Gu Jianing could tell from Chunxing’s demeanor that she didn’t hold any prejudice or resentment toward her because of the incidents involving Zhang Jianjun and the others.
Indeed, according to the rumors, Chunxing was an extraordinary woman and an excellent mother.
Still, Gu Jianing decided to ask.
Chunxing was momentarily stunned, then her gaze turned somewhat indifferent.
“Why would I blame or resent you? This matter wasn’t your fault.”
“Right and wrong—I, Chunxing, may not be highly educated, but I can still tell the difference.”
“If someone did wrong, they should be punished.”
“And besides…”
Chunxing paused before continuing, “My relationship with them wasn’t good to begin with.”
In the eyes of her mother-in-law, Niu Cui, and her sister-in-law, Zhang Qiumei, Chunxing was nothing more than a servant, a beast of burden meant to wait on them.
That mother-daughter pair never treated her or her daughter as human beings.
Given that, why should she waste her energy worrying about them?
Chunxing didn’t consider herself a saint, nor was she foolish enough to do so.
Gu Jianing’s eyes brightened slightly. She rather liked Chunxing’s temperament.
“Did you come to see me today for something? Are you feeling unwell?” Gu Jianing shifted the topic, asking about something else.
Chunxing quickly straightened up and said, “Dr. Gu, actually, I did come today for a reason.”
“I… I heard people call you the ‘Child-Giving Guanyin,’ so…”
“So, you came to see if there’s anything wrong with your body and to help you conceive a son?”
Chunxing shook her head. “Yes, but also no.”
Hmm?
Chunxing clenched her hands together, mustering her courage before finally speaking. “Dr. Gu, I’m not here to have a son. I want you to check whether there’s really something wrong with my body.”
Gu Jianing studied Chunxing, her gaze thoughtful. “What do you mean?”
Chunxing pressed her lips together, her expression cooling as if recalling something.
“I’ve been married to Zhang Jianjun for over two years now, and I still haven’t had a single child.”
“But… I feel like I can get pregnant.”
“Even though… even though I suffered some damage to my body when I gave birth to Zhishu, I believe I can still conceive. So…”
Gu Jianing confirmed her speculation.
Chunxing was sharp.
After more than two years without a pregnancy, she didn’t assume the problem lay with her.
In fact, she might even suspect that the issue was with Zhang Jianjun—though she didn’t voice that thought just yet.
Gu Jianing hadn’t scanned Chunxing’s body yet, but she had scanned Zhang Jianjun’s before.
The truth was, Zhang Jianjun was infertile.
But was it possible that both Chunxing and Zhang Jianjun were infertile?
After all, Chunxing had mentioned that her body had been damaged when she gave birth to her daughter.
“Let me check your pulse,” Gu Jianing said.
“Ah, yes, of course.” Chunxing hurriedly extended her wrist.
Soon, Gu Jianing’s fingers rested on Chunxing’s pulse. At the same time, the scanner in her eyes began analyzing Chunxing’s body.
Chunxing’s hand trembled slightly.
She was nervous.
In truth, she wondered if her earlier assumptions might be wrong.
But she still wanted to verify.
If it turned out to be just her, that would be one thing.
But she still had Zhishu to think about.
The scan results came out quickly.
Gu Jianing reviewed them and confirmed her earlier suspicion.
When she withdrew her hand from Chunxing’s wrist, Chunxing immediately looked at her with hopeful eyes.
“Dr. Gu, so my…?”
Gu Jianing met her gaze and said, “Sister Chunxing, you actually suspected that you could conceive, but Zhang Jianjun couldn’t, didn’t you?”
Chunxing froze, surprised that Gu Jianing had seen right through her thoughts.
“Yes.” After a moment of hesitation, she finally admitted it.
“I’m not just thinking of myself—I have a daughter.”
“I can bear the stigma of being infertile, but if it’s not my fault, I can’t let my daughter be mocked because of it.”
“I want my daughter to grow up with dignity, unashamed, without suffering any blame or insecurity because of others.”
“I don’t want any harm or harsh words to touch her.”
Gu Jianing understood.
So that was it.
Once again, she was struck by the depth of Chunxing’s love for her daughter.
In these times, though some mothers did love their daughters, feudal mindsets ran deep, and son preference was severe.
For Chunxing to be so wholeheartedly devoted to her daughter was truly remarkable.
In her, Gu Jianing even saw traces of her own mother, of Wu Meili…
And she felt a growing fondness for Chunxing.
So she didn’t keep her in suspense any longer.
“In fact, just as you guessed—you can have children.”
“Although you suffered some damage during your previous delivery, your body has recovered over the years. It’s not a major issue.”
“The one who’s infertile is Zhang Jianjun!”
“I do have some skill in physiognomy-based diagnosis.”
“I’ve run into Zhang Jianjun a few times before, and I could tell—he’s the one who can’t father children.”
On this point, Gu Jianing was certain.
Chunxing’s eyes widened slightly. She had only expected to confirm whether she could conceive.
But not only had Dr. Gu confirmed that she could, she had also confirmed that Zhang Jianjun was the infertile one.
So all this time, it was him?
Did Zhang Jianjun know?
Instinct told Chunxing that he did.
And if he knew, then for over two years, he had allowed his mother to call her a “barren hen.”
He had stood by, indifferent, while she endured curses and blame.
Afterward, he would comfort her, telling her to “let fate decide.”
Saying that if they never had a child, he would treat Zhishu as his own.
At first, Chunxing had actually believed him.
But when Niu Cui opposed Zhishu going to school—and Zhang Jianjun quietly agreed—
That was when Chunxing realized he was a hypocrite. That he had been lying all along.
She couldn’t even tell which of his words were true and which were false.
The longer they lived together, the more certain she became.
Now, she was utterly convinced of Zhang Jianjun’s deceit and selfishness.
And now, the truth was clear: Zhang Jianjun was the infertile one, while she had been his shield, bearing all the insults and blame in his place.
Disgusting. Absolutely disgusting.
In an instant, fury surged through Chunxing.
“Zhang Jianjun, you beast! You bastard!”
“Dr. Gu, could you write me a certificate confirming my fertility?” Chunxing requested.
“Of course.” Gu Jianing knew Chunxing would take action once she had the truth, and she was happy to assist.
A man like Zhang Jianjun was pure scum!
A worthless coward who used women as shields. Someone like him deserved to have his mask torn off, to have everyone see him for what he really was.
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