Chapter 323

She was about to speak when the Crown Prince spoke up, "Yu Gu, no matter what medicine you use, you must cure Ayin's headache."

Yu Gu paused and replied, "Yes."

Zhao Changdu's phoenix-like eyes deepened with unquestionable coldness. "As for the child, with your excellent medical skills, you will surely find a way to help Ayin. Isn't that right?"

The imposing pressure emanating from the man silenced Yu Gu for a moment. She lowered her head and said softly, "I will do my best, Your Highness."

The Crown Prince spoke, and Gu Ying refrained from saying anything further. However, after Yu Gu finished writing the prescription, she did not leave immediately. Instead, she turned to Gu Ying and said, "Yu Gu has a request that may not be to the liking of Your Highness and the Lady."

The Crown Prince remained silent, and Gu Ying asked, "What is it?"

Yu Gu said, "There is an adopted daughter of mine who has been wandering around practicing medicine and helping others. Recently, she had a falling out with her husband's family and wrote to me, expressing her desire to come to Bianjing and seek shelter with me. I wonder if Your Highness and the Lady could do me a favor and provide a place for my poor adopted daughter to settle down."

Gu Ying somehow thought of Shen Ruxu. "Is it Shen Ruxu, Auntie's adopted daughter?"

Yu Gu replied calmly, "Indeed."

Gu Ying felt a slight reluctance. Shen Ruxu had ill intentions and even set her sights on the Crown Prince. Naturally, she didn't want her to come.

But seeing Gu Ying's unwillingness, Yu Gu immediately knelt in front of her.

"I beg the Lady to consider the fact that Yu Gu once saved Your Highness's life and allow Xu to come and accompany me. After she arrives, I will let her stay in my own courtyard and will not disturb the Lady."

Gu Ying hurriedly had Yinlan and Yanzhi help Yu Gu up and pursed her lips. "Auntie, what are you saying? Get up quickly... Back then, it was the Crown Prince who made the decision regarding Miss Shen's marriage. Now, if Auntie wants Miss Shen to enter the residence, you should also ask for the Crown Prince's opinion."

Yu Gu's gaze paused, then she turned her gaze to Zhao Changdu, who was sitting beside her. Gu Ying noticed that Yu Gu's ice-cold and calm gaze would involuntarily soften whenever she looked at the Crown Prince.

It was unbelievable that such a cold person could also have moments of tenderness.

However, the Crown Prince simply put down his silver chopsticks without expression. "I will arrange a residence outside the Duke's Residence for Shen Ruxu. She can live in that residence."

Yu Gu's eyes flickered slightly, but she stared deeply at the Crown Prince's face, her eyes slightly red. "Your Highness, this old woman has no other requests in this lifetime, she just wants to keep her loved ones by her side..."

Zhao Changdu raised his gaze and looked at her indifferently. "She has hurt Ayin before, so this person cannot enter Changfeng Pavilion."

"Your Highness..."

Zhao Changdu's face grew colder, and he said in a deep voice, "Yu Gu, you have overstepped."

With that, he didn't give Yu Gu a chance to plead and got up to have the evening meal tidied up. He then embraced Gu Ying and returned to their sleeping quarters.

Gu Ying still had some concerns. Somehow, before leaving, she saw a hint of resentment in Yu Gu's eyes, which made her feel uneasy. "Adudu, Yu Gu looks quite pitiful. I think I should handle Shen Ruxu's matter myself."

Zhao Changdu tightly held the soft hand of the young girl as they strolled back from the corridor to the entrance. Once they reached the doorway, he lifted her up in his arms.

Gu Ying instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck and gazed at his indifferent face, realizing that he didn't care about Yu Gu's matters at all.

Zhao Changdu placed the young girl he was carrying by the bedside and helped her remove her shoes and socks. "Is it worth your concern for an outsider?"

"I'm not concerned about Shen Ruxu. She's just someone who wants to take you away. Why should I keep her around? But if we have something to say, we can express it in a more tactful manner, so that she can feel better," Gu Ying replied.

"You seem to care more about Yu Gu than I do." The man bent down in front of her, with one arm supporting her by the side, while the other hand playfully flicked her rosy nose. His exquisite, slender phoenix eyes were dark and profound.

"The Changfeng Pavilion belongs only to the two of us. Even one more person would make it crowded, let alone someone like Yu Gu."

A blush appeared on Gu Ying's face as she licked her dry lips under the man's scorching gaze. Her small, trembling hand rested on his broad shoulder as her breath became unsteady. "Our little darling, what about him?"

Zhao Changdu half crouched down in front of Gu Ying, cupping her flushed face and kissing her lips. "He's still so young."

The warm breath penetrated their mouths, causing Gu Ying's breathing to quicken. She clung to his neck and complained, "Does any prince treat their child like this?" The man's thin lips exuded sexiness. "Am I not treating him well?"

Gu Ying was captivated by his invasive gaze, her heart beating rapidly. "Little Nianbao has to stay with me all the time."

"That's not possible. The little one can't take the prince's place."

"He won't." Gu Ying laughed as the man teased her, and she took his large finger and compared it. "I've seen other wives give birth in the camp. When a newborn baby arrives, they're probably just slightly bigger than your palm, Changdu."

Zhao Changdu raised his thick, black eyebrows and let his gaze travel down from her delicate, rosy lips, finally settling on her slightly swollen belly.

Seeing him deep in thought while staring at her belly, Gu Ying casually placed his large hand on her abdomen and smiled. "Changdu, when I'm in labor, will you be by my side?"

A tender curve formed at the corner of Zhao Changdu's mouth. "I am your husband, and within an inch of each other, I naturally have to be by your side to witness the birth of our child."

Gu Ying's heart softened, and she nestled into his arms, feeling much more at ease. "That's good. With that, I'm not afraid anymore."

Zhao Changdu held her silently for a while before instructing someone to heat water for her bath.

As they lay on the bed, he gently lulled her to sleep, but his brows furrowed as he recalled the recent reports from the border.

...

Although the Crown Prince had let go of the matter involving Yu Gu and Shen Ruxu, Gu Ying couldn't help but keep it in mind. The residence still needed to be arranged—a tranquil courtyard nestled within the bustling city, providing both safety and a medicinal garden, which would be perfect for someone like Shen Ruxu, a single woman.

Moreover, she couldn't completely trust Yu Gu now. After Yu Gu had examined her pulse, she had called in another physician to do the same.

While Yu Gu indeed possessed exceptional medical skills, there were ailments she couldn't diagnose, and other physicians were at a loss as well.

Her persistent headache had yet to find a solution, so she had put it aside and asked the Crown Prince to find the book "Miscellaneous Medical Treatises" from the Imperial Medical Bureau for her to study on her own.

The Crown Prince agreed and went to attend the morning court session.

Just as Gu Ying finished her breakfast and was thinking of going to seek advice from Sun Mammy, she noticed Yu Gu had packed her belongings and was preparing to leave.

Gu Ying felt a sense of discomfort. It seemed as if her aunt intended to force her hand by leaving at this moment, without even saying goodbye to the Crown Prince. It was clear she wanted the Crown Prince to think that Gu Ying couldn't tolerate her presence.

But Gu Ying had already done everything she could for Yu Gu.