Gao Xiuwen was always shy and never took the initiative, so hearing these words from her was truly unexpected for Hongli. After a moment of surprise, Hongli said:
"Let's talk about it later! I'm not in a hurry."
"But I...I want a child." Gao Xiuwen's voice grew softer and softer, her heartstrings taut, and she could even clearly hear her own heartbeat.
She didn't know what was wrong with her. Perhaps it was the influence of alcohol, or perhaps it was her pride, but she just wanted him to stay tonight.
After saying those words, her cheeks burned with embarrassment. She felt incredibly ashamed. How could a woman be so forward in making such a suggestive remark to a man?
But Hongli remained silent. His silence was like a sharp blade, piercing her heart. She desperately wanted Hongli to agree to stay, even if it was against his will.
However, Hongli remained silent for a long time before finally replying, "Although you've finished your postpartum period and your health has improved, the doctor advised that you're already weak and should rest properly. You shouldn't conceive again for at least six months. For your health's sake, I'd better go back!"
Listen to those words, how high-sounding they are! It's as if he genuinely cares about her. Gao Xiuwen had no rebuttal; her eyes dimmed, and she bit her lip, remaining silent for a long while before finally uttering a mournful cry:
"Thank you for your concern, Fourth Master."
He wasn't unaware of the change in her expression, nor did he want to hurt Gao Xiuwen. But when she asked him to stay, he felt no interest whatsoever. He was only thinking about how Su Yushan would react if she knew he was staying. She would probably be very disappointed in him.
Thinking of Su Yushan, Hongli ultimately did not linger. He only gave her a few words of advice before resolutely turning and leaving.
At this moment, Gao Xiuwen felt his concern was particularly perfunctory. She used to think that Hongli often went to Huatang Pavilion only because of her physical discomfort, and that he would return to her side once she was more comfortable.
But today's events shattered her beautiful dream. Although she was unwilling to admit it, she could clearly sense that Hongli's heart had already flown far away and was no longer with her.
Cui Ning felt distressed and comforted her, "Princess, don't worry. Fourth Master is just concerned about your health, that's why he made this arrangement."
It sounds reasonable, but this reason doesn't hold up to scrutiny at all. "Even if we didn't want the child, he could have kept it. Now he doesn't even want to touch me?"
As she said this, Gao Xiuwen felt a pang of bitterness. Today, the maids and nannies were all busy making preparations, and she had also been preparing with great joy for a long time. But it all came to nothing. How could she accept this?
Disappointment after high expectations is especially piercing.
Cui Ning could also sense that the Fourth Master was somewhat absent-minded during the meal, but Granny You had instructed her not to say anything discouraging, so Cui Ning could only choose to say pleasant things.
"Once you become intimate, there is a possibility of pregnancy. I suppose Fourth Master wouldn't want you to take that risk!"
Despite Cui Ning's repeated attempts to comfort her, Gao Xiuwen remained gloomy, and a thought even crossed her mind: she wanted Cui Ning to go and see where the Fourth Master had gone.
But how could she say such a thing? The last thing she wanted to do was be jealous of someone; even being jealous of someone made her feel ashamed!
This matter will probably spread very quickly, and who knows what people in the manor will say about her tomorrow? She's going to lose all face!
After suppressing her emotions for a long time, Gao Xiuwen finally said nothing, only waved her hand to have the food cleared away, and then slowly walked to the dressing table and personally took off the hairpin from her temple.
Most of these jewels were gifts from Hongli, and she wore them today specifically to subtly evoke some memories for him, but he barely glanced at her.
She dressed up carefully for him, but he didn't appreciate it. So why should she bother?
She gripped the hairpin so tightly that the pearl flowers were digging into her sore skin, but she still refused to let go, as if only this pain could remind her to remember the humiliation of today!
Hongli no longer cared what Gao Xiuwen thought. After all, he only had one heart, and if he had to consider every woman, he would only end up breaking their hearts. Therefore, he secretly told himself not to overthink things and to just follow his own heart.
Su Yushan was unaware of Hongli's complicated thoughts. At that moment, Li Yu came by and said that the Fourth Prince would not be having dinner that night.
Li Yu didn't say anything more, but Su Yushan already understood what was going on. Chang Yue had mentioned during the day that today was the day when Gao Gege was recovering from her confinement, and that the Fourth Master might go back to Lan Yue Pavilion. The girl had actually guessed right.
According to Chang Yue, before she arrived, the most favored person in the mansion was Consort Gao. Consort Gao was quite sensible and was highly praised by Hongli. Now that Consort Gao was available, it was only natural for Hongli to go to Lanyue Pavilion to reminisce with her.
Everything he did was in accordance with the rules, and Su Yushan had no right to comment. She just smiled faintly, said nothing, and did not want to think about it further.
Accustomed to being teased by Hongli on ordinary days, she tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep even though it was still early.
There are some things she shouldn't be thinking about, but she insists on thinking about them, which makes her feel completely confused and her head is about to explode!
Just as she was in a daze, she suddenly heard familiar footsteps coming from the doorway. Those footsteps sounded like his! Su Yushan sat up with a start and saw a tall and imposing figure standing in the doorway.
The sudden appearance of the person she had been longing for brought a wonderful, indescribable feeling of perfect harmony, so much so that Su Yushan remained stunned for a long while before murmuring:
"Hongli? What brings you here?"
There was no surprise on her face, only astonishment, which was different from what Hongli had imagined. "You seem... not to be looking forward to seeing me."
“Li Yu told me you weren’t coming and told me not to wait. I thought you would be staying at Lan Yue Pavilion tonight. Logically speaking, you should have stayed here!” She was just wondering why he, who should have stayed by Gao Xiuwen’s side, was here.
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