Especially when alone, Gu Qingtong would easily overthink. Logically, after handling the affairs, Jiang Shangheng should have rushed over immediately.
Even if coordinating with the two elderly Jiang parents, two months had passed and he should have arrived.
It was early autumn, and the weather was gradually turning cool. As soon as Gu Qingtong opened the window, she saw the yard covered in fallen leaves. Those bright red maple leaves presented a desolate and bleak atmosphere in the twilight.
Could it be…
As soon as Gu Qingtong had a bad thought, she felt breathless and with a sense of suffocation, she blacked out and fainted.
“Rong’er, what shall we do about Sister Qingtong?” came Yu Guang’s voice.
The usually calm Yu Rong let out a long sigh: “Young Master Jiang died in his father’s place, yet we’re making her believe the Empress Dowager spared the Marquis because of the blood letter. Recently, I don’t know how to face her.”
Gu Qingtong had already awakened but couldn’t open her eyes. Hearing their conversation, she clenched her fist, hoping she had misheard or was dreaming.
Yu Shi also entered from outside, holding a bowl of medicine. The heavy bitter smell reached Gu Qingtong’s nose, making her frown tightly. However, with her eyelids heavy and her throat blocked, she could do nothing.
“Rong’er, A’guang, why don’t we tell her? She’ll know sooner or later. Moreover, she’s pregnant, and she can’t seek death for Young Master Jiang,” Yu Shi said heavily, seeking Yu Rong and Yu Guang’s opinions.
Gu Qingtong raised her right hand, slowly placing it on her lower abdomen: She was pregnant with Jiang Shangheng’s child? But after more than two months, she hadn’t felt anything at all.
Yu Rong, seeing her hand move, was startled and held her left hand on the bedside: “Sister, you’re awake?”
Gu Qingtong felt the warmth in her hand and tried hard to open her eyes, finally seeing their worried faces: “I’m pregnant?”
“Yes, for two months now.”
“He… died?” Gu Qingtong said word by word, her hand on her lower abdomen tightening.
“Sister…” Yu Rong looked at her helplessly, then turned away.
Min Laoye hurried over after hearing that she had fainted. Upon entering, he said: “Niece Gu, rest assured, I’m here. I won’t let you and this child suffer.”
Gu Qingtong listened silently, tears flowing from the corners of her eyes.
Min Laoye sighed deeply: “It’s a pity I haven’t contacted Jiang Engong yet. If he knew Jiang Gongzi had an heir, he would surely be gratified.”
Thinking of the Zhen Yuan Marquis, Gu Qingtong became even more distraught. She never expected that even her death could not stop Empress Dowager Guo, and that Jiang Shangheng would have to pay with his life. She had once hoped for a bit of warmth from her; fortunately, she did not sink into despair.
That brother of hers, separated by blood, would not care about her.
In the end, in this time and space, she only had Jiang Shangheng.
But heaven was unfair, stripping away even her last bit of warmth.
She looked through tear-filled eyes at Yu Rong and the others gathered around her bed. What use were so many people without him? Without the one she loved, what use were all these people!
Jiang Shangheng had clearly said he would come find her once things were done, but now, he would never come to her again.
Her child would be fatherless, and she had not even seen him for the last time.
Thinking of Jiang Shangheng, Gu Qingtong felt her entire body aching as if pierced, but her heart hurt even more. The physical pain was nothing compared to the psychological trauma.
To her, Jiang Shangheng was not just a lover, but her connection to this time and space, leading her forward, guiding her ahead. He was her everything.
They had not spent much time together, from strangers to lovers, without any grand experiences or passionate vows, but with more of a spiritual connection and tacit understanding.
Since he left, his words and actions became increasingly clear. Every day, she waited, hoping to reunite with him, to be close, to walk through life together.
She had waited so long, anxiously and sweetly anticipating, but what had she waited for?
Hopes turned empty, everything was empty. These messages rang in her ears, true and false, but if only this one were true, the rest would be meaningless.
Yu Rong watched her cry heart-wrenchingly, the world spinning, but bit her lip without making a sound, unable to offer any comfort, only tightly holding her hand. She should not seek death, she should not.
Min Laoye saw she could not hear anything, just lying on the bed silently weeping. He secretly clenched his fist and instructed his wife and daughter standing behind him: “Wife, take care of her. I’ll go inquire about Engong’s news. We must not let anything happen to her.”
“Understood, my lord,” Lady Min looked at this girl, with such a tragic fate, having suffered more hardships in her early life than most would in a lifetime. She truly felt heartbroken. Her real mother had harmed her, and she was astonished that such a heartless mother could exist in this world.
Gu Qingtong cried silently for an unknown length of time, finally crying herself unconscious.
In her dream, Jiang Shangheng was still vivid. From their first meeting to falling in love, every detail was so clear.
She had always been someone who cherished life, careful in this world, afraid of making mistakes. Only with him did she feel a different kind of ease and intimacy.
Like her, he was a blank slate in matters of emotion. So neither knew how to express love. Jiang Shangheng especially did not know how to express his feelings. At first, he would always pester her, only able to speak through the marriage contract. Only when pushed to his limits did he finally reveal his true thoughts.
He would secretly read books to understand a woman’s perspective, learning how to interact with women, just to make her happy.
He was just a marquis’s heir, not even favored by his stepmother. His childhood sufferings were no less than hers. The mistreatment he had endured, if not for Lady Lin, Gu Qingtong would never have known.
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.
“
