Qi Xuanxuan tugged at Qi Zhenzhen's hand, her face beaming with joy. Qi Zhenzhen's vision blurred, and she felt a growing unease.
"Second Sister!"
Qi Zhenzhen's last conscious thought was how rapidly her condition had worsened. She still had so much left undone.
When she opened her eyes again, Qi Zhenzhen saw Madam Da Qin sitting by her bedside, with Qi Xuanxuan standing beside her.
Chunfeng, Erxi, and the others also wore expressions of delight.
Why were they so happy when she was ill?
"I heard from Erxi that you practice martial arts every morning. You can't do that anymore," Madam Da Qin said gently. "You must be careful for the first three months and take good care of yourself. If anything goes wrong, you'll have no one to cry to."
Qi Zhenzhen was bewildered. She had three months?
"Second Sister, I'm going to be an aunt! I'm so happy. I've decided to start practicing needlework from today. When the time comes, I'll make tiger-head hats and tiger shoes for my little nephew or niece," Qi Xuanxuan exclaimed excitedly.
Be an aunt?
Qi Zhenzhen's mind slowly processed the information. For Xuanxuan to want to be an aunt, she herself must be pregnant. Otherwise, what kind of aunt would she be?
"Second Sister, can I touch your belly?" Qi Xuanxuan asked cautiously.
Qi Xuanxuan was very curious. Second Sister was so thin; how could there be a baby inside her belly?
"I... I'm pregnant?" Qi Zhenzhen asked, a hint of disbelief in her voice.
Madam Da Qin nodded. "The monk doctor said you are already one month pregnant."
Calculating the time, it must have happened before Anian left.
This was truly good news.
A turn of events?
This was probably the only phrase that could describe Qi Zhenzhen's current mood.
From profound sorrow to great joy; life was truly remarkable.
No, it was that monk doctor who didn't directly state the result but instead said many things that could easily be misunderstood. Also, her thoughts had spiraled rather quickly, getting lost in her own consciousness.
Perhaps it was due to the pregnancy, with increased estrogen secretion affecting her?
It must be. She never used to overthink things like this. Now, if she were given a head, she could imagine an entire outcome; she was really thinking too much.
"Second Sister, where do you feel unwell?" Seeing Qi Zhenzhen remain silent, Qi Xuanxuan asked anxiously.
Qi Zhenzhen snapped back to reality. "I don't feel unwell anywhere. I'm feeling a bit hungry now."
"They're simmering shredded chicken congee in the kitchen. I'll go and get a bowl for Second Sister," Qi Xuanxuan said, rushing out.
"Where did the chicken come from?" Qi Zhenzhen asked.
"The abbot sent someone with it. He said since you are pregnant, you don't have to follow the temple rules. When we were allowed to stay here, we could cook some meat dishes in our own courtyard," Madam Da Qin said with a smile. "Originally, now that you're pregnant, we should have returned. But the monk doctor said your condition is not very stable and it's not advisable to travel. Also, once we return, there might not be much peace."
Gu Siya and his wife had their eyes on the position of heir apparent. If they knew she was pregnant, who knew what they might do.
Then there was concubine Dong, who was also pregnant and prone to causing trouble.
Looking at it this way, staying at the temple was indeed more peaceful.
"Mother, I think it's quite good here at the temple. It's elegant and tranquil, with birds singing and flowers fragrant. The abbot is even giving us special treatment now, which is wonderful! Furthermore, the Buddhist sect is protected by Buddha. Our staying here is also under Buddha's protection," Qi Zhenzhen said with a smile. "This little one will be listening to Buddhist chants in the womb; this is a treatment that others can't even beg for."
Madam Da Qin patted Qi Zhenzhen's hand. "It's good that you can think this way."
Qi Xuanxuan soon brought the shredded chicken congee. The rice grains had bloomed, and the chicken was tender and smooth. Qi Zhenzhen drank two full bowls before stopping.
"Second Sister, when is Brother Yi coming?" Qi Xuanxuan asked.