"Yesterday, when I took your pulse, I sensed something was amiss. Afu, since becoming pregnant, has suffered from liver qi stagnation and qi and yin deficiency. It seems she has been overly worried about this matter, leading to a prolonged state of emotional blockage, which has resulted in this pulse condition."
"Coupled with the mood swings and excessive contemplation common during pregnancy, her condition has worsened, hence the situation today."
After explaining the basic situation, Lu Yu appeared deep in thought.
Afu's condition, in modern times, would be considered early-stage pregnancy depression and anxiety. Fortunately, it was mild and hadn't developed into severe symptoms. However, in ancient times, such understanding was scarce, so Lu Yu had to explain it in a more accessible manner.
"The most crucial aspect for a pregnant partner is a cheerful disposition. However, Afu has been under immense pressure for over a month. Her sudden outburst today is not necessarily a bad thing."
"What should we do? Does she need medication?" Shen Xuan, having understood, asked urgently.
"Her unstable fetal condition is also due to this. However, she can only take miscarriage-preventing medication. No other drugs for now. The most important thing is to maintain her cheerful mood and avoid any further stimulation."
Upon hearing this, Shen Xuan glanced at Gu Yitong beside him. Despite his displeasure, he did not show it. He then looked at Lu Yu, "Should Miss Gu avoid him for the next few days?"
"This... there's no need. Afu's core issue is with Gu Yitong. Resolving it sooner will be the best help for her."
Lu Yu knew her husband was displeased with Gu Yitong's actions today, but she also knew his intention was for Afu to recover quickly. Without reservation, she revealed the truth.
Gu Yitong listened quietly to the entire conversation. Realizing the crux of the problem lay with her, she clenched her fists, her eyes filled with self-reproach.
"I didn't mean it that way, I didn't know..."
"Miss Gu, it would be better to save these words for Afu. Explaining to us is useless," Shen Xuan interrupted before Gu Yitong could finish. While impolite, his heart was filled with resentment.
He was angry at his own oversight that led Afu into danger, angry that Gu Yitong hadn't proposed immediately, and angry that Gu Yitong hadn't expressed her feelings to Afu in a timely manner.
"Alright, let Yitong stay with Afu. We should go back."
"But..."
"They need to explain things to each other." Lu Yu understood Shen Xuan's concerns, patted his hand, and signaled that everything was fine.
"Still upset?" Back in their room, Lu Yu saw Shen Xuan sitting on a stool, looking dejected, and went over to speak.
"Miss Gu's actions today were indeed a bit excessive," Shen Xuan sighed, his tone lacking blame but filled with deep helplessness.
He knew it wasn't Gu Yitong's intention, and she must have just found out. But the outcome had already occurred. How could such a straightforward proposal turn out like this?
"Indeed. I'll scold her on your and Afu's behalf. If that doesn't work, we won't let Afu marry her, and she can suffer from unrequited love alone!"
Lu Yu understood Shen Xuan's thoughts. She was also helpless but didn't want her husband to be in low spirits. She deliberately followed Shen Xuan's lead, helping him to vent his frustrations about Gu Yitong.
"No! You can scold her, but you can't prevent Afu from marrying her. Afu has feelings for her, and it's not easy to find someone with mutual feelings."
Shen Xuan immediately refused, even thoughtfully considering it. He didn't think Lu Yu's remark was a joke at all.
"Yes, just like us, with mutual feelings." Lu Yu's unexpected declaration of love once again caught Shen Xuan off guard and warmed his heart.
This statement gave Shen Xuan immense encouragement. He believed that as long as they were committed, they would surely be happy together, just like he and Lu Yu were.
The day's events had drained Afu's energy. By the time she woke up, it was already evening.
Gu Yitong had not left, sitting by the bedside, steadfastly watching over her.
As soon as Afu opened her eyes, she saw Gu Yitong by her bedside. She was momentarily stunned, and the memories from before sleep quickly returned. The scene of the proposal, every word spoken by the matchmaker, caused Afu's already recovering heart to ache again.
However, she lacked the strength. She turned her head away, not looking at Gu Yitong sitting by the bed, and closed her eyes, feigning sleep.
"Afu, I had no idea that matchmaker would say such things. Otherwise, I would never have invited him."
"I swear! I truly, truly had no idea."
"I invited him because I don't have elders. Proposing alone would seem informal. I wanted to give you a formal ceremony, to give you the confidence to marry me. I didn't expect it to go so wrong. I'm sorry."
Afu still remained silent, as if asleep, but the damp patch on the pillow was undeniable.
Hearing a knock, it was A'da bringing the medicine.
Gu Yitong took it. A'da didn't linger, knowing they needed privacy. He thoughtfully closed the door without making any noise and quietly left.
"I know you're feeling unwell, but don't be angry with yourself. Please drink your medicine first." Gu Yitong picked up the medicine bowl and tested the temperature with a spoon. It was just right.
"Can I help you sit up?" Gu Yitong asked softly, not daring to touch her directly.
Afu's eyelashes trembled. She opened her eyes and, supporting herself on the bed, slowly sat up.
Gu Yitong watched from the side but received no answer, daring not to move. Seeing Afu fully sit up, Gu Yitong breathed a sigh of relief, picked up the medicine bowl from the table, and handed it to Afu.
Afu reached out and took it. Without any unnecessary words, she tilted her head and drank it down.
"I, I didn't prepare any candied fruit. Would you like some water?"
Seeing Afu drink the medicine, Gu Yitong remembered that Afu disliked bitter medicine the most and always liked candied fruit afterward. However, she had come in a hurry and hadn't prepared any.
"No need," Afu finally spoke, her voice thick with a nasal tone, clearly indicating she had been crying.
"I'm sorry." After a long pause, Afu finally spoke, and her first words were an apology.
"Sorry for what? It's my fault. Don't be sad." Gu Yitong was stunned by Afu's apology and didn't know what to do.
"I truly want to marry you, not because of the child, nor because of that previous matter, none of that," Gu Yitong said urgently, fearing she would lose her chance if she didn't speak now.
"I liked you a long time ago, really. It's just that I didn't want to admit it back then."
"When you knocked over the medicine cabinet, I wasn't afraid of the herbs spilling; I was afraid of you getting hurt. I was afraid of you getting injured."
"The reason I bought you candied fruit that morning wasn't because you were Mr. Shen's subordinate, but because it was you. It was only for you, because I was afraid you wouldn't like the bitterness. I noticed you liked candied fruit, so I went to buy it."
"When Mr. Shen didn't come, I was unhappy because I knew that if Mr. Shen didn't come to the clinic, you wouldn't either. My only connection to you then was through Lu Yu and Mr. Shen."
"Back then, I wished Mr. Shen would come to the clinic every day to accompany Lu Yu, so that I could see you."
"So, please believe me. I truly want to marry you. I truly love you, not for any other reason."
After Gu Yitong finished speaking, Afu was already in tears, sobbing uncontrollably.