Looking into his eyes, Luo Qingrou felt a slight tremor in her heart, and the words of refusal stuck in her throat. She was well aware of his anxieties; she simply didn't want to trouble her mother-in-law with the long journey. She remained silent for a moment, her gaze falling on the letter she had just written, and a decision formed in her mind.

"Ah Zheng," she softened her voice, gently shaking his hand with a touch of girlish coquettishness, "Look, I'm just writing a letter to my mother to let her know I'm safe." She picked up the still-wet letter from the table and handed it to Lu Zheng, "Take a look first?"

Lu Zheng took the letter with suspicion and quickly glanced at it. The letter was addressed to the Prime Minister's residence, written in a lighthearted tone, reporting only good news and omitting any negative details. It only mentioned that everything was fine at the border, that she was in good health, that her baby was moving strongly, that her master was taking excellent care of her, and that Lu Zheng treated her very well. At the end, she casually mentioned, "The border is harsh, the food is a little hard to get used to, and I occasionally miss my family," and inquired about her parents' health. Her words revealed her understanding and strength.

"Rou'er, you..." Lu Zheng looked up at her, his eyes filled with complex emotions. The letter concealed all the hardships he had endured, making no mention of his dizziness or discomfort.

Luo Qingrou met his gaze, smiled slightly, a hint of slyness in her eyes: "I was just worried about Mother. If she knew I almost fainted, she'd probably be so frightened she'd set off immediately. But..." She changed the subject, picked up another blank sheet of paper, and began writing again, "Since you insist on having Mother come, then let me write this letter to let you know I'm safe a little more 'honest'?" She picked up her pen and carefully added a few lines of small print at the end of the letter, leaving a few blank spaces: "...Recently, the baby's movements have been frequent, especially in the afternoon, and I occasionally feel short of breath and dizzy. Although it's nothing serious, my husband is extremely worried and can't sleep at night. The borderlands are bitterly cold, and the food is coarse. Although I'm trying my best to adapt, I often think of the delicious soups my mother makes in the capital and feel a deep longing for her. My husband wishes to ask Mother to go to the border to take care of me, even if it's a difficult journey..." She paused here, looking at Lu Zheng, "Is this better? It lets Mother know the truth without causing her too much alarm."

Looking into his wife's clear eyes, filled with reassurance and understanding, Lu Zheng felt as if a heavy weight had been lifted from his heart. He exhaled a long breath, bent down, carefully avoiding her pregnant belly, and gently pulled her into his arms. His chin rested on the top of her soft hair, and his voice was muffled, with a heavy nasal tone: "Good. This way of writing is very good." He held her tightly, as if trying to transfer his strength to her, or perhaps drawing warmth and comfort from her.

Luo Qingrou leaned against his firm, warm chest, listening to his steady, powerful heartbeat. The familiar scent of his, a mixture of wind, sand, and cold iron, filled her nostrils, bringing a sense of peace. She raised her free hand and gently embraced his lean waist, softly saying, "Then I'll write another letter to Mother and ask her to come too? Mother is most skilled at preparing meals for pregnant women; with her there, I'm sure my appetite will be better." Thinking of her mother's exquisite pastries and nourishing soups, a genuine longing appeared in her eyes.

“Alright! Write them all down! Have both mothers come!” Lu Zheng immediately chimed in, his tone full of hope. “I’ll have Lu Qi arrange it personally, and send it out by the fastest post horse, at the highest speed!” He released her and turned to give orders to his personal guards, his decisive and efficient general’s demeanor returning.

"Wait!" Luo Qingrou quickly stopped him, both amused and exasperated. "Why bother with the 800-li express? Ordinary postal service will suffice. It will take the mothers some time to prepare their luggage, arrange things at home, and then set off. Besides," she gently stroked her lower abdomen, her face glowing with maternal tenderness, "there are still several months before this little one can see the world."

Lu Zheng paused, looking at her gentle yet resolute expression, his tense nerves finally relaxing. He walked back to the desk, picked up the letter Luo Qingrou had just finished writing to the Prime Minister's residence, and then looked at the letter she was writing to her mother. He nodded solemnly, "Alright, I'll listen to you. But the letter must be sent out tonight." His gaze fell on her lower abdomen, his eyes softening considerably. "I need to let our child know that even before he's born, so many people are waiting for him and protecting him."

The old army doctor silently stirred the medicine pot in the corner, looking at the couple in the tent, a relieved smile appearing on his wrinkled face. He scooped out a small bowl of thick, dark medicine, carefully blew on it, and brought it over: "Girl, the medicine is ready, drink it while it's hot. Don't worry, with this old man here, I'll make sure you two are both safe and sound."

Outside the tent, the northwest night wind howled past with a whistling sound, carrying the desolation unique to the frontier. Inside, the scents of medicine and ink mingled with the silent warmth between husband and wife, creating a cozy atmosphere. Lu Zheng watched as his wife frowned, yet without hesitation, drank the bowl of bitter medicine in one gulp. The lingering anxiety in his heart seemed to be soothed by this warmth.