Manager Zhong immediately perked up with energy. After waiting so many days, seeing only Qin Yining having people steadily distribute soup with no sign of the next move, he had long been anxious!

Manager Zhong rushed out with swift steps, his retreating figure looking like that of a young man. This made Qin Yining unable to suppress a smile.

After going inside to spend time with the two little ones who had just woken up, someone came to report: “Princess Consort, a guard from Prince Zhongshun’s retinue has returned.”

Qin Yining’s eyes lit up upon hearing this, and she hurriedly ordered: “Quickly invite him in!”

Seeing that Bingtang was still focused on holding Han Ge’er, she smiled and took her hand: “Come with me.”

“Yes.” Bingtang didn’t suspect anything and put the child down.

Qin Yining pushed her to walk ahead, then turned back to wink at Ji Yun, Xian Yun, Qiu Lu, and Lian Xiaozhou.

The four exchanged glances, all understanding, and barely suppressed their laughter as they urged Bingtang: “Go quickly, go quickly! It might be Huzi who’s returned.”

Bingtang was both embarrassed and annoyed by their words, turning back to glare at Qin Yining and the other four: “You little hussies are all no good! How do you know it’s Huzi coming back!”

Qin Yining couldn’t help but laugh, putting her arm around Bingtang’s shoulder as they walked out, saying softly with a smile: “Good sister, don’t be angry. I’m just guessing too. They say not seeing someone for a day feels like three autumns—Huzi has been away with the prince, and by now isn’t it equivalent to six years having passed?”

“The Princess Consort is also joining them in being no good!” Bingtang’s ears turned red, and she stamped her foot and ran out quickly.

Qin Yining turned back with a smile: “You few are something too. Knowing that Bingtang is thin-skinned, and Qiu Lu, Ji Yun, and Xian Yun are also not young anymore—it’s time to find you good marriages. Then you won’t be afraid of her teasing you!”

Ji Yun, Xian Yun, and Qiu Lu all blushed at her words and urged Qin Yining to go out: “Still talking about others—the Princess Consort is the worst one!”

Qin Yining walked out chatting and laughing with them. Upon reaching the front hall, she saw Huzi standing straight as a rod in the center, eyes fixed ahead without wandering, staring at the yellow rosewood official hat chair in the main seat. Bingtang stood behind the main seat with lowered eyes, not lifting her head once.

But both were clearly using their peripheral vision to look at each other.

Qin Yining was thoroughly amused.

These two were having a staring contest.

Afraid that both were too thin-skinned, Qin Yining didn’t expose them and just smiled as she walked toward the main seat.

Hearing footsteps, Huzi straightened his expression, cupped his hands and knelt on one knee in salute: “Greetings to the Princess Consort!”

“Rise. We’re all family here—no need for such formality.” Qin Yining waved her hand and sat down in the main seat. “You sit too. Bingtang, bring some refreshments and tea. Having rushed back all this way, Huzi must still be hungry.”

“Yes.”

Bingtang secretly breathed a sigh of relief—she had long been worried about Huzi being hungry.

Huzi grinned widely, his white teeth neat and his eyes crinkling with his smile: “Hehe, then I won’t be polite!”

Though his words sounded natural, he properly sat down in the lowest seat, his posture still straight, showing that habits formed in the military had become deeply ingrained.

Before long, Bingtang brought in a black lacquered double-handled tray holding a plate of cloud slice cakes, a plate of red date cakes, and a pot of goji flower tea—all things Huzi loved to eat.

Qin Yining smiled: “Eat first to fill your stomach, then we’ll talk.”

“Yes!” Huzi didn’t stand on ceremony with Qin Yining. Having ridden hard to return, he was indeed hungry. He grinned and laughed, his large hands picking up a plate of refreshments and stuffing them into his mouth, eating ravenously.

Bingtang was shocked by his eating manner, but also felt somewhat distressed. She hurriedly poured him a cup of tea and handed it over.

Huzi was overjoyed as he reached for the teacup, his fingers touching Bingtang’s slender, slightly cool fingertips. His heart rippled with sweetness, even sweeter than the refreshments in his mouth.

He smiled and said: “Thank you.” Cake crumbs sprayed out, and seeming to realize this was unseemly, he hurriedly covered his mouth sheepishly and gulped down some tea to swallow the refreshments.

Qin Yining watched as one ate refreshments and drank tea while the other gazed tenderly from the side, refilling the teapot. The very air around them became sweet and thick, and several points of worry and hesitation in her heart dissipated.

In this world, poverty, sneezing, and love were the most impossible things to conceal.

Bingtang was a girl with a hard life. In her heart, she regarded her like a sister. Seeing their affection was so good, Qin Yining could feel at ease entrusting Bingtang to Huzi.

After Huzi finished the refreshments, Bingtang knew they had matters to discuss and withdrew with the tray.

Only then did Huzi take out a letter from his chest and present it to Qin Yining with both hands.

“Princess Consort, this is from the prince for you. Everything in the military camp is well. The prince said he just misses you and Zhao Ge’er and Han Ge’er a bit.”

Qin Yining smiled as she took out the letter paper and unfolded it, first quickly scanning it once.

Rather than calling this a letter reporting safety, it was more like a love letter. Two full pages, with only a few sentences saying the military camp situation was good, that he himself was well, his body strong, and his appetite good. The rest was all expressing longing and love.

Qin Yining’s face reddened as she read, and she hurriedly folded the letter paper and put it back in the envelope.

“Everything at home is also well. When you return, tell the prince not to worry. Zhao Ge’er and Han Ge’er are also fine. Children grow quickly—these past few days they seem to have grown a bit more. I can see Zhao Ge’er’s eyes are becoming more and more like the prince’s, and Han Ge’er’s mouth also resembles his. In any case, everything is very well. Tell the prince not to worry, to focus on handling military affairs, and to return early.”

Huzi nodded and smiled: “Would the Princess Consort like to write a letter or something for the prince?”

Thinking of that letter full of sweet words, Qin Yining’s face grew hot. If she were to write a letter, would she also have to write such things?

She wanted to refuse, but then thought that Pang Xiao might be eagerly awaiting her reply. Thinking of this, Qin Yining called for Bingtang to bring ink and brush, then smiled: “I need to think alone about what to write. You all go down first.”

Bingtang’s face flushed red as she stammered: “Princess Consort, I should still stay to help you grind ink.”

Qin Yining smiled: “No need. I still need to think carefully about what to write.”

“Yes, why don’t we two go out for a walk?” Huzi shamelessly extended an invitation.

Bingtang angrily stepped on his foot. Knowing that Qin Yining was deliberately creating an opportunity for them to talk, she felt both embarrassed and unable to resist the temptation. She could only vent on Huzi and turned to leave.

Being stepped on made Huzi’s heart bloom with joy. He scratched his head and smiled at Qin Yining, then quickly chased after her: “Hey, Tang Mengmeng, wait for me!” His voice grew distant.

Qin Yining laughed upon hearing this.

Bingtang’s given name was Tang Meng. When she first stayed by her side, she had changed her name to avoid attention. Now having someone who could call her given name with such joy—she would be happy too, wouldn’t she?

Qin Yining took out Pang Xiao’s letter and read it carefully once more. His heartfelt words made her face flush, but she also carefully examined his handwriting from beginning to end.

The strokes penetrated the paper with strength like iron painting and silver hooks, showing no sign of weakness, nor was it written by another’s hand. This showed he hadn’t suffered any injuries.

Qin Yining’s heart settled, and she spread out paper, ground ink, and carefully began writing her reply. Occasionally she could still hear Bingtang and Huzi whispering outside the door.

Meanwhile, outside, Bingtang was stuffing two crude pottery long-necked bottles from her chest into Huzi’s hands.