Chapter 75

She is already three months pregnant.

Yuan Ge's exclamation startled Xue Lingyu. He turned to look at his clothes and saw a small pool of blood, but not much, and he didn't feel any pain in his stomach.

Perhaps it's because her period has started, Xue Lingyu thought.

Yuan Ge dared not be careless and hurriedly sent someone to inform Jiang He. Seeing this, Rui Ming sneered inwardly several times. He hadn't even bumped into Xue Lingyu; he had fallen on his own. Besides, it was just a menstrual period, and they were making such a fuss over it. Did they really think he was already the young master of the Jiang family?

Anyway, he had already delivered the message, and whether or not Xue Lingyu came was up to her, so Ruiming didn't linger any longer.

Seeing Ruiming about to leave, Xue Lingyu hurriedly tried to chase after him, but Yuange pulled her back tightly. Yuange's expression was very serious. "Young Master, you should go back to your room and rest first. We'll talk when Miss returns."

Xue Lingyu was so anxious she was about to cry. "But if I don't go, Xinyan will die."

“My lord is not the kind of person who would execute a servant so easily. Ruiming was just trying to scare you, young master. You should think more about the young lady. She will definitely be worried if she knows that you are going there rashly.” Yuange advised earnestly. No matter what, she could not let Xue Lingyu leave this courtyard.

Without further ado, Yuange helped Xue Lingyu inside, leaving no room for hesitation. "Go back first, change into clean clothes, and I'll treat your wounds."

Xue Lingyu was so focused on getting to the main courtyard to save Xinyan that she didn't feel much pain. But now, not only were the cuts on her hands burning, but her stomach was also cramping, and she almost couldn't walk steadily. She had no choice but to go back and rest.

His face suddenly turned very pale, but he was still worried about Xinyan and kept muttering to himself.

Yuange was startled and could only urge her young lady to return quickly, and then send someone to the main courtyard to inquire about Xinyan's whereabouts.

Jiang He was dealing with Manager Zhao's affairs at the shop when she received a message from the mansion. Without thinking of anything else, she immediately rode back to the Jiang residence.

Xue Lingyu had been afflicted with the "Beauty Curse," so her constitution was different from that of ordinary people. Jiang He went to the Jiang family clinic halfway there to find Doctor Jiang and brought her back to the Jiang residence.

When Jiang He rushed back, Xue Lingyu was sitting alone on the bed, her eyes red from the pain.

His stomach doesn't hurt anymore, but small stones got into his wound when he fell, and it's been hurting him a lot.

Upon seeing Jiang He return, Xue Lingyu's composure crumbled instantly, and she hugged Jiang He, crying, "It hurts so much."

Jiang Heguang felt her heart ache just from looking at his wound. No one knew better than her that Xue Lingyu was most afraid of pain. Even a bump or bruise would leave a mark on his skin. But here, he had a direct cut. No wonder he was in so much pain that he kept wiping away tears.

Yuange had already treated Xue Lingyu's wounds, but the small stones inside had not all been removed. Jiang He comforted Xue Lingyu for a while until his emotions gradually calmed down, and then said to Doctor Jiang, "Doctor Jiang, please treat my wife's wounds."

Doctor Jiang brought his medicine kit and stepped forward to examine Xue Lingyu's wound.

The wound wasn't actually deep; it just made the skin look more serious because it was too delicate.

Doctor Jiang quickly picked out the stones, applied medicine to Xue Lingyu, and then bandaged her up.

"Young master, your injury is not serious. As long as you keep it dry for ten days and change the dressing on time, it will heal completely and will not leave a scar."

Although the wound on her hand had been treated, Jiang He still remembered something else, so she asked Xue Lingyu, "I heard from Yuan Ge that there was blood on your pants as well. Was there a wound on your back as well?"

The bleeding was no small matter, and Jiang He was worried that Xue Lingyu might have some hidden injuries.

"I'm not injured on my back. It seems like I've started my period," Xue Lingyu whispered. Because Doctor Jiang was there, his voice was so soft it was barely audible, but Jiang He still heard him.

Despite saying that, Jiang He was still worried. "Dr. Jiang, please take my wife's pulse and see if there are any hidden injuries. I'm really concerned."

Xue Lingyu was about to say no, but Doctor Jiang had already placed the handkerchief on his wrist, so he had no choice but to keep quiet.

This time, Doctor Jiang took longer to examine Xue Lingyu's pulse than usual. He also asked Xue Lingyu if she had a stomachache. After receiving an affirmative answer, he stood up and said to Jiang He, "Miss Jiang, please move outside."

Although Jiang He was puzzled, she followed Doctor Jiang outside.

Jiang He couldn't help but ask, "Is it because your period is irregular?"

Doctor Jiang shook his head. "If I'm not mistaken, this young master is probably already three months pregnant."

"Three months?!" Jiang He almost lost control of her voice.

"Young master, you have had a 'beauty curse' (a type of ailment), and although it has been cleared up and will not affect your ability to conceive, you are still different from ordinary people. Therefore, when I examined your pulse last time, I did not find any signs of a slippery pulse. This time, you are three months pregnant, and although your pulse is a bit weak, I can be sure that you are pregnant."

Doctor Jiang hesitated for a moment before saying, "Young master, the baby in your womb is healthy, and the fall wasn't serious. It's just that the sexual activity was too intense, which is why you're experiencing slight bleeding. A few doses of medicine to help stabilize the pregnancy will help you recover."

Doctor Jiang couldn't help but feel a little scared. If Xue Lingyu had chosen to restore her memories back then, it would have inevitably harmed the fetus in her womb.

The news of Xue Lingyu's pregnancy was an unexpected surprise for Jiang He. Just a few days ago, she was envious of her brother's twins and was imagining what her and Xue Lingyu's child would be like.

Now my dream has actually come true.

Jiang He stammered, "Dr. Jiang, are there any precautions to take when a man becomes pregnant? Please don't tell me yet, I'll go get some paper and write it down."

She was so excited that she was as happy as a child at that moment.

"Miss Jiang, please don't worry. I will write down all the precautions. Is there a study in your residence?"

Jiang He immediately said yes, and even offered to lead the way for Doctor Jiang: "It's over here, Doctor Jiang, please."

Xue Lingyu was the only one left in the room. His wound had just been bandaged, and he had been crying so much that he couldn't open his eyes, so he lay down and slept for a while. When he woke up, he found that it was already dark outside.

Seeing that he had finally woken up, Jiang He fed him some water.

She stayed by Xue Lingyu's side for as long as he slept, and even though it was past midnight, she didn't feel tired at all and still looked energetic.

"Get up and eat something first, then take your medicine and go back to sleep."

After drinking the water, Xue Lingyu's throat finally felt drier, so she asked in confusion, "I have an injury on my hand, but I don't have a cold, so why do I need to take medicine?"

Moreover, he disliked the taste of medicine; it was far too bitter for him.

Jiang He stroked his hair, her eyes filled with tenderness, and said softly, "Doctor Jiang said you are three months pregnant and you accidentally had some bleeding today, so you need to drink some medicine to prevent miscarriage."

This was beyond Xue Lingyu's expectations. He was so surprised that he stammered, "Didn't I get my period? So... I'm pregnant?"

Jiang He gave him a very definite answer.

She gently touched Xue Lingyu's belly, "So you need to take good care of yourself and not run around, not only for my sake, but also for the baby in your belly."

In the main courtyard, the lights were still on late at night. Ruiming was kneeling in the main hall, begging for forgiveness from Jiang's father.

"It was my fault for not bringing Young Master Xue back. The people in Miss's courtyard forbade me from stepping inside, and Yuange, who was by Miss's side, even spoke rudely to me. This is clearly disrespectful to the master."

Jiang's father originally wanted to call Xue Lingyu over so that he would give up and leave the Jiang family, but he didn't expect to lose face so much.

Now the whole mansion knows that Xue Lingyu is injured. The doctor has been out for a long time to examine her and has not come out yet. Jiang He is also not making any moves. It seems that the injury is not serious. Ruiming is a member of the main courtyard. If Jiang He wants to settle this score, it will definitely fall on his father in the end. Jiang's father squinted at Ruiming kneeling on the ground and did not say anything.

Ruiming deliberately slurred her words with a hint of a sob, “This servant did not push Young Master Xue. He disliked me and tried to chase after me, which is why I accidentally fell. But no matter what, it is all my fault. Please forgive me, my lord.”

Ruiming's words softened Jiang's father's heart. After all, Ruiming had been by his side since childhood, and their relationship was different from that of others. Seeing Ruiming kneeling for so long, he felt sorry for him and raised his hand, saying, "Get up. It's not all your fault. Let's just let it go."

Ruiming stood up and said, "Thank you, my lord."

With Jiang's father's words, the matter was considered closed, and Ruiming was relieved.

Anyway, with Father Jiang's protection, even if it's a young lady, she can't openly punish him.

As soon as Jiang He entered the door, she heard the conversation between her father and Ruiming. She rushed up to her father, her gaze falling on Ruiming, so intimidating that he didn't dare to look up for a moment.

“Father, He’er feels that this matter cannot be left like this.”

As soon as Jiang's father heard her voice, he knew she had come to stand up for Xue Lingyu, so he deliberately asked, "He'er, it's so late, why aren't you taking care of Xue Lingyu? What are you doing here?"

“Father, he has already fallen asleep after taking his medicine, so He’er has come here to seek justice.” Just thinking about how Xue Lingyu was crying out in pain even in his sleep, Jiang He felt like tearing Ruiming to pieces.

“Ruiming has been by my side for many years. Even if he has some faults, Xue Lingyu is currently without a title or status and cannot be considered a proper master of my Jiang family. He’er, let’s just let this minor incident go.” Jiang’s father’s attitude clearly showed that he was going to protect Ruiming.

Father Jiang rubbed his forehead, closed his eyes, and said, "I'm tired. Let's leave it at that."

Seeing her father stand up, Jiang He said, "Father, Xue Lingyu is pregnant with my child. Ruiming almost killed your granddaughter. Even so, are you still going to protect him?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang's father paused for a moment.

Ruiming sensed something was wrong and hurriedly said, "Young Master Xue took the Red Beauty Elixir for two months, so it's impossible for him to be pregnant again. How could he suddenly have a child now? This matter must be false. Please, my lord, see the truth."

Jiang He sneered: "How do you know he took the 'Red Beauty Elixir' for two months? I don't recall telling anyone else."

Those in the manor who knew the inside story only knew that Xue Lingyu had been poisoned with the "Red Beauty Poison," but they didn't know when the poison had been added to the medicine. Even Jiang's father didn't know, but Ruiming knew everything.

Jiang's father also cast a suspicious glance at Ruiming.

It was Ruiming who told him that Xue Lingyu was cursed with the "Red Beauty Curse" and could not conceive. Only after that did he have the idea of ​​letting Xue Lingyu leave, since the Jiang family could not possibly want a man who could not have children.

But now that Xue Lingyu is pregnant, Ruiming knows everything about Xue Lingyu's "Broken Heart" curse.

Jiang's father, being from an official family, was no stranger to the dirty dealings in the inner quarters. He immediately thought of the possibility that Ruiming had tampered with the medicine. But what reason would Ruiming have to harm Xue Lingyu?

"My lord, I only heard it from others. I have no reason to harm Young Master Xue. You must believe me." Seeing that Jiang He had discovered his mistake, Ruiming immediately begged Jiang's father for help. As long as he insisted that he had no motive, the crime could not be pinned on him without evidence.

Even if Xue Lingyu were really pregnant, at most he would be disrespectful to his master, far from being kicked out like Yang Tao.

Father Jiang nodded and looked at Jiang He, "Ruiming really has no reason to harm Xue Lingyu."

Jiang He came prepared this time and wouldn't let Ruiming escape so easily. She asked her father, "Father, I remember Ruiming was married before, but his wife died in an accident. You took pity on him, so you summoned him back to the manor to serve you, right?"

Father Jiang was taken aback. Indeed, there was something going on, and Ruiming's wife was a merchant in the Jiang family's business.

“Yes, I remember Ruiming’s wife was in the spice business and was highly regarded.” Father Jiang suddenly remembered, looking at Jiang He with confusion, then at Ruiming: “Is there any connection?”

Jiang He looked down at Ruiming with a cold smile on her lips. "Brother Ruiming, will you confess on your own initiative, or will I tell you?"

Since Jiang He had focused her attention on the spices, she must have investigated further. Ruiming knew that this matter could not be kept secret any longer. If she continued to deny it, she would only look like a clown.

Ruiming took a deep breath, knelt on the ground, and admitted, "Yes, I have failed my lord's trust."

"What's going on? Did you really put the 'Red Beauty Elixir' in the medicine? Why would you do this?" Father Jiang asked three questions in a row, which was enough to show his shock and disbelief.

This is practically a child he raised single-handedly!

"This servant thanks my lord for his kindness over the years. However, my wife is the most important person in my heart. If she hadn't been sent out to do spice business back then, she wouldn't have taken that road, and perhaps she wouldn't have met with this accident and left us."

Ruiming had imagined countless times what would have happened if someone else had been sent out, or if his wife hadn't been so trusted by her master. Would she have survived? Every night, he felt both grateful for the Jiang family's kindness and resentful that they had indirectly caused his wife's death.

“I grew up in the Jiang family and have always considered my lord and mistress as family, so I only dared to keep my resentment to myself. If the Fifth Prince hadn’t come looking for me, I might have spent my whole life in the Jiang family, continuing to serve my lord peacefully…”

"You knew He'er couldn't live without Xue Lingyu, so you drugged him, hoping to wipe out the Jiang family line?" Upon learning the truth, Jiang's father slumped into his chair, utterly devastated. He had thought that Yang Tao was the only problem, that the child was just being stubborn. But Ruiming, whom he trusted deeply, had instead stabbed him in the heart.

Ruiming closed her eyes. "It is this servant who has failed my lord."

"Back when this happened, the incense you wore could also prevent men from conceiving. You've always been meticulous and steady, always wanting to do things thoroughly, but unfortunately, that's what exposed you." Jiang He stared at Ruiming, showing him no sympathy whatsoever.

Ruiming smiled wryly and said, "Miss is so intelligent; I was just showing off my limited skills in front of an expert."

"My greatest wish in this life is to be with you, my lady. Now that things have come to this, I hope you can grant me this wish, my lady." Ruiming's eyes were filled with pleading.

Jiang He looked at his father. Ruiming was his personal attendant, both a servant and a son. He should have asked for his opinion before taking any action.

Father Jiang seemed to have aged ten years in an instant. "He'er, then grant his request."

Tears welled up in Ruiming's eyes as he bowed deeply to Jiang's father, saying, "Thank you, my lord."

As Jiang He came out of the house, she saw Xin Yan waiting in the courtyard.

Ruiming did not harm Xinyan; he merely learned of Xinyan's relationship with Xue Lingyu and used it to threaten Xue Lingyu.

Ruiming hadn't gone to such extremes, and he had always treated Xinyan very well, so when Xinyan learned that it was he who had injured Xue Lingyu, she couldn't believe it at first.

Seeing Jiang He come out, Xin Yan quickly stepped forward and asked, "Miss, how is Chunxiao? Is his injury serious?"

"The injury to his hand isn't serious; he'll be fine after a period of rest. If you're really worried, you can come and visit him in a few days."

Xin Yan was about to agree, but then she thought of Rui Ming and Chun Xiao's situation and couldn't help but ask, "Was it really Brother Rui Ming who harmed Chun Xiao?"

If we were to really explain it, it would be a long story, and it would involve Xue Lingyu's past. Jiang He simply said, "This matter is very complicated. This is not the first time Ruiming has done something to harm his master."

Jiang He gave Xin Yan a deep look and saw that he looked very sad.

Xin Yan struggled for a while. Even if Rui Ming treated him very well, Chun Xiao was his family. He couldn't allow his family to be harmed in any way, so he quickly made a decision.

"Miss, I will go see Chunxiao tomorrow."

"The day after tomorrow, he was frightened today and is also pregnant, so he needs to rest well tomorrow."

"!" Xin Yan's eyes widened.

He had just told Chunxiao that having a child might make him accepted by the lord, but he didn't expect Chunxiao to act so quickly.

Xin Yan was also happy, but soon, he had another piece of good news.

One betrayal after another from those around him left Jiang's father utterly disheartened, and he no longer trusted the other servants who had followed him since childhood. However, the courtyard could not be without a manager, and because he found Xin Yan to be honest, reliable, and pleasing in appearance, Jiang's father appointed him as the temporary manager.

However, the main courtyard has now become a place of sorrow for Jiang's father, so he suggested to Jiang He that he go to Fahua Temple to meditate for a while and pray for the child in Xue Lingyu's womb.

As the temporary steward, Xin Yan naturally had to go to Fahua Temple with Jiang's father. As a result, he would not be able to see Xue Lingyu for a long time.

Before leaving, Xin Yan visited Xue Lingyu and felt a pang of heartache when she saw his hands, which were wrapped up tightly.

Xue Lingyu had been taking medicine to stabilize his pregnancy for several days and was forbidden from getting out of bed. Jiang He said he could only move around after his pregnancy was stable. He had been lying down for so long that he felt like he was going to get moldy, and he felt like he had gained several pounds. Only when Xin Yan came could he relieve his boredom.

Xin Yan looked closely at Xue Lingyu's face. "Chunxiao, you do seem to have gained a little weight."

“Other men who get pregnant suffer from morning sickness, lose their appetite, and become thinner and thinner. But you are a lucky one. You have become plump and healthy during your pregnancy. The baby in your belly must be a lucky star.”

Xue Lingyu touched her belly and pursed her lips, saying, "I still can't believe I'm really pregnant."

At the same time, Xue Lingyu couldn't help but touch his face. If he continued to gain weight, would Jiang He still like him?

“Children’s blessings are all preordained by heaven. What’s meant to come will come.” Xin Yan comforted Xue Lingyu with the words of the village elders. “Just rest assured and give birth to the child. This is Miss’s first child. My lord and I will pray for you together at Fahua Temple.”

Hearing that Xin Yan was leaving, Xue Lingyu suddenly felt a little reluctant, but it was Xin Yan's choice, and his dream was to become someone like Yuan Ge, so she couldn't interfere.

If he were to ask Jiang He to promote Xin Yan, it would damage Xin Yan's self-esteem and hurt their relationship.

Xin Yan left with Jiang's father in a carriage. Xue Lingyu had almost finished her pregnancy-preserving medicine and was finally able to get out of bed and walk around.

She was already showing after three months, and her belly was changing, which was a novel experience and feeling for her.

Because it was her first pregnancy, Jiang He paid special attention and strictly followed all the precautions written by Doctor Jiang.

Some pregnant women may experience morning sickness starting in the third month. Jiang He had personally experienced her brother's morning sickness, so she tried her best to make sure Xue Lingyu ate well from the beginning.

She even wanted to cook for Xue Lingyu herself, since she knew Xue Lingyu's tastes best. Fortunately, under her careful care, Xue Lingyu not only did not experience morning sickness when the baby was four months old, but also became noticeably more plump.

“Miss, the He family has sent an invitation, saying they want to pay a visit.” Jiang He was studying the recipes for pregnant men when she heard this. She took the invitation from Yuan Ge and frowned. “Father is not at home, and there are no male relatives in the house. I’m afraid it’s inappropriate to visit at this time.”

"The He family is using the pretext of visiting the young master."

The Jiang family and the He family have been sharing the commercial market in the capital equally for many years, and have always lived in peace without interfering with each other. So what exactly is the He family planning to do by sending an invitation at this time?

The fact that the He family knows Xue Lingyu's identity before it has been publicly announced makes Jiang He quite uneasy.

Without thinking, Jiang He said, "Just say that the young master is unwell and decline."

Yuan Ge was about to say that the invitation was sent by He Sui, the young master of the He family, but she knew that it wouldn't change her mistress's mind, so she didn't say it.

Yuange returned to the gate of the mansion, handed the invitation back to He Sui, and said apologetically, "Young Master He, my young master is unwell and may not be able to receive guests. Please forgive him."

He Sui accepted the invitation and smiled gently. "It's nothing. I just came to bother you unexpectedly."

Although he also came from a merchant family, He Sui had a natural scholarly air about him. His appearance was delicate and natural, and at first glance, no one would think that he was the eldest young master of the He family.

"Please give this land deed to your young lady. This small gift is a token of our gratitude for her help to the He family three years ago."

Yuan Ge was unaware of the events between the He family and the Jiang family three years ago, but she was shocked when she saw the land deed in her hand. She really couldn't make this decision, but when she looked up, she couldn't see He Sui's figure.

On the way back, the servant couldn't help but ask He Sui.

"Young Master, you bought the mansion on Jinghua Street for a hefty sum, but now you're returning it without taking a single penny. Are you interested in that Miss Jiang?"

"The He family suffered three years ago. If it weren't for the Jiang family buying those vacant houses, the He family would probably have been wiped out long ago. Now that I've taken over the He family, it's only natural that I have to repay that kindness."

He Sui leaned against the carriage, his expression indifferent. "Not everything has to be related to love. Businessmen should know how to repay kindness."

The carriage suddenly stopped, and the driver said, "Young master, someone has stopped the carriage. It's a child."

He Sui lifted the carriage curtain and saw a plainly dressed girl standing in front of the carriage, carrying a book basket on her back. She said anxiously, "I came to the city with my teacher to listen to lectures at the academy, but I accidentally got separated from him. I am not familiar with the capital. Now that the lectures are about to begin, I dare to ask if the young master in the carriage could give me a ride. If I have the opportunity in the future, I will do my best to repay you."

Having finally gotten a chance to go to the city to listen to everyone's lectures, Wenhuai didn't want to miss it, so in his haste, he could only ask others for help.

She didn't have high hopes, after all, families who could afford to ride in such carriages were either rich or noble, and they wouldn't easily give rides to people of unknown origin.

Unexpectedly, a young gentleman stepped down from the carriage.

He Sui instructed the coachman: "Take this young lady to the Tingxue Temple."

He Sui's servant immediately said, "Young master, you're letting someone else use the carriage. Are you planning to walk back yourself?"

“It’s just one street from home, but this young lady’s matter is more urgent.” He Sui looked at Wen Huai and found that she was stunned, so he gently reminded her, “Miss, the lecture is about to begin, let’s hurry up and get on the carriage and get going.”

Wen Huai snapped out of his reverie and bowed to He Sui. "Thank you, young master. May I ask your name? I will certainly..."

Before Wen Huai could finish speaking, He Sui said, "My surname is He, and my given name is Sui."

He smiled faintly and reminded her again, "Miss, you'd better get on the carriage quickly, lest you be late."

Wen Huai said a few more words to him and then got into the carriage.

Since the carriage had been lent to someone else, He Sui had to walk back with his servant. The servant couldn't help but exclaim, "Young Master, you are such a good person."

"Those who went to the academy today are students who will take the provincial examination next year. They all have academic titles. Although that girl is dressed in plain clothes, she has already passed the county-level examination at a young age. Her future is limitless. Making a good connection today may have unexpected results in the future."

He Sui looked at his servant and said with a gentle smile, "Before doing anything, a businessman always has to consider the gains and losses."

◎Latest Comments:

[With nutrient solution in hand, how about an extra boost?!]

[If I water the author with nutrient solution, will it grow into a massive, 10,000-word novel?!]

【nice】

【nice】

When are you going to run with the ball?! So sad!

Will there still be dribbling races? When will they be held?

Are they going to run away, hehe?

Sigh, finally.

-over-