“What is she trying to do?”
“She is trying to make it so your mother cannot give birth to the child when she is in labor, so that in the end both mother and child will die.”
Gu Shuang's heart tightened, her pupils contracting rapidly. Helplessly grabbing Gu Ying's hand, she said, “Sister, how can she be so vicious! But how...how can this be done?”
Gu Ying pursed her lips, her aura gloomy and terrifying. “This kind of evil trick to harm others...”
It's not something ordinary people can even think of.
She had also discovered it in the past at Jiang Manor when a concubine of Jiang Yin was pregnant.
At that time, Jiang Ling’er had already become Jiang Yin’s concubine. She was not favored, so Jiang Ling’er took care of the daily life and food and clothing of the dozens of women in the rear courtyard on Jiang Yin’s behalf. Although she was not the main wife, her status had long surpassed her, the properly matched main wife.
When Jiang Yin’s concubines became pregnant, Jiang Ling’er was always magnanimous towards them, never jealous. She gave them the best food and supplements, sending delicacies from the mountains and seas flowing into the yard like water.
After a few months, the woman’s belly swelled high.
Eight months later, the woman lay in bed about to give birth. The baby was too big and would not come out no matter how hard she tried. In the end, the child was suffocated in the womb and the woman bled profusely.
At this time, even the midwife and doctors were powerless to save them...
The two living lives vanished without a trace.
The key was that Jiang Yin never cared about these little things in the rear courtyard. He had few children, and though he favored many women, he never had any luck with children. By the time she died, it seemed he did not have a single son or daughter.
She also didn't know if Jiang Ling’er ever gave birth to a child for him afterwards...
She said she would bring his and Jiang Yin’s son to flaunt in front of her at the dilapidated temple, but she had hated for ten years in that temple, grieved for ten years, and never saw that child.
“Sister?” Gu Shuang saw Gu Ying's thoughts drift off somewhere, and waved her little hand in front of her. “What are you thinking about?”
Gu Ying’s thoughts returned from her memories, her chest filled with sourness. She smiled helplessly and said, “You must be careful to remind your mother about this kind of insidious scheme of boiling a frog in warm water. Never eat anything sent by others. Listen carefully to the doctor's advice, control your diet, and remember not to let the child in your belly grow too big. When it comes time to give birth, it will be very dangerous for both mother and child."
Gu Shuang made a note of everything.
But in her heart there was still doubt. “Sister, you...are not much older than me. How do you know all this?”
Gu Ying pulled up the corners of her mouth and casually found an excuse to gloss over it. “Did you forget that I've been reading medical books recently?”
With that, Gu Shuang’s doubts were resolved. But she could still feel that the sister before her was no longer the timid, cowardly little girl of a few months ago.
Her features were perfectly exquisite, carved as if by the gods.
Now, dressed in lake green crepe battle armor, cyan middle garment, snowy white silk cape with apricot peony pattern, and a lake blue pleated skirt underneath, her whole being was like a beautiful lotus blossom standing proudly on its stem, waiting to bloom, with a temperament as clear and transcendent as a lotus. She was completely lacking the silly awkwardness from before.
Gu Shuang looked closely again, the woman before her had gentle brows and eyes, delicate lip shape, and moist, warm lips.
Especially those eyes, as clear as hot springs, yet seeming to see through the splendor of the mortal world with breezy indifference. She did not seem like a young unmarried girl about to come of age, but more like a world-weary, experienced woman.
“Will the Prince treat sister well after you are married?”
Gu Ying was surprised by her sudden question. “What is it?”
“Nothing...I just feel that sister and the Prince met in an arranged marriage without love. No one knows what the future will be like. It will probably be like father and mother...respectful as guests, with no talk of love or fondness. As the main wife, she must find concubines for her husband and bear children to continue the family line." Gu Shuang smiled wryly and sighed with premature wisdom, "Recently I have been thinking that we young ladies can only enter political marriages for the benefit of the family. Is there no chance for us to marry someone we like?"
Gu Ying smiled with a puff, staring at Gu Shuang's flushed little face, "Now I see why little sister asks this. Little sister is also of marriageable age."
The honest, silly face of Fu Xun unconsciously surfaced in her mind. Gu Shuang's cheeks grew hot. "Sister, don't say anymore. I...I haven't thought about those things yet. I'm just worried sister will have a bad life after getting married."
The mocking and ridicule from Gu Jia and Gu Wan, she had taken it all to heart.
She wouldn't say anything on the surface, but deep down she was very worried about sister's days after marrying into a prominent family.
Gu Ying blinked and held out her hand.
Gu Shuang looked up, confused, and placed her hand in hers.
Gu Ying closed her five fingers, grasping the girl's hand, and said with meaningful implications, "I'm different from the Prince. I don't expect him to love me, dote on me, pamper me for life, nor have I imagined such a marriage. I just know that since he doesn't love me and I don't love him, I can face him with equanimity. I see my relationship with the Prince as one of cooperation. His family background is my reliance, and perhaps what I bring him is a proper main wife who can manage the inner household. We have a relationship based on mutual benefit. Our cooperation will lead to mutual success. When a woman has no expectations of love from a man, she will never be disappointed, let alone heartbroken or in despair."
Gu Shuang listened in a daze.
She was hearing this kind of sober yet strange sentiment for the first time.
Even mother, who was so strong-willed, would often be hurt and anguished when father didn't come home at night, or angry and resentful when father gave the main wife or Aunt Wang more jewelry.
She was already weary of waiting for a man's favor like this. She had always greatly feared getting married and having children.
Moreover, she was only an insignificant bastard daughter to begin with. She would have no chance of becoming someone's main wife in the future... Most likely the main wife would arrange for her to marry someone's son as a concubine or to fill the beds...
When she thought this way, her brows and eyes instantly drooped.
Seeing her crestfallen appearance, Gu Ying lifted her chin with a finger, implying meaningfully, "But little sister is different. You have big sister, and you have Fu Gongzi."
Gu Shuang cried out, her cheeks blazing like fire. "Sister, stop talking. I...I have nothing with Fu Gongzi."
"Nothing yet you speak of him day and night?"
"I don't... I just feel he is a good person. He risked himself to save me at the Black Water Pond. Although he looks silly and cute, without him, I'm afraid I would be dead now."
"It would be fine if you just thought he was good looking, but when you sincerely feel a man is cute, you're done for. It means you like him."
