MFMH C104

Chapter 104 — Extra

Shen Yanbei and Gu Changfeng walked down the street hand in hand, brazenly and openly, seen by many, and soon became the subject of lively gossip over tea. Most teased them for being a loving couple, but a few troublemakers dredged up Gu Changfeng’s past admiration for Prince Jinyang, mocking him as fickle and unfaithful.

It was only now, with the news of the Prince and his Consort’s deaths spreading, that such people dared to speak so recklessly.

Some disagreed. “Prince Jinyang was dashing and elegant. What’s wrong with the Duke admiring him in his youth? At the time, neither was married. The Duke never clung shamelessly to him. What is there to criticize?”

This reasoning was sound, yet the troublemaker, unwilling to see his view dismissed, pressed on. “How do you know he didn’t cling? If not for the Prince’s Consort’s beauty, maybe he would’ve…”

“Hey, what’s wrong with you? Someone else’s happiness offends you so much that you must spout nonsense, tarnishing their name?” someone interrupted, unable to listen further.

“Exactly. Be careful. If Lord Shen hears you, you’ll be the one to regret it!”

The man sneered, eyes full of mockery. “I’ve broken no law. What can he do to me?” Seeing the crowd discontent, he added darkly, “Don’t be fooled by his current glory. Soon enough, he’ll have plenty to weep over!”

The onlookers laughed in disbelief. “Lord Shen is the Emperor’s favorite, his path smooth. What could make him cry?”

“The Emperor granted this marriage. They cannot divorce or discard each other. But the Duke cannot bear children, so the Shen family’s line ends with him! Won’t he cry then?” The man gloated. “And don’t say he won’t take concubines for heirs. With the Duke’s strength, he’d probably kill anyone who dared enter the house before they even crossed the threshold!”

The listeners exchanged uneasy glances.

Seeing no further objections, the man grew bolder. “Of course, right after marriage, they must put on a show of affection. It’s imperial grace, after all. Otherwise, wouldn’t that be slapping the Emperor’s face…”

As he rambled, one of the crowd noticed something, expression shifting. Their gaze toward him turned strange.

“Keeping a nest without laying eggs isn’t the mark of a good hen. Sooner or later—” The man’s words were cut short as a hand clapped his shoulder. Irritated, he turned his head. “Do—”

The next instant, his eyes widened, and he leapt from his seat in shock.

“L-Lord Shen…” His face drained of color, a forced smile on his lips, sweat pouring as he looked at the mild-mannered Shen Yanbei.

“Forgive the disturbance,” Shen Yanbei smiled politely at the others before waving to two waiters. “Throw him out.”

At once, the waiters took hold of him and dragged him toward the door.

“What are you doing?! Let me go!” The man wailed, “Save me! Heaven’s gone blind! At the foot of the capital’s walls, a court official bullies the common folk in broad daylight!”

At this, the diners turned to watch. Shen Yanbei stood calmly, holding a skewer of candied hawthorns.

This man, moments earlier, had raised his voice so all could hear his slander. Now, caught red-handed, he wailed like a victim. But the crowd had ears — none came to his defense.

Growing desperate, he shouted at the innkeeper. “So this is how Tongfu Restaurant treats guests? Not only allowing bullying but aiding it?”

The innkeeper’s face hardened. “Tongfu welcomes all customers but not the discourteous. We won’t take your money — so you’re no guest of ours. From now on, we’ll never serve you again. Leave.”

Someone muttered “Serves him right,” and the man flushed red with shame. In a last act of defiance, he spat, “So the mighty bully the weak! Collusion between officials and merchants! I’d heard rumors Tongfu was under a great man’s protection. Now I believe it! That man is you, isn’t it, Lord Shen?”

Shen Yanbei frowned but admitted openly, “This restaurant was part of the betrothal gifts I gave my husband. Any problem with that?”

The diners gasped in shock. Tongfu, raking in gold daily, was a wedding gift?

The man’s face turned ashen. His lips moved, ready to speak, but Shen Yanbei’s sharp gaze silenced him. “My husband is with child and cannot be agitated. If I hear such words again, then yes — I will bully with power.” With that, he signaled for the man to be dragged away.

The crowd was stunned. All eyes fixed on Shen Yanbei. He raised the candied hawthorns, bowing slightly. “Forgive me for disturbing your meal. Allow me to cover this round as apology.”

Delighted, the patrons replied, “We understand! Liu San always talks nonsense. Don’t mind him, Lord Shen.”

Others offered congratulations. “Congratulations, Lord Shen! Congratulations to the Duke!”

“Many thanks!” Shen Yanbei beamed, turning upstairs.

In the hall, murmurs spread. “Who said the Duke couldn’t have children? Isn’t he expecting already?”

“The candied hawthorns Lord Shen carried must’ve been for the Duke. When my wife was pregnant, she craved sour-sweet things too…”

“Of course! That Liu San finally met his match! Lord Shen is merciful — anyone else would’ve had him flogged!”

“Lord Shen prospers through kindness! See, good fortune follows — the Duke’s with child!”

Soon, news of the Duke’s pregnancy spread across the capital. Many marveled at his hard-won happiness; others doubted — hearing was not seeing. Without a swollen belly, who could say it was true?

Meanwhile, in the private box, Gu Changfeng asked why Shen Yanbei had taken so long and why it was noisy below.

“Nothing. Just some fool spouting nonsense.” Shen Yanbei held out the candied hawthorns to his lips. “Try it? If you like, I’ll make them next time.”

Gu Changfeng glanced at the crimson fruit glistening in sugar, hesitated, then took a bite. He’d never cared for sweets, but earlier, seeing an old man selling them across the street, he suddenly craved a taste. Without a word, Shen Yanbei had gone to buy them.

The sugar shell cracked crisp beneath his teeth, tangy hawthorn melting on his tongue. Gu Changfeng’s eyes lit up.

Seeing his delight, Shen Yanbei leaned in to steal a bite from his lips.

Startled, Gu Changfeng flushed scarlet as Shen Yanbei tasted his mouth, then smacked his lips. “My wife tastes so sweet.”

Gu Changfeng reddened even further.

Lately, his appetite was insatiable, craving all sorts of food. Whatever he ate, whatever he did, Shen Yanbei always found a way to praise him, making him both embarrassed and happy.

To be cared for like this, to be seen as lovable in everything one did — what greater joy?

The days grew hotter, and Gu Changfeng’s belly swelled visibly.

Shen Yanbei mourned the loss of his husband’s abs, even as he ordered ice to cool the rooms. A man once so strong in martial skill now sat idle, sweating uncomfortably — pregnancy seemed to have altered his very constitution.

With ice cooling the chamber, Gu Changfeng sat at a low table, eating without pause. Shen Yanbei propped his chin in his hand, gaze tender as he watched.

Ironically, Shen Yanbei now held a place in court, while his husband stayed home to nourish life.

The old Chancellor retired; Zhang Youzheng became the new one, reshuffling court factions. With Zhang’s favor, Shen Yanbei grew busier than ever. Rarely free, he had finally taken a rest day, intending to bathe with his husband. Last night, kissing down from his neck to his belly, he’d felt it move.

Remembering, Shen Yanbei slid behind Gu Changfeng now, wrapping arms around his belly.

The warmth of his body made Gu Changfeng frown. “Hot.”

Rejected…

Shen Yanbei kissed his cheek. “Just let me feel a little.”

Gu Changfeng scowled, stuffing a pickled radish in his mouth.

The sourness made Shen Yanbei’s face scrunch. “So sour!”

Amused, Gu Changfeng smiled and went back to eating.

He’d been ravenous lately, always hungry. Shen Yanbei, worried about a large child making labor hard, restricted him to smaller, balanced meals, offering light snacks between — fruit, vegetables, chicken, fish.

Just as Shen Yanbei tried to swallow the sour bite, the belly beneath his hands suddenly bulged. He gulped in surprise.

“It moved again!” His eyes widened.

Until now, his attitude toward the pregnancy had been casual: My husband wanted a child, and fate granted it. If it’s lost, so be it — I only care for him.

But now — this was no egg, no mere seed. This was life, declaring itself beneath his hand.

Gu Changfeng pressed his palm closer, letting him feel.

The belly rose here, fell, then bulged elsewhere.

Shen Yanbei’s eyes gleamed, heart pounding.

My child, in the body of the one I love most…

For the first time, a man who had never imagined fatherhood began to yearn — to become a good father.