“What?” Lu Guanyi sat up in shock.

“You mean…” his gaze moved to Ye Yaming’s abdomen.

Ye Yaming caressed her stomach: “Although I haven’t consulted a physician yet, I have a feeling that you might become a father soon.”

Having lived in an era of information explosion in her previous life, with countless acquaintances who had gone through pregnancy and childbirth, Ye Yaming naturally knew something about pregnancy.

These past few days, she had been sleepy, constantly feeling lazy and listless. The day before yesterday morning, she had even retched once. She was momentarily stunned, but then realized her monthly period hadn’t come.

“We don’t have trusted imperial physicians or doctors in the Capital, and once my pregnancy is confirmed, Third Great-Uncle’s household will certainly send word to celebrate. By then, Third Great-Aunt would prevent me from returning to Lin’an,” Ye Yaming explained to him in detail.

“If I stay alone in the Capital, with servants I’m not accustomed to, I would be vulnerable to attacks. Moreover, this year’s tribute tea is crucial,” she looked at Lu Guanyi. “Last year, we sold the tea-making method for Longjing tea. The Capital’s elite might collaborate with Lin’an tea merchants to make profits and find ways to produce better quality tea than us. If their flavor surpasses ours, our position as tribute tea providers would become awkward.”

When Lu Guanyi heard she was pregnant, his first reaction was to have Ye Yaming stay in the Capital to nurture the pregnancy instead of going to Lin’an. After all, the jolting journey could be harmful, and if something went wrong on the road, it would be too late for regrets.

Now hearing Ye Yaming’s explanation, he frowned: “But your health…”

He knew what Ye Yaming said made sense. The Capital wasn’t a good place to stay, and this year’s Longjing tea was crucial.

Last year, Longjing had just been designated as tribute tea. If this year’s tea flavor was vastly inferior to before, even falling behind tea produced by other merchants, then the Ye family’s reputation would be ruined. And the cause of this consequence would be the Ye family’s undoing, having sold their tea-making method.

This would become a laughingstock throughout the Great Jin.

But to him, nothing was more important than Ye Yaming’s health. If anything happened to Ye Yaming, he couldn’t imagine how he would live the rest of his life. As for the child, he didn’t place as much importance on it. Even if they lost this one, there would be others in the future. They were still young, and having children wouldn’t be difficult.

“With your father overseeing the tea production, won’t it be fine?” he added.

Ye Yaming nodded: “Yes, we’ll rely on my father this year. But I also need to ensure quality control.”

She looked up: “Don’t worry, my carriage has been modified. I’ll have the driver go slowly, and won’t tire myself. Besides, five days ago I already sent someone back to ask my father to send Zhang Ning to the Capital to meet me. He’s probably already on his way.”

Upon hearing the name “Zhang Ning,” Lu Guanyi’s heart was half relieved.

He was very familiar with Zhang Ning, who was the physician who had accompanied them when they went to Huizhou. Though young, Zhang Ning had excellent medical skills and was trustworthy.

Later, when Ye Yaming and Qi Ji went to Minzhou, they had also invited him along. They had all become friends.

“It will be the same when I go up the mountain to make tea. I will be careful with my health, protect myself, and also protect our child.”

Ye Yaming felt her body wasn’t that fragile. She had been in Great Jin for three years, and during these three years, she had exercised daily by running and practicing martial arts, making her body very healthy.

Usually, she rode her horse up and down the mountain without any issues. Even the arduous journeys to Huizhou and Minzhou hadn’t made her ill, showing that her physical condition was excellent.

Thinking of modern women, not just those doing farm work, but even urban women who continued to work, commute on buses and subways, and even travel for business while pregnant, without any problems.

The ancient noble ladies were too delicate. Usually, they would have servants bring tea to their hands, never exerted themselves, never exercised, and when going out, they either sat in sedan chairs or carriages, hardly walking a few steps. How could they not be at risk during pregnancy?

So she believed that as long as she avoided vigorous exercise, jumping, running, and excessive fatigue, there wouldn’t be any issues.

Although Lu Guanyi was extremely worried, he had to go along with Ye Yaming’s idea. After all, no matter how concerned he was, he couldn’t stay by Ye Yaming’s side. Additionally, Ye Yaming’s composed and calm demeanor in all situations, as if everything was under control, gave him great confidence.

He held Ye Yaming tightly: “Whatever happens, you must know that compared to the child, tea, or profits, your health and safety are most important. If you encounter any problem, you must protect yourself first.”

“Mm,” Ye Yaming nodded in his embrace, “I know.”

Still not reassured, Lu Guanyi spoke plainly to Ye Yaming: “Just look at me and you’ll understand how pitiful a child without a mother is. Being able to grow up is heaven’s blessing, with countless hardships along the way. You must never disregard yourself for the sake of the child. We’re still young, even if we lose this one, there will be others in the future. Even in the worst case, if we have no children, it doesn’t matter. Having you in this lifetime is enough for me.”

“Mm.” Ye Yaming nodded again, “I understand.”

In her previous life, she had lived only to that age before passing away. If she hadn’t met the original owner at the Bridge of Helplessness, her life would have been too short.

Having the chance to live again, she cherished life more than anyone else. She wasn’t noble enough to disregard herself for the sake of a child.

“I was hesitant about whether to tell you this,” Ye Yaming said. “I didn’t want you to worry about me while at the border. I’m telling you now because I want you to know that the child and I will be waiting for you at home, so you must return safely. No matter what you encounter, you must protect yourself and take care of your health. A child without a mother is pitiful, but a child without a father is equally so.”

Lu Guanyi’s arms tightened: “Don’t worry, for you and the child, I will live well.”

He lowered his head and kissed Ye Yaming: “I’ll come back around August or September to accompany you during childbirth.”

Ye Yaming nodded: “Good.”

“Now, let’s sleep. Rest well, so you won’t be too tired on the road tomorrow.” Lu Guanyi tucked the blanket around Ye Yaming and lay down beside her properly.

Ye Yaming, prone to drowsiness, was already tired. Now that Lu Guanyi mentioned it, she closed her eyes and soon fell into a deep sleep.

Lu Guanyi gazed at her sleeping face, staring foolishly for a long time before extinguishing the light and lying down.

The next day, after breakfast, the couple set out together. Lu Guanyi, sitting in the carriage, gave numerous instructions until they passed through the city gate and reached the Five Li Pavilion, where he alighted.

The couple would part here, one riding north, the other traveling south by carriage.

Everything that needed to be said had been said last night and just now in the carriage, yet Lu Guanyi felt there were still countless words left unsaid.

At this moment, Xu Zan came over to report: “Miss, Zhang Ning has arrived.”