"Husband, what are you thinking about?"
Gao Huan turned his head, and a delicate fragrance drifted over him, lingering around his nose. He looked up to see Gao Shuying standing in the doorway in a pale-purple palace gown, one hand supporting her waist.
At the sight of her, Gao Huan hurried over to support her. "Why did you come outside?" he asked anxiously.
Gao Shuying's eyes shone as she gently stroked her swollen belly. "I'm not that delicate. I really didn't want to stay in my room, so I came out for some fresh air. I didn't expect you not to notice even after I walked all the way in."
Gao Huan helped her over to a chair, hastily drew a soft cushion from nearby and arranged it, then let her sit down. "Next time you want to go out for a change of scenery, remember to send someone to tell me," he said gently. "I simply can't rest easy unless I'm with you myself."
"You're commanding the clan troops on the frontier now, with so much to attend to. You needn't divide your attention for my sake. Being able to see you often already makes me very happy. It's just that you're working too hard."
Her words made Gao Huan's heart ache. Feeling that he owed his wife so much, he took her hand and said softly, "With you here, it isn't hard at all."
Warmth filled Gao Shuying's heart, though she feigned reproach. "I think it's having Qifu Zhen beside you that makes it so easy."
Gao Huan broke into a helpless laugh and shook his head. "You'll be jealous of anyone."
The two exchanged a few more playful remarks.
Then Gao Shuying grew serious. "Husband, you've seemed weighed down by worries lately. Has the Ning Household given