"Have some pastries. You'll get hungry at night with your condition."
Afu only then noticed the plate of pastries that Ada had just brought in and placed on the table.
After a day of exertion, his stomach was indeed starting to protest. Smelling the aroma of the pastries, it began to rumble.
Ada didn't laugh at him. He thoughtfully brought the plate to the bed, waiting for Afu to finish.
Lying in bed at night, Afu found himself unable to sleep.
They had just been talking about his godfather, and Afu thought of his own father. This was something he absolutely had to tell him.
Since the previous testimony incident, Lu Yu had managed to retrieve Wang Tian's indenture. Wang Tian was now a free man, but with nowhere to go at the time, Lu Yu had temporarily settled him in their old house in the countryside. He made a living by doing embroidery.
This was also Shen Xuan's request. Although Wang Tian later resented him, there was a reason for it, which was the machinations of Shen Jia and his son. And from beginning to end, Wang Tian had only done one thing for Zhao Liu.
But it was precisely because of this matter that Shen Xuan had the opportunity to marry Lu Yu. Of course, this didn't mean Wang Tian's actions were entirely blameless.
However, thanks to Wang Tian's testimony later, his father was avenged. It could be considered making amends.
Moreover, he was Afu's biological father. Even if only for Afu's sake, they should let it go. Besides, Wang Tian had been loyal and devoted to his father during his lifetime.
Shen Xuan had originally wanted to offer Wang Tian a place to stay in the manor, but Wang Tian refused.
He felt he had failed Shen Xuan and Shen Xuan's father, and simply couldn't face coming.
Since Wang Tian had helped Shen Xuan so much, Lu Yu couldn't just watch him wander the streets. So, he let Wang Tian live in the house in the village and also found him a weaving job.
Although Afu and Wang Tian's relationship hadn't been good after that incident, he was still Afu's biological father. Shen Xuan had also forgiven him, and this matter still needed to be conveyed to him.
Lost in thought, Afu didn't know when he had fallen asleep. When he woke up, it was already the hour of Chen.
Today, Lu Yu and Gu Yitong had gone to the medical clinic early. After Afu woke up, he got dressed and told Shen Xuan that he wanted to see Wang Tian to tell him about this matter.
Shen Xuan had indeed considered this issue the previous day, and he didn't expect Afu to inquire about it today.
"Alright, this is something you should tell your father," Shen Xuan said, standing up. "Ada, tell the carriage driver to prepare the carriage."
"Young Master, I can go by myself," Afu said, seeing Shen Xuan's intention and quickly stopping him.
"I won't be at ease if you go alone. Don't have any accidents on the way," Shen Xuan's tone was firm, leaving no room for negotiation.
Shen Xuan was adamant about going for two reasons. Firstly, he was genuinely afraid that Afu might accidentally strain himself due to his pregnancy on the journey. Secondly, Wang Tian had always been very strict with Afu. When they were at the Shen family's, if Afu did anything wrong, Wang Tian would criticize him. With Shen Xuan accompanying him this time, he thought he could speak up for Afu.
With the experience from last time, Shen Xuan decided not to make decisions on his own this time. Instead, he first instructed the carriage driver to drive to the medical clinic to inform Lu Yu about this matter.
When Gu Yitong heard that Afu was going back to see his father, she eagerly stood up and insisted on accompanying them. This was not only to ensure their safety but also because Afu's pregnancy was her fault, and Afu shouldn't have to bear it alone.
Shen Xuan understood Gu Yitong's intentions and was quite satisfied with her attitude this time. He didn't stop her and brought her into the carriage.
When the carriage reached the village entrance, the three of them got off. The houses in the village were close together. If the carriage drove in, it might obstruct their normal passage.
Shen Xuan walked ahead alone, with Afu and Gu Yitong following behind.
"Don't be afraid," Gu Yitong's voice came from beside him. Afu nodded gently, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath.
A knock sounded on the door, and soon, Wang Tian opened it. Seeing Shen Xuan outside, he was very surprised and eagerly invited him in.
"This is Gu Yitong. She... also came along to see you," Shen Xuan hesitated for a moment before simply introducing Gu Yitong.
"Uncle, hello. My name is Gu Yitong. It's my first time meeting you. This is a gift I brought for you."
Wang Tian then noticed the box in Gu Yitong's hand. The box was not large but was very exquisite. He wondered what was inside.
"Don't be so polite. Iā" Wang Tian rubbed his hands, wanting to refuse. Facing Shen Xuan, his guilt was even greater.
Shen Xuan knew his thoughts and held Wang Tian's hand. "Your indenture has been returned to you. You are no longer a servant."
"Moreover, I've let go of what happened before." Hearing these words, Wang Tian couldn't control his emotions and kept wiping away tears.
After calming Wang Tian's emotions, Shen Xuan deliberated and decided to let him speak first.
"I've come to see you today because there's something."
"What is it?"
"It's about Afu," Shen Xuan said, taking Afu's hand and motioning for him to sit with them.
"I've also returned Afu's indenture to him. I want to betroth him to this Miss Gu. I've brought her today to meet you."
As soon as Shen Xuan finished speaking, Gu Yitong quickly stood up and bowed, promising to treat Afu well.
"This..." Wang Tian hesitated. It wasn't that he didn't want Afu to get married, but their family had always been servants, and Afu was born into service, having served Shen Xuan since childhood. This was indeed a bit sudden.
"As Afu's father, I naturally hope Afu will have a good future and marry at an appropriate age. But you have helped our family so much, I truly..."
"I have always treated Afu as my brother. Furthermore, I had planned to return his indenture long ago. It's just that Afu has met someone suitable now, so I'm letting him go."
"What I hope now is that Afu can live well, and he doesn't have to continue serving me."
With Shen Xuan saying this, Wang Tian quickly agreed and was extremely grateful to Shen Xuan, urging Afu to thank Shen Xuan, but Shen Xuan stopped him.
"I consider Afu family. There's no need for bows. This is what a brother should do."
These words brought tears to Afu's eyes as well. Gu Yitong wanted to step forward but hesitated due to Wang Tian's presence and withdrew her hand.
Shen Xuan gently comforted him a few times, wiped away Afu's tears, and pulled him behind him because what he was about to say might be difficult.
"Since you've chosen, I naturally agree. Afu will follow all your arrangements," Wang Tian said respectfully. This habit couldn't be changed, nor did he want to change it, as he felt too indebted to Shen Xuan.
"We plan for Afu and Miss Gu to get married this month."
"Married this month? Isn't that a bit too soon?" It was no wonder Wang Tian asked. Less than a month of preparation time was indeed very rushed.
Moreover, there was a folk custom that marriages were not to be held in the first lunar month, a rule passed down from ancient times.