Chapter 256 - 257: Gu Benluo

Chapter 256: Chapter 257: Gu Benluo

「Two years later」

Cradling her belly, Jin Qianqian watched the little snowball rolling around in a snowdrift. She didn’t forget to tell Qing Mei, who was standing by, "Have someone get a change of clothes ready. Luo’er’s are going to be soaked in a minute."

"Madam, everything is ready," Liu Qingmei said with a smile. "We’ve added a few more stoves over there, so the room has already warmed up." Watching the young master play like this every day always lifted her spirits.

Just then, the little snowball dashed toward Jin Qianqian. Qingzhu and Qing Lan, who had been standing guard, instantly moved in front of her and swept him up into their arms.

"You little rascal, aren’t you afraid your father will spank you when he gets home?" Jin Qianqian walked over and tweaked his little nose. "Tired from playing? Let Nanny help you change your clothes."

Gu Benluo pouted. "Mommy, hug me."

Liu Qingmei went over and took him into her arms. "Young Master, Madam is carrying your little brother. I’ll carry you inside to change."

"Aunt Mei, Mommy hasn’t held me in so long," Gu Benluo said, looking aggrieved.

Seeing her son trying to be clever again, Jin Qianqian poked his forehead. "Nonsense. Mommy held you this morning. Have you forgotten already?"

"That was this morning. It’s been sooooo long since then," the little one said, trying to count on his gloved fingers. Finally, he just splayed his hands open and closed them, declaring in a whiny voice, "See? It’s been this long."

Jin Qianqian gave Qing Mei a meaningful look, and they all started walking slowly toward the front courtyard.

"I suppose it has been a little while," she coaxed. "But Mommy is wearing so many layers right now, it’s hard to hold you properly. Let’s go inside and get you changed first, and then Mommy will give you a big, proper hug. How does that sound?"

The little one actually seemed to consider this seriously before giving a reluctant nod. "Okay, it’s a deal. You can’t trick me."

Jin Qianqian stepped into the room first and immediately felt a wave of warmth wash over her, letting out a comfortable sigh.

"It’s so much warmer in here. Let’s get our Luo Luo out of these clothes. Look, all the snow on them is melting." Jin Qianqian pinched a flake of snow from his outer robe, which instantly turned into a drop of water on her thumb. Gu Benluo clapped his hands in delight.

The nanny, who was already waiting in the room, bustled about, helping him change and bringing over a warm broth.

Just as mother and son were getting settled, Gu Wenheng returned, stomping in out of the wind and snow.

Seeing the little figure pounce toward him, Gu Wenheng quickly put out a hand, holding the boy at arm’s length. "Wait until Dad changes his clothes, or you’ll catch a chill."

"Daddy, even you won’t hold Luo Luo," the little one complained, seizing the chance to tattle.

Gu Wenheng’s expression immediately hardened. "What? Did you make your mother hold you?"

Gu Benluo quickly clapped both hands over his mouth and shook his little head frantically.

Gu Wenheng waited until Qing Mei took the child before letting go. "From now on, if you want to be held, you wait for me to come home."

Seeing Jin Qianqian sitting on the heated platform bed, Gu Wenheng was afraid the chill clinging to him might affect her. He didn’t dare get closer, asking from a distance, "How are you today? Are you feeling uncomfortable at all?"

Jin Qianqian smiled. "You really don’t need to be so nervous. I’m doing just fine.

"Besides, didn’t Nanny Duan say the second birth is usually easier than the first? And we’re not as inexperienced as last time. Everything’s been prepared well in advance."

Gu Wenheng, seeing that she looked well and there was nothing unusual about her complexion, finally went into the inner chamber to change into a fresh robe.

As he pressed a warm, damp cloth to his face, Gu Wenheng couldn’t help but recall the harrowing scene from two years ago.

Even though they had made preparations well in advance, moving into the courtyard they’d purchased in Dao City.

It was only when the moment of labor truly arrived that Gu Wenheng understood just how much women suffered to bring new life into the world.

Before labor, the midwife had clearly stated that the baby was in the correct position.

But after a full day and night of labor, Jin Qianqian still couldn’t deliver the child.

Chu Dongnan not only had her drink a labor-inducing medicine, but later, with Gu Wenheng’s permission, he also entered the inner chamber to perform acupuncture.

But even with all that, the stubborn little one in her womb refused to come out.

Seeing that her amniotic fluid was nearly depleted, Gu Wenheng rushed straight to Tianfu Restaurant, grabbed Ouyang Bing, and begged him to help find Guo Yurong.

Ouyang Bing had no idea where to find such a person and refused on the spot.

But looking at the utterly distraught Gu Wenheng, his heart softened. After fumbling for a moment, he stuffed a small porcelain vial into his hand. "My Uncle Guo left this for me for emergencies. It’s said that it can bring someone back from the brink of death, even if they only have a single breath left..."

Before Ouyang Bing could give any more instructions, Gu Wenheng snatched the vial and sprinted back the way he came. Ouyang Bing immediately hurried after him.

Of course, Gu Wenheng wasn’t about to shove some unknown medicine into Jin Qianqian’s mouth. He first showed it to Chu Dongnan and only administered it after receiving the doctor’s approval.

Jin Qianqian, who had long since fainted from the pain, slowly regained consciousness. Feeling a new surge of strength return to her body, with the midwife’s help, she finally gave birth to their first son.

Thanks to the timely medicine and the subsequent care from Doctor Chu, Jin Qianqian was back to her lively self by the time her month of postpartum confinement was over.

But that birth had truly terrified Gu Wenheng, and he had constantly muttered that he would never let Jin Qianqian suffer through such an ordeal again.

But nothing in this world is certain. Even with the best precautions, accidents were bound to happen.

The moment Jin Qianqian’s pregnancy was confirmed this time, Gu Wenheng had immediately taken her to see Chu Dongnan. Only after repeated consultations did he reluctantly decide against asking the doctor for medicine to terminate the pregnancy.

But as her due date approached, the terror Gu Wenheng had felt before came rushing back. That was why, when he went out today, he had once again sought out Ouyang Bing.

When Ouyang Bing saw him arrive, he had initially assumed it was another business proposal. But as soon as Gu Wenheng stated his purpose, Ouyang Bing was already trying to shoo him out the door.

"I don’t have any more! What do you think that stuff is, pebbles on the street you can just bend over and pick up?

"If your wife’s life hadn’t been hanging by a thread last time, I never would have been willing to part with it."

Even though Gu Wenheng later copied out an entire, thick recipe book for him in return, Ouyang Bing still felt he’d gotten the short end of the stick.

You could always earn more silver, but you only get one life—and that was a peerless, life-saving remedy.

Thinking about how he had come away empty-handed, Gu Wenheng couldn’t help but rub his temples and shake his head. Only then did he plaster on a smile and walk back out of the inner chamber.

Taking the child in his arms, Gu Wenheng sat cross-legged on the heated platform next to Jin Qianqian. "Did this little rascal give you a hard time today?"

Jin Qianqian looked at Gu Benluo, who was already squirming in his father’s arms. "Not really. With so many people to keep him company, he didn’t cause much of a fuss."

Gu Wenheng reached out, picked up the freshly prepared tea, and took a sip. "You shouldn’t spoil him too much. If he’s being a handful, just have someone take him to another courtyard to play. Don’t wear yourself out."

"You’re just being overly anxious," Jin Qianqian said, pushing the apple she had just peeled toward him. "These came from the estate. You should have some, too."