Chapter 255: Pregnancy
Third Master Chen had invited Physician Ji early in the morning, startling even Madam Chen.
Upon hearing from the messenger maid that it might be a pregnancy, Madam Chen was overjoyed. She said to the daughters-in-law who had come to pay their respects, "Let’s all go to Third Master’s place together. If it’s truly good news, we’ll know sooner."
When Granny Zheng helped her arrive at Osmanthus Hall, they happened to see Physician Ji walking out with a beaming face. Physician Ji sported a goatee and wore a gray Daoist robe, followed by two medicine-carrying apprentices. Caifu handed a heavy brocade pouch to one of the apprentices and curtsied as she saw Physician Ji off.
Too eager to even enter the house, Madam Chen spotted the maid who often attended Gu Jinzhao and called her over to inquire.
"What did Physician Ji say after the examination?"
Caifu was also delighted, unable to hide her joy. "Reporting to Tai Furen... she is with child, already two months along."
The daughters-in-law gasped in happy surprise. Wang Shi, supporting Madam Chen’s arm, said, "You’re about to gain a golden grandson!"
Madam Qin smiled gently. "We’ve come in such a hurry. Knowing Third Sister-in-law is pregnant, we didn’t even bring proper gifts."
Madam Chen waved her hand. "No need for words now. Let’s go in and see first. Third Master must be overjoyed."
Caifu then led Madam Chen and the others into Osmanthus Hall, arriving at the main room of the second courtyard. The maids guarding the western side chamber hurried to greet them, lifting the beaded curtain before stepping aside.
Third Master Chen had just confirmed that Gu Jinzhao was indeed pregnant.
He had only suspected it yesterday.
When Physician Ji delivered the news, he felt a slight unreality—after all, she had only been married to him for three months.
He gazed at Gu Jinzhao for a long time.
Gu Jinzhao’s emotions were complicated. Of course, there was joy, but also a sense of unfamiliarity. She touched her still-flat abdomen, momentarily unsure of what to do. Inside... was hers and Third Master’s child. Would this child still be the Prodigy?
Whether or not, this was her child. It would call her "Mother," crawl, laugh, and fuss over food it didn’t like...
After a moment of reflection, she looked up and realized Third Master Chen was watching her.
"Third Master..." She hesitated, unsure what to say.
Third Master Chen beckoned her over, lifting her gently to sit beside him as if she had suddenly become fragile. Holding her hand, he spoke with a slightly stern expression, "Jinchao, you’re pregnant now. You can’t be as carefree as before. The first three months are unstable—no high places or watersides. I know you’re picky with food, but that ends now. You must eat a balanced diet..." He paused, likely thinking of what else to add.
"I’m usually too busy to watch over you every day, and your maids only listen to you. I’ll assign someone trustworthy to follow you..." Recalling all the accidents that could harm her, Third Master Chen frowned, feeling even this wasn’t enough. He tapped the edge of the table and added, "I’ll transfer ten guards from Crane Extension Tower. They’ll accompany you wherever you go."
Gu Jinzhao couldn’t help but laugh wryly. "Third Master... are you perhaps a little nervous?"
Third Master Chen shook his head with a smile. "I’m just worried about you. How is that nervous?"
Gu Jinzhao whispered, "Your palms are sweating..."Third Master Chen coughed lightly and withdrew his hand. Earlier, while waiting for Physician Ji’s diagnosis, he had unconsciously tightened his grip.
Gu Jinzhao said, “I don’t need guards following me. I’ve always lived in the inner courtyard—what use would guards be?” Moreover, she didn’t want Third Master Chen to divert his attention to protecting her at this time. “Don’t worry. For the sake of the child in my belly, I won’t be picky with food. Why send someone to watch over me? Wouldn’t that just invite ridicule from Mother?”
It was said that if a mother was picky during pregnancy, the child would be picky too.
Third Master Chen thought it over and also felt that assigning guards to follow her was unnecessary. He smiled at her. “I’m just overly concerned.” He still felt a bit incredulous—Jinchao was already carrying his child. Softly, he called her, “Jinchao…”
Gu Jinzhao hummed in response but saw him gazing at her with a smile, saying nothing.
She lowered her head to look at the patterns on his belt.
Third Master Chen pulled her into his lap and asked gently, “Do you prefer a boy or a girl?”
Gu Jinzhao preferred girls, thinking boys were too mischievous and exhausting to discipline.
She rested her head against his chest, quietly listening to his steady heartbeat. “What about you?” she asked.
After a brief pause, Third Master Chen replied, “If it’s a boy, I’ll teach him to study. If it’s a girl, you can teach her needlework… Either is fine. We’ll have more later, so there’s no rush.” He patted her back lightly.
Parents always imagined what their child would be like, but in truth, they would love them no matter what.
Gu Jinzhao also smiled. The two embraced quietly for a while until Xiangye announced from outside that Madam Chen had arrived.
She hurriedly got up from Third Master Chen’s lap and sat on the other side of the daybed.
But Madam Chen, who had entered first, caught sight of it and couldn’t help but smile.
Third Master Chen bowed to Madam Chen. Jinzhao also moved to greet her, but Madam Chen stopped her. “You’re with child now—just call out when you see me, no need for formal bows. Sit down quickly, let me talk to you.” It was as if she had suddenly become made of glass, too fragile to be touched.
Madam Qin, Madam Wang, and Madam Ge followed Madam Chen inside, and maids brought stools for everyone to sit.
Third Master Chen didn’t retreat to the East Side Room either. He had tea brought over and sat in the Grand Preceptor’s Chair to read.
Seeing her son like this, Madam Chen found it even more amusing. He couldn’t bear to leave—as if anyone would dare bully his wife.
The others had already heard from Caifu about her pregnancy and congratulated her one after another. Madam Chen kept scrutinizing her. “Most women gain weight during pregnancy, but you’ve gotten thinner. I wondered why you weren’t eating much—thought it was just the heat… It seems this little one is quite active. Must be a boy, even livelier than his father.”
Madam Qin’s smile stiffened.
When Sun Shi was pregnant, Madam Chen had openly expressed her hope for a girl. But now that Gu Jinzhao was pregnant, it immediately became a boy… The difference in treatment between the main and secondary branches was crystal clear to Madam Chen.
Gu Jinzhao’s face flushed slightly, feeling a little embarrassed. “It’s hard to say. When my mother was pregnant with my younger brother, she ate well and slept soundly.”
Madam Wang smiled. “I think Third Sister-in-law looks like she’s carrying a boy. And you seem blessed too.”Madam Chen held her hand and spoke gently, "You must take extra care with your first pregnancy. I have three experienced maids in the kitchen—one is already assigned to your niece-in-law, and I'll allocate another to you. They know what foods are beneficial for the baby and will keep watch to prevent any mishaps. If you crave anything, just send me a list, and I'll have it prepared and delivered to you... Pregnant women tend to sleep more, so rest well each day before coming over. There's no need to adhere strictly to the morning and evening rituals." She went on to share many more precautions.
Just then, a startled cry came from outside, followed by the crisp sound of a cup shattering on the ground.
What on earth had happened?
Gu Jinzhao signaled Granny Sun to go and investigate.
Shortly after, Qingpu entered, bowed to everyone, and said to Gu Jinzhao, "...Guard Chen Yi is waiting outside. He says he has urgent matters to report to Third Master Chen."
Noticing a conspicuous stain on Qingpu's moon-white skirt, Gu Jinzhao asked, "What happened here?"
Qingpu seemed somewhat upset and replied softly, "I accidentally bumped into someone... I'll go change my skirt immediately."
Why was Qingpu, usually so even-tempered, angry?
Gu Jinzhao found this unusual.
She went to inform Third Master Chen, who stepped outside to speak with Chen Yi. After a brief exchange—likely concerning something significant—he quickly returned to the inner chamber to change clothes.
When he reappeared, he was dressed in a crimson official robe of the second rank. He said to Gu Jinzhao, "I'll return tonight. Wait for me..." Jinzhao nodded. Didn't she always wait for him?
Third Master Chen hesitated, as if he wanted to say something more, but ultimately turned and left.
Madam Chen and the sisters-in-law chatted with Gu Jinzhao until noon.
Soon, Chen Xi arrived. Upon hearing that Gu Jinzhao was pregnant, she asked in amazement, "...Is there a little brother inside?"
Wang Shi teased her, "Xi Jie'er, don't you want a sister? Why are you so sure it's a brother?"
Chen Xi blinked and said, "When I play with Yuan Jie'er, she says her mother's baby sister cries at the slightest touch and won't let her hold her. I'm afraid a sister would cry, so I hope Mother has a brother."
Wang Shi thought to herself that the child didn’t yet understand what having a brother meant. By the time she did, she’d probably wish Gu Jinzhao were carrying a sister instead.
Chen Xi sat beside Gu Jinzhao, reaching out to touch her belly but suddenly withdrew her hand. Looking up, she asked, "Mother, may I touch it?"
Jinzhao smiled and nodded, "Of course you may."
Chen Xi carefully touched the belly but looked disappointed. "I can't feel the little brother inside at all," she said. The abdomen was still flat.
Madam Chen said, "Silly child, your brother is still tiny. You’ll feel him when he grows bigger. Come here, your grandmother wants to talk to you."
Chen Xi obediently went to Madam Chen, who wrapped an arm around her shoulders and advised, "From now on, don’t let your mother tire herself out. Don’t upset her, and be good. Before long, Xi Jie'er will have a little brother. When he arrives, you must treat him well."
Chen Xi nodded solemnly. "Just like Seventh Brother treats me!"
Afternoon tea was served, and Madam Chen, accompanied by Madam Qin, eventually left. Wang Shi and Madam Ge also took their leave not long after.
Gu Jinzhao summoned Granny Sun and asked her who exactly Qingpu had bumped into earlier.Granny Sun said, "It was a guard who came with Guard Chen, said his surname was Lin, a tall and burly man. When Miss Qingpu was bringing your soup over, he stood in the way and wouldn't move aside. Miss Qingpu had to ask several times before he finally stepped aside. But after she had already walked past, he suddenly chased after her trying to block her path... and accidentally bumped into her. The soup we made for you used aged ginseng, so Miss Qingpu got angry and even scolded him..."
Gu Jinzhao found this very strange: "What exactly was that guard surnamed Lin trying to do?"
Granny Sun smiled, "He said Miss Qingpu looked like his mother. The man's simple-minded, but means no harm. He apologized for a long time afterward..."
Gu Jinzhao shook her head with a smile, "How truly simple-minded." Knowing she was pregnant, her mood had become much more relaxed.
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