Spring had come late this year, delaying the season by quite a bit. Once the snow melted, both towns plunged into the busy work of sowing and planting.
Duan Yan moved through the countryside, directing people to have the farmers weave straw mats from rice straw and thatch, lay them over the rapeseed and wheat fields, and scatter wood ash over the crops.
He also consulted the local old farmers about the weather, and had half-damp rice husks burned in the low-lying areas.
The fields were thick with smoke and heat. The farmers did not understand what it was for, but after the lessons of the past two years, they obediently followed whatever arrangements Duan Yan made. A few grumbled about it in private out of confusion, but no one dared step forward and refuse.
The effect of Duan Yan’s preparations soon became apparent. Qianzhou’s terrain was complicated, and the region had also been struck by snow disasters. Although the heavy snowfall had stopped, the weather had not returned to normal.
When the rain came in early April, it froze as soon as it fell, forming a layer of ice. The cycle of freezing and thawing was more than the tender seedlings could withstand.
Fortunately, Duan Yan had arranged for insulation in advance. After one bout of freezing rain passed, all the crops that had been protected managed to escape disaster. Meanwhile, the weeds growing along the roads and in the wilderness—which had always been hardy and stubborn in the fields—had not been protected at all. They could not withstand the freezing rain either, and large swathes of them withered and rotted.
The farmers were thoroughly shaken. They tended their hard-hit crops even more carefully and never again complained that the preparations were troublesome.
That day, after finishing up the farm work at Chishan, Duan Yan rode back to Yan Town. He made a tour of the villages in the countryside, then went especially to inspect the medicinal herb fields Young Master Song had entrusted to him. Afterward, he went to the training grounds specifically to look for Third Son Qian.
“Well, well. The sun must have risen in the west today. You actually thought to invite me out for a drink.”
Third Son Qian had been summoned from the training grounds by Duan Yan. He had assumed that this busy man had another strange assignment for him, but after walking out and turning a corner, he found that Duan Yan had taken him to a tavern for the first time in his life. Not only had he opened a jar of lamb wine, he had also ordered a platter of fine marinated meat.
Duan Yan poured the wine but did not drink much himself. He merely watched as Third Son Qian downed half a bowl in one go, then stuffed another huge chopstickful of meat into his mouth. He wolfed it down as though he had never seen wine or meat before.
To be fair, the past few months had indeed been busy. After the two towns were merged, there had been several enormous messes to sort out. Duan Yan had gone to Chishan to put things in order, so all the major and minor affairs at the Yan Town training grounds had naturally fallen on Third Son Qian’s shoulders. The training grounds had also taken in dozens of soldiers from Chishan. For the town to integrate, the soldiers from both training grounds had to be integrated as well, and that burden had not been a light one.
Yet when Duan Yan had inspected them some time ago, the soldiers had been training surprisingly well. At least in their movements, the two armies already looked almost as though they had come from the same family.
The results could not have been achieved without Third Son Qian’s painstaking efforts.
Thus, after watching Third Son Qian finish his bowl of wine, Duan Yan filled it for him again.
Receiving such unusually courteous treatment, Third Son Qian followed the hand pouring his wine all the way up to Duan Yan’s face. For no apparent reason, he suddenly felt a chill crawl up his back. He abruptly stuck a finger into his throat and gagged.
“You bastard, you didn’t drug this wine, did you?”
Duan Yan’s hand paused. He said disdainfully, “If I wanted to poison you, would I need to go through all the trouble of bringing out this jar of wine and wasting it on you? Young Doctor Song has every kind of colorless, odorless, deadly poison you could want.”
“Then what are you after? You only come back once every few days, and you didn’t even train the soldiers at the grounds. You came all this way just to invite me to drink? We can’t possibly be that close, can we?”
Seeing this, Duan Yan could not be bothered to beat around the bush. He said directly, “My husband is pregnant.”
Third Son Qian rolled his eyes so hard that nearly all of the whites disappeared. “Are you bored out of your skull? You came all this way just to show off that?”
Third Son Qian thought the man had truly lost his mind. Lord Duan’s father went around the village every day practically ringing gongs and setting off firecrackers to announce that the Duan family finally had an heir. Whenever he greeted anyone, he always said, “Good day! Oh, you know my daughter-in-law is pregnant, don’t you...?”
Within ten miles, who could possibly not know that Lord Duan was going to become a father?
Third Son Qian cupped his hands and offered his congratulations, then said, “You really are something. You came all the way back just to tell me. You act as though no one else has ever become a father!”
Duan Yan frowned. “Why are you so petty? Who came here to show off? Your mind is filthy, so you see filth in everything. If it weren’t for the fact that you’re a father yourself, who would have invited you to this drink?”
He continued, “Neither he nor I have a ge’er for a mother, and there isn’t a single ge’er elder in either of our families. His health was never very good to begin with. Now that he’s carrying a child, the strain is naturally even greater. He’s only a few months along, yet he’s already suffering from all kinds of discomfort.
“I don’t know anything about ge’er pregnancies, so I thought that since you and Ji He already have two children, perhaps I could ask you for some advice.”
Third Son Qian paused, then slapped his thigh. “You should have said so earlier!”
It was rare for Duan Yan to come to him with something he did not understand. Third Son Qian immediately became enthusiastic. He set down his bowl and stopped eating.
“Then you’ve come to the right person. When He-ge was carrying our first child, I practically never left his side. There’s hardly anything I don’t know.”
In truth, when the two had first married, Duan Yan had been half-dead and would occasionally stir up some sort of trouble just to let everyone know how much he still cared about Ji He. The Qian household had been kept constantly on edge, always expecting the worst.
Old Man Qian was getting on in years, and the experience had left him with a deeply ingrained habit of caution. Even after everyone’s relationships had eased and Duan Yan began visiting Third Son Qian regularly, Old Man Qian still had not managed to adjust from his former state of vigilance.
But while Third Son Qian might have been wary, he truly did care for Ji He. Once he started talking about pregnancy, the words poured out endlessly.
“Don’t assume that just because ge’ers are usually stronger than women and have sturdier bodies, carrying a child must be easier for them. When it comes to this, ge’ers suffer even more than women do.”
“Nausea and vomiting aside, there can also be bloating, aching in the waist and back, sleepless nights, and times when even breathing in and out feels difficult.”
Duan Yan’s brows drew tightly together. “Speak properly. Don’t exaggerate.”
“Who’s exaggerating? Look at you—you really are a complete outsider.”
Third Son Qian said, “You don’t know why those nasty old wives and old husbands in the village, when they ask matchmakers to arrange marriages, often insist that they don’t want a ge’er?”
Duan Yan asked, “Why?”
“Because they think ge’ers aren’t good for having children. They say pregnancy brings too many complications, that this hurts and that feels uncomfortable, and that it only gets in the way of work.”
Third Son Qian continued, “Those who don’t care much about having descendants are even happier to marry a ge’er. Ge’ers work more efficiently and are more useful. That’s how things are in poor, remote villages like ours. In wealthier places outside, people are less particular about it.
“But I’m telling you all this because I want you to understand that carrying a child is hard on a ge’er. Young Master Song comes from a distinguished family, and now that he’s expecting a child, you’ll have to take even better care of him. Bring him tea and water, soak his feet, massage his legs...”
Duan Yan’s brows remained tightly furrowed as he listened with utmost attention. Whenever Third Son Qian began speaking too quickly, he even made him repeat himself.
The two of them sat whispering together in the tavern for more than an hour. By then, Third Son Qian’s throat was nearly parched from talking, and when he saw that Duan Yan had no intention of leaving anytime soon, he seized the opportunity to fleece him. He ordered another jar of bamboo-leaf wine and two plates of sauced meat, eating until his belly was round and full.
It was not until the sun had set and the wind was making the tavern’s bamboo blinds flap loudly that Duan Yan finally brought himself to stop, realizing that it was truly getting late and he still had to return to Chishan.
When they parted, that damned Third Son Qian even insisted on taking food with him. He ordered another jar of clear wine and carried it away.
Duan Yan paid the bill with his back teeth clenched. Still, he had learned quite a bit today, so in the end he did not quarrel with the little bastard over it.
It was early summer, when the days were not yet especially long. Duan Yan was preoccupied all the way home. By the time he urged his horse back to Chishan at a fast pace, night had already fallen completely.
He handed the horse over to the gatekeeper and hurried into the residence.
“I thought you weren’t coming back to Chishan today, but you didn’t tell Sui Sui either. He’s asked about you several times.”
Duan Yan happened to run into Mu Linghui, who was heading toward the back kitchen.
“There was something at the estate that delayed me. I got back late. Has Sui Sui eaten supper?”
Mu Linghui replied, “He has, but he didn’t seem to have much of an appetite. He said the weather has warmed up and he finds it too hot.”
Duan Yan acknowledged this and quickly said, “I’ll go see him.”
At that moment, Young Master Song had taken off his outer clothes and was lounging half-reclined on the couch, wearing only a set of spring sleepwear as he flipped through a book.
His long brows were unconsciously drawn together. After a short while, he turned one page, then another, then a third, his movements growing increasingly impatient. At last, he snapped the book shut with a loud bang and set it aside.
The considerable noise startled An Ge'er, who was tidying the table nearby. He instinctively looked back. Only then did Song Fengsui belatedly realize how loud he had been.
His brows drew even tighter.
What was wrong with him lately?
To ease the awkwardness of his unusual behavior, he took the opportunity to ask An Ge'er, “Has Lord Duan still not returned?”
“He’s back.”
An Ge'er had not yet answered when a familiar voice sounded first. Song Fengsui lifted his eyes and finally saw the person he had asked after several times.
He was just about to smile when his nose twitched lightly. His expression immediately turned displeased.
“It’s already dark. You rode all the way here without worrying that a wolf might carry you off. Since you were going to make such a late fuss of things anyway, why come back at all?”
Duan Yan naturally heard the irritation in his voice. He went over, took out a thin blanket, unfolded it, and draped it over him. The moment it landed over Song Fengsui, it was thrown off.
“I don’t want it. I’m dying of heat.”
“Then just let it rest over you. Shall I fan you?”
Duan Yan retrieved a palm-leaf fan that had been stored away for years and gently fanned him.
“No.”
Song Fengsui covered his nose. “It smells moldy.”
Duan Yan leaned toward the palm-leaf fan and sniffed it. Other than the natural scent of palm leaves, he could not smell anything else.
He wrinkled his nose, but still said, “It’s probably because the damp cold of winter lingered too long. Leaves and wood can develop a musty smell when they’ve been stored in moisture. Last summer, I saw Mother often use a silk-covered fan. Shall I ask for it and fan you with that instead?”
Song Fengsui remained silent. Duan Yan beckoned to An Ge'er and indicated that he should find Mu Linghui and ask her to bring the fan over.
After An Ge'er left the room, Duan Yan crouched down in front of Song Fengsui.
“I went around the estate today. The farmers all stopped me to talk, saying that since I’m always staying here at Chishan, I should also visit the villages around Yan Town more often. I can’t play favorites.
“After I returned to town, I spoke with Third Son Qian for a while. Going back and forth took some time, so I was delayed. Next time, I’ll certainly return before dark.”
Song Fengsui lowered his eyes to the person kneeling before him and muttered, “You say you shouldn’t play favorites, but is it only something you pay lip service to? Did you fail to show your gratitude by sending some young wives and ger to the estate to serve you?”
Duan Yan laughed. “What are you talking about? There isn’t even such a precedent in my household. And if Father and Mother found out, they would be the first to forbid it.”
Song Fengsui kept a small, stern face and remained silent for a moment. In the end, he did not continue harping on that old, stale matter. Instead, he let slip the true reason for his anger.
“You reek of alcohol. Stay away from me. The smell is unbearable.”
Duan Yan’s brows twitched. He quickly nodded and sniffed himself. He had only drunk half a bowl while drinking with Third Son Qian that day, and had not noticed the smell of alcohol at the time. Then he had ridden back through the roaring wind, which should have blown the scent away long ago.
However, with his nose pressed close to his clothes, he could indeed detect a faint trace of alcohol.
Watching Duan Yan sniffing himself over and over, Young Master Song emphasized angrily, “I could smell it the moment you came over.”
Duan Yan suddenly wondered whether the moldy smell Song Fengsui had complained about in the fan might really have been there, rather than him simply making a fuss. Perhaps after becoming pregnant, Song Fengsui’s sense of smell had grown far more sensitive, causing every scent to seem much stronger to him.
Third Son Qian had not mentioned this to him today.
Even so, Duan Yan first hurried to explain, “I only drank while talking with Third Son Qian. I had half a bowl at most; he drank most of it. Perhaps because we were together for so long, the smell seeped into my clothes. I’ll take a proper bath in a while. I promise I won’t make you or the baby smell it.”
Song Fengsui said sourly, “The two of you can actually sit around drinking and chatting happily together now.”
Duan Yan fell silent for a moment. He had not intended to say more, but he was afraid those words might make Song Fengsui overthink things, so he patiently explained, “We weren’t fooling around. I was thinking that he and Ji He already have two children, so I asked him how to care for a ger during pregnancy.”
At that, Song Fengsui was slightly stunned. His heart had already begun to soften, but he still said, “Have you already decided I’m too difficult to care for?”
Duan Yan sat down beside him on the couch and gently touched his thinly clothed arm. He had expected it to feel cool, but it was surprisingly warm. His body temperature had indeed risen, no wonder someone who usually never minded the heat was complaining about it now.
His heart ached. He pulled Song Fengsui into his arms.
“I’m worried about you. Before this, I only saw how badly your morning sickness was affecting you—you could barely eat anything, yet you kept vomiting and never seemed settled. It was only after asking Third Son Qian today that I learned morning sickness is merely the mildest part. There are all sorts of other troubles to come.”
When they had first learned they were expecting a child, the news had felt like a blessing from heaven, and the two of them had rejoiced for a long time.
But once that joy had gradually settled, the various reactions accompanying pregnancy followed one after another. Duan Yan’s delight slowly transformed into worry.
Watching Song Fengsui feel unwell day after day left him unable to settle. There was nothing he could do but stand by helplessly, and so he had thought it over and made a special trip to find Third Son Qian, hoping to learn whether someone with experience knew of any way to ease Song Fengsui’s suffering and share some of the burden.
Held in Duan Yan’s arms, Song Fengsui did not push him away this time. He leaned against him, his nose growing sore. These emotions were clearly beyond his control, and in the space of a moment, the corners of his eyes reddened.
Although he had once been pampered and honored, and his health had been somewhat frail, he was not, at heart, a delicate person. If he had been, how could he have survived that period of exile?
Yet after becoming pregnant, he was increasingly aware that his senses and emotions were being magnified without limit.
A pregnant person’s body temperature being high was nothing out of the ordinary. But whenever the heat rose, so did the irritation in his heart. Once he became restless, he could not settle down to do anything, and his temper would grow accordingly.
The smallest matters became, for no apparent reason, major causes for anger once they came before him.
Take today, for instance. Duan Yan had gone out. He had told Song Fengsui that morning, while they were eating, that he was going to Yan Town, and Song Fengsui himself had told him to take a good look at the medicinal fields. He knew perfectly well that traveling back and forth between the two places would take quite some time, and that it was normal for Duan Yan to return late.
When dusk fell and the sky darkened, and Duan Yan still had not come back after several inquiries, Song Fengsui’s first reaction was concern. But when Duan Yan finally appeared, with the faint smell of alcohol clinging to him, Song Fengsui immediately lost his temper. Even by the time he realized that it was only a trivial matter and that he ought to calm down, the argument had already begun.
He could endure the physical discomfort, but the emotions he could no longer control were what truly drove him to the verge of collapse.
It would have been one thing if he were only tormenting himself, but he was tormenting Duan Yan as well. He knew that Duan Yan already had countless matters to deal with each day. After working himself ragged all day, what ordinary person could stand coming home to Song Fengsui’s strange temper?
He did not want to be like this!
Buried in Duan Yan’s arms, Song Fengsui felt utterly muddled and helpless over everything he had just done. Before he knew it, his voice had taken on a sobbing edge.
“I didn’t mean to lose my temper at you, but I can’t control my emotions.”
He drew in shaky breaths, already feeling somewhat helpless, and could not help asking Duan Yan, “What should I do?”
Seeing him like this, Duan Yan’s heart was already clenched tight, aching unbearably.
He gently stroked Song Fengsui’s back. “Silly, why are you forcing yourself to control your emotions and making yourself suffer so much? It’s no great matter if you lose your temper or get angry at me. It doesn’t matter.
“No one can truly understand the physical discomfort and emotional torment you’re going through. If you didn’t let it out, I wouldn’t know what you needed. Since you’ve vented, doesn’t that mean I know how to help you now?”
Song Fengsui emerged from Duan Yan’s embrace and looked at him with a pair of reddened eyes.
“Being pregnant is already hard enough. If I have to control my emotions on top of that, wouldn’t that be too harsh on myself?”
Duan Yan brushed away the tear that had slipped down Song Fengsui’s cheek and coaxed him gently. “It’s all right. Don’t be afraid. I’m here.”
Song Fengsui frowned, his eyes clouded with tears.
Duan Yan said, “I know you’re uncomfortable now, and that you still have some difficult days ahead. But no matter what happens, I’ll stay by your side. All right?”
Song Fengsui drew in a small breath, then exhaled the oppressive frustration that had been knotting itself around his heart. Looking into Duan Yan’s solemn eyes, he inexplicably felt as though he had finally found something to hold on to. Thus, he nodded just as solemnly.
“If you don’t get angry with me, then I won’t feel so bad.”
Duan Yan comfortingly kissed his cheek. “No matter what happens, I promise I won’t get angry.”
An Ge’er returned with a fan. Duan Yan held Young Master Song on the daybed and fanned him gently for a while. He had intended to coax him into eating a little more, but when he called for him again shortly afterward, he found that Song Fengsui had already fallen asleep in his arms.
Only his thick, long lashes remained slightly damp, trembling faintly from time to time.
Even if Third Son Qian had never told him that pregnant people tended to be sleepy, Duan Yan already knew it. Yet in the earlier months, he had not seen this trait in Young Master Song. Thinking back, Song Fengsui had probably been sleeping so little because he was physically unwell and constantly forcing down his ever-changing emotions, keeping his heart tense at all times.
The more Duan Yan thought about it, the worse he felt.
He carefully carried Song Fengsui to the bed and laid him down, then gently stroked the not-yet-obvious swell of his belly.
“Be good. Don’t torment Papa too much.”
Clearly, Duan Yan’s warning had no effect.
After their conversation that night, Song Fengsui’s worries had indeed become less burdensome, and his mood had improved considerably. However, the various physical discomforts only grew worse.
His morning sickness became so severe that, apart from anything oily or greasy, he could no longer tolerate anything with a strong smell. As a physician, he naturally had an especially sensitive nose, which was an advantage in his medical practice. In this situation, however, it became a form of suffering.
Duan Yan thoroughly cleaned every corner of the house. They used neither incense nor medicinal fragrances, striving only for an atmosphere that was fresh and clean.
From then on, he personally selected the freshest ingredients and prepared every meal himself.
When Song Fengsui was five months along, summer arrived. The dry heat showed no sign of easing. Song Fengsui suffered from leg cramps at night that sometimes jolted him awake, and at times his body swelled so badly that, when it became severe, he could not even get out of bed.
Duan Yan specially brought people into the mountains and had a cool shelter built beside a stream so they could escape the heat. Every day, he stretched and massaged Song Fengsui’s legs, controlled the amount of salt in his diet, and carefully supported him as he walked and moved about to keep his body limber.
In short, the little one was very good at making trouble, but Song Fengsui was patient enough, and Duan Yan was patient enough too.
