At this moment—the Dingyuan General's Mansion in the northern frontier (Shen Wensong's residence)

The wind at the border was still harsh, making the copper bells under the eaves of the general's mansion jingle. The atmosphere inside the mansion, however, was completely different from the somber atmosphere outside, filled with the babbling of children and the smell of milk.

A little girl named Shen Zhao (nicknamed A Zhao), just over a year old, was learning to walk, wobbling along in the warm chamber covered with a thick wool carpet, dressed in a pink padded jacket and trousers. She was incredibly cute, her eyes and brows resembling Xiao Mingyu's bright beauty, while her nose and mouth inherited Shen Wensong's handsome features. At this moment, she was diligently taking her little steps, aiming precisely at her father who sat on the low couch.

"Daddy...Daddy! Hug! Hug!" The little voice was muffled, but it carried an undeniable persistence.

Dressed in a casual dark blue cotton robe, Shen Wensong had shed the cold, fierce aura of the battlefield, his brows now displaying the gentle focus and tenderness of a new father. He put down the military treatise in his hand, opened his arms, and steadily caught the small cannonball that was flying towards him. A-Zhao successfully "captured" her father, immediately giggling, her little hands tightly gripping Shen Wensong's collar, her little face affectionately rubbing against his neck, leaving a wet drool stain.

"Ah Zhao, you're amazing! You've come so far!" Xiao Mingyu walked in carrying a bowl of freshly cooked milk pudding. Seeing this, her face radiated happiness. She was dressed in smart riding clothes, her long hair tied up high, and she had gained a more spirited air from the harsh northern landscape compared to when she was in the capital. She sat down by the low couch, scooped up some warm milk pudding with a spoon, blew on it, and held it to her daughter's lips: "Ah Zhao, be good, eat your pudding. Eating pudding will make you grow fast, as tall as Daddy!"

Upon smelling the sweet aroma, A-Zhao immediately let go of her father, turned her little body, opened her mouth, and "ah-woo" took a spoonful into her mouth, squinting her big eyes in satisfaction.

As Shen Wensong watched his wife skillfully feeding their daughter, and then looked at the soft, dependent little life in his arms, his hardened heart was filled to the brim. He reached out and gently wiped away the milk stains from the corner of his daughter's mouth with his fingertips, his movements clumsy yet full of love.

"It's windy today, why did you go to the horse farm again?" He looked at Xiao Mingyu, his tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible concern. After marrying into the border region, Xiao Mingyu was not confined to the inner quarters. Instead, she followed Shen Wensong to learn riding and archery, and even helped handle some affairs of military dependents. The proud and noble air she once possessed had long since settled into resilience and responsibility.

"I went to teach a few of the new military dependents' maids how to ride horses," Xiao Mingyu said with a smile while feeding her daughter. "We can't let them come to the border and not even dare to ride a horse, can we? Besides," she raised her eyes and gave Shen Wensong a reproachful look, her eyes gleaming with cunning, "if my riding skills aren't good, what if I get stuck somewhere again someday? Wouldn't our General Shen have to put on another 'night raid' scene?" She deliberately brought up the old story.

Shen Wensong's ears flushed almost imperceptibly, and he coughed sternly, "Nonsense." But his gaze softened as he looked at his wife's bright smile. That life-or-death experience at the edge of the cliff, that night of desperate questioning and entanglement, had already forged their hearts tightly together. The winds and sands of the borderlands had smoothed her rough edges, and had also taught this stubborn man what tenderness truly meant.

Ah Zhao finished eating, let out a cute little burp, wriggled in her father's arms, and pointed her chubby little finger out the window: "Bird...bird!"

Outside the window, a hawk was soaring across the azure sky, heading towards the vast horizon. Shen Wensong carried his daughter to the window and pointed to the soaring hawk: "Ah Zhao, look, that's an hawk. When you grow up, you should be like it, flying high and far."

Xiao Mingyu also came over and nestled beside her husband, gazing at their daughter in his arms and the boundless world outside the window, her heart filled with peace and contentment. Here, there was no bustling extravagance of the capital, but there was the most genuine companionship, the most expansive freedom, and the most fervent patriotism. The northern wind carried the whispers and laughter of the family of three far, far away.

---

—Jiangnan·Feixueju Top Floor Elegant Room

"Cheers! Congratulations on the grand opening of Chenji Silk Shop's new branch in Sichuan!" Shen Wenbai, beaming, raised his jade wine cup. A steaming hot pot simmered on the round table, surrounded by Shen Yuewei, Lin Qingwan, Xiao Chengjing, and several prominent local merchants from Jiangnan.

"Congratulations! Master Shen, what a bold move!" Everyone raised their glasses in agreement.

Shen Yuewei offered tea instead of wine, smiling in greeting. Her belly was quite prominent, but her complexion was excellent, indicating a stable pregnancy. Xiao Chengjing sat beside her, still not saying much, but the aloofness he usually exuded had lessened considerably. He only took care of her naturally when she needed more tea or food.

The atmosphere was lively and cheerful during the meal. Although pregnant, Shen Yuewei remained clear-headed and sharp-witted, discussing with several merchants the possibility of transporting goods from the south to the north and opening up new trade routes. Her calm and composed demeanor was convincing.

"...Therefore, in my humble opinion, the Ancient Tea Horse Road in Yunnan has great potential." Shen Yuewei had just finished explaining her views when she picked up her teacup to moisten her throat. Suddenly, as if infected by the lively atmosphere, the little one in her womb unleashed a flurry of kicks!

"Ugh..." Shen Yuewei's hand trembled, and the water in the teacup almost spilled. She subconsciously covered her stomach, her delicate brows furrowing slightly.

"What's wrong?" Xiao Chengjing noticed her unusual behavior almost instantly. He immediately put down his wine glass, placed his large hand on the back of her hand, and looked at her with undisguised concern. "Are you feeling unwell? Should we go back to the manor?"

The room fell silent instantly, and everyone looked at her with concern.

After the strong fetal movements subsided, two red clouds rose to her cheeks. She waved her hand somewhat embarrassedly, "It's alright, it's alright. The little one is naughty and kicked a bit too hard." She patted Xiao Chengjing's hand reassuringly to reassure him.

Xiao Chengjing's brows were still furrowed. He gently stroked her swollen belly with his large hand, as if soothing the restless little one inside, and asked in a low voice, "Does it hurt?"

"It doesn't hurt," Shen Yuewei said, her heart softening at his anxious expression, her voice becoming gentler. "It was just that it was strong and startled me."

Lin Qingwan, standing to the side, smiled and smoothed things over: "It seems our future little boss is quite lively! She hasn't even come out yet, but she's already eager to get involved in our business!" This remark drew a burst of good-natured laughter from everyone, and the atmosphere became lively again.

Shen Wenbai chimed in, "That's right! Just look at whose nephew he is! He'll definitely be as clever and quick-witted as Kang Kang in the future!" He raised his glass, "Come on, let's continue! Let's drink another toast to Chen Ji's future little god of wealth!"

Seeing that Shen Yuewei was indeed unharmed, Xiao Chengjing relaxed slightly, but his large hand never left her waist, providing silent support.