CHAPTER 228: CHAPTER 228: MEET UP

Gu Qingli also took in Ms. Su, who was in her late thirties. She had fair and beautiful features and carried a mature beauty typical of young married women. Her looks were tranquil, not coquettish nor wild.

And she did bear quite a resemblance to Ms. Su.

However, Ms. Su observed Gu Qingli as if she could never get enough. Seeing her daughter finally allowed her heart to settle.

The thought of her daughter, and how much hardship and suffering she must have endured under Ms. Wu’s care, made Ms. Su’s heart ache. It was no wonder her daughter wasn’t close to her at all.

As such thoughts continued, tears once again began to well up in her eyes.

Just then, Gu Qingping and Ms. Li came in, standing by her side. They said nothing; instead, they simply handed her a handkerchief.

Gu Qingping understood that his mother had been yearning for this sister all these years. Unless she was allowed to gaze her fill and vent her emotions completely, how could she find peace?

Gu Qingli couldn’t bear to watch any longer. Seeing the distress and regret filling Ms. Su’s eyes, her own heart warmed. She sat up straight, took Ms. Su’s hand, and said, "Please stop crying. You’ll ruin your eyes if you keep this up."

Ms. Su’s eyes clearly weren’t in good condition, Gu Qingli noted.

Ms. Su waved her hand dismissively. "It’s alright. I’ve always imagined my Li’er living a life of luxury. Never did I think she would have to endure so many hardships in that remote countryside. Whenever I think about this, my heart aches so much it feels like it’s bleeding.

"It’s all because of Ms. Wu and her daughter! If I ever lay eyes on that woman, Ms. Wu, I’ll tear her to pieces! Only then will the hatred in my heart be eased."

Just as I expected, Gu Qingli thought. If I had gone back, those two would be at each other’s throats every day. I’d be caught in the middle, unable to please either side. The Original Host truly suffered immensely, ultimately losing her life. But Ms. Wu had genuinely treated her well, and this birth mother of mine also genuinely dotes on the original Gu Qingli.

Gu Qingping massaged his forehead. He knew his mother could be formidable, but he never imagined she’d actually threaten to tear Ms. Wu to pieces. There was no doubting his mother’s words; she wasn’t just making idle threats. She was truly capable of doing it. His mother and father had such a strained relationship these past few years, yet his father had never dared to do anything excessive to her. That was because he knew that beneath his mother’s quiet and refined exterior lay a fierce and ruthless heart. Besides, his mother knew martial arts. In the residence, one could afford to offend anyone else, but never her. Aunt Liu usually acted unscrupulously, relying on their father’s affection, only because his mother didn’t bother to stoop to her level. Otherwise, Aunt Liu would have been walking around with a bruised face long ago. And then there were her son and daughter...

This was the first time Ms. Li had witnessed such a—shrewish—side of her mother-in-law. Any petty schemes she might have harbored were instantly tossed to the nine heavens. Moreover, meeting this new sister-in-law and brother-in-law today... tsk, tsk, tsk. Living in the official yamen of Beijing County, were they simple characters? Hardly! Everyone knew Beijing County had been seized; it no longer belonged to the Daqian Kingdom but had become independent. Though that godforsaken place was poor and damned cold, it was, after all, their private territory. They were, at the very least, regional overlords. How could a nobody like her dare to harbor any designs? Whatever her mother-in-law wanted to give, to whomever she pleased, Ms. Li wouldn’t contend for it anymore. She couldn’t win anyway.

After wiping her tears, Ms. Su spoke again, "Now that I’ve seen you, I won’t cry anymore. Li’er, how many months pregnant are you? Are you close to delivery?"

Only then did Ms. Su focus on Gu Qingli’s bulging belly.

Gu Qingli felt exasperated. I’m only just over five months along, how could I be close to delivery? It’s just that these little ones are growing quickly.

She replied, "It’s still early. I’m just over five months along."

"What? Just over five months?" Ms. Su grew very anxious. "Then why is your belly so large? Have you seen a doctor?" She looked around for Xiao Yunjing and, spotting him behind her, asked sternly, "Son-in-law, what’s going on here?"

Xiao Yunjing just smiled and motioned for Wuyou, who was outside the door, to enter.

Wuyou immediately came in.

Xiao Yunjing said, "Madam, do you know who she is?"

"How would I know who she is? I ask you about one thing, and you talk about another." Ms. Su was displeased and glared at Xiao Yunjing.

Gu Qingli suppressed a grin. This birth mother of mine is rather interesting, she mused.

Xiao Yunjing said, "She is Li’er’s maidservant and also the renowned Female Divine Doctor of the Daqian Kingdom. She was the one who cured the Seventh Prince’s poison."

Xiao Yunjing didn’t say that Gu Qingli had cured the poison. Her medical skills couldn’t be revealed to them just yet.

"The Gu Clinic?" Ms. Su turned to look at Gu Qingli in surprise.

"Yes, I founded it," Gu Qingli nodded.

Gu Qingping and Ms. Li were stunned. Heavens! The most famous medical clinic in Daqian, the Gu Clinic, was opened by their sister? This was truly unexpected. Everyone knew the Gu Clinic had a Female Divine Doctor. Only today did they learn that this Female Divine Doctor was actually their sister’s maidservant, and their sister was the mysterious owner behind the Gu Clinic.

Ms. Li now had absolutely no lingering thoughts about Ms. Su’s possessions.

"Then what’s the matter with your belly? Could it be twins?" Ms. Su’s attention remained fixed on Gu Qingli’s stomach. Based on her own experience of childbirth, she immediately considered this possibility.

"It’s triplets." Gu Qingli held out three fingers.

"Heavens! Oh my goodness! Th-three?" Ms. Su’s eyes widened. Goodness gracious, she was truly astounded. At the same time, she was overjoyed. She was going to have three grandchildren all at once!

Even Gu Qingping and Ms. Li were taken aback. What kind of incredible fortune was this? Twins were already rare, let alone triplets or quadruplets. One had to possess immense fortune to be blessed with such a thing.

Joyful as Ms. Su was, she hadn’t lost her head. She understood that such blessings often came with risks and couldn’t help but worry, her mind already racing with thoughts of the delivery. Three of them... Even with one, it’s like snatching a life from King Yama’s grasp. With three, my daughter’s life...

"Li’er, you’re carrying three, and I’m worried about the birth... So, I won’t be leaving. I’ll stay with you until they’re born."

Ms. Su suddenly declared. She then turned to Gu Qingping and said, "When you have a moment later, inform your father. Tell him we’ll all return together after Li’er gives birth."

Gu Qingli clicked her tongue inwardly. This newfound mother of mine is certainly impulsive. I haven’t even formally acknowledged her as my mother, and she’s already planning to move in and not leave. Waiting until I give birth to leave, and then returning to Capital City together, no less. How could we possibly go to Capital City?

Gu Qingping, however, wasn’t as oblivious as Ms. Su. He glanced at Xiao Yunjing, who remained silent and showed no reaction. Gu Qingping then looked towards Gu Qingli. Returning to Capital City together was a major affair. He couldn’t agree to it, much less write to his father about it in those terms.

Ms. Su, not understanding the complexities, saw her son looking back and forth without speaking. She asked doubtfully, "Ping’er, is there a problem?"

Gu Qingping replied, "Mother, there’s no problem. I’ll write when I have time."

Since Mother hadn’t understood, he could only agree for now. A letter would certainly have to be written, but as for *how* to write it, he had a plan.

Gu Qingli remained silent. I’ll just wait for a suitable opportunity to tell Ms. Su the truth, she thought.

"Madam," Xiao Yunjing interjected at the right moment, "why don’t you all go and rest first? You must be weary from the journey. We can talk more after you’ve rested."

"Alright then. The carriage ride was indeed tiring." Ms. Su nodded. She was now sensing that something wasn’t quite right and decided she would ask her son about it later.

Xiao Yunjing immediately called for Wuyou and Wuqing to guide them to their resting quarters.