Unexpectedly, upon hearing this, Shen Beizong nodded his chin as if it were true, "That's true. If Nan Yan is unwilling, no one can force him."
Madam Shen shook her head and looked at Shen Bei'an with affection, "An'er, having a child is no small matter. Are you two both ready to become parents?"
Madam Shen knew that she was not a good mother to Shen Bei'an, so she didn't say much.
Moreover, if it is Gu Nanyan's idea, then he must have made thorough preparations.
Shen Beian finally heard someone who somewhat agreed with him. "Preparations are already underway." Shen Beian looked at Old Madam Shen. "Ayan means we're not in a hurry and should let things take their course."
Shen Beian said that he is a very receptive person, especially to his wife's advice.
Old Master Shen frowned. He knew his youngest son's temperament all too well, and he was even afraid that he would argue and quarrel with his children in the future.
"I can't say much about your marriage," Old Master Shen said slowly, taking a sip of tea. "But An'er, you need to think this through. Having a child is no small matter. If it's just a passing fancy, then forget it."
He was afraid that Shen Bei'an might suddenly want a child for some reason. This child was no ordinary thing; once born, it couldn't be put back in.
Those present were all Shen Beian's older brothers, sisters-in-law, and cousins; there were no younger people present.
Shen Bei'an sighed, knowing his past image in the eyes of others, and unusually did not refute, "No..." he said softly, lowering his eyes slightly, his peach blossom eyes full of tenderness.
The other members of the Shen family looked at each other in bewilderment.
When Gu Nanyan came to pick up Shen Bei'an, Old Master Shen immediately called Gu Nanyan to his study, along with Shen Beizong and Shen Beirong.
The rest of the Shen family members were chatting and playing happily in the living room with Old Madam Shen, Shen Beian, and others.
As soon as Old Master Shen closed the study door, his gaze went straight to Gu Nanyan. "Sit down, you two sit down too."
The three nodded and sat down opposite Old Master Shen.
“An’er told me that you two are planning to have a child. You know his personality; he’s always been mischievous. But Nan’an, you’re just being childish. Some things can’t be changed.” Old Master Shen didn’t have anyone make tea; drinking too much tea late at night isn’t good. He didn’t even drink water.
Gu Nanyan was not surprised at all. She wore gold-rimmed glasses on her delicate face, and her crimson robe with Wei-Jin style cross-collar and crane pattern made her look even more noble.
"Don't worry, Dad, we've already discussed this. At our age, having a child in Beijing isn't considered early or late; we'll just let nature take its course." She smiled gently, her eyebrows curving upwards. "Besides, don't you think An'an has changed a lot because of this?"
“An’an is your child, you should believe that he is.” Her tone was gentle and soothing, like jade porcelain colliding, or like a mountain stream flowing.
Any parent would be happy to hear someone praise their child, and Mr. Shen was no exception, especially since the one being praised was his most beloved youngest son.
"Sigh... As long as you know what you're doing." He might not trust his own son, but he knew exactly what kind of person his daughter-in-law was.
"Do your parents know about this?" Old Master Shen asked again.
Gu Nanyan shook his head slightly, "Father and Mother should be in Northern Europe now."
It's March now, a perfect time to see the Northern Lights in Northern Europe.
Gu Xiuhuang and Sheng Hualan, a married couple, love to travel all over the world. They've seen the aurora borealis countless times, but each time they do so with their loved one, they gain something different.
"It's not even close to being a done deal yet, no rush. We can tell you after you get pregnant." The Gu family has never pressured them about having offspring, as if having children isn't that important to them.
Although most families follow the practice of son succeeding father or daughter succeeding mother, there have been instances in the Gu family where the younger brother succeeds the elder brother.
The Gu family was aware that Gu Nanyan did not want to have children at the time.
Therefore, they set their sights on Gu Nanchen and Gu Nanyu.
Gu Nanyu has been taking care of his health with a cell repair device all these years due to his physical damage, and Gu Nanchen is already engaged, making him a better match in comparison.
Grandpa Shen wasn't surprised; Gu Nanyan had always been a man of his own mind.
After the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law finished speaking, the uncle and aunt also started to speak.
Because of her husband's situation, Shen Beirong had been wanting to find an opportunity to thank her sister-in-law, but both of them were very busy and could never find the time to do so.
Gu Nanyan seemed to realize that his sister-in-law wanted to see him, so he sent her a message saying that they were family and that his brother-in-law was a good person.
The meaning of this statement is already quite clear; everyone knows it, so there's no need to say more.
"Nan Yan," Shen Beirong glanced at her elder brother, then slowly turned her gaze to Gu Nan Yan, and said softly, "Are you planning to have a vaginal birth or an artificial womb?"
With the advancement of modern medicine, artificial wombs, though expensive, are still affordable for families like theirs.
For the safety of the mother, some people may choose to have an artificial womb.
However, this idea is still largely unaccepted by the public.
Shen Beirong naturally gave birth through the mother's womb, and both of her children were born this way.
Gu Nanyan adjusted her glasses, her tone as always, "The uterus." She didn't want her child to be born in a cold, impersonal machine; those kinds of things were originally developed abroad.
The Polygonum multiflorum Research Institute never intended to study those miscellaneous things.
These words brought a sigh of relief to the other three people present.
"But you'd better make sure your work is arranged properly," Shen Beirong continued. When she gave birth to her two children, her career was at its peak. Her eldest child was doing relatively well, but her second child almost miscarried. Even now, the seventh young master of the Shen family, who is not yet twenty, is still in poor health.
"Second sister, don't worry," Gu Nanyan smiled, his face as gentle and mild as ever, without the slightest flaw. "Since you've already made the decision, then put these things on the agenda."
Shen Beizong hesitated before speaking, "You and An'er are still young, why not wait a few years before having a child?" In the current situation, having a child is not a good choice.
Shen Beirong was in the military, and there were some rumors about political matters, but he knew as much as Shen Beizong did.
Grandpa Shen didn't speak, but simply took a sip of water.
Gu Nanyan looked at Shen Beizong calmly and said, “I understand what you mean, brother. However, even if a strong wind rises from the ground, I will remain seated at the table in peace.”
Despite being a very calm tone, it sounded inexplicably arrogant and unruly to the three of them.
That young man, who once dressed in fine clothes and rode a spirited horse, and who once shocked the entire capital, has never disappeared.
——
There's always a sudden gust of wind that rises from the ground—Bai Juyi, "Ascending the Heights" (the last line is my own addition). The original line is: "I, too, have been swept away by the wind for ten thousand miles!"
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