"Grandfather, this child is certainly not mine. Xuan'er and I have a bond stronger than gold, and I would never do anything to betray Xuan'er."
Seeing Lu Yu's sincere expression, Madam Li nodded, "Indeed, you don't seem like the type to do such a thing."
"However, this matter still needs a resolution. Afu is still by your side, and she is unmarried. Any private dealings with others, leading to a secret pregnancy, will ultimately tarnish her reputation."
"Alright, I won't say more. The other matters are for you to decide." Madam Li stood up and called out towards the door, "Tianyuan, help me back to my room."
Lu Yu found it difficult to remain there and made an excuse to go to the study to find her grandmother.
"Alright, stop crying. Your face looks like a little calico cat." Shen Xuan gently pried open Afu's tightly clenched hand and discovered that Afu's palm was covered in sweat.
"This matter, as Grandfather said, does require a resolution. Otherwise, it will not be good for your reputation either."
Hearing Shen Xuan say the same, Afu instantly looked up, wanting to ask Shen Xuan to keep the child, but she couldn't bring herself to speak.
Indeed, if this matter were discovered, it would be Gongzi who would be gossiped about. She truly had no right to ask to keep him.
"Don't worry. First, tell me, do you truly like Miss Gu? Be honest, no lying."
Afu was about to deny it, but then she heard Shen Xuan's subsequent words. Not wanting to deceive Gongzi, she nodded and admitted it.
"That's good. It's only been a little over a month, not far along. Others won't be able to tell. If you two marry soon, no one will dare to gossip about you."
"But, but I..." Afu wanted to say something but swallowed it back, remaining silent.
"But what? You want to say you feel you're not worthy of her?" Shen Xuan led Afu to the bed, pulled the covers up for him, lest he catch a chill after crying.
"We grew up together since childhood. I've always considered you my younger brother. I had originally planned to return your deed of sale when you got married, so you could marry with great fanfare. Now is the time."
"Gongzi,呜呜呜..." Afu leaned forward, hugged Shen Xuan, and tears streamed uncontrollably.
"I had originally intended to help you and Miss Gu get together, but I was always concerned about your feelings. Now it seems I don't need to worry." Shen Xuan stroked Afu's back, speaking softly, "Alright, stop crying. There's still the child."
"Don't worry, from now on you are my younger brother. No one will dare to bully you, no one will dare to look down on you. You are worthy of Miss Gu."
After Afu's emotions stabilized, Shen Xuan still decided to inquire about the circumstances of that day. Afu was never an impulsive person; something must have happened at the time that led to their intimacy.
Afu's nose was still a little stuffy from crying. He sniffled and slowly began to speak, "That day, I was sent to a brothel. The madam there drugged me to force me into submission. Fortunately, Miss Gu saved me at the critical moment, otherwise..."
Afu didn't finish his sentence, but Shen Xuan knew what would have happened. He trembled with anger, "How detestable. It's all my fault for implicating you."
"It's not Gongzi's fault," Afu shook his head, still feeling a bit worried. In his condition at the time, Gu Yitong must have minded.
At lunchtime, Afu followed behind Shen Xuan, not daring to look up. Madam Li glanced at him but said nothing, sighing.
Xuan'er had already told him the whole story. This child was quite pitiful. "Don't just stand there, come and eat. You should eat more when you're not feeling well."
Madam Li pulled Afu to sit down, feeling guilty for his earlier behavior. She didn't let him eat with the servants as usual but kept him by her side.
Afu's pregnancy reactions were severe. After just a few bites, he felt like vomiting. But here, he dared not act presumptuously and could only try his best to suppress it. Madam Li saw his discomfort. She remembered how she was when she was carrying Ning'er, and thinking about it made her feel a bit sad. She couldn't help but want to treat Afu better.
"If you're feeling unwell, you can stop eating and go back to your room to rest. I'll have Tianyuan buy you some sour fruits and spicy things later."
She didn't know if Afu preferred sour or spicy. When she was pregnant, she only liked sour things, and indeed, she gave birth to a son.
"Thank you, Madam Li." Afu stood up to bow, but Madam Li grabbed his wrist. "Go rest quickly."
Not long after, Madam Li indeed sent Tianyuan to bring him some sour and spicy things. However, he didn't want to eat either, but he couldn't refuse Madam Li's kindness. He accepted everything Tianyuan brought and asked Tianyuan to convey his thanks to Madam Li.
Upon returning to the mansion, Ah Da learned of Afu's condition. He didn't treat him any differently. Instead, he constantly brought him tea and water, taking meticulous care of him.
"You should rest well these days. The inner courtyard doesn't have much going on, and I'll handle everything. Oh, and be sure not to go to the cat room. Pregnant people shouldn't be around small animals."
Watching Ah Da stand there, chattering and constantly reminding him of precautions, Afu's heart warmed. He pulled Ah Da to sit down. "Don't be so nervous, it's alright."
"Do you like sour or spicy food?"
"I... I don't want to eat anything right now." Afu shook his head. He truly couldn't eat anything these past few days, and even without eating, he felt like vomiting.
The next morning, Lu Yu left the mansion and went to Gu Yitong's home. "Why are you here so early?"
Gu Yitong didn't expect Lu Yu to arrive so early and quickly invited her inside. Gu Yi, hearing Lu Yu arrive from inside, also came out to greet her.
Lu Yu's expression was not good when she arrived. Just as she was about to erupt, Gu Yi came out. However, it wasn't appropriate for Gu Yi to overhear such matters, so he gave Gu Yitong a meaningful glance.
Gu Yi understood Lu Yu's intention. He bowed and returned to his room, avoiding their conversation.
After Gu Yi left, only Gu Yitong and Lu Yu remained in the room. Lu Yu stared at Gu Yitong without speaking, her gaze making Gu Yitong uneasy.
"What's wrong? Did something happen?"
"Something did happen, and it has to do with you."
"Ah?" Gu Yitong was confused by her words. She closed her fan and became serious.
"Is this how you took care of Afu after you saved him that day?"
Gu Yitong suddenly had a bad premonition. Had that incident been discovered?
Who else knew about this? Who told them? How was Afu doing now?
Various scenes of Afu being criticized by others flashed through Gu Yitong's mind, and she instantly became worried. Her head buzzed. She then remembered Afu's earlier warning.
After a long pause, she licked her dry lips and looked at Lu Yu as if nothing had happened, "How did I take care of him?"
"..."