Li Jiancheng was momentarily stunned, then smiled and said: “What did I think it was? So it’s about this. You’re my second brother, and as your big brother, I naturally have to help you.” He sighed: “In the past, it was all big brother’s fault. I got fixated on trivial matters and even wanted to harm my own brother. Fortunately, no great disaster occurred, otherwise even if I regretted it for a lifetime, it would be useless.”

“Let the past remain in the past. Neither of us should mention it again.” Faced with Li Shimin’s words, Li Jiancheng asked: “Then in the future… are we still brothers?”

Li Shimin smiled slightly: “Big brother, what a strange question. When were we ever not brothers?”

This statement deeply moved Li Jiancheng, who vigorously patted his shoulder: “Well said! We’ve always been brothers!” After a brief pause, he smiled: “Have you returned to Muhua Pavilion yet?”

Li Shimin shook his head: “Not yet. Why?”

Li Jiancheng smiled: “During your absence, something happened in the Tang Prince’s mansion. As for what it was, you’ll know when you return to Muhua Pavilion.”

Li Shimin said with amusement: “Big brother, since when do you like to be mysterious?”

“It’s not that I enjoy being mysterious, but this matter should be told to you by someone more suitable.” He patted Li Shimin’s back: “Alright, go quickly.”

Li Shimin was left bewildered by his behavior. After asking once more and seeing that he stubbornly refused to say, he could only head toward Muhua Pavilion. Behind him, Li Jiancheng revealed a cold smile.

The good show… was about to begin!

Chang’an City had just experienced snowfall, with thick layers of snow accumulated on the ground – a full two inches deep. Snow was everywhere in the mansion, and since it had just stopped snowing, the servants hadn’t had time to clear it yet. Each step of his deer-skin boots left a deep footprint in the snow. However, this situation changed as he approached Muhua Pavilion.

When still about ten steps away from Muhua Pavilion, he could see Chuyi leading a group of servants, diligently sweeping the accumulated snow from the ground around Muhua Pavilion. As Chuyi swept, he instructed: “All of you be careful now. Don’t leave a single bit of snow on the ground. Otherwise, when the sun comes out and melts it into water, it will be extremely slippery. If the Second Young Madam gets hurt, none of us can bear the responsibility. Each of you move more quickly. From the entrance to twenty steps away, everything must be swept completely clean of snow.”

Li Shimin approached and said: “Chuyi, why have you brought all the servants from Muhua Pavilion to sweep snow? Don’t you have other tasks?”

Seeing Li Shimin, Chuyi was both surprised and delighted: “Second Young Master, you’ve finally returned! This servant has been eagerly awaiting you.” He said urgently: “This servant will immediately go inform the Second Young Madam and the Princess.”

Li Shimin said in surprise: “The Princess is here too?”

Chuyi smiled with pursed lips: “The Princess has been coming to our Muhua Pavilion every day recently, helping to care for the Second Young Madam.”

Li Shimin was alarmed and quickly asked: “Care for her? Is Wugou ill?”

A servant who was sweeping snow nearby came over and said: “Second Young Master, you just returned so you don’t know yet. The Second Young Madam isn’t ill, it’s just that…”

Chuyi slapped the man’s head with his palm, cutting off his words, and scolded in a low voice: “Don’t speak out of turn.” He then smiled at Li Shimin: “This matter is not convenient for us servants to discuss. It would be better for Second Young Master to ask the Second Young Madam directly. In any case, it’s good news.”

His behavior reminded Li Shimin of Li Jiancheng earlier, and he shook his head: “What’s wrong with everyone today? All acting so strangely.”

Chuyi smiled and scratched his head: “In any case, Second Young Master, you’ll know once you go inside.” He then hurried in to report, and Li Shimin followed behind.

Inside the room, Zhangsun Shi was half-reclining on the bed, sipping the medicinal soup that Yunyi brought to her lips spoonful by spoonful. After finishing the last bit of medicine, she said uneasily: “Having the Princess personally feed Wugou medicine makes Wugou feel terribly guilty. Actually…”

Yunyi handed the medicine bowl to Xiuzhu while taking over the conversation: “Actually, having Xiuzhu feed you would be fine. From just now until now, you’ve said this no fewer than ten times. You’re not tired of saying it, but I’m tired of hearing it. It’s merely a small effort – what’s there to feel guilty about?”

“Even so, the Princess is still of noble birth, and what virtue or ability does Wugou have…” Before she could continue, Yunyi said: “Enough, the feeding is already done. Unless you plan to spit it out and return it to me, don’t say any more.”

Zhangsun Shi was rendered speechless by her words. In her heart, she understood that Yunyi truly regarded her as a sister and didn’t want them to be formal with each other. She smiled: “Alright then, I won’t say any more.”

At this moment, Chuyi walked in with a face full of smiles: “Reporting to Second Young Madam and Princess, Second Young Master has returned!”

Hearing this news, both women were filled with joy. Before they could speak, they saw a tall figure they had been longing for day and night walking in under the bright, dazzling sunlight, instantly brightening the entire room.

“Husband!” Zhangsun Shi called out in surprise and joy, hurriedly trying to get out of bed. Seeing this, Li Shimin quickly walked over and pressed her down: “Just lie there.” As he spoke, he noticed the medicine bowl in Xiuzhu’s hands and asked tensely: “When I left, weren’t you perfectly fine? Why are you now bedridden with illness? What did the physician say? Is it serious?”

A coral-like blush appeared on Zhangsun Shi’s face: “Your wife is not ill. Husband need not worry.”

Li Shimin frowned: “If you’re not ill, why are you taking medicine? What did the physician say?”

Hearing this, everyone in the room pursed their lips and smiled. Yunyi suppressed her laughter and said: “Second Young Master, rest assured. Second Young Madam is truly not ill, it’s just that her body has become a bit heavier.”

“Then she is ill.” Hearing Li Shimin’s words, everyone couldn’t help but laugh out loud. Jixiang, being quick-tongued, said: “Second Young Master is usually so wise and martial, how can he be confused about this matter? Second Young Madam is not ill, but expecting!”

Li Shimin stared at her in a daze. After coming to his senses, he tightly grasped Zhangsun Shi’s hand with indescribable joy: “Wugou, is it true?”

Zhangsun Shi was so shy that she lowered her head, her voice like a mosquito’s: “Not long after husband departed, your wife began to frequently feel chest tightness and nausea. When we called a physician to examine me, he said it was the pulse of pregnancy.”

“Wonderful! Wonderful!” Li Shimin was beside himself with joy. He and Zhangsun Shi had been married for over two years, and he had always hoped for a child. Unfortunately, she had shown no signs for a long time, so he could only suppress this longing in his heart. He never expected that upon his return this time, Zhangsun Shi would give him such a surprise.

Yunyi smiled and said: “The physician said Second Young Madam’s pregnancy is somewhat unstable, so before reaching the fourth month, she must be especially careful – walk less and rest in bed more.”

Zhangsun Shi smiled: “But the physician also said that for a pregnancy of just over a month, instability is normal. It’s you, Princess, who are being too cautious.”