Upon returning to Pingcheng, King Yan opted not to disturb the city’s residents. Instead, he sent someone in advance to inform Princess Xu. The triumphant return of the Patriarch prompted Princess Xu to assemble her entire family for a warm welcome.
Following the customs of the imperial palace in the capital, King Yan’s Mansion opened four gates: Donghua Gate, Xihua Gate, Houzai Gate, and the rarely opened Duanli Gate in the south, reserved for significant events. On this momentous day, everyone from the masters of the courtyards to the maids and servants gathered in front of Duanli Gate.
After a half-hour wait, Princess Xu, noticing Yin Hui’s discomfort, ordered a chair for her. Gratefully, Yin Hui took a seat. Considering her late-winter due date and the onset of winter, sitting for extended periods became increasingly uncomfortable for her. Fortunately, the lack of sunlight spared her from profuse sweating during the morning wait.
As they waited, Ji Xianxian, also fatigued from standing, leaned on the back of her chair and engaged in a low conversation. “The third master’s return is timely, just in time for the child’s birth,” she remarked.
“Blessings to the Emperor, father, and all frontier soldiers,” Yin Hui dutifully responded.
Ji Xianxian, noting Yin Hui’s rosy cheeks, half-smiled and commented, “Your conversational skills are improving.”
Yin Hui playfully placed her index finger on her lips, catching the princess’s attention. Ji Xianxian, thinking Princess Xu was observing, quickly stood up straight.
Once sufficiently rested, Yin Hui had Jinzhan move the chair, standing alongside Xu Qingwan and Ji Xianxian. Not long after removing the chair, the sound of robust horseshoes echoed on the street outside the palace. Ji Xianxian, looking at Yin Hui with curious eyes, asked, “Can you pinch me?”
Amused, Yin Hui shook her head. Even with her rebirth, the exact timing of her father-in-law’s return remained elusive from her previous life’s memories.
Outside the Duanli Gate, the guards came to a halt. King Yan signaled Wei Luo and Cui Yu to follow him, rode across the arch bridge over the moat together, and entered energetically.
King Yan donned a purple robe, exuding elegance and luxury. On his left back side was Wei Luo in a stone-blue robe, portraying a heroic demeanor. On the right side was Cui Yu in a white robe, presenting a gentleman-like jade appearance.
As they approached, Wei Luo and Cui Yu dismounted first to pay their respects to Princess Xu, Wei Yang, and others.
Yin Hui stood in the row behind Princess Xu. When the three horses galloped past the Duanli Gate, she immediately recognized Wei Luo’s figure. Seeing him sitting upright on the horse, safe and sound, Yin Hui felt a wave of relief. Although she could still gaze at Wei Luo from a distance, once he drew near, Yin Hui pretended indifference, focusing on the conversation between King Yan and Princess Xu to spare her sisters-in-law and sisters any embarrassment.
As Wei Luo approached, his eyes briefly lingered on her. When he noticed her looking at his father, he looked away.
“Father!” Xiao Heng suddenly emerged from among the little brothers, heading straight for Wei Luo on his short legs. He had missed his father dearly.
Wei Luo was about to catch his son, but King Yan intercepted Xiao Heng in front of him, lifted his good grandson high, and playfully teased him with a smile, “Did you only miss your father, not grandfather?”
Xiao Heng looked at his grandfather, nodded, and said, “I missed you.”
King Yan inquired, “Then why did you call your father first instead of grandfather?”
Xiao Heng blinked and replied solemnly, “Grandfather, you were talking to grandmother.” King Yan was delighted, rubbed Xiao Heng’s head, turned around, handed him to Wei Luo, and then called Da Lang and the others over.
“Father, did you win the battle?” Xiao Heng, now in his father’s arms, visibly relaxed, asked while gazing at his father.
Wei Luo, also looking at his son, noticed that after not seeing him for half a year, he had grown taller and heavier, with features and eyes resembling his father even more.
“Yes, your grandfather led his troops to defeat the Jin Kingdom,” he answered his son in a low voice.
Xiao Heng inquired, “Did you fight on a big horse?”
Wei Luo nodded. His response was succinct, leaving Xiao Heng with numerous questions. Wei Luo had to assure his son that he would share all the details once they returned to Chengxin Hall.
The group lingered for two to three quarters of an hour. King Yan, feeling thirsty and tired after the long journey, suggested, “Let’s go; we’ll have a banquet at the mansion tonight.”
Upon hearing this, everyone dispersed, heading towards their respective courtyards.
Concubine Cui walked aside, intending to take her younger brother, Cui Yu, to rest. King Yan had brought him back to reunite with his sister. Cui Yu approached his sister with a smile but suddenly noticed a figure in a red dress running over beside Concubine Guo. It was Wei Ying.
“Mother, I’ll be at your side for a while,” Wei Ying said coquettishly, holding her mother’s arm.
Concubine Guo did not suspect her.
Seizing the opportunity, Wei Ying glanced back. Cui Yu, noticing her, also looked back.
On the other side, Yin Hui was about to walk towards Wei Luo, who had already approached with Xiao Heng in his arms. Though the winter sun was bleak, Wei Luo’s face, exposed to wind and sun, had regained its original fairness. His eyes remained as cold as a frigid pool, but when their eyes met, Yin Hui felt a hint of burning heat from within, as if a black fire were hidden beneath the ice.
“How are you?”
“Are you not injured?”
Standing face to face, the two asked almost simultaneously.
Afterward, Yin Hui lowered her eyes first and said with a smile, “I’m fine. This kid is very good, and he didn’t bother me much.”
Just as Wei Luo was about to speak, Wei Yang, Wei Yan, Wei Xuan, and Wei Jing walked over simultaneously. The five brothers would return to the east harem together.
Wei Luo had no choice but to set Xiao Heng down and walk ahead with his brothers.
Xu Qingwan and Ji Xianxian stepped back to accompany Yin Hui. Due to Yin Hui’s pregnancy, she walked slowly, while the men in front took large strides, quickly creating distance.