Gu Ying looked up to see Ye Qingchi leaning against the doorframe, not willing to come any closer. He was holding a bamboo basket with several steaming hot buns inside.
"Take them yourself, I have to go now."
Ye Qingchi put the things down at the door. His face was wrapped in several layers of black scarf, but still he worried that he might infect Gu Ying.
So he left rather quickly. Soon his back disappeared into the long corridor.
Gu Ying picked up the bamboo basket and took a bite of a bun, smiling to herself. For some reason, her nose soured and tears began swirling in her eyes.
Family love really was the warmest thing in this world. In her last life she had missed out on these relatives. This life, she must treasure them well.
"Why are you crying?"
Hearing the familiar voice, Gu Ying froze, the bun halfway to her mouth.
She looked up blankly, not knowing when the man had come over. By the time she reacted, she was already swept up into his arms.
Gu Ying habitually wrapped her arms around his neck, curling against his embrace.
He was tall and strong, holding her without any effort.
Soon he carried her into the study room he often stayed in.
The room was filled with warmth. The short couch was covered in a thick fur blanket in her favorite color.
"A Du, what are you doing—"
Zhao Changdu's gaze was cold. He stated bluntly, "We're going to make love."
Gu Ying stiffened for a moment, her face instantly flushing red. "Didn't you say we shouldn't while I'm pregnant?"
Zhao Changdu didn't speak again. His dark phoenix eyes looked at her, filled with coldness.
Gu Ying felt her body sink into the soft couch.
Not giving her a chance to speak, Zhao Changdu lowered his head and sealed her lips in an overwhelming kiss, relentlessly sweeping her away in passion.
Gu Ying was stunned, passively enduring his fierce kiss. Uncontrolled, she let out soft gasps, the sound enchanting to the ear.
The man kissed her fiercely. She looked up in panic at his deep endless eyes, her lips forcefully entangled with his.
Breath growing hurried, she was gradually losing her ability to resist. This man who had said just last night that he wouldn't touch her during her pregnancy seemed like a maddened beast tonight.
Just what had happened?
...
"Mm..."
Outside the window, the cold wind rose with a sudden gust that blew the half-closed window lattice and made it clatter loudly.
Gu Ying's brows knitted in pain, a flush rising to her full, tender cheeks.
"A Du, it hurts..."
It had been too long since they last made love. Her body wasn't used to him yet, tense to the point her waist curved.
The man looked down at her coldly from his higher vantage point, his gaze sweeping over her rounded belly. A pained, regretful look flashed through his dark eyes.
But things had already gone this far. There was no room left to retreat, not to mention those words from Jiang Yin had provoked him whether or not he admitted it.
His hot fingertips brushed aside the damp hair stuck to her forehead. His heart ached for the girl in his arms.
Gu Ying bit her lip uncertainly, taking in a long breath to gather some strength. Then she reached out and wrapped her slender arms around his waist.
He lowered his head against her neck, sucking and nibbling as he spoke in muffled words.
"A Ying, you'll never leave me right?"
"No... I won't..."
"A Ying... you have to stay by my side forever. No other men allowed in your heart."
Eyes glazed with pleasure, Gu Ying still managed an exasperated smile at the darkness edging his phoenix eyes. "I only love A Du. What other men could there be..."
The man's voice was low and hoarse, the corners of his lips curving up indulgently. "Good."
She pouted her red lips, eyes brimming with tears.
The man was finally soothed.
Listening to his ragged breathing, her consciousness gradually blurred...
When Gu Ying regained awareness, she was already dressed and nestled weakly in the man's embrace.
More than half the night had passed.
In his hand he held a handkerchief, carefully wiping her body clean.
Gu Ying's ears burned. Her lips curved in an enchanting smile.
"Don't move..." Zhao Changdu's voice was low and husky.
His fingers were slender and refined, the joints slightly protruding. Gu Ying stared at them as she lightly bit her lip, cheeks flushed with heat.
She pushed lightly against his chest, trying to get off the bed. "I'll go take a bath..."
Zhao Changdu pulled her back, hugging her soft waist from behind as he settled a large hand gently over her belly. "I've asked someone to heat water. I'll carry you to bathe in a bit."
Gu Ying's ear rested against the man's resolute profile. Their bare skin touched, warmth passing between them. "Okay."
Having said this, she didn't know what else to say.
She had thought the Prince would at least question her about some things after returning from the underground prison. But he hadn't said anything, just held her for a while before slowly dressing her one garment at a time.
Then he took out the map of Yueyang City's water sources that Zhou Yan had drawn, and looked over it together with her.
"So, A Du, look!" Gu Ying excitedly pointed at the map, eyes bright. "The Yu River flows through Yueyang City. Many of its citizens use the Yu River's water for cooking and washing. As for areas that don't use the river water, there are few instances of sickness. Only in places the river flows through, especially around its origin, has the plague appeared and spread extensively, flowing downstream from upstream..." As the number of patients tapered off.
She turned to look at the man beside her, voice growing more certain. "A Du, I really feel this isn't a plague, but someone poisoning the water!"
A satisfied curve touched Zhao Changdu's lips. He looked at the girl's face, still flushed from their lovemaking. "Mm. I'm convinced of your view now."
"Really? That's wonderful!" With the Prince's trust, Gu Ying's eyes shone even brighter. She grabbed his large hand eagerly. "A Du, I read handwritten notes for half the afternoon and discovered many issues as well..."
Zhao Changdu lazily gathered the girl into his arms, utterly indulgent. "Oh? Tell me about it."
Gu Ying moistened her lips and said earnestly, "These patients first had itchy skin, then red rashes appeared over their bodies. Only at the later stages did symptoms like coughing, fever and breathing difficulty develop. It's just that the earlier rashes were small and sparse, so many didn't notice them. They all thought a cough came first when in fact that was after the poison had already invaded their heart and lungs."
Her voice was gentle and pleasing to the ears. Zhao Changdu's fingers caressed her shoulder as he listened intently, his burning gaze fixed on her moving red lips.
"I gave A Sheng a prescription before. Mr. Zhuge also used it, but the effect wasn't great. It could only alleviate cold symptoms. After telling Mr. Zhuge about the poisoning today, he said he'd also had his doubts. First thing tomorrow morning he'll personally go investigate the water sources. Once the type of poison is found out, Yueyang City's patients will be saved."
Zhao Changdu said lightly, "Poison dumped in water will diminish in toxicity over time."
Gu Ying looked up to see Ye Qingchi leaning against the doorframe, not willing to come any closer. He was holding a bamboo basket with several steaming hot buns inside.
"Take them yourself, I have to go now."
Ye Qingchi put the things down at the door. His face was wrapped in several layers of black scarf, but still he worried that he might infect Gu Ying.
So he left rather quickly. Soon his back disappeared into the long corridor.
Gu Ying picked up the bamboo basket and took a bite of a bun, smiling to herself. For some reason, her nose soured and tears began swirling in her eyes.
Family love really was the warmest thing in this world. In her last life she had missed out on these relatives. This life, she must treasure them well.
"Why are you crying?"
Hearing the familiar voice, Gu Ying froze, the bun halfway to her mouth.
She looked up blankly, not knowing when the man had come over. By the time she reacted, she was already swept up into his arms.
Gu Ying habitually wrapped her arms around his neck, curling against his embrace.
He was tall and strong, holding her without any effort.
Soon he carried her into the study room he often stayed in.
The room was filled with warmth. The short couch was covered in a thick fur blanket in her favorite color.
"A Du, what are you doing—"
Zhao Changdu's gaze was cold. He stated bluntly, "We're going to make love."
Gu Ying stiffened for a moment, her face instantly flushing red. "Didn't you say we shouldn't while I'm pregnant?"
Zhao Changdu didn't speak again. His dark phoenix eyes looked at her, filled with coldness.
Gu Ying felt her body sink into the soft couch.
Not giving her a chance to speak, Zhao Changdu lowered his head and sealed her lips in an overwhelming kiss, relentlessly sweeping her away in passion.
Gu Ying was stunned, passively enduring his fierce kiss. Uncontrolled, she let out soft gasps, the sound enchanting to the ear.
The man kissed her fiercely. She looked up in panic at his deep endless eyes, her lips forcefully entangled with his.
Breath growing hurried, she was gradually losing her ability to resist. This man who had said just last night that he wouldn't touch her during her pregnancy seemed like a maddened beast tonight.
Just what had happened?
...
"Mm..."
Outside the window, the cold wind rose with a sudden gust that blew the half-closed window lattice and made it clatter loudly.
Gu Ying's brows knitted in pain, a flush rising to her full, tender cheeks.
"A Du, it hurts..."
It had been too long since they last made love. Her body wasn't used to him yet, tense to the point her waist curved.
The man looked down at her coldly from his higher vantage point, his gaze sweeping over her rounded belly. A pained, regretful look flashed through his dark eyes.
But things had already gone this far. There was no room left to retreat, not to mention those words from Jiang Yin had provoked him whether or not he admitted it.
His hot fingertips brushed aside the damp hair stuck to her forehead. His heart ached for the girl in his arms.
Gu Ying bit her lip uncertainly, taking in a long breath to gather some strength. Then she reached out and wrapped her slender arms around his waist.
He lowered his head against her neck, sucking and nibbling as he spoke in muffled words.
"A Ying, you'll never leave me right?"
"No... I won't..."
"A Ying... you have to stay by my side forever. No other men allowed in your heart."
Eyes glazed with pleasure, Gu Ying still managed an exasperated smile at the darkness edging his phoenix eyes. "I only love A Du. What other men could there be..."
The man's voice was low and hoarse, the corners of his lips curving up indulgently. "Good."
She pouted her red lips, eyes brimming with tears.
The man was finally soothed.
Listening to his ragged breathing, her consciousness gradually blurred...
When Gu Ying regained awareness, she was already dressed and nestled weakly in the man's embrace.
More than half the night had passed.
In his hand he held a handkerchief, carefully wiping her body clean.
Gu Ying's ears burned. Her lips curved in an enchanting smile.
"Don't move..." Zhao Changdu's voice was low and husky.
His fingers were slender and refined, the joints slightly protruding. Gu Ying stared at them as she lightly bit her lip, cheeks flushed with heat.
She pushed lightly against his chest, trying to get off the bed. "I'll go take a bath..."
Zhao Changdu pulled her back, hugging her soft waist from behind as he settled a large hand gently over her belly. "I've asked someone to heat water. I'll carry you to bathe in a bit."
Gu Ying's ear rested against the man's resolute profile. Their bare skin touched, warmth passing between them. "Okay."
Having said this, she didn't know what else to say.
She had thought the Prince would at least question her about some things after returning from the underground prison. But he hadn't said anything, just held her for a while before slowly dressing her one garment at a time.
Then he took out the map of Yueyang City's water sources that Zhou Yan had drawn, and looked over it together with her.
"So, A Du, look!" Gu Ying excitedly pointed at the map, eyes bright. "The Yu River flows through Yueyang City. Many of its citizens use the Yu River's water for cooking and washing. As for areas that don't use the river water, there are few instances of sickness. Only in places the river flows through, especially around its origin, has the plague appeared and spread extensively, flowing downstream from upstream..." As the number of patients tapered off.
She turned to look at the man beside her, voice growing more certain. "A Du, I really feel this isn't a plague, but someone poisoning the water!"
A satisfied curve touched Zhao Changdu's lips. He looked at the girl's face, still flushed from their lovemaking. "Mm. I'm convinced of your view now."
"Really? That's wonderful!" With the Prince's trust, Gu Ying's eyes shone even brighter. She grabbed his large hand eagerly. "A Du, I read handwritten notes for half the afternoon and discovered many issues as well..."
Zhao Changdu lazily gathered the girl into his arms, utterly indulgent. "Oh? Tell me about it."
Gu Ying moistened her lips and said earnestly, "These patients first had itchy skin, then red rashes appeared over their bodies. Only at the later stages did symptoms like coughing, fever and breathing difficulty develop. It's just that the earlier rashes were small and sparse, so many didn't notice them. They all thought a cough came first when in fact that was after the poison had already invaded their heart and lungs."
Her voice was gentle and pleasing to the ears. Zhao Changdu's fingers caressed her shoulder as he listened intently, his burning gaze fixed on her moving red lips.
"I gave A Sheng a prescription before. Mr. Zhuge also used it, but the effect wasn't great. It could only alleviate cold symptoms. After telling Mr. Zhuge about the poisoning today, he said he'd also had his doubts. First thing tomorrow morning he'll personally go investigate the water sources. Once the type of poison is found out, Yueyang City's patients will be saved."
Zhao Changdu said lightly, "Poison dumped in water will diminish in toxicity over time."
