Chapter 328: Mr. Lu Is Afraid of His Wife
Chapter 328: Chapter 328: Mr. Lu Is Afraid of His Wife
「Half a month later.」
Lady Wei came to Qingyun Residence early in the morning to keep Zhi Wan company.
She had originally wanted to find a familiar physician to examine Zhi Wan, but after some thought, she decided against it.
This concerned Wan’er’s reputation; she couldn’t be careless.
"Nanny Fang, go wait in the front courtyard. As soon as the Princely Heir returns, have him come over immediately."
"Yes." Nanny Fang went off excitedly.
Lu Zhan was preoccupied with this matter himself, so after court, he didn’t even go to the Government Office. Instead, he made an excuse and returned directly to the mansion.
When Nanny Fang saw him return so early, she was so delighted her eyes narrowed into slits.
"Princely Heir, the Madam and the Heir’s wife are waiting for you in Qingyun Residence."
"I know," Lu Zhan replied, quickening his pace back to Qingyun Residence.
As soon as he entered the room, Lady Wei pulled him over to Zhi Wan’s side.
"Ah Zhan, quickly check Wan’er’s pulse."
In truth, there was no need for a diagnosis. Both Lu Zhan and Zhi Wan already knew in their hearts that she was indeed pregnant.
After all, Zhi Wan had been suffering from constant morning sickness lately, and her period hadn’t come.
Lu Zhan lifted the hem of his robes, sat down on a chair, then placed Zhi Wan’s hand on his knee and began to take her pulse.
To make it easier to diagnose his cousin, he had read many medical texts recently and had even consulted with an Imperial Physician from the Imperial Hospital about numerous issues related to gynecology.
As a result, his medical skills had improved significantly.
The moment her cousin’s fingertips touched her wrist, Zhi Wan held her breath.
Lady Wei was also incredibly nervous.
Although she blamed her son for his lack of self-control before the wedding, which resulted in Wan’er getting pregnant so early, deep down, her desire to hold a grandchild was exceptionally strong.
Seeing her son taking Wan’er’s pulse, she too subconsciously held her breath.
A moment later, Lu Zhan withdrew his hand and pulled Zhi Wan’s sleeve back down properly.
Seeing him acting so unhurried and not saying a word, Lady Wei grew frantic. "How is she? Say something!"
Zhi Wan’s eyes were also fixed intently on her cousin.
Watched by both mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, Lu Zhan paused, then slowly announced, "My cousin is indeed with child."
Lady Wei swayed, so happy she nearly fainted. "Nanny Fang, quick, pinch me! I’m afraid I’m dreaming."
How could Nanny Fang dare to pinch her? She chided gently, "Madam, you’re speaking nonsense. You’re not dreaming. It’s real. The Heir’s wife is with child. This old servant heard it too."
"I’m going to be a grandmother!" Lady Wei was overjoyed and thumped her son on the back. "You’ve finally done something that makes me happy."
Lu Zhan: "..."
’Half a month ago, I wonder who it was that took a rattan cane to me?’
"Wan’er, you’re going to be a mother!" After thumping her son, Lady Wei went to hug her daughter-in-law. "You are just wonderful."
Zhi Wan had been in a bit of a daze, but seeing her mother-in-law’s excitement, she didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
"No, I must tell your father this wonderful news, and your maternal grandfather too," Lady Wei said excitedly.
"Mother, please calm down for a moment. It’s not too late to announce it after my cousin’s pregnancy is stable," Lu Zhan stopped her.
Hearing her son’s words, Lady Wei finally calmed down.
’That’s right, the first three months are unstable. We can’t go announcing it everywhere. We have to be more discreet.’
"You’re right. We’ll just tell your father for now. No one else, for the time being."
"Mm."
From then on, Zhi Wan was placed under special "care."
The number of servants in the courtyard also increased significantly.
All of them were clever, trustworthy maids personally selected by Lady Wei.
In addition, she hired a cook specializing in meals for pregnant women at great expense, setting up a small, separate kitchen in Qingyun Residence just to prepare food for Zhi Wan.
Over the next three months, Zhi Wan grew visibly plumper.
When Princess Chang Le came to pick her up, she was a little stunned to see her. "I’ve only been away a few days, how did you get fat again?"
Zhi Wan said with some resignation, "If you ate all sorts of nourishing supplements for three meals a day without a break, you’d get fat too."
Princess Chang Le laughed. "Alright, don’t be ungrateful for your blessings. Your mother-in-law values you and the baby. She just wants to fatten you up so that childbirth won’t be so difficult."
Zhi Wan knew that, of course, so she had no intention of complaining.
She also wanted to make herself a bit stronger to endure less hardship when the time came.
Besides, her mother-in-law had said that it wouldn’t be good to keep taking supplements in the later stages of pregnancy.
Because taking them in the later stages would make the baby too big, which would make for a difficult birth.
Princess Chang Le personally stepped down from the carriage to help Zhi Wan up.
After Zhi Wan was settled in the carriage, Princess Chang Le stared at her face for a moment, then praised her, "But even though you’ve gotten plumper, no one can compare to your beauty." With that, she gave her face a flirtatious pat.
Zhi Wan shot her a playful glare and said deliberately, "Is that so? Not even Mr. Shen can compare?"
"Pah! I’m talking about you, why are you bringing him up?" Princess Chang Le said, annoyed.
"Why can’t I bring him up? Is he not a person?" Zhi Wan said with a grin.
"Don’t think I won’t deal with you just because you’re pregnant," Princess Chang Le said, deliberately putting on a stern face.
Zhi Wan quickly said, "Alright, I won’t mention him."
Princess Chang Le snorted and pinched her cheek. "Mr. Lu has certainly made you bolder. I bet the ever-so-imposing Mr. Lu has to grovel and submit to you when he’s back home, doesn’t he?"
Zhi Wan swatted her hand away in dissatisfaction. "My cousin dotes on me, that’s why he yields to my every whim. You make me sound like some kind of shrew. I’m not that fierce, am I?"
"When all is said and done, Mr. Lu is simply henpecked," Princess Chang Le roared with laughter. "I never thought I’d see the day Lu Zhan would be like this!"
Zhi Wan blinked, asking curiously, "Then does Your Highness hope that Mr. Shen will not be henpecked in the future, or that he will be?"
Princess Chang Le’s laughter came to an abrupt halt. "Why are you bringing him up again?"
"Why can’t I? He’s Your Highness’s beloved, destined to be your Prince Consort," Zhi Wan said, looking at her with a half-smile. "I heard from my cousin that Mr. Shen placed third in the recent autumn examinations. He’s sure to pass the spring examinations next year as well. I also heard that Your Highness promised Mr. Shen that on the day he passes the imperial examinations with flying colors, you will take him as your Prince Consort."
Princess Chang Le: "..."
The carriage traveled for a while before stopping outside the Pingxi Marquis Mansion.
Today was Ouyang Zhenzhu’s wedding day. The entire Ouyang Family estate was decorated with lanterns and colorful banners, creating an extraordinarily festive atmosphere.
Xi’er, who had been waiting at the gate since early morning, saw the two of them arrive and quickly led them inside.
"The Young Miss was just talking about you both."
With Princess Chang Le’s support, Zhi Wan made her way to Ouyang Zhenzhu’s chambers.
Ouyang Zhenzhu was already dressed in her wedding gown. Sitting quietly on the bed, she looked exceedingly demure.
But the moment she saw the two of them arrive, her true self was revealed.
"What took you so long? I thought you weren’t coming."
"How could we miss your big day?" Zhi Wan said with amusement, taking the prepared gift from Shuang’er’s hands and placing it beside Ouyang Zhenzhu.
Princess Chang Le also took her prepared gift from Yuanbao and gave it to Ouyang Zhenzhu.
"You should have just come, you didn’t have to bring gifts," Ouyang Zhenzhu said, but her hands were already unapologetically opening the boxes.
Seeing her act this way, Zhi Wan and Princess Chang Le were not surprised in the least.
This was the real Ouyang Zhenzhu.