Jun Yelan rushed to Lan Yan's bedside, holding her hand, his eyes brimming with emotion.
He had heard in the military camp that Lan Yan had fainted and was extremely worried. Upon entering the room, he learned she was pregnant, and his worry instantly vanished, replaced by joy.
"How are you feeling, Yan'er? Are you uncomfortable anywhere?" he asked.
Lan Yan smiled, "I'm fine. I just felt dizzy for a moment. I'm completely recovered now."
"But you must rest more and avoid any incidents like today," Jun Yelan instructed, kissing the back of her hand.
What if Lan Yan fainted outside again!
Seeing Jun Yelan frown, Lan Yan reached out to smooth his brow. "Alright, I will rest well from now on."
"Mm," Jun Yelan tucked the corner of Lan Yan's quilt in, then sat by the bed, embracing her shoulders.
The doctor present, seeing this, withdrew, writing down some instructions for Chun Tao. "Madam is in good health, and this pregnancy should have no issues. Please avoid strenuous activities."
"Thank you, Doctor," Chun Tao said gratefully. Her young lady usually loved to jump around; now that she was pregnant, Chun Tao would have to supervise her closely.
Because Lan Yan was suddenly pregnant, she couldn't travel long distances and therefore couldn't return to the Lan Estate.
However, someone from the Lan Estate arrived. Lan Ya came with a cart full of items. Upon entering, she saw Lan Yan lying listlessly on the bed and smiled, "Elder Sister, congratulations. Everyone in our family was very happy to hear about your pregnancy."
"Father especially asked me to bring you this gift," she said, presenting a box.
Lan Yan opened it to find a peace lock. She smiled, "Please thank Father for me."
"There are also other tonics and baby supplies outside. Chun Tao is organizing people to move them in," Lan Ya said, beaming at the thought of having a little nephew or niece.
Lan Yan couldn't help but laugh, "I haven't even given birth yet, and you're all prepared. Oh, it's so tough being pregnant. I can't go out, and I can't eat whatever I want."
She now felt immense gratitude for her mother, realizing how difficult it must have been to give birth to her.
Lan Ya had never seen Lan Yan so troubled. "Elder Sister, think about it, in a few months, you'll have a soft, cuddly little dumpling. That should comfort you."
"Mm, that's one way to think about it," Lan Yan nodded, though that was for the future. Right now, she felt stifled. She got out of bed, took Lan Ya's arm, and smiling, said, "Let's go to the courtyard."
"Ah?" Before Lan Ya could react, she was pulled away.
Chun Tao, holding the tonics, called out from the doorway, "Miss, you're doing it again." The moment she wasn't paying attention, her young lady ran off to play.
Lan Yan waved, "Oh, I'm just going to look around the courtyard." She spotted a rockery in the courtyard and couldn't resist climbing it, but the two behind her had already started shouting.
She looked at the swing in the corner, wanting to sit on it, but was refused.
...
Finally, she sat in the pavilion in the courtyard, staring at the two people in front of her and calling out, "Look, someone's coming."
But Chun Tao and Lan Ya remained motionless, guarding Lan Yan on either side, saying helplessly, "Miss/Elder Sister, please stop causing trouble."
Lan Yan felt miserable. She wanted to complain to the system but found it was still offline.
In the evening, Jun Yelan returned with many small trinkets, both food and toys. He looked at Lan Yan, who was already lying on her side on the bed, her complexion not good, and worriedly asked, "Yan'er, are you feeling unwell? Shall I call the doctor?"
"No," Lan Yan pulled Jun Yelan's sleeve, her eyes blinking. "I just want to go out. I promise you, only within the Marquis's mansion, so you can tell them to relax."
So that was the issue. Jun Yelan got into bed, wrapped his arm around Lan Yan's waist, "I've already requested leave. Starting tomorrow, I'll be home with you. You can go wherever you want, as long as you don't do anything dangerous."
"That's wonderful. Jun Yelan, you're so good," Lan Yan leaned forward and gently kissed his cheek, burying her face in his chest.
Jun Yelan felt a desire for more, but considering Lan Yan's condition, he suppressed his urges. He had been consulting with the doctor on how to care for pregnant women these past few days.
Moreover, Lan Yan was human, carrying a child of the snake tribe, which would be even more arduous. He felt heartbroken, vowing not to let Lan Yan suffer like this again after this child was born.
He would stay with Lan Yan until she gave birth.
With Jun Yelan around, Lan Yan could move freely within the mansion, finally no longer hearing startling noises. Her body grew heavier, but fortunately, her appetite remained good.
She looked at her bulging belly, wishing for the birth to come quickly.
Five months later, she was sleeping soundly one night when a sharp pain gripped her abdomen.
Jun Yelan immediately realized what was happening and shouted, "Quickly call the midwife and the doctor!" He held Lan Yan's hand tightly, worriedly saying, "Yan'er, I'm here, and I will always be here."
Lan Yan nodded, her attention soon fading due to the intense pain.
The midwife and doctor, residing next door, arrived promptly.
Jun Yelan waited by her side and declared, "Madame is the priority. If anything happens to Madame, you know the consequences." He cared nothing for the child, only for Lan Yan.
Without Lan Yan, he couldn't live!
The midwife and doctor gasped, cold sweat beading on their foreheads, daring not to delay.
Lan Yan began the arduous process of childbirth, fighting with all her might for a day and a night, finally bringing the little one into the world.
A clear cry echoed through the room.
The midwife announced the good news, "Congratulations to the Marquis and Madam, it is a little heir!" She carried the baby to Jun Yelan.
Jun Yelan didn't even glance at the child, rushing to Lan Yan's bedside. His eyes were solely on her as he tenderly wiped her sweat and stayed with her. "Yan'er."
Others tidied up and withdrew.
The midwife handed the baby to Lan Ya and Chun Tao, who were waiting at the door.
Both of them immediately fell in love with the little bundle, finding him incredibly handsome. They were also concerned about Lan Yan's health. Seeing Jun Yelan constantly by her side, they left with the child.
Lan Ya even wrote a letter to General Lan, asking him to bring his siblings to see the baby.
The next morning, Lan Yan awoke to find Jun Yelan lying beside her. In a low voice, she asked, "Where is the child?"
Jun Yelan replied, "He's next door. I'll have someone bring him. Yan'er, how are you feeling now?"
"Quite good," Lan Yan spoke the truth. Her stomach finally felt lighter, and she could go wherever she pleased from now on! She smiled, "Yelan, I didn't lie to you."
Jun Yelan just wanted to hold her tightly, his heart aching. "We won't have any more children. I just want to spend our lives together, just the two of us."
However, Chun Tao entered with the baby and placed him in Lan Yan's arms.
Jun Yelan looked at the child, feeling an inexplicable sense of competition. Later, he realized this little one was trying to steal Lan Yan from him. "Yan'er, you've held this child for a long time, you must be tired. Take him away."
Lan Yan gazed at the baby. He was indeed soft and cuddly, and he even smiled at her. She felt warmth spread through her, and she shook her head, "I'm not tired." She couldn't help but play with the child.
Meanwhile, Jun Yelan stood aside, his gaze fixed on the baby, but the child didn't even look at him. He tried to calm himself, thinking it was just the first day, and he should yield to the child.
But a month passed, and the child slept with Lan Yan every night. The moment he was away from her, he would cry. This forced him to sleep on the soft couch. When he glared at the child, he felt as if the child was smiling at him.
He couldn't stand it any longer. As soon as the child fell asleep, he picked him up and carried him away. Then, embracing the soft Lan Yan in his arms, the corners of his lips turned up.
The child next door: "..."