Chapter 83: The Complete Restorative Soup

Li Hun and the others glared at him, seething with resentment at his gleeful expression. If they weren’t standing in the middle of a busy street, where it was inconvenient to start a fight, the four of them would have surely teamed up to give him a beating. What’s more, their young master was in a hurry to return home, so they dared not delay and could only swallow their anger. Qing Xian, fully aware of this, boldly teased them without fear. Besides, these people were closely bonded; though they bickered and horsed around, no one ever bore a real grudge. Even when they fought, they kept it measured, never truly intending harm.

At this moment, Qing Xian was jubilant, admiring himself from head to toe for his quick wit. How clever he was to improvise, and in the end, he even managed to outsmart the four of them. Truly satisfying!

Li Hun shot him a displeased look and snapped, “Qing Xian, your grin is so wide it might never close—be careful.”

Li Ting, expressionless, added, “Careful you don’t get a cramp from smiling too much.”

Li Lan, coolly from the side, remarked, “Don’t bother warning him. If his mouth gets stuck open, it’ll save us the trouble. I’ll just punch him, and he’ll close it for sure—he’ll probably thank me for it.”

Li Ying, looking at Qing Xian with contempt, said, “A punch is nothing. Best to find a needle and thread and sew his mouth shut. Then we’ll finally have some peace.”

Qing Xian was speechless, wondering if he’d really been so obvious—he’d only indulged in a little pride, yet these people were mercilessly mocking him. It was too much. He cast a resentful glance at the four and focused on driving the carriage.

Inside the carriage, Zhan Yan overheard their verbal sparring and couldn’t help but laugh aloud. The carriages of Qing Yun and the others were close to hers, so they heard everything clearly, and all struggled to stifle their amusement.

Wen Yang Town was not far from Mingyang County. Amid the noisy banter, the carriage soon arrived before the Gu family’s grand estate.

Uncle Yang had been waiting at the gate for some time. Seeing Li Hun and the others, he knew Zhongli Yu had arrived and waited only for his master to disembark so he could guide them inside.

Zhongli Yu lifted the carriage curtain and was first to alight, then extended his hand to Zhan Yan, carefully helping her down. Zhan Yan found his caution amusing—her husband was so anxious. Grandpa Meng had said she was barely over a month pregnant, the child not yet formed, and she was still light and agile. She didn’t need his help at all. But seeing his serious expression, she wouldn’t foolishly reject his kindness.

“Uncle Yang, I’ll leave these people to you,” Zhongli Yu said as soon as he entered, then turned warmly to Zhan Yan, “Yan’er, let me carry you back to our courtyard.”

“Husband, I can walk myself,” Zhan Yan replied helplessly. She was merely pregnant, not so weak as to be unable to walk.

“I know you can, but you just vomited. Your stomach is empty and you must be weak, so it’s safer if I carry you.” Without waiting for rebuttal, he scooped her into his arms and headed toward Pear Fragrance Courtyard. After a few steps, he looked back and instructed Uncle Yang, “Tell the kitchen to prepare more nourishing soups and bring them to Pear Fragrance Courtyard when ready. Also, make more of my wife’s favorite dishes. Do you know what she likes? If not, I’ll write it down for you—come to Pear Fragrance Courtyard to pick up the list.”

Uncle Yang replied respectfully, “I truly don’t know what Madam likes, so I’ll trouble Your Highness to write it down, and I’ll fetch it later.” Though he knew Zhongli Yu was no longer Prince Chun, he was so accustomed to the title that he continued to use it.

The old prince, walking behind, chuckled and cursed, “You rascal!” and said no more, for he was too delighted. If Zhongli Yu hadn’t properly instructed Uncle Yang, he would have done it himself. Unfortunately, his grandson spoke first, leaving him no chance to shine.

Zhongli Yu nodded and proceeded directly to Pear Fragrance Courtyard. Princess Birou, who had intended to greet them, overheard Zhongli Yu’s words to Uncle Yang and was both shocked and envious. She thought, “Just how much does Prince Chun dote on his wife? He even knows her tastes perfectly—his devotion is evident.”

Zhongli Yu paid no attention to Princess Birou. At this moment, his heart held only his beloved wife, eager to share their joy privately. He strode quickly, arriving at Pear Fragrance Courtyard in no time. The courtyard was spotless, autumn had come, the pear trees bore no fruit, and the wind scattered leaves, evoking the season. Zhongli Yu had no mind to appreciate it—once inside, he set Zhan Yan down and embraced her tightly, careful not to press her belly, so he clung only to her above the waist. The posture was somewhat comical, but they were too happy and excited to notice. He murmured, “Yan’er, we’re going to have a child. I’m so happy.”

Zhan Yan felt his overflowing joy, and her heart filled with tenderness. She smiled—she too was full of delight. Nearly half a year had passed since their wedding, and now she was expecting; naturally, she was glad.

He held her for at least a quarter of an hour before reluctantly releasing her, subduing his excitement, and gently guiding her to sit on the soft couch. He crouched beside her, gazing intently. At this moment, she appeared even more enchanting, radiating a maternal glow. Her beautiful face was adorned with a joyful smile, the kind that lights up a person from within. He was nearly entranced.

Zhan Yan, seeing him so transfixed, couldn’t help but laugh. She knew how happy he was. She recalled that day in Wangcheng, watching the pomegranate blossoms, when he’d wondered if they would see autumn fruit. Now, autumn had come, and her belly already nurtured a new life.

She gently tugged his hand, beckoning him to sit beside her. Noble as Prince Chun, Zhongli Yu simply crouched there, yet even in that posture, he remained elegant and distinguished, his noble aura undiminished.

Zhongli Yu sat next to her, reaching out to softly caress her still-flat belly, unable to imagine that a life was already growing within. The joy of impending fatherhood filled his heart to bursting. Seeking more intimacy, he pressed his head to her belly and whispered, “Daughter, I’m your father. Remember to stay well-behaved in your mother’s womb. If you make her uncomfortable and come out early, I’ll have to spank you.”

Zhan Yan laughed at his childish gesture—she’d never imagined this man could be so immature. Smiling, she said, “How can the baby understand you now? And how do you know it’s a girl?”

Zhongli Yu tilted his head, thinking, “Even if she can’t understand, she should be warned. If it’s not a girl, it doesn’t matter—boy or girl, none of them can torment my wife.”

Zhan Yan looked speechlessly at her husband, whose intelligence seemed to have dropped below sixty. It was hard to believe this was Zhongli Yu. Yet, his foolishness was rather endearing. She spoke gently, “Your warnings are useless; pregnancy is always hard on women. In the first three months, there’s morning sickness—some vomit every time they eat, some are luckier and not so severe. Later, as the months pass, the belly grows big and even walking becomes difficult.” She shared basic knowledge from her previous life. Hearing this, his face paled, unable to imagine his wife struggling to walk with a huge belly. He stammered, “Walking becomes difficult? What should we do? If we want several children, won’t Yan’er suffer for years?” He pondered for a while, as if waging an internal battle, then raised his head and said firmly, “Yan’er, one child is enough for us.”

Zhan Yan’s eyes grew moist—this man truly loved her. To spare her hardship, he was willing to have only one child, though she knew how much he dreamed of a lively household. Hearing pregnancy was hard, he was ready to give that up for her. What virtues had she accumulated in her past life to meet such a good man in this one? She gently caressed his chiseled, handsome face and said softly, “Silly, carrying our child is a blessing. A little hardship is nothing.” In her previous life, as an only child, she’d felt lonely. This time, she was determined to have at least two children, so they’d have companionship.

“But—”

“Shh.” Zhan Yan put a finger to his lips and continued, “Husband, it’s enough that you care for me. With you cherishing me so much, any hardship is worthwhile. Besides, I like children. I want both sons and daughters, so they’ll have company. Then our home will be lively, and Grandfather will be happy too.”

“Yan’er, thank you for your hard work.” He was deeply moved and gently embraced her as one would cherish a rare treasure. She nestled contentedly in his arms; the atmosphere was tranquil and beautiful.

Qing Yun approached the door, and seeing no movement inside, called softly, “Your Highness, Princess?”

“What is it?”

“The nourishing soup and dishes are ready. Should we bring them in now?” Qing Yun answered respectfully from outside.

“Bring them in.”

“Yes.”

Soon, several maids entered, each carrying a bowl of soup: ginseng and black chicken, pigeon, carp, and others, totaling ten bowls. Zhan Yan was stunned—ten nourishing soups, was this for pigs? Even pigs didn’t get such treatment, and the quantity was truly intimidating.

Looking at the ten bowls, Zhan Yan shivered—would she have to face so much soup every day?

“Husband, isn’t this too much?” she asked her man helplessly.

Zhongli Yu found her pained expression amusing. “How is it too much? You’re eating for two now—you need double portions.”

“Excuse me, Young Master Zhongli, do I usually drink five bowls of soup per meal?” Even double, this was excessive.

“Well, no. But it doesn’t matter if you can’t finish. Just drink whichever you like.”

“So you just enjoy extravagance? Waste is a crime, you know?”

“How is it a crime? I have the kitchen make extra soup for my wife—what offense is that?”

“I don’t care. If you keep making so much soup and I can’t finish it, you’ll have to drink the rest.” Zhan Yan teased, determined to make him tire of soup and curb his extravagance.

Zhongli Yu was speechless. “I’m not the one pregnant—why should I drink so much soup?”

“You have to care for a pregnant woman, and that’s tiring too, so you need extra nourishment,” Zhan Yan replied, grinning slyly.

“Yan’er, the soup’s cooling—hurry and drink.” He tried to change the subject, quickly seating her at the table.

Zhan Yan was not so easily fooled. She smiled sweetly at Zhongli Yu, “Alright, husband, let’s drink together.”

Zhongli Yu was dazzled by her enchanting smile and nodded stupidly. Then he heard her triumphant giggle, “Mm, husband is so obedient.”

The corner of Zhongli Yu’s mouth twitched—what did she mean by obedient? He was a grown man, after all. How had he, so clever, been tricked by his wife? Alas, it seemed this little woman was born to keep him in check.

Seeing his wife’s radiant smile, Zhongli Yu devised a plan. He pressed his lips to her rosy mouth, kissing her until she was breathless and too exhausted to tease him. He acted immediately, turning her toward him and capturing her cherry lips in a lingering kiss. What began as punishment quickly grew passionate—he kissed deeper and more fervently, nearly losing control. Remembering her pregnancy, he restrained his desire and gently withdrew. Intended as a punishment, the kiss left him suffering instead. Zhongli Yu sighed softly, “Yan’er, you little enchantress.”

Zhan Yan, left weak from the kiss, protested, “How am I an enchantress? Did I eat you?”

“No, I ate you.”

“…”

Zhan Yan was speechless.

Zhongli Yu laughed quietly, his voice as melodious as a spring flowing over stones. All dissatisfaction from being tricked by his wife vanished. He picked up a bowl of ginseng and black chicken soup, tested its warmth, and said gently, “Yan’er, drink the soup now or it’ll get cold.”

Zhan Yan nodded. Earlier in the carriage, she’d vomited nearly everything in her stomach, so now she was starving. One bowl of soup quickly disappeared.

Zhongli Yu reached for another bowl, but Zhan Yan stopped him. “I’m hungry, let me eat first. If I drink too much soup, I won’t be able to eat, and my stomach will stay empty.”

Zhongli Yu nodded and began piling her bowl with dishes—all her favorites. Soon, her bowl was a little mountain.

Zhan Yan kept her head down, diligently eating. Suddenly, she realized her bowl never emptied, and when she looked up at her husband, she saw that every time she ate a piece of meat, he added another. At this rate, her bowl would never be cleared.

“Aren’t you eating? You’re piling so much food in my bowl—I can’t finish it. You eat some, too.” With that, she loaded his bowl with food, muttering, “You’ve been hungry all day. Eat more, don’t just serve me. I’m not a child. Why are all these dishes my favorites? Tomorrow, I’ll have a word with the chef—they should make your favorites, too. It’s not as if we lack the money.”

Listening to her gentle complaints, Zhongli Yu felt her words brimming with care for him. Just moments ago, she’d called waste a crime, but now she said they weren’t short of money. This little woman—how could he not love her to the depths of his heart?

“Yes, we aren’t short of money. I’ll have them make more in the future,” Zhongli Yu replied, delighted by the phrase “our home.”

“Good, then eat up,” Zhan Yan said, continuing to eat and adding more to his bowl. Zhongli Yu watched her fondly, swallowing everything she gave him.

They ate a fair amount, but nine bowls of soup still stood untouched. Zhan Yan picked up a bowl of pigeon soup and placed it before Zhongli Yu, “Husband, drink this soup—don’t waste it.”

Zhongli Yu downed the soup in two gulps. Zhan Yan reached for another bowl to push toward him, but Zhongli Yu hurriedly stopped her, “Yan’er, this one’s for the baby. You drank one, but the baby hasn’t yet—if you don’t help her, she’ll be hungry.”

Zhan Yan was speechless—what did he mean, the baby hadn’t drunk yet? It seemed the mother’s portion didn’t count. Yet, in a way, he was right. So Zhan Yan obediently finished another bowl, her stomach now truly full.

“Yan’er, are you full?”

“Yes, I’m full,” she nodded.

“Someone, clear these away,” Zhongli Yu called.

The maids entered and took the soup away. Only then, as she patted her round belly, did Zhan Yan realize the soup had been cleared. Wasn’t it agreed that Zhongli Yu would drink it? How had he slipped it away while she wasn’t looking?

Zhan Yan glared at Zhongli Yu, feigning anger, “You didn’t keep your word. You said you’d drink soup with me—how could you let them take it?”

“I did drink soup with Yan’er,” Zhongli Yu replied innocently. He had, indeed, drunk a bowl. His wife hadn’t specified that he needed to finish all of it.

Zhan Yan held her forehead; it seemed he was right. She hadn’t made it clear. They say a pregnant woman’s intelligence drops—perhaps it was true. Thinking of the little baby growing in her belly, her heart softened, filled with indescribable contentment, and her previous annoyance faded away.