Chapter 335 Adopted Sister

“I was just going to check on Father’s (Gu Qingsong) wound.” Seeing Mother Gu’s nervous expression, Su Wan couldn’t help but laugh. “Mother, don’t worry so much. I’m only pregnant—it’s not like I’m bouncing around recklessly. Nothing’s going to happen.”

Mother Gu nodded. “That’s true. A bit of walking is good for your body.”

Though she said that, she didn’t let go of Su Wan’s arm and supported her with great care. Even her walking pace slowed considerably. “You’re not like me. Huaizhi said your health isn’t strong, so we must be extra cautious.”

Su Wan sighed, a bit helpless. “I know my limits.”

“If you do, then why didn’t you bring a lantern? It’s already dark, and the road isn’t even. As for Old Gu, you don’t need to bother—just have a doctor take care of him.”

Mother Gu gently held Su Wan’s cold hand, feeling only bone beneath her touch. Her heart ached. “You finally managed to put some weight back on, and now it’s all gone again from exhaustion. And now, with a little one in your belly… You shouldn’t be managing so many things. Focus on your health. Don’t let the child drain you and leave you with lasting problems.”

As she spoke, her worry only deepened. Having a child at this time could be a great strain on Su Wan’s body. But if they chose not to keep it, that too would harm her.

“From now on, I’ll prepare all your meals myself,” Mother Gu said with firm resolve. She would make something different every day. Since Su Wan didn’t have much of an appetite, she’d make four or five small meals a day, keeping the portions light.

“Whatever you feel like eating, just tell me. Don’t think it’s troublesome. Nothing is more important than your health.”

“I understand, Mother.” A warm feeling flowed through Su Wan’s heart.

Seeing Su Wan so obedient and gentle, Mother Gu’s heart melted completely. With deep affection, she said, “I heard your parents have returned. Do you want someone to pass the news along to them? As for the others, let’s wait until three months in, once the pregnancy is more stable, before announcing the good news.”

“Alright.” Su Wan thought for a moment. “Let’s tell them tomorrow.”

The two of them made their way to the east wing.

Gu Qingsong, having heard the news, looked at Su Wan with a gentle gaze. “The wound has healed. There’s no discomfort—it should be fully recovered.”

He loosened his robe, revealing the light pink scar.

Su Wan carefully examined it, then took his pulse. As expected, there was nothing serious.

Gu Qingsong tidied his robe, then looked toward Mother Gu. Fingering the sachet hanging at his waist, he said softly, “My injury has fully healed. I plan to return to Xinghua Village tomorrow.”

Mother Gu paused for a moment, then nodded. “That might be best.”

“I intend to return to the old house and have it renovated.” A heaviness pressed against Gu Qingsong’s chest as his gaze darkened. “Where is Jingzhi buried? I want to move him home.”

Jingzhi was the name of the child who had died young.

A sharp pain twisted in Mother Gu’s heart, and her throat tightened. “He’s buried halfway up White Tea Mountain. I planted two rose bushes beside him. If you can find it, move him. If not, leave it for another time.”

Gu Qingsong’s eyes turned red. He gave a heavy nod.

——

Early the next morning, Mo Yuan brought the six people Gu Huaizhi had carefully selected to the city gates to rendezvous with Cao Wanqing.

Gu Huaizhi delivered the news of Su Wan’s pregnancy to the Regent’s Residence before setting out from there to attend morning court at the palace.

At the break of dawn, Gu Qingsong left the capital alone and without a word to anyone.

No one was informed.

Mother Gu stood beneath the side gate, silently watching him leave.

Only when his figure disappeared into the morning mist did she wipe the corner of her eye and head to the kitchen to prepare breakfast for Su Wan.

After breakfast with Mother Gu and Gu Baozhu, Su Wan headed into the palace.

The three of them were received by a female official and escorted to Cian Palace.

With the new emperor’s ascension, the Empress had become the Empress Dowager and now resided in Cian Palace.

As for the Grand Empress Dowager, she had been deposed and was confined to the Cold Palace.

Su Wan stood in the middle, with Mother Gu and Gu Baozhu to her left and right. Neither of them had ever set foot in the palace, much less faced such a grand setting. And now, they were about to meet the most noble woman in the entire realm. Their hearts pounded like drums as they nervously kept their eyes fixed on the ground, not daring to glance around. They followed Su Wan’s lead closely, terrified of making a mistake and causing embarrassment.

“Don’t be nervous. The Empress Dowager is easy to talk to,” Su Wan whispered, holding their hands. “Mother, you saved her life. You’re her honored guest—there’s no need to panic.”

That only made Mother Gu more flustered. She didn’t even dare to breathe loudly.

Gu Baozhu was doing slightly better. She snuck a glance at the Empress Dowager seated high above, and the moment she caught sight of that gentle, kind face with smiling eyes, all her nervousness suddenly vanished.

“Peace and blessings to Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager,” the three greeted respectfully.

“Quickly, rise,” the Empress Dowager said, gesturing for seats to be brought forward. She gave Mother Gu a measured look and spoke softly, “I’ve long wished to meet you and thank you properly in person. You raised Jingyun so well. There’s been turmoil in the palace, and that’s why it’s taken until now.”

“It… it’s nothing,” Mother Gu said, flustered. “As a common woman, I raised Jingyun as if he were my own child. He was bright and sensible—it had little to do with me. There’s no need to be so courteous. If it weren’t for Jingyun back then, I might not have survived at all.”

Her fingers nervously twisted at her sleeve as she gave a stiff smile. “That child was born blessed.”

“No matter where he is, or what position he holds, you are still his mother,” the Empress Dowager said, deeply moved by her plain, honest manner. Regardless of the poor rumors surrounding her name, the woman’s care for the child had been genuine. “His Majesty wishes to confer upon you the title of Lady of the State of Zhou, in gratitude for your kindness in raising him, as a sign of his filial piety.”

Mother Gu’s eyes turned red. “I’m just a farmer’s wife. I can’t even read a word, and I don’t deserve a title like Lady of the State of Zhou. As long as they’re all safe and well, that’s enough for me. Once Baozhu is married, I’ll return to Xinghua Village. Those titles mean nothing to me.”

The Empress Dowager was momentarily stunned and was about to persuade her again.

Mother Gu continued, “Jingyun wants his little sister to enter the palace to keep him company. Just take good care of Baozhu for me.”

The Empress Dowager was touched. “Very well. I shall take her in as my adopted daughter.”

Mother Gu knew that even without this formal promise, the Empress Dowager, out of gratitude for her raising Jingyun, would still protect Baozhu.

“What a good child. Come here,” the Empress Dowager said, smiling at Gu Baozhu. The young girl was dressed in a soft pink skirt, her jet-black hair tied into two neat braids. Her eyes sparkled like stars in a summer night sky, her fair skin held a faint rosy hue, and her lips, red and delicate, curled into a gentle smile. The faint dimples on either cheek appeared and vanished like hidden ripples—sweet and spirited.

She gently took Gu Baozhu’s hand in hers, her voice soft with affection. “Would you like to live in the palace from now on and stay by my side?”

Gu Baozhu’s long lashes trembled as she nervously glanced at Su Wan and Mother Gu. Seeing them both nod slightly, their eyes filled with encouragement, she whispered, “I’ll listen to Second Brother.”

The Empress Dowager was taken aback for a moment, then her smile grew even brighter. “Yes, listen to Jingyun.”

“What are you listening to me about?” Jingyun’s voice came before he did, and moments later, his small figure stepped into the hall. Seeing the people gathered there, he exclaimed in delight, “Mother! Sister-in-law! Third Sister! You’ve come!!”

The Empress Dowager cast a single glance his way.

“Ahem…” Jingyun quickly reined in the wild joy surging in his chest, straightened his face, and walked over with composed steps, though the excitement still leaked through his voice. “What were you all talking about just now?”

The Empress Dowager, catching the expectation in his eyes, chuckled. “Mother has taken Baozhu in as her adopted daughter. She’ll be staying here with me from now on. What do you say to that?”