Yuan Cheng rode on his horse, smiling as he accepted the people’s respectful wishes. Suddenly, he saw the soldiers ahead parting to create a path. When he saw clearly who was walking toward him, his gaze could no longer leave her.

The morning light of early summer shone in those beautiful eyes, condensing into bright dewdrops. Light wind fluttered her sash, silk ribbons floating. Her figure seemed like a banished immortal descending to the mortal world, graceful and enchanting. Where else could he find such a woman? When he returned from his journey, what greeted him was not humble waiting, not plaintive longing, not dependent joy, but the brilliance and pride of one who had folded her wings and returned to him from the vast world.

His Mo Zi! Unique, his wife. Because of her, he believed in destiny. No matter how long heaven had made him walk alone, being able to send her to his side meant he was blessed.

The voices shouting “Prime Minister Yuan” quieted, and the voices shouting “Third Princess” also quieted. Everyone watched as Prime Minister Yuan dismounted, his feet seeming to tread on flowing clouds as he quickly walked before Mo Zi.

Mo Zi extended her hand. “Congratulations on your triumphant return, husband.”

Yuan Cheng took it and walked shoulder to shoulder with her. “Nearly five months now—how can it not show?”

“I deliberately chose high-waisted skirts to wear, so naturally it doesn’t show.” Surrounded by a sea of people, Mo Zi gripped his hand in return, yet it felt like strolling in their own backyard.

Yuan Cheng looked her over from top to bottom again. “Which clothing shop made this? I’ll go return it. A perfectly good pregnant woman dressed like an unmarried young lady—the shop owner is making unconscionable profit with unclear intentions.”

Mo Zi’s brows knotted. “Unclear intentions?” How amusing. “You want the whole city to see my clumsy, foolish appearance?”

“I do have a bit of that selfish desire.” Yuan Cheng didn’t deny it. “It’s enough for my wife to be beautiful in her husband’s eyes alone.” At this time, her skin was jade-translucent, her face seemed to have a soft radiance, and every frown and smile was captivating.

“Thank you for praising this concubine’s beauty, husband.” Mo Zi spoke in a joking tone, then honestly asked him, “Is the beauty in the carriage Nande’s Third Princess?”

“Precisely.” Yuan Cheng’s expression didn’t change. “She escaped from the capital but I happened to encounter her. She’s different from the Empress Dowager and the new emperor—she can’t be treated as a prisoner.”

It seemed the rumors were mostly accurate. Mo Zi decided to be direct. “How do you plan to settle her? Should I have someone vacate a residence?”

A glimmer of light flashed in Yuan Cheng’s eyes, as if he understood her thoughts. He said, “Though she’s without fault, she is after all the deposed emperor’s elder sister. Why would you need to consider accommodations for her? Zhang Zhen will make arrangements. She’s quite beloved by some people. If we treat her courteously, hearts will unite.”

So mostly accurate didn’t equal fully accurate—off by one or two could still be one hundred and eight thousand li away.

Mo Zi turned to look and saw that carriage indeed following Zhang Zhen’s procession, parting ways with her and Yuan Cheng.

“Prime Minister Yuan.” She called him.

Yuan Cheng heard her address him this way. “Official business?”

“I want to transfer someone to work for me—Water Bureau ninth-rank supervisor Fang Zhan.” Poaching talent.

“Fang Zhan?” Yuan Cheng hadn’t heard this name. “What ability does he have for you to personally ask?”

Mo Zi told Yuan Cheng the reason. “Almost the whole city thinks you like the Third Princess, but he guessed that you’re not infatuated with beauty—rather, it’s wartime strategy. This person is quite intelligent and also understands engineering. I want to observe up close whether he can be a capable assistant. Ever since I became pregnant with your precious one, I always feel my brain isn’t sufficient. Not only do my design drawings contain errors, but many calculations that were simple to solve before now require effort. I’m drowsy every day, sometimes suddenly everything goes blank before my eyes. I deeply detest using my brain.”

“Does pregnancy cause this?” Yuan Cheng showed a surprised expression. “So the whole city thinks I’ll take the princess as a concubine, and you also believed it, needing this person called Fang Zhan to enlighten you?”

Why did the latter part of these words sound off? Mo Zi carefully explored his tone. “You’re mocking me.”

Yuan Cheng smiled. “Because I thought that whether or not I take concubines is something that doesn’t require your clever brain.” But rather—the heart.

“I don’t believe you’d marry the Third Princess, but I’m also uncertain about your purpose in bringing her into the city. Moreover, you and she do have a past connection.” And then—who knows? Sympathy and friendship could both be stepping stones to love.

“A past connection? Speaking of it, there was one—we nearly became husband and wife.” Yet Yuan Cheng’s expression was dismissive. “Each had their own calculations. It just had nothing to do with mutual affection.”

He had no interest in the person, but that didn’t mean the person had no interest in him. Just now, when that princess discovered they were parting ways, her expression instantly became resentful, carrying incredulous shock and loss. Mo Zi had seen it all.

“I’m not interrogating you.” She truly did trust him. “Transfer Fang Zhan for my use.”  She urgently needed someone capable of planning and strategizing.

“I’ll look into it first.” For talent, one must strike first. Her judgment had always been good. Yuan Cheng became curious about Fang Zhan.

Once they entered the house, Mo Zi dared say anything. “We’re married, there’s even a child, and my requests can still be ignored. Yuan Cheng, don’t forget—I still have one final move.”

Yuan Cheng made a sound. “Which move?”

“Reconciliation and separation.” Hmph! Competing with her for people?

Yuan Cheng looked toward A’Yue and A’Hao.

They immediately withdrew and closed the door.

Mo Zi widened her eyes. “You… you… what do you want to do so early in the morning?”

“This husband wants to use practical action to respond to Madam’s final move.” Yuan Cheng approached her, his eyes deep yet filled with seizing intent.

“I have a big belly—” She thought ancient people didn’t know that the stable period of pregnancy allowed for that.

Before she could finish, Yuan Cheng seized her lips.

His arms embraced her so tenderly, yet between their lips was such fervor. First pressing tightly without moving an inch, as if with one movement her fragrance would disappear. Only after hearing her soft moan did he deepen this kiss, drawing sweetness from her soft lips, sculpting them as if they were the world’s most precious treasure.

Mo Zi responded to him, her pink tongue like a butterfly, laughing and playing between light gasps.

When the two ended this deep kiss, their four eyes contained tender affection, their chests rising and falling.

Yuan Cheng carefully lifted her and placed her on the bed, yet said, “I see you really are tired. Sleep a bit more.”

“Hm? You’re leaving?” That wasn’t an appetizer but the full meal?

Yuan Cheng smiled. “You’re pregnant. If I don’t leave, what can I do?”

She had overestimated ancient people, Mo Zi thought.

But when she opened her mouth, her voice was slightly hoarse, her face like peach blossoms. “After the first three months it’s fine.”

Having spoken, she immediately covered her mouth. She should have just let him leave like that. But the body was more honest than the brain. After being separated for so long, she missed this man immensely. Moreover, he had started the fire first.

Yuan Cheng gazed at Mo Zi’s beautiful and charming face. He was actually enduring with great difficulty, his whole body tense to the point of pain. Hearing her say this, his breathing couldn’t help but become rapid and chaotic. “Who said so?”

Mo Zi knew that as long as she changed her words now, he would walk out of this room and wholeheartedly focus on the great undertaking of establishing a peaceful and prosperous age.

Yuan Cheng saw her wavering. He reached out to gently caress her cheek, bent down close, nose tip touching nose tip. “Mo Zi?”

Looking at his alluring charming face, Mo Zi heard the sound of restraint collapsing. “Miao Shi told me to just be careful. She’s lived with Doctor Ji for many years, so she shouldn’t be—”

Yuan Cheng swallowed the word “wrong.”

“Wait a moment.” Mo Zi stopped his hand from removing her clothes.

Yuan Cheng frowned, flames flickering in his eyes. “Mo Zi, you don’t actually think I can still get off the bed at this point, do you?”

“Transfer Fang Zhan for my use.” She hadn’t forgotten about this matter.

Yuan Cheng pressed his forehead against hers and laughed softly. “Little fox.”

Mo Zi pushed him away, lying on her side propped on her elbow. “If you don’t agree, you really will have to get off the bed. However—” She bit her lip in a bewitching smile and learned from him, reaching out to caress his cheek. “After pregnancy, both my complexion and figure have become more beautiful. Aren’t you curious to see?”

Facing his beloved’s stunning allure, Yuan Cheng’s lips curved in a smile, his face showing helplessness while secretly delighted. “Alright, I agree. Compared to the final move, this move is countless times more effective. Wife, you might as well use it more often in the future.”

Mo Zi leaned forward, letting him embrace her. “I’ve only just learned this move is so convenient. Husband, rest assured—this wife will definitely make greater use of it in the future.”

A fire finally blazed up.

When Mo Zi woke, it was already afternoon. Yuan Cheng wasn’t there. She remembered that at the time she was half asleep when he said there were matters to discuss and he’d return for evening meal.

After fully replenishing herself with a hearty lunch, Mo Zi wanted to go to the shipyard, but Xiao Yi, who had returned from the campaign, wouldn’t let her.

“Prime Minister Yuan said you shouldn’t busy yourself anywhere today—rest well.” Xiao Yi sat across from her cracking melon seeds. Though she currently looked like a standard maid, she was already a Jindao Guard officer.

The Jindao Guard was Yuan Cheng’s personal guard, serving only him alone.

“I can stay in, but you must tell me about this battle.” Not being able to witness the great victory in person left some small regret.

Xiao Yi continued cracking melon seeds, finding time between to say, “There’s nothing to say. Winning is what’s most important.”

Mo Zi smiled. “I forgot you’re not talkative.” Although her relationship with her senior brothers had improved, her personality was already set.

Xiao Yi shrugged. “Many people on our side died, but more people survived.” The most straightforward description of victory.

Mo Zi asked no more.

A’Yue came in and said, “Madam, the Third Princess’s visiting card.”

“So soon?” Mo Zi opened it to look.

“No need to look—just refuse directly.” Xiao Yi rarely gave advice.

“That won’t do. If I shut her out, others will think I’m petty and intolerant. I won’t play the villain—let Yuan Cheng do that.” The card was written very courteously, saying Prime Minister Yuan had shown her life-saving grace, but since men and women should maintain proper distance, she requested to become acquainted with Madam Yuan, hoping for future opportunities to repay this kindness.

Xiao Yi pouted and cleaned up the melon seed shells, yet sat without leaving. “I’ll watch the show.”

“What show?” Mo Zi found it amusing. “She comes to visit, I’ll receive her as a guest.”

“The Third Princess likes Prime Minister Yuan.” Xiao Yi had followed back the whole way.

“I guessed that. My husband has world-shocking talent and is a graceful handsome man. Having young ladies like him is very normal.” She couldn’t very well hide Yuan Cheng at home, staring at each other wide-eyed for a lifetime. “This kind of thing can’t be prevented, and I can’t control others’ thoughts. The best approach is—she comes courteously, I send her off courteously.”

Before long, the curtain lifted and two people entered.

“Liu Bao’er greets Madam.” The Third Princess wore an elegant eighteen-panel lotus skirt with a green crossover cloud-silk gauze robe. Aside from a hairpin and pearl belt, she had no other adornments.

Just hearing these words and seeing this outfit, Mo Zi knew this princess was very sensible about the times.