Chapter 1303: [Beiyue] A gamble

Qin Min didnt think Han Yunxi would say such things and felt that her words had hidden meaning. But she continued to feign ignorance. Actually, she didnt want to pretend either! She couldnt wait to lie down on the bed and have a good sleep. Riding the carriage here the entire way tired out every bone in her body. Although she had laid down to sleep in the tent these few days, it still wasnt enough. She had no choice but to stay tense and keep alert, just like her days living in Yunning City. She was afraid that shed expose herself if she got too close to Esteemed Empress and the others.

Mu Linger wasnt a big deal, but the empress and Ning Jing were shrewd and had sharp eyes. She had already ruined Gu Beiyues plans with the pregnancy, so if any other troubles cropped up with their marriage, shed have no face to see him in the next lifetime. She still missed her days in Yunning. After being away for so long, she had no idea how little Shadow was doing. She wanted to bring him along, but gave up the idea after long and hard thought. She was so uncomfortable herself and itd be inconvenient to take along a child, so she couldnt make things difficult for little Shadow.

Am I alike? Qin Min asked back.

You look different, but your tempers are practically identical! Mu Linger declared. Big sis Min, tell us secretly: did Gu Beiyue set down house rules for you? Are you not allowed to do this or that at home, same thing when you go out?

Qin Min laughed. No. He yields to me in everything, its just

It was easy to trick Mu Linger, but the empress and Ning Jing wouldnt accept a perfunctory answer. She tried to thin kof ways to change the topic as she answered. In the end, she pretended to act shy and murmured, He wont allow me to eat as I please.

Youre not pregnant, why cant you eat as you please? Mu Linger asked.

Qin Min intoned, Im still nurturing my body. Hes keeping a strict watch in case I get careless again.

Only then did Mu Linger recall Qin Mins miscarriage and quickly changed her tune. Big sis Min, Gu Beiyue is strict because he cherishes you. See how my brother-in-law dotes on my sister! Thats why he keeps a close eye on her too!

Mu Linger had just been depressed that Gu Beiyue was talking too much and ruining her big sisters chances of eating roast meat (and maybe her future chances too). But she knew that Qin Min had lost her child because of a fall, so she was afraid the topic would make her unhappy and quickly changed to comforting her instead. Ning Jing listened quietly while Han Yunxi had a good idea of events and stayed silent.

Actually, theres no need to ban such foods, Qin Min said lightly. This allowed Mu Linger to successfully divert the topic.

Really? Mu Linger was thrilled.

Qin Min grew serious. After the third trimester, you dont have to be deliberate about eating, drinking, or daily life. Spicy and sour, fried and baked, arent absolutely prohibited as long as the food is fresh. Eating them occasionally is fine and commonly used to relieve cravings.

But Gu Beiyue, he Mu Linger couldnt believe it. After all, Gu Beiyue was the top authority in the medical field!

Qin Min only replied, You have to trust female doctors for womens affairs.

Mu Linger gave a start before laughing out loud. Makes sense, makes sense!

Han Yunxi clearly saw Qin Min changing the topic, but felt like she found a soulmate after hearing those words. Although she was no obstetrician, she knew that pregnancies werent so strictly prescriptive. She just couldnt convince Long Feiye or Gu Beiyue who was on his side. Teasingly she said, Qin Min, give Gu Beiyue some pillow talk tonight so he can intercede on my behalf in front of Long Feiye.

Qin Min smiled. Esteemed Empress, this subject will do her best.

Mu Linger pursed her lips and laughed soundlessly. She could almost see her future filled with delicious foods to eat. Ning Jing was about to speak when Qin Min quickly took initiative and said to Han Yunxi, Esteemed Empress, may this subject take your pulse?

Han Yunxi immediately offered up her wrist. She heard Gu Beiyue say that Qin Min was a medical generalist with a very professional level in all fields. Moreover, she had her own set of acupuncture techniques that could cure many diseases untreated by medicine or slow to heal. She wanted Qin Min to take her pulse anyways, just to see if she had any different observations from Gu Beiyue. Normally, Gu Beiyue checked her pulse every few days, but it was only a simple examination with some advice on what to be aware of. This time, Qin Min took her pulse for quite a while.

Han Yunxi was calm at first, but seeing Qin Mins cautious expression and prolonged silence made her uneasy.

My big sisdid something happen? Mu Linger couldnt help asking.

Qin Min remained silent before finally saying, Nothing major. As she spoke, she suddenly drew close to Han Yunxi and murmured something under her breath.

Han Yunxi couldnt believe it. Really? she asked.

Esteemed Empress, it can be confirmed within five to six days, Qin Min respectfully returned to her seat.

You Han Yunxi was surprised.

Qin Min only smiled and didnt explain. Ning Jing and Mu Linger were both lost, the latter quickly getting anxious. What kind of secrets are you sharing?!

Han Yunxi said, Im pregnantwith a girl?

Ah?! Mu Linger exclaimed.

Ning Jing was shocked as well. Qin Min, you can even tell the gender?

Qin Min still resembled a rich young lady from a well-established family as she sat primly in her seat. Even her two hands were placed properly as she laughed lightly, giving people a pleasant feeling. She wasnt an airhead or artificial, but smiling sweetly in a way that reminded them of the sun outside the tent: warm but not hot, bright but not harsh.

It was currently the fourth month and the spring was warm, with gentle breezes blowing through the beautiful scenery.

Qin Min smiled and said, Esteemed Empress, Madam Jing, Madam Ling, Qin Min dares to make a bet with you all.

Han Yunxi had never wanted to make a bet she wanted to lose so badly. Long Feiye dearly wanted a daughter! How could she not want the same?

Ill bet! Qin Min, if you win Han Yunxi thought for a long time but couldnt think of any terms. She asked, What do you want?

Qin Min was happy in her heart. She was 100 percent certain the empress had a girl, but only said so out loud to distract her and change topics. Still, the empresss words turned her serious. Esteemed Empress, this subject only begs for one thing. I hope that Esteemed Empress wont tell Beiyue.

Go ahead and speak, Han Yunxi even wanted to switch out Gu Beiyue for Qin Min to do her regular checkups.

Esteemed Empress, if this subject is correct, then I hope Esteemed Empress will allow Beiyue to recuperate. Hes a chronic invalid who cannot be overworked, Qin Min said seriously.

Last time she had taken Gu Beiyues pulse before he left Yunzhou. Actually, his body was quite frail. Although she had no idea what his condition was, she knew he needed rest most of all. She wasnt sure if he regularly soaked in medicinal baths after leaving Yunzhou, but his illness was serious and couldnt afford delays. Any more would only worsen the situation. He said it was treatable and not serious, so she naturally believed him. But she was afraid hed be too busy and put things off without cheris.h.i.+ng himself.

He was the Grand Tutor to the crown prince, teaching not just a child but Great Qins future monarch who would protect the nation and its people in the future; he was the head of the medical academy and Medical City, shouldering the burden of treating Great Qins people and all of its human lives; he was part of the emperors inner circle, secretly counseling a group of strategists and sharing the burdens of the emperor to do his best for the country.

Although she didnt know his real purpose for adopting Shadow yet, she knew he wanted a heir. This was more or less related to the Shadow Clan. He was also the Shadow Clans heir and its only descendent! He had endless things to do, so how could he ever take the initiative to ask for a break with his personality?

Ning Jing and Mu Linger both knew that Gu Beiyue was the busiest man besides Long Feiye, so they only thought Qin Min was complaining that Gu Beiyue didnt spend enough time with her. But Han Yunxi realized that Gu Beiyue needed time to rest, being a person who regularly took medicine.

Alright! Hna Yunxi agreed, privately thinking shed use an excuse to make Gu Beiyue take a vacation later. No matter whether Qin Min win or lost this bet, she had to do it

Han Yunxi and Long Feiye lived a few days in the gra.s.slands. Long Feiye and Gu Beiyue personally went to visit Wintercrow Country and came back to talk with Jin Zi for an entire day. Long Feiye was determined to claim Wintercrow Country and was just waiting for a chance. Han Yunxi might hold military power, but Long Feiye forbade her from thinking too much while she was pregnant. She didnt ask for many details, either, but started asking after Medicine City instead. Although Mu Linger was married, she still worried after supervising the medicines there. On the same day Han Yunxis group departed for Yunning, she let Jin Zi accompany Mu Linger back to the Mu Clan. Han Yunxi was planning to talk to Long Feiye about giving Gu Beiyue a vacation on the way back, but Gu Beiyue and Qin Min suddenly received a secret missive from Medical City the first day into their trip. Vice-Head Shen couldnt clean up the mess, so he invited Gu Beiyue to hurry back as soon as possible.

Your Majesty, Qin Min will accompany you two, Gu Beiyue said seriously.

No need, were going by public roads and can find a doctor along the way, Han Yunxi refused. Gu Beiyue wanted to leave Qin Min by her side to look after her, but she wasnt weak enough for a doctor to shadow her every step just because of a pregnancy. If news of this spread, shed be a laughingstock! Instead, it was Gu Beiyue who should have a woman looking after his needs since he was always busy.

Esteemed Empress Gu Beiyue began, but the quiet Qin Min suddenly interrupted.

She said, Beiyue, its time to finish the Qin Clans business. This might be a chance.

Exactly! Han Yunxi was just about to bring it up herself. Mu Linger had already returned to Medicine City and Great Qins treasury was full. Imperial prestige shone strongly everywhere, so it was time to break through Medical and Medicine City to monopolize the pharmaceutical world under imperial power.

It is about time, Long Feiye nodded.

Gu Beiyue looked at Qin Min and didnt say anything else. She met his pupils and quickly looked away, her calm heart suddenly turning anxious.

She regretted it!

It was already late night when their carriages reached a fork in the road. Long Feiye and Han Yunxi headed straight south while Gu Beiyue and Qin Min went southwest. As Long Feiyes carriage faded into the distance, Gu Beiyue looked back and said, Eldest Miss Qin, have these past few days tired you? Sleep without worries, Ill drive the carriage.

Qin Min had already lowered the curtains on the carriage, but couldnt bear his words and muttered, Academy Head Beiyue, I promise there wont be a next time.

Just then, she had talked too much.