Jinshu knew Song Wan was simply unwilling to let her feel indebted, so she didn’t argue. She knelt on the ground and kowtowed three times to her.

This action greatly startled Song Wan.

“What are you doing? You’re carrying a little one in your belly—you mustn’t disturb the fetal energy.”

Heng Zhi stepped forward to help Jinshu up, while Song Wan pulled her to her side and examined her carefully.

Song Wan saw that Jinshu’s complexion was rosy, and probably because of her pregnancy, her whole person had filled out by four or five parts. Her small face was lustrous and glowing. Her movements showed not half a trace of restraint, suggesting she was accustomed to being in charge at home.

Seeing this, Song Wan’s lips curved slightly, satisfied in her heart.

She thought for a moment and said softly: “How do you get along with your husband? Is he as you remembered from childhood?”

At these words, Jinshu’s face reddened, then showed full shyness: “He’s no different from his youth and treats this servant very well. My husband has no patience for managing household affairs large and small, so everything at home is left for this servant to decide.”

Stroking her protruding belly, Jinshu smiled: “My husband is naturally taciturn. After this servant became pregnant, I often have cravings. When I suddenly want pickled sour bamboo shoots in the middle of the night, he’ll restrain his nature and go to Aunt Li’s house next door to ask for some…”

“When he has three consecutive days of duty, before leaving home he always prepares everything—the water barrel, firewood, and other trivial matters. Even for meat and vegetables that need to be purchased at the market, he gives money to the aunts next door for three days and has them prepare it for me.”

“This servant thinks my father didn’t misjudge—Brother Chengzu is truly a good husband.”

As Jinshu spoke, her face reddened first.

She didn’t know what that thing called love in storybooks was, but Li Chengzu knew her strength was tremendous and never let her do heavy work. Jinshu felt he must cherish her as he did in childhood.

“If he treats you well, then I’m at ease.”

Song Wan touched Jinshu’s head, her emotions complex.

She also hoped Jinshu lived well. It seemed her living an ordinary life was also that person’s wish.

“Your Ladyship, rest assured. This servant lives very well. You mustn’t worry.”

Song Wan nodded, feeling relieved.

Ming Xiang and Song Wan still had matters concerning the Song residence to discuss. Jinshu was considerate and suggested on her own that she catch up with the Heng sisters.

The four former friends walked together to the corridor eaves of Changle Palace and sat together speaking in low voices.

But after only a short while, Heng Zhi and Heng Wu were called away by female officials from other palace halls.

When Shen Qianyu and Wan Xiao walked into Changle Palace from outside, they saw Jinshu and Luanjian sitting in the warm sun. Shen Qianyu glanced at Wan Xiao, finally understanding why this person insisted on escorting him back to Changle Palace today.

“Pay respects to His Majesty.”

“Rise. Luanjian, come with me.”

After the two performed their courtesies, Shen Qianyu opened his mouth to call Luanjian away, leaving only Wan Xiao and Jinshu.

“Director Wan.”

Seeing Wan Xiao, Jinshu smiled sweetly, showing the joy of suddenly encountering an old acquaintance.

In the past when working under Song Wan, whether it was Heng Zhi, Heng Wu, or Luanjian, they all protected her very much and never called her to do laborious tasks that required dealing with outsiders. This left Jinshu with very few acquaintances in the palace.

But Wan Xiao was different. Wan Xiao had helped her treat wounds and helped her find her husband. Jinshu felt they could be considered to have some friendship.

Seeing Wan Xiao hadn’t followed Shen Qianyu into the hall, Jinshu smiled and greeted him.

“What brings you to the palace today?”

Wan Xiao folded his hands in his sleeves, his face full of carefree, irreverent smiles.

“I haven’t seen Her Majesty the Empress in a long time. My household has always received her protection, so I’ve always wanted to find an opportunity to pay my respects and kowtow to thank Her Ladyship.”

At these words, Wan Xiao smiled faintly.

“I see you’re with child. Why are you still traveling about so much? Why not wait until after you’ve given birth safely before entering the palace?”

“How could this servant wait and choose a day? Today I also borrowed Madam Song’s favor—only then could this servant enter the palace.”

When Jinshu spoke, her eyes were full of smiles. Wan Xiao watched with slightly curved lips but didn’t speak.

He folded his hands in his sleeves and lowered his eyes. Only after a moment did he ask quietly how he treats you.

Once these words came out, Jinshu only felt inexplicably strange, but thinking he was probably also concerned for her, she smiled brightly: “Very well. In ordinary days, whether clothing, food, housing, or travel, my husband always puts this servant first.”

“That’s good then.”

Wan Xiao’s eyes took on traces of tender indulgence: “When a woman marries, it’s for clothing and food. If your life can be guaranteed free of worry about clothing and food, free of illness and disaster, that’s enough.”

“Yes, this servant thinks the same.”

At these words Wan Xiao shook his head: “Since you’ve already left the palace, you should call yourself ‘commoner woman.’ It’s no longer appropriate to call yourself ‘this servant.'”

“This ser… commoner woman can’t change the habit all at once, especially after re-entering the palace—I feel even more restrained.”

“Then don’t enter the palace again.”

Wan Xiao said: “Your current status makes it inconvenient to enter the palace. If you live your days well outside the palace, Her Ladyship will be at ease.”

Seeing Jinshu didn’t understand, Wan Xiao didn’t answer further but instead asked if she had chosen a name for the child in her belly.

Jinshu stroked her belly and smiled: “We have.”

“My husband says if we have a boy, we’ll call him Rui, and if it’s a daughter, we’ll call her Zhen.”

“Excellent.”

“Either the Li Family’s auspicious omen or the Li Family’s treasure—this meaning is truly excellent.”

“I think so too.”

Jinshu smiled bashfully, showing some of her childhood charm.

“If you have no other business, I’ll escort you out of the palace. I imagine Her Ladyship and Madam Song still have things to discuss.”

“Actually, there’s nothing else, but I should still pay my respects to Her Ladyship…”

“No matter. You’re with child. Waiting here will only make Her Ladyship worry.”

“But…”

Jinshu couldn’t make up her mind and looked at Wan Xiao with some difficulty.

“I’ll have someone inform Her Ladyship. You needn’t worry.”

After speaking, without waiting for Jinshu’s reaction, Wan Xiao walked forward on his own. When heavy footsteps sounded behind him, only then did he slowly slow his pace, allowing Jinshu to catch up.

He knew Jinshu was indecisive. Making decisions for her and not making her tire her mind actually made her more relaxed.

The two slowly walked toward the palace exit. When they saw the palace gate, Wan Xiao said: “Do you need me to send someone to take you home?”

“No need. My husband is waiting for me outside the palace gate.”

Though she had entered the palace together with Ming Xiang today, Li Chengzu feared the Empress might send someone to escort her out early upon seeing her pregnancy, so they had agreed he would wait at the palace gate.

“My husband said that if I leave the palace together with Madam Song, I should take the Song residence’s sedan chair back. If I come out early alone, I should go to the east gate to find him.”

Seeing her every sentence inseparable from “my husband,” Wan Xiao finally felt at ease and was genuinely happy for her.

“Then I’ll escort you this far. The remaining road you’ll walk yourself.”

Jinshu didn’t understand the meaning beyond his words and only nodded happily.

The sun was strong today. She didn’t know if Brother Chengzu had a place to shade himself from the sun. Thinking this in her heart, Jinshu quickened her steps.

“Jinshu…”

Wan Xiao suddenly spoke. Jinshu turned her head and looked at him blankly.

“If you encounter any difficulties, you can come to Dong Chang to find me.”

“Thank you, Director Wan.”

A considerable distance separated the two. Jinshu looked at Wan Xiao’s kind eyes and suddenly said: “Director Wan…”