Destined

Gu Jiusi and Liu Yuru spent the New Year in the Eastern Capital. On the second day, Gu Jiusi set off for Xingyang.

Liu Yuru had originally intended to accompany Gu Jiusi, but both Jiang Rou and Su Wan intervened to persuade her, arguing that as she was pregnant, she shouldn't follow Gu Jiusi on such arduous journeys. Though the couple had never been apart since getting together, Gu Jiusi, concerned for Liu Yuru's health, ultimately decided to let her stay behind under the care of their family.

Liu Yuru knew Gu Jiusi's reasoning was sound. Though somewhat reluctant, she had felt increasingly strained over the past two months in the Eastern Capital as her belly grew larger day by day, so she could only let Gu Jiusi go alone.

Gu Jiusi hurried back to Xingyang alone and first consulted Qin Nan and Fu Baoyuan about recent developments. After his departure from Xingyang, the river repair project had been taken over by Luo Zishang, with Qin Nan and Fu Baoyuan assisting. Though Luo Zishang had ill intentions, his competence was undeniable—especially since Master Zhang excelled in civil engineering, and Luo Zishang was his star pupil. In this regard, he was far more capable than Gu Jiusi.

After inspecting the completed sections and confirming no issues, Gu Jiusi proceeded according to plan, supervising the ongoing work.

Shortly after the Spring Festival, Zhou Ye was summoned to the capital. Liu Yuru went with Ye Yun and Ye Shi'an to visit him.

Zhou Ye had tanned considerably and looked much sturdier. He and Qin Wanzhi welcomed the guests together, and Zhou Ye shared updates about the border situation.

"I had planned to return for the New Year, but Northern Liang took advantage of our celebrations to launch a surprise attack, plundering a small town. So I had to remain at the front lines during the holidays."

After Zhou Ye explained his absence, Liu Yuru sighed and said, "We live comfortably in the rear thanks to the protection of soldiers like you, Brother Zhou."

"It's my duty," Zhou Ye replied, then suddenly remembered: "I heard something happened here—Shen Ming seems to have gone to Youzhou?"

Shen Ming had departed in mid-December, around the same time Gu Jiusi sent a letter to Zhou Ye. Zhou Ye had rushed back immediately after reading the letter and missed seeing Shen Ming.

Ye Shi'an nodded gravely: "He was exiled there. It was already an act of mercy from His Majesty to send him to Youzhou. Please look out for him when you can."

Zhou Ye nodded understandingly. After Ye Shi'an explained the whole story, Zhou Ye sighed deeply: "Who would have thought so much could happen in just half a year."

Then Zhou Ye turned his gaze to Liu Yuru, a smile in his eyes: "It seems my sister-in-law will be giving birth in a few months."

Liu Yuru blushed slightly at this, lowering her head as she gently replied: "There's still four months to go. But sister-in-law..."

Before she could finish, Qin Wanzhi suddenly gasped and clutched her belly. Zhou Ye asked urgently: "What's wrong?"

Qin Wanzhi frowned, as if concentrating on a sensation. After a moment, she turned to the anxious Zhou Ye and said tremulously: "I... I think... I'm... going into labor!"

Hearing this, Zhou Ye's eyes flashed with panic, but he remained relatively calm. He immediately picked up Qin Wanzhi and told the servants: "Quick, fetch the midwife!"With that, Zhou Ye hurriedly made his way toward the inner courtyard. Liu Yu Ru and Ye Shi'an exchanged a glance, while Ye Yun hesitated and asked, "Should we head back first?"

"Absolutely not."

Liu Yu Ru firmly rejected the idea, lowering her voice as she spoke to the two siblings of the Ye family. "Zhou Madam manages the inner courtyard, and their relationship might not be the most harmonious. We need to stay here and keep an eye on things."

Hearing this, Ye Shi'an and Ye Yun were immediately reminded of the rumors they had heard about Zhou Ye and Zhou Madam. Zhou Madam had always been wary of Zhou Ye usurping her own son’s position, and now that Zhou Ye was about to have his first child, her resentment was likely even deeper.

Ye Shi'an nodded in agreement. Without waiting for an invitation, the three of them remained standing in the Zhou residence, accompanying Zhou Ye as he waited for Qin Wan Zhi to give birth.

Throughout the entire labor, Zhou Madam never showed her face. Instead, it was Zhou Gaolang who rushed back briefly to check on the situation.

Qin Wan Zhi labored for an entire day. As soon as she went into labor, Liu Yu Ru sent someone to fetch the imperial physician from the palace for assistance. She also arranged for ginseng from her own home to be brought over, allowing Qin Wan Zhi to replenish her energy by holding it in her mouth.

She then directed the servants to boil water, which was carried into the room pot by pot.

Initially, Zhou Ye was not allowed inside the delivery room, so only Liu Yu Ru and Ye Yun went in to offer support. Qin Wan Zhi was an exceptionally resilient woman, enduring the pain of childbirth without uttering a single sound. Liu Yu Ru stayed by her side, watching her and remarking, "I’ve heard that childbirth is excruciatingly painful."

Sweat beading on her forehead and her face pale, Qin Wan Zhi forced a bitter smile and replied, "It certainly is."

Liu Yu Ru wiped the sweat from her brow, expressing surprise. "Then you must be incredibly strong-willed to endure it like this."

Qin Wan Zhi smiled faintly. Clutching her stomach as another wave of pain washed over her, she shuddered violently before gasping for breath. Once the pain subsided, she turned her head toward the window and explained with difficulty, "A-Ye is still outside. I can’t frighten him."

Hearing this, Liu Yu Ru felt a pang of sympathy for Qin Wan Zhi. It suddenly struck her that, compared to Qin Wan Zhi, her own life had been far more fortunate.

She had no meddling mother-in-law to worry about, and Gu Jiusi had always been her steadfast support. Their lives were entirely different from Zhou Ye and Qin Wan Zhi’s struggles. While their own challenges stemmed from pursuing their ideals, Zhou Ye and Qin Wan Zhi’s hardships lay beneath a façade of elegance—like a magnificent robe concealing a mess of scattered feathers.

With a mother figure guarding against them and suspicions arising from their positions, the two of them had become mere pawns in a larger game, their fates tightly controlled by others.

Qin Wan Zhi could endure the contractions, but when it came time for the baby to be born, she could no longer hold back. She let out a sharp cry. Hearing this from outside, Zhou Ye lost all restraint and charged toward the delivery room. Servants rushed to stop him, anxiously pleading, "Young Master, you mustn’t enter the delivery room—"

"Get out of my way!"

Zhou Ye shoved the servants aside and burst into the room. The scene that met his eyes was one of chaos—Qin Wan Zhi lay on the birthing bed, with Liu Yu Ru and Ye Yun at her side. Zhou Ye rushed toward her, but his legs gave way, and he collapsed to his knees before her. Clutching Qin Wan Zhi’s hand, he pressed it against his forehead as if in agony.

A profound sense of helplessness washed over him.This sense of powerlessness, as a son, a subject, and a husband, continuously enveloped him. His body trembled slightly, and tears fell in large drops. Qin Wan Zhi, held by him, seemed to draw some strength from his grasp. With an unrestrained cry, she gave birth to the child.

Then she gasped for breath heavily. The sound of the baby’s crying came from beside her, and everyone gathered around the child. The imperial physician joyfully announced, “It’s a young master.”

Yet Zhou Ye paid no attention. As if a heavy burden had been lifted, he crawled to Qin Wan Zhi’s side, pressing his cheek against hers, their tears mingling.

“I was so afraid just now.”

Zhou Ye choked out the words. Qin Wan Zhi smiled weakly and said, “What was there to be afraid of?”

“I was afraid you would leave me.”

Hearing this, Qin Wan Zhi suddenly felt no more pain. Zhou Ye, mature and steady beyond his years, rarely lost his composure like this. Liu Yu Ru and Ye Yun felt it inappropriate to disturb the couple. Liu Yu Ru walked aside to look at the child, watching as someone wiped the blood from its body and wrapped it in swaddling clothes.

Qin Wan Zhi was exhausted. Zhou Ye stayed by her side, and after a moment of rest, she held his hand and murmured softly, “A Ye, when will you return?”

Zhou Ye stiffened, not daring to speak. Qin Wan Zhi did not press further and drifted off to sleep, overcome by fatigue.

Liu Yu Ru turned back and said to Zhou Ye, “Let Sister-in-law rest for now.”

Zhou Ye remained silent but nodded, appearing equally weary.

Only then did he remember his child. He took a few steps to the side, where Ye Yun was playfully coaxing the baby. Seeing Zhou Ye approach, Ye Yun smiled and handed the child to him, saying, “Brother Zhou, give him a name.”

Zhou Ye did not speak. He felt the child placed in his arms. Holding the baby, he watched as it cried loudly, but gradually, the child seemed to sense something. It opened its eyes blankly, staring at Zhou Ye. After a moment, it suddenly giggled, stretching its soft, tender hand toward him.

Looking at the child, Zhou Ye, for some unknown reason, suddenly shed tears. He took a deep breath and handed the baby back to Liu Yu Ru beside him, saying in a low voice, “Please help me watch over the child. I need to step out for a while.”

With that, Zhou Ye turned and hurried toward Zhou Gaolang’s study.

Zhou Gaolang was in the middle of discussing matters with others when Zhou Ye burst in, reeking of blood. Zhou Gaolang immediately frowned. Seeing Zhou Ye standing at the door, he said with displeasure, “If you want to see me, at least change your clothes first. What kind of state is this?”

But Zhou Ye said nothing. He simply stood there. Knowing his son had something urgent to say, Zhou Gaolang could only ask the others to leave the room.

When only father and son remained, Zhou Gaolang asked with clear dissatisfaction, “What is so important that you must speak to me in such a manner?”

Before he finished speaking, Zhou Ye knelt down, knocking his head heavily on the floor with a dull thud. In a hoarse voice, he pleaded, “I beg you, Father, to transfer me back to the Eastern Capital.”

Zhou Gaolang remained silent. Zhou Ye immediately continued, “I do not seek high office or great wealth. Even a minor eighth-rank official would suffice, or even working as a constable. If you still distrust me, fearing I harbor ambitions to compete with my younger brother, then remove my name from the Zhou family register. I will take Wan Zhi and our child and make a living on my own.”Zhou Gaolang listened to Zhou Ye's words, remaining silent for a long while. Seeing Zhou Gaolang's silence, Zhou Ye knelt on the ground without rising, his body trembling as he wept bitterly: "Father, though I am not your flesh and blood, I was raised by your own hands since childhood. From your humble beginnings, while you worked outside, I managed the household. When you needed money, I engaged in trade; when you needed power, I became an official. Over these twenty-some years, even if there is no merit, there is hard work. Are you truly so unyielding, so wary of me that you must tear my family apart and drive me to such desperation?!"

Zhou Ye lifted his head, looking at Zhou Gaolang, his long-suppressed emotions suddenly erupting: "Is bloodline so important? Because I am not of your blood, do these twenty years of your nurturing me, raising me, my filial piety toward you, my companionship—do none of these count as genuine affection?!"

"You simply wish to be with Wanzhi," Zhou Gaolang pondered and said, "Now that you have a child, leave the child in the Eastern Capital and let Wanzhi accompany you. Wouldn't that suffice?"

"And the child?" Zhou Ye glared coldly at Zhou Gaolang, "The child is still so young—how could Wanzhi possibly leave? Even when older, if we as parents depart and leave our child alone in the Eastern Capital, who will raise him?"

"There is also your mother..."

"Does she even qualify as a mother?!" Zhou Ye roared in anger, "If she truly regarded me as her son, how could I be in such an unbearable position? Do you think I only desire to be with Wanzhi? It is because I know—I know how much humiliation and hardship she endures in the Zhou family here in the Eastern Capital! As her husband," Zhou Ye choked up, gazing at Zhou Gaolang, "how can I stand by knowing her suffering? As a father, how can I knowingly leave our child here, understanding what it implies? What kind of 'leaving' is that?"

"This is abandonment! It is abandonment!"

Zhou Gaolang listened to his words, lowered his gaze, and stared into the teacup for a long while before finally speaking: "Then, what do you propose the Zhou family should do?"

Zhou Ye was taken aback. Zhou Gaolang seemed to have reached a decision. He lifted his head, looked calmly at Zhou Ye, and said, "Do you think I am wary of you? If I were, why would I have taught you, nurtured you, and raised you all these years? If I cared about your bloodline, wouldn't it have been easier to let you die in some accident back then?"

These words stunned Zhou Ye. Zhou Gaolang chuckled, "Don't tell me you still believe I spared you merely because you were capable and could help me secure funds?"

"A mere child," Zhou Gaolang shook his head, "I placed you in Youzhou not out of wariness, but to leave a path for the Zhou family."

"I don't understand..."

"Your Uncle Fan's health is failing," Zhou Gaolang lowered his voice, "I urged him long ago to remarry and have another child, but he remains devoted to his late wife and refuses. I then advised him to mentor Yu'er more, but he couldn't bring himself to be strict. In my anxiety, I interfered excessively, causing Yu'er to despise me deeply. If we were still in Youzhou, his dislike wouldn't matter, but now?"

Zhou Gaolang looked at Zhou Ye: "He is the Crown Prince, the future ruler of the nation. I am the Palace Commandant, holding military power. Given his temperament, once he ascends the throne, what do you think will happen?""If I don't relinquish power, he'll constantly suspect me of plotting to usurp the throne. If I do relinquish power, given his character, who in our Zhou family would be left alive?"

"I placed you in Youzhou and gave you military authority precisely because I hoped that if anything should happen to our Zhou family in the Eastern Capital, you would at least survive. Only with you still holding military power in Youzhou would they hesitate to act recklessly. A'Ye, you're in Youzhou not for yourself, but for me, for Wanzhi, for your mother, for the entire Zhou family."

"Do you think just because I hold a high position now and the Emperor shares a life-and-death bond with me, our Zhou family can rest easy? Let me tell you—" Zhou Gaolang looked seriously at Zhou Ye, "our Zhou family is already in imminent danger, treading on thin ice. Your brother and I in the Eastern Capital are risking our lives here. Why are you crying and making such a fuss to return? To come back and die together?"

"Do you know why your mother has been harsh with you? It's because she knows that if our Zhou family ever faces complete destruction, you would be the most likely to survive. She can't accept that."

Zhou Ye stared blankly at Zhou Gaolang, who looked back at him and said hoarsely: "You're the child I raised with my own hands, A'Ye. For over twenty years, you've always been my pride. I didn't want to tell you these things so early—you're too impatient—but since you've said what you did, I have no choice."

"You must return to Youzhou. You must pretend to be completely loyal, leaving all leverage in the Eastern Capital. Don't mention bringing your family away from the Eastern Capital—that would arouse the Emperor's suspicion. Then you must wait."

"Wait until when?"

"Until," Zhou Gaolang said calmly, "the Crown Prince produces an heir."

"Or," Zhou Gaolang turned to look at Zhou Ye, "until our Zhou family takes up arms against them."

Zhou Ye remained silent. Zhou Gaolang lowered his gaze and said quietly: "I know you're concerned about your mother. I'll speak with her properly. From now on, I'll have Yu Ru visit Wanzhi more often. Will that set your mind at ease?"

Zhou Ye listened, and after a long while, he seemed to finally give up, whispering: "I'll follow Father's arrangements."

"A'Ye," Zhou Gaolang looked at him, rather weary, "your sacrifices won't be in vain. Everything in the future will be yours."

"Father," Zhou Ye said calmly, "I've never done any of this for some future reward. My wish is very simple. I don't aspire for peaceful times or a prosperous era. There's only one thing I want now—"

He looked intently at Zhou Gaolang and said earnestly: "I just hope my wife, my child, you, mother, and my brother—our whole family—can live safely together for our entire lives. That's enough."

Zhou Gaolang didn't respond. He looked at the young man before him—his sharp edges worn down, his spirit tempered—yet he seemed not much different from before.

He remained forever respectful, filial, humble, and upright. He was everyone's elder brother, always helping others, yet never a pushover.

Zhou Gaolang sighed and waved his hand: "You may go."

Zhou Ye bowed respectfully and withdrew. When he returned to his quarters, Liu Yu Ru had already arranged everything. Zhou Ye took the child from Liu Yu Ru's arms. Looking at the child who knew nothing of the world, sleeping peacefully."Give him a name," Liu Yuru said softly. "We've been playing with him, but we don't even know what to call him."

Zhou Ye looked at the child for a long time before finally saying: "Siguī."

Zhou Siguī.

Zhou Ye stayed in the Eastern Capital for only about ten days before leaving the Zhou residence, even before Qin Wanzhi had finished her postpartum confinement. Before departing, he entrusted Liu Yuru with looking after Qin Wanzhi, to which Liu Yuru agreed, often visiting Qin Wanzhi together with Ye Yun.

The three women in the Eastern Capital would frequently chat together. Besides discussing Liu Yuru and Ye Yun's business affairs and daily matters, their conversations often turned to the men who were away.

Zhou Ye regularly wrote letters to Qin Wanzhi, and his letters always mentioned Shen Ming. It was said that Shen Ming had joined the vanguard army in Youzhou. Zhou Ye had initially opposed this, as these were troops composed of prisoners specifically used as arrow fodder, charging at the front lines with great risk. But Shen Ming insisted on joining, leaving Zhou Ye with no choice.

Every time Ye Yun heard about Shen Ming from Qin Wanzhi's letters, she felt the person described didn't sound like the Shen Ming she remembered. The man in the letters seemed much more composed and intelligent than her memory of him.

It was said he had started studying. Every night in the military tent, after everyone had fallen asleep, he would take out books on military strategy to read.

At first he couldn't understand any of it, but later he became able to discuss tactics and strategies with confidence.

When paying attention to someone becomes a habit, you constantly want to know their news. Eventually, Liu Yuru encouraged her to write a letter to Shen Ming. Ye Yun wrote and rewrote the letter many times before Liu Yuru finally pressured her into sending it.

Half a month after sending the letter, she received a reply. The handwriting wasn't particularly good, but it was neat, showing that the writer gripped the brush firmly, writing each character with solemnity and restraint.

The letter contained no unnecessary words, yet every sentence felt like an extra effort - properly answering the questions Ye Yun had asked previously, without saying anything inappropriate or asking anything he shouldn't. The letter didn't seem like it was written by Shen Ming, yet those carefully written characters clearly showed it was indeed from him.

Thus began their somewhat awkward correspondence. Compared to their reserved and restrained exchange, Gu Jiusi's letters were both frequent and unrestrained.

As the Yellow River repairs progressed, Liu Yuru's merchant fleets multiplied. The fleets proved highly profitable - not only did they begin generating profits in the first month, but they also reduced costs for her other businesses, increasing overall revenue by fifty percent compared to the previous month.

As time passed, the reputation of Liu Yuru's commerce grew. Small shops from various regions began entrusting their goods to Willow Reach Commerce for transportation.

Money flowed in like water. Following her original plan, Liu Yuru began purchasing land and expanding shops. Both Immortal Fragrance and Floral Visage achieved self-sufficiency across the entire process from raw materials to sales. With control over finished materials, costs were significantly reduced.

The better her business performed, the more frequently her merchant fleets traveled. And Gu Jiusi's letters hitched rides with these fleets, arriving from Xingyang almost daily.

He would write them every night and have them delivered to the Xingyang docks in the morning, where they would travel with fleets heading to the Eastern Capital.

With such frequent correspondence, the letters naturally didn't contain much substance. While Gu Jiusi hadn't improved in other aspects, his skill at writing love poems had greatly enhanced over these six months.

By April, when Liu Yuru was approaching her due date, she wrote to Gu Jiusi about the doctor's predicted delivery date. But Gu Jiusi didn't reply.Liu Yu Ru felt somewhat strange and couldn't help worrying that something might have happened to Gu Jiusi. This worry agitated the child in her womb. As she was in her room at that moment, a sharp pain suddenly struck her abdomen. She gasped sharply, and Yin Hong quickly supported her, asking, "What's wrong, Madam?"

Waiting for the wave of pain to subside, Liu Yu Ru steadied herself and said calmly, "Go summon Physician He and the midwife immediately. Inform the senior madam and my mother—I might be going into labor soon."

Hearing this, Yin Hong was momentarily stunned before flusteredly acknowledging the order and quickly instructing others to follow Liu Yuru's directions.

Though a woman in labor, Liu Yuru remained exceptionally composed. She directed others to help her to the delivery room, breathing rhythmically to alleviate the pain. Soon after, Jiang Rou and Su Wan hurried over. Seeing Liu Yuru's condition, Jiang Rou promptly inquired about her situation. Liu Yuru clearly and slowly described her current sensations. Jiang Rou nodded and said, "It might take a while longer. Have something to eat first to conserve your strength."

Liu Yuru nodded. Shortly after, the midwife entered the room, followed by Imperial Physician He.

By the time Imperial Physician He arrived, Gu Langhua, Jiang He, Ye Shi'an, Ye Yun, and others had rushed over upon hearing the news, making the scene quite lively. Even Li Yuchang, who had just been released from the Ministry of Justice, heard about it from Jiang He's colleagues and decided to come as well. Along with Qin Wanzhi and other official wives friendly with Liu Yuru, plus the managers from Floral Visage and Immortal Fragrance, even though Gu Jiusi was absent, Liu Yuru's childbirth was anything but lonely—it was positively bustling. While in the delivery room, Liu Yuru could even hear the sounds of people outside cracking melon seeds and chatting, along with some chanting and prayers. She couldn't tell whether these people were here out of concern or just for the spectacle, and she found herself both laboring and torn between tears and laughter.

She labored until midnight, the pain intensifying. At its peak, she thought of Gu Jiusi. For the first time in her life, she felt a twinge of resentment toward him. He had planted this exhausting bundle in her belly to torment her, making her suffer like this while he was off at the Yellow River, serving the nation and its people, completely spared from any hardship.

As these thoughts crossed her mind, Liu Yuru felt a wave of self-pity. She wanted to curse aloud but feared wasting her energy. Reason kept her silent, only allowing low, ragged breaths. Su Wan, seeing her struggle, wiped her sweat with tears welling up, choking out, "If only you were a boy, you wouldn't have to endure this. And Jiusi—how could he not be by your side at a time like this? You're all alone..."

As they spoke, a commotion erupted outside.

At that moment, Gu Jiusi, leading Munan, rushed frantically to the Gu family's gate. Munan chased after him, whispering, "Young master, keep it down. We're sneaking back..."

But before he could finish, Gu Jiusi was already sprinting toward the inner courtyard, shouting, "Yuru, I'm back! I've come to be with you!"

In her agony, Liu Yuru faintly heard Gu Jiusi's voice. Clutching her sleeve, she turned her head with difficulty, her expression complex as she gazed toward the door.

Meanwhile, Gu Jiusi burst into the inner courtyard, and as soon as he entered, he saw a large, lively crowd in the yard, all turning to stare quietly at him.

Stunned by the scene, Gu Jiusi blurted out, "What are all of you doing in my house?"

Then his eyes landed on Li Yuchang.

Others were one thing, but the Minister of Justice being here made Gu Jiusi's heart skip a beat.

Li Yuchang replied calmly and impassively, "Madam Liu is giving birth."

This only deepened Gu Jiusi's confusion. He immediately retorted, "Exactly, my wife is giving birth. So what are all of you doing in my house?"

"To cheer Yuru on."Ye Yun spoke, and Gu Jiusi turned his gaze toward her. He then noticed a group of Floral Visage managers seated beside Ye Yun, with Yun Yun next to her. Beside Yun Yun sat another cluster of Immortal Fragrance supervisors.

Behind this crowd were some individuals dressed in peculiar outfits, leaping about while performing rituals. They chanted incantations with jingling bells, making the courtyard exceptionally lively.

Gu Jiusi felt somewhat dazed.

For a moment, he couldn’t distinguish whether he had returned to attend a bizarre gathering or to accompany his wife through childbirth.