Wei Luo went to the washstand to retrieve a towel, dampened it, and then returned to assist Yin Hui in wiping her hands. Yin Hui half-leaned against the head of the bed, observing his blush-stained face, and reached out to touch him twice.
Wei Luo lifted his gaze.
Yin Hui smiled and remarked, “The wind is so strong over there; it roughens your face.”
The recent battle had a profound impact on him. It wasn’t just the roughness on his face; despite Wei Luo’s youthful innocence, the experience transformed him. Like a bird with newly grown wings, the young eagle had not yet dared to fly out. However, after half a year on the battlefield, he not only learned to fly but also to hunt, evolving into an awe-inspiring eagle.
Though only twenty, that battle served as Wei Luo’s true rite of passage. His gaze became more restrained, and his face exhibited greater resolution.
This changed demeanor increasingly resembled the thirty-year-old King Shu in Yin Hui’s memory from her previous life. The young Mr. Wei, influenced by love, would still undertake humble tasks, such as helping Yin Hui wipe her hands. In contrast, the 30-year-old King Shu had more responsibilities, spending at most five or six nights a month with her. Additionally, Xiao Heng’s studies in the palace kept him occupied. As Princess Shu, Yin Hui often found herself bored, eagerly anticipating the return of her husband and son for a family meal.
However, when they did return, both the elder and younger were like ice cubes. Unless prompted, no one took the initiative to engage with her or share anything about their experiences.
Fortunately, many things had changed. Yin Hui now had a dowry property to manage, and her natal family provided additional support. With a child on the way, the prospect of a lively family awaited. Furthermore, if she could conceive a third child within the next two years, their Shu Palace would undoubtedly thrive.
Observing Yin Hui’s distracted expression as she gazed at his face, Wei Luo noticed her initial despondency, followed by a subtle lift of her lips.
“What are you thinking about?” Wei Luo tossed the towel onto the table, embraced her once more, and inquired, holding her soft and delicate hand.
Yin Hui rubbed his shoulder, settling into a comfortable position, and replied, “I was reminiscing about how scared I was of you when we first got married. I didn’t dare to show my anger when you were around.”
Naturally, Wei Luo recalled her timidity, the way she avoided direct eye contact.
“Why aren’t you afraid anymore?” He asked.
Yin Hui paused, offering a half-truth, “I’ve grown familiar with you. I’ve come to realize that you may have a cold demeanor and seldom talk, but you’re not fierce, not prone to temper tantrums.”
Wei Luo pursed his lips, aware that in Yin Hui’s eyes, he might be perceived as an irritable and violent person.
“Hey, I’m sleepy. Let’s rest for a while, or I won’t have the energy for dinner tonight,” Yin Hui suggested. Despite appearances, just standing in front of Duanli Gate waiting for someone could be quite tiring.
Wei Luo lay down beside her. While she quickly drifted off to sleep, Wei Luo found his mind still buzzing with various thoughts. Memories of facing the Jin soldiers alongside his father and king filled his thoughts. Despite the congratulations and praise from his elder and second brothers, Wei Luo sensed an undercurrent of unspoken thoughts, especially from his elder brother. The second brother, lacking prowess in both civil and military affairs, seemed less affected, but the elder brother, overwhelmed by a younger sibling, likely harbored some concerns. It wasn’t that Wei Luo distrusted his elder brother; it was the subtle strangeness in his elder brother’s smile when offering praise—seemingly gentle and sincere, yet revealing an underlying unease.
Wei Luo couldn’t help but show a wry smile.
What was bothering his brother? No matter how good he was, he couldn’t surpass him. Was it possible that their father would change his heir because of his little military deeds?
It was actually impossible, their father wouldn’t, and he hadn’t even considered it.
Their grandfather entrusted their father with the duty of guarding the northern border of Yandi, a responsibility passed down through the descendants of King Yan. The eldest brother managed Yandi’s affairs from a literary perspective, and Wei Luo’s ambition was aligned with helping his eldest brother in guarding the frontier.
Lost in thought, Wei Luo likely fell asleep as deeply as Madam Yin, following suit for half an hour. Although he hadn’t felt tired before bedtime, upon waking, Wei Luo realized how comfortable his home bed was—a luxury he hadn’t enjoyed for over half a year.
“Want to lie down a bit longer? We still have some time before we need to get ready,” Yin Hui suggested, noting his weariness with a smile.
Wei Luo stepped aside, allowing Yin Hui to wash up first. Jinzhan and Yinzhan entered to attend to the master.
Behind the curtain that had not yet been rolled up, Wei Luo lay on his side, observing Yin Hui’s slow movements. Reflecting on the past six months spent living and sleeping at the frontier, he recognized the challenges Yin Hui faced, especially with Xiao Heng to care for and the added difficulty of being pregnant.
When he remembered that she said that she secretly cried, Wei Luo sat up without any slack.
Yin Hui, having just finished wiping her face and still combing her hair, found Wei Luo lifting the curtain and asked curiously, “Why don’t you lie down a little longer?”
Wei Luo replied, “I’m going to see Xiao Heng.”
Xiao Heng, eager to visit his parents, had woken up early but was persuaded by the wet nurse not to disturb their reunion. Though the child didn’t fully understand, the wet nurse certainly did.
Wei Luo, dressed neatly, stepped out of the main room and spotted Xiao Heng squatting under the locust tree in the courtyard, poking something with a thin twig. Wei Luo went to the side corridor and took a seat.
Spotting his father, Xiao Heng dropped the twig and rushed over. Wei Luo picked him up and, after a series of questions from Xiao Heng, turned the inquiry to a more serious matter.
“Did your mother get sick when Father was not at home?” Wei Luo asked.
Xiao Heng thought for a moment and nodded.
Frowning deeply, Wei Luo continued, “Was it serious?”
Xiao Heng didn’t quite understand the concept of seriousness.
Recognizing the limitations of questioning a child, Wei Luo called the wet nurse over in a low voice to gather more information. To their surprise, the wet nurse responded with puzzlement, “Madam has always been well, never sick.”
Xiao Heng interjected, “You’re lying! Mr. Du came several times; I saw it all!”
The wet nurse, startled at first, laughed and clarified to Wei Luo, “Third Master, Madam is pregnant, so Mr. Du came to check Madam’s pulse regularly. Wu Lang misunderstood.”
Wei Luo understood and dismissed the wet nurse. He continued to question his son, “Has anyone bullied your mother? Has your mother ever cried?”