Chapter 33

One month later

The residence was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers. Looking at Leng Shouqing, who was busy with preparations, Leng Xueran could only smile bitterly. Ever since he learned that the child was theirs, he was so happy that he wanted Yimin to give Leng Xueran a proper status, and he couldn't let Leng Xueran suffer. Leng Xueran called out coquettishly, "Father, what are you doing? You're not well yet." Leng Shouqing said seriously, "I definitely want Xi Yimin to give you a proper status. I can't let Xueran suffer any injustice. If she dares to enjoy the blessings of two men, I'll make her pay." Leng Xueran was both amused and exasperated, "Father, Xueran is a woman with a special status. How could she possibly do what you're saying?" Suddenly realizing, Leng Shouqing retorted, "Who said she wouldn't dare? Look at her, knowing she's a woman, she still dares to provoke you. Isn't she afraid that your father is a general?" Seeing Leng Shouqing's words becoming more and more outrageous, Leng Xueran said coquettishly, "Father!" Seeing his daughter interrupt, he smiled and said, "Alright, alright, Xi Yimin is the best. He certainly won't do anything to betray you. It's just that I want you and the child to have a legitimate status. In this world, women are most afraid of gossip." Knowing her father's good intentions, Leng Xueran didn't say anything more and helped with the preparations for her wedding. Meanwhile, Xi Yimin was still discussing recent matters in the manor and the search for Leng Xueran's mother with Qi Ziyue. She hadn't even found her mother-in-law yet, so how could she explain it to Xueran? She still wanted to marry her daughter. What she didn't know was that her manor was already making preparations for her marriage to Xueran.

When Xi Yimin returned home after finishing his work, just in time for lunch, he was surprised to see a festive scene. Looking at the busy father and daughter, he smiled sincerely and softly called out, "Xue Ran!" As if sensing his presence, Leng Xue Ran turned around and saw Xi Yimin standing at the door, smiling affectionately at her. Ignoring her father's presence, she rushed towards him, startling him so much that he caught her in his arms, whispering, "Xue Ran, be careful. I'll call Qi Ziyue to help later. Xue Ran, you should rest." Hearing this, the woman laughed, "I'm not that delicate." Xi Yimin teased, "No, our Leng Xue Ran has roamed the mountains with a sword; she's definitely not a delicate girl." Hearing her say that, Leng Xue Ran playfully retorted, "Xi Yimin, are you asking for a beating?"

Before the marriage could be arranged, an imperial edict arrived from the capital, ordering Leng Shouqing, Leng Xueran, and Xi Yimin to return to Beijing. The marriage could not proceed because the emperor refused; truly, good things often come with difficulties. Xi Yimin had no choice but to take his whole family back to Beijing.

On the way back to the capital, because they were traveling on the official road and with their family in tow, the journey would take several days longer than usual, perhaps more than twenty days. Adding to this, Leng Xue Ran was pregnant and experiencing morning sickness, making the journey extremely difficult. Inside the carriage, looking at the haggard Leng Xue Ran, Xi Yimin cursed the Emperor countless times in his heart, feeling both heartache and helplessness. Fortunately, the carriage was spacious and comfortable, fully equipped; otherwise, Xi Yimin would have already disobeyed the imperial decree. Xi Yimin said with concern, "Xue Ran, we're almost at the town. Let's rest there for a few days until we feel better, then we can continue our journey." The drowsy Leng Xue Ran worriedly replied, "I'm afraid the Emperor will blame us, and that will implicate Father."

“Don’t be afraid. Let’s send our godfather back first. If the emperor blames us, we can simply not return to the capital. We’ll find a place where no one knows me and start a new life.” Xi Yimin said somewhat angrily.

"No, Yimin. This will implicate Father." Leng Xueran said worriedly, her mind clearing up considerably as she spoke.

"Let's just let our godfather leave with us," Xi Yimin said defiantly.

Hearing this, Leng Xueran got a little angry and said coquettishly, "Yimin is really used to being free and unrestrained. In the court, how can you be so casual? Not to mention whether Father is willing or not, you should also consider your family and servants in the capital. You can't just think about yourself." Xi Yimin realized that what he said was unreasonable, so he coaxed, "I'm just talking nonsense. I'm just worried that Xueran's body can't take it."

“I’m not that fragile. This is just morning sickness. It will get better in a few days. Don’t worry, Yimin,” Leng Xueran comforted her.

“How about we stay in town for a few days before setting off?” Xi Yimin said softly. “Let our godfather go back first and explain the situation. The emperor shouldn’t blame us. If the emperor blames us for being unreasonable, it means that emperor is not a wise ruler. Then we can leave the capital.”

Hearing this, Leng Xueran snuggled even closer into Xi Yimin's arms and compromised, saying, "Then let me discuss it with Father, okay?" Xi Yimin hugged the woman in his arms tightly and said softly, "Okay."

In the town's inn, before Leng Xue Ran could even begin to discuss the previous events during dinner, Leng Shou Qing spoke first: "Xue Ran, you look rather haggard, probably from the fatigue of traveling these past few days. I think you and Yi Min should stay in this town for a few days, until you feel a bit better, before setting off for the capital. What do you think?" Xi Yi Min quickly interjected, "I'll do as my godfather says." Sitting beside him, Leng Xue Ran rolled her eyes at Xi Yi Min, then looked at Leng Shou Qing with concern, saying, "Won't the Emperor be angry?" Leng Shou Qing smiled and said, "Xue Ran, don't worry. The Emperor isn't so unreasonable. I'll explain everything to him." Hearing his words, Leng Xue Ran felt relieved and smiled, "Thank you very much, Father." Leng Shou Qing smiled gently, "Xue Ran, you're too kind. It's what I should do. Tomorrow you can sleep in, I won't disturb you." He then turned to Xi Yi Min and said seriously, "Yi Min, I'm entrusting Xue Ran to you. You must protect her and her child." Xi Yi Min assured him, "Even if you don't say it, I know it's my responsibility and duty. Rest assured, Father, you can travel with peace of mind tomorrow. Xue Ran will be fine with me." Hearing this, Leng Shou Qing smiled, "Father believes in you."

The next day, at 9 AM, Leng Xue Ran slowly woke up. Opening her eyes, she saw someone staring at her with a憨笑 (a kind of innocent, endearing smile). Her heart warmed instantly, the fatigue of the previous day vanished, and her voice became lighter: "Yi Min, what are you doing?" Before speaking, Xi Yi Min kissed the woman's forehead, saying, "I'm simply admiring my wife's sleeping face. She truly resembles a sleeping fairy, unparalleled in beauty." Hearing this, Leng Xue Ran blushed slightly and playfully scolded, "You're just saying nice things to make me happy." Xi Yi Min then pulled the woman into his arms, laughing, "Everything I'm saying is the truth, how can it be considered flattery? It's just that Xue Ran is beautiful without realizing it! In my past life, I must have saved the world to meet such a lovely person in this life." Leng Xue Ran, hearing her increasingly absurd words, quickly... Interrupting, he said, "Yimin, I'm hungry." Hearing this, Xi Yimin quickly brought the prepared breakfast to the bedside and said softly, "These past few days I've noticed you vomit whenever you see anything greasy, so I specially asked the waiter to cook some light porridge. It's fragrant and delicious. I'll feed you." This earned him a glare from the beauty, who said coquettishly, "I can do it myself." Xi Yimin quickly dodged the outstretched hand and coaxed, "Xue Ran, just let me feed you. After you give birth and are in confinement, you won't be completely helpless when serving your mother." Hearing this, Leng Xue Ran blushed again and said coquettishly, "With servants to serve you, why do you need to lift a finger? You're so clumsy." Xi Yimin just smiled sheepishly and fed the porridge to the woman's lips. Leng Xue Ran helplessly and indulgently opened her mouth to eat the porridge fed to her by the person in front of her.

It was half an hour later when the two went out. "Xue Ran, are you sure you want to go for a walk?" Leng Xue Ran said softly, "Of course, we've already gone out!"

“But you’re pregnant, you should rest more in your room,” Xi Yimin said worriedly, holding the woman’s hand.

"But I've been resting for a long time, and I've already spent most of this morning going out. I should go out and stretch my muscles and bones. The doctor said it will help my health."

Hearing this, Xi Yimin said with relief, "Then we should listen to the doctor." The woman beside her looked at her with amusement and said softly, "Isn't Yimin skilled in medicine? How come you don't know this?"

"I'm just worried sick, Xue Ran, are you making fun of me?" She said, glancing slyly at the woman beside her. Seeing her reaction, the woman teased, "This humble woman wouldn't dare to make fun of Master Guan."

"Is there anything Xue Ran wouldn't dare to do? I remember Xue Ran used to travel alone through desolate mountains and wilderness." Hearing her mischievously bring up her past embarrassing incidents, he shook off the large hand that was holding his and ignored her.

Three days later, Leng Xueran had recovered from her morning sickness and her complexion had returned to normal. She decided to continue her journey. After having breakfast at the inn and packing her luggage, Xi Yimin led her into the carriage, and the group set off.

They chatted and laughed all the way, and with only two days left until they reached the capital, some foolish person came to assassinate them again. The Third Prince had been exiled, and the rest of his henchmen had been beheaded. There shouldn't be anyone still trying to capture them, but the group of assassins in front of them seemed to want to kill them rather than capture them. Xi Yimin dared not let her guard down and fought with them on the roof of the carriage, not letting the assassins get any closer to the carriage. The woman inside the carriage said worriedly, "Yimin, be careful." Hearing this, Xi Yimin laughed and said, "These petty thieves can't do anything to this great hero. Xue Ran, stay inside the carriage and don't come out." Judging from her words, the woman was probably not difficult to deal with, but Xi Yimin only said that so as not to make her worry. Looking at the few people fighting with Qi Ziyue not far away, their martial arts were not low, and it seemed that it would take some time to deal with them. Just as a knife was about to stab Qi Ziyue from behind, Xi Yimin hurriedly shouted, "Ziyue, watch out behind you!" Upon hearing this, Qi Ziyue bent down and swept his leg, thrusting his sword backward, and the man fell down. Looking at Xi Yimin, who did not move an inch on the carriage roof, she felt a little disdain. His master valued women more than his subordinates. Even so, Qi Ziyue did not dare to be negligent. She understood that those people were either after Leng Xue Ran or Xi Yimin. Attacking her was just to lure Xi Yimin away. Xi Yimin was too smart to fall for the thieves' trick. Besides, the two of them were very skilled in martial arts. Although the newcomers were not weak, it only took an extra quarter of an hour to deal with them.

After eliminating the assassins, he entered the sedan chair. Seeing the worried woman, he embraced her and comforted her, saying, "Xue Ran, see how powerful this great hero is! In less than half an hour, we wiped out all the thieves." Hearing her words, the woman finally relaxed and nestled closer to him. She didn't realize when the woman in men's clothing before her had become so important to her. Her voice trembled slightly, "Yi Min, how could there still be people trying to assassinate us?" Xi Yi Min gently stroked her back and said softly, "Xue Ran, don't be afraid. I will definitely find out who did it and prevent future troubles."