Chapter 82

Chapter 82: What Exactly Do You Take Chun Zhi For?

Huo Zheng kept Chun Zhi at a separate residence for several days; except for forbidding her to return to Song Manor, he gave in to her every wish. He watched over her as she slept, and at meals he all but fed her with his own hands. When Chun Zhi ate and then threw up, he looked after her himself and did not mind the mess. When her legs cramped at night, he massaged them with his own hands and even learned massage methods from a physician. Sometimes her temper flared and she snapped at him, but he did not get angry. As he had said before, as long as Chun Zhi did not leave, she could do anything.

Even so, Chun Zhi did not want to stay in the South City Villa. She was close to her due date; once the baby was born, the timing could not be hidden. Then Huo Zheng would know the child was his. The longer she stayed at the South City Villa, the more on edge she became, and the more often her body reacted badly.

One day, after she had vomited three times in a row, Huo Zheng could not hold back and said: “If you feel unwell, you need to see a physician. You cannot keep dragging this out.”

Chun Zhi answered calmly: “If I am to see a physician, I will go back to Song Manor to see one. Besides, I am not used to living here, and I do not want to see you.”

At first, those words would have made Huo Zheng angry. After hearing them many times, he was only full of helplessness. He asked with a tight voice: “Does Song Manor have some magic medicine? Why do you pine for it day and night and insist on going back?”

Chun Zhi worried about Song An Lan’s illness, and she worried that Song Wan’er had been anxious day and night since she was taken away. She truly wanted to return to Song Manor. Also, the physician there had served the Song Clan for many years and might help hide things from Huo Zheng. She knew it could not be hidden for long, but if she could hide it for one more day, she would.

Chun Zhi spoke softly: “People say home is where the heart rests. Song Manor is where my heart rests.”

Huo Zheng knew she was not speaking lightly. For several nights he had sat by her bed and had seen her start awake from her sleep. She refused to let a physician take her pulse. So he described her symptoms to the physician and asked for an opinion. The physician said that a pregnant woman must be at peace; if she lives in fear day and night, it is very bad for the child and may lead to a hard labor. At first, Huo Zheng thought that if he stayed by Chun Zhi’s side day and night, she would get used to it. But after days passed, she still looked at him as if she did not want to see him.

The Prince Chang’an who could solve any great problem was helpless in front of the person he loved. He had no way out but to yield. He said at last: “If you want to return to Song Manor, you may.”

Chun Zhi, who had been listless for days, brightened a little as she asked: “Truly?”

Huo Zheng set his condition: “But I will go with you.”

Chun Zhi frowned and asked: “Why must you come with me?”

He gave her a choice: “Either stay in the villa, or take me with you to Song Manor. You decide.”

Chun Zhi thought for a moment, then said in a low voice: “I choose the second.”

That afternoon, Huo Zheng brought Chun Zhi and a group of Shadow Guards to Song Manor.

When a servant reported this to Song An Lan, Song Wan’er happened to be with her elder brother. Hearing that Chun Zhi had come back, she was overjoyed and hurried out, but when she saw that Huo Zheng and many Shadow Guards had also come, she froze in place. She rushed toward Chun Zhi and began: “Sister-in-law,” but Huo Zheng raised a hand to stop her and said: “Chun Zhi is with child. Do not be so reckless.”

Song Wan’er shot him a glare that said “none of your business,” then took Chun Zhi’s hand and said warmly: “Sister-in-law, I missed you so much while you were gone.”

Chun Zhi had just opened her mouth when Huo Zheng cut in, speaking coldly: “She is my wife. You should not call her sister-in-law. Use another form of address.”

Song Wan’er could not help glaring again, but his presence pressed hard. After a moment she lost her nerve and muttered: “Fine, I will not call her sister-in-law. I will call her sister, all right?” She changed at once and called to Chun Zhi: “Sister.”

Chun Zhi actually preferred being called sister by Song Wan’er. She clasped Wan’er’s hand in return and asked in a low voice: “After Huo Zheng took me away that day, how has Young Master Song been?”

Song Wan’er answered with a sigh: “Elder brother is still the same. His illness is good two days and bad two days. Everything else is fine. He is just very worried about you.”

In Dongzhou, the richest man having his new wife taken on his wedding day became the talk of the city overnight. But Song An Lan was broad-minded. After the wedding guests left, he sent all the dishes to the beggars in the city so they could have a full meal. He did not care what people said; he only hoped Chun Zhi was well.

As Chun Zhi and Song Wan’er were speaking, Song An Lan came into the hall. He greeted her gently and asked: “Chun Zhi, you look a little worn. Did he not take proper care of you?”

[How could I have taken proper care of her? She throws up whatever she eats, and she wakes from sleep in fright. How could she not look worn?] If not for that, he would not have agreed to let her return to Song Manor at all.

Chun Zhi said at once: “He did not mistreat me.” Then, looking at Song An Lan, she added with guilt: “It is my fault that you have been mocked by others.”

If Young Master Song had married a nice young lady from a normal family, he would not have had his bride taken on the wedding day. Song An Lan only said: “People have mocked me for years. Do not carry it in your heart.”

For many years he had heard, over and over, that the richest man in Dongzhou was a frail sickly man with more money than strength, and that without the good fortune to bear it, wealth would crush him. One more scandal meant little.

Hearing this, Chun Zhi felt even more sorry toward Song An Lan. Song Wan’er then tugged Chun Zhi’s hand and asked softly: “Sister, now that you are back, you will not leave again, right? You are pregnant. You cannot be comfortable outside. Look, you were only gone a few days and you have already grown thinner.”

Huo Zheng’s sword-straight brows drew together as he thought: [This Song Clan girl is hinting again that I cannot care for Chun Zhi.]

Chun Zhi looked at Song An Lan and said in a low voice: “If it is possible, I would like to live here.”

Song An Lan answered warmly: “Of course. I have long said that Song Manor is Chun Zhi’s home. She may stay as long as she wishes.”

Huo Zheng spoke politely: “I must also trouble Young Master Song for a few days.” As he spoke, he had a Shadow Guard present a chest of gold and silver. Song An Lan did not accept it and said: “The Song Clan lacks none of that. As long as our honored guest truly treats Chun Zhi well, you are welcome.”

Huo Zheng nodded and said evenly: “Then I will trouble you.” His words were courteous, but the look in his eyes toward Song An Lan was not friendly.

Song An Lan called, “Wan’er,” then said: “Take Chun Zhi back to her room to rest. I have a few words for our honored guest.” Song Wan’er looked uneasy for her elder brother, and Chun Zhi too felt worried about leaving him alone with Huo Zheng. But Song An Lan smiled at them and soothed them with his eyes. Song Wan’er said softly: “Sister, let us go,” and supported Chun Zhi toward the small courtyard where she had lived before. Chun Zhi walked away, looking back every few steps.

Song An Lan led Huo Zheng into the main hall and said calmly: “Please sit.” Then, with his first words, he asked: “What exactly do you take Chun Zhi for?”