CHAPTER 301: CHAPTER 270: HARD TO KEEP SAFE (1)

Lu Xingzhou returned from the graveyard and sensed something was off at home.

The chimney that usually emitted thin smoke at this time of day was silent; two Hidden Guards were missing, and the yellow dog that was dozing at the fence gate when he left stood up with its ears perked, only able to pace back and forth due to its leash.

Lu Xingzhou frowned and hurriedly took a few steps into the bedroom.

He saw Fanghua lying weakly on the bed, her face almost drained of color, while Ye Zong sat next to her, his fingers pressed on her pulse.

"What’s wrong with Ah Yin?" Lu Xingzhou asked.

Ye Zong, sweat forming on his forehead, replied hesitantly to his master’s inquiry, "The fetal heartbeat is there, but the mistress is bleeding. I’m not skilled in this area and can’t determine the exact condition. Please punish me, master."

Looking at Fanghua’s weak appearance, Lu Xingzhou’s expression turned grim, "Has anyone been sent to fetch a doctor?"

"Yes," replied Ye Zong. "One person went to town for a doctor, and another went to a nearby village to find an experienced woman."

After sending Ye Zong away, Lu Xingzhou sat down by the bedside and reached out to hold Fanghua’s cool fingertips, "Ah Yin, hang in there a little longer, the doctor will be here soon."

Upon hearing Lu Xingzhou’s voice, Fanghua managed to focus, opening her eyes to look at him, her eyes slightly red, "No matter what, the child must be saved."

Lu Xingzhou said nothing, just held her hand tightly, as if trying to pass more warmth to her.

"I haven’t been thinking about anything else these days," Fanghua explained. "I just wanted to care for the pregnancy properly, to deliver the child and offset your many years of regret. Truly, I haven’t thought of anything else, yet I still..."

"Ah Yin, it’s not your fault," Lu Xingzhou suddenly spoke, his voice hoarse, "At your age, pregnancy naturally comes with considerable risks. If we truly can’t save it, it simply means the child is fated not to be with us."

These words left Fanghua feeling indescribably congested.

From the Capital to Ningzhou, throughout the journey, his meticulous care was evident. She could see how much hope he had placed on this child.

Not having a child of his own was the biggest regret of his life.

...

The town is far, and the doctor couldn’t come immediately; instead, the elderly woman from the nearby village arrived first.

Fanghua expected it to be a midwife, as they are quite experienced and might indeed identify the issue.

However, upon seeing her, Fanghua was nearly startled.

Unable to rise, Fanghua could only lie on the bed, her gaze filled with complex emotions upon seeing the woman.

The elderly woman invited by the Hidden Guards was the grandma who once combed Wen Wan’s hair for her wedding. After more than four years, she remained robust and healthy.

Seeing Fanghua, the old woman stopped at the door, her face lined with wrinkles showing disbelief.

"Lu?"

It was as if she immediately identified who lay inside the room; the old woman spoke, her voice carrying undisguised excitement.

When she finished speaking, the small cottage fell into brief silence.

Lu Xingzhou realized that the old woman seemed to be an acquaintance of Ah Yin, promptly rising to invite her inside.

Now exposed, Fanghua no longer tried to hide, weakly pulling her pale lips into a semblance of a smile and called out, "Grandma Wen."

Hearing this, the old woman seemed choked up, taking a long time to speak again, "Child, what has become of you?"

Fanghua lowered her eyelashes.

Lu Xingzhou refrained from directly asking who the elder was, instead looking to the Hidden Guards at the door, "Is this the woman you invited to examine Ah Yin’s pregnancy?"

The Hidden Guards nodded in affirmation.

Grandma suddenly remembered her purpose for coming, asking Lu Xingzhou to step out first, close the door behind him, and then approached the bed, lifting the quilt.

Fanghua had begun to show; her abdomen slightly protruded.

The old woman reached out to examine her carefully, before covering her again with the quilt after a long while, sighing: "No wonder you have intermittent abdominal pain and bleeding; the baby’s position is low, requiring only a little negligence to cause issues."

Fanghua watched her nervously, "Grandma, is there a way?"

Grandma replied, "Explain it to the doctor, he can prescribe something to control it temporarily. But what’s most important is you: avoid staying up late or straining yourself. Most importantly, keep a relaxed mind, don’t let your thoughts wander; if you’re unsettled, the child won’t fare well either."

Touched by the reassurance in the old woman’s words, Fanghua felt gratitude, "Thank you, Grandma."

Grandma looked at her, "Was that fellow your husband?"

Fanghua hummed in confirmation, not wanting to deceive the old woman.

When she saw Grandma Wen, she had already decided not to conceal anything anymore.

The old lady had sharp eyes and had long noticed that the couple had delicate skin, unlike those who had stayed in the countryside for years. There must be some hardship forcing them to move here temporarily.

She didn’t dwell on past events or ask Fanghua why she faked her death to leave years ago; she simply praised Lu Xingzhou sincerely, "He’s good-looking and seems nice to you."

She continued, "When Wan Niang got married, I did her hair. I even said at the time, if you were around, I probably wouldn’t have the chance. Didn’t expect that I’d see you again."

Fanghua whispered, "Having Grandma personally do my hair is Wanwan’s blessing."

The old lady seemed like she wanted to say more, but a voice came from outside, indicating that the doctor invited by Lu Xingzhou had arrived.

Grandma Wen was a perceptive person, immediately stepped out and gave the doctor space for the diagnosis.

Lu Xingzhou was still outside and hurried forward to support the old lady when he saw her.

Grandma Wen waved her hand, "I’m still robust; I can walk and stand on my own, no need to support me."

Lu Xingzhou then invited the old lady to the main room for tea, during which he inquired about Fanghua’s condition.

The old lady told him honestly that the bleeding was because of the low fetal position, and mood might also play a part.

Lu Xingzhou asked if there was a way to resolve it.

"The doctor’s prescription can only relieve the current symptoms. As for the future, you’ll have to rely on your own regulation," the old lady looked at Lu Xingzhou, "Pregnancy at her age isn’t unheard of, just unfortunate she encountered such circumstances. A low fetal position makes it hard to keep the child. You might want to listen to the doctor for specific actions next door."

Lu Xingzhou graciously hosted the old lady and then went to the bedroom himself.

Fanghua had already explained her low fetal position to the old doctor.

The old doctor checked her pulse and asked about the bleeding quantity, then started to prescribe accordingly.

Lu Xingzhou walked in with slightly urgent steps, "Doctor, how is my wife’s condition?"

"The low fetal position can’t be detected through pulse diagnosis; the old doctor can only advise based on Fanghua’s description. "This lady needs to rest mostly quietly. In this period, it’s best not to get out of bed. Bending or squatting requires special attention, having someone to take care of her would be best; otherwise, it is difficult to keep the fetus."

Lu Xingzhou noted everything down and had a compassionate look as he turned to Fanghua.

Meeting Lu Xingzhou’s gaze, Fanghua pulled her lips slightly to comfort him, "I’m fine."

...

After sending off the old doctor, Grandma Wen came over to chat briefly with Fanghua again. Lu Xingzhou initially wanted to keep the old lady for dinner, but she refused, and he was busy preparing medicine for his wife, so he had Ye Zong assist grandma home.

Once the medicinal decoction was ready, Lu Xingzhou brought it to the bed and blew on it.

Fanghua wanted to sit up but was gently pressed by him on her shoulder, "The doctor advised against big movements like bending; you better stay lying while I feed you."

Fanghua watched the man carefully cooling the medicine with a warm feeling in her heart.

After drinking the medicine, Lu Xingzhou discussed with her, "I’m planning to fetch the two girls who served you at the Princess Mansion before to continue their service here. What do you think, Ah Yin?"

If it were usual times, Fanghua would naturally not want to flaunt too much, as they came here to keep vigil and repent, not to enjoy themselves. But given the current situation, ensuring the baby’s health was naturally the priority.

Nodding slightly, she responded, "It’s your decision."

Lu Xingzhou placed the empty bowl on the table, tucked her hand back under the quilt, and softly said, "I’ll let someone handle it soon; within a few days, the two girlservants should arrive."

Fanghua felt somewhat embarrassed, "I seem to have inconvenienced you again."

Lu Xingzhou gazed at her for a moment, then abruptly smiled, "If having my child is considered troubling, I don’t mind you doing it more often."

Fanghua’s face grew hot, she feigned annoyance, "We’re an old couple now, and you still say such things, aren’t you embarrassed?"

...

In the following days, Lu Xingzhou didn’t need to go up the mountain, staying home to care for Fanghua every day.

Though the couple’s residence was somewhat modest, Lu Xingzhou was particularly picky about food, sending the Hidden Guard to buy poultry and fish from town every other day.

After taking care of her for a while, he barely learned to cook, though not very well.

However, Fanghua graciously ate more during every meal.

...

The Hidden Guard brought back not only the two maids but also a personal maid, all previously from the Princess Mansion.

With these three around, Lu Xingzhou, as the master, no longer had to do any chores like laundry and cooking. Previously, he had fought in wars and had good archery skills, so during idle times, he would take two people into the mountain to hunt. Occasionally they could catch something good, and since they weren’t short on money, it didn’t need to be sold, and all was made by the maid to nourish Fanghua.