#212: Returning Home (3)

She was still half-asleep, her eyes struggling to open fully, as bright sunlight filtered through the bed curtains—it was clearly still daytime.

Rubbing her eyes, she nuzzled against his lap and mumbled a soft “Mm.”

He chuckled, setting the book aside on the bedside cabinet before gently pulling her into his arms. “Why didn’t you wait for me to come fetch you in Huozhou?” he asked, his tone tinged with both affection and reproach.

Pinching her flushed cheek lightly, he added, “It was dangerous for you to travel alone.”

His hands were cool, helping to clear her drowsiness. Smiling lazily, she stretched and nestled closer into his embrace, tugging at the edge of his sleeve with a small voice. “I’m so capable, there was no danger at all.”

Her playful arrogance, mixed with a touch of coquettishness, made Qi Yin smile.

Indeed, she was incredibly capable. He had once thought of her as delicate and in need of constant care, but recent events proved how wrong he’d been—his little girl had grown up. She was strong enough to save his life.

Pulling her closer, he murmured, “Yes, you’re very capable.”

The mingling of indulgence and gentle exasperation in his voice made Shen Xiling giggle. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she kissed his cheek like a kitten stretching lazily in his arms. Her voice was soft and teasing as she called out to him, “Second Brother...”

It was her usual way of acting spoiled.

They had been apart for over half a month this time, and their reunion felt sweeter than ever. After all they’d endured, their longing for each other burned fiercely. Now that there was no need for restraint, it was only natural for them to lose themselves in each other’s embrace, kissing passionately without reservation.

Their love was deep, and they were back at Fenghe Garden, in her familiar bedchamber. With everything aligning perfectly—time, place, and circumstance—it would have been almost unnatural not to indulge. However, Qi Yin still worried about the arrow wound on her back, so he restrained himself and asked, “...How is your injury?”

He had seen the wound in Xiangzhou. During those days, she had neglected sleep and meals while attending to his affairs, even forgetting to apply medicine. By the time he regained consciousness and noticed, the wound had nearly become infected, shocking him deeply—and breaking his heart.

This little one had always been fond of seeking his attention, finding ways to make him worry over small things. Yet this time, despite being seriously injured, she hadn’t complained at all. In early June, she had acted strong, urging him to focus on stabilizing the situation at Xiaoshan instead of worrying about her minor wound.

He knew she didn’t want to distract him—but the more she tried to hide her pain, the more it weighed on his heart.

He loved her so much.

Now, nestled in his arms, her cheeks flushed from their earlier kiss, she looked both alluring and mischievous. Her voice grew softer and more sultry as she teased, “It doesn’t hurt anymore—I’ll be a puppy if I’m lying.”

But Qi Yin wasn’t convinced. After studying her for a moment, he got up and retrieved a jar of ointment from the bedside cabinet.

Before he could say anything, Shen Xiling pouted and quickly retreated to the corner of the bed. “It’s already healed! Why do I still need medicine? I’m not applying it.”

Qi Yin smiled patiently, his voice gentle. “I consulted the doctor. They said you still need to apply the medicine for a while longer. If it doesn’t hurt, then why are you avoiding it?”

Shen Xiling stubbornly resisted for a bit longer until he finally adopted a stern, elder-like demeanor. Only then did she reluctantly yield, allowing him to proceed.

Sighing inwardly, she couldn’t help but feel frustrated. This habit of fearing him since childhood—when would it ever fade?

With some reluctance, she undressed partially and lay facedown on the bed, exposing her fair, delicate back to him.

She resembled the most exquisite lotus flower of summer—pure and serene beauty, yet her figure was undeniably enchanting. Her shoulder blades curved gracefully, and though she appeared frail, her back didn’t look emaciated. No matter how one looked at her, she was breathtakingly beautiful.

However... two jagged scars marred her otherwise flawless skin—scars left by arrows meant for him.

These wounds were from a month ago and had mostly healed by now. The pain had largely subsided, but the marks remained prominent. Qi Yin could vividly imagine how gruesome they must have been when fresh...

...How much pain she must have endured. Perhaps just a fraction more, and those arrows might have taken her life.

He had nearly lost her.

The overwhelming fear struck him hard, causing his hands to tremble slightly. Even the intimate scene before him failed to stir any improper thoughts. His expression was grave as he carefully applied the ointment, his eyes filled with unspoken tenderness.

Meanwhile, the silence became unbearable for Shen Xiling. Though she wasn’t particularly vain and knew Qi Yin didn’t care about such things, she inexplicably minded him seeing her imperfections. She wanted to appear beautiful in his eyes—at the very least, not ugly.

Thus, Shen Xiling felt a wave of embarrassment. Though outwardly compliant, allowing him to tend to her wound, she was inwardly anxious. The silence tormented her, making her unhappy and teary-eyed. Without realizing it, tears had already stained her pillow.

She cried silently.

Qi Yin was startled and immediately asked if it hurt. She remained silent, continuing to shed tears quietly. Overwhelmed with concern, he pulled her into his arms, calling her name repeatedly—”Wenwen,” asking what was wrong.

Sniffling, she whispered softly, “Ugly...”

For a moment, he didn’t understand. Then, hearing her add between sobs, “I don’t want you to see me ugly...”

Qi Yin sighed, torn between amusement and exasperation.

He pulled her hand away from wiping her tears, gently drying them himself. Chuckling softly, he scolded her, “Crying over something so trivial.”

Shen Xiling huffed, her small tantrum still lingering. Qi Yin smiled and glanced at her back again. Irritated, she tried to push him away, but he suddenly turned her over forcefully. Before she realized it, he pressed a kiss onto her scarred skin.

Tender and loving.

A dreamlike moment.

He kissed her scars delicately, sending shivers down her spine that reached her fingertips. For a fleeting moment, she felt as though she might melt completely into his arms, dissolving into water, never to regain her bones.

...How could she love him so much?

Shen Xiling sighed inwardly, feeling his arms encircle her from behind. His voice was close to her ear. “How beautiful must you be to satisfy yourself? Besides, these scars aren’t ugly.”

“Even if they were,” his tone grew serious, “I’d still love you for the rest of my life.”

Love.

Reflecting on it, their relationship had been sealed for so long, yet they rarely spoke the word aloud. Neither was particularly expressive, especially him—he was far more reserved than her.

But now, he said it so naturally, without fanfare, which made her feel the sincerity behind it.

He truly loved her—no doubts or worries needed.

Shen Xiling’s lips curled upward involuntarily. Her earlier irrational mood dissipated, leaving her feeling silly and embarrassed. To avoid revealing too much, she fell silent for a moment before attempting to change the subject. After some thought, she asked about the coronation ceremony.

Qi Yin understood her intentions but didn’t call her out. As he helped her dress, he replied calmly, “Everything went smoothly, nothing out of the ordinary.”

Though reassured, Shen Xiling harbored lingering concerns.

While she had initially asked to divert the conversation, she genuinely wanted to know. His current position was complex—though he held absolute power, new challenges awaited.

Such as the court officials’ scrutiny and public opinion.

And the young Emperor.

Biting her lip, she asked, “Did the court officials... give you any trouble?”

The term “trouble” was vague. Shen Xiling knew no one dared openly oppose Qi Yin now, but beneath the surface, tensions simmered. She feared the old aristocratic officials might feign compliance while plotting secretly. With the empire newly stabilized, such instability could prove fatal.

Moreover, the pens of scholars were sharp. How would they portray him? Write about him? She could almost picture it—they’d label him a traitor, a villain.

Her brows furrowed faintly with worry, while Qi Yin’s expression remained calm.

Life was fair. Gaining power came at a cost—reputation, in his case. He had accepted this years ago when he allied with Gu Juhan to ignite war five years prior.

Comfortingly patting her shoulder, he said, “What we gain is external; what we lose is the same. Don’t worry.”

Shen Xiling smiled at his words.

He had always been a broad-minded man, and the passage of time seemed to have made him even more detached. Even his legacy in history books didn’t faze him. Reflecting on this, Shen Xiling realized she had much to learn. Clearly, she still needed to cultivate her own emotional resilience.

After a brief pause, she asked, “...And the young Emperor? How is he?”

Before Qi Yin could respond, Shen Xiling frowned and added, “He witnessed the chaos at Xiaoshan. A child of four or five understands enough. How could he not harbor resentment? He’ll remember it all his life, likely viewing you as an enemy.”

Her tone carried traces of bitterness as she continued, “Not to mention his parents. What good can come from them? Surely, he’ll cause trouble.”

Her words betrayed personal resentment. Qi Yin chuckled, asking, “What kind of parents? And how do you know?”

Shen Xiling wore an expression of certainty, her indignation rising. “They bullied you, forced you to take wushisan. Can they be decent people?”

At the mention of wushisan, her emotions flared further. Clutching him tightly, her voice softened. “No one is allowed to bully you...”