Chapter 65

Chapter 65

When Gu Yu arrived at Ninghe Residence, Jiang Heng had not yet retired for the night.

A stack of account books lay on the desk, next to a list of betrothal gifts, and beside that, the roster of prospective suitors she had been selecting for A Yue over the past few days.

The accounts that should have been reviewed before the New Year had been postponed due to the Lingnan journey; she had only just begun checking them these past few days. Gu Cen’s marriage was also taking shape—the two families were already selecting an auspicious date for the betrothal, and the engagement gifts needed to be prepared and sent to the bride’s family within the next few days. As for A Yue’s marriage, Noble Consort Wei was still awaiting news, and it couldn’t be delayed too long either.

Each and every matter now fell to Jiang Heng alone to manage.

She sat by lamplight, wearing a light green thin *ruqun* with a lightweight fox fur mantle over it, wholly absorbed in reviewing the accounts. Writing brushes, ink, an inkstone, and paper were prepared beside her for writing and calculating.

Household affairs were numerous and complex, but she had never been heard complaining about any of it. Even with A Yue’s marriage being such a tricky matter, she could have passed it on to her mother to handle, but she didn’t. Instead, she put her heart and soul into trying to find A Yue a suitable husband.

Who was she doing all this for?

For him. All for him.

She was conscientiously and dutifully being a good wife, a good mistress of the household, and a good sister-in-law.

So what if so many people coveted her or secretly liked her? She was his now. She would only do these things for him, only manage the household affairs for him. Other men didn’t even have the right to fantasize about her.

Gu Yu suddenly felt a weight lifted from his mind.

He casually picked up a book and sat down beside her, not disturbing her work, but simply quietly keeping her company.

After sitting for a while, the night grew deeper, approaching midnight. Jiang Heng showed no sign of retiring, so Gu Yu set down his book and did nothing else, sitting upright and simply watching her.

His intention was for her to understand his meaning—to temporarily put aside what she was doing and go to sleep. But whether she was too engrossed in her task to notice his actions or deliberately ignoring him, she seemed not to see him at all, giving him no reaction.

When subtle hints didn't work, he would have to resort to more direct methods, as he had in the past.

Gu Yu stood up, took the account book from her hand, tossed it onto the desk, swept her up into his arms, and carried her into the inner chamber.

The lady still didn’t look pleased, glaring at him in annoyance, but she didn’t insist on continuing to review the accounts. She removed her fur coat and *ruqun*, changed into lightweight soft silk nightclothes, climbed into bed, pulled up the covers, and acted as though she would fall asleep immediately.

Gu Yu also lay down on the bed. Seeing her turn her back to him, he remained silent for a moment, then tugged open a corner of the quilt she was wrapped in, covering himself with it as well. Before she could push him away, he flipped over and held her down beneath him.

He only restrained her, not getting straight to the point as he had in the past. Gazing at her small, still angry and sulking face, he raised an eyebrow, lowered his head, and kissed her.

She avoided him, but he didn’t force it. After all, even if she could avoid his lips, he could still kiss her cheeks and neck.

In just a short while, she grew warm all over, and she wanted to kick off the covers.

He was probably warm too, so he threw the quilt off the bed to the floor.

The sudden chill made the lady instinctively shiver, curling entirely into his embrace.

He was tall and sturdy, and he was more than enough to keep her warm.

"I’m not being suspicious; I mind."

Because he lowered his head onto her shoulder, his lips close to her ear, his words, softened by this intimacy, masked much of his usual aloofness and indifference. They sounded gentle, calm, and reasonable, not the least bit unreasonable.

He continued whispering in her ear: "You’ve helped so many men, offering aid without asking for anything in return during their most difficult times. Any man with a conscience wouldn’t be able to ignore it or remain indifferent, let alone…"

…let alone when she was so beautiful—kind, gentle, and so lovely. How could any man resist being moved?

The world always said to marry a virtuous wife, but there was no one more virtuous than her.

If they were to divorce, who knew how many men would be waiting and hoping to marry her again?

Yet she kept talking about divorcing.

"From now on, don’t help anyone else."

She had already attracted enough people—there was no way to be wary of them all.

Even in war, he had never felt such a persistent sense of unease.

Jiang Heng detected a note of hurt in these words.

Was he still hung up on the fact that she had helped Du Zhong? That was so many years ago—even Du Zhong probably didn’t think much of it anymore. How could he still hold onto it?

"You’re overthinking it. Many people didn’t even know it was me. Even if they did, it was just a small matter—why would they remember it forever?" Jiang Heng explained patiently to him as well.

But Gu Yu didn’t see it that way. "You think they didn’t know, but perhaps they knew all along. You think it was a small matter, but perhaps it was crucial to them."

Jiang Heng was at a loss. If Gu Yu insisted on thinking this way, nothing she said would make a difference. How could she control what other men thought?

"Since you mind, what should we do?" Jiang Heng almost said, "Why not divorce then?"

"It’s not that there’s no solution at all."

Hearing the man say this, Jiang Heng held back what she had been about to say and instead asked, "What solution?"

The man fell silent again. After a long while, seemingly aware that the lady was still waiting for his answer, he said, "You can’t think of it?"

His tone carried a hint of helplessness, as though wondering why she needed him to spell it out.

Jiang Heng shook her head and said calmly, "I can’t think of it."

"You could… give me a promise," the man coaxed gently, not stating it directly.

Yet the lady still asked, "What promise?"

"Say that I’m the only one in your heart, and you never want to leave me in this lifetime."

After another long silence, these words fell beside the lady’s ear.

Jiang Heng pressed her lips together.

She wasn’t good at lying, at flattering, or at coaxing men. She truly couldn’t bring herself to say insincere words.

Gu Yu also fell silent.

He had always known that Jiang Heng stayed by his side to this day because he had been severely injured saving her. But it wasn’t enough—he couldn’t be satisfied with just that. What he wanted was what she had once given Yan Hui.

"Actually, isn’t things as they are now quite good? Those sweet words are so cloying," Jiang Heng comforted him like this.

Knowing full well that it wasn’t that she couldn’t say them but that she didn’t want to, Gu Yu’s breath hitched slightly from the stifling feeling in his chest.

Sweet words only became cloying after hearing too many of them. He hadn’t heard a single one—how could they be cloying?

"They’re not cloying," he said earnestly.

Jiang Heng didn’t speak. To avoid him pressing on this matter, she on her own initiative raised her head to kiss him, gently nibbling his lips. "Isn’t this enough?"

Gu Yu fell silent, temporarily giving up on pressing further. He pressed her down heavily.

Of course, it wasn’t enough. Those words—he was determined to hear them. If she couldn’t say them today, then she would have to say them another day.

***

The next day, Jiang Heng brought the prepared betrothal gift inventory to her mother-in-law. “Mother, please see if there is anything inappropriate.”

The gift list was very detailed, recording the types, quantities, and quality of all the betrothal gifts. Luo Shi glanced at it and found no faults, saying, “Proceed as planned.”

Jiang Heng agreed and was about to leave when Luo Shi suddenly said, “Wait, I have something to ask you.”

She looked at Jiang Heng’s flat as a board stomach, even under the *ruqun*, and sighed. “Look, Silang is about to get married. You’ve been married for almost four years, yet there’s still no sign of a child?”

“I didn’t push you earlier because San Lang was often away from home. Later, the two of you had some conflicts, and I heard you even took contraceptive medicine for a while. That was understandable then that there was no news. But during these months you and San Lang spent in Lingnan, you were together constantly. Why is there still no sign? Should we call a doctor to take a look?”

Jiang Heng thought for a moment and nodded. “Your daughter-in-law will call a doctor in the next few days.”

Returning to Ninghe Courtyard, Jiang Heng instructed the maids to prepare the betrothal gifts according to the list. She sat at the desk to continue checking the accounts, but her mind was troubled.

She had already seen a doctor and had been taking medicine for a long time. However, after taking the medicine for so long, aside from no longer having a sensitivity to cold as before and sleeping more soundly, there were no other improvements. She still hadn't had her monthly courses.

Her body probably would never recover.

The Gu family was not particularly prosperous, and Gu Yu needed an heir. At the very least, someone had to inherit his noble title. If Gu Yu had no biological son, upon his death the title would be abolished, and the Gu family would lose its support. Her mother-in-law was naturally concerned about this.

She couldn’t be selfish enough to ignore these matters.

Since Gu Yu wanted to continue their marriage, bringing up divorce by mutual consent was no longer appropriate. So… she should take a concubine for him.

However, she still had to live in the household in the future. She couldn’t bring in someone as unruly as Xia Miaoji had been, causing the household to know no peace and making life difficult for herself.

The best choice for a concubine would be someone thoroughly vetted, someone who, even after having children, would not become arrogant or try to usurp her position.

Chun Jin was the most suitable, but Chun Jin had never shown such intentions. As for Rui Zhu… Rui Zhu was not suitable.

Jiang Heng summoned Cheng Ping and discussed her intention to take a concubine for Gu Yu.

Cheng Ping was unusually stunned. “Madam, this servant has never thought…”

“Don’t misunderstand,” Jiang Heng quickly explained. “I’m not asking you to become the Duke’s concubine. I wanted to ask if you know any educated and reasonable young ladies who knew their place, like yourself?”

Cheng Ping was undoubtedly the most senior maid in the Gu household. Her position was largely due to Gu Yu’s training. She had served Gu Yu for many years. If Gu Yu had intended to take her as a concubine, he wouldn’t have waited until now. It seemed Gu Yu had his reasons.

Once romantic entanglements were involved, it would be impossible to maintain professional boundaries. Gu Yu needed a maid who was diligent, intelligent, and loyal only to him. He had trained Cheng Ping for this purpose, ensuring she wouldn’t be entangled in inner household disputes. Cheng Ping understood her role clearly and never overstepped her boundaries.

If Jiang Heng asked Cheng Ping to become Gu Yu’s concubine, it would ruin the most capable and reliable maid he had trained for years and undermine Cheng Ping’s years of conscientious work.

Jiang Heng understood this logic well.

***

Naturally, the matter of taking a concubine reached Gu Yu’s ears.

After Cheng Ping reported the matter to him in the study, she saw his countenance darken like an impending storm, so intimidating that one dared not even breathe.

As clever as Cheng Ping was, she didn’t dare say another word. She suppressed even her farewell and silently exited the study.

Just as she stepped out, she heard a thunderous crash inside—evidently a bookshelf had collapsed, scattering books everywhere.

“Come in,” Gu Yu called her back at that very moment.

“Master.”

Cheng Ping quickly glanced at the scattered books but calmly stepped around them as if nothing unusual had happened—no fallen bookshelf, no signs of anger.

“Do you know why she had this idea?” Gu Yu asked coldly.

Cheng Ping recounted the events of that day in detail, mentioning that Jiang Heng had visited the Elder Madam before bringing up the matter.

Gu Yu remained silent for a long time before uttering a faint “Hmm” and dismissing Cheng Ping with a wave.

Cheng Ping bowed her head, noticing Gu Yu’s rage still burning. After a moment’s thought, she said softly, “Master, Madam intends to choose someone well-behaved and compliant, likely to ensure harmony in the future.”

It sounded like a trivial remark, but Gu Yu glanced at her, his mind turning with thoughts.

Jiang Heng’s idea of finding him a concubine must have been prompted by his mother’s pressure for an heir.

This time, she didn’t bring up divorce by mutual consent as she usually would. Instead, she only considered taking a concubine for him and even put thought into selecting someone well-behaved. This showed she had a genuine intention to make their marriage work and had no intention of leaving.

Thinking this way, she had made some progress and was not as indifferent to him as before.

“Call Doctor Han here,” Gu Yu ordered.

***

After Doctor Han arrived, Gu Yu first had him examine Jiang Heng and prescribe medicine. Then, under the pretext of having Doctor Han check his mother’s pulse, he personally accompanied him to Yifang Hall.

After Doctor Han examined Luo Shi, Gu Yu pretended to avoid his mother and took the doctor to a side chamber, asking to be examined as well.

Luo Shi, deeply concerned for her son, assumed Gu Yu was hiding an illness from her. She couldn’t sit still and followed them to the side chamber, instructing, “Call Third Madam here to listen as well. Take note of what the doctor says so we can take better care of San Lang in the future.”

Soon, Jiang Heng arrived. Luo Shi complained to her, “You didn’t even know San Lang was sick? He had to secretly see a doctor. Be more attentive from now on. Don’t act as carelessly as before.”

Jiang Heng agreed.

Outside the side chamber, Luo Shi signaled everyone to be quiet and leaned in to listen to the conversation inside.

The words spoken by Doctor Han were, of course, what Gu Yu intended for his mother to hear.

“The General’s injury in the waist and abdomen may have affected his spleen, kidneys, and internal organs. The long absence of an heir might also be due to this.”

“Can it be treated?” Gu Yu asked.

“I’m afraid it will be difficult to treat.”

Luo Shi’s vision darkened, and she nearly collapsed. Fortunately, Jiang Heng was there to support her in time.

“Elder Madam!” The maids and older servants exclaimed in alarm, rushing forward to help.

Gu Yu and Doctor Han also hurried out upon hearing the commotion. Seeing Jiang Heng there, Gu Yu was momentarily stunned, his brow furrowing slightly. Before he could think further, Luo Shi threw herself into his arms, wailing loudly.

“My poor son!” Luo Shi beat her breast and stamped her feet, tears streaming down her aged face.

Jiang Heng quickly instructed the maids to escort Doctor Han away and ordered the servants who had overheard the conversation not to spread rumors. She and Gu Yu helped Luo Shi back to Yifang Hall.

After much consolation, Luo Shi was somewhat comforted, and Gu Yu and Jiang Heng returned to Ninghe Courtyard.

They walked as before, in single file. Because Gu Yu deliberately moderated his pace, the distance between them was not great.

Gu Yu did not want Jiang Heng to hear Doctor Han's diagnosis.

He had anticipated that his mother would eavesdrop, but he hadn't expected her to drag Jiang Heng along.

Who knew what Jiang Heng would think? Would she take it seriously, genuinely believing he was impotent?

As Gu Yu was lost in thought, he suddenly felt a coolness in his palm—chilly yet as soft as silk, curling around his palm.

Gu Yu halted, finally realizing that Jiang Heng had taken the initiative to hold his hand.

He turned to look at her and saw an emotion in her eyes that he had never witnessed before.

Pressing her lips together, still without a single tender word, she squeezed his palm even more firmly. "Husband, it's alright. We'll take our time treating it."

Gu Yu raised an eyebrow slightly, then deliberately lowered it, letting his eyes droop dejectedly. After a moment of silence, he said in a low, somber voice, "Now you understand why I wanted your promise so badly."

Jiang Heng pursed her lips again, paused for a breath, and held his hand gently. "I... you're the only one in my heart. In this lifetime, I only wish to grow old with you."

Gu Yu raised an eyebrow contentedly, clasping her small hand fully in his palm. "Do you mean it?"

Jiang Heng nodded. "I mean it."