Lao Wang returned soon. Before he even stepped through the gate, Wei Lanxiang shot to her feet, startling Granny Wang beside her. Unable to contain her joy, she pulled Lu Gu up and said, "Brother Wang, take a seat and check Guzi’s pulse for us."
"Alright, alright, no rush. Let me wash my hands first," Lao Wang replied repeatedly.
Once Lu Gu sat down and extended his hand, watching Lao Wang stroke his beard in silence, belated unease crept in. He couldn’t describe the feeling in his heart.
Then Lao Wang withdrew his hand and congratulated Wei Lanxiang and Shen Xuanqing with a smile.
Lu Gu’s mind exploded into whiteness, or perhaps a burst of color. He was utterly dazed. This surprise didn’t frighten him; instead, it filled him with an overwhelming, barely contained joy. But the joy was so intense it left him speechless, his reactions slowed.
Upon hearing he was pregnant, Granny Wang repeatedly congratulated Wei Lanxiang, her gaze at Lu Gu especially tender.
"Oh my, oh my, isn’t this wonderful!" Wei Lanxiang was so overjoyed she couldn’t close her mouth. This was heavenly news, their family already had Zhao’er, and now another child was on the way. Their family was truly flourishing.
But since they were in public, she couldn’t let her excitement show too much. She tried to restrain herself, adopting a reserved and modest demeanor. Though her expression and posture seemed a bit affected, everyone could see her sheer delight, so it didn’t come off as laughable or annoying.
As for Shen Xuanqing, who had been waiting to the side, Lao Wang’s words felt like something had dropped onto his head, leaving him dizzy. A towering, robust man like him actually swayed on his feet, nearly unsteady, and had to grip a nearby chair to steady himself.
Seeing him wobble, Wei Lanxiang rushed over in alarm, supporting him as she asked urgently, "What’s wrong with you?"
Her great joy turned to great fright, had something happened to Shen Xuanqing? She immediately called for Lao Wang, "Brother Wang, come quick and check on him!"
Lao Wang had also noticed his expression. After taking his pulse, he laughed heartily and said, "No worries, no worries! Strong as an ox, no illness, no ailment. He’s just too happy and lost his balance for a moment."
"Good heavens!" Wei Lanxiang smacked Shen Xuanqing’s arm in frustration, rubbing her chest to calm her racing heart. "You scared me half to death!"
Lao Wang had once assured Shen Xuanqing that Lu Gu would surely conceive. Now that he had diagnosed the pregnancy, he was also delighted. He carefully explained dietary restrictions and precautions to them.
When leaving, Wei Lanxiang and Shen Xuanqing who had finally regained his senses, thanked him profusely. Once outside, the three returned home in high spirits.
After walking so much, with the old house at the village’s far end, Wei Lanxiang had Lu Gu rest at the new house first, she couldn’t risk jostling her grandchild. Fussing over him, she said, "You rest here. I’ll go back and get you some date cake. What would you like for lunch? I told Yan Yan to steam a bowl of egg custard for you."
As she spoke, she hurried toward the gate, as if eager to cover the distance home in just a few strides. Lu Gu and Shen Xuanqing found it both amusing and exasperating.
"Egg custard is fine," Lu Gu said, accepting the water bowl Shen Xuanqing handed him.
"Good, good," Wei Lanxiang replied cheerfully, already stepping outside.
The distant back gate was open, and Dahui and Guaizi were nowhere to be seen, only the two greyhounds and two pups were guarding the house. Shen Yaoqing had likely gone to fetch water from the river.
Sitting in the chair, Lu Gu sipped the warm water. When he looked up, he saw Shen Xuanqing standing dumbly before him.
Shen Xuanqing scratched his head twice, grinning like a fool. He opened his mouth to speak but only managed another silly laugh, saying nothing.
Seeing this, Lu Gu’s eyes also curved into a smile. He was still a bit dazed, his steps had felt unsteady the whole way back, and he didn’t quite understand how he’d gotten pregnant. Then it hit him, and he inwardly chided himself for being foolish. Shen Xuanqing was always dragging him into bed, of course it had happened at night.
Who would’ve thought Shen Xuanqing now looked even sillier than him?
With no one else around, the two locked eyes, both wearing irrepressible smiles. Shen Xuanqing couldn’t help himself, he suddenly scooped Lu Gu up by the waist.
"Ah!" Lu Gu gasped softly, water sloshing from the bowl in his hand.
If Wei Lanxiang had been there, she surely would’ve scolded Shen Xuanqing for his clumsiness. Of course, when he saw the water spill onto Lu Gu’s clothes, he hastily set him back on the chair, an uncharacteristically sheepish look on his face. Rubbing his hands, he crouched before Lu Gu.
Finally, he managed to speak, "Should you change?"
Lu Gu set the bowl on the ground and wiped his front with a handkerchief. "No need," he said. "The sun’s strong, it’ll dry soon."
The clothes had only been changed a couple of days ago. In winter, heating water and doing laundry was a hassle - fingers would turn red and swollen from the cold wind. It was just water, after all.
"Then what would you like to eat? Mother went to get date cake. Do you want honey water?" Shen Xuanqing asked, starting to rise for the honey jar. But halfway up, he couldn’t resist, he cupped the back of Lu Gu’s neck, pressing their foreheads together before nuzzling his cheek. His starry eyes brimmed with joy. "We’re going to have a baby too."
Overflowing with happiness, he planted a firm kiss on Lu Gu’s cheek before finally going to fetch the honey.
Sitting in the chair, Lu Gu blinked. Shen Xuanqing’s words suddenly eased a weight in his chest, he could give Shen Xuanqing a child. He wouldn’t be infertile.
Amid his joy, curiosity also stirred. He lowered his head, touching his belly, but felt nothing. Puzzled, he wondered, was there really something inside?
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