But—

Third Master said, “If we investigate openly, I’m afraid it will cause dissatisfaction among Geta and the others. They’ll think you don’t trust them, and it might trigger internal strife.”

Muzhaer narrowed his dark, glistening eyes. “Then investigate secretly?”

“That’s not so easy either.”

Muzhaer looked at him. “Then what method do you have to find out?”

Difficult!

Third Master pondered with lowered eyes for a long while.

Suddenly—

Saihe’s voice came from outside. “Third Master, there’s a letter.”

Another letter?

Third Master had him bring it in.

“It’s also from Young Master Jing.”

“You may leave first.”

Saihe didn’t understand what had happened, but he didn’t ask questions either and withdrew.

Opening the letter, Jingrong’s neat and clear handwriting appeared line by line on the page.

After reading it.

Third Master was overjoyed. “He truly is a clever person!”

…

The next day. Ji Yunshu rose early. Not seeing Jingrong and the others return, she inevitably felt some worry in her heart. She went alone to a small hill outside the camp and gazed at the vast grassland before her, shrouded in morning light. In late September, the air was exceptionally clear. A gentle breeze blew across the green grass like water ripples, creating circles upon circles of waves, carrying the faint scent of grass that lingered at the tip of her nose, refreshing her heart and slightly easing her worried mood.

Yet her hands remained clasped together.

In the distance, Tang Si, her belly protruding, walked toward her.

Coming to her side.

She comforted her, “A’Ji, don’t worry. They didn’t go to fight a battle. They’ll definitely be fine. Besides, Jingrong and A’Mu are both so skilled in martial arts, and with Wurihan and the others there, even the wild wolves in the mountains wouldn’t dare approach.”

These words seemed to comfort herself as well.

Ji Yunshu exhaled deeply, slowly withdrawing her gaze. Her lovely brow remained slightly furrowed. “It’s not Jingrong I’m worried about. I know that no matter what, he won’t let anything happen to himself, because he promised me he would never leave me alone again.”

“Then who are you worried about?”

Don’t tell me she’s worried about my A’Mu?

That won’t do!

Ji Yunshu turned to look at her and parted her lips. “I’m worried about Bai Yin.”

Bai Yin wanted to test Huhehaote, so he was taking the risk of entering the Yuedan military camp.

If Huhehaote truly regarded him as a brother, that would be fine. But she feared…

She didn’t dare think further. Although Bai Yin was the original host’s brother, she had occupied this body for so many years. Whether in temperament or thought, they had become somewhat similar. Not to mention they shared flesh and bone, blood and lineage. So she had long ago regarded herself as the deceased Ji Yunshu, and thus also considered Bai Yin her own older brother.

Tang Si understood her state of mind.

Bai Yin was her brother. Worrying was natural.

“A’Ji, don’t worry. If he died that easily, he would have died long ago on the journey when he was captured and brought here. How would he have had the chance to recognize you? Even if Huhehaote really wants to kill him, Jingrong and A’Mu will definitely have rescued him. Don’t you Central Plains people always have a saying on your lips? What is it… those who survive great calamity will have future blessings! I think this describes Bai Yin. Right now he’s probably doing just fine, and in the future he’ll marry and have children. Then you can be an aunt.”

Pfft—

Ji Yunshu’s heart had been quite heavy, but hearing her say all this, she immediately felt lighter.

Tang Si truly was a treasure!

She took a breath. “Perhaps it really is as you say—those who survive great calamity will have future blessings.”

“Listen to me, I’m definitely right.”

Tang Si smiled brilliantly.

Ji Yunshu liked her smile.

That smile was like sunshine on a spring day, radiating with vigorous life.

A woman like Tang Si naturally possessed the temperament of grassland people, yet also exuded a charm that emanated from her very bones—forthright, sincere, daring to love and hate, valuing relationships and loyalty… Though she had many small flaws, all her shortcomings were covered up by her merits.

She said, “Tang Si, sometimes I truly envy you.”

“Envy me? I envy your intelligence!”

“Intelligence?” She smiled bitterly. “Sometimes being too intelligent… isn’t necessarily a good thing.”

Hm?

Tang Si opened her round eyes wide. What was wrong with being intelligent?

If she could be like Ji Yunshu, sketching bones to solve cases, being a clever person, her tail would definitely reach the sky.

Ji Yunshu’s gaze gradually fell on Tang Si’s protruding belly, her crimson lips curving upward slightly. “When this little one comes out, it will be around late November, right? The weather will be just right then.”

Tang Si nodded, touching her belly with a face full of maternal love. “I just don’t know what he or she will look like? Will they look like me? Or like A’Mu? I don’t know if it’s a boy or a girl. I’ve asked A’Mu several times whether it’s a boy or girl, but he refuses to tell me. He insists on keeping it a mystery, saying I’ll know when the child is born.”

Just as she finished speaking—

Her belly moved.

“Oh my, look, he or she kicked me.” She immediately grabbed Ji Yunshu’s hand and placed it on her belly. “Can you feel it? It’s moving.”

She was so happy.

So full of anticipation.

Ji Yunshu could feel a force within her palm. That force made her whole body tingle.

As if at this very moment, everything around them had become very soft, very slow.

The wind was soft!

The grass was soft!

The white clouds were soft!

And people’s heartbeats seemed to have slowed as well.

Any heavy force would be shattered before an infant about to be born.

“How is it? A’Ji, can you feel it?”

She nodded.

Tang Si’s smile grew even more brilliant. “These past few months, I’ve knitted many sweaters. When the child is born, they can wear them. But what worries me most right now is still the child’s name. I’ve thought of many, but A’Mu says those names are all too fierce and doesn’t agree. But the ones he came up with are too soft and delicate, like Flower or Water. I’m not satisfied with any of them, so it’s been dragging on until now.”

“Don’t rush. We can choose a name after the child is born.”

“Mm.”

A breeze stirred around them.

Ji Yunshu supported her. “The wind is strong here. You’re carrying a child and shouldn’t be exposed too long.”

After the two returned to the tent, Tang Si pulled out a large trunk. Inside were more than a dozen children’s sweaters folded neatly. She excitedly took them out one by one, showing Ji Yunshu the fruits of her maternal love.

How would Houliao people know how to knit these things?

So Tang Si had studied for a long time. In the beginning, her hands were pricked many times, even covered in blood, but she didn’t cry out in pain. She persisted in learning, and thus each piece became more exquisite than the last.

“Look at this one. This was the first one I knitted. I dropped many stitches and it was all tangled up. Fortunately, I later threaded them all back one by one. Later I wanted to unravel it and knit it again, but A’Mu said to keep it for comparison and to show progress!” Tang Si picked up another pink one. “Look at this one. Isn’t it beautiful? This is the best one I’ve made. But it’s pink. If we have a son, I can’t make him wear it, or others will laugh at him.”