Chapter 149 A Pearl in the Palm
In the golden autumn of September, the air is filled with the fragrance of osmanthus.
Inside the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, the atmosphere grew increasingly tense and busy as Su Wanrou's due date approached. Midwives were invited into the mansion early to wait, and experienced female physicians were also on standby. Although Gu Yangui remained outwardly composed, the first thing he did upon returning home each day was to inquire about Su Wanrou's condition, his brows furrowed with undisguised concern.
Su Wanrou's pregnancy this time seemed to be more difficult than her previous two. In the later stages of her pregnancy, she often suffered from insomnia, and her legs and feet were severely swollen. Gu Yangui saw this and felt sorry for her. He spent as much time as possible by her side when he was not busy with official duties, and he would even personally massage her swollen calves at night.
That afternoon, Su Wanrou was taking a slow walk in the courtyard, supported by her maid, when she suddenly felt waves of sharp, pulling pain in her abdomen, just like the feeling she had experienced during childbirth. Knowing that the time had come, she quickly calmed herself and said to Zhou Mama beside her, "Mama, I think I'm about to give birth."
Granny Zhou was experienced, and although she was nervous inside, she didn't show it on her face. She immediately and methodically gave the orders: "Quickly! Help Madam back to the delivery room! Chun Tao, go and fetch the midwife and the female physician! Xia He, quickly go and report to the Duke!"
The entire Duke's mansion immediately sprang into action like a finely tuned machine. Hot water, clean cloths, ginseng soup, and other necessities were quickly prepared, and the well-trained maids and servants performed their duties diligently, busy yet without any sign of panic.
Gu Yangui was discussing border military affairs with his advisors in his study when he heard Xia He's flustered report. His pen stopped abruptly, and ink splattered across the rice paper. He stood up abruptly and, without even saying a word, strode towards the main courtyard.
Outside the delivery room, the faint, suppressed cries of pain could already be heard from inside. Gu Yangui stopped at the gate. He knew all too well that the delivery room was bloody and that men should not approach; that was the rule. But hearing his wife's agonizing cries inside, his heart ached, and for the first time in his life, he felt a agonizing sense of helplessness.
"Father!" Mingxuan also received the news and rushed over from his study, his little face full of tension and worry. "Mother, she..."
Gu Yangui looked at his eldest son, who was already much taller than his waist, took a deep breath, forced himself to calm down, and said in a deep voice, "It's alright, your mother will be safe." These words were both a reassurance to his son and a warning to himself. He raised his hand and gently placed it on Mingxuan's slightly thin shoulder. The two of them stood together in the courtyard, their eyes fixed on the tightly closed door.
Time seemed to pass exceptionally slowly. The sounds from inside the delivery room rose and fell, as maids carried in hot water and out bloody fluids. Each opening and closing of the door tugged at the hearts of everyone outside.
Gu Yangui stood with his hands behind his back, his posture as upright as a pine tree, his face calm and composed. Only his hands, clenched into fists behind his back with white knuckles, betrayed the turmoil in his heart. He recalled the hardships Su Wanrou endured while pregnant with Mingxuan and the perilous birth of Gu Sheng, silently praying for Buddha's protection countless times.
As the sun set, it painted the sky a vibrant tapestry. Just as twilight deepened, a loud, clear cry of a newborn baby rang out from the delivery room, like heavenly music!
Immediately afterward, the door opened, and Granny Zhou came out with a beaming smile, bowing deeply to Gu Yangui: "Congratulations, Your Highness! Congratulations, Your Highness! Your wife has safely given birth to a daughter! Mother and daughter are both safe and sound!"
In an instant, my heart, which had been hanging in suspense for so long, sank heavily, followed by an indescribable surge of joy! A daughter! She is a daughter!
Gu Yangui's tense jawline finally relaxed, and a genuine smile spread across his eyes. He said repeatedly, "Good! Good! How is Madam?"
"Madam is feeling a little weak, but her spirits are still high. The female physician is taking care of her inside," said Granny Zhou hurriedly.
At this moment, the midwife brought out the cleaned and wrapped baby. In the tiny swaddling clothes, a rosy, wrinkled little face was exposed. The eyes were not yet open, but the delicate features of the eyebrows and eyes could already be seen.
Gu Yangui carefully took his daughter, his movements stiff as if he were holding a fragile piece of glass. The tiny, soft life in his broad embrace felt almost weightless, yet it instantly filled the softest part of his heart. This was the daughter he had longed for, the apple of his and Wanrou's eye.
"Little sister!" Mingxuan stood on tiptoe, looking at the baby in his father's arms with curiosity and excitement, wanting to touch it but not daring to.
Gu Yangui leaned down so that his eldest son could see him more clearly, his voice gentler than ever before: "Xuan'er, this is your sister."
Mingxuan looked at the tiny bundle and nodded solemnly, "Father, don't worry, I will protect my little sister!"
The delivery room had been tidied up and was now clean and tidy. Su Wanrou leaned wearily against the pillows, her face pale and her body drenched in sweat, but her eyes were clear and content. When she saw Gu Yangui enter carrying the baby, a weak smile appeared on her lips.
Gu Yangui walked quickly to the bedside, gently placed the child beside her, then took her sweaty hand, leaned down and kissed her forehead, his voice low and full of tenderness: "Wanrou, you've worked so hard."
Su Wanrou shook her head, her gaze greedily falling on her daughter beside her. She reached out a weak finger and gently touched the child's delicate cheek: "Baby... are you alright?"
"Good, very good." Gu Yangui looked at his wife and daughter, his heart filled with immense happiness. "Your eyebrows and eyes are like yours, very beautiful."
Su Wanrou carefully examined her daughter. Although all newborns look pretty much the same, in a parent's eyes, their own child is always the most beautiful. As she looked at her, tears welled up in her eyes—tears of joy.
“We finally have a daughter,” she said, her voice choked with emotion.
“Yes,” Gu Yangui pulled her into his arms and let her lean against his chest, “We have a daughter now, a son and a daughter.”
The news of the Duke of Zhenguo's son's birth of a daughter quickly spread throughout the capital. The next day, the Emperor's gifts arrived from the palace, and the Empress personally assigned two experienced nannies to help care for him. Gifts from noble families, officials, and colleagues from all walks of life poured in, making the place bustling with activity.
Gu Yangui named his daughter "Gu Mingzhu", meaning "the apple of her eye", and her nickname was "Zhuzhu".
The birth of Mingzhu brought endless tenderness and joy to this family. Every day after school, the first thing Mingxuan did was wash his hands and run to his sister's room, gazing at the little one in the cradle for hours. He would carefully touch his sister's little hands with his fingers or playfully tease her with a rattle, even though his sister slept most of the time. Gu Sheng, who was a little over a year old, also vaguely understood that there was a "little sister" in the family. He would often toddle to the cradle, babbling and trying to give his favorite toys to his sister.
The most unexpected turn of events was Gu Yangui. This Duke of Zhenguo, so stern and aloof in the court and so disciplined in the army, displayed unprecedented patience and tenderness towards his delicate little daughter when he returned home. He would carry her for walks in the courtyard, humming off-key military songs; he would make a point of returning to her room to check if she was asleep during breaks from official duties; and once, Su Wanrou caught him making clumsy faces at his sleeping daughter, trying to make her laugh.
Seeing her husband like this, Su Wanrou felt both amused and touched. She knew that this daughter had filled a void deep within him.
The full moon celebration was extremely grand, with guests filling the hall. Everyone said that the Duke of Zhenguo was blessed with good fortune, having a fine son and a fine wife, and now with the addition of a daughter, making it a truly perfect occasion. At the banquet, Gu Yangui held the newly dressed little Mingzhu and received everyone's congratulations, his usually cold and hard face always bearing a gentle smile.
The night was deep, and the guests had all left.
After putting her daughter to sleep, Su Wanrou returned to her room and saw Gu Yangui standing by the window, gazing at the bright moon outside. Hearing footsteps, he turned around and reached out his hand to her.
Su Wanrou walked over and placed her hand in his warm palm.
"Wanrou," Gu Yangui pulled her into his arms, his chin gently brushing against the top of her head, his voice deep and satisfied, "Thank you."
"Thank me for what?"
"Thank you for giving me such a warm home and three such wonderful children." His voice was filled with deep emotion. "Especially Zhuzhu, she is like a little moon, illuminating a place in my heart that had never been illuminated before."
Nestled in his arms, Su Wanrou listened to his steady, powerful heartbeat, feeling a sense of peace and happiness. She knew that their family had become more complete and unbreakable because of Mingzhu's arrival.
A precious pearl in our hands, to be cherished for a lifetime. This dazzling pearl is destined to grow up peacefully and happily under the care of her parents and brothers, becoming the happiest ray of light in this prosperous Chang'an.
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