23. What's wrong with Su?
"Young master?" Yan looked up from his book, checking that Su was still sleeping and then quickly walked to the door. Opening it he then stepped out and closed the door behind him. He saw Fei Yuan and a maid standing before him. "Yes Fei Yuan?"
"It's almost time for dinner." Fei Yuan commented.
"Alright, we will be ready soon." Yan replied, turning to the door. Fei Yuan stopped him: "Prince Shuomo has sent this maid to help Su dress."
"We'll dress ourselves, Fei Yuan." It was something both Su and Yan preferred. Su had always had to dress herself and she had not yet adapted to having someone helping her. On those occasions that more elaborate dresses were required she would accept help from one of the maids in the Qi Mansion. In the army Yan had gotten used to having to dress himself, to this day he hadn't had asked a servant or Fei Yuan to help him. Su was the only exception. During the short weeks that they were married now, they had discovered dressing together in the morning and when needed later during the day, was time they cherished. For them it was time to share together and often they would discuss the day ahead or anything else. Fei Yuan nodded: "I'll wait here."
"Good." Yan clapped his hand on Fei Yuan's shoulder as extra appreciation for the work he had done lately. He returned to the room where Su had woken up. "Was that Fei Yuan?" She asked sitting up. "Yes, it's almost time for dinner. Do you need to change your clothes?"
"Yes, I've traveled in these the entire day, It would be good to have clean clothes. Fei Yuan has already got my dress out of the luggage." Su pointed to the dress. Yan walked to Su and hugged her. "I love you Yian." Su loved into Yan's embrace, laying her head against his chest, listening to his heart, reveling in his strength. He always managed to calm her, just by being there. "Young master, Sister Su, are you almost ready?" Fei Yuan called from outside. Su and Yan looked at each other: "I think he's worried we'll be late for dinner like last time." Su laughed, thinking back to a particular dinner at the mansion of the Marquis. Su and Yan had been slightly diverted by each other while they had been undressing and instead of dressing they had enjoyed the advantages of being married. At that time Fei Yuan had come to find them in bed when they had not turned up for dinner. Fei Yuan obviously wanted to avoid this time. Yan quickly found his favorite garments, Su helped him put them on. Then Yan waited for Su to get ready, making sure certain ties of her dress were neat. Presented with the hairpin he had given her, when they had confessed their feelings for each other, he gently place it in her hair. Looking at her reflection critically Su put on some extra powder and lip color. "How do I look?"
"You look beautiful." Yan extended his hand to help her get up. Hand in hand they met Fei Yuan and walked to the dining hall.
The others were already present, Rushuang, who had become good friends with Yunchuan during the time she had treated the princess when she had been poisoned, and the few visits the princess had made to Liang subsequently, was in conversation with Yunchuan and Zihou. Xie and Shuomo listened to the conversation and occasionally said something to each other or interrupted the conversation to add something or correct something. Shuomo saw the couple entering first and said: "You're here. Come let's eat. I'd heard from Rushuang that you often shared a meal on one table, so I thought to do so as well." He motioned for them to take a seat. Everybody sat down, Zihou protested a little when Yunchuan invited him to sit next to her: "I can't sit there, we are not married or even engaged." Yunchuan replied: "Don't stand on ceremony, we're all friends. I trust that you'll behave yourself." Prince Shuomo nodded, Yan could see him smirk a little, which caused Yan to smile as well, bowing his head to hide it. He wasn't sure what was going on between Zihou and Yunchuan, he knew Zihou regarded the princess highly and often spoke of her as his friend and Yan would believe it if there was more then friendship, except for Zihou's constant reminding him about his deceased wife. Slightly shaking his head Yan turned to Su and stopped the maid form pouring wine, he then asked to give Su tea. Su nodded in appreciation, though she drank a little bit more wine, she still much preferred water or tea. They had just passed the food around and started eating when Yan felt Su grab his hand. He had been talking with Shuomo, but turned to Su, who had gone quite pale. Yan had seen her eat a couple of bites, but not much. "Are you alright?" he whispered, more for form then anything else, because he could clearly see she wasn't. Su had her head bent and shook it a little bit, almost afraid to move too much. Not waiting for anything else Yan swiftly stood and gently took Su in his arms. "Please excuse us Prince, my wife is not feeling well." He didn't see the shock on the others face or that they had risen. Without looking up he said: "Rushuang, please." It was clear this was not to be questioned and Rushuang of course would not even dream of questioning this. She was already besides Yan. Fei Yuan followed Yan as well, when they reached the room he opened the door before Yan reached it. Yan went to the bed to lay Su down, but she protested. "No, let me sit, please…I…" She didn't need to elaborate. "Fei Yuan get me an empty basin, quickly." Yan called out, setting Su down on the bed and while he was still holding her, sat next to her to let her lean on him. Fei Yuan handed a basin. "Keep everyone out. Only Rushuang stays for now." Fei Yuan nodded and closed the doors. Rushuang held Su's hair together and Yan held her shoulders while she threw up in the basin. Over her bend head Yan looked at Rushuang, worry clearly visible. Rushuang gave him a reassuring nod, already suspecting what was going on. When Su sat back up, leaning her head against Yan's chest, tired, Rushuang gently asked: "Are you alright?" Su nodded. While Yan held her and caressed her shoulder Rushuang took the basin away and returned with some water. "Here drink this slowly." Yan took the cup and let Su drink a few small sips. "Let me check your wrist, Sister Su." Opening her eyes Su looked at Rushuang and extended her hand. Rushuang placed her fingers and carefully felt Su's wrist. She looked up and saw the worried faces of Su and Yan looking back. Rushuang smiled: "You're going to get a baby soon."
"Really?" Su said as Yan exclaimed: "What?"
"Sister Su is pregnant, that's why she's been tired and nauseous. I'll get some herbs to help with the nausea." Rushuang explained, but she wondered if Yan and Su had heard what she'd said, as they were obviously only focused on each other. In wonder Su had placed her hands on her stomach, slowly moving from surprise to joy. Yan placed his hand over hers and then she turned in his embrace to try to see his face, nervous for his reaction, but when she saw his wide smile and joy in his eyes Su finally allowed herself to be only joyful and happy. She placed her arm around his neck, turning towards him more, his hand around her shoulder tightened, pulling her closer into a tight hug. Rushuang stepped away, giving them some time alone. After a while, having whispered their joy to each other, reveling in their embrace, Yan felt Su lean on him heavier. "You need to rest, dear." He gently laid her down and covered her. He sat next to her on the bed, still holding her hand and motioned for Rushuang to come closer. "You van let the others in. I suspect they'll be worried." Rushuang opened the door and let the others, who had come to check on Su, in. Yan quickly told them about Su's condition, which was met with a lot of joy. But after the first excitement had died down Yunchuan wondered how they would proceed with the investigation. "I can still investigate, so far this was the first time I've really been nauseous. Rushuang is going to prepare some herbs, to help with that. I'll just take care to rest some more." Su said decidedly, though Yan didn't respond verbally Su did feel him squeeze her hand a bit, she watched him and saw he looked concerned. Apparently this was something they would have to discuss together when the others had left. "I think it's time we left you to rest. I'll make sure some food is brought here, so you can eat some if you wish." Shuomo said, Yan nodded and the others all took their leave, but when Rushuang and Xie went to leave Yan stopped them: "Rushuang, is it alright for Su to continue to work?" He remembered when his sister had been pregnant, she hadn't left her home. "Yes, a lot of woman continue to do the work they have to do. My mother was also a poison girl and she worked while she was carrying me. In my hometown women usually didn't have any choice, but it never harmed them or the child they were carrying." Rushuang explained: "But Sister Su, you have to listen to your body. If you feel yourself get tired, rest. Don't eat uncooked foods. Try to eat small amounts. From the women I've seen in the practice, everyone will experience this time differently. Most do get tired more easily in the early days and later when you will be closet to actually getting your child. Most are nauseous, but with a lot that passes eventually. Just be careful." Su nodded: "I will." With that Rushuang and Xie took their leave. Su watched Yan and could see that he wasn't convinced.
"Dear, you've heard Rushuang. In my own clan the women would also continue to work while carrying their child. We have to investigate this murder, both you and Shuomo agreed something isn't right. What if this is also linked to the Ghost Army?"
"We haven't seen the mark yet."
"Some might say the medal of a dead soldier is enough proof that a warrior Ghost visited the minister. Besides we are under order of the emperor." Yan snorted a little bit. "Do you know how quickly that order can be retracted when the dowager empress hears that by order of the emperor her daughter-in-law is forced to work while carrying her grandchild?" He said, getting up. Su held his hand tighter, imploring him silently to sit back down. "Zhi, I need to work, remember the day at the Mansion of the Marquis? I can't sit idly at home, that's not me and you know that." Yan reached for her and placed his hand on her cheek. "Alright, I have no problem with you working, but I will step in when I feel your well being or the wellbeing of our child is in jeopardy. And the guards remain closer to you when I'm not with you." Su nodded and Yan bed forward to kiss her. Someone knocked on the door. "Come in." Yan called out, the door opened and Fei Yuan stepped into the room with another servant, carrying some foods. "Here is something to eat, young master. And some tea with calming herbs for sister Su." Su sat up a bit straighter to accept the cup from Fei Yuan, if she was honest she was getting a bit hungry, so she stood to sit at the table. "Sister Rushuang said to eat a little bit, some greens or fruit would be good." Fei Yuan said, while he and the servant placed the foods on the table. "Thank you Fei Yuan." Su said. Yan and Su ate and then went to bed, Yan took his wife in his arms and hugged her close to him.