Chapter 356

She was a pregnant woman... How could she serve the Eldest Prince well? It was possible that in bed, the Eldest Prince would have to accommodate her instead. When Shen Ruxu thought about the Eldest Prince, the prestigious Eastern Li War God, being so dignified and cold, yet having to lower himself to sleep with a pregnant woman, she felt even more upset.

She felt indignant inwardly as anger surged. She hated that she could not rush in and strangle Gu Ying to death.

But reality made her calm down again.

The Eldest Prince was ruthless and had an icy restraint. He would not easily be emotionally moved by other women. Mrs. Lin was also unwilling to stand up for her. Fine. She would think of a way herself!

Shen Ruxu took a deep breath, stared coldly ahead, and hurriedly left Changfeng Pavilion.

Yin Lan and Yanzhi passed by her. Yin Lan felt somewhat puzzled, "What is that woman doing hanging around Changfeng Pavilion?"

Yanzhi said, "Sister Yin Lan, should we have someone keep an eye on that Miss Shen?"

Seeing Shen Ruxu walking toward the side door of the Duke's Mansion, Yin Lan looked back and laughed. "Don't worry. The Mistress has already made preparations and assigned Hai Tang specifically to serve her in Lingxi Pavilion."

When Yanzhi heard this, her eyes lit up and she nodded in satisfaction. "That's good! The Mistress is indeed wise and farsighted! Sister Hai Tang is smart and capable. Most importantly, no one can buy her off! Having her follow Miss Shen is the best!"

Yin Lan nodded with a faint smile and led Yanzhi into Changfeng Pavilion.

Shen Ruxu was not polite to anyone in Changfeng Pavilion. As she left Changfeng Pavilion, she felt annoyed and could not calm herself down at all. So she decided to go out for a walk.

Just as she walked out the side door of the Duke's mansion, a little beggar ran straight into her.

"Filthy beggar!" She was about to lose her temper when she saw the little beggar grinning as he stuffed a note into her hand before running off swiftly, as if escaping.

She narrowed her eyes and went to a secluded spot to open the note.

There was nothing written on it, only a place name left - "Pear Blossom Alley, Chu Residence."

Chu Residence? Who gave her this note?

She looked left and right for a long time but did not see any suspicious figures. The people living on this street were all nobles and rich men. Ordinary people rarely gathered here. She was unfamiliar with anyone in Bianjing, let alone anyone surnamed Chu. Just who wanted to meet her?

With knitted brows, she stuffed the note into her sleeve and decided to take a gamble.

She was not familiar with Bianjing. After leaving the main street where the Duke’s Mansion was, she carefully asked a passerby for directions.

Compared to the remote and dilapidated Ru Yi Alley, Pear Blossom Alley in the easternmost part of Bianjing was considered relatively prosperous. Many traveling merchants from different places lived there.

It took some effort to find the obscure location of Chu Residence. She found someone to lead the way through seven turns and eight detours before finally arriving at the unremarkable residence. It was not a big house with a secluded and tranquil environment. There were two rows of climbing vines on either side of the outer wall. At this time of year, the white walls were covered in lush green leaves.

She stood at the entrance and looked up at the plaque above carved from pear wood with the characters "Chu Residence" written vigorously and boldly, clearly by someone talented.

She became increasingly puzzled. Just as she lifted her hand to knock on the door, she heard movement from inside.

Someone inside opened the door, and she pressed her lips before suddenly meeting a familiar pair of eyes. Then that person's face was completely revealed.

She swallowed and stared with wide eyes full of shock.

"You..."

"Miss Shen, please come in to talk."

...

Gu Ying was tormented by someone to the point of back pain that afternoon before she had time to go to Lingxi Pavilion to accompany Mrs. Lin to research herbs.

Mrs. Lin had opened up a large patch of land around Lingxi Pavilion to plant some commonly used medicinal herbs by herself.

Gu Ying arrived later than originally planned. She stood by the overturned soil in the yard and watched for a while, intending to help out. But her legs were weak and her face was flushed. She did not have any strength.

Mrs. Lin was not annoyed with her and had someone bring a small stool for her. She smiled meaningfully and said, "Didn't you tell him to show some restraint?"

As a doctor and elder, it was still somewhat embarrassing for Mrs. Lin to speak of such matters.

But Mrs. Lin had seen all kinds of situations as a doctor. Gu Ying did not need to be overly reserved with her.

Gu Ying stroked her burning cheeks and smiled helplessly, "Actually, the Eldest Prince has always taken the initiative in these matters. It seems I have little say..."

Although she also thoroughly enjoyed the Eldest Prince taking the initiative. He was very experienced and skilled, respecting her feelings. The penetrating physical and mental pleasure that other women did not have access to, she had experienced through and through. So most of the time she would not reject the Eldest Prince's overtures. Mrs Lin thought of how Zhao Hui had also been like a insatiable wolf when he was young. She could not help but smile, "He resembles some of his late father’s temperament - stubborn and overbearing. You’ll need to tolerate more."

Gu Ying got up with some difficulty, moved next to her and whispered a few words softly.

Mrs Lin smiled gently and gave her a meaningful look. She instructed, "The common people only know about suppressing women’s feelings. But actually, there should also be normal needs between husband and wife. As a doctor, you don’t need to feel embarrassed or ashamed."

Gu Ying responded frankly, "I don't feel embarrassed at all."

Mrs Lin seemed to recall something and reminded, "However, Ah Ying, you must not indulge him for the last two months. The child in your belly is most important. After you give birth, I will regulate your body before anything else happens."

Gu Ying's eyes brimmed with joy. After opening up to Mrs Lin, she actually liked being with her very much.

She was not ambitious. When the Duke wanted to hold a celebration and invite all the wives in Bianjing to welcome her, she was not willing.

As a modest person with a kind heart focused on medicine, she liked playing with her flowers and plants in her spare time. When Cheng was taken away that day, she did not even go take a look.

Such a nonchalant and carefree person was definitely different from those women born destined to be locked away deep in the inner quarters.

Gu Ying held onto Mrs Lin's arm and snuggled gently. "Alright, I'll listen to mother."

Anyway, she knew the Eldest Prince would not likely stay in Bianjing to accompany her in childbirth. In her last life, her body had deteriorated at a young age from drinking countless bitter herbal soups until she died in terrible pain in the end. In this life, no matter what, she would take good care of herself and the child she had sought after all her life.

Gu Ying touched her growing belly. As time went by, her stomach got bigger and bigger.

And the child that Jiang Yin helped terminate in her last life was growing more and more alive.

Sometimes when she placed her hand on her stomach, she could even clearly feel a thumping sound coming from within.

Her child...her precious one...was alive and well, greeting her. He must also very much want to come out and see her!

The more Gu Ying thought about it, the more her heart seemed to overflow with warmth. A myriad of emotions welled up, but she did not know how to give expression to the joy and poignancy she felt at that moment.

"Mother, do you think my child will be safely born?”

Mrs Lin put down the small hoe and also touched her belly. Her smile was gentle and warm. "Rest assured. Your precious one will definitely come into this world safe and sound.”

"With mother here, I have nothing to fear."

"You can rest assured. When it is time, your mother and Ah Du will be by your side for the delivery."

Gu Ying did not bring up that the Eldest Prince would be leaving for the border. The corners of her lips curled up slightly. "Alright..."