After some catching up, Su Xiaoqi recognized the formidable abilities of Daoist Zhang.
He had subtly hinted at her origins multiple times, but refrained from being explicit due to Shen Yun and Yu Jing's presence.
However, it was enough for Su Xiaoqi to know that Daoist Zhang was aware of her background.
He also affirmed her actions of doing good deeds and accumulating merit.
He explained that this not only brought her personal blessings but also brought good fortune to her friends, thereby improving their luck.
Su Xiaoqi nodded in agreement, promising to continue her efforts and not to waste the good fortune bestowed upon her by heaven.
Following this, Su Xiaoqi, in front of Daoist Zhang, brought out several jars of wine from her spatial dimension as a gift.
He narrowed his eyes, seeing through her actions but not exposing her, and simply gave her a thumbs-up.
He commented that her method was well-executed but advised her to guard it carefully to prevent others from coveting it.
Su Xiaoqi acknowledged his words and bid farewell to Daoist Zhang.
Upon learning that Su Xiaoqi was pregnant, Yu Jing was overjoyed and invited her to stay in the separate courtyard.
For the sake of the child, the couple stayed in Northern Chu for two months.
By this time, Su Xiaoqi's pregnancy had reached three months, meaning the fetus was considered stable.
It was time to return to Daliang.
After all, it had been summer when they left.
Now, autumn had arrived.
The west wind blew in gusts, carrying a refreshing chill.
Yu Jing was reluctant to let Su Xiaoqi leave at this time.
However, she was, after all, a person of Daliang.
And Shen Yun still held a third-rank official position in the Daliang court.
Their extended stay was only made possible by the Emperor's special permission.
They had used the guise of inspecting the northern frontier.
Chu Yu was also saddened by Su Xiaoqi's impending departure from Northern Chu, his heart feeling torn.
He urged his subordinates to pack all his finest collected treasures for Su Xiaoqi to take back.
It was only when Su Xiaoqi mentioned that they would not be returning directly to the capital but would first visit the northern frontier, making it inconvenient to carry so many items, that he relented.
However, after spending so much time together, living a simple and happy life as a family of three, he had become accustomed to it. Facing the imminent separation, he was utterly unwilling to part.
It was as Su Xiaoqi was embracing Yu Jing to say goodbye that she suddenly felt her pulse and quietly shared some good news with them:
"Father, Mother, you are going to be parents again."
"What..." Yu Jing was stunned.
She quickly realized that her menstrual cycle seemed to have been delayed for a month.
However, she had been so engrossed in spending time with Su Xiaoqi that she hadn't paid attention to it.
Chu Yu, on the other hand, immediately embraced Yu Jing, wanting to lift her up. Yet, fearing he might exert too much pressure, he held her loosely, his eyes filled with adoration.
"Oh, my dearest daughter, is it risky for your mother to have a child at her age?" Chu Yu's first thought, amidst such joy, was this very question.
Su Xiaoqi thought he was truly a man to be envied for his goodness.
At the same time, she was happy for Yu Jing, feeling that such a man was well worth her journey to Northern Chu to live with him.
"Mother is only thirty-four or thirty-five years old this year; she's hardly old. In our time, many have a second child at this age.
While she might be considered an advanced maternal age, as long as she takes good care of herself, a smooth delivery is not a problem."
As she spoke, Su Xiaoqi took out a small booklet she had written based on pregnancy knowledge she had read online and her own professional expertise.
This booklet covered everything from the fortieth day of pregnancy to the fortieth week, and even up to forty months after the child's birth.
It included advice on prenatal care, postpartum confinement meals, and postpartum body recovery.
It also touched upon early education and developmental assessments for children from birth to around three years old.
It was incredibly comprehensive.
Initially, she had intended to keep it for her own use, as it had taken her and Shen Yun two months of collaboration to compile.
As before, she was responsible for the descriptive and textual content.
Shen Yun handled the illustrations.
Thus, it was a richly illustrated guide to pregnancy, childbirth, and child-rearing.
Yu Jing, after a brief flip through it, exclaimed it was an excellent book and felt it would be a shame to keep it to herself. She declared it should be printed and shared with all expectant and postpartum mothers.
Su Xiaoqi agreed, but had not yet had the chance to put it into practice.
Upon hearing Yu Jing's suggestion, she quickly gave instructions, and the next day, Yu Jing arrived with a cartload of printed books to present to Su Xiaoqi.
She also returned the original manuscript to Su Xiaoqi.
Yu Jing herself kept a printed copy.
"Take care!" Su Xiaoqi did not say goodbye, but simply wished her well.
She knew that in the years to come, she and Yu Jing would have plenty of opportunities to meet again.
"My precious daughter, you must be well; he is waiting to see his sister!"
"Don't worry, Mother. When my little brother or sister is born, I will definitely come for the celebration."
This was a promise.
By the time Yu Jing gave birth, Su Xiaoqi's child would be three months old.
She would be able to leave for a while.
Although she had reassured Chu Yu that Yu Jing's age was not an issue for childbirth, Su Xiaoqi harbored concerns about the medical standards of this era and decided to personally come and attend to her.
Before she had even departed, Yu Jing was already in tears.
Su Xiaoqi was about to call Chu Yu over to comfort his mother, but she discovered Chu Yu covering his face, crying even more heartbrokenly than Yu Jing.
"Uh... these two are indeed a married couple."
She felt a touch of melancholy, but fortunately, Shen Yun knew how to comfort people. He held her hand, and they embraced each other, as if drawing strength, seemingly revived on the spot.
Wiping away their tears, they personally escorted Su Xiaoqi to the carriage.
Yu Jing, seeing Su Xiaoqi pregnant, had been worried about the carriage's amenities.
However, upon inspecting it, she found it to be so soft that even if the carriage were in motion, one would barely feel any bumps.
She cast a look of approval at Shen Yun.
She thought to herself that he was indeed considerate, no less so than her as a mother.
"Protect my precious daughter well, or you know the consequences," Yu Jing threatened, her tone quite serious.
Shen Yun understood and responded good-naturedly.
Chu Yu remained silent, but in a more masculine gesture, he clapped Shen Yun firmly on the shoulder, saying, "Be well!"
Shen Yun quickly agreed.
In his heart, however, he thought that even without their admonishments, he would cherish and dote on his woman.
With a thousand instructions and ten thousand admonishments, the farewell ceremony lasted a full hour.
Finally, Su Xiaoqi and Shen Yun's carriage was ready to depart.
Following their carriage were ten ordinary carriages.
These were filled with gifts from Yu Jing and Chu Yu.
Furthermore, an army was dispatched to escort them.
This was due to the somewhat chaotic situation at the border between Northern Chu and Daliang.
The couple's carriage traveled at a very slow pace.
It took them a full five days to reach the northern frontier.
Shen Yun began to fulfill his duty – acting as Heaven's enforcer.
He brought Su Xiaoqi and the two carriages behind them to the Northern Frontier military camp.
Yu Changqing had received advance notice and specifically came to the camp entrance to welcome them.
This was his first time meeting his legendary cousin.
His first impression was that she was truly beautiful.
His second impression was that she indeed resembled his third aunt.
His third impression was gratitude.
The cotton-padded clothes and medicinal supplies from last winter had all been prepared and sent by this young cousin.
Due to these connections, despite it being their first meeting, they were already quite familiar with each other.
Moreover, Su Xiaoqi had not come empty-handed; she had brought two cartloads of trauma medicine, styptic powder, and anti-inflammatory drugs.
These medicines were the most urgently needed and practical items in a military camp.
The reason for bringing them was that Su Xiaoqi had heard from Shen Yun that soldiers in the camp often suffered minor injuries that went untreated.
Or, if treatment was delayed, it led to inflammation and infection, causing the wounds to rapidly worsen, leading to fever, and making recovery impossible, leaving them to face death silently.
Therefore, she had brought so many wound medicines.
These could perfectly resolve those issues.
After explaining the usage and dosage to Yu Changqing, the nearly two-meter-tall strong man's eyes turned red with emotion.
If Shen Yun had not held him tightly, he would have almost kowtowed to Su Xiaoqi in front of his soldiers.
"Good cousin, you are truly a living Bodhisattva."