Chapter 1177: A special visi (2/2)

“It doesn’t count if you don’t gift it in person,” Long Feiye said before taking out a red brocade box and handing it to Han Yunxi. It resembled a mini jewelry chest and was extremely cute. Han Yunxi glanced at her fat red packet purse, then at this embroidered chest, and suddenly felt like she was being spoiled. Long Feiye simply picked up Gu Qishao’s purse, studied it briefly, and tossed it to the edge of the table.

Han Yunxi didn’t know whether to laugh or cy. She took it back and shot him a glare, but Long Feiye didn’t react. Gu Beiyue watched it all without a word. He knew that with His Highness’s act, Han Yunxi would feel even less doubts.

After the meal was a fireworks show that illuminated the night skies. Han Yunxi’s group watched from a distance in front of Rear Camp before she noticed Fourth Young Miss Ren standing by a nearby tent. She was looking at them--or more accurately, at Gu Beiyue.

Han Yunxi made an excuse that she was tired and had Long Feiye accompany her back to their rooms, leaving Gu Beiyue alone. He prepared to depart, knowing that His Highness would find him after the princess went to bed. But he’d hardly reached the tent that Chu Xifeng prepared for him when Fourth Young Miss Ren caught up to his doorstep.

“Academy Head Beiyue, please wait!” Fourth Young Miss Ren was both excited and nervous. Zhao mama and the rest had already started gambling with their money when she came out for a breath of fresh air. To see the man she thought about day and night in the flesh was a surprise. If His Highness hadn’t been around, she would have ran over ages ago. Her heart was filled with feelings at the sight of the warm as jade, smiling gentleman, but she didn’t know what to say. No matter who it was, Gu Beiyue always treated them well.

Despite his sorrow and worries about Qishao, he could still smile and wait patiently while hiding his true feelings deep down inside.

After a while, Fourth Young Miss Ren said, “Academy Head Beiyue, Happy New Spring.”[3]

Gu Beiyue nodded before taking out a red packet and handing it over with both hands. “Happy New Spring.”[4]

Fourth Young Miss Ren immediately felt awkward. She hadn’t come here to ask for a red packet! But she didn’t know what else she was doing, besides to catch another a glimpse of him. Gu Beiyue had already left all matters related to Medical City in Vice Academy Head Shen’s hands. The princess was in good health as well, so there was nothing but business between him and her.

She could only accept the red packet. “Thank you, Academy Head.”

Gu Beiyue smiled before turning to enter his quarters and shut the door. Fourth Young Miss Ren was left hanging at the entrance, staring at the bundle in her hands. Her gaze darted to the closed door as she suddenly felt an urge to cry.

So this is what they mean when they say it’s better not to meet someone at all?

The husband holds no sentiments

The concubine yet still pines;

Thinking of each other brings lovesickness today

Living ‘til tomorrow only to part separate ways.[5]

Fourth Young Miss Ren stood in front of Gu Beiyue’s door for a long time, afraid to knock on his door. In the end, she left in dejected spirits. Naturally, Gu Beiyue was fully aware of her movements and long guessed her feelings. He didn’t take it to heart.

He had already opened up the little booklet he kept on hand all the time. The contents were filled with names of various medicines and all the results from his different experiments. Although he allowed Gu Qishao to be stubborn and waste time on a trip here, he himself didn’t plan on squandering any more time.

If he guessed right, His Highness wouldn’t be dropping by until the middle of the night.

--

Han Yunxi was already sprawling lazily on the bed. She always wanted to sleep after meals during her late pregnancy days. There were plenty of warm heaters in the large tent and she was wearing thin, loose robes while lying down on her side on a tall pillow. Long Feiye was by her side as they chatted.

“Did you know Gu Beiyue’s going to marry the eldest young Miss of Medical City’s Qin Clan?” Han Yunxi asked.

“When did that happen?” Long Feiye replied. How could Gu Beiyue have any time to bother with romance and wives now?”

Han Yunxi told him what she learned from Fourth Young Miss Ren before Long Feiye realized Gu Beiyue had only sent someone over with a marriage proposal. He smiled and said, “Marriage is his private affair. If we can drink his wedding wine soon, we naturally have to be happy for his sake.”

Han Yunxi only felt helpless. She only recalled this matter because she saw Fourth Young Miss Ren. It wasn’t like she took it any seriously. She knew very well that Long Feiye disliked gossiping.

The two chatted some more before Han Yunxi clutched Long Feiye’s hand and tensed, unmoving.

“What is it?” Long Feiye grew alarmed.

“Shh...quick, look!” Han Yunxi pointed nervously at her stomach.

1. Remember that they’re using the lunar calendar here, so the “30th” would be basically New Year’s Eve for us.

2. Pregnant women in ancient China typically went into confinement in the 42 days before their expected delivery date. Basically, they stay at home all day and avoid meeting with outsiders to ensure a clean, warm environment for their baby.

3. Just think of this as an alternative to Happy New Year, since the Chinese Lunar New Year occurs closer to the end of winter/start of spring.

4. More subtle here, but it’s always polite to gift things with two hands as two represents harmony and luck, among other things, during the new year.

5. These are poetic phrases, although they don’t come from any specific poem.