Half a month passed in the blink of an eye. No snow fell during this time, easing the tense atmosphere considerably. The biggest change was the increase in foreign merchants, mostly meat sellers. It was said that many livestock had died outside the border, and grain prices in Lizhou City had risen somewhat.

Zhulan had also sent someone to buy a lot of mutton to store, but unfortunately, she couldn’t eat much because of her pregnancy, as it would cause internal heat. She could only look on with envy.

Zhulan had been cooped up in the house for almost half a month; the furthest she’d gone was to eat. Today, she finally wanted to go to the garden for some fresh air.

Xuehan and Wu Ning each supported one side of her, while Zhulan laughed. “You’re both too nervous! Anyone would think I can’t walk!”

Xuehan genuinely wanted her mother to stay inside. Every time her father went out, he would tell her to take good care of her mother; it was a huge responsibility. “Mother, please have pity on me and let us support you!”

Zhulan chuckled. She knew Zhou Shuren’s instructions to his daughter. Not to mention her daughter, the words Zhou Shuren said most often were to try not to leave the house and wait for him to come back to be with her. Zhou Shuren was so nervous that he only trusted her. “Okay, okay, I feel sorry for you. Let’s go.”

Zhulan’s belly was swollen. Sometimes, Zhulan herself felt a sense of wonder when she touched it. Life was growing inside her. Not only was her family being careful, but she was also very careful herself. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been keeping herself indoors and turning down every invitation she could.

The garden at Zhulan’s house was quite beautiful. Before Zhulan and her two maids even reached the pavilion, they encountered Chang Lian, Meng Jie, Rong Chuan, and Shi Qing. These guys were really enjoying themselves, sitting in the pavilion with a small stove on the table for boiling water. Upon closer inspection, they saw hot wine. Outside the pavilion, they could see Chang Lian’s servants, Qi Mo, and a few others roasting lamb legs.

Zhulan swallowed hard; she wanted some too, but lamb always gave her a sore throat and mouth ulcers, making her suffer terribly.

Chang Lian saw his mother and quickly stood up. “Mother.”

Then he glared disapprovingly at his sister. Why did he bring their mother out? What if something happened to her?

Xue Han glared back defiantly. All she did was glare at him. Third brother, if you’re so capable, why don’t you go and do it yourself?

Chang Lian understood the meaning in his sister’s eyes and felt awkward. He dared not contradict his mother. His sister could at least plead with him, but he didn’t dare speak to his mother directly. He was genuinely afraid of her.

Rong Chuan couldn’t help but chuckle. Chang Lian, despite his older brotherly demeanor outside, wasn’t actually that authoritative at home. Every time he spoke, Xue Han would retort, but this time, she didn’t even need to say a word; her eyes were enough to shut him down.

Xue Han’s face flushed instantly. Already rosy from the wind, it turned even redder, and she couldn’t help but glance at Rong Chuan out of the corner of her eye.

Xue Han’s heart was pounding. Rong Chuan had been with the family for four years. The first year, he was short, about her height, but he had caught up in the following years, and now he was more than a head taller than her. In the Zhou family, Rong Chuan was considered handsome, and as she grew older, she had long since etched him in her heart. The more Xue Han thought about it, the redder her face became, wishing she could hide her face completely inside the fur collar of her cloak.

Rong Chuan’s eyes sparkled, and his smile widened. He had changed, and so had Xue Han. The little girl from before had blossomed into a young woman. This past year, Xue Han had been so composed; it was rare to see her so shy.

Zhulan silently looked at the sky. Early romance, huh? Kids in ancient times were so mature! It was so sour; her teeth were aching.

Wu Ning had only glanced at the pavilion before lowering her head. She was familiar with the Zhou family brothers, but not with Shi Gongzi. She was a little dazed. Shi Gongzi, draped in a cloak, with a bamboo forest behind him, his gentle demeanor against the scenery, made her afraid to look a second time.

Shi Qing noticed Miss Wu. He had been at the Zhou residence for some time, and as he became more familiar with it, coupled with Chang Lian’s invitation, he no longer came in the evenings. Unfortunately, he had never seen Miss Wu again.

Seeing her today, he almost didn’t recognize her. She looked much more attractive, no longer thin, and her hair was much darker and shinier. Shi Qing was stunned. He had actually observed Miss Wu; this realization was so unfamiliar.

Zhulan decided not to stroll around the garden anymore; she was so jealous of Zhou Shuren that she missed him terribly. Holding her daughter’s hand, she said, “Let’s go back!”

Xue Han’s face was still flushed. “Okay.”

Zhulan turned around and saw Wu Ning still looking down. Today was different; Wu Ning was familiar with the Zhou family boys and had never been so reserved before. Zhulan glanced at Shi Qing out of the corner of her eye. Was it because of Shi Qing?

Zhulan suddenly froze. She saw Shi Qing looking at Wu Ning, and even though he quickly looked away, she still noticed.

Zhulan squinted and took Wu Ning’s hand. “Let’s go back.”

Wu Ning didn’t notice Shi Gongzi. “Okay.”

Back in the main courtyard, Zhulan noticed Wu Ning was frequently distracted, almost pricking her hand several times while embroidering, so she let Wu Ning and Xue Han go home.

That evening, when Zhou Shuren returned, Zhulan wanted to tell him what she had seen but then thought she was overthinking it. After all, Shi Qing had saved Wu Ning; Wu Ning’s reaction was normal.

Zhou Shuren changed his clothes, and seeing the joy on his face, Zhulan smiled and asked, “Is there some good news?”

(End of Chapter)

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