MFMH C105

Chapter 105 — Extra

When autumn cooled the weather, Shen Yanbei once again went out with Gu Changfeng, this time accompanied by Zhou Yu.

The border was now stable. Apart from the stationed army, so many soldiers were no longer needed. The new recruits brought to the capital with Gu Changfeng last spring had received their rewards and then returned home. Zhou Yu, for his merits in killing the barbarian commander and as Gu Changfeng’s disciple, was granted imperial favor. He was appointed into the Imperial Guard, given the rank of a fourth-class guard of fifth rank.

The young man was full of passion and determination, and now he had carved out a future for himself. Shen Yanbei planned to let him establish his own household once he turned eighteen. Matchmakers had already come to propose marriages, though Zhou Yu said he had no intention of marrying yet. But refusing now did not mean he would never marry. Since he planned to settle in the capital, he needed his own home — not the Duke’s estate, not the Shen estate, but his own household.

Zhou Yu had no objections. In fact, he was eager. He was now a man who could stand on his own. He could not rely forever on Shen Yanbei and Gu Changfeng. He had to walk his own path. Most importantly — once he moved out, he would no longer have to watch Shen Yanbei and Gu Changfeng being endlessly lovey-dovey every single day!

The three traveled by carriage to Qifeng Mountain to enjoy the scenery. Qifeng Mountain was surrounded by hundreds of miles of red maple forest, the leaves blazing like fire, rolling like crimson waves, or like torrents of blood rushing — a truly majestic sight.

At the summit of Qifeng Mountain stood a temple called Flying Eaves Temple. Its fortunes were said to be very accurate, and each day countless citizens of the capital came to pray and burn incense, its incense smoke never ceasing.

Shen Yanbei and the others only went for a casual autumn outing. They would burn some incense on the way, so they alighted from the carriage at the foot of the mountain and began to walk leisurely upward.

Gu Changfeng’s belly was already very large. Passing pedestrians could clearly see the curve of his stomach pressing against his long robe.

Unlike those delicate double-gendered who needed constant support just to go outside while pregnant, he carried himself tall and steady, steps strong and assured. His rounded belly did not diminish his authority in the least.

If there were still skeptics about Gu Changfeng’s pregnancy, one glance at his prominent stomach silenced them completely.

In the capital, many noble households unable to produce heirs had their concubines’ children registered under the main wife’s name, raised as if their own. Many assumed Gu Changfeng would do the same. But his upright, undeniable belly had slapped them square across the face.

Watching his round stomach, Shen Yanbei urged, “If you get tired, find a place to sit and rest.” Perhaps because of excellent nutrition, his husband’s belly was bigger than most. Concerned that the children would be too large for an easy birth, Shen Yanbei had personally gone to the Imperial Infirmary to invite the dean to check on his husband. That check had shocked both of them.

Not because there was anything wrong — but because there were two children! His husband was carrying twins!

He had been both shocked and overjoyed. No wonder his husband’s body had changed so much, and no wonder the fetal movements were so frequent and strong — it was the mischief of those two little troublemakers!

He had once thought, with his husband’s sturdy body, childbirth would not be dangerous. But twins — that raised the stakes. The dean, however, reassured him warmly. The Duke was healthy, the children strong, and as long as he ate well, stayed cheerful, and walked often, there was nothing to worry about.

Even so, Shen Yanbei watched him more carefully than ever. And with the babies over eight months along, he thought it best to walk and travel a little before birth. Now that the maples blazed red across Qifeng, they came to enjoy the sight.

Gu Changfeng nodded, lifting his foot and walking steadily on the flagstone path.

His frame was larger than most double-gendered, and now, carrying twins, his belly was round and heavy. He looked bulkier, yet his steps remained sure and light.

In truth, aside from his belly, the rest of his body had not grown fat. His movements were not hindered.

…No, there was one other place that had grown.

Just last night, someone had put a hand there, kneading, whispering shameless words about it being fuller, springier, and feeling better than before. Gu Changfeng had been so mortified that he sealed that person’s lips shut immediately.

Now, his ears burned red, unable to meet Shen Yanbei’s gaze.

Qifeng Mountain was not tall. From the stone steps at the base to Flying Eaves Temple at the summit took less than half an hour. But the three avoided the crowd, instead heading toward a stream behind the mountain.

They came to view the maples, but also to picnic. Autumn was harvest season. Back in Shenjia Village, this was the time for fruit-picking and autumn hunting. The three missed those days of climbing Huachiu Mountain together, so they had brought tools for cooking outdoors. It was a pity Su Qingze and Ming An were not with them.

Though Gu Changfeng was pregnant and should not labor, his skills were unmatched. Sitting on a large rock by the stream, he eyed the water. With a flick of the stick in his hand, there was a sharp splash — and a fish was skewered cleanly.

Zhou Yu had taken a slingshot to hunt pheasants and gather bird eggs. Shen Yanbei collected firewood and started the stove. When Gu Changfeng rolled up his trousers to step into the water, Shen Yanbei quickly stopped him. “The stones in the water are slippery — don’t go in!”

So Gu Changfeng stayed seated, watching him work, lending a hand when he could. The further along the pregnancy, the more Shen Yanbei fussed, but Gu Changfeng did not find it oppressive. Like now: he was not allowed in the water for fear of falling, but was happily put in charge of roasting the fish instead.

Within safe bounds, Shen Yanbei always let him do what he wished.

“Yesterday in the imperial study, when court ended, His Majesty asked me when you would deliver. Even through his calm expression, I could see his envy and jealousy!”

Gu Changfeng blinked. “What happened to His Majesty?”

“Prince Jinyang is dead. The Empress Dowager, struck by grief, fell gravely ill. She even asked His Majesty to bring Prince Jinyang’s son to the capital to be raised by her.” Shen Yanbei shook his head, baffled by her thinking. “You know well enough — that child is not even Prince Jinyang’s blood. There’s no way His Majesty would allow him into the imperial clan records.”

In truth, with Zhao Yu’s temperament, if the child had not been tied by blood to the Su family, he might have simply had the infant disposed of, erasing Prince Jinyang’s line entirely.

“So His Majesty refused, saying infants are too noisy for the frail Empress Dowager. But she flew into a rage, scolding him: If you won’t let me raise Jinyang’s son, then give me a son of your own to raise! Then she named a certain noble’s daughter as virtuous and graceful, demanding the Emperor decree her Empress…”

Shen Yanbei almost pitied Zhao Yu. After finally securing the throne, with the nation thriving and borders pacified, just as he planned to marry the one he loved, Su Qingze’s grandmother passed away and required him to mourn, while his mother obstructed and harassed him.

“Did His Majesty refuse?” Gu Changfeng asked urgently. Su Qingze could only enter the capital after mourning next year. If the Emperor agreed, what would happen to him?

“Of course he refused!” Shen Yanbei flipped the fish over the fire. “The Empress Dowager grew worse from anger, called the eligible ladies and double-gendered of noble houses into the palace to ‘attend her bedside.’ His Majesty now can’t walk the halls without being accosted by beauties. It’s unbearable for him.”

Gu Changfeng frowned deeply, worried. With such an unreasonable mother-in-law, Su Qingze would suffer once he entered the palace.

Knowing his thoughts, Shen Yanbei smoothed the crease between his brows. “The Empress Dowager’s antics have destroyed His Majesty’s last filial patience. He won’t tolerate her forever. And if she disapproves of Qingze as consort, he won’t even give her the chance to make trouble. Qingze is soft on the outside but firm and rational within. He already forgave the Emperor once for his mistakes. If the Emperor marries him and fails to protect him, he himself would die of shame.”

Just then, Zhou Yu returned with pheasants. Shen Yanbei cooked them stone-grilled with chicken, wild herbs, and soup. The three ate heartily under the flaming maples before ascending the mountain.

They donated incense money, and Shen Yanbei lit his sticks from the red candles, inserting them solemnly into the censer.

Lifting his robe, Shen Yanbei knelt on the prayer mat, palms together, eyes sincere upon the solemn Buddha, murmuring words of devotion like the other worshippers before bowing deeply.

Gu Changfeng had never seen him so devout. The youth had always believed it better to rely on oneself than on gods. And yet here he was, praying.

In truth, Shen Yanbei had never believed in vague ghosts or deities. But now that he stood here, with another’s body as the vessel to continue life, and with the other half of his soul carrying that life — was that not already a miracle? For that, he offered thanks.

The kindly old monk in the hall chanted, “The donor is a man of firm heart. Follow your will, and it shall be enough.”

Shen Yanbei smiled. “Thank you, Master, for your guidance.”

As they descended the mountain, Gu Changfeng asked curiously, “What did you say before the Buddha?”

Shen Yanbei held his hand, leading him slowly down. “Of course, I prayed for our whole family’s peace and safety.”

The words “whole family” made Gu Changfeng pause. He lowered his eyes to his swollen belly and said firmly, “The Buddha will hear.” Since the babies began to move, Shen Yanbei read aloud to the belly each night, calling it prenatal teaching.

He would seat Gu Changfeng in a reclining chair, stroke his belly, and speak gently. Sometimes poems, sometimes stories, sometimes amusing little tales — about delicious foods, fun places, and promises that once they were born, he would take them to see the world.

The youth’s voice was clear and tender. Whether or not the little ones inside could hear, the sound wrapped Gu Changfeng’s heart like warm water, soothing and entrancing.

By the time the northwestern winds blew cold, Gu Changfeng no longer went out. He was over nine months along and could give birth any day.

Shen Yanbei grew ever more nervous. Each day he asked if he felt unwell, insisting that at the slightest sign he send for him immediately.

Midwives, birthing chambers, wet nurses — all were arranged. The household was ordered to watch him closely. But as the due date passed, the little ones clung stubbornly, unwilling to emerge.

“Tenants inside, listen up! Your lease is up. If you don’t move out soon, I’ll evict you myself!” Shen Yanbei glared at the towering belly, teeth grinding.

Gu Changfeng chuckled helplessly. “Enough, we should go. If we don’t leave now, you’ll be late.”

Shen Yanbei shot one last fierce glare at the belly before departing for his duties.

But scarcely had he reached the Hanlin Academy and warmed his seat when a gatekeeper reported that a servant from the Duke’s estate demanded audience.

Shen Yanbei froze. Could it be—his husband was in labor?

Indeed, the servant, drenched in sweat and panting, burst out the moment he saw him. “Young… Young Master! The Duke—he—he’s about to give birth!”

Shen Yanbei’s eyes lit with joy. At last, the time had come!