Chapter 66

Chapter 66

Though news of Gu Yu’s injury affecting his ability to father children wasn’t widely publicized, Luo Shi couldn’t help but confide in her eldest daughter-in-law. Xiao Luo Shi, in turn, began to harbor thoughts of having her only son adopted by Gu Yu. After all, her son was already six; even if adopted, he would know his birth mother and would surely remain close to her as he grew up.

However, Xiao Luo Shi also worried that Jiang Heng might harbor resentment from past sister-in-law squabbles and obstruct the plan. After much deliberation, she decided not to visit Ninghe Courtyard herself, instead sending her two daughters and son there on the pretext of playing.

With Xiao Luo Shi making her move, Qin Shi naturally had the same idea. Coincidentally, Qin Shi also sent her sons and daughters over, making Ninghe Courtyard unusually lively.

“How well-informed they are! Hearing about Gu Yu’s condition, they don’t even think of seeking medical treatment—they’re already vying for position!” Chun Jin grumbled quietly to Jiang Heng, clearly displeased.

Jiang Heng was, after all, the aunt to these children. Although she deeply disapproved of her sisters-in-law’s actions, she couldn’t take her anger out on the younger generation.

However, because her sisters-in-law had previously held strong grievances against her and strictly forbade their children from playing in her courtyard, these youngsters weren’t very close to her. Though sent by their mothers, they didn’t approach her. Jiang Heng was glad to avoid dealing with them, letting them play in Ninghe Courtyard while she remained in her room, busy with her own affairs.

When Gu Yu returned and saw the courtyard full of nieces and nephews, his already stern expression became even more severe.

These youngsters were all somewhat afraid of Gu Yu. As soon as they saw him, they immediately stopped their boisterous play, stood up straight and proper, and took turns bowing to him.

Gu Yu found no fault with his nieces but asked his two nephews, “Have you finished today’s lessons?”

The two boys, afraid of angering Gu Yu, nodded repeatedly and replied respectfully, “Yes, we’ve finished.”

“How much do you remember?” Gu Yu pressed.

The two boys exchanged glances but remained silent.

Gu Yu then quizzed them on their lessons on the spot.

He tested them on the most difficult passages to memorize. The two boys could hardly recall any of it, and what little they remembered was stammered out. Gu Yu didn’t hide his dissatisfaction, frowning at the two boys. “Go back and copy the passages, ten times each.”

Tears immediately welled up in the boys’ eyes, but they didn’t dare cry in front of him. They agreed pitifully and fled Ninghe Courtyard as if escaping.

With the courtyard now quiet, Gu Yu returned to his room.

Jiang Heng was still sitting at the desk, going over accounts. When she saw him return, though she didn’t stand up, she glanced at him warmly with a smile and said softly, “Sit for a while. I’ll be done once I’ve checked this.”

Gu Yu was taken aback, clearly not expecting her to treat him this way.

In the past, when he returned, if she was busy, she wouldn’t even look up at him.

Since learning about his unmentionable condition, she seemed to feel more pity for him and had become much warmer than before.

Gu Yu didn’t want his lady to see him as a patient, yet the feeling of being cared for as one was something he couldn’t help but appreciate.

Gu Yu pressed his lips together, offering no explanation, and sat down at the desk, pouring himself tea to drink while quietly waiting for her to finish her work.

Only after she put away the account books did he mention the matter of the nephews coming to play.

He could see through his sisters-in-law’s intentions, and Jiang Heng naturally could as well. Although she wasn’t close to these younger generations, she hadn’t made excuses to send them away, likely considering the possibility of adopting one of these two nephews someday if necessary.

“A-Duan and A-Hong are the only sons of our eldest and second brothers. They aren’t suitable for adoption. I’ll go explain this to Mother later.”

He told his lady directly, to spare her the worry.

The fact that the two nephews were the only sons of his elder brothers was one reason they weren’t suitable for adoption. Another layer of Gu Yu’s consideration was that the two nephews were already old enough to remember things and had almost no affection for Jiang Heng. If they were adopted, they wouldn’t be able to serve as her support in the future.

Although Jiang Heng likely wouldn’t complain out of consideration for his feelings, she surely wouldn’t be willing to raise the sons of her sisters-in-law.

“Husband, is it appropriate to bring it up now?”

Gu Yu came back to himself and looked at Jiang Heng, surprise flickering in his eyes again.

Logically, even if she didn’t want to bring it up herself, she wouldn’t stop him from doing so.

“After all, Mother and our sisters-in-law haven’t said anything—they haven’t mentioned adoption. They only sent the children here to play. If you bring up adoption, I’m afraid our sisters-in-law will think it’s…”

Jiang Heng paused slightly, changing “me” to “us,” and said, “...that we’re overthinking it.”

His lady’s concern wasn’t entirely without reason. Although everyone clearly understood why the sisters-in-law had sent the children over, if Gu Yu were to speak up first and declare he had no intention of adopting, the sisters-in-law would likely seize the opportunity to make a scene and lament.

Nevertheless, Gu Yu still intended to make things clear.

“It’s alright. It’s better not to give them hope to avoid greater conflicts later.”

He looked at Jiang Heng. “Besides, I’m twenty-seven. It’s not too late to consider adoption after thirty if we still have no children.”

Jiang Heng’s lips moved. Was twenty-seven really that far from thirty?

Though she thought this, out of consideration for her husband’s pride, she kept her mouth shut and said nothing.

Yet Gu Yu still sensed the words she swallowed. He frowned. “Do you really think I…”

“No, I don’t think…”

Jiang Heng quickly grabbed his hand to comfort him, afraid he would hang his head in despair if she hesitated.

Gu Yu looked at the small hand covering his, suppressing the urge to explain. He lowered his eyes, remained silent for a moment, and said calmly, “I still want to have my own child.”

His lady hurriedly agreed. “Alright, I think so too. Let’s take it slowly. There’s no rush.”

Gu Yu looked up at her again. “You really don’t…”

“Really, really. The doctor said it’s only a possibility—it might not actually be your problem.”

Although her words clearly implied she believed it was his issue, her intention was to comfort him. Gu Yu pressed his lips together and said nothing.

That night, when they were intimate, the man was no different from before—whether in strength or technique, he was as firm and deep as ever. Jiang Heng even sensed that he might be deliberately trying to show her that his condition didn’t affect his performance, putting in more effort than before.

“...” Jiang Heng wanted to advise him not to go to such lengths but didn’t know how to say it.

With Gu Yu’s proud nature, how could he bear it?

She could only silently cooperate.

“A Heng, turn around.”

His warm body pressed against hers as he whispered in her ear.

Naturally, he noticed her indulgence and enjoyed it, trying all the techniques she had previously refused to cooperate with because she was too tired.

He even nibbled her lip and whispered, “Which way do you prefer?”

Jiang Heng, too embarrassed, refused to answer.

He seemed disheartened again. “Don’t you like any of them?”

“That’s not it…” Jiang Heng tried to comfort him, but she was too tired. Her voice was soft and tinged with the warmth of the moment, making it sound very pleasant.

“Then… you like all of them?”

The man deliberately said this, pinched her chin, pressing down on her lower lip, not giving her a chance to shake her head in denial. His words spilled between her lips.

"Then in the future, we'll try more of what you like. Perhaps we'll have one soon."

Jiang Heng had no strength to speak at all.

...

The next morning, Gu Yu rose early as usual to head to the government office. Just as he stepped out of the Ninghe Courtyard gate, he saw Gu Qingyue hesitating outside, seemingly struggling with some dilemma.

At this hour, she should still be asleep. Why had she come?

"A Yue," Gu Yu called her over and asked what was the matter.

"Third Brother, is Sister-in-law still asleep?" Gu Qingyue did not answer his question but instead asked hesitantly.

Gu Yu said yes and asked her again, "What exactly is the matter?"

Gu Qingyue pursed her lips, unsure whether to tell Gu Yu.

Originally, Gu Qingyue had gone out with Princess Huyang the day before and heard some things.

Princess Huyang quietly told her that Madam Guiyi was pregnant but also said she need not worry, as this child would not be kept. Princess Huyang told her this, still hoping she would marry Prince Qin as planned.

Regardless of whether she wanted to marry Prince Qin, Madam Guiyi was, after all, Sister-in-law's elder sister. She wanted to pretend she knew nothing, as whether the child was kept or not had nothing to do with her. In fact, if she still intended to become Qin Wangfei, it would be better if the child were not kept. But after thinking about it all night, she felt uneasy and could not simply pretend she knew nothing.

"Third Brother, I heard that Madam Guiyi is pregnant with Prince Qin's child."

Gu Qingyue finally spoke up.

Gu Yu was stunned.

He had heard that Jiang Wan had gone to Ciyun Temple since last mid-autumn and had not returned to the capital. Not long ago, she returned to mourn her elder brother but did not stay long, quickly returning to Ciyun Temple. It seemed she had been thoroughly disciplined by Noble Consort Wei.

And Prince Qin should not have intended for her to become pregnant at this time. How could there still be carelessness...

"I also heard they do not plan to keep the child..." Gu Qingyue told Gu Yu everything she knew.

Gu Yu was again frozen.

He had thought Gu Qingyue came to weep over Prince Qin's wrongdoings or to blame Jiang Heng for her elder sister's mistakes, but it turned out she was just here to relay information?

Was it out of respect for Jiang Heng, because it concerned her elder sister, that she came to inform him?

"But Third Brother, don't get involved in this. Don't let Sister-in-law misunderstand that you still have feelings for Madam Guiyi..." Gu Qingyue specifically cautioned.

Gu Yu nodded. Of course, he would not go to see Jiang Wan, but he also knew that, given Jiang Heng's nature, she would not ignore this matter.

Jiang Wan was pregnant this time. Whether it was an accident or intentional, it had angered Noble Consort Wei. Whoever tried to protect her would be opposing Noble Consort Wei.

This matter must not be let known to Jiang Heng.

"Don't tell your Sister-in-law about this," Gu Yu said.

"Why? Are you going to help that Madam Guiyi again?" Gu Qingyue said displeased. "I should tell Sister-in-law. She should be the one to help. What does it have to do with you!"

Gu Qingyue unconsciously raised her voice. Chun Jin heard and hid in a secluded spot to listen carefully.

But she heard Gu Yu warn Gu Qingyue in a deep voice, "I said you are not to tell your Sister-in-law."

"If you dare to see Madam Guiyi, I will tell Sister-in-law!" Gu Qingyue threatened.

"I won't go see her, but you must not tell your Sister-in-law either."

"Fine, you must keep your word."

The brother and sister agreed and left the Ninghe Courtyard together.

In the past, Chun Jin would not have cared whether Gu Yu went to see Madam Guiyi. But now, seeing how Jiang Heng had been caring more for Gu Yu each day, she thought Gu Yu had also settled his heart and was dedicated to living well with her mistress. Yet now, he was concealing it from her lady to help Madam Guiyi...

After all, her mistress and Madam Guiyi were sisters. Gu Qingyue was right—wouldn't it be better for her mistress to handle it? Why did he, as the husband of the sister, have to get involved personally?

The more Chun Jin thought about it, the angrier she became. When Jiang Heng woke up, she informed on the matter.

Jiang Heng spaced out a long while but eventually let out a faint "oh" and showed no further reaction.

"Miss, you must tell the young master not to do this anymore. There are plenty of other men in the world..."

"Let him go. Just pretend you don't know, just as... you never told me."

Jiang Heng went about washing up, speaking as if it were of no concern.