Chapter 10: Give Her a Child Soon

Gu Qingsong was delighted. Although his third younger brother was a bit slow, he had not forgotten a man’s instincts. "Your third brother’s wife is a good woman. It’s clear she truly cares for you. You should give her a child soon. Even if you never fully recover, having a child will give her someone to rely on in the future."

Gu Tingzhi pondered this thoughtfully, nodding earnestly.

Seeing his understanding, Gu Qingsong was pleased with his own advice. He patted his shoulder and walked away.

Nearby, Gu Qingbai, who had been eavesdropping, observed their expressions carefully. He doubted whether the third brother truly understood.

After Zhen Mier finished her chores and brought a basin into the room, Gu Tingzhi was lost in thought.

“Husband, what’s wrong?” she asked, wringing out a cloth to wipe his face.

Gu Tingzhi did not respond immediately. His large, bright eyes fixed on her with a look that suggested he was about to do something significant.

Zhen Mier was puzzled, unsure of what he was thinking. She unfolded the cloth and gently cleaned his face. When finished, she placed his long, fair hands into the basin, pouring water over them. Gu Tingzhi found it amusing and playfully pinched her soft hands.

Suddenly, he softly murmured, “Child…”

Zhen Mier didn’t catch the words clearly. She fetched a foot basin from the corner, poured the face water into it, and helped him remove his shoes.

He was still thinking about the child and obediently soaked his feet.

Later, as they prepared for bed, Gu Tingzhi suddenly said, “Take off your clothes.”

Zhen Mier was taken aback and blushed. Sleeping undressed was normal, yet his sudden emphasis made it feel awkward.

She fiddled nervously with the buttons on her collar, unsure whether to undress or not.

Gu Tingzhi looked up at her with innocent eyes, as if asking, “Why aren’t you taking them off?”

“I’ll undress you first, husband.”

He nodded, spreading his arms, waiting for her to help.

Zhen Mier loosened his belt and removed his long robe. Seeing him staring at her undergarment, as if wanting to remove it too, she hurriedly pulled him onto the bed and covered him with a quilt.

Only then did he relent and turn his head, waiting for her.

Zhen Mier’s face flushed deeply with embarrassment, not understanding what had come over him.

“Close your eyes and sleep,” she said.

Gu Tingzhi obediently shut his eyes.

Zhen Mier finally breathed a sigh of relief. She moved to the foot of the bed and removed her outer garment. Looking at her plump figure, she lowered her head with a pang of insecurity. If only she were as slim as Yang Xiuqing, then she wouldn’t have to make him close his eyes.

If Gu Tingzhi’s mind were not injured, he would never marry her—she was twice as broad as Yang Xiuqing.

Yet, she truly wished to be with him forever, so desperately.

She was torn inside—hoping he would one day recover, pass the imperial exams, and become a high official, yet also wishing his recovery would come just a little later, so she could have him to herself for a bit longer.

Once she lay down, Gu Tingzhi immediately opened his eyes, spread his arms, and pulled her into his embrace, wearing a look of triumph.

Zhen Mier felt as if her heart might leap from her chest. It was so warm and comforting to be held by him. Resting her head on his arm, she soon drifted into a sweet sleep.

Gu Tingzhi was also happy. Mánmān was softer and more fragrant than he had imagined, plump and delightful to hold. Looking at her peaceful sleeping face, he couldn’t resist biting her little dimple once more.

The next morning, when Zhen Mier awoke in Gu Tingzhi’s arms, her heart overflowed with sweetness.

By the time she entered the kitchen, her elder and second sisters-in-law had already been busy for a while. She blushed, thinking about how she had lingered in Gu Tingzhi’s embrace this morning, reluctant to rise. Lin Huiniang and Su Hefang exchanged knowing smiles, their understanding unspoken.

After breakfast, Gu Lizong went alone to the fields.

Gu Qingsong and Gu Qingbai borrowed an ox cart, planning to haul the wild boar from yesterday into town to sell.

After removing the entrails, the wild boar weighed 250 jin. They reserved 30 jin for home, 20 jin as gifts, leaving 200 jin for sale.

Together, they loaded the boar onto the cart. Madame Zhou brought a basket of preserved eggs to sell alongside the pork, reminding them not to forget to buy Zhen Mier’s return-home gifts on the way back.

They agreed.

Once they left, Madame Zhou divided the remaining meat among her three daughters-in-law and her own family, five jin each—no more, no less.

As for their eldest uncle’s family next door? No chance. Remembering how Madame Feng behaved when the third brother’s engagement was broken off, she wouldn’t be getting any meat.

Lin Huiniang and Su Hefang were moved to tears, seeing their mother-in-law so serious.

“This is no time to linger—go change your clothes and take these to your family.”

The two women took the meat and happily returned to their maternal homes.

Madame Zhou also took Gu Qinghe back to the Zhou family.

Only Zhen Mier and Gu Tingzhi remained at home. The return-home ceremony was tomorrow, so she planned to bring the wild boar meat and the return-home gifts together.

After tidying the pork-cutting station, she noticed Gu Tingzhi standing silently at the gate, motionless and solemn, eyes unblinking.

She approached and followed his gaze. Apart from some village children playing with mud, there was nothing unusual.

“Husband, what’s wrong?”

Gu Tingzhi snapped out of his trance and smiled when he saw her. He looked at her for a moment, then glanced toward the distant playing children, nodding firmly as if having made an important decision.

By dinnertime, everyone returned home carrying bundles, their faces alight with excitement. Gu Qingsong and Gu Qingbai could barely hide their joy; their hands trembled as they pulled out their wallets.

The 200 jin of wild boar had sold for eight taels of silver! The eggs fetched 100 wen.

Ordinary pork sold for 20 wen per jin, but wild boar meat commanded double that—40 wen per jin! Its firm texture and enticing aroma made it highly coveted in town.

They had barely displayed the meat before half was sold. The remaining half and 100 eggs were all bought by the Wen Yue restaurant.

None could have imagined the wild boar would bring so much silver; the whole family was overjoyed.

Madame Zhou carefully secured the eight taels of silver.

Gu Qingsong and Gu Qingbai brought in the return-home gifts Madame Zhou had asked them to buy.

A bolt of cloth cost 30 wen, two packs of pastries 10 wen, a jug of wine 5 wen, and a pack of brown sugar 5 wen—fifty wen total.

Gu Qingbai handed the remaining fifty wen from his pocket to Madame Zhou.

Looking at the return-home gifts on the table, Zhen Mier thought it was more than enough. For their village, these were truly the finest things—especially with the five jin of wild boar meat included.