After leaving the palace, Qi Ying returned to his family home, where all family members had gathered in the main hall. Even Old Lady Qi, who had rarely shown herself these past years, had emerged from her quarters. Everyone had been waiting for him for quite some time, their faces filled with joy and celebration.

Having not returned home for more than half a year, there had indeed been quite a few changes in the household.

His eldest sister-in-law Han Ruohui was pregnant again. She was said to be just three months along and not yet showing, but eldest brother Qi Yun was already being very careful, constantly staying by his wife’s side to protect her. Hui’er had also grown much taller. The six-year-old girl was lively and adorable, and had lost a tooth, causing her to speak with a lisp. But upon seeing him, she still ran over to hug his legs and cheerfully called out “Second Uncle,” which was quite endearing. Fourth brother Qi Le also looked radiant, reportedly because he had already exchanged birth dates with his cousin from the Zhao family and would be getting married not long after the New Year. Third brother had grown a bit thinner, but was in good spirits, with everything else remaining as usual.

Father and mother hadn’t changed much, except that mother’s eyes immediately reddened upon seeing his return, while father stood beside her both comforting and helpless, rarely showing such a smile. Grandmother was aged with silver hair covering her head, but was also beaming with joy. She complained that her daughter-in-law shouldn’t be crying on such a joyous day, while reaching out her hand toward her second grandson, calling him over to speak with her.

The entire hall was filled with auspicious and joyful energy.

After the main hall gathering dispersed, Qi Ying accompanied his father to escort his mother back to Jiaxi Hall.

Yao Shi had worried about her son for more than half a year, daily fearing that something might happen to him on the battlefield. Thus, she ate vegetarian meals and recited Buddhist prayers every day, beseeching the Buddha and bodhisattvas for protection. Now that she could finally welcome his safe return, she was naturally overjoyed and deeply moved. After returning to her own territory without her mother-in-law present, she cried even more freely, leaving both Qi Zhang and Qi Ying father and son quite helpless.

This tearful display only stopped when she heard that her son would have to go to Northern Wei as an envoy again after the New Year. Yao Shi frowned and said indignantly: “Why must you go again? Has this court run out of people? This task needs you, that task needs you too! They might as well stop taking salaries and all just go home!”

Though this tirade was satisfying, she accidentally included the Prime Minister in her scolding. Left Prime Minister felt uncomfortable and coughed, his expression somewhat displeased.

This… this couldn’t be said that way…

Left Prime Minister picked up his teacup for a sip of tea, half-leaning against the soft cushions of his wife’s sitting bed. After thinking, he said to his second son: “Having you handle this matter is still the most appropriate and secure choice, though it will be rather taxing—however, once this affair is concluded, I will also request permission for you to rest for a period. You can return then to accompany your mother.”

Qi Ying lowered his head in agreement.

Qi Zhang nodded, then sat up straight and patted his second son’s shoulder with a kind expression, saying: “You performed very well in the Northern Expedition. The new emperor has just ascended the throne, and this victory holds great significance for His Majesty. He will be grateful to you for it.”

Upon hearing this, Qi Ying lowered his eyelids.

Whether Xiao Ziheng would be grateful to him remained doubtful in his heart, and he didn’t particularly care—he needed no one’s gratitude. As long as the country prospered and the family remained stable, that was sufficient.

He said nothing more, only agreed again.

Yao Shi had no interest in these court affairs, only wanting her child to be safe and sound, living smoothly and successfully. Seeing that her son had just returned and her husband was already discussing official business with him, her anger flared up and she began giving the Prime Minister cold looks.

The Prime Minister could least tolerate his wife’s subtle passive-aggressive behavior. He immediately fell silent, changing the subject and speaking somewhat ingratiatingly to his wife: “Today is Laba Festival. Didn’t you personally cook porridge saying you wanted Jingchen to have some? Now would be perfect timing.”

This successfully redirected his wife’s attention.

Indeed, today was Laba Festival.

Speaking of which, this was originally one of Buddhism’s major festivals, being the day of Shakyamuni Buddha’s enlightenment, also called “Dharma Treasure Festival” or “Enlightenment Assembly.” According to custom, one should drink Laba porridge, also called “Buddha porridge.” This festival was usually celebrated grandly, but this year coincided with the late emperor’s death, with the entire nation in mourning, so this seasonal celebration couldn’t be conducted on a large scale. Each household simply cooking some porridge for themselves was sufficient.

Yao Shi had indeed prepared porridge early, waiting for her son’s return to eat it. Upon hearing the Prime Minister mention this, she quickly called for servants to bring the porridge, forgetting to continue giving him cold looks.

When the fragrant, glutinous porridge was served, the three of them shared it together beside the sitting bed, chatting happily in perfect harmony.

Later, guests came to visit the Prime Minister, so Qi Zhang left first to receive them. Yao Shi continued talking with her son for a while, but noticed he seemed somewhat distracted. After thinking, she realized he must be missing Wenwen.

Yao Shi smiled, understanding that it hadn’t been easy for the two of them. Just when they should be as sweet as honey mixed with oil, they were forcibly separated by warfare—it was truly torturous.

She was very understanding and smiled at her son: “If you’re missing Wenwen, hurry back to see her. Not seeing each other for more than half a year has been difficult for you both.”

Actually, these two had just met a few days ago and had been quite intimate then. In total, they had only been separated for a few days, but Qi Ying was indeed already missing Shen Xiling very much and truly wanted to see her immediately.

So he didn’t refuse his mother’s kind intention, only saying somewhat awkwardly: “Then I’ll head back first… Thank you, mother.”

Even though the two had only been apart for a few days, that brief meeting the other day was far from enough to soothe their longing. So when Qi Ying returned to Fenghe Courtyard that evening, Shen Xiling was still emotionally stirred, throwing herself into his arms and refusing to let go no matter what.

The servants all had good sense. Seeing this situation, they silently withdrew from the room one by one, leaving the couple alone.

That day in the military camp, both had been unable to restrain themselves in their passionate embrace. Now in their own home, they naturally had even fewer reservations. With longing and deep affection, they were uninhibited. After speaking only a few sentences, they were kissing, and somehow found themselves together on the bed.

Even though they had been committed to each other for a long time and shared considerable intimacy, Shen Xiling still felt she couldn’t resist Qi Ying’s kisses. His touches always easily made her tremble with pleasure, and this feeling was mutual. He was originally such a cold and indifferent person, yet now was always easily moved by her. The two were truly like dry kindling meeting fierce fire—one touch would set everything ablaze.

Only tonight Qi Ying was very restrained. Even though the young lady’s partially revealed fair, rounded shoulders were so enticing, he desperately held back from looking—well, he did look a few times—well, he did kiss a few times too—but besides that, he did nothing else.

He held her in his arms, enduring uncomfortably, while Shen Xiling actually also felt somewhat… uncomfortable. She whimpered in his embrace, tugging at his clothing and nuzzling against him. Those beautiful eyes of hers were misty, making one unable to bear it upon seeing them.

Qi Ying couldn’t stand her looking at him like that, so he simply reached out to cover her eyes. Shen Xiling’s vision went dark, only hearing him sigh beside her ear: “Can’t you be more well-behaved…”

Again, that particularly low, slightly hoarse voice.

As if she had been bullying him.

His voice like that pleased Shen Xiling, making her feel a strange satisfaction in her heart, revealing a smile that was both a bit mischievous and somewhat smug.

She obediently let him cover her eyes, while saying: “I’m the most well-behaved… You’re clearly the one making trouble for yourself.”

She was complaining about him.

Those jade-white little hands were again exploring his clothing, as if inviting him to a tryst, and also as if telling him… he really didn’t need to restrain himself.

Qi Ying was tormented even more by her teasing, yet had no way to deal with this little girl, only holding her even tighter.

Though he valued propriety, he wasn’t rigidly stubborn. Their feelings had naturally developed to this point, and some matters being a step earlier or later really didn’t matter much, especially since he wanted her so much too.

It was just that after his diplomatic mission, they would have to leave Jiankang, which would inevitably involve some traveling and upheaval. If she became pregnant by then, the journey would be quite inconvenient.

He still hoped she could be as safe and comfortable as possible.

But the young lady was inconsiderate and unappreciative, still tormenting him there. Qi Ying was both annoyed and amused, catching her troublemaking little hands that were causing mischief everywhere, sighing as he explained to her: “I’m worried that if you become pregnant, it won’t be convenient for us to travel together.”

Shen Xiling had originally been obediently letting him cover her eyes, but upon hearing him mention pregnancy, she became animated. She pulled away his hand, her little face flushing red, eyes widening round, looking somewhat bewildered as she murmured at him: “Preg… pregnancy?”

Clearly appearing as if she had never thought about this matter before.

This child…

Qi Ying sighed again, propping himself up to sit first. The little girl then also sat up, and the two leaned against the head of the bed together in a half-sitting position. She naturally nestled into his arms again, listening to him ask with a hint of amusement: “What, are you scared?”

Shen Xiling wasn’t scared, just had never thought about this matter before, so hearing about it suddenly was merely novel.

Pregnancy…

She would become pregnant, would have his child… and then they would share a complete family together…

With him, with her, with their little one—perfect and complete.

Shen Xiling’s eyes lit up.

She had never possessed a complete family since childhood. Though she knew both her father and mother loved her dearly, due to those helplessly frustrating reasons, her family was incomplete and fragmented.

But soon she would have a perfectly whole family.

Together with the only man she deeply loved.

He would surely be a wonderful father… He was so gentle and magnanimous, and good at guidance. When he put on a stern face he could be quite fierce too—he would certainly teach their little one very well! He could take their little one to read, teach them to ride horses, and take them to see lanterns, go on spring outings, and set off firecrackers!

All the moments from her childhood when she regretfully lacked a father’s companionship—he would be there for. Their little one would have no regrets and would grow up happily and blissfully.

How wonderful that would be.

Shen Xiling truly became happy and looked forward even more to their life after leaving Jiankang.

She snuggled in his arms, placing her small hand in his large palm, unable to help looking up at him. Her eyes were bright, like an energetic little cat, as she mumbled: “I’m not scared at all. I just… I just hadn’t thought about this before.”

Her cheerful appearance made Qi Ying feel pleased too. He lowered his head to kiss her forehead without saying anything more.

But Shen Xiling’s interest in conversation was still strong. She held his hand, appearing somewhat excited yet inevitably a bit shy as she asked him: “Then… does Young Master prefer boys or girls?”

This child… Just moments ago she had looked like she’d never thought about pregnancy, but now she was thinking so far ahead, even starting to plan whether the child should be male or female.

Qi Ying was truly helpless. Upon hearing this, he looked down at her with an expression somewhere between smiling and not smiling, which made Shen Xiling’s face flush even redder as she stammered an explanation: “I… I’m just asking, just talking about it doesn’t matter…”

Author’s Note:

Some people are standing at second base but insist on worrying about home plate—what are you two looking at randomly? I’m talking about you, okay!

BTW, I need to thank everyone for their comments again. It’s truly like a fire in winter, with blazing flames illuminating me (cheesy, I know).

I also saw the angels guessing the plot—all super nice~ Why don’t we have a prize guessing game haha

Question: How will Fu Rong expose Wenwen’s identity?

Valid until I write to that part (probably about three chapters left). Just comment directly below~ I’ll announce the winners when I write to that point, and all angels who guess correctly will get red envelopes~

Solemn (?) Promise: There are small hints about this in the previous text, so I won’t see an angel guess correctly and then emergency-change the plot!