Knowing the Warmth of Southern Tea (GL) - chapter 29

Chapter 29

Rongrong might have been suppressing her feelings recently, not wanting others to discover her condition. Consequently, she didn’t have severe morning sickness at first. Perhaps the child also knew that if his father found out too early, he might not be allowed to stay.

This was no alarmist talk. Had Gu Zhuang known within the first three months, he might very well have sent this child to the Western Paradise. Though it is said even a tiger does not eat its cubs, Rongrong’s first pregnancy had truly damaged her physical foundation. The child was precious, but compared to his wife’s life, Gu Zhuang would have chosen Rongrong without a moment’s hesitation.

In this era, many valued offspring more than the mother, believing lineage to be superior to all else. Some would stop at nothing just to bear a son. But Gu Zhuang was exactly the opposite. This was Rongrong’s great fortune!

Now that the baby knew Gu Zhuang was away, he had completely let loose, tossing and turning all day as if desperate to announce his arrival. This tormented Rongrong. Since morning, she hadn’t been able to keep anything down and felt a constant urge to vomit.

Wen Cha understood that pregnancy was no simple matter. From that day on, she took Nan Nuan all over Qingzhou every day to find snacks for Rongrong. Though it didn’t help much, it was the thought that counted. Sometimes, Wen Cha would think that settling down in Bingzhou instead of roaming the martial arts world wouldn’t be so bad—with her foster mother nearby and a little baby to play with. To be fair, however, it was unlikely anyone would actually let Wen Cha “play” with a baby.

“Nuan Nuan, can we settle in Bingzhou in the future? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we married a pair of brothers? That way we could stay together forever.” Hearing this, Nan Nuan felt that while the logic was sound, she felt an intense discomfort. Do you only feel sisterly affection for me? Only that?

She turned cold and ignored her. Wen Cha had no idea how she had offended Nan Nuan, but seeing her anger, she felt troubled…

“Is what you feel for me truly just sisterly affection?” Nan Nuan finally couldn’t swallow her frustration and asked. You provoke me, and then you tell me we’re just sisters? To hell with sisterly affection.

“Well, yes. If not sisters, what else would we be?” Wen Cha asked back. She kept telling herself they were just sisters and nothing more, yet she felt a pang of guilt when Nan Nuan asked.

“Good. Very good.” Nan Nuan brushed past Wen Cha and left on her own. Wen Cha hurried to catch up, but the Qingzhou market was too crowded, and the two eventually lost each other.

Wen Cha was bewildered. Logically, the closer she was to Nan Nuan, the less likely the Love Gu was to flare up. So why did her heart ache so much now—so much that tears began to fall? Wen Cha returned to the house crying like a little stray cat, having forgotten to buy any snacks.

Seeing Nan Nuan return alone, Rongrong guessed a bit of what had happened. Thus, she wasn’t surprised at all to see a despondent Wen Cha who had even forgotten her food basket.

Ah well, the younger generation will find their own happiness. Urgh— Rongrong felt she should go vomit first!

…

Meanwhile, Nan Nuan had already returned to the house and finished reading the letter from her brother. It read: Granted. You shall marry the Crown Prince.

By now, Mr. Gu’s letter had likely reached her brother’s hands. He had truly checkmated her. But so what? You can handle me, and you can handle the Prince. But can you handle us if we join forces? These are the people you value; could you truly strike at them? In the end, you will still be dancing in the palm of my hand.

Nan Nuan smiled and burned the letter. Recalling the past, she realized she had ignored many things—such as her brother’s hidden affection for her. Keeping her at a distance wasn’t out of dislike; it might have been a form of protection.

Regardless, the letter meant the Qingzhou matter could proceed according to Nan Nuan’s wishes to save the people, on the condition that she marry the Crown Prince. This was always Nan Wei’s style: seeing the whole through the smallest detail.

The letter also served as a reminder to Nan Nuan. Since she didn’t just feel “sisterly affection” for Wen Cha—whether because of the Love Gu or something else—she made a decision. Wen Cha, now that you’ve walked into my life, don’t even think about leaving.

Wen Cha had no idea she was already considered “prey” in someone’s pocket.

Rongrong also learned of the reply. The messenger seemed to have intentionally let everyone in the house know. Rongrong felt Nan Wei was unfathomable; the reply arrived the moment the message was delivered. Such demonic intelligence was terrifying.

Feeling slightly better, Rongrong went to find Nan Nuan out of concern. She found her under the soapberry tree, still reading that same copy of Lüshi Chunqiu.

“Nuan Nuan, are you alright?” Rongrong asked. Despite Nan Nuan’s calm exterior, Rongrong felt her emotions were off.

“Madam, please rest assured. My brother agrees with your idea. He will not let Qingzhou suffer this man-made disaster.” This was the best news Rongrong had heard in weeks, yet she felt no joy, only increased worry. For a man like Nan Wei to agree to something with “no benefit,” what price would others have to pay?

“Madam, I would like to ask you to remove the Gu from me,” Nan Nuan requested.

Rongrong had been so worried about Qingzhou that she had almost forgotten. “Actually, although there is Gu poison in your body, it will never be triggered.”

“It won’t be triggered? What do you mean?” Nan Nuan was shocked. Had they been deceiving themselves this whole time?

“When Wen Cha’s mother—my Senior Sister—was pregnant, she was struck by a specific poison. This poison puts Gu insects into a deep sleep or even kills them, yet it has a fatal attraction for them. It was designed specifically to deal with her. Although I neutralized the poison for her, Wen Cha was born with it in her system. Her body cannot provide a suitable environment for the Gu to function. Therefore, neither of you was ever truly under the influence of the Love Gu. That is also how I knew at a glance she was my Senior Sister’s daughter.”

“So, there was never anything wrong with us?” Nan Nuan asked uncertainly, her curiosity about Wen Cha’s father growing.

“I am certain Wen Cha doesn’t know. I originally thought she liked you and poisoned you on purpose, but later she said it was an accident. I knew you were from the Capital, and I feared that if you knew the truth, you might harm her. For that… please forgive me.”

“Then why tell me now?”

“Because I believe you truly care for Wen Cha, and she truly cares for you.”

Is this a case of the bystander seeing more clearly than the player? Even Madam saw it. Nan Nuan fell into deep thought, or perhaps she was reminiscing.

“I would like to ask Madam for a favor,” Nan Nuan finally decided.

“Speak freely. You are the savior of Qingzhou and my benefactor. As long as it doesn’t violate my principles, I will agree.”

“Please tell Wen Cha that the Gu will only be removed once the Qingzhou matter is resolved. Until then, tell her the Gu is still active.”

Rongrong thought for a moment. Though she didn’t know Nan Nuan’s intent, she agreed.