Xǔ Shànchéng has passed away.
Because his death was extremely dishonorable, the funeral arrangements were hastily made.
When the news reached the Marquis, he felt a surge of anger and blood rush to his head, his vision went black, and he almost fainted, falling gravely ill.
*
It was the height of summer, and the entire Marquis's Estate was enveloped in heat. The pavilion in Green Perching Pavilion, shaded by lush green trees, became a cool sanctuary.
Jiang Niao niǎo, dressed in a pale pink gauze skirt embroidered with delicate Green Lotuses, her late-term pregnancy showing, held a small celadon bowl and sipped her Sour Plum Drink.
The liquid was dark and lustrous, and the ice cubes floating on the surface clinked against the bowl, making a clear and pleasant sound. With each swallow, her eyes would involuntarily curve, revealing her contentment.
With her pregnancy, her taste had become even more discerning, and the Sour Plum Drink had become her favorite.
Since the start of summer, the oppressive heat had descended upon the Marquis's Estate like an impenetrable gauze curtain. Jiang Niao niǎo was particularly sensitive to the heat, often becoming flushed and restless. Xu Huaizhi was heartbroken and issued orders that all the ice in the Marquis's Estate, except for the share reserved for the Marquis's chambers, was to be prioritized for Green Perching Pavilion.
Xu Huaizhi sat beside her, dressed in a dark brocade robe. His gaze was gentle, filled with concern and a hint of helplessness, as he softly advised, "Niao niǎo, you mustn't drink so much."
Jiang Niao niǎo heard him and blinked her moist eyes, her lips pouting slightly as she cooed, "Just one more sip."
Xu Huaizhi looked at her adorable expression, reached out, and gently brushed a stray strand of hair from her ear, saying patiently, "You are pregnant; if you drink too much cold liquid and upset your stomach, I will be heartbroken."
Jiang Niao niǎo took another small sip, the sweet and sour taste spreading on her tongue, and the coolness traveled down her throat to her heart.
Seeing this, Xu Huaizhi frowned slightly, stood up, walked over to her, and took the bowl from her hand, saying, "Niao niǎo, no more drinking. I've asked someone to stew some Red Date Blood Swiftlet; you need to save your stomach for it."
Jiang Niao niǎo looked up, meeting Xu Huaizhi's concerned gaze, and swallowed the words she was about to say, nodding obediently.
"My Lord, Minister Jiang has sent someone with gifts," a maidservant hurried into the pavilion in Green Perching Pavilion and respectfully curtsied before reporting.
When Xu Shànchéng had just passed away, Jiang Chengyan had wanted to bring her back to the Jiang Residence immediately. But Jiang Niao niǎo knew she was carrying Xu Huaizhi's child, and he certainly wouldn't want her to go back. So she told Jiang Chengyan that she would return after giving birth.
Jiang Chengyan had initially disagreed, but after Jiang Niao niǎo offered him many conditions for future compensation, he reluctantly agreed.
Xu Huaizhi heard the maidservant's report, nodded slightly, and turned to Jiang Niao niǎo, saying, "Minister Jiang must be thinking of his sister. I'll accompany you to see what he has sent."
Jiang Niao niǎo softly agreed and, with Xu Huaizhi's help, got up.
*
The night air was thick and stifling, as if frozen, with not a trace of wind. Jiang Niao niǎo lay on the bed, her Moon White Gauze Skirt already soaked with sweat and clinging to her body. She frowned, murmuring, "So hot..."
Xu Huaizhi sat by the bed, gently fanning himself with a bamboo fan. The slight breeze stirred up, however, could not dispel the dense heat. Seeing Jiang Niao niǎo's discomfort, he felt a pang of heartache.
"Niao niǎo," Xu Huaizhi comforted her softly, his voice full of tenderness. He put down the fan and gently wiped the sweat from his forehead. He leaned down and placed a soft kiss on Jiang Niao niǎo's small face, then slowly lifted her gauze skirt and kissed her rounded belly, his movements gentle and devout, as if soothing the unborn life.
Under this gentle comfort, sleepiness gradually overcame Jiang Niao niǎo. Seeing this, Xu Huaizhi picked up his fan again and fanned her, stroke after stroke.
*
Jiang Niao niǎo suddenly frowned in her sleep, a flicker of pain crossing her face, followed by a soft moan as she slowly woke up. It turned out to be a sharp, intense pain in her chest, as if thousands of fine needles were piercing her simultaneously, causing her to break out in a cold sweat.
Jiang Niao niǎo turned to the side and looked at Xu Huaizhi, who was sleeping soundly beside her. His sleeping face was serene and handsome, his thick eyelashes casting a small shadow beneath his eyes, his breathing even and deep. She hesitated to wake him, but the pain in her chest was becoming unbearable, like two fires burning within her.
"Huaizhi..." she called out softly, her voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz.
Seeing that he didn't react, Jiang Niao niǎo bit her lower lip and gently nudged his shoulder. "Huaizhi, wake up..."
Jiang Niao niǎo's eyes suddenly turned red, a wave of grievance washing over her.
"Niao niǎo is lying," his voice, hoarse from just waking up, carried an undisguised smile. "You clearly still have… you're already partial to him, and the child isn't even born yet."
Jiang Niao niǎo's face instantly flushed to the roots of her ears. She playfully slapped his shoulder in annoyance, "What nonsense are you talking! I'm not partial... it's just, it's really gone..."
Xu Huaizhi ignored her protest...