"Rest assured, throughout our marriage, I shall steadfastly uphold the virtues of a devoted wife and fulfill my duties with unwavering fidelity."
He lifted his eyelids slightly, giving a faint grunt of assent.
The couple soon restored their former harmony, spending each day together in amicable accord, neither daring to broach the subject of children again.
Though Gu Lili appeared indifferent on the surface, the matter of having children remained a thorn in her heart. Yet, out of pride, she would no longer broach the subject herself.
Having been fiercely independent since childhood and having relied on her master for years, she had learned to see things clearly without fixating on forcing a resolution—that was simply not in her nature.
Half a month passed, and July arrived.
Su Changzhi informed her that the pills were ready for collection.
Early in the morning, she drove back to Xiliang Mountain.
Seated in the courtyard, Su Changzhi caught her eye when she noticed a small grove of bamboo newly planted there.
"Oh? When did you plant these bamboo shoots?"
"A few days ago. I bought them because I thought you would appreciate them."
Gu Lili nodded approvingly. "Indeed, a small bamboo grove within the courtyard adds a pleasing touch."
Su Changzhi placed one pill on the table. "Here."
She turned and sat opposite him, picking it up from the table. "Have you taken yours?"
"I have."
Gu Lili carefully set the pill aside. "Then keep the other one safe. When you find your beloved, present that one to her."
"I only made two pills."
"Really?" Gu Lili looked surprised. "Didn't you say you were going to prepare one for your future wife?"
"There's no rush; I can make another when the time comes." Su Changzhi leisurely sipped his tea.
Gu Lili considered this sensible; given the rarity of finding the right person according to his criteria, it would be unwise to lose a pill—better to wait and craft a new one once found.
"True. When you do find her, I'll prepare the herbs and materials for you."
He nodded in agreement. "Good."
"By the way, Gu Xichen hasn't returned during this time, has he?"
"Not once." His piercing, clear eyes met hers. "Lili, the pills are done, and I must leave here now."
"Where will you go?"
"There are matters I must attend to. Do not worry; I will return from time to time." He glanced around the modest courtyard. "I find this place quite agreeable. I hope to reside here often in the future."
"Of course," Gu Lili replied, assuming he intended to seek out his beloved. Knowing the expenses such a quest would entail, she opened her bag and withdrew a bank card from her wallet. "Here are a hundred thousand yuan. Take this with you—finding someone won't be easy, and everything costs money."
Su Changzhi looked at the card she offered but did not accept it. "I don't need it. You've already given me twenty thousand before. I can manage my finances."
"You should take it."
He was resolute. "No."
"Such stubborn pride." Gu Lili pocketed the card again. "Be careful, and call me if anything happens."
"All right. There is one thing I must tell you: because the pill was recently made, its potency lasts longer than when you took it. It caused me discomfort for about two hours."
Gu Lili nodded knowingly. If it meant immunity to all poisons, two hours of discomfort was trivial; she would endure three if it came to that.
They shared lunch together. Since he was to leave Xiliang Mountain the next day, Gu Lili lingered until five in the afternoon before taking her leave.