Chapter 142: Before Departure (2)

Qi Ying smiled, and after pondering for a moment as she wished, he then said, “A girl, I think.”

Shen Xiling blinked and asked, “Why?”

Of course, she also liked girls very much, but generally speaking, didn’t many people want sons?

He chuckled, looking down at her with a meaningful expression. “Because raising a daughter is something I already have experience in.”

Upon hearing this, Shen Xiling was taken aback, soon realizing what he meant, and immediately blushed deeply, her ears turning red. She couldn’t help but hit him playfully, pouting, “You… you’re terrible…”

He laughed, his voice deep and mellow, intoxicating like aged sweet wine.

Shen Xiling’s face remained flushed. She nudged him again and asked, “Seriously now, do you prefer a boy or a girl?”

“Both.”

He quieted down, responding to her gently and earnestly, then added, “As long as it’s you who gives birth, I’ll love them all.”

Shen Xiling’s face turned even redder.

It was a rare and beautiful time.

The two of them seemed to have returned to those days when Qi Ying was recuperating from his injuries, spending their days hand in hand, nestled together.

Fenghe Garden wasn’t large, and they had already explored every inch of it, yet neither found it boring. Even reading books they’d read countless times still felt enjoyable. Shen Xiling kept up a steady chatter, always asking Qi Ying about his life on the battlefield over the past half year. He was quite taciturn, only offering a few light words without mentioning how arduous it had been. With no other choice, she switched to telling him about her own life instead. He listened with great interest, his eyes soft and warm.

Later, Qi Ying informed Shen Xiling about his upcoming diplomatic mission, explaining that they would leave Jiankang once it was completed.

When Shen Xiling heard that he was going away again, she was naturally a thousand times reluctant. Her lips pouted so much they could hang an oil bottle. Seeing this, Qi Ying laughed and said, “Why the pout? This time, I’ll take you with me.”

Hearing this, Shen Xiling was stunned, hardly daring to believe such a wonderful thing could happen. Qi Ying pinched her little cheek and said, “Though you’ll have to endure being my maid.”

After leaving Jiankang on this mission, he had no intention of returning. To avoid any unnecessary complications, it was safest to keep her by his side. However, it wouldn’t be appropriate to openly bring a female companion on a diplomatic mission. Thus, Shen Xiling would have to pretend to be his maid.

Far from feeling aggrieved, Shen Xiling was overjoyed. Snuggling into his arms, she said, “I’m not suffering at all. I’ve always wanted to be your maid.”

Qi Ying raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile playing on his lips. “Oh?”

She giggled, leaning close to whisper in his ear, “Really, when I was little, I envied Qingzhu the most. He got to be with you every day. Back then, I thought, if only I could be your page…”

Her words amused him greatly. He tapped her nose lightly and said, “So this is all the ambition you have.”

She wrinkled her nose, indignant. “What’s wrong with being a page? Just you wait, Master. I’ll be better than Qingzhu. He can’t even find his way around, and I won’t be like him…”

Hearing this, Qi Ying burst out laughing, pretending to tell Qingzhu what she had said. Frightened, Shen Xiling quickly covered his mouth, leading to another bout of playful laughter and affectionate banter.

By the end of the twelfth month, it was time for the anniversary of Shen Xiling’s parents’ deaths. After some reflection, Qi Ying said to her, “This year, I’ll accompany you to pay respects.”

These words left Shen Xiling momentarily stunned.

Apart from last year when they were estranged, he had always accompanied her to pay respects on her parents’ death anniversaries, though he merely waited at the entrance of the small courtyard and never entered with her. This year, did he mean…

Shen Xiling could hardly believe it. After hesitating for a moment, she tentatively asked, “Master… are you saying you will go inside with me to pay respects?”

Qi Ying nodded, seemingly lost in thought, appearing somewhat awkward. After a pause, he said, “Given our current situation… it is only proper that I pay respects to your father and mother.”

Overwhelmed with surprise and emotion, Shen Xiling covered her mouth, unable to speak for a long while. Meanwhile, Qi Ying was reminded of her father.

Back then, Lord Shen, while imprisoned, had entrusted his precious daughter to Qi Ying, likely intending him to act as an elder taking care of her. Little did he know that a few years later, Qi Ying would claim her as his own. Reflecting on this, he felt a deep sense of shame and embarrassment. If Lord Shen knew of this from beyond, what would he think?

Qi Ying took this visit extremely seriously, just as Shen Xiling had when she first entered the Qi household to meet Lady Yao. Before entering the small courtyard, he meticulously straightened his attire, treating it with the same solemnity as if he were about to attend an imperial audience.

Shen Xiling could only visit this courtyard twice a year, and since no one else ever came, it had become overgrown with weeds, appearing desolate. This year, Qi Ying accompanied her, personally clearing her parents’ graves without delegating the task to servants. Watching this, Shen Xiling felt immense sweetness in her heart. Kneeling alongside him before her parents’ graves, she was profoundly moved.

Last year at this time, he was ignoring her. Then, kneeling before her parents’ graves, she felt empty and wronged. Now, he knelt here beside her.

He was a powerful minister and a man of integrity who only bowed to heaven, earth, his sovereign, and his parents. Yet now, he knelt before her parents’ graves because he regarded her as his wife, showing respect to these two almost unfamiliar people beneath the ground.

Shen Xiling’s heart continued to tremble with emotion, her eyes brimming with tears.

Father, Mother, you need not worry about your daughter anymore.

Indeed, the first half of my life was fraught with difficulties, but now I am finally able to be with this person. I admire him so much that, henceforth, no matter what harsh winters or fierce storms we encounter, as long as I am with him, I will no longer feel sorrow.

I will live happily.

Meanwhile, Qi Ying gazed at Lord Shen and Lady Wei’s graves, his heart filled with profound emotions.

The Qi and Shen families were hereditary friends, but Lord Shen, as the head of his clan, had never been deeply involved in aristocratic social circles. Therefore, Qi Ying rarely saw this uncle during his youth. Their few encounters were fleeting, and he only remembered Lord Shen as gentle, elegant, and courteous, vastly different from his father’s stern and cold demeanor.

Later, amidst the tremendous upheaval of the Shen family, they met again in the law prison of the Imperial Court, exchanging the longest conversation they’d ever had.

Truly a bold man, Lord Shen had entrusted his daughter and two enormous fortunes to Qi Ying despite knowing little about him. It was indeed perplexing.

Qi Ying didn’t know why Lord Shen had chosen him back then, nor whether Lord Shen had foreseen this outcome. He only knew that he was incredibly grateful to Lord Shen for bringing Wenwen into his life.

Initially, he had been reluctant to get involved. The Shen family had just suffered a defeat, and it was a precarious time. Publicly protecting Wenwen and her mother, even for him, was not an easy task. Moreover, the consequences could have been dire if someone had seized upon it.

But recently, he had grown increasingly grateful for Lord Shen’s decision. At the same time, he dared not dwell too deeply on what might have happened if Lord Shen had entrusted Wenwen to someone else, or if he himself hadn’t agreed, or if he hadn’t saved her from the snow…

What then?

…He would have lost her. Rather, he would have never had her.

He would have missed her subtle and lingering glances as a child, her beautifully written letters full of meticulous details, the days and nights shared with her, and the feeling of falling in love with someone.

He would have become even more solitary.

But she came, and everything changed.

He couldn’t pinpoint exactly how things were different or why he loved and needed her so deeply. But looking back, he was immensely grateful for everything related to her.

Even for some seemingly trivial details.

Now, as he gazed at Lord Shen and Lady Wei’s graves and knelt alongside Shen Xiling, it momentarily felt like he was back four years ago when he met Lord Shen. The difference was that then, they were separated by prison bars, whereas now, a tombstone stood between them.

He would continue to take good care of her, ensuring she lived happily and securely, never again experiencing hardship or loneliness.

He would protect her with everything he had.

Please rest assured, esteemed elders.

After the anniversary of Shen Xiling’s parents passed, the New Year approached swiftly. By this time, Qi Ying naturally couldn’t stay at Fenghe Garden any longer and had to return home for the Lunar New Year.

Although they had spent every day together for more than half a month, Shen Xiling was still very reluctant to see him go. As he prepared to leave, she kept her lips pursed, looking utterly loath to part ways.

Qi Ying held her close, repeatedly whispering in her ear that this would be their last Lunar New Year apart. From now on, he would spend every New Year’s Eve with her. Gradually, he managed to cheer her up a bit.

He smiled, then reached into his chest and pulled something out for her. Shen Xiling took it and discovered it was a red envelope.

Seeing it, she laughed, unsure what to say.

In fact, this was the first time he had given her a red envelope. In previous years, he was absent for a long time before and after the New Year, and by the time she saw him again, the festive atmosphere had long faded. Naturally, no one thought of giving red envelopes. This year, he stayed longer and managed to give her one just in time. Shen Xiling took it, weighed it in her hand—it was quite heavy.

His eyes were warm and refined, his voice low and pleasant as he said to her, “Peace and safety every year.”

Red envelopes were traditionally for children, and she didn’t really want one. But she knew it was his blessing for her, and more importantly, a sign of his affection. Reluctantly, after hesitating for a while, she awkwardly accepted it, wrapped her arms around his neck, kissed him, her face turning crimson, and whispered, “…Peace and safety every year.”

This New Year’s Eve, the main household was even livelier.

An already illustrious family, having achieved new heights following the great victory in the northern campaign, was akin to a magnificent tree growing atop a mountain peak, uniquely flourishing.

Last year, the eldest son of the Qi family, Qi Yun, was deeply troubled due to the setbacks in implementing reforms. This year, however, things were vastly different.

The top three scholars of the spring examinations had been reassigned to the Ministry of Ceremonial Affairs. They were all capable individuals, especially Zhang Deci, whose innovative ideas and meticulous planning were awe-inspiring. With the Qi family’s influence reaching new peaks after the northern campaign, the formerly resistant aristocratic officials no longer dared to oppose the reforms led by the right prime minister. The reform policies were gradually being implemented, and results might be visible within a year.

Aside from official duties, the right prime minister’s household also had joyful news—his wife was pregnant again. Hui’er would have a younger sibling in less than a year, making the eldest son even happier. During the festive season, his mood was particularly buoyant, no longer bearing the gloomy countenance of the previous year. He even allowed Hui’er to set off fireworks for an extra fifteen minutes compared to previous years.

The children played wildly, gathering outside to watch the fireworks. It was during this time that Qi Ying found an opportunity to speak privately with his elder brother.

The Qi family’s courtyard was vast, filled with laughter and joy on this festive day. However, Qi Yun was utterly shocked by the words his second brother spoke—they struck like thunder in a clear sky.

…Jingchen was actually leaving Jiankang!