Delivering food was a significant task, and Wei Luo was concerned about oversleeping. To ensure he woke up on time, he had instructed An Shun’er the night before. However, he found himself awake first, observing the hourglass outside, which indicated that there were still thirty minutes before departure.
Although he had just roused from sleep, many thoughts flooded his mind. A day and a night had passed since the sneak attack by the Jin Kingdom. Would Guo Xiao lose the city? The Huns, always eyeing the Central Plains, might seize the opportunity to move south. His father, used to countless battles, no longer feared the battlefield. However, Wei Luo, though well-versed in martial arts since childhood, had never killed anyone. What would it feel like to take a life? Would he be wounded or, worse, killed?
If he were to die in the battle, his father would likely be deeply disappointed. Despite early training at the guard house, it seemed futile. And if he were to perish, what would become of Mrs. Yin?
Contemplating this, Wei Luo leaned over to find Yin Hui sleeping peacefully, her back turned to him. He reached out, placing a hand on her still-flat abdomen, where their second child was growing.
Yin Hui stirred, wanting to turn around, but Wei Luo gently rested his chin against the back of her head and spoke softly, “When I’m not at home, Xiao Heng will rely on you. Remember, nothing is as important as your well-being. If you face any injustice, seek the princess’s judgment. If you feel unwell, summon the doctor immediately, and you need not concern yourself with anyone else.”
Yin Hui held his large hand, reminding him, “You said all this last night.”
Wei Luo lightly pinched her finger, continuing, “If I can’t come back…”
Yin Hui turned abruptly, covering his mouth. In the darkness, Wei Luo could discern the light in her eyes. Surprisingly calm, he reassured her, “I will come back. The three of you can wait for me.”
Smiling, Wei Luo touched her face.
They embraced for a while before Wei Luo rose. Yin Hui followed suit, donning her outer clothes and letting her long hair flow freely as she escorted him out.
In the predawn darkness, with visibility limited, Wei Luo glanced towards the inner room and then at Yin Hui, suggesting, “Go back.”
Yin Hui insisted, “I’ll see you off to Donghua Gate.”
“It’s too far,” Wei Luo reasoned.
Yin Hui grabbed his hand and stood silently firm. Unable to protest, he held her hand, and they walked out together.
Jinzhan and An Shun’er led the way with lanterns, creating rhythmic footsteps that prompted crickets in the flowers to chirp and frogs in the moat to echo. Exiting Donghua Gate and turning into the long alley separating the front and back palace, Yin Hui suddenly smiled and remarked, “Do you remember last year when we went out together and bumped into your father?”
Wei Luo recalled Yin Hui’s nervousness during that encounter, while he remained composed. There was a slight concern that his father might reprimand him for allowing her an unscheduled trip outside the palace. Fortunately, his father, though dissatisfied, merely reminded him to take care of Yin Hui’s reputation. He knew that, given her courage, she might face severe consequences if his father learned about it.
“When I come back, let’s go out a few more times,” Yin Hui expressed, hoping for his return, as in their previous life.
Wei Luo lightly squeezed her hand, affirming, “Yeah.” The alley seemed long, yet that day it felt strangely short. The guards at the gate, upon seeing the Third Master in armor, promptly opened the doors.
The three doors creaked open one after another, breaking the dawn’s silence before disappearing into the darkness.
Chang Feng and a group of guards were already outside, with only the white-hoofed horse patiently waiting for its master.
Wei Luo mounted his horse and glanced back. Across him, he saw Yin Hui standing in the dim lantern light. The morning wind tousled her long hair, almost as if it intended to transform into threads, wrapping around him and refusing to let him depart.
Perhaps if the lighting were brighter, he could have seen the tears in her eyes.
“Move!” Wei Luo commanded. Staying there was futile, so he rode forward. Chang Feng and the other guards followed closely, the rhythmic hooves breaking the quietness of the night.
The guards sequentially closed the three doors.
“Madam, let’s go back as well,” the maid suggested, holding a lamp and supporting Yin Hui’s shoulder.
Yin Hui nodded, her face tearless. In her past life, Wei Luo had been involved in numerous wars, and Yin Hui had grown accustomed to parting. Sending him off outside Donghua Gate was a gesture aimed at maintaining a relationship of mutual respect and harmony in this life. However, even though Wei Luo had departed, An Shun’er remained.
On the way back, Yin Hui remained anxious, periodically glancing in the direction Wei Luo had left until she returned to the backyard of Chengxin Hall. Jinzhan waited for her to sleep and then went out.
Lying in the empty bed, Yin Hui couldn’t fall asleep immediately, her gaze fixed on Wei Luo’s pillow. The previous night, because they couldn’t go all out, he had been willing to kiss her, and his skill was as adept as his expertise in kissing her neck.
Perhaps those with exceptional martial skills also possessed a heightened understanding in intimate matters—or maybe it was a matter of restraint. Yin Hui shook her head, dispelling such inappropriate thoughts. She eventually dozed off for an hour.
At dawn, she woke up again. While combing her hair, the wet nurse arrived with Xiao Heng.
“Mom, can I watch the dragon boat race today?”
That year, the palace had initially planned for another dragon boat race. Er Lang, San Lang, and Si Lang were all eagerly anticipating it. During their discussions, Xiao Heng, too, expressed his excitement and asked his mother about it every day.
Maintaining a dignified posture, Yin Hui instructed Yinzhan to comb her hair. She pulled Xiao Heng into her arms, gently touching the little guy’s head before saying, “Shall I tell you a story first?”
Curious, Xiao Heng asked, “What story?”
Yin Hui recounted a war that occurred five years ago between the dynasty and the Xiongnu. Keeping it simple, she described how the Huns invaded the dynasty’s territory, and his grandfather, King Yan, courageously led the troops to repel the Xiongnu cavalry, highlighting the king’s bravery and invincibility.
Xiao Heng’s eyes lit up with admiration, exclaiming, “Grandpa is amazing!”