25 Goodbye
◎ "Whose child is this that you're carrying?"◎
Dingtong.
In a small courtyard in the suburbs, there's a small plot of land on the left that could be used for growing vegetables, with seedlings already sprouting. There's also a well next to the field, and a simple stove built under a thatched shed near the main house.
In the main room, Cui Huaifeng stood at a wooden table, writing with his brush. In just a few moments, he finished a calligraphy piece. Zheng Pu waited nearby, carefully putting it away after Cui Huaifeng finished each piece.
Cui Huaifeng estimated that the number of copies was almost enough, so he stopped writing and said, "I'll sell these first today. Thank you for your hard work."
Over two months ago, the master and servant decided to temporarily reside in Dingtong, renting a small, affordable courtyard in the suburbs. Although the Cui family disliked him, they didn't skimp on his allowance. Furthermore, the gold and silver jewelry left by his father before his death was more than enough for the two of them to live comfortably for decades.
But life can't just be about income without expenditure. Since they weren't familiar with Dingtong, they decided to start by selling calligraphy and paintings to earn a living. Lately, they've also been trying to grow vegetables to support themselves, saving money. Life is simple, but manageable, and sometimes they even get a taste of the leisurely, pastoral life.
Zheng Pu put away the calligraphy and paintings, carefully cradling them in his arms. "Then, Master, I'll be leaving first."
"Okay." Cui Huaifeng lifted the curtain for Zheng Pu. Zheng Pu had just stepped over the threshold when he suddenly stood at the door and didn't move.
"Zheng Pu, what's wrong..."
Cui Huaifeng was puzzled and went out immediately, intending to find out what was going on, but when he looked up he was stunned.
Jiang Yan, who had not been seen for a long time, appeared at the gate of the courtyard, followed by a dozen personal soldiers.
Jiang Yan's expression was cold and hard, still as domineering as before, but a rare hint of decadence could be seen. She looked at Cui Huaifeng with fascination. He looked much more haggard than before she left. His thin body was tucked away in his coarse linen clothes, and the round curve of his abdomen was particularly conspicuous.
Jiang Yan learned about Cui Huaifeng's pregnancy at the same time as he received his itinerary. She thought she was mentally prepared and would not act impulsively until she saw it with her own eyes.
Jiang Yan's pupils suddenly shrank, and her head was buzzing. She stared at Cui Huaifeng's abdomen, as if she wanted to eat him alive.
A hint of surprise flashed across Cui Huaifeng's eyes, and for a moment, he almost forgot to breathe.
He originally thought that three months would be enough for him to sober up, but when he saw Jiang Yan again, he was still moved by her.
Jiang Yan clenched her fists, desperately trying to control herself. She glanced at Zheng Pu, then sideways at the guards behind her. The two guards understood and immediately approached Zheng Pu, motioning him to leave.
Cui Huaifeng quickly calmed down, glanced at Zheng Pu worriedly, frowned and looked at Jiang Yan, "What do you want to do?"
"Nothing, I just want to talk to you alone. I won't do anything to him."
The guard made a "please" gesture again with a cold face, but his expression and momentum were unquestionable.
Zheng Pu knew that his master was in danger as well, and not wanting to create any more trouble, he left with the guards, holding the calligraphy and paintings.
"All of you, step back. Do not approach the courtyard without my order."
"yes."
After everyone left, Jiang Yan finally had no more worries. She walked over to Cui Huaifeng, put her hand on his round belly, her eyes red, and gritted her teeth as she said:
"Whose child is this that you're carrying?"
Jiang Yan's aura was overwhelming, and amidst his tough questioning there was a barely perceptible hint of pleading and hope.
Cui Huaifeng was in a trance for a moment. He wanted to explain, but then he thought that since he had already made up his mind to cut off contact with her, there was no need to get involved any further. So he said calmly:
"It's not yours."
"It's not mine?" Jiang Yan was so angry that his teeth itched, but he still had a glimmer of hope and asked tentatively, "If it's not mine, then it must be Zhao Qiuxin's?"
"Yes." Cui Huaifeng lowered his eyes, making it impossible to see the emotion in his eyes.
Jiang Yan's eyes widened, and he almost vomited blood. "So you left me just for the evil child in your belly?"
"……yes."
"Yes, very well. You are truly devoted to her."
Jiang Yan's face darkened as he picked up Cui Huaifeng horizontally.
Cui Huaifeng was shocked, "Jiang Yan! Put me down!"
Jiang Yan turned a deaf ear to him and carried Cui Huaifeng into the house without saying a word. He carefully placed him on the couch, avoiding his abdomen and pressing him under him. He held down his hands that were forced to fold together with one hand and kissed his lips irresistibly.
“No… well…”
Cui Huaifeng's legs went weak from the kiss, and he felt angry and frightened. She was still such a bastard.
Jiang Yan released his hand and looked at the trembling person in his arms with fascination. He couldn't help but caress his cheek. The soft and real touch almost made Jiang Yan cry.
"Do you know how much I miss you? I miss you so much that I'm going crazy..."
The three months without him felt like years to her. She could only see him in her dreams, where they fell in love again, but when she woke up, all was empty.
Jiang Yan sometimes hated herself, and sometimes couldn't help but blame him for his ruthlessness. But there was one thing she was unwavering in: she absolutely could not lose him, even if he was pregnant with someone else's child.
Jiang Yan begged in a low voice: "Huai Feng... come home with me..."
Cui Huaifeng was exhausted physically and mentally, "I don't want to go back."
Why don't you want to go back? Are you still angry with yourself?
Jiang Yan said anxiously, "I know that quarrel hurt your heart, but I really have never thought about taking a concubine. That was just angry talk. I just want to marry you, really."
Cui Huaifeng paused, "But I don't want to marry you."
Jiang Yan's eyes were sore, and he opened and closed his mouth, but still forced a smile, "Then I'll wait for you..."
"Need not."
"Then can I buy you a house? Just for the sake of your unborn child..."
"No need. I owe you money and favors, what can I use to repay you?"
"You don't have to pay it back..."
Cui Huaifeng looked tired, "Please let me go, Jiang Yan."
Jiang Yan's face turned pale, and he said excitedly: "I let you go? Then who will let me go?"
Cui Huaifeng felt extremely uncomfortable and sad. He didn't dare look at Jiang Yan, afraid of facing her fierce and contagious emotions, and even more afraid of seeing himself through her deep eyes.
The sound of fetal movement in his belly reminded Cui Huaifeng. Yes, they were over. Since he had decided to give birth to this child alone, he could no longer be entangled and cause each other pain like before.
Cui Huaifeng hardened his heart, looked directly at Jiang Yan, and said directly to her heart:
"Jiang Yan, is all you can do to pester others?"
Jiang Yan felt like she'd been slapped twice, and she froze in her tracks. Jiang Yan's surging emotions came to an abrupt halt, forced back into the deepest recesses of her heart.
After a while, she stood up in a daze. She glanced at Cui Huaifeng reluctantly and finally left.
Cui Huaifeng was distracted for a moment before slowly sitting up and straightening his messy clothes. He placed his hand on his visibly pregnant belly, subconsciously trying to comfort the baby, feeling a mixture of emotions.
Zheng Pu carried the painting into the house. Cui Huaifeng seemed normal, but he knew his master was just pretending, so even though he was worried, he didn't dare ask any more questions. After putting the painting away, he poured Cui Huaifeng a cup of tea.
Cui Huaifeng took it and drank a few sips, seeming to be lost in thought. A cool breeze blew by, and Cui Huaifeng couldn't help shivering.
Zheng Pu immediately walked over and closed the window. "Master, why don't you take a rest for a while?"
"Okay." Cui Huaifeng said, and coughed twice.
Cui Huaifeng lowered his eyes, and his confused expression was reflected in the cup.
night.
Cui Huaifeng was already weak and pregnant. After being stimulated by Jiang Yan during the day and catching a cold, she gradually developed a fever.
Zheng Pu was extremely anxious and busy taking care of him.
Seeing this, several guards who had been arranged by Jiang Yan to wait outside the courtyard sent one of them to find Jiang Yan quickly.
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