C331: I’ve been in love before

Zhao Hui was feeling restless in his heart. "I didn't see anything, let's go back."

The servant boy followed closely behind his master, looking back several times, and said in a hurried manner, "Master, could it be that you have raised another lover outside again?"

Zhao Hui sternly scolded him, "Nonsense."

That servant boy was not someone who often followed Zhao Hui out, so he naturally did not understand his master. He only knew that this master had raised a concubine outside in previous years, and for that concubine he had married the daughter of the Lin medical family, Miss Lin. But after that Miss Lin married into the family, she hadn't been there for a few years before she jumped off a cliff and committed suicide after giving birth.

This matter was not much of a secret in Bianjing.

Most people just sighed about Miss Lin's unfortunate destiny, and talked about Master Zhao's romantic passions.

But very few people would know that there was once a time when Master Zhao and Mrs. Lin were affectionate as husband and wife...

The servant boy quickly made a zipping motion over his mouth, carefully shrinking his neck, "This lowly one has said too much."

Zhao Hui glared at him before getting on the carriage.

But as soon as he closed his eyes, Madam Lin's face, which had long since faded from his memory, gradually became clear in his mind.

So many years had passed, and he had new bedmates, but he had to admit that he still remembered Madam Lin's gentle smile and shy charm, and even more clearly remembered her tidying up the medicine garden in the yard, and the delighted and mischievous smile on her face when she turned his study into an apothecary.

He also remembered when he was sick, she stayed by his side, took his pulse, and fed him medicine.

Then she would carefully lay down next to his hand and sleep, for fear of disturbing him.

Zhao Hui had always felt that Madam Lin's family background was too lowly, and that she was not a suitable match for him. If not for his father's arrangements, how could he have married such a weak woman who only knew how to prescribe medicine?

Therefore, they did not consummate their marriage in the first year.

However, during that one time he had a high fever, she stayed by his side tirelessly for three days and nights. When he woke up, she laughed and said she hadn't bathed for three days, and then she went out. When she came back, she was only wearing a pink nightgown. His fever had just gone down and his mind was not clear. In a confused state, he somehow pulled her into his arms.

That was the first time she had gotten angry at him. She was like an angry cat, pushing him away and shouting, "Zhao Hui, you promised you wouldn't touch me!"

But he couldn't stand her rejection of him. In a fit of anger he pressed her under him, and inexplicably covered her red lips, "You're my wife, if I don't touch you, who else should I touch?"

She cried until her eyes were red, struggling with all her might, "But you don't love me... Let me go! Let me go!"

The girl's tender voice aroused his desires.

He didn't speak, his physical instincts overtook his reason. Amidst her resistance and cries, he forcefully took her.

After that time, they did not speak for three months.

Three months later, she fainted in front of her senior apprentice brother and was sent back.

For the first time, he had fought over a woman. After the fight, he only then found out that she was pregnant with his child.

At that time he just stood there dumbly by her bedside, listening to the doctor say she was three months pregnant. For a moment he didn't know what to feel, but looking back now, it was mostly joy.

He had never thought there would be a woman who could bear his offspring, but if it was Madam Lin, he quickly accepted it.

After the child, their relationship improved a lot.

They had also passionately professed their love, admired the moon together, and imagined what life would be like after the child was born.

But good times didn't last long. Not long after...

"Master, we've arrived!"

The servant boy's clear voice pulled Zhao Hui's thoughts back. He opened his eyes, only to feel they were slightly sore. It took him a good while for the bitter feeling in his throat to fade.

The servant boy looked inside for a while. Seeing his master still hadn't gotten off the carriage, he was somewhat puzzled.

Just as he was about to lift the carriage curtain, there was movement inside.

Zhao Hui walked out with his hands behind his back and expressionless face. Without a word he headed towards the manor gate.

The servant boy embarrassingly lowered his head. Although the master was just an idle noble now, back in the day he had dominated Bianjing. It was only after the old Duke led the other two sons off to battle that he hid his aggressive side and took on the image of a prodigal useless heir. But that aura about him still made people look on in awe, no less inferior compared to the Heir Apparent.

...

Changfeng Pavilion.

After hearing Yanzhi's report, Gu Ying held the finished baby clothes in her hand and carefully inspected them.

"I've already had someone pass on the message. My lady, when should we have Nanny Sun speak up?"

"No rush," said Gu Ying, reluctant to part with the little clothes in her hands. "Let's wait for Lady Cheng to prepare a bit more. Catching her red-handed later won't be too late."

Yanzhi laughed. "Lady Cheng must have been scared witless today. This afternoon she had the Zhao steward find some people to sell off. This shows she certainly has a guilty conscience. I'm just worried Nanny Sun's mouth might not be tight enough and she'd let something slip out."

Gu Ying's eyes dimmed and she neatly folded the baby clothes on her lap, lost in thought.

"Since she's already afraid, we should give her a chance to get close to Nanny Sun."

Yanzhi was thrilled. "Leave Lady Cheng's side to me and Yin Lan. She probably won't trust us. What about Hai Tang from the small kitchen who specially delivers meals to Nanny Sun?"

"Not bad," said Gu Ying, turning to look at Yanzhi with a smile. "My clever little Yanzhi has actually become so crafty."

Yanzhi smugly pursed her lips in a smile. "It's all thanks to Big Sister Yin Lan teaching me well."

Having made up her mind, Gu Ying laughed. "Alright, these next few days we'll have Lady Cheng's close attendant Nanny Wang come over to interact with Hai Tang. Let Hai Tang occasionally bring some words over for Lady Cheng as well. But whatever she says must go past my ears first before being passed on to Nanny Sun."

Yanzhi eagerly accepted the task, feeling it was so much fun. "Great! I'll go take care of it now!"

...

When the Heir Apparent returned, the sky had grown even darker. He had gone to Spring Mountain Manor and came back looking a little unhappy.

Gu Ying smiled. "I know Ah Du has no appetite at Spring Mountain Manor and can't eat anything, so I specially had the kitchen prepare your favorites."

Zhao Changdu sat down at the table. He had never been one to indulge in food and drink. But the young girl at his side was always able to keenly discover his tastes.

He liked meat and light flavors, and would occasionally have some sweets and pastries, but not much. What he liked most was mung bean cake.

Gu Ying had grasped his appetites perfectly. After having dinner prepared, she sat down to accompany him.

"Eating together with someone stimulates the appetite more than eating alone."

Zhao Changdu felt like his heart was lightly struck by a hammer. "Ah Ying is so young, yet understands more than anyone."

Gu Ying gave a faint smile. "Naturally, since I was born clever."

Zhao Changdu looked at her with a faint smile. His appetite returned and he drank the soup the girl handed over, then ate two small bowls of rice.

"Lady Cheng had Father summon me. She probably wants to hand over the stewardship of the Duke's manor."

Gu Ying looked up. "To me?"

Zhao Changdu's eyes narrowed slightly. "Right now there are only two mistresses in the household. Other than you, she has no one else to order around. But she doesn't truly want to relinquish power. She just wants you to handle the household finances for her."

A hint of disdain appeared on Gu Ying's smile. "They say a steward lasts three years before even the dogs and cats complain. Lady Cheng is probably trying to make things difficult for me as steward."

"So I declined on your behalf."

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C332: Wait for the birth of the Treasure

Gu Ying looked at the cold and handsome face of the man, and put a piece of pork rib meat in his bowl, "As expected, Adu loves me the most."

Zhao Changdu stroked the pert little nose of the young girl indulgently, “If I don’t love you, who else will I love?”

His little girl, if the Gu family doesn't love her, then he will love her. Lady Cheng's idea of trying to tire his little wife out seems to be quite shrewd.

Gu Ying laughed very happily, leaned over and kissed his cheek lightly before quickly moving away.

When the man looked over, she smiled again, her eyes curving like crescent moons, "This is a reward."

Zhao Changdu's eyes were deep and dark. As the nourishing chicken soup slid down his throat, he only felt that the tender beauty of the little girl made him dry-mouthed. His body was full of restless heat.

Fortunately, he was very good at self-control, and suppressed the urge to completely devour her. He lowered his eyes and finished the chicken soup in the bowl.

After the husband and wife finished their meal, Zhao Changdu helped her up and wanted to take her for a walk.

Gu Ying caressed her sore lower back resentfully, and reluctantly nodded her lips, "Adu, how about sending away all the old midwives from our yard first?"

The man rejected her request without even thinking about it, "No."

"Then can Adu stop learning all kinds of strange experiences from them? Pregnant women are not actually so delicate. Look at me, I can eat and sleep well. Nian is very well-behaved and doesn't give me any trouble. I hardly vomited after the fourth month."

These famous midwives from Bianjing were all hired by him at a high price. After Gu Ning moved away, they lived in Wanli Pavilion and hired five in a row, all of them were famous midwives who had taken care of hundreds of pregnant women, at least a hundred, and were very experienced in pregnancy and childbirth.

Therefore, the Heir Apparent had to take time out of his busy schedule every day to learn how to take care of pregnant women and infants.

Things like walking, sleeping postures at night, taboo foods, were all learned from those midwives.

Although this was Gu Ying's first time being pregnant herself, back in the backyard of Jiang Yin, when those women got pregnant, she was the one taking care of them and overseeing things. She had never eaten pork but had seen pigs run, and also knew many taboos after getting pregnant, and that there was no need to be so overly cautious.

"These trivial matters cannot compare to A Ying's hardship of bearing children for me."

Gu Ying looked up at the man's serious and ardent eyes, and her heart stirred slightly.

This was probably the first time she had heard such cherishing words for women from a man, whether it was Jiang Yin or others, they all took it for granted that women should bear offspring for men, and some even chose to save the child at the cost of the mother's life when it came to life and death during childbirth.

Only the Heir Apparent never treated her as a childbearing tool, but loved her wholeheartedly.

Her heart warmed. She clutched his fingers and obediently started walking with her head down.

More activity is good after all. This way, when she goes into labor, the delivery will go more smoothly.

Before going to bed at night, Gu Ying told Zhao Changdu about Nanny Sun.

Zhao Changdu held the little girl in his arms and said, "You can take care of this matter. Recently, the imperial court has been unstable. Prince Shu has provoked Prince Duan several times. Two of Prince Duan's confidants were demoted in a row, and Prince Duan has become a little impatient. I estimate I will be quite busy these days. A Ying doesn't have to wait for me to come back for meals at night, just eat on time yourself."

Speaking of Prince Duan, Gu Ying thought of Ning Si, so she asked, "Prince Duan is usually very patient. What happened?"

Zhao Changdu said, "Probably because of Ning Si."

"Ah?" Gu Ying sat up immediately, "Don't tell me Prince Duan doesn't want to break off the engagement with the Ning family?"

"Ning Si's matter with Zhou Yan angered him. He had his people bring Ning Si into the Royal Palace, and still hasn't let her out until now."

"This..." Worry appeared on Gu Ying's face.

Zhao Changdu reassured her, "Don't worry, no matter how irrational he becomes, he won't hurt Ning Si."

Gu Ying said worriedly, "I'm afraid Sister Si's matter will cause some trouble. After all, for a young lady of a prominent family in Bianjing to get pregnant out of wedlock is simply disastrous. If someone with malicious intentions exposes this, Sister Si won't be able to live anymore... Especially that maid Cai Xi who came to Yueyang with her this time, she seems to know something."

Zhao Changdu said coldly, "I had someone investigate the matter of her out-of-wedlock pregnancy, but nothing was found out. Who exactly violated her?"

Gu Ying pursed her lips and said solemnly, "If you have to name someone, only Zhao Changxing gave her a hypnotic drug at Qingyun Temple last time... But Zhao Changxing didn't touch her. Qing Yun was by Sister Si's side the whole time. I also checked her when I arrived that day, her clothes were all intact..."

She suddenly had a bold guess, "That's right, Adu, could Ning Si's child be Prince Duan's?"

Zhao Changdu smiled and shook his head, "No, Li Hao has a weak physique and is aloof and incorruptible. Ning Si was already devoted to him, and they were engaged. He wouldn't be muddled enough to touch her before their grand wedding."

"What if?"

"Impossible."

Gu Ying sighed, "I'm just making a bold guess. After all, most men think with their lower body."

Zhao Changdu's eyes were deep, and he didn't speak upon hearing this. After reassuring her for a while, looking at the pink and delicate skin of the little girl in the candlelight, the beastly desire in his heart stirred slightly.

Whether Prince Duan was as aloof and incorruptible as he claimed, Zhao Changdu didn't know.

But he seemed to be losing more and more control. He simply turned over and pressed her under him, taking her sweet and soft lips, breathing heavily and lingering for a long time.

These days, Gu Ying already understood his temperament. Anyway, before she gave birth, Adu would never really let his lust take over and harm her, so she generously accepted his kisses.

His kisses were lingering and gentle.

She clutched the bedding tightly, feeling surges of heat rising in her body.

But the man still wouldn't let her off, his big hands roamed all over her body, stirring up scorching heat.

She was so shy her little face turned crimson. In the hazy canopy, the man was brimming with charm.

He leaned over to nibble her earlobe, and chuckled, "What's so great about that aloof and incorruptible monk? My A Ying is sweet and sexy."

Gu Ying's breathing was unsteady, and she whispered, "Adu, I feel a little uncomfortable..."

Zhao Changdu exhaled and asked, "Where does it feel uncomfortable?"

Gu Ying's cheeks turned fiery red, her eyes glittering, too shy to say it. This man, so proper and righteous out of bed, how could he say such indecent things in bed?

Gu Ying felt a little wronged, "Let's stop playing..."

She pulled the quilt over herself, trying to cover her body.

Seeing her slightly swollen red lips, Zhao Changdu smiled amusedly, "Don't be angry A Ying, I won't tease you anymore. Come here."

In the dim room, there was only a weak bean lamp lit inside the gauzy canopy on the bed. Gu Ying's entire being seemed to be shrouded in mist, her snow-white skin glossy and shimmering, exuding an alluring luster. Her blurry eyes lost focus.

After a long time, the man held her tightly in his arms, his gaze was deep, his voice lingering and husky, "Just wait a little longer, until Nian is born."

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C333: She doesn’t Want to Die

He was not a lustful man, but facing his Ah Ying, his self-control would also be greatly discounted.

Gu Ying had long been tired and fell asleep, and did not hear his words at all. Her head leaned on his chest, listening to his steady, slow heartbeat, sleeping very sweetly.

Zhao Changdu neither slept horizontally nor vertically. Half of his body leaned on the pillow, recalling her question before going to bed that day.

If there was no her Gu Ying in this world, who would he marry as his wife?

He thought about it wholeheartedly for a long time. He probably had no one he liked, so he would most likely grow old alone. But who in the world would be willing to endure endless loneliness and solitude?

He was grateful that there was a Gu Ying in this world, and he was also grateful that she appeared in his life.

Thinking of this, he raised his hand to caress her smooth black hair. His fingers hooked up and entangled her hair with his own.

He would not let Ah Ying leave him. They would be together for life after life.

...

After another three to five days, Hai Tang had become familiar with Nanny Wang. Soon, Hai Tang became Nanny Wang's "own person" who she bribed with jewelry.

Nanny Wang also gradually lowered her guard, thinking that she had finally found a breakthrough in Changfeng Pavilion, and could finally send news to the inside of Changfeng. Lady Cheng's tense nerves also relaxed a lot.

On this day, Hai Tang brought a yellow medicine bag from Nanny Wang.

Gu Ying sat at the case and flipped through books, just looking at the page on Nanjiang's Gu poison.

Hai Tang then entered the room under the lead of Yin Lan.

"Mistress, Hai Tang is here."

Hai Tang had been serving in the small kitchen. She was a person bought back by the prince from outside. Without going through Lady Cheng's hands, she had a kind and lovely personality. Her fair, round little face had two big pear vortexes. When she smiled, she was sweet and lovely, really like her name, white with a touch of red, like a blooming crabapple blossom.

While flipping through the book, Gu Ying casually said, "How is it going?"

Hai Tang took out the medicine bag from her sleeve and crisply said, "Reporting to Mistress, this is from Nanny Wang for the maid to put in the food for Nanny Sun. Mistress, please take a look."

Gu Ying took the medicine bag and carefully identified it, "It turned out to be chronic poison."

Hai Tang said, "Nanny Wang said Lady Cheng wanted Nanny Sun to 'die ill' in Changfeng Pavilion. Then find an excuse to come and trouble the mistress."

Gu Ying chuckled lightly, "No time to play with Lady Cheng like this. Change it to a deadly poison."

Hai Tang respectfully took the medicine handed over by Yin Lan and neatly tucked it into her arms, "Mistress, then the maid will go