SGEIRS -Chapter 414 A-Yao Faints

Just as the younger generation was about to leave, Meng Jinyao stood up and suddenly felt the world spinning. Her vision went black, and she lost consciousness.

Her sudden collapse terrified everyone in the room. Madam Zhang and Madam Chen hurried forward and called out to her, but she did not respond at all—she had truly fainted.

Gu Xuanyi was completely stunned. She had been fine just moments ago. How could she suddenly collapse?

Old Madam Gu, having weathered many storms in her life, was worried but remained composed. She immediately instructed the servants, “What are you standing around for? Hurry and carry the Madam to my room, then go fetch the household physician to examine her.”

The maids quickly worked together, lifting Meng Jinyao onto one maid’s back and rushing her to Old Madam Gu’s room. Another maid ran off to summon the physician.

Old Madam Gu followed closely behind. Madam Zhang and her daughter, along with Madam Chen, also followed. At a time like this, they had to stay in the Hall of Longevity and wait to see what the physician would say. A healthy person suddenly fainting was truly frightening.

After entering the bedroom, the maids carefully laid Meng Jinyao on the bed.

Looking at her unconscious youngest daughter-in-law, Old Madam Gu felt deeply worried. She was not afraid of slow deterioration—what she feared was a sudden collapse. That kind of illness was far more troublesome. The former could be gradually treated, but the latter often struck fiercely.

Madam Zhang comforted her, “Mother, don’t worry. Third Sister-in-law’s complexion looks rosy. It doesn’t seem like an acute illness.”

Madam Chen echoed, “Yes, Mother. She didn’t feel unwell before. She’ll be fine.”

Old Madam Gu nodded slightly but had no mood to respond to them.

Before long, the household physician arrived in haste, carrying his medicine chest.

Just as he was about to bow, Old Madam Gu waved her hand. “No need for formalities. Examine her first. She was fine just now, with no discomfort, but fainted as soon as she stood up.”

The physician acknowledged and quickly put down his chest. He stepped forward to take her pulse. As soon as his fingers touched her wrist, he frowned. His expression grew serious. He checked again carefully, afraid of misdiagnosing her.

Seeing this, Old Madam Gu and the others grew anxious. When a doctor frowned while taking a pulse, it usually meant trouble.

Madam Zhang asked, “Doctor, is something wrong?”

The physician hesitated. “This… Madam, she… she…”

Old Madam Gu grew anxious. “What is it? Speak plainly.”

The physician answered honestly, “Judging from her pulse, Madam appears to be pregnant. The pregnancy is still early—just over a month. The fainting was likely due to lack of rest and excessive fatigue, which caused the fetus to be unstable. She needs proper rest.”

Feeling that his words were too definite, he hurriedly added, “Or… or perhaps my medical skills are insufficient, and I’ve misdiagnosed.”

After speaking, he lowered his head. Everyone knew about the Marquis’s condition. How could the Madam be pregnant? If this turned out to be a scandal, he would be implicated as well.

His words stunned everyone.

Madam Zhang and Madam Chen exchanged looks, shocked. If Third Sister-in-law were truly pregnant, whose child was it? Could she have secretly had an affair? If so, it would be utter foolishness. Not only would her wealth and status vanish, but she would also be disgraced and condemned.

Gu Xuanyi was completely dumbfounded. Her Third Aunt was pregnant?

Old Madam Gu was equally shaken. Did her son really have the ability to make a woman pregnant?

Very quickly, however, she came back to her senses. She clasped her hands together and said excitedly, “Amitabha! Blessings from our ancestors! Blessings indeed! Third Son and A-Yao finally have a child! No wonder our ancestors appeared in his dream before their memorial day and told him to bring A-Yao back to worship. So that’s why! This is divine protection!”

Madam Zhang and Madam Chen looked at each other in confusion. They knew very well about Third Brother’s condition. How could their mother-in-law so readily accept this child as her grandson? If this legitimate wife gave birth to a son, he would be the heir. Unless the child was prevented from being born, this would ruin their reputation either way.

Seeing this, the physician felt slightly relieved.

Old Madam Gu said, “Since the fetus is unstable, prescribe some pregnancy-stabilizing medicine. We must protect this child. This pregnancy was granted by our ancestors.”

The physician responded, then hesitated again. “Old Madam, it’s possible Madam isn’t actually pregnant. My skills may be lacking. Should we invite an imperial physician to confirm?”

Old Madam Gu replied firmly, “You’ve been with our family for many years. Do you think I don’t know your abilities? Whether a woman is pregnant can be determined by pulse. There’s no need to trouble the imperial physicians.”

Cold sweat broke out on the physician’s forehead. He wiped it with his sleeve and went to write the prescription.

Old Madam Gu handed the prescription to her trusted maid to fetch the medicine. She had not summoned an imperial physician because she feared making the matter public. Everyone in the room was family, and the physician would not dare speak out. As for her two daughters-in-law and Xuanyi, they certainly wouldn’t spread it either.

She believed in A-Yao’s character and trusted that she would not betray the Gu family. But with Yaoling’s condition…

For now, she could only stabilize the situation. Until everything was clarified, A-Yao’s reputation must not be tarnished. Once A-Yao woke up, she would understand more. In the afternoon, when Yaoling returned from duty, she would question him. If the child was not his, then it must be a misdiagnosis. As for A-Yao’s future, that would be up to him.

After finishing the prescription, the physician asked hesitantly, “Old Madam, should I use acupuncture to wake Madam?”

Old Madam Gu nodded.

With permission, the physician took out his silver needles. His hands trembled slightly, but his aim at the acupoints was precise.

After the treatment, Meng Jinyao slowly woke up. Opening her eyes, she found herself lying on an unfamiliar bed. She froze, then turned her head and saw her mother-in-law, her two sisters-in-law, Xuanyi, and the physician. She asked in confusion, “Mother, what happened to me?”

Old Madam Gu hurried forward. “A-Yao, how do you feel now?”

“I’m fine,” Meng Jinyao replied. “But why am I lying here?”

“The doctor says you’re about a month pregnant. You fainted because you were too tired,” Old Madam Gu explained.

“I… I’m pregnant?”

Meng Jinyao was shocked. She subconsciously touched her flat abdomen. She couldn’t feel anything at all. And yet—she was pregnant?

Seeing that she looked surprised rather than panicked, Madam Zhang found it strange and said, “Yes, Third Sister-in-law. You’re a month along. You’re going to be a mother.”

After receiving confirmation, Meng Jinyao’s face lit up with joy.

But her smile soon froze. She asked worriedly, “Then… when I fainted, is the child all right?”