But his glance, his gentle smile, his whispers, calling her Gu Qingniang, Gu Guniang, calling her Qingqing, his expressions, his words – every detail was etched in her heart.
In her dream, Gu Qingtong still had tears streaming down her face, her fists clutching the bedding. She could only moisten her dry, pale lips with ginseng tea, calling her to wake up day after day, constantly reminding her that she still carried Jiang Gongzi’s bloodline.
Gu Qingtong finally heard Yu Rong’s urgent words clearly, her hand placed on her flat belly: There was a life there, one shared by her and Jiang Shangheng. He had left, but left behind a child. This was his gift to her. Since he could no longer accompany her, he left a child to keep her company.
Their creation, their child. She should love him well, love him, is to love him.
Yu Rong, watching by the bedside, saw her finally awaken. She had Yu Shi go fetch Lady Min and Yu Guang bring in warm congee: “Sister, you’ve been unconscious for two days. You must be hungry. Please eat something to fill your stomach.”
Gu Qingtong’s throat was painfully sore. She did not want to eat, but seeing Yu Rong’s hopeful eyes, she nodded slightly.
The warm porridge had no taste in her mouth, and even the appetizing side dishes tasted like wax, but she still ate spoonful after spoonful. Her hand remained on her lower abdomen; for the child, for Jiang Shangheng, she had to take care of herself.
When Madame Min reached the doorway, she saw her eyes swollen and red, with tears still in them, yet she was forcing herself to drink the porridge and eat the side dishes. From a distance, she saw Master Min leading a couple walking towards her.
“
Gu Qingtong heard her voice, and the silver spoon in her hand fell with a clang. She staggered towards the door: “Uncle Jiang, Aunt Lin.”
At the moment she rushed out, she still hoped that the news of Jiang Shangheng’s death was just a misunderstanding. But when she saw the red cloth package in Master Jiang’s hand, the heart she had just pieced together shattered again. It was shaped like a jar. Was he inside?
