In Huining, winter begins in October, and Yun Jiao has calculated her due date to be at the end of October, which is fast approaching.
Even though she was about to give birth, Yun Jiao went to the apothecary that day by carriage.
The weather was a bit cold, but it hadn’t snowed yet. Yun Jiao, wearing a cloak, was helped down from the carriage by Yang Ying.
The twelve guards that accompanied them quickly secured the front and back entrances of the apothecary.
Inside the apothecary, soone was gathering herbs. As Yun Jiao entered, her father greeted her, "Be careful, sit down quickly."
Gu Chuan brought a chair for Yun Jiao to sit down, and then Gu Yuheng gave her a knowing look.
Yun Jiao followed her father’s gaze and saw a man fetching herbs, with his profile facing her, leaning against the counter, seemingly bored and gazing outside.
Yun Jiao almost scread when she recognized the man’s profile—it was Du Ruo!
She quickly lowered her eyes, concealing the excitent within her.
Jiang Youzhi had co, though she didn’t know where he was at that mont.
Yun Jiao’s heart stirred as she glanced towards the teahouse across the street. The teahouse was bustling with people, but it was too far to see anything clearly.
Following her usual routine, Yun Jiao chatted with her father for a while before she got up to leave.
As she stepped out, Yun Jiao paused slightly on the steps, sweeping her gaze across to the other side before being helped into the carriage by Yang Ying.
The twelve guards imdiately escorted the carriage away.
In the opposite teahouse, a pair of eyes watched Yun Jiao’s carriage as it gradually rolled away.
Inside the carriage, Yun Jiao’s emotions surged, but she didn’t show it on her face.
With Jiang Youzhi’s arrival, she felt her escape was not far off.
However, every ti she left the house, twelve guards followed her.
During this ti, both Mrs. Chen and her father seed to have noticed that there was really no one spying on them.
Perhaps Wanyan Zhang thought that in Huining, no one could take Yun Jiao away under the eyes of twelve guards.
For several days, Yun Jiao refrained from going out.
She knew that now, more than ever, she needed to stay calm and not let anyone sense anything amiss.
After another three or four days, Yun Jiao took the carriage to Nantong Street once again.
The guards, as usual, divided so to guard the front and back doors, while two stood in the courtyard.
Yun Jiao entered the main room and spoke with Mrs. Chen for a while. Mrs. Chen said, "San Ya hasn’t been well these past few days. Go into the side room and see if you can prescribe sothing for her."
As Yun Jiao took a step forward and Yang Ying was about to follow, Cai Ping called out, "Miss Yang, the embroidery on your pouch is quite lovely; could I take a look at the pattern?"
Yang Ying, now savvy with experience, stopped imdiately upon hearing Cai Ping’s words, turned around with a bright smile, and sat with Cai Ping to admire the pouch.
Once Yun Jiao entered the room, she was pulled aside and fell into a warm embrace.
Her belly was large, so the one holding her did so with great care.
Yun Jiao slled the familiar scent, and silent tears stread down her face.
She hadn’t forgotten that there were still guards in the courtyard.
Jiang Youzhi held her, whispering in her ear, "Jiao Jiao, Jiao Jiao—"
"Am I dreaming?"
Yun Jiao whimpered softly, then suppressed the whimper deep in her throat, choking back tears as she spoke quietly, "Why did it take you so long to co?"
Jiang Youzhi felt a pang in his heart, "I ca too late."
Yun Jiao quickly wiped away her tears and looked up at him.
He was no longer the dazzlingly handso man from the last ti; his upper lip and chin were stubbled, his skin had beco much rougher, and his face showed the signs of wind and frost.
Jiang Youzhi also gazed down at her.
Her face was still as beautiful as a delicate flower, her eyes moistened with tears, her gaze more washed and bright than ever.
User Comments
0 comments from readers