The next morning, Lin Xihe slowly woke up. Before she was fully conscious, her hand instinctively reached to her side, but where her fingertips touched was only a cold bed. Gu Qinghuai was nowhere to be seen.
She couldn't help but frown slightly, a strange sense of loss rising in her heart.
Reaching out to lift the bed curtains, the bright sunlight flooded into my eyes without any obstruction.
After a moment, once her eyes had adjusted to the light, she saw an open, exquisite little box sitting neatly on the bedside table.
Inside the box, a thick stack of silver notes was neatly arranged. On top of the silver notes was a gold waist tag.
Next to it were two small scrolls.
Lin Xihe's curiosity was piqued, and she reached out to pick up the scrolls, opening one of them first.
The brushstrokes on the canvas are delicate, and a lively child leaps off the page. Next to the child's portrait, three characters are written neatly: Gu Jincheng.
"You even imagined what the child would look like?"
Lin Xihe's lips unconsciously curved upwards, her eyes filled with tenderness, and then she opened another scroll.
It is also depicted as an adorable little girl, with a delicate face and gentle temperament, and the inscription next to her reads: Gu Jingshu.
This is the name Gu Qinghuai chose for his child.
Lin Xihe came to her senses and called softly towards the outside, "Ling Shuang."
His voice still carried a hint of morning languor.
As soon as she finished speaking, the door was gently pushed open, and Ling Shuang and Ling Xue tiptoed into the room.
Ling Shuang stepped forward and skillfully lifted the bed curtains. She looked up and saw Lin Xihe, whose clothes were disheveled. Her collar was slightly open, and there were some ambiguous red marks on her exposed skin.
Lin Xihe noticed Ling Shuang's gaze and couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed. Her fair cheeks instantly flushed red, and she turned her face slightly away, asking in a slightly shy voice, "Has Gu Qinghuai left?"
"Yes, they left just as dawn broke."
Ling Shuang nodded slightly and said softly, "General Gu instructed us to guard the young lady, and also said... that the young lady is tired and should sleep a little longer."
"Who...who said I was tired..." Lin Xihe felt her face burning, as if a fire was burning all the way to her ears.
Looking back on last night, Gu Qinghuai was just too clingy. Several times, she had just fallen asleep when Gu Qinghuai woke her up.
Those enchanting images flashed through her mind, making her even more embarrassed.
Clearing her throat, Lin Xihe tried to hide the embarrassment on her face, composed herself, and regained her cool demeanor. Then she instructed, "Ling Shuang, put these silver notes away. We don't need that much money."
Ling Shuang stepped forward, picked up the brocade box containing the silver notes with both hands, and then took out the waist token inside. She looked at Lin Xihe questioningly and asked respectfully, "Yes, Miss. Should we keep this waist token as well?"
"Just leave the waist tag with me," Lin Xihe said as she slowly got off the bed.
Before she could even put on her outer robe, she eagerly reached for the waist token in Ling Shuang's hand.
She held the waist tag and examined it carefully.
If it were her former self, upon seeing this object, Lin Xihe's first thought would have been how much money it was worth. But now, with this waist token in her hand, her thoughts drifted away, and the tall and robust figure of Gu Qinghuai seemed to appear before her eyes.
He stood tall and straight, his face stern yet gentle, gazing at her with deep affection.
Seeing Lin Xihe's absent-minded expression, Ling Shuang paused for a moment and then asked softly, "Miss, is the ship heading south to be booked today?"
Upon hearing this, Lin Xihe's gaze first fell on the waist token in her hand, then she turned to look at the bed where their presence still lingered. Her lips parted slightly, her thoughts a jumble of emotions, but she could only manage to utter a single word: "Boat..."
Ling Xue, watching from the side, understood Lin Xihe's thoughts and couldn't help but glare at Ling Shuang, secretly blaming this girl for being so clueless and not being able to see the young lady's hesitation and reluctance.
Ling Shuang immediately understood, a hint of annoyance flashing across her face, and quickly said, "Miss, this servant will go and deposit the silver notes right away."
After saying that, he left in a hurry like a gust of wind, leaving behind a slight rustling sound.
Before long, Ling Shuang brought over a set of looser clothes and then slowly said, "Miss, since you are reluctant to part with her, there is no need to make such a hasty decision."
"Let me think about it some more. I'm also worried that if I act rashly, something might go wrong..." Lin Xihe gently stroked her lower abdomen, her expression full of worry.
The little life inside her was a bond between her and Gu Qinghuai; how could she not be cautious?
"Yes, you are absolutely right, young lady. Although the doctor said that your pregnancy is very stable, it's always good to be cautious. The kitchen has prepared breakfast for you, young lady. Would you like to have some first?"
"Okay, you go ahead and arrange it. I can get dressed myself..."
Before the words had completely faded, a maidservant hurried in from outside and urgently reported: "Miss, Madam Gu has arrived."
"Gu Qinghuai's stepmother?" Lin Xihe frowned slightly, her expression full of surprise. After all, no one had ever come to her door before.
The maidservant nodded quickly: "That's right. I wonder if Miss would like to see her? She's still waiting in front of the mansion right now."
Lin Xihe did not want to see Madam Gu. Recalling the past, she had no good feelings towards Madam Gu.
But since the other party had already arrived at the door, it would be impolite to refuse them entry, so they could only reluctantly reply, "Let her in."
Upon hearing that her young mistress had agreed to receive the guest, Ling Xue hurriedly and skillfully changed Lin Xihe's clothes, muttering, "This Madam Gu, why did she have to choose to visit after General Gu left the capital? It's really strange."
"Who can know what she's thinking? She doesn't like me, and I'm indifferent to her. I guess Gu Qinghuai specifically told her to take care of me before he left," Lin Xihe said slowly as Ling Xue tidied her clothes.
Ling Xue couldn't help but sigh, "Young Master Gu is truly extremely devoted to the young lady."
Upon hearing this, a gentle smile unconsciously appeared on Lin Xihe's fair face.
Soon, after her hair was combed, Lin Xihe, without applying any makeup, strode towards the main hall.
Upon entering the main hall, Lin Xihe discovered that not only Madam Gu Zhou had arrived, but also Gu Qinghuai's cousin, Jiang Huairou.
The group exchanged greetings, displaying great politeness in their demeanor.
After the ceremony, Jiang Huairou's gaze was drawn to Lin Xihe's belly from time to time, as if by a magnet.
Madam Gu spoke first, breaking the awkward silence between the three: "Miss Lin, Qinghuai just mentioned to me and his father yesterday the good news that you are pregnant. You silly girl, you didn't even tell us about such a big event. I've given birth to three children myself, so I can at least help you in this regard."
Lin Xihe understood that Gu Zhoushi's visit was intended to show goodwill.
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