si-mexico Chapter 658 pierced my heart; it didn't hurt, but it was impossible to ignore.
Chapter 658 pierced my heart; it didn't hurt, but it was impossible to ignore.
Chu Ruohan shook her head helplessly at his matter-of-fact attitude.
She opened her mouth and drank the spoonful of medicine; the medicine was slightly bitter.
"Didn't the Emperor get angry?" she asked curiously.
Gu Junze scooped up another spoonful of medicine and held it to her lips, saying, "It's taken."
"Then why would he allow you to take two years off?" Chu Ruohan asked, puzzled.
She knew Zhao Yunci's temper to some extent; she was definitely not someone who could compromise easily.
Gu Junze's gaze swept over her lower abdomen, and his eyes softened.
He put the medicine bowl aside, reached out and gently took her hand, his fingertips stroking the skin on the back of her hand.
"He'll approve."
"This child is important to you, and equally important to me. I can only feel at ease taking care of him myself. I will not allow you to suffer any harm, and we cannot allow a difficult childbirth to happen again."
Once he has made up his mind about something, even the emperor cannot stop him.
A warm feeling washed over Chu Ruohan, and she took his hand in return.
"But what about the court? And what about Northern Yan..." She was still somewhat worried.
Gu Junze gently patted the back of her hand to reassure her.
“It’s alright.” He said calmly. “Although I am not in court, military memorials are delivered to my residence daily. If there is any emergency, I can come to the palace at any time. Ordinary matters are handled by others.”
He looked at her gently and said, "You just need to focus on your pregnancy. Leave everything else to me."
He paused, then added, "Without you and the children, what is the meaning of even the greatest achievements?"
Chu Ruohan was so moved by his words that she couldn't speak, and her eyes welled up with tears.
She knew that this man truly cherished her and their child.
In the days that followed, Gu Junze indeed kept his promise.
Aside from handling necessary military affairs, he stayed by Chu Ruohan's side almost every day.
He personally supervised the kitchen in preparing her meals, required the royal physician to examine her pulse daily, and even personally took care of her daily life.
He even hired several experienced nannies to explain pregnancy precautions to her every day, fearing that she might experience any discomfort.
The entire Zhenguo Duke's mansion was busier and happier because of the upcoming little life.
Gu Qingchen was filled with curiosity about the upcoming arrival of her little brother or sister.
Every day after school, the first thing she did was run to Chu Ruohan's room, lie down by the bed, press her little head against Chu Ruohan's belly, and talk to the baby in her belly in a sweet, childish voice.
"Little baby, come out quickly! I've prepared lots of fun things for you!"
"Little baby, are you sleeping in there? Can you hear me?"
Her childlike voice brought happy smiles to the faces of Chu Ruohan and Gu Junze.
As the days went by, Chu Ruohan could feel the tiny life inside her growing little by little.
Both she and Gu Junze were eagerly anticipating the arrival of this child.
As the year draws to a close, the weather is getting colder and colder.
Gu Xuan was granted leave from the military camp and returned home. He looked even more upright than when he left home, and had shed some of his youthful immaturity.
Meizi, his personal maid, stepped forward and helped him change out of his outer garment, hanging up a thick brocade robe for him.
"Young Master Xuan, you're finally back."
As Meizi straightened his collar, she sighed and casually brought it up.
"The entire household is overjoyed that Madam is pregnant. However, this old servant dares to speak out, but you are, after all, an adopted child. In the future... if Madam gives birth to a young master, your status in the household will likely be..."
Gu Xuan paused for a moment as he adjusted his cuffs.
He looked up, his gaze turning cold, and interrupted her.
"Slap me if I talk too much."
Meizi's face turned pale, and she immediately fell silent, lowering her head and daring not to say another word.
Gu Xuan didn't look at her again and walked straight out of the courtyard.
Meizi's words were like a tiny thorn that pierced his heart; they didn't hurt, but they were impossible to ignore.
He had just stepped onto the covered walkway leading to the main courtyard when a small figure rushed over.
"elder brother!"
Gu Qingchen jumped onto him, wrapped her little arms tightly around his neck, and wrapped her legs around him, hanging on like a koala.
"You're back! Did you miss me?"
Gu Xuan was knocked back half a step by her, and the gloom on his face instantly disappeared, revealing a helpless yet doting smile.
He steadily supported his younger sister and weighed her in his arms.
"It's heavy."
Gu Qingchen snuggled against him, hugging his neck and acting coquettishly, "Brother, why didn't you come to find me first? Where's my present?"
"We can forget everyone but our little darling."
Gu Xuan put her down, reached into his robes, and magically produced a small horse carved from walnut wood.
The pony is no bigger than the palm of your hand, yet it is sculpted so lifelike that even the lines on the saddle are clearly visible.
Gu Qingchen snatched it away, holding it in her hands like a precious treasure, and chattered excitedly about the funny things that happened at home.
"Mommy is pregnant! Daddy is so nervous now, even I don't want to hold Mommy too much!"
"Uncle Qian said that my mother's pulse is very good, and my second aunt comes every day, saying that she wants to make a hundred little clothes for the baby!"
Gu Xuan held her hand and listened quietly. His sister's clear voice was like the warm sun in winter, completely dispelling the last bit of unease in his heart.
The brother and sister entered the main house laughing and joking.
Chu Ruohan was leaning against the couch, and Gu Junze was sitting beside her, carefully peeling an orange for her.
The stove inside was burning brightly, filling the room with a warm and cozy atmosphere.
"Mother, Father."
Gu Xuan stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
Looking at his mother's rosy cheeks and the genuine happiness in her smile, the last bit of resentment in his heart vanished.
This is his home.
They are his family.
Standing behind a pillar not far away, Meizi watched the harmonious scene inside the house and clenched her hands, which were hidden in her sleeves.
She never expected that Gu Xuan would have such deep feelings for this family and for his stepmother, Chu Ruohan.
No.
My aunt risked her life to secure the opportunity for Xuan-ge to be adopted.
We must not let Chu Ruohan's legitimate son ruin everything.
Chu Ruohan smiled and waved to him, "Xuan-ge'er, you're back! Come over here and let your mother see you."
Gu Xuan quickly walked to the bedside and squatted down as instructed.
Chu Ruohan reached out and carefully examined his face, her fingertips gently stroking his somewhat rough cheeks, her eyes filled with heartache.
"He's gotten darker and thinner, but he's grown quite a bit taller."
Gu Junze fed Chu Ruohan a peeled orange segment, and upon hearing this, glanced at Gu Xuan indifferently.
"It is good for boys to suffer more hardships."
Chu Ruohan glared at him. She understood the reasoning, but as a mother, how could she not love her child?
She withdrew her hand and patted Gu Xuan on the shoulder.
"You two siblings have come at the right time. This is chicken soup that your father cooked himself today. Come and have a taste."
As she spoke, she gestured with her chin toward a bowl of warm soup on a small table beside her.
Gu Xuan and Gu Qingchen exchanged a glance, a hint of suspicion flashing in each other's eyes.
Gu Xuan hesitated for a moment, then tentatively asked, "Dad made this, is it edible?"
Gu Junze paused, holding the oranges, and gave him a cold glare. "It won't poison you. If you don't want to eat it, then don't."
As soon as he finished speaking, Gu Qingchen immediately grabbed Gu Xuan's sleeve, her little face full of exaggerated seriousness.
"Brother, brother... let's go, it's my treat! Let's go to Zuixianlou to eat, and invite Gun Gun along. Let's save this chicken soup for Mother to nourish her body."
She patted her small chest with a serious expression, lowered her voice, but made sure everyone in the room could hear her.
"I'm afraid I'll get an upset stomach after drinking it."
Gu Junze's handsome face instantly darkened.
"Pfft!" Chu Ruohan couldn't hold back any longer and burst into laughter, waving her hands repeatedly.
"Haha, you two ungrateful little brats, hurry up and go, don't stay here and upset your father."