Chai Yue’s hands caressed her abdomen, as if she could feel the new life growing within. A maternal glow suddenly graced her face.
Fang Er was drunk.
Not from alcohol, but from intoxication of the heart.
At this moment, living two lives, he had finally learned of the continuation of his bloodline.
*Urggh!*
Suddenly, Chai Yue began to retch again.
Seeing her furrowed brow, Fang Er’s heart ached deeply.
Catching the scent of alcohol on himself, he slapped himself hard across the face.
“My Lord!”
Chai Yue was startled and looked at Fang Er with concern.
Fang Er chuckled, then turned and dashed out of the room.
He ran into the courtyard and directly shoved his index finger down his throat.
The intense stimulation caused his abdomen to spasm violently.
*Urggh~!*
He finally vomited!
Though tears welled up as he vomited, Fang Er felt no discomfort.
What bothered him was that the smell of alcohol on him would offend Chai Yue.
After a long bout of vomiting, he continued to prod his throat until he finally vomited bile. He then called for Xiao Qing to prepare bathing water for him again.
Chai Yue leaned against the doorway, watching everything Fang Er did, her eyes filled with tears.
She was happy. Truly happy.
Just then, a group of charming ladies rushed over from the side courtyard.
“Yue’er!”
“Little Sister Yue’er!”
“Sister!”
The Twelve Golden Hairpins each called out their affectionate titles for Chai Yue, surrounding her with excitement.
Changsun Ling’er looked at Fang Er, who was hunched over, with a puzzled expression.
“Yue’er, what’s wrong with your man? Such joyous news, and he’s ended up like this?”
“My Lord was drinking with a guest today and, fearing the smell of alcohol would offend Yue’er, he’s making himself throw up.”
Chai Yue said this, looking at Fang Er with affection.
“Heh heh heh heh, Yue’er, don’t worry, my Lord is fine!”
Fang Er turned his head, looking at Chai Yue with a silly grin.
Chai Yue’s pregnancy meant that for the next few months, nausea would be common. He had only vomited once, what was that in comparison?
In his previous life, he had seen female colleagues suffer severe morning sickness, to the point of not being able to eat. He felt pity for them.
It was a hot day, and Xiao Qing quickly prepared the water.
Fang Er flashed another smile at Chai Yue, then turned and walked towards another room.
There, the bathing water was ready.
“Congratulations, Little Sister Yue’er, you’re going to be a mother so soon!”
Changsun Ling’er held Chai Yue’s hand, her eyes full of envy.
“Is Sister Ling’er coveting him?”
Chai Yue squinted, playfully looking at Changsun Ling’er.
“Of course, Duke Fang is so considerate, skilled in both civil and martial arts, and has built such a great fortune. Sister Ling’er has been coveting him for a long time,” Fang Fengzhu chimed in teasingly.
“Go away, you greedy pig! You’re everywhere,”
Changsun Ling’er’s pretty face flushed red, and she lightly tapped Fang Fengzhu’s forehead with a jade finger.
The group of girlfriends chatted and laughed by the doorway.
In the bathtub, Fang Er washed himself thoroughly, slathering himself with shower gel as if it were free, using up half a bottle before he stopped.
“Master! Look, this tub is full of bubbles!”
Xiao Qing pouted and complained, then went out to have Xing’er and the others fetch another tub of clean water to rinse Fang Er.
Feeling somewhat uneasy, Fang Er took another bottle of spearmint gum and threw half of it into his mouth, chewing vigorously.
After a while, he opened his mouth and blew a puff of air towards Xiao Qing: “Qing’er, smell this, is there still any alcohol smell?”
“Hmm, there’s still a little bit.”
Xiao Qing glared at Fang Er with mock seriousness.
“Oh, then I’ll have some more!”
Fang Er spat out the gum in his mouth and then chewed the remaining half bottle.
Only after Xiao Qing confirmed that there was no residual odor did he turn and walk towards Chai Yue.
Watching his retreating back, Xiao Qing felt an indescribable sense of loss in her heart.
Changsun Ling’er and the others didn’t chat for long before Sun Simiao, who had written out the prescription, shooed them away.
Seeing Fang Er approach, Old Sun grinned widely and laughed heartily: “Hahahaha, my young friend, you truly have character! To vomit when you say so, I, this Daoist, am truly impressed!”
Fang Er looked at him with a jovial expression: “Venerable Sun, how is Yue’er’s physical condition?”
“Very good, very good! Mother and child are safe. Just rest and nurture the fetus.”
“Alright, it’s getting late. You should rest early. I’ll have Meng’er prepare and deliver the medicine tomorrow.”
Old Sun waved the prescription in his hand, slung his medical bag over his shoulder, and returned to the side courtyard.
Fang Er didn’t go to see him off; they were too familiar for such pleasantries.
Turning back to Chai Yue, he took her small hand: “The next few months will be tough for you.”
“It’s not tough. If my mother were still alive, she would be so happy.”
Thinking of the child in her belly, Chai Yue suddenly thought of the late Princess Pingyang.
There is a saying, “One doesn’t know a mother’s grace until one becomes a parent.”
At this moment, she seemed to see the feelings Princess Pingyang must have had more than ten years ago when she learned she was pregnant with her.
She must have been filled with happiness, just like herself now?
Suddenly, Chai Yue’s peripheral vision caught sight of Xiao Qing standing alone in a corner of the courtyard. She quickly beckoned to her.
“Qing’er!”
Hearing Chai Yue’s call, Xiao Qing quickly put on a cheerful demeanor, skipping over with an exceptionally happy expression.
“Madam.”
“Alright, you little girl, doesn’t your sister know what you’re thinking?”
Chai Yue shot her a sidelong glance.
This girl, so sensible it made one’s heart ache.
Taking Fang Er’s left hand and Xiao Qing’s right, she placed their hands together, smiling as she said:
“From today onwards, your sister will focus on nurturing the fetus. The Master will be entrusted to you, Qing’er. Don’t say I didn’t give you an opportunity.”
Xiao Qing’s eyes instantly reddened, and tears dripped down. She quickly took two steps back.
“Madam, please don’t do this. Madam is pregnant and needs the Master’s constant care by her side.”
“Qing’er~”
She wanted to say more, but Chai Yue glared at her.
“What, do you want your sister’s child to have no playmate after it’s born?”
“Ah?”
Xiao Qing covered her mouth in disbelief.
“Or do you want people to say that your sister is pregnant yet still monopolizes the Master? Do you want your sister to be branded as a jealous woman?”
Chai Yue feigned anger and scolded Xiao Qing.
Even Fang Er, standing nearby, was completely bewildered.
Fortunately, Chai Yue couldn’t hold back her laughter and let out a chuckle.
“Good heavens, Yue’er, you scared me to death! You must never do that again, what if you disturb the fetus?”
Fang Er was filled with lingering fear, thinking she was truly angry.
“Alright, sister will go back to the room to rest. If anything is needed, I’ll just call Xing’er. She’s waiting outside.”
“Aren’t you going to take the Master back to the room?”
With that, Chai Yue turned and went back into the house, closing the door from the inside.
The bolt slid shut, leaving Fang Er standing in the wind, utterly flustered.