Glory

"What?" Lu Guanyi jolted upright in shock.

"You mean..." His gaze shifted to Ye Yaming's abdomen.

Ye Yaming caressed her stomach: "Though we haven't consulted a Herbalist yet, I have a feeling you might become a father soon."

Having lived in an era of information explosion in her previous life, surrounded by countless acquaintances who had experienced pregnancy and childbirth, Ye Yaming naturally possessed some knowledge about pregnancy.

Lately, she had been feeling drowsy, constantly lethargic and lacking energy. Two mornings ago, she had experienced dry retching. At the time, she had been momentarily stunned before realizing her monthly cycle was overdue.

"In the capital, we don't have trusted imperial physicians or Herbalists. Moreover, once my pregnancy is confirmed, Third Granduncle's family would inevitably send letters announcing the happy news. Then Third Grandaunt would surely prevent me from returning to Lin'an," Ye Yaming explained to him in detail.

"If I stay alone in the capital, with servants who aren't accustomed to my ways, not only would I be vulnerable to schemes, but this year's Tribute Tea is also crucial." She looked at Lu Guanyi. "We sold the Dragon Well Tea-making recipe last year. Capital nobility might collaborate with Lin'an tea merchants to profit and try to surpass us in tea quality. If their tea ends up tasting better than ours, our Tribute Tea status would become precarious."

Upon hearing about her pregnancy, Lu Guanyi's first instinct was to have Ye Yaming remain in the capital to rest during pregnancy, rather than returning to Lin'an. The journey would be bumpy, and if anything happened along the way, regret would be endless.

Hearing Ye Yaming's reasoning, he frowned: "But your health..."

He knew Ye Yaming made valid points. The capital wasn't safe to stay in, and this year's Dragon Well Tea was most critical.

Last year, Dragon Well had just been designated as Tribute Tea. If this year's tea quality significantly declined, even being surpassed by other tea merchants, the Ye family's reputation would be ruined. The cause would be their own folly in selling the tea-making recipe.

This would undoubtedly become a laughingstock throughout the Great Jin dynasty.

But to him, nothing mattered more than Ye Yaming's health. If anything happened to her, he couldn't imagine how he would live the rest of his life. As for the child, he didn't value it as much. Even if they lost this one, there would be others later. They were still young, and having children wouldn't be difficult.

"Regarding tea production, with your father overseeing it, shouldn't it be fine?" he added.

Ye Yaming nodded: "Yes, we'll rely on my father this year. But I still need to ensure quality control."

She looked up: "Don't worry, my carriage has been modified. I'll have the driver go slowly and absolutely will not overexert myself. Besides, five days ago I already sent someone back to have my father ask Zhang Ning to come to the capital and escort me. He's probably already on his way."

Hearing "Zhang Ning's" name, Lu Guanyi felt half his worries lift.

He knew Zhang Ning well - he was the Herbalist Ye Yaming had hired to accompany them when they traveled to Huizhou together years ago. Though young, Zhang Ning possessed excellent medical skills and trustworthy character.

Later, when Ye Yaming and Qi Ji went to Minzhou, they had also invited him along. They had all become friends by now.

"As for going up the mountain for tea production, I'll be equally careful with my health, protecting myself and protecting our child."

Ye Yaming felt her body wasn't so fragile. Having been in Great Jin for three years, she had practiced running and martial arts daily, diligently exercising until she had built this body into robust health.Normally, she could ride horses up and down mountains without any issues. Even the arduous journeys to Huizhou and Minzhou hadn't made her fall ill, proving she had a robust constitution.

Thinking of modern women—not just those doing farm work, but even urban women who commuted to work on crowded buses and subways during pregnancy, even going on business trips—they rarely encountered problems.

These ancient gentlewomen were too delicate. They needed maids to serve them even a cup of tea, never lifted a finger or exercised, always traveled by sedan chair or carriage without walking much—how could pregnancy not be dangerous for them?

So she believed as long as she avoided intense exercise, jumping around, and excessive fatigue, she would be fine.

Though Lu Guanyi was extremely uneasy, he had to yield to Ye Yaming's decision. After all, no matter how worried he was, he couldn't stay by her side constantly. Moreover, Ye Yaming's calm and composed demeanor in any situation, as if everything was under control, gave him great confidence.

He held Ye Yaming tighter. "No matter what, you must remember that your health and safety are more important than the child, tea leaves, or any profits. If anything happens, you must prioritize saving yourself."

"Mm," Ye Yaming nodded in his embrace. "I know."

Still uneasy, Lu Guanyi spoke plainly to her. "Look at me—a motherless child is pitiful. Just surviving to adulthood is a blessing from heaven, with countless hardships along the way. You must never sacrifice yourself for the child. We're still young; even if we lose this one, there will be others. At the very worst, even if we have no children, it doesn't matter. Having you in this lifetime is enough for me."

"Mm." Ye Yaming nodded again. "I know."

In her previous life, she had died so young. If she hadn't met the original owner on the Naihe Bridge, her life would have been far too brief.

Given this precious second chance at life, she valued it more than anyone. She would never be so noble as to sacrifice herself for a child.

"I was actually hesitant about telling you this," Ye Yaming said. "I didn't want you worrying about me while you're at the frontier. I'm telling you now so you know that the child and I will be waiting for you at home. You must return safely. No matter what happens, protect yourself and take care of your health. A motherless child is pitiful, but a fatherless child is just the same."

Lu Guanyi held her even tighter. "Don't worry. For you and the child, I will live well."

He lowered his head and kissed Ye Yaming. "I'll return in August or September to be with you for the birth."

Ye Yaming nodded. "Alright."

"Alright, sleep now. Rest well so you won't be too tired on the road tomorrow." Lu Guanyi tucked the quilt around Ye Yaming and lay down obediently beside her.

Ye Yaming, prone to drowsiness, was already very tired. At his words, she closed her eyes and soon fell into a deep sleep.

Lu Guanyi watched her sleeping face, gazing fondly for a long time before extinguishing the lamp and lying down.

The next morning, the couple had breakfast and left together. Lu Guanyi offered more advice in the carriage until they passed the city gate and reached the Five-Mile Pavilion, where he got out.

Here, the couple would part—one heading north on horseback, the other traveling south by carriage.Everything that needed to be said had already been discussed last night and earlier in the carriage, yet Lu Guanyi still felt as if there were countless words left unspoken.

Just then, Xu Zan approached and reported, "Miss, Zhang Ning has arrived."

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