Xu Yi nestled into Jingyu’s embrace, happiness overflowing. Seeing his joy, Jingyu also felt a surge of happiness and smiled.
Heng Ziyuan’s expression remained gentle, but her heart was alert. She had sent people to inquire about Hua Yan’s situation and found no evidence of an arranged marriage.
Jin Yu, aware of Ziyuan’s suspicion, casually remarked, “I had him betrothed to a maidservant of the Jin household’s steward.”
Heng Ziyuan was taken aback, anger flickering within her. Even if she dismissed a young lady from a wealthy family, an arrangement by the family head was not easily overturned. If she were to take Hua Yan away, it could provoke anger. Her gaze shifted to Hua Yan with concern.
Hua Yan, noticing her look, lowered his head further, evading her gaze, which made Heng Ziyuan’s heart sink. No wonder Hua Yan seemed evasive, making it difficult for her to propose marriage.
She couldn’t let him go back, or he might become someone else’s husband.
Jin Yu looked at Heng Ziyuan with a playful expression, amused by her feelings for Hua Yan. Initially, Jin Yu thought Heng Ziyuan was interested in Xu Yi, but later realized she visited Hua Yan after treating Xu Yi. Jin Yu offered a reassuring smile and continued, “However, Hua Yan refused at the time, and I was worried Xu Yi wouldn’t adapt without him, so the matter was dropped.”
Heng Ziyuan’s heart relaxed momentarily until Jin Yu said, “But since I promised to find a match for Hua Yan, we’ll choose a good wife for him in the household.” Jin Yu glanced at Hua Yan, “You can choose anyone from the household. Whoever you like, I’ll arrange it.”
Hua Yan was too embarrassed to lift his head. The family head was discussing his marriage openly, something he had never expected.
Heng Ziyuan’s gentle face now showed concern. The family head was matchmaking Hua Yan again. What if he didn’t choose her? Although she controlled many things, she would never disobey the family head.
Jin Yu fed Xu Yi and looked at Heng Ziyuan, “The best woman in the household is you, Ziyuan. Today, I’ll betroth Hua Yan to you.”
Heng Ziyuan was stunned, her eyes revealing joy as she looked at Hua Yan. At that moment, Hua Yan’s heart raced. He suddenly knelt before Jin Yu, stating, “I want to continue serving the young master,” implying he didn’t want to marry.
Heng Ziyuan’s heart sank. He actually refused? After nearly losing him, he rejected her. Hua Yan, sensing her gaze, dared not look up. His body trembled slightly, and his eyes moistened as he said, “There are many men in the household who want to marry Heng’s manager. I’m not necessary.”
Heng Ziyuan’s expression darkened; he not only refused but pushed her towards others. Suppressing her anger, she patiently persuaded him, “After marrying me, you can still serve Young Master Xu.”
Hua Yan looked up, stunned, his face blushing. His moist eyes sparkled with liveliness that moved Heng Ziyuan. She had always thought Xu Yi’s eyes beautiful, but now Hua Yan’s eyes captivated her.
Hua Yan bowed to Jin Yu, requesting, “I’ll marry, but I want to wait until the young master’s eyes are healed.”
Xu Yi wanted to speak but was stopped by Jin Yu. Heng Ziyuan realized that Hua Yan would only be well when Xu Yi was well, and she would ultimately be well after that.
Once the matter was settled, Heng Ziyuan’s face returned to its usual gentle warmth.
Hua Yan, feeling her gaze, remained bashful and tried to avoid looking directly at her.
After Yun Mei became pregnant, although he no longer had intimate relations with Jin Yu, he was very careful to protect the child in his belly, avoiding windy areas, not tiring himself, eating meals on time, and enduring eating things he didn’t like. Once, when Jin Yu saw his pained expression, he quickly had the dish removed, saying, “If you don’t like it, don’t force yourself. The one suffering is you.”
Author’s Note: Hearing calls for more updates motivates me to update more. The warm life section feels like it’s almost done. Next will be when Bao Zi is born, O(∩_∩)O~~~
Yun Mei shook his head, “No, I heard it’s good for the baby’s body.”
Jin Yu coaxed, “Your body being good means the baby’s body is good. The baby won’t like what you don’t like, so don’t eat it again.”
Yun Mei looked at Su Xi, who seemed to eat anything without issue and was watching him worriedly. Previously, he sometimes felt nauseous after eating, but later, the food Jin Yu sent was always what he liked.
Normally, the snacks Su Xi ate were made by servants on Jin Yu’s orders. The dishes in front of him were specially arranged by Jin Yu, who had taken into consideration Su Xi’s preferences.
Yun Mei shifted his gaze to Su Xi’s belly, then to his own flat stomach, his eyes dimming. He looked up at Jin Yu, his eyes wet, and asked timidly, “Husband, am I really pregnant?”
Jin Yu was stunned, glancing at Xu Yi, who showed uncertainty. Xu Yi’s hand trembled as it covered his belly. Jin Yu felt helpless – they were still anxious.
Jin Yu took a wooden hairpin from Su Xi’s hair and examined it. Although made from high-quality wood, it would eventually show signs of wear. Looking at Su Xi, he said, “From now on, I’ll give you a hairpin every year. Do you prefer ones I carve, or ones I have people find?”
Su Xi’s eyes warmed, and she lowered her head, her voice soft, “You’ll make them yourself…?” His thoughtfulness touched her deeply.
Jin Yu smiled and set the hairpin aside, then began massaging Su Xi’s legs. Her jade-like legs were white and long, making him reluctant to stop.
Feeling comfortable, Su Xi trembled, looking incredulously at Jin Yu. Her eyes grew hot, and she tried to withdraw, saying, “This is not something the wife should do.”
Jin Yu held Su Xi’s leg in place, saying, “You’re pregnant. Legs can cramp easily. I’m worried about you and the baby.”
Su Xi stopped moving, touched. A warm current flowed from her heart, bringing a tingling sensation that made her moan softly, her eyes filling with misty tears.
Xiao Lian looked at her hand, then at Su Xi’s large belly, and shrank her hand into her sleeve, feeling afraid. She remembered the last incident where she accidentally bumped into her brother, who fell and bled. Terrified, she thought if her brother and the baby left her, she would be all alone.
Su Xi, aware of Xiao Lian’s lingering guilt, comforted her, “It’s okay this time.”
Xiao Lian, shoulders shrunk, asked timidly, “Can I really do it?” After receiving Su Xi’s nod and Jin Yu’s tacit approval, she happily rushed towards Su Xi. Jin Yu quickly stopped her, concerned she might harm the baby.
Jin Yu was about to caution Xiao Lian to slow down, but she refrained, fearing it would cause unnecessary concern. Instead, she led Xiao Lian towards Su Xi.
Xiao Lian fell into Jin Yu’s arms, her face flushed. She then approached Su Xi, touching her belly and exclaimed, “It moved! It’s really moving!” As she stroked Su Xi’s belly, tears welled up in her eyes, and a bittersweet ache filled her heart.
Yun Mei gradually calmed down, but Jin Yu’s expression darkened. She struggled to speak, “Yun Mei, Zi Yuan said you had some complications…”
Yun Mei trembled, panic overtaking her. “Is the baby gone? Is it really gone?” Her voice hinted at despair.
Jin Yu quickly reassured her, “No, the baby is fine.” Hope flickered in Yun Mei’s eyes, but Jin Yu hesitated. “Yun Mei, although the baby is okay, giving birth now might be dangerous for you…”
“No,” Yun Mei panicked, clutching her belly and cutting Jin Yu off, tears brimming. “I want to have this baby, no matter how dangerous it is, I must give birth for my husband.”
“We can have another one later…”
“No,” Yun Mei threw herself into Jin Yu’s arms, gripping her clothes. “I must have this baby, I definitely must…” The child had been in her belly for so long; how could she bear to lose it?
