Chapter 84 You, Are Going to Be a Father

Madam Zhou laughed, as if the matter had nothing to do with her, and slowly said, “Back then, Consort Wu was pregnant, but due to her poor health, she suffered a miscarriage. Hou Li falsely accused me, claiming that the fragrance I prepared had caused her to lose the child. Ruizhen’s father treated that woman as his most cherished treasure. Without distinguishing right from wrong, he immediately sent me to the Cold Palace, even calling me a vicious, heartless woman.”

Her tone carried both mockery and calmness, but every word was heartbreaking.

Du Wanchun comforted her, saying, “Mother, don’t worry. Justice will prevail, and Heaven will clear your name.”

Madam Zhou lowered her gaze. After a long silence, she replied, “Whether my name is cleared or not no longer matters. I just hope that you and Ruizhen won’t suffer because of me anymore.”

Du Wanchun nodded solemnly. “We won’t. Aren’t our days getting better and better now?”

Hearing this, Madam Zhou turned her head to look at the customers coming and going outside. She nodded in relief. “Yes, our days are indeed improving.”

Madam Zhou was once an empress, but because she had been raised in luxury from a young age, she had developed a simple and easygoing nature, unaware of the dangers lurking within the deep palace. This ignorance led to her downfall.

Yet, despite being a woman without extraordinary strength, she managed to survive for over three years in a small village, protecting her three wounded sons.

She was as delicate as willow catkins yet as resilient as reeds.

As the Zhou family’s shop flourished, Madam Zhou, with Du Wanchun’s help, purchased more tools for making incense, expanded her workshop, and even hired Aunt Wang and Du Damei to assist her.

One month later.

The Zhou family’s fragrance shop thrived, gaining fame in Cheng’an County. Even noble families from neighboring counties came to buy their products.

Master Fang was overjoyed by their success. When Zhou Feng mentioned his plans to open a shop in the capital, Master Fang did not object. Instead, he even wrote a letter introducing him to his son in the capital, hoping he would help Zhou Feng find a good location, ensuring he wouldn’t suffer setbacks in an unfamiliar city.

However, what Master Fang didn’t know was that Zhou Feng was far more familiar with the capital than he was. Back when he was still a prince, he often wandered through the streets and alleys with other noble sons.

Fortunately, the three years spent in Changliu Village had changed Zhou Feng significantly. If he returned to the capital now, no one would likely recognize him. However, to be safe, Du Wanchun deliberately applied some black moles and dark spots on his face.

Looking at his altered appearance, much of his original aura was gone. Even if Consort Wu were to stand right in front of him, she probably wouldn’t recognize him.

After receiving the letter from Master Fang, Zhou Feng returned home to bid farewell to everyone. He took with him a half-melted gold ingot shaped into bars and a carriage full of scented balms, perfumes, and spices before setting off for the capital.

Madam Zhou was reluctant to see him go, but she held back her emotions and did not come out to send him off. Instead, she sat in the thatched cottage with Du Wanchun, silently shedding tears.

Du Wanchun patted her back, comforting her. “Mother, Second Brother is so intelligent. He will surely make a name for himself in the capital.”

Madam Zhou wiped her tears and replied, “Yes, this might be for the best. Feng’er has always wanted to return to the capital. Now, at least, he’s fulfilling his wish.”

Du Wanchun stood up to fetch her a handkerchief, then went to the newly built kitchen to boil a pot of water.

The new house had been under construction for over a month. Though it wasn’t completely finished, its structure was already taking shape. They had even prepared one room in advance so they could move in early.

Bending down, Du Wanchun added some firewood under the stove. Just as she was about to stand up, a wave of dizziness hit her.

Zhou Ruizhen had just stepped into the room when he saw this. He immediately rushed forward to support her. “Wanchun, what’s wrong?”

Pressing a hand to her slightly dizzy head, Du Wanchun quickly reassured him, “I’m fine. I probably just stood up too fast.”

Madam Zhou, hearing the commotion, hurried inside with concern. “Wanchun, if you’re feeling unwell, just tell me. We have some silver now, so we don’t have to worry about affording a doctor.”

Du Wanchun shook her head with a smile. “Mother, I’m really fine.”

Saying that, she gently pushed Zhou Ruizhen away and intended to continue adding firewood.

However, the moment she stood up again, another wave of dizziness struck her.

This time, Zhou Ruizhen panicked. Without hesitation, he scooped her up in his arms and rushed straight toward Doctor Xu’s house.

“Husband, I’m really okay,” Du Wanchun protested, struggling in his embrace. But Zhou Ruizhen only held her tighter.

Frowning slightly, he spoke in a firm yet doting tone, “Be good. Don’t move. I’m taking you to the doctor!”

Seeing that she couldn’t win against him, Du Wanchun had no choice but to comply, allowing him to carry her all the way to Doctor Xu’s clinic.

Doctor Xu saw the young couple arrive and greeted them with a cheerful smile. “Ruizhen, what’s the matter with your wife?”

Zhou Ruizhen carefully placed Du Wanchun down and explained anxiously, “She felt dizzy just now. I don’t know if she’s sick.”

Doctor Xu washed his hands before coming over to take Du Wanchun’s pulse. As he did so, he gently asked her, “Young Madam Zhou, when was the last time you had your monthly cycle?”

Du Wanchun thought for a moment. Since waking up and marrying into the Zhou family, it had been over two months, and she hadn’t had her period during this time.

She hesitated before replying, “I don’t remember.”

Doctor Xu slowly withdrew his hand, his eyebrows curving into a smile. “Ruizhen, your wife isn’t sick.”

“She’s not sick?” Zhou Ruizhen became even more anxious. “Then what’s wrong with her?”

Doctor Xu stood up, waggled his eyebrows at him, and burst into laughter. “You, my boy, are going to be a father!”