Chapter Ninety-Five: The Baby Moved

After returning from Wuyou Valley, Zhan Yan began studying the medical techniques that Master Meng had given her. She spent three days carefully reading through ten books and then visited Master Meng’s courtyard daily to listen to his explanations. Zhan Yan had a remarkable memory; reading the medical texts once was enough for her to grasp the essentials. With Master Meng’s guidance, she gained a comprehensive understanding of the healing arts.

Unconsciously, a month had passed since Wang Hanwen and Ma Minggui's brains were devoured by the poisonous gu insects. Together, Master Meng and Zhan Yan retrieved the gu insects that had been dormant for a month. Inside the bottle, the insects had shrunk considerably and moved feebly. Their tiny mouths, barely visible, opened and snapped aimlessly, but they found nothing to consume.

Zhan Yan ordered pig brains to be brought in, placing them on a plate before introducing the gu insects. The two insects, seeing something resembling human brains, immediately lunged at the pig brains. However, after only a few bites, they stopped. Clearly, pig brains were not their preferred food.

Helpless, Zhan Yan then had cow brains fetched. But the gu insects showed no more interest than they did with the pig brains. They remained limp, occasionally stirring weakly—starving and feeble.

Zhan Yan grew anxious. If these two gu insects didn’t eat soon, they would perish. Without them, how could they develop an antidote?

She turned to Master Meng and asked, “Master Meng, is there any way to keep them alive temporarily? If these insects die, it will be even harder for us to create an antidote.”

Master Meng lowered his head in thought for a moment, then shook it. “At present, there’s no way. We can’t develop the antidote ourselves. We have no choice but to find the poison’s creator.”

“The poison’s creator?” Zhan Yan frowned. So far, they had learned that Yang Qi might be the mastermind behind this. The one administering the poison was Mo Qing, leader of the Thousand Poisons Sect. But who was the actual poison maker? If they arrested Yang Qi without evidence, especially since he was the second prince of the Western Yuan, it could jeopardize diplomatic relations between the two countries. The war had just ceased, and though Dongling was not afraid of Western Yuan, the people lived in peace now and did not want another conflict stirred up.

For now, they could only wait for the perpetrators to show their true colors. But could the poisoned victims wait? Those controlled by the poison would obey the Thousand Poisons Sect’s commands without question, even if it meant committing heinous acts, all for the sake of survival.

Master Meng saw that Zhan Yan was silent for a long time and knew the matter was indeed troublesome. Yet, he was powerless. His life had been devoted to healing and saving lives. Though he had studied poisons, he was not an expert. This gu poison was beyond his knowledge, and he did not know how to proceed.

Just then, Qing Yun entered. “Miss, would you like some chicken soup today? Or perhaps a different flavor?” Recently, Zhan Yan had been drinking various tonic soups, but she was growing tired of them and insisted on something simpler. Qing Yun had noticed she drank the plain chicken soup happily yesterday and came to ask her preference.

“Chicken soup? That’s fine. Just like yesterday—no extra ingredients, just a simple clear stew,” Zhan Yan nodded. Free-range chicken was delicious on its own; too many herbs masked its natural flavor.

“Understood, Miss. I’ll instruct the kitchen right away.”

Suddenly, Zhan Yan called out to Qing Yun, “Please have them scoop out the chicken brains and bring them to me.” They had already tried pig and cow brains without success, so why not try chicken brains since they were readily available?

Qing Yun was puzzled—why would Miss want chicken brains? But she obeyed and soon returned with small portions of chicken brains, carefully extracted from freshly killed chickens.

Zhan Yan placed the chicken brains on a plate. Unexpectedly, the two gu insects seemed to have found a treasure. Their previous lethargy vanished as they crawled eagerly to the chicken brains and began feeding. Their manner resembled how they had fed on human brains—perhaps even more voraciously.

Zhan Yan was astonished. So these gu insects preferred chicken brains. Could it be that the poison’s maker had been feeding them chicken brains all along?

Master Meng watched in amazement as well. The poison’s creator was cunning indeed. Chicken brains were but small and quite different from human brains. If not for this chance insight from Zhan Yan, who would have guessed the gu insects were nourished this way?

Qing Yun was dumbfounded too. She realized why Miss had asked for chicken brains—Miss was truly clever to think of this.

The two gu insects devoured the chicken brains completely, then stretched their soft bodies contentedly before lying down again, limp but seemingly satisfied.

“Yan, you’ve hit the mark by accident,” Master Meng sighed. “These two insects are fed with chicken brains.”

Zhan Yan sighed deeply. Had Qing Yun not asked about the soup, she would never have thought to try chicken brains. Usually, brains like pig’s were common; who would expect the poison’s maker to use such tiny chicken brains?

“Master Meng, we have no test subjects. We don’t know if chicken brains can truly suppress the gu poison. It would be ideal to find someone to test it,” Zhan Yan said helplessly. “Although we know the gu insects feed on chicken brains, how to turn that into an antidote remains a mystery. People digest food differently; just because the insects eat chicken brains doesn’t mean eating them will prevent the poison. Developing the antidote will still take time.”

Master Meng agreed gravely, “You’re right. This is a matter of life and death. It will be difficult to find someone to experiment on. If the test fails, it could cost lives.”

Zhan Yan sighed, “Master Meng, it seems we must rely on you to research thoroughly. Things have come this far—if you can develop the antidote, that’s best. If not, we have no choice. My husband has already sent people to find the poison’s maker. If necessary, we will coerce him to hand over the formula.”

Master Meng nodded. “That is all we can do.”

By the time they finished their research, evening was near. When Zhan Yan returned to the Pear Fragrance Courtyard, Zhongli Yu arrived home. No matter how busy he was, he always came back to dine with Zhan Yan. Now was dinner time, so he hurried back.

“Husband, the gu insects have awakened today,” Zhan Yan eagerly said upon seeing him.

Zhongli Yu raised an eyebrow. “Yan’er, any progress on the antidote?”

Zhan Yan shook her head, then nodded. “It’s complicated. We have no definite progress on the antidote, but we found what the gu insects eat.”

“Gu insects’ food? What is it?”

“Husband, you wouldn’t guess. They eat chicken brains.”

Zhongli Yu was surprised. “Chicken brains? How did you think to feed them that?”

Zhan Yan explained the story briefly.

After understanding, Zhongli Yu said, “Master Meng is so skilled. Now that we know the bait, I believe the antidote will be developed soon.”

“Yes, I trust Master Meng too,” Zhan Yan nodded.

“Alright, let’s eat.”

“Mm.”

Shortly after, their meal was served. Halfway through, Feng Lin arrived.

“Master, Madam,” Feng Lin greeted respectfully.

“What’s the matter?” Zhongli Yu asked calmly. Feng Lin wouldn’t disturb him during dinner unless something serious had occurred.

“Master, we found the gu poison’s maker. However, he’s highly skilled in martial arts. None of us could capture him,” Feng Lin admitted regretfully.

Zhongli Yu and Zhan Yan were shocked. Feng Lin’s martial prowess was second only to Zhongli Yu himself in the Leisure Pavilion. If Feng Lin couldn't subdue this man, it spoke volumes about how formidable he was.

“Where is he?” Zhongli Yu asked sternly.

“In Western Yuan, in a secluded valley about a hundred miles from the imperial palace,” Feng Lin answered respectfully.

Zhongli Yu noticed something amiss in Feng Lin’s voice. “Are you injured?”

“Yes,” Feng Lin said softly. Fortunately, his exceptional agility allowed him to escape quickly; otherwise, his life would have been at risk.

“Tell me the exact location. I will go myself.”

“Yes, Master,” Feng Lin responded and carefully described the valley. Zhongli Yu then ordered him to rest and recover.

“Yan’er, it seems I must go personally,” Zhongli Yu said quietly to Zhan Yan.

Zhan Yan hesitated. “Husband, can you go alone? Should I accompany you?”

“No, you’re pregnant. I can’t let you risk danger,” Zhongli Yu firmly declined.

“But I worry about you,” Zhan Yan confessed.

“Do you not trust me?” he asked.

“It’s not that. If you go, bring more men. If necessary, I can send Grandpa Wuli with you.”

“No, I need Grandpa Wuli here to guard the house while I’m away,” Zhongli Yu said firmly.

Zhan Yan knew she couldn’t argue and nodded. “Alright, be careful.” She knew her husband’s strength—he would survive.

That night, Zhongli Yu set out with Li Hun and others. Before leaving, he told Gu Yan to stay home and protect Zhan Yan. Gu Yan had planned to go to Western Yuan to attend Gu Qinghan’s wedding, but it was still some days away, so he stayed.

After Zhongli Yu left, the house felt suddenly empty. This was their second separation since marriage, and Zhan Yan still found it hard to adjust. She couldn’t sleep all night.

Zhongli Yu was going to Western Yuan and wouldn’t return for at least three or five days. The thought of not seeing him for days drained her strength. Unable to sleep, she sat up and spoke to her baby in her womb.

Whether the baby was annoyed by her chatter or simply stretching after waking, it suddenly kicked her lightly. Though faint, she felt it.

Zhan Yan stared in shock at her belly. The baby was moving! Counting carefully, the baby had been in her womb for over four months. It was normal for the baby to start moving now.

Excited, she touched her abdomen and said, “Baby, are you responding to mommy? You know mommy’s lonely, right?” The baby seemed to reply with another gentle kick.

Zhan Yan laughed joyfully. Qing Yun, who was keeping watch outside, heard the laughter and found it strange. Why was Miss still awake so late?

“Miss, what’s wrong? May I come in?” Qing Yun asked, noticing Miss was awake and laughing alone late at night, which was quite odd.

“Yes, come in,” Zhan Yan replied, still smiling.

Qing Yun observed her for a moment. Indeed, Zhan Yan was laughing. Puzzled, she asked, “Miss, why are you awake so late, laughing by yourself in your room?”

Amused by Qing Yun’s confusion, Zhan Yan explained, “I couldn’t sleep tonight, so I talked to the baby. And the baby actually kicked me. Qing Yun, the baby moves now—I’m so excited!”

Qing Yun was amazed. “Really? The baby moves already?” Being unmarried and inexperienced with pregnancy, Qing Yun found this fascinating.

“Of course,” Zhan Yan said. “If you don’t believe me, come touch.”

Qing Yun approached carefully and placed her hand on Zhan Yan’s belly. After a while, there was no movement.

Qing Yun looked at her doubtfully. “Are you sure? I don’t feel anything.”

“Wait a moment,” Zhan Yan said, placing her hand on her belly too. “Baby, Aunt Qing Yun is greeting you. Can you respond?”

The room fell silent. Both held their breath, waiting. After a short while, the baby kicked Zhan Yan again.

Normally reserved Qing Yun became as excited as a child. “Miss, it’s true! The baby really moves!”

Zhan Yan raised her brow proudly. “See? I wasn’t lying.”

Qing Yun nodded eagerly, her eyes still fixed on Zhan Yan’s belly, which had grown rounder. Her once slender waist was now plump.

Considering it was only four months, Qing Yun wondered how large Miss’s belly would become in a few months.

“Miss, your belly is so round now. Do you feel uncomfortable? Is your body heavy?”

Zhan Yan looked at her figure, noting the difference from before pregnancy. But she knew every woman went through this and felt nothing amiss.

She gently stroked her belly. “Not heavy yet. Maybe in three or four months, it will feel heavier. By then, my belly will be at least twice as big.”

Qing Yun’s eyes widened in shock. “Twice as big? How huge will that be? Will Miss even be able to see the road? That’s terrifying!”

Qing Yun was an orphan, abandoned by her parents as a baby, later adopted by a poor childless family. When they could no longer afford her, they sold her. Zhan Yan had bought her because she was clever and obedient. She had served Zhan Yan for ten years, from age ten to twenty, having never seen a woman pregnant before. Now, she was amazed.

Having learned how difficult childbirth was, Qing Yun’s resentment toward her own parents—who had brought her into this world only to abandon her—softened. Seeing Miss’s round belly growing larger, she realized her mother must have suffered greatly to give birth to her and probably had no choice but to leave her. Qing Yun shook her head bitterly, resolving to let go of that bitterness.

Zhan Yan noticed Qing Yun’s sudden silence and guessed she was thinking of her own parents. When Zhan Yan bought Qing Yun, she had investigated her background thoroughly but could not find her parents. Over the years, their bond had grown deep—Qing Yun had grown up alongside her.

“Qing Yun, I know what you’re thinking. Life is for happiness. Some things, once you let go, lose their importance. You must know, you are never alone. I have always been by your side and consider you family,” Zhan Yan said gently. Though Qing Yun was older, Zhan Yan had memories from a past life and was more mature.

Tears welled in Qing Yun’s eyes. “Miss, I know. I will always remember your kindness.” Over the years, Zhan Yan had treated her well, taught her many skills, and even returned her servitude contract, granting her freedom. Yet Qing Yun was reluctant to leave.

The two stayed up all night, chatting until dawn. As daylight crept in, a drowsiness overcame Zhan Yan. She yawned and said, “Qing Yun, I’m sleepy. I’m going to bed. You should rest too. Don’t worry about anything—let others handle it.”

“Yes, Miss.” Qing Yun was also tired. She hadn’t kept watch for a long time because Zhongli Yu disliked guards outside at night, allowing her to sleep well. But with him away, she stayed up to watch over Miss.

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*Author’s Note:*
Thank you to everyone who has supported Siyuan. This is my first time writing, and though it may not be perfect, I have worked hard. I hope I won’t disappoint those who believe in me. Love you all—muah!