Chapter 406: with translation of chapter title

Gu Xixi glanced at Lv Jing, "Not unhappy either."

"Tonight I'll wait for the master to examine Qin Dasao; I hope there's nothing wrong."

Lv Jing startled.

She vaguely understood something and also grew worried, "Sister-in-law is so happy to have this little child."

"But you must absolutely not—"

The two exchanged a glance, their expressions growing heavy.

The sunset's afterglow spread across the horizon.

Shitou was still writing in the courtyard; today's assignment from the teacher only had one line left to finish.

He heard the movement, glanced at the door, and continued writing steadily.

"Sister Xixi, Sister Jing is back!"

This remark served both as a greeting and to inform the others in the household.

Then came Zhang Shen's loud voice from the kitchen: "Hungry? Wash your hands and get ready to eat!"

Gu Xixi and Lv Jing laughed and replied.

Immediately after, An Qinghe darted out from the Houyuan like a rabbit, "Xixi!"

While Gu Xixi was fetching water to wash her hands, An Qinghe clung to her like a tail, never leaving her side.

"This afternoon I accompanied Lao Langzhong on house calls, visiting three families! Though today were all follow-ups, so progress was fairly quick. When I got back I still had time, so I cleaned Lai Fu's shed thoroughly, and scrubbed the food and water troughs."

"Wait until tomorrow noon when it's warmer, I'll give Lai Fu a bath, and also turn over those tea cakes in our storehouse."

"As for the foliar fertilizer for the wheat, don't worry—I've calculated the dates; I'll go escort it from the workshop the day after tomorrow, neither early nor late."

……

Lv Jing said to Gu Xixi, "Looks like Boss An has it rough staying at home too."

Gu Xixi let out a light sigh, turned to An Qinghe, "Brother An, letting you stay a few days was meant to let you rest properly."

"You're not even taking wages here, yet you've lined up all this work for yourself—on your first day back you haven't had a moment's idle."

"How can I feel at ease?"

An Qinghe's originally enthusiastic smile gradually faded.

He felt a bit unhappy and a bit wronged, "I eat and lodging at home; doing some chores shouldn't be taken for granted?"

"Xixi, you won't be this polite with Chen Fang."

"You just don't treat me as one of your own!"

Gu Xixi choked, gave an embarrassed laugh, "Auntie wasn't the one who asked you to chop firewood, and I wasn't being polite either."

"Look, the rice we're eating tonight has your share of effort in it."

"And what I mean is, you rarely have free time—you can go for a stroll, take a break, instead of always looking for work to do."

An Qinghe's expression softened a bit, "Then you're still thinking quite a bit for me."

Gu Xixi nodded, "Of course—we're old friends and allies."

"If you wear yourself out, I'll be worried sick."

An Qinghe puffed his chest, lifted his head, looking as if he were perking up again, "Yeah."

"Someone already knows about Huachi Du Cun's increased yield last year and has gone to the workshop inquiring about buying pesticides and fertilizers."

"With output already tight, it's also time to consider how to expand."

"Besides, you still have to set up the tea plantation—there's plenty to do, and I'm needed everywhere."

That Mu Nan Zhao, far away in the capital, busy being Regent Prince—can he help Gu Xixi share her worries?

Certainly not!

The person who shares weal and woe with Gu Xixi, accompanies her through countless hardships, and ultimately fulfills her dream.

Only he, An Qinghe, can do that!

An Qinghe thought that, and managed to cheer himself up.

Lv Jing quietly asked Gu Xixi, "What's he grinning foolishly about?"

Gu Xixi shook her head, "I don't know."

But then she remembered something, reminding An Qinghe, "After summer begins, it's the crucial period for pruning the pinpo fruit trees."

"I've already written down the key points; I'll give them to you after dinner."

"You should also consider when to return to Cloud Ridge."

An Qinghe stared blankly, "Ah?"

He suddenly felt a twinge of envy toward Lv Jing.

If he could just drop the burden and not work, it would be nice to stay here long-term like Lv Jing.

Too bad he ultimately still can't act as he pleases.

Shitou had finished his assignment, and told Gu Xixi, "Sister Xixi, I've already delivered your words to the teacher."

"The teacher said, please come by Sister Xixi tomorrow afternoon for a chat; he and his wife will be waiting quietly at Pinlan Residence."

Gu Xixi nodded, indicating she understood.

After dinner, while still clearing the table, Qin Dasao's family arrived.

At this time it was already dark; Zhang Shen lit a lamp in the main hall and invited everyone inside to talk.

Shitou and Gouwa were in the courtyard watching little flowers chase moths, occasionally bursting into happy laughter.

Indoors, Lao Langzhong placed his finger on Qin Dasao's wrist, his expression solemn, brows slightly furrowed.

It felt as if a long time had passed.

Qin Dage gradually grew nervous, glancing at Lao Langzhong, then at his wife, his palms sweating.

Finally, after Lao Langzhong relaxed his hand, Elder Brother Qin immediately asked, "Lao Shenyi, how is she, my wife?"

Zhang Shen, Gu Xixi, and Lv Jing all watched anxiously.

'Indeed, it is a pregnancy pulse.' Lao Langzhong pondered, 'Gou Wazi is almost nine, right?'

The Qin couple felt uneasy, glanced at each other, and answered, 'Yes.'

Lao Langzhong said, 'Over these years, Qin's wife has had two miscarriages, neither reaching three months.'

The couple looked surprised; from their expressions it was clear that Lao Langzhong had guessed correctly.

Qin Dasao forced a smile and said, 'Gou Wazi had one incident when he was two, and another three years ago.'

'After that, there was no more news.'

'It's because initially there was no sign, and only when we saw the bleeding miscarriage did we notice.'

'So this time, since my menstruation was off, I paid close attention.'

She paused, then asked cautiously, 'Could there be something wrong again?'

Lao Langzhong nodded, and as a doctor he naturally had to speak the truth.

'The fetus is only a little over two months old, and its appearance currently shows no serious issues.'

'However, the mother's fetal foundation is not solid; if it continues, the outcome will be the same as the previous two times.'

Gu Xixi thought, 'This is probably what Western medicine calls habitual miscarriage.'

She dared not look at Qin Dasao's expression.

Today, in the Qin family orchard, Gu Xixi noticed that Qin Dasao's complexion was poor.

Thinking that childbirth for ancient women was no different than entering and exiting the gates of hell, in order to be safe, she suggested that she go see Lao Langzhong for a consultation.

This examination indeed revealed the problem.

Elder Brother Qin anxiously asked, 'The mother's body? Does that mean my wife's health is poor?'

He gritted his teeth, seeming to have made up his mind, 'Lao Shenyi, can this child be kept…… that's not the most urgent.'

'Please save my wife first!'

Qin Dasao, normally such a strong person, had her eyes redden at those words, 'His father……'

Although Elder Brother Qin was also sad, he still smiled while comforting his wife, 'I have you and Gou Wazi; that's already enough.'

'Our family's days are getting better and better; you should still have a good life, and watch our son take the imperial exams and become a Top Scholar.'

'From now on we won't have more children; just get your body back in shape.'

Zhang Shen and Lv Jing's eyes filled with moved tears.

Gu Xixi looked toward Lao Langzhong, 'Master, is there a way to have both……'

Lao Langzhong frowned and said, 'I, old man, haven't finished speaking yet; why are you all in a rush?'

'This time we discovered it early, and you also promptly came to see me.'

'Starting today, we'll use medicine to regulate; as long as no other accident occurs, there's still a good chance to keep the fetus until full term.'

The couple's tears were still in their eyes, and their hearts, which had sunk to the bottom of the valley, suddenly returned to their stomachs.

Qin Dasao's suppressed tears finally burst forth from joy.

'Then…… are both my child and I saved?'