After greeting Princess Xu and Mrs. Wen, Yin Hui returned to Chengxin Hall.
Xiao Heng was playing in the corridor, dressed in a red belly band and tulle pants, while holding one end of a rope in his hand, the other end tied to a small wooden chariot.
That small chariot had been the first birthday gift from the fourth master, Wei Xuan, to Xiao Heng. It featured two lifelike warhorses carved on the front and fine pulleys in the middle of the horseshoes. The body of the chariot was equipped with two large wheels that allowed it to be pushed quite a distance. It was apparent that Wei Xuan had played with such a chariot during his own childhood, and it had been a gift from General Guo. It was a testament to the family’s military background, as all the children’s toys were connected to the battlefield.
Xiao Heng ran unsteadily, periodically looking back to check if the chariot was following him. As he glanced up, he suddenly spotted his mother at the corridor’s corner. Xiao Heng burst into joyful laughter, dropped the rope, and dashed even faster. However, just as he was almost there, he accidentally tumbled to the ground.
Yin Hui hurried over, checking if the little guy had scratched his palms or knees, and asked if it hurt.
Xiao Heng hugged his mother’s neck and said clearly, “It doesn’t hurt.”
The corridor lacked direct sunlight but was gently caressed by a breeze. Yin Hui sat by her son’s side and played with him until he climbed down and resumed pulling the cart around.
Yinzhan approached with tea, and Yin Hui inquired, “Has anything unusual happened in the mansion these past two days?”
Yinzhan shook her head, replying, “Everything has been fine, but Wu Lang cried twice yesterday. Once in the morning when he couldn’t find you, and once before bedtime.”
Yin Hui sighed. While she was pleased that her son missed her, there were moments when she longed to return and stay with her family. However, Xiao Heng’s status made it complicated. Unless Wei Luo accompanied her, Princess Xu would never permit her to spend the night outside with Xiao Heng.
“Last night, how did the Third Master react?” Yin Hui continued to inquire.
At the mention of it, Yinzhan’s face displayed fear, and she shivered even though it was summer. “The Third Master appeared fine during dinner and even took Wu Lang to the yard to console him after the meal. However, as time passed, his demeanor grew increasingly grim. When Wu Lang continued crying, the Third Master went to the front yard to rest.”
At that moment, she had only been delivering a mosquito repellent sachet, yet the Third Master’s cold gaze had made her feel as if she had committed a grave offense. It had left her with nightmares that night.
Yin Hui raised her eyebrows, asking, “He didn’t manage to console him?”
Yinzhan replied, “He tried, but Wu Lang didn’t want the Third Master. The more the Third Master held Wu Lang, the harder he cried. His face turned purple from crying.”
Yin Hui couldn’t help but glance at Xiao Heng. The little guy was squatting on the ground, playing with the wooden cart, his fair face and big black eyes making him utterly adorable and beautiful.
It was all because Wei Luo was so aloof. If he were more affectionate, there was no doubt he could easily console his son.
The morning passed like that, and Yin Hui took a break in the afternoon to teach her son how to read and write. Before they knew it, dusk had descended upon them.
Wei Luo returned and took a bath first.
Yin Hui sat on the couch, gazing at her son, who was engrossed in his toys, and then glanced out the window. She couldn’t help but feel a twinge of anxiety, not just about the maids but also about Wei Luo’s cold demeanor. She worried that due to the events of last night, Wei Luo might not allow her to go out in the future.
Scanning the room, Wei Luo’s figure appeared in the corridor, and it seemed as though he was looking in Yin Hui’s direction, so she quickly averted her gaze.
After a while, Wei Luo entered the room.
After Jinzhan and Yinzhan offered tea and discreetly withdrew, Wei Luo glanced at Yin Hui and then at Xiao Heng.
Xiao Heng still held a strong fondness for his father. He dropped his toy and climbed onto his father’s lap, allowing him to embrace him.
Whenever this happened, Wei Luo’s expression softened, much like a piece of ice slowly thawing in the warm sun.
Yin Hui breathed a sigh of relief and pretended to scold Xiao Heng, saying, “Now you’re clinging to your father, why didn’t you let him coax you last night?” Xiao Heng didn’t quite understand. He playfully stepped on his father’s leg with his tiny feet and reached out to touch his face.
Wei Luo lowered his eyes, his gaze falling to the hem of her skirt. The previous night, he had been truly upset when Yin Hui stayed outside. He had only learned in the morning from An Shun’er that she had returned. Believing it was due to her missing Xiao Heng, Wei Luo decided not to dwell on it any further.
“How’s the family?” Wei Luo asked casually, gently restraining his son’s mischievous hand.
Yin Hui was taken aback by his unexpected interest in the Yin family. After a moment of surprise, she immediately smiled and replied, “They’re doing well. Brother Lang has grown quite a bit taller. Oh, and Chang Feng praised his talents. My brother-in-law is…”
Wei Luo interrupted, “I remember, he’s the county magistrate, right?”
Yin Hui nodded, saying, “Yes. My grandfather simply wished for my sister to marry into a well-established family.”
She wanted to ensure Wei Luo didn’t misconstrue her grandfather’s intentions as trying to curry favor with officials.
Wei Luo, however, didn’t misunderstand; instead, he found himself thinking of the cousin with the surname Xie, whom he had inquired about with Chang Feng.