Early in the morning, Third Master Chen invited Doctor Ji over, which alarmed Elder Madam Chen.

When she heard from the serving girl that there might be a pregnancy, Elder Madam Chen was overwhelmed with joy and said to several daughters-in-law who came to pay their respects: “Let’s go to Old Three’s place together to see. If there’s truly good news, we should know early.”

When Granny Zheng supported her to Wood Osmanthus Hall, they happened to see Doctor Ji walking out with a face full of smiles. Doctor Ji had a goatee beard, wore a gray cloth Daoist robe, and was followed by two medicine boys carrying medicine boxes. Cai Fu handed a heavily embroidered pouch to the medicine boy and bowed to see Doctor Ji off.

Elder Madam Chen didn’t even have time to enter the door when she saw the maid who usually accompanied Gu Jin Chao, so she called her over to inquire.

“What did Doctor Ji say after his examination?”

Cai Fu was also happy, unable to hide her joy. “Reporting to the Old Madam… she is with child, already two months along.”

The daughters-in-law all exclaimed with delight. Madam Wang, supporting Elder Madam Chen’s hand, said, “You’ll soon have a golden grandson!”

Madam Qin smiled and said, “We’ve come in such a hurry, knowing that Third Sister-in-law is pregnant, without even bringing a proper gift box.”

Elder Madam Chen waved her hand and said, “There’s no use in saying more, let’s go in and see first. Old Three must be delighted.”

Cai Fu then led Elder Madam Chen and the others into Wood Osmanthus Hall, to the main room of the second courtyard. Several maids standing guard outside the western side room hurriedly paid their respects, lowered the beaded curtains, and retreated to the side.

Third Master Chen had just confirmed that Gu Jin Chao was indeed pregnant.

Yesterday he had only suspected it.

When he heard what Doctor Ji said, he still felt somewhat unreal, after all, she had only been married to him for three months.

He looked at Gu Jin Chao for a long time.

Gu Jin Chao’s feelings were complex, though certainly joyful, but also with a sense of unfamiliarity. She touched her still flat abdomen, not knowing what to do for a moment. Inside… was her and the Third Master’s child. Would this child be the cherished son?

Whether it was or not, this was her child. One who would call her mother would crawl, would smile, would fuss about not wanting to eat things he didn’t like…

She thought for a while and then looked up, only to find Third Master Chen watching her.

“Third Master…” She hesitated, not knowing what to say.

Third Master Chen beckoned her over, and lifted her to sit beside him, his movements gentle, as if she had suddenly become fragile. He held Gu Jin Chao’s hand and spoke to her with a somewhat serious expression: “Jin Chao, you’re pregnant now. You can’t be as casual as before. In the first three months of pregnancy, the fetal position is unstable. You’re not allowed to go to high places or near water. I’ve noticed you’re quite picky with food; that was fine before, but now you need to eat more balanced meals…” He paused, seemingly thinking about what else he hadn’t mentioned.

“I’m usually too busy to watch over you every day, and your maids and servants only listen to you. I’ll assign someone trustworthy to follow you…” Thinking of various accidents that could harm her body, Third Master Chen frowned, feeling that this wasn’t secure enough. His finger tapped the edge of the table, and he added, “I’ll transfer ten guards from Crane Extending Tower to follow you wherever you go.”

Gu Jin Chao heard this and smiled wryly. “Third Master… are you a bit nervous?”

Third Master Chen smiled and shook his head. “I’m just worried about you, how is that being nervous?”

Gu Jin Chao said softly, “Your palm is sweating…”

Third Master Chen coughed once and withdrew his hand. Earlier, while waiting for Doctor Ji’s diagnosis, he had unconsciously gripped his hand tightly.

Gu Jin Chao said, “I don’t need guards following me. I’m living in the inner courtyard, what use are guards for protection?” Moreover, at this time, she didn’t want Third Master Chen to divert his energy to protect her. “Rest assured, for the sake of the child in my belly, I won’t be picky with food. There’s no need to assign someone to watch over me, wouldn’t that make Mother laugh at us?”

She had heard that during pregnancy one shouldn’t be picky with food, otherwise, the child born would also be picky.

Third Master Chen thought to himself and also felt that it was unnecessary to have guards follow her. He smiled at her: “I’m just confused with concern.” Inside, he still felt a bit of disbelief that Jin Chao was already carrying his child. He couldn’t help but softly call her, “Jin Chao…”

Gu Jin Chao responded with a sound but saw that he was already looking at her with a smile, saying nothing.

She lowered her head to look at the pattern on his leather belt.

Third Master Chen held her in his embrace and gently asked, “Do you prefer a boy or a girl?”

Gu Jin Chao preferred a girl, thinking boys were too mischievous and tiring to discipline.

She rested her head against his chest, quietly listening to his steady heartbeat. She asked him, “What about you?”

Third Master Chen thought briefly before answering, “If it’s a boy, I’ll teach him to read. If it’s a girl, you’ll teach her needlework… Both boy and girl are good, anyway, we’ll have more children in the future, no rush.” He gently patted her back.

Parents always anticipate what their children will be like, but in the end, they will love whatever child is born.

Gu Jin Chao also smiled, and the two embraced quietly for a while until Xiang Ye announced from outside that Elder Madam Chen had arrived.

She hurriedly got off Third Master Chen’s lap and sat on the other side of the arhat bed.

Still, Elder Madam Chen, who was the first to enter, caught sight of them. A smile involuntarily appeared at the corners of her mouth.

Third Master Chen paid his respects to Elder Madam Chen. Jin Chao also came over to pay her respects but was stopped by Elder Madam Chen. “You’re a pregnant woman now. Just call out to me when you see me, no need for formal bows. Sit down quickly, Mother wants to talk with you.” It was as if she had turned into glass, too delicate to be bumped or knocked.

Madam Qin, Madam Wang, and Madam Ge all followed behind Elder Madam Chen as they entered. The maids brought stools for everyone to sit on.

Third Master Chen didn’t retreat to the eastern side room either. He called for a maid to bring tea, and he sat in the grand master chair reading a book.

Seeing her son like this, Elder Madam Chen felt even more like smiling. He was unwilling to leave—did he think someone would bully his daughter-in-law?

Everyone had already heard from Cai Fu about her pregnancy, and each offered congratulations. Elder Madam Chen especially kept looking her over. “Others gain weight during pregnancy, but you’ve lost weight. I was wondering why you weren’t eating much, thinking it was just the hot weather… It seems the one in your belly is quite active. It should be a boy when born, even more lively than his father.”

Madam Qin’s smile froze.

When Sun Shi was pregnant, Elder Madam Chen had explicitly hoped for a girl. Now that Gu Jin Chao was pregnant, it immediately became a boy… The old madam was crystal clear about who to favor between a concubine’s chamber and the main wife’s.

Gu Jin Chao’s face turned slightly red, also felt a bit embarrassed. “That’s not certain. When my mother was pregnant with my brother, she ate well and slept soundly.”

Madam Wang smiled. “I think Third Sister-in-law’s appearance looks like she’s carrying a boy. Third Sister-in-law also looks fortunate.”

Elder Madam Chen held her hand and spoke in a gentle tone: “The first child requires even more attention. Among the three cooks in my kitchen, I’ve given one to your nephew’s wife, and I’ll assign another to you. They have experience and know what foods are good for the child. They’ll watch over you to prevent you from eating the wrong things. If there’s anything you want to eat, just make a list and send it to me, and I’ll have it prepared and sent over… Pregnancy makes one sleepy, so you can sleep to your heart’s content before coming over. You don’t need to come according to the morning and evening schedule.” She told her many things to be mindful of.

At this moment, a sudden “Ah!” came from outside, followed by the crisp sound of cups falling to the ground.

What happened?

Gu Jin Chao gestured for Grandma Sun to go out and see.

After a while, Qing Pu walked in from outside, paid her respects to everyone, and said to Gu Jin Chao: “…Chen Guard is waiting outside, saying he has urgent matters to report to the Third Master.”

Gu Jin Chao saw an obvious soup stain on her moon-white gathered skirt and asked her, “What happened?”

Qing Pu seemed somewhat angry, speaking in a low voice: “Just accidentally bumped into someone… I’ll go change my skirt right away.”

Why was the usually good-tempered Qing Pu angry?

Gu Jin Chao found this unusual.

She went to tell Third Master Chen, who went outside to talk with Chen Yi for a few words. It must have been something important, as he quickly returned to the inner room to change clothes.

When he came out again, he was wearing a crimson, second-rank round-collared right-lapelled robe, and said to Gu Jin Chao: “I’ll come back in the evening, wait for me…” Jin Chao nodded; wasn’t she always waiting for him?

Third Master Chen hesitated a bit, seemingly wanting to tell her something, but he still took his leave first.

Elder Madam Chen and several sisters-in-law and sisters chatted with Gu Jin Chao until noon.

Shortly after, Chen Xi also came over. Hearing that Gu Jin Chao was pregnant, she asked with curiosity: “…Is there a little brother inside?”

Madam Wang teased her: “Doesn’t Xi Girl like little sisters? Why are you so sure it’s a brother?”

Chen Xi blinked and said, “When I was playing with Yuan Girl, she said her mother’s little sister would cry at the slightest touch, and wouldn’t let her hold her. I’m afraid a little sister would cry, so I hope Mother can have a little brother.”

Madam Wang thought to herself that this child didn’t yet understand what a brother represented. When she reached the age of understanding, she might hope that Gu Jin Chao was carrying a sister.

Chen Xi sat beside Gu Jin Chao and stretched out her hand to touch Jin Chao’s belly, then suddenly withdrew it and looked up to ask her: “Mother, can Xi Girl touch it?”

Jin Chao smiled and nodded: “Of course.”

Chen Xi carefully touched it, looking a bit disappointed: “I can’t feel brother inside.” The abdomen was still flat.

Elder Madam Chen said: “Silly child, your brother is still small. You’ll be able to feel him when he grows bigger. Come here, Grandmother wants to talk to you.”

Chen Xi obediently ran to Elder Madam Chen’s side, and Elder Madam Chen put her arm around her shoulders and instructed, “From now on, don’t let your mother get too tired, don’t make her worry, and be well-behaved. Before long, Xi Girl will have a little brother. In the future, when you have a brother, Xi Girl must also be good to your brother.”

Chen Xi nodded and solemnly said: “Just like Seventh Brother is good to me!”

It wasn’t until the afternoon, after drinking jasmine tea, that Elder Madam Chen, accompanied by Madam Qin, returned. Madam Wang and Madam Ge also took their leave shortly after.

Gu Jin Chao called Grandma Sun over and asked her who exactly Qing Pu had bumped into.

Grandma Sun said: “A guard who came with Guard Chen, said his surname was Lin, a tall and sturdy man. Miss Qing Pu was bringing your soup, and he stood in the way without moving aside. Miss Qing Pu called out several times before he gave way. After Miss Qing Pu had already walked away, he suddenly went after her and tried to block her… They accidentally collided. The soup for you was made with old ginseng, and Miss Qing Pu got angry and even scolded him…”

Gu Jin Chao found this very strange: “What exactly did that Guard Lin want to do?”

Grandma Sun smiled: “He said Miss Qing Pu looked like his mother, the man is simple-minded, without ill intent. He apologized for a long time at that moment…”

Gu Jin Chao smiled and shook her head, “He is simple-minded.” Knowing she was pregnant, her mood had become more relaxed.