, seeing the determination in his eyes. Slowly, he released his grip and continued with the needles.

"Alright, I will send someone."

The contractions in Lin Shuyun’s lower abdomen grew more frequent. The pain had left her dazed, her hollow eyes fixed blankly on the tent ceiling above.

An Ran wiped the sweat from her forehead, her lips moving as if speaking, but Lin Shuyun could hear nothing.

Her heart felt as though it had been gouged out, bleeding emptily.

When she gave birth to Zhang'er, Lu Yu had stayed by her side.

When Ying Ying was born, her father and mother had watched over her all night, her anxious father even summoning half the imperial physicians to the manor.

But now, she had to face the pain of childbirth alone, soon to hear the news that Lu Yu had died.

She didn’t want to be here anymore—she wanted to go home.

Suddenly, another wave of excruciating pain hit. Lin Shuyun gripped the wooden bar in front of her, tensing her body and leaning forward. Through the screen, she caught sight of a familiar figure.

Lu Yu, weak and leaning on a soft couch, gazed at her with red-rimmed eyes.

The moment their eyes met, the tears welling in Lin Shuyun’s eyes overflowed, streaming down her cheeks. Her chapped lips parted, but she was too weak to make a sound.

"A Yu... it hurts."

As she spoke, Lin Shuyun felt a release in her lower abdomen. A tiny life emerged from her body in a warm flow.

The sound of a baby’s loud cries instantly filled the tent.

Supporting her weakened body, Lin Shuyun lifted her head to look at Lu Yu across the room. With a faint smile, she collapsed onto the bed and fell into a deep sleep.

Lu Yu’s eyes were full of concern. An Ran brought the cleaned and swaddled baby to him, whispering, "Do not worry, heir. The lady is just exhausted and has fallen asleep."

"The baby is small from being premature, but healthy—strong little hands and feet."

Lu Yu nodded, about to speak, when he suddenly pushed An Ran away, vomited a mouthful of stagnant blood, and fainted.

An Ran hurriedly called for the old military physician. The baby in her arms began to wail loudly.

In the tent now were an exhausted mother, an unconscious father, a crying baby, and a bewildered An Ran.

An Ran sighed and could only rock the baby in her arms to soothe it.

----

At the general’s manor,

the two children had long changed into new clothes and were running around Lin Shuyun’s courtyard. Zhang'er clutched a jade pendant in his hand, while Ying Ying held a doll she had carefully chosen, their eyes occasionally glancing outside.

Ming Yue, sewing a small bellyband, also kept her gaze fixed on the courtyard gate.

Earlier, Ming Yue had only been knocked unconscious in an alley and was quickly found by the first wave of search troops.

She had been assigned to protect the lady, never expecting her to go missing.

Unable to eat or sleep, she had to comfort the young masters daily, growing noticeably thinner.

When news finally arrived that the lady had been found and had given birth in the camp,

she shed tears of relief. As she sewed clothes for the baby, the weight on her heart gradually eased.

Suddenly, noise erupted outside the small courtyard, and Zhang'er and Ying Ying rushed out.

Upon seeing Lin Shuyun bundled tightly in a fox fur cloak, Zhang'er dashed forward and clung to her legs, crying.

"Waaah, I thought you abandoned me."

Sadness often spreads among children. Ying Ying, her eyes red, also hugged Lin Shuyun’s leg and wept, "I was scared at night without you, Mother."

Lin Shuyun’s heart melted. During her time in the Hu camp, she had feared she would never see her children again. Now, seeing them, her eyes welled with tears.

She bent down slightly to embrace both children, saying hoarsely, "Mother would never leave you. Don’t cry, don’t cry."

Hearing her words, the children’s pent-up emotions burst forth, and they cried uncontrollably.

Suddenly, a faint cry came from behind Lin Shuyun.

The two children fell silent at once, tears in their eyes as they peered behind her.

"Is that our little sister?"

"Is it a brother?" the two children asked in unison.

Lin Shuyun took a deep breath, accepted the third child from the maid's arms, bent down slightly, and parted the swaddling clothes so the two children could see the baby's face.

"Wow! The baby is so cute," Ying Ying said excitedly.

Lin Shuyun asked cautiously, "Do you like the baby, Ying Ying?"

Ying Ying nodded vigorously, but Zhang'er pouted and gave Lin Shuyun a hurt look, "So it really is a sister?"

Ying Ying had already started cheering.

But Lin Shuyun sighed. She could hide it for a while, but not forever. Seeing the intense gazes in the children's eyes, she softly revealed, "It's a brother."

In an instant, the world turned upside down.

Ying Ying's eyes instantly reddened, and she whined tearfully, "Mother, put him back and have him again."

Zhang'er instantly opened his mouth wide with joy, but seeing his sister's distress, he quickly covered his mouth to contain his excitement.

He gently tugged his sister's finger and coaxed, "Remember when Uncle asked us to choose a name for the baby? Even though the baby is a brother now, can we still use the name Ying Ying chose?"

"The name Ying Ying chose is very beautiful—Lu Zhaolin. It has Uncle's 'Lu,' your and my 'Zhao,' and Mother's 'Lin.'"

Hearing that Zhang'er had already settled on a name for the third child, Lin Shuyun looked down at Lin Er, who was still sleeping.

She seized the chance to praise, "Zhang'er is right. The name Ying Ying chose is very beautiful. I couldn't have come up with a name like that."

Ying Ying was instantly overwhelmed by their lavish praise. Wiping her tears, she crossed her arms proudly and said, "Alright then, I’ll reluctantly let you use the name I chose."

Lin Shuyun swayed her arms, imitating a baby's voice, and said softly, "Lin Er thanks big brother and big sister."

The two children instantly burst into giggles.

The maid standing behind Lin Shuyun softly reminded, "Princess, please go inside quickly. Don’t catch a cold."

Lin Shuyun nodded. The moment she stepped inside, Ming Yue fell to her knees with a thud and said tearfully, "Ming Yue greets the Princess."

Lin Shuyun quickly stepped forward to support her and said softly, "Don’t cry, don’t cry. I’m back safe and sound."

But tears kept streaming from Ming Yue’s eyes. She sobbed and choked, "It’s all my fault."

"Shh, it’s not anyone’s fault. Stop crying now, or I’ll send you back to the capital."

Ming Yue quickly fell silent, her eyes red as she helped Lin Shuyun remove the fox-fur coat.

Lin Shuyun leaned against the soft couch, looked at her youngest son lying on the bed, then turned to the two children circling around her and said with a light laugh, "From now on, good days are ahead. You mustn't cry anymore."

The three nodded.

But Zhang'er ran up to Lin Shuyun, fidgeting nervously, and asked softly, "Where’s Uncle? Where did Uncle go?"

Lin Shuyun stroked Zhang'er’s head. "Uncle has also returned. He’s too tired and is still sleeping. When he wakes up, we’ll go see him, alright?"

Zhang'er replied, "Okay."

Lu Yu had woken up once on the day Lin Shuyun gave birth but then fell unconscious again. When the old military doctor heard the news of the victory in the Battle of Zhenbei, he advised them to return to the general’s residence to recuperate.

More than half a month had passed since she gave birth to Lin Er, but Lu Yu had not woken up again. Lin Shuyun was worried, but An Ran said his body was healing itself and there was no need to worry.

After returning to the general’s residence, Lin Shuyun’s mood had calmed considerably.

Ming Yue and Qing Feng strictly confined her to the room for her postpartum recovery, preparing large meals of fish and meat every day, making her look even fuller than before her pregnancy.

On the final day, as Ming Yue changed Lin Er’s diaper, she sighed softly and said, "The Prince still hasn’t woken up. Tomorrow is both the third young master’s full moon banquet and the young miss’s birthday. Should we just have a simple meal?"

"Schedule it for tomorrow evening. An Ran will be back from the medical clinic by then, and everyone will be free," Lin Shuyun arranged.

After saying this, Lin Shuyun’s thoughts turned to Lu Yu, and a faint ache stirred in her heart.

The next day,

Lin Shuyun breathed in the fresh air, holding the third child in her arms, while Zhang'er carried a food box behind her, and Ying Ying held the new doll Lin Shuyun had given her.

The mother and her three children slowly pushed open the door to the main bedroom in the side courtyard.

The bitter smell of medicinal herbs instantly filled their nostrils. Ying Ying covered her nose and asked, "Does Uncle have to drink so much medicine?"

Lin Shuyun feigned seriousness and said, "If you sneakily eat cold melon behind Mother’s back, you’ll have to drink just as much bitter medicine."

Ying Ying instantly covered her mouth.

It had been nearly twenty days since Lin Shuyun last saw Lu Yu after returning to the general’s residence. She gently placed her youngest son beside Lu Yu and lightly touched his breath with her fingers.

Feeling his breathing, Lin Shuyun let out a soft sigh of relief. Her fingers gently rubbed the small mole under Lu Yu’s eye, and seeing the pink hue on his cheeks, her anxiously suspended heart finally settled.

Today was both Ying Ying’s fourth birthday and Lin Er’s full moon banquet.

Lin Shuyun didn’t want Lu Yu to miss it, but since he was unconscious and unable to attend, they could only have a meal here.

Zhang'er and Ying Ying sat at the round table, tirelessly telling Lin Shuyun about their adventures in the general’s residence—helping the cook pick vegetables, building a home for the kitten, and assisting the maids with weeding and feeding the chickens.

Everything the children encountered was new to them; even finding a worm could become a long story.

They chattered and laughed so hard they nearly fell over, and Lin Shuyun laughed until tears streamed down her face. The peacefully sleeping third child remained undisturbed by their noise.

Lu Yu felt as if he had been transported to another world. Hearing the cheerful sounds, he slowly opened his eyes and saw this scene.

It was as if he had merely woken from an afternoon nap.

He supported his sore body and slowly sat up, turning to look in Lin Shuyun’s direction. Their eyes met.

Lin Shuyun’s eyes glistened with tears as she said softly, "Welcome back."

Lu Yu’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He lowered his gaze, pressed his lips together, his eyes reddening, and his lips trembling slightly as if he wanted to say something.

But the two little sparrows chirped and flew over, throwing themselves into his arms, talking over each other.

"Uncle, are you well? Are you awake?"

"Mother said you would sleep for a long time."

The little one on the bed began to whimper and cry.

The excited atmosphere of survival after a disaster was instantly broken by the children. Lu Yu glanced back at Lin Shuyun, who stood in the distance.

At this moment, spring was in full bloom, and the sunlight was just right.

However,

Lin Shuyun felt a flicker of hesitation in her heart.

In the two years since they had met, she had never had a real conversation with Lu Yu. Now that she'd let go of all her reservations and wanted to reconcile, she didn't know what to say.

After Lu Yu woke up on Ying Ying's birthday, his health gradually improved, and his days settled into a steady rhythm.

Every morning, the old military physician would give him acupuncture treatments. In the afternoon, he would go to the children's courtyard to tutor them. By dinnertime, he would lead the children over to her quarters.

After the meal, he would read a book while rocking the third child's cradle.

The moment the baby fussed, he would stand up to comfort and pick him up, then expertly change his diaper. No one would have imagined that the aloof Heir to the Marquis of Xuanping would be more adept at changing diapers than writing official reports.

At night, he still slept on the daybed outside her bedroom.

Lin Shuyun still remembered how Lu Yu had been on the brink of death, and she refused to let him curl up on that small daybed any longer.

Actually...

Actually, if he wanted to sleep on the bed, she wouldn’t stop him.

But Lu Yu took the opportunity to replace it with a larger daybed, one spacious enough for him to lie flat on.

Lu Yu’s restrained demeanor made it seem as though they were a couple on the verge of divorce.

One evening after dinner, Lin Shuyun watched as the two children left with their books, then turned her gaze to Lu Yu, who was reading.

Lu Yu noticed Lin Shuyun’s gaze and lowered his eyes, a barely suppressed cough escaping his throat.

Lin Shuyun sighed softly and poured him a cup of warm water, asking worriedly, "Didn’t An Ran say you’ve fully recovered? Why are you still coughing?"

Lu Yu looked up at Lin Shuyun. The redness around his eyes from coughing made Lin Shuyun’s concern grow even deeper.

But Lin Shuyun couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.

Just then, the baby in the cradle began to fuss.

As Lin Shuyun started to go over, Lu Yu had already stepped forward, gently gathering the child into his arms and soothing him in a low voice.

The dim candlelight cast a warm glow on Lu Yu’s profile as he gazed tenderly at Lin Er in his arms, gently rocking him while murmuring what sounded like the "Thousand-Character Classic" to lull him to sleep.

"Out of these three children, you... you love him the most, don't you?"

Lin Shuyun had only seen Lu Yu this gentle and patient when Zhang'er was born. Suddenly, she remembered the worries she had during her pregnancy, and her heart tightened.

"I don’t favor any of them. It’s because you gave birth to them that I love them," Lu Yu said, looking up at her with a serious expression.

Lin Shuyun’s cheeks flushed under his gaze. She looked away to avoid his stare and continued, "When I gave birth to Zhang'er, you weren’t this patient."

Lu Yu shook his head. "The name Zhang'er was one I had thought of since I was young. When he was born, I even planted a pine tree in our courtyard."

"If you’re talking about after his birth, that was my first time being a father. I was always thinking about earning more money so you and the child could live in a bigger house."

......

Outside the door, Zhang'er tightened his grip on the book in his hands. He had come to ask his uncle a question but instead overheard a shocking secret.

Covering his mouth, his eyes glistening with emotion, he quickly ran back to his own courtyard.

So, Uncle was his father.

His father wasn’t dead. He wasn’t a fatherless wild child.

......

After communicating with Lu Yu, Lin Shuyun’s emotions gradually settled.

Her life largely returned to peace, but every night, seeing him sleep on the daybed without initiating conversation with her, she couldn’t help but feel restless.

---

The Battle of Zhenbei ended in a great victory with Lu Yu killing the Third Prince Su Bibo. As his health nearly fully recovered, he set a date for their return to the capital in the memorial he wrote to the emperor.

Lu Yu’s eyes darkened. How could he accept rewards without bringing his Zhenbei Army back to the capital? Even taking fifty thousand troops would be enough to stir up waves in the capital.

He quickly picked up his brush and dipped it in ink, but as if remembering something, he set it down again.

This matter could wait. Delivering books to his son was the top priority.

Just as Lu Yu reached the gate of Zhang'er’s courtyard, an old woman rushed out abruptly, bumping into him and causing him to stagger back a few steps.

Officer Sun immediately grabbed the old woman by the collar and scolded sharply, "Why are you so reckless in the manor? How dare you bump into the master—what punishment do you deserve!"

The old woman trembled like a leaf, her finger shaking as she pointed toward Zhang'er’s courtyard.

"He... he... he..." The old woman’s lips trembled violently as she gasped for breath. "...the smallpox demon has come to take people..."