Chapter 248: Morning Sickness
“I heard that Liang Qian was absolutely determined to get married, but Chief of Staff Liang fiercely opposed it at first,” Auntie Xie whispered, leaning in closer. “She threw quite a tantrum and made a massive fuss for a long time.”
“I have no idea how she managed it in the end, but Chief of Staff Liang finally relented and agreed to the match.”
Sheng Wanyan couldn’t wrap her head around it either. Then again, this was Liang Qian’s own life and her own choice to make. Whatever she decided was her own business.
“But I can guess a thing or two about her motives,” Auntie Xie continued, looking at Sheng Wanyan with a tinge of worry. It was glaringly obvious to her that Liang Qian’s sudden move was directed entirely at Sheng Wanyan. “Word on the grapevine is that Battalion Commander Du is due for a promotion…”
Hearing this, everything instantly clicked for Sheng Wanyan. Liang Qian wanted to compete with her to the very bitter end.
If Battalion Commander Du was promoted to Deputy Regiment Commander, he would hold the exact same rank as Gu Tingxiao. Liang Qian was doing this entirely on purpose.
Sheng Wanyan truly didn’t know whether to admire her relentless stubbornness or pity her for sabotaging her own future just to spite someone else.
“Auntie, Battalion Commander Du has racked up plenty of military merits, so it’s only natural that he’s moving up,” Sheng Wanyan replied calmly.
Auntie Xie nodded, conceding that Battalion Commander Du was indeed a capable soldier. However, his fierce, overbearing mother was an absolute nightmare to deal with. She couldn’t help but wonder if a spoiled girl like Liang Qian could handle such an aggressive mother-in-law once she moved in.
“Still, Battalion Commander Du belongs to the neighboring regiment,” Sheng Wanyan mused. “Logically speaking, Chief of Staff Liang shouldn’t be marrying his daughter into a different faction’s circle.”
“Well, that’s the Liang family’s own business to untangle.” Sheng Wanyan picked up her cup, took a sip of water, and lowered her eyes, masking her thoughts.
“True, but you don’t need to worry about any of that, Yan’er,” Auntie Xie said reassuringly. “I heard from your Uncle Xie that Captain Gu is slated for another promotion in a few years anyway.”
Sheng Wanyan smiled softly. Before anything was officially set in stone, no one could say for certain. “I don’t meddle in Tingxiao’s work. His devotion belongs to the country. As his wife, my job is simply to take care of our home and ease his burdens.”
Auntie Xie nodded in deep approval. Look at how mature and sensible Comrade Sheng Wanyan is!
After gossiping a bit longer, Auntie Xie checked the time and realized it was already past noon. She hurried to her feet. “Goodness, look at the time. I have to get home and start lunch.”
Sheng Wanyan walked her to the door, but Auntie Xie waved her off, insisting she stay inside. “Don’t trouble yourself coming out. I can see myself out.”
“Take care, Auntie.”
Once Auntie Xie left, Sheng Wanyan watched her retreating figure, her mind whirling with a cold focus.
When soldiers approach, we deploy generals; when the water rises, we block it with earth. No matter what twisted schemes Liang Qian was cooking up, she wouldn’t dare act rashly within the strict confines of the military compound. Besides, Sheng Wanyan was no pushover.
If Liang Qian thought she could rely on a powerful family backing… well, she wasn’t the only one with a powerful family.
Gu Tingxiao returned home around four in the afternoon to find Sheng Wanyan taking a nap.
“Wife, I’m back,” he murmured softly.
Sheng Wanyan stirred awake, still dazed with sleep. Gu Tingxiao handed over all the cash he had just withdrawn from the credit union. “I’m going to start dinner now,” he said, smoothing her hair.
Sheng Wanyan nodded sleepily, waiting until he left the room before closing her eyes to drift off again.
When dinner was ready, Gu Tingxiao came back to wake her. The young woman was still fast asleep, tightly clutching the bag of money to her chest like a little hoarder. He checked the clock—it was already six o’clock—so he had no choice but to gently shake her awake.
Sheng Wanyan blinked open her eyes and immediately went to hide the money, tucking it securely into her dowry box for the time being. She planned to transfer it into her spatial domain later tonight when Gu Tingxiao was asleep, just to ensure he wouldn’t accidentally catch her in the act.
While they were setting the table, Mother Sheng popped in briefly to deliver a pot of homemade bone soup she had specially brewed, knowing how much her daughter loved it.
“Mom, stay and eat with us before you go,” Sheng Wanyan offered.
Mother Sheng waved her hand, declining with a warm smile. “You two go ahead. We already have dinner ready at home.” Leaving them to it, she turned and walked the short distance back to her own house.
Gu Tingxiao ladled a warm bowl of soup for his wife. But the moment Sheng Wanyan took a single sip, a violent wave of nausea hit her.
“Ugh—”
Gu Tingxiao’s face paled, and he rushed to her side, gently patting her back. “Wife! Are you alright?”
Sheng Wanyan shook her head, unable to speak. She hadn’t actually thrown anything up except for a bit of bitter, sour bile. “I’m fine…” she gasped, waving her hand.
She had been secretly smug about escaping morning sickness during her first few months of pregnancy, but it seemed her luck had finally run out. Before she could even finish her sentence, another wave of nausea gripped her. She bolted to the sink, retching miserably.
Gu Tingxiao followed her anxiously, his heart in his throat, completely helpless. All he could do was rub her back to soothe the harsh spasms. By the time the dry heaving stopped, Sheng Wanyan was utterly exhausted.
Losing all appetite, she dragged herself back to the bedroom to lie down. Gu Tingxiao, worried that an empty stomach would make her feel worse, brought a small bowl of food to the bedside and tried to coax a few bites into her.
“I don’t want it… I really can’t eat,” Sheng Wanyan groaned, turning her face away from the smell of food, which only made her stomach churn violently again.
“Wife, just a little bit to line your stomach, please?”
“I really can’t.” She looked up at him, her eyes brimming with aggrieved tears.
Gu Tingxiao couldn’t bear to see her looking so miserable. His heart melted instantly. “Alright, alright, we won’t force it. We’ll try again later.” He placed the bowl on the nightstand. “You should go eat your own dinner,” she murmured.
He hadn’t even touched his own food yet because he was too busy hovering over her. As much as she appreciated his care, she didn’t want both of them to starve.
“I’ll eat in a bit. Rest for now, sweetheart.” Gu Tingxiao helped her lie down, tucking the quilt snugly around her shoulders. Overcome by exhaustion, Sheng Wanyan fell fast asleep within minutes.
Once her breathing evened out, Gu Tingxiao quietly left the room to eat his dinner. He kept her portion warming on the stove so it would be ready the moment she woke up hungry.
Lately, Sheng Wanyan’s face had filled out beautifully. Aside from her growing belly, her body hadn’t changed drastically, but the slight weight gain had made her skin look incredibly soft, radiant, and luminous. Looking at her peaceful sleeping face, Gu Tingxiao thought she looked like a precious, chubby little child.
Of course, if Sheng Wanyan ever found out he thought she looked “chubby,” she would undoubtedly fly into a fierce, adorable rage and argue with him for hours.
Gu Tingxiao quietly washed the dishes and then set a large pot of water to boil, knowing how much she loved staying clean and taking warm baths.
An hour later, Sheng Wanyan woke up feeling a bit better and managed to force down half a bowl of food. Gu Tingxiao cleared the dishes, brought in a basin of hot water, and urged her to relax.
“Wife, come soak your feet.”
He carefully tested the water temperature with his hand to ensure it was perfectly warm before placing her feet into the basin. He gave her a gentle, expert foot massage to help her unwind and sleep better. Under his doting care, Sheng Wanyan felt entirely pampered, like a wonderfully spoiled, helpless princess.
“I want to eat spicy chicken feet,” she suddenly blurted out, her mouth watering at the vivid craving.
“I’ll make some for you right away,” Gu Tingxiao promised without a second thought.
Sheng Wanyan nodded eagerly, her appetite suddenly roaring back to life. Seeing her look so eager, Gu Tingxiao wasted no time. After drying her feet, he hurried straight to the kitchen.
Their pantry was fully stocked with various homemade chili sauces—garlic chili, spicy bean paste, and aromatic red oil. Before the Lunar New Year, Sheng Wanyan had proactively preserved over a dozen jars of different condiments just to ensure they could satisfy their spicy cravings during the long winter months. She had also prepared a large batch of rich hot pot base, which made any ordinary dish taste spectacular.
Just thinking about it made Sheng Wanyan’s mind race with excitement. Forget just chicken feet, we definitely need to arrange a proper hot pot meal soon!
She mentally cataloged the ingredients they had on hand: fresh beef and pork, plus plenty of cabbage, winter radishes, and potatoes. They had a reliable coal stove right in the house, making it the perfect setup to gather around a bubbling, fiery pot of soup.
