In the end, Gu Xun never asked the question.

It was Mei Wanying’s private affair, and they... hardly knew each other.

It would have been presumptuous to ask.

An overstep of his bounds.

Mei Wanying had already left the Capital City, looking utterly heartbroken. Bringing up his cousin would only cause her needless pain.

That would be far too rude.

He glanced discreetly at Mei Wanying again. She still looked as serene as ever.

If he hadn’t seen her charming and lively side before, he would have assumed Mei Wanying was simply a cold and distant person by nature.

He felt a strange sense of disappointment.

’It seems only his cousin can stir her emotions.’

’My aunt intends to matchmake us on this trip back to Jiangnan. I wonder if Mei Wanying knows?’

Gu Xun composed himself and said, "Miss Mei, once you’re back in your hometown, you can come find me at the Government Office no matter what happens. The Mei family not only saved my cousin’s life but also helped raise him. My aunt gave me specific instructions to ensure you are not wronged in any way."

"My trip to the Capital City won’t take long. If you can’t find me, you can go to my residence and find the steward. He will do his best to help you."

"This was the Empress’s wish as well," Gu Xun added.

A flicker of emotion crossed Mei Wanying’s eyes.

She was filled with complicated emotions.

’If I hadn’t insisted on marrying Pei Yan, I wouldn’t have suffered so much.’

’At least the Empress never meant to target me.’

’With my status as the daughter of their benefactor, the Royal Family would have had to keep up appearances, even if they didn’t like me.’

’To do otherwise would be to alienate a loyal subject.’

’In my past life, I was too obstinate, too demanding, and that’s what led me down a path to ruin.’

’All I have to do is let go of Pei Yan, and a whole new world will open up for me.’

’I won’t have to let him toy with my emotions.’

’I won’t have to guess at his intentions or delude myself with wishful thinking.’

Mei Wanying thanked Gu Xun for his kind offer. "The scenery along the way has been lovely. I’ve enjoyed it very much. I don’t think I’ll be returning to the Capital City again. Please trouble Mr. Gu to send my regards to the Empress."

’Regardless of whether Mr. Gu is willing to marry me, I have no intention of joining the Gu Family. I don’t want any more entanglements with people like them.’

’As long as I don’t return to the Capital City, the Empress will have plenty of other matters to occupy her mind. I doubt she’ll waste any more effort on me.’

Mei Wanying subconsciously placed a hand on her stomach.

’This child can’t be kept. Otherwise... it’ll just be another problem.’

Gu Xun noticed the gesture and assumed Mei Wanying was unwell.

Looking at her, he saw that while her light makeup gave her a rosy complexion, her face was much thinner than he remembered.

Her arms and legs looked slender as well.

’To have lost so much weight, she must be truly unwell. Perhaps she’s even gravely ill. No wonder she settled down here before even reaching her hometown.’

Before Gu Xun could make sense of it, he saw Mei Wanying suddenly gag.

She quickly covered her mouth and nose with a handkerchief.

Her maid glanced at him warily before patting Mei Wanying on the back.

Gu Xun was startled.

’He didn’t know what illness could cause such a violent reaction.’

’A headache? A fever?’

’Or perhaps she’s just not acclimated to the region?’

’I’ve heard she has poor eyesight and has been undergoing treatment for years. Could it be that her old ailment was never fully cured and has now led to other complications?’

Gu Xun was no doctor, so he couldn’t tell what was wrong with Mei Wanying.

Once she seemed to have recovered a little, he asked worriedly, "Miss Mei, shall I call a doctor to take a look at you?" 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Mei Wanying shook her head.

She was terrified, her heart pounding with the fear that Gu Xun would see through her.

’But I can’t just flee in a panic. The more nervous I act, the more curious he’ll become.’

’Curiosity leads to investigation, and if I draw Gu Xun’s attention, the chances of my secret being exposed will be much higher.’

Mei Wanying composed herself and said with a placid expression, "I’ve been taking medicine lately, and it’s been upsetting my stomach. Please forgive my rudeness, Mr. Gu."

The corners of her eyes were moist and a little red. She must have been in a great deal of discomfort.

’And yet she still has to force a smile to entertain an uninvited guest like him.’

Gu Xun felt a pang of guilt.

He cursed himself for his poor timing, which had clearly caused Miss Mei distress.

Since Mei Wanying was unwell, Gu Xun knew it was best not to disturb her further, so he rose to take his leave.

"I’m in a hurry to return to the Capital City, so I won’t stay any longer."

He didn’t ask any more questions, seemingly accepting her explanation.

Mei Wanying breathed a sigh of relief.

’He’s nothing like Pei Yan, who was always so infuriatingly persistent.’

’And he’s not like the others who came before, who had to be driven away before they would leave.’

Gu Xun bore a slight resemblance to Pei Yan, but their personalities were worlds apart.

He was so proper and tactful, never making others feel uncomfortable. Mei Wanying’s impression of him improved yet again.

She rose to see him out. "Mr. Gu, please."

As she stood, she looked even more willowy, her waist as slender as a willow branch that might snap at the slightest touch.

Gu Xun’s gaze flickered, and his sharp brows drew together in a frown.

’This isn’t how she should be.’

’The old Mei Wanying was charmingly innocent and full of life, not someone who would make a person’s heart ache just looking at her.’

The thought surfaced so suddenly it startled him.

’Even though my aunt intends to matchmake us, the man in Miss Mei’s heart is my cousin.’

’And it’s not as if I haven’t seen what she’s like in his presence.’

’How could I... indulge in such wishful thinking?’

Gu Xun clasped his hands in a farewell gesture, taking the opportunity to let out a breath and ease the tightness in his chest.

"Please, Miss Mei, no need to see me out."

He nodded to Ding Xiang, then strode swiftly out of the front hall.

A young servant waiting outside to guide him saw that he was leaving and hurriedly led the way.

Mei Wanying didn’t even have a chance to offer her parting pleasantries.

"Miss, are you still feeling unwell?"

Mei Wanying shook her head. She drank a cup of warm water, and the nausea subsided.

Ding Xiang felt a little relieved.

Not wanting her mistress to remain on edge, she deliberately tried to distract her. "The rumors are true. Mr. Gu is certainly handsome and valiant, and he has such a refined air about him."

’A good temper is what makes a man likable.’

’Completely unlike that moody, temperamental cousin of his!’

But then she remembered the child in her mistress’s belly, and her spirits sank once more.

’Our miss is wonderful in every way, but she’s a woman, and the world judges women differently.’

’For a man, this would be nothing more than a romantic dalliance.’

’But for a woman, it is a life-ruining disaster.’

’Whether she keeps this child or not, it will affect the rest of her life.’

’If only she had met Mr. Gu first... how wonderful would that have been?’

’No, no, no... as long as she had never met Pei Yan or gotten involved with the Royal Family, wouldn’t she have been able to take her pick of all the Noble Children?’

’In that case, she might have found a man even better than Mr. Gu.’

’With her stunning beauty and illustrious family background, what kind of man would be out of her reach?’

’Pei Yan truly ruined everything for her!’

As a thousand thoughts raced through Ding Xiang’s mind, Mei Wanying noticed she was lost in thought and offered a rare bit of teasing. "When my mother returns, I’ll ask her and Nanny Liu to find a handsome young man for you..."

"Miss, you’re teasing me again!"

Ding Xiang stomped her foot, her face flushing with embarrassment.

But seeing the corners of her mistress’s mouth lift in a rare moment of amusement, Ding Xiang felt happy again.

’As long as it makes the miss happy, she can tease me all she wants!’

Taking advantage of Mei Wanying’s good mood, Ding Xiang made her favorite fish soup.

Fearing she would throw up, she also prepared some sour and spicy appetizers to help settle her stomach.

A pregnant woman’s emotions are naturally sensitive, and Mei Wanying’s situation was especially difficult. When another bout of morning sickness hit, her briefly relaxed mood tensed up again.

Tears welled up in Mei Wanying’s lovely eyes. She did not want this child, so she certainly did not want to endure this kind of suffering for it.

’When will I finally be able to be rid of it?’