Rebirth of the Three Kingdoms: Da Qiao doesn't want to be a widow anymore

Chapter 369 Protecting the Calf

Zhou Yu had witnessed firsthand how fiercely protective Qiao Wei was of his own.

When Zhou Yu was willing to risk public condemnation to free Qiao Rong from the Zhou family, he knew it.

However, given that Qiao Wei's own situation was not necessarily satisfactory, he was still unwilling to hand over Qiao Rong. Although this was expected, Zhou Yu was still somewhat disappointed.

Seeing this, Gu Lingyun quickly spoke up to smooth things over, "Now that the young lady is practicing medicine with Doctor Zhang, she will be respected wherever she goes, which is a good thing."

Zhou Yu's indifferent gaze fell on Gu Lingyun, who couldn't help but shudder. Realizing she had spoken out of turn, she quickly lowered her eyes and dared not say another word.

Even though she had already given birth to a son for Zhou Yu and was now pregnant again, she had thought that Zhou Yu would cherish her somewhat, but in the end, it was nothing more than that.

Qiao Wei noticed Gu Lingyun's expression, which was both hateful and pitiful.

Qiao Wei had a plan in mind and said softly, "The Commander-in-Chief has many beauties by his side, so there's no need to always dwell on the past. Besides, I've heard that Madam Gu has managed the mansion very well over the years, which is quite hard work."

Gu Lingyun was surprised that Qiao Wei would speak up for her at this time, and she couldn't hide the joy in her eyes.

As expected... a barely perceptible sneer appeared on Qiao Wei's lips.

Zhou Yu understood the implication: "She is merely a concubine, not yet capable of being the principal wife."

Gu Lingyun's smile froze on her face, even though she knew in her heart that Zhou Yu was delaying remarriage for the sake of Qiao Rong.

In the past two years, she has helped Zhou Yu turn danger into safety and managed all the affairs of the household for him with great care and efficiency.

She has also given birth to a child for the Zhou family, and now that she is pregnant, she has another bargaining chip. As long as Qiao Rong doesn't come back... she believes she still has a chance to be officially recognized as the wife.

It's all for the sake of the child...

But Zhou Yu's words were like ice water in winter, chilling her to the bone.

Even if Qiao Rong refused to turn back, Zhou Yu still refused to give her the title of his principal wife.

What a tragic fact.

But the disappointment and embarrassment only lasted for a moment. Gu Lingyun immediately hid these emotions and looked up again, regaining her proper and respectful demeanor.

"It is already a blessing for me to serve by the side of the Commander of the Central Army. I dare not ask for more."

The sharpness in Zhou Yu's gaze softened slightly as he looked at her.

He turned to look at Qiao Wei, his eyes firm, "Madam, you need not doubt my intentions. The matriarch of the Zhou family will only bear the surname Qiao."

Qiao Wei couldn't be bothered to care what Zhou Yu was thinking.

As the two were talking, Sun Deng and Zhou Xun ran in from outside the door.

"Mom!"

"aunt!"

Zhou Xun, with his small legs, was led in by Sun Deng. He didn't even bother to look back at Zhou Yu before rushing into Qiao Wei's arms. "Auntie, Xun'er missed you so much!"

The soft, sweet voice instantly broke the deadlock that had just occurred inside the room, and even the breeze blowing in from outside the window seemed to soften.

Qiao Wei's eyes were full of tenderness, and her voice was like a spring breeze, "Xun'er has only been in the study for a few hours, and you are already so reluctant to part with your aunt?" "Yes, Xun'er misses your aunt so much. The teacher praised Xun'er."

Sun Deng, being a bit older, had already learned a lot of etiquette. He bowed to Zhou Yu and addressed him as "Uncle Zhou," asking, "Uncle Zhou, you've been working hard lately. Are you feeling well?"

Zhou Yu knelt down to return the greeting to Sun Deng, saying, "Your subject replies to your question, sir, that I am in good health and thank you for your concern."

Sun Deng sat down next to Qiao Wei again. "Mother, Xun Di recited 'The Rat' today. He recited such a long poem without missing a single word. Even Mr. Lu was surprised and praised Xun Di for his intelligence!"

Zhou Xun knew Sun Deng was praising him, so he raised his head, his face full of pride, "Xun'er, you're so clever!"

Qiao Wei patted Zhou Xun's head, confirming Zhou Xun's words, "Yes, Xun'er is intelligent."

When Zhou Yu saw Zhou Xun's face, which resembled his mother's, his heart softened a little.

The child was as learned as him, resembled his mother in appearance, and had a peaceful temperament. He was raised by Qiao Wei and had a very close relationship with Sun Deng.

Even though father and son did not see each other often, it could not stop Zhou Yu from having expectations for this child.

Thinking of this, Zhou Yu stretched out his hand, "Xun'er, how about coming to your father's place?"

Zhou Xun looked up to ask Qiao Wei for his opinion. After receiving Qiao Wei's approval, he immediately ran to Zhou Yu with a big smile, "Father, Xun'er missed you so much!"

Zhou Yu lifted Zhou Xun from the ground with a little effort. "Father misses Xun'er very much. Has Xun'er been a good boy and listened to his aunt and uncle and eaten his food properly?"

"Yes, I eat such a... big bowl of rice every day." Zhou Xun spread his arms wide, stretching them out, and exaggeratedly showed Zhou Yu how impressive he was, "Even my brother doesn't eat as much as I do!"

Zhou Yu followed his words and weighed it in his hand, "It does seem a bit heavy."

These words were exactly what Zhou Xun wanted to hear, and he was so happy that he jumped up and down on Zhou Yu a couple of times.

Then he saw Gu Lingyun standing to the side. "Mother Ji is here, but my brother isn't?"

As she spoke, her eyes darted anxiously behind Gu Lingyun, trying to find the younger brother she had seen that day.

In the Sun family, he was the youngest among all the brothers and sisters, and he had to obey the arrangements of his older brothers and sisters in everything. It was rare for him to hear that he could also be an older brother. Even though his younger brother Zhou Yin was still in swaddling clothes, it was enough to make Zhou Xun very happy.

Gu Lingyun patiently coaxed in a low voice, "Since your younger brother didn't come today, if the eldest young master likes it, why don't you go back to the manor with Madam Ji?"

Although Zhou Xun was young, he was not so easily coaxed. "My younger brother is young and should listen to his older brother. He should come to see me instead."

Zhou Yu laughed heartily upon hearing this, "Xun'er is absolutely right. Since ancient times, it has always been the younger brother who serves the older brother, never the other way around."

Gu Lingyun's face tightened, but she still forced a smile and said yes.

Sun Deng, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke up, "Brother Xun loves Brother Yin. Even when he was sick, he kept talking about Brother Yin, saying that he was very cute. Deng'er is also very curious."

"Uncle and Madam Zhou, may Deng'er also meet Yin'er?"

Sun Deng stared with his round eyes, looking completely innocent and naive. Even Zhou Yu, who had seen countless life and death, couldn't help but feel a pang of tenderness. "Of course, since the eldest son and Xun'er like it, let Yin'er come to the manor!"

These words completely disregarded Gu Lingyun's suddenly pale face.

Gu Lingyun also had some difficulties when she gave birth to Zhou Yin, so she naturally protected Zhou Yin as if he were the apple of her eye.

The child she cherished like a precious gem could be taken away from her with a single word from Sun Deng and Zhou Xun. No matter how much Gu Lingyun tried to hide it, she could not conceal her true feelings.