The Slender Waist-Chapter 816 - 578: Dragon and Phoenix Among Men_3

But she could deceive others, not herself...

That suffocating, anxious emotion would always surge out from time to time, leaving her in unbearable pain.

Clearly, she loved him deeply, yet she couldn’t touch him.

Clearly, he was smiling, yet it felt as though she could never enter his heart. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Even if they were embracing, their hearts remained so far apart.

And this peculiar feeling—she alone in this world knew it.

Even if she told others, they couldn’t truly understand or empathize.

"Sister-in-law, you’ve lost so much weight..." Feng Yun rummaged through her memories of Puyang Yi, the carefree figure with a smile as radiant as flowers. That stark change filled her with great sorrow.

"If you’re unhappy about anything, speak it out. Don’t keep it bottled up inside."

"Nothing at all." Puyang Yi denied again, her gaze lowered, her face seemingly calm, but the tremble of her lashes revealed traces of unease.

Under Feng Yun’s sharp gaze, she finally managed a meek smile after a while.

"Perhaps it’s because I’ve been childless for many years since our marriage. My heart has turned bad."

Feng Yun was touched.

Though she had never cared about having children, she had faced countless criticisms and insults during her own years of infertility...

She understood this deeply.

Being scolded—that was never a pleasant feeling.

After Rui Bao was born, she had felt a clear difference...

Kindness from others had increased.

Most astonishingly, even those stubborn old officials on the Imperial Court, who had once been so rigid, now smiled kindly whenever they saw her...

These were all gifts her son had brought her.

The truth was right before her eyes; she couldn’t bring herself to dishonestly convince Puyang Yi not to care...

"Have you sought out a doctor?" Feng Yun asked.

Puyang Yi raised her eyes to look at her, revealing an embarrassed smile.

"We’ve tried. The imperial physicians were called, and folk doctors from the countryside were sought out as well. My mother’s become obsessed—every time she hears of a home remedy, she’ll do whatever it takes to obtain it for me to try. Sadly, it’s all been useless..."

She shook her head with a bitter smile.

"Especially in these past two years, we’ve spent so little time together. How am I supposed to have a child on my own?"

Feng Yun furrowed her brow lightly. "What about Elder Brother? Could there be any issues on his side?"

Puyang Yi froze for a moment.

Childbearing is the woman’s responsibility—this is an unspoken rule. Prolonged infertility is always seen as the woman’s fault; Puyang Yi had never considered the possibility that Wen Xingsu might have an issue, nor had she ever been conscious of such an idea.

"He... He’s strong and healthy. There shouldn’t be anything wrong, right?"

Feng Yun smiled faintly. "Normally, as a younger sister, I ought not interfere. But sister-in-law, having children is a matter for two people. Being unable to conceive isn’t solely your fault. If the opportunity arises, try persuading Elder Brother to see a doctor as well..."

Puyang Yi: "That’s... not appropriate, is it?"

For a man, it’s humiliating.

How could she possibly bring it up?

Once spoken, it would feel like she was shirking responsibility.

Besides, can a doctor truly detect issues in men?

Feng Yun wasn’t entirely sure about this either, nor did she want to believe Wen Xingsu could face fertility problems.

But as a fellow woman, she had to be just and speak up for women.

"There’s nothing wrong with it. Start by confiding in him, then find a trustworthy doctor, someone discreet, and keep it out of public view. That way, no one will have anything to say."

Before Puyang Yi could dwell on it further, Wen Xingsu returned, carrying Rui Bao.

The two exchanged a glance and tacitly fell silent.

Wen Xingsu bent down to place Rui Bao in the small bed, then lifted his gaze and smiled.

"Rui Bao takes after his mother in appearance."

Feng Yun, hearing this, also let a gentle smile bloom on her lips.

"Really? Everyone says he resembles his father; I refuse to believe it."

Puyang Yi turned slightly and studied the child closely, then chuckled. "In my eyes, he resembles both his father and his mother. His father’s striking handsomeness combined with his mother’s beauty—this Little Prince is destined to be extraordinary."

The Little Prince is, of course, destined to be someone extraordinary...

Wen Xingsu chuckled softly, his tone warm and low. "None but my lady could say it so well."

Puyang Yi looked up at him. "None but the General could exaggerate so much."

The couple laughed and chatted, their affection apparent with just a glance.

Feng Yun felt her anxious heart ease and settle, a comfort that curled into her brows and eyes.

At this moment, Rui Bao was awake, so everyone started coaxing him.

"Rui Bao, call Uncle, Aunt..."

The Little Prince curled his lips, unexpectedly breaking into a smile.

The newborn child, smiling with such pure innocence, was like the first rays of dawn breaking forth—clean and unclouded, seemingly sweeping away all shadows in one’s heart in an instant.

Wen Xingsu’s gaze brimmed with tenderness.

Puyang Yi watched him.

Watching him look at Rui Bao, her heart quietly ached.

If only she could bear a child for him, even a daughter—how wonderful that would be.

He would certainly show her a gaze even more tender and joyful than what he revealed now, wouldn’t he?