Chapter 10

Chapter 10

To my surprise, Xie Yijue came that night.

I had just finished my medicine.

I handed the empty bowl to Lianxin.

He paused by the door, looking stunned. “Are you truly ill?”

I didn’t answer directly, only saying, “It’s just the change of seasons.”

I dabbed the corners of my lips with a handkerchief. “You should take care of your health as well, Husband.”

A flicker of heartache crossed his eyes, and his expression softened.

He walked over and took my hand. “It was my oversight. From now on… I will come to accompany you more often.”

His palms were warm, his words earnest.

I lowered my eyes and smiled.

True to his word, he began to visit more frequently.

He almost always took dinner with me.

He no longer brought up the matter of consummating the marriage, instead simply holding me as we drifted off to sleep each night, his chin resting atop my head.

“The days ahead are long,” he whispered in the darkness, his arms tightening around me. “We have a lifetime. We can… slowly open our hearts to one another.”

I kept my eyes closed, listening to the steady beat of his heart.

One morning.

While I was dressing, Lianxin tied my sash a bit too tight, causing me to let out a soft “Ah.”

She hurriedly loosened it.

Xie Yijue, who was adjusting his sleeves before the mirror, turned around at the sound, a smile dancing in his eyes. “Have you put on weight?”

“I have not.”

I raised a hand to touch my face.

He gave a low chuckle.

He walked over and pinched my cheek, his fingertips tender. “This is good. Being a bit rounder makes you even lovelier.”

I swatted his hand away, glaring at him with feigned annoyance.

He laughed heartily, his features bright like a spring breeze.

Leaning in, he whispered, “The Summer Solstice is in a few days. I’ll take you to the villa outside the city to escape the heat.”

“Just the two of us.”

I nodded gently. “Alright.”

On the day of the Summer Solstice, Lianxin was combing my hair, picking through my jewelry box.

She teased with a smile, “When the Lord Heir sees you, he surely won’t be able to look away.”

Before she could finish, a young maid hurried in from outside, her expression strange. “After the Lord Heir returned to the manor… he was invited away by Concubine Zhi.”

“I heard…” The maid’s voice grew lower. “Concubine Zhi’s courtyard is filled with laughter and joy. The Lord Heir has rewarded everyone there and even summoned a physician.”

Lianxin’s hand trembled, and the wooden comb fell to the floor.

A corner of it chipped off.

She hurriedly picked it up. “Miss…”

“It’s fine.”

I sighed. “Take it down.”

“I’ve been feeling quite fatigued lately anyway.”

A short while later, another maid ran in.

She looked somewhat dejected.

“The concubine is pregnant. The Lord Heir is overjoyed.”

“He said he won’t be coming over today… and asked Madam to retire early.”

Yet, Xie Yijue came anyway.

In the middle of the night, carrying the chill of the dew, he climbed onto the bed with light steps.

When his arm reached around me, I opened my eyes.

“Did I wake you?”

There was an irrepressible joy in his voice as he pressed his palm gently against my lower abdomen. “Yuntan, I’m going to have a child.”

I remained silent.

He seemed completely unaware, murmuring to himself, “Once she gives birth, the child will be recorded under your name and raised as legitimate. How does that sound?”

He nuzzled my hair, whispering incessantly.

“But I still want to have a child with you… Yuntan.”

“A child belonging to the two of us would surely be the smartest and loveliest in the world. I want him to inherit my title and enjoy a lifetime of honor.”

“Is that alright?” He kissed my shoulder softly. “Yuntan?”

I closed my eyes, feigning sleep.

He sighed, carefully pulling me closer and pressing a light kiss to my earlobe.

Before long, his breathing became slow and even.