Fortune Across the World

Chapter 189: Leaving the Valley for Yinzou's Spring (Part 2)

The children hadn't seen Fu Ruqing for quite some time, and their excitement was palpable. They repeatedly called out "Sister Qing," eager to rush over to her if not for their mothers holding them back.

Fu Ruqing returned the greetings to the women and smiled at the children, her happiness evident despite the veil that concealed her face. Since carrying the little one, her affection for children had grown immensely. She often found herself wondering whether her own child would resemble her more or take after Yu.

As Fu Ruqing and Yinsu entered the courtyard, surrounded by the women, many of whom were experienced mothers, they eagerly shared their own pregnancy and childbirth experiences with their young mistress, full of enthusiasm.

Meanwhile, the children, kept at bay by their parents, chattered animatedly about their "Sister Qing." Two particularly excited and talkative boys were silenced by an older girl who solemnly informed them, "See? Sister Qing's belly is round and big, there's a little sister inside. She's sleeping, so we mustn't be too noisy or push and shove, or we'll scare her."

One of the boys obediently stuck out his tongue in playful defiance, while the other pondered and countered, "It's a little brother. Sister Qing has a little brother in there." Naturally, as a boy, he hoped for an energetic little brother to play with.

The children's debate was loud enough to be heard during a lull in the adults' conversation. Fu Ruqing found their innocent words both endearing and amusing. She was "Sister Qing" while the baby was "little brother or sister," a confusing web of titles.

The adults found the children's naming conventions odd, but correcting them seemed just as awkward. Yinsu, thinking quickly, couldn't find a solution, but Fu Ruqing didn't mind the children's innocent chatter, finding it charming instead. Thus, no correction was made.

Inside the hall, the women ushered Fu Ruqing to a seat. Discussing the baby's gender, one woman beamed, "I think it'll be a boy, a little master!" Her words, though a guess, were a blessing. In Daqian, many still held a preference for sons, so she genuinely wished for a firstborn son for the young mistress.

Yinsu, standing by, chuckled. Her mistress hoped for a girl, having instructed the nursery items be prepared for a little miss. Luckily, the family head noticed and ordered two sets of everything, just in case it was a boy, to avoid having a little master use a girl's things.

For her own child, Fu Ruqing didn't care about the gender, but considering Ding Qiyu's unique condition, she felt their child was unlikely to be a boy. A sensible, well-behaved girl suited her perfectly, so preparations were made for a daughter. Many, like Yinsu, assumed the young mistress preferred girls.

Before Fu Ruqing could speak, another woman playfully nudged the first, laughing, "Whatever the gender, the young mistress's child will be a noble!" Another agreed, "Exactly, and the young mistress is so young, she'll surely have both sons and daughters in the future. Whether it's a boy or a girl first, it's wonderful!" The group nodded in agreement.

The first child hadn't even arrived, and they were already discussing the future! Fu Ruqing, slightly embarrassed, maintained her serene smile, responding, "Boy or girl, it's all about fate."

Inside was a lively exchange of experiences, while outside, the children, forbidden from entering the room, played with small toys brought by Fu Ruqing's guards. Missing Brother Yu's company and aware of Sister Qing's sensitive condition, the children felt a pang of longing for Brother Yu, whom they hadn't seen in ages.

Gathered around their mechanical toys, the children speculated, "This must be made by Brother Yu."

Another nodded, "Yes! Only Brother Yu can make such fun things. I showed it to my dad, and he couldn't make it."

"Yeah..." a young girl sighed theatrically, "But Brother Yu hasn't visited us in so long, he must have forgotten us..."

Her heartfelt lament reached Fu Ruqing as she exited the house, freezing her smile momentarily. The adults were startled, realizing the children's innocent comment had hit a sensitive spot with the young mistress.

The children noticed Sister Qing and their slightly angry mothers. A few older ones, realizing their mistake, quickly covered their mouths with their hands.

As everyone stood unsure how to proceed, the children's innocence touched Fu Ruqing's heart. She sighed inwardly and approached them, softly saying, "Brother Yu will be back soon. When she does, I'll bring her to play with you all." She felt a strong premonition, shared by her unborn child, that Yu would return soon.

The adults relaxed, though they noted the longing in the young mistress's words. They hoped that once back, her husband would be more reliable and take responsibility for the family.

The children's disappointment vanished, replaced by excitement at Sister Qing's promise to return with Brother Yu. For the first time, they were close to their beloved Sister Qing, marveling at her round belly with wide, curious eyes.

One of the youngest girls, small enough to squeeze to the front, cautiously reached out to touch the belly but hesitated. Looking up at Fu Ruqing, she softly asked, "Sister, can I touch?"

The children eagerly awaited Fu Ruqing's response, wanting to feel Sister Qing's belly.

Understanding the request, Fu Ruqing didn't have time to answer before the women swooped in, scooping up their children or blocking them. Yinsu quickly moved to her mistress's side, creating a barrier between Fu Ruqing and the children.

The children were bewildered, the youngest girl looking tearfully at Fu Ruqing from her mother's embrace.

Seeing this, Fu Ruqing felt a mix of amusement and helplessness. Looking at the children's eager faces, she reassured them, "When the baby is born, you can all play together." Her unborn child already had many playmates, promising a joyful future.

...

Meanwhile, General Lu's family had been in Yuanjing for three days. General Lu had an audience with the prince, as the emperor was bedridden. The general found the summons suspicious and took cautious steps, declining the prince's offer of accommodation and opting to stay at their old residence. He reviewed and replaced the staff, ensuring only trusted individuals remained, preparing for any developments.

In her courtyard, Lu Weixi sipped her medicinal tonic, took a brief rest, and sat under a peach tree, playing her qin. Her gaze lingered on a small sculpture of a youth atop the zither box. The melody, "Dream of Jiangnan," was fragmented, expressing deep emotions, capturing the sentiment, "The strings pause, the sound stops, revealing a thousand layers of longing."

Despite being in Yuanjing for only a few days, countless noble young men had visited, seeking Lu Weixi's attention. Qing'er fended them off, spending considerable time turning away persistent suitors. In the past, Lu Weixi occasionally entertained those of good character and talent, but now she refused all. Initially, Qing'er sought her mistress's opinion, but seeing Lu Weixi's distaste, she stopped asking, instructing the guards to allow only close friends and to politely turn away any suitors.

As Qing'er pondered, she saw a figure at the gate—Qu Ruochen, a close friend of Lu Weixi. The guards, aware of their friendship, let her pass.

Qu Ruochen quietly waited at the gate, observing Lu Weixi's frail form, concerned by her sister's apparent weight loss and fragility. The melancholy melody added to her worry. Why was her sister so sorrowful?

After a while, when the music paused, Qu Ruochen noticed Lu Weixi staring at the statue in a daze, unaware of her presence. Approaching with a smile, she greeted, "Sister Xi!"