Zhao Changdu laughed lightly. He was wearing a dark green robe embroidered with a secret pattern of kirin. With great dignity, he gestured for a doctor to come forward and asked in person about the physical condition of the young lady and her child.
Finally, he asked in all seriousness, "When the madame is pregnant, is it permissible to have sexual relations?"
Hearing this, Gu Ying was too embarrassed to face anyone...
She was already pregnant. What was the point of thinking about sex...
And to ask in front of so many people, have you no shame...
The doctor was taken aback by the question, but soon regained his composure. For young couples, nothing was more important than that matter.
The Prince was wise and martial. He was also a vigorous young man who naturally could not escape such worldly desires.
The doctor stroked his beard and smiled, "In response to the Prince, intercourse is not allowed in the first three months when the fetus is unstable, nor in the later months when the birth is approaching. Even during the middle months when it is permitted, it cannot be too intense, so as not to disturb the fetus. I'm sure the Prince understands."
Zhao Changdu gave Gu Ying a meaningful glance. Now that he understood the situation, he waved his hand to dismiss everyone.
Soon, only the two of them remained in the tent.
Gu Ying blinked her eyes and quickly buried herself under the blankets on the bed, peeking out with just her little head. She glared at the man's cold, handsome face with anger.
"Changdu, I must tell you...I'm different now that I'm pregnant. You can't touch me casually..."
Although she had never been pregnant before, she had seen what happens when other women have children.
For families of their status, when the mistress gets pregnant, she stops serving her husband.
If the husband had needs, he could find release using servant girls or concubines.
That was how Zhao Yiniang gained the favor of the Eldest Prince back then. She went from an attendant who served tea to the Young Lady of the Prince's Estate.
Pregnancy was a big deal for women. During this time, they should refrain from marital relations for the sake of the child... So of course she could not let the Prince touch her now... Gu Ying wrapped the blankets around herself even tighter.
In Zhao Changdu's eyes flickered a trace of profoundness.
It was hard to imagine that such a delicate flat belly could be nurturing a life with his bloodline.
He actually had no intention of touching her. By asking the doctor, he only wanted a clear answer to prevent any accidents, in case he lost control and something went wrong.
But hearing what the doctor said...
An uncontrollable fiery feeling arose from his loins as his dark eyes looked at her with a heated gaze.
Gu Ying knew what he meant.
She immediately turned her back to him, "No, I'm only a little over a month... Even if we do it... it will have to be after two months..."
Zhao Changdu mocked, "Is my wife agreeing?"
Even between husband and wife who were intimate, when facing his exceptionally aggressive handsome face, Gu Ying still felt shy.
She simply buried her head under the blankets and mumbled, "I'm not talking to you anymore, going to sleep."
Zhao Changdu smiled faintly at the corner of his lips. He did not force her.
Even if he wanted her badly, he was not such a beast as to take advantage of a little pregnant woman.
Unable to quell the heat in his body, he went outside to take a cold shower.
Huai An stood guard outside the tent, extremely delighted, "Master, our household will have a little prince soon. Should we write to tell the old Duke?"
Zhao Changdu gathered his wet dark hair. His distinct handsome face was cold and abstinent. "No rush. Let's wait until the fetus in Gu Ying's belly settles down before saying anything."
Gu Ying and their child were his life. In the past, when he encountered danger alone, he would face it head on. But now he couldn't do that. For his wife and child's sake, he had to plan for the long term.
Huai An nodded, "That makes sense. This really is joyous news. It's my first time seeing a pregnant woman."
Since following the Young Master, he had been mixing with a bunch of men on the frontier borders.
When would he have seen any women, let alone pregnant ones?
The Qilin Army brothers had long been waiting for the Young Master to have a little heir. Now their wishes have finally come true.
Because they almost lost the little master, Huai An felt very guilty.
Even now he didn't dare sleep, staring eagerly outside the main tent to guard the madame, afraid something unfortunate may happen to her again.
Zhao Changdu saw his thoughts and smiled, "You did well protecting the madame this time, I'll reward you. What would you like?"
Huai An didn't dare ask for a reward, "It was this subordinate's negligence that nearly caused the madame to miscarry. I don't deserve a reward."
Zhao Changdu now had a child on the way and was in good spirits, "The child is still there, so you have contributed. If you don't speak up now, you'll miss this opportunity."
Huai An quickly said, "Then, may this subordinate ask to propose a marriage, my lord?"
Zhao Changdu raised his brows, "Oh? Who have you set your eyes on?"
Huai An was an orphan. Following him from a young age, he had always mingled with the brothers and never seemed interested in women before. Hearing him mention marriage now, Zhao Changdu recalled that Huai An was not young anymore and it was time he settled down.
Huai An suddenly felt a little embarrassed.
Zhao Changdu looked at him disdainfully, "What's with the shyness?"
Huai An scratched his head and licked his lips solemnly, "This subordinate wishes to take Madame's handmaiden Yin Lan as wife!"
Zhao Changdu's sword-like brows twitched slightly. Marrying Yin Lan was good too. His little girl was always getting into trouble, making him worried. If her handmaiden married Huai An, it would help stabilize his girl as well.
He was quite satisfied with Yin Lan.
"What are her feelings towards you?"
Huai An faltered, "She...she said she's borne a child before and killed her former husband...so she doesn't want to remarry."
Zhao Changdu snorted lightly, "You gave up after just one sentence from her?"
Huai An immediately said solemnly, "No, not at all! It was just when I first heard about her painful past, I got a little dumbstruck. I didn't expect her to have suffered so much. But afterwards I thought things through. I wasn't involved in her past but I can work hard to give her a better future!"
Zhao Changdu patted his upright chest, "Good. This is what the fine men of Qilin Army are like."
Huai An let out a breath of relief, but still felt regretful, "Master, now she pretty much ignores me. Do I still have a chance?"
Zhao Changdu's lips curved up. He recalled when he was interested in his little girl at first, then like her more and more, wishing he could tie her by his side forever.
A man wanting a woman was quite simple. A fierce woman was no match for persistent gentleman. He just needed to try his very best to treat her well and make her know his intentions.
