An'an felt a little ticklish from his clinging and couldn't help but laugh as she dodged to the side, saying, "Stop it... The children are small and need constant care. Zhao Zhao just gave birth and is still weak, so it's only right that I take care of them more..."

"Of course, of course!" Lu Xiao tightened his arms in dissatisfaction, locking her firmly in his embrace, and punished her by lightly biting the delicate skin on her neck. "Then what about me? Shouldn't Madam 'of course' take care of me?" His hands began to wander restlessly over her soft nightgown.

An'an, slightly out of breath from his antics, pressed down on his large, mischievous hand and turned to face him. In the moonlight, her eyes were like autumn water, with a hint of sly smile, her fingertips lightly touching the bridge of his high nose: "General Lu, weren't you so imposing in the military camp during the day? Why are you like a child begging for candy at home?"

"The military camp is the military camp, and home is home!" Lu Xiao said matter-of-factly, taking her finger and gently biting it, his eyes shining brightly in the night. "At home, I'm your man! Your husband! You have to coax me!"

An'an was amused by his shameless yet self-righteous demeanor, her heart softening completely. She leaned closer to him and kissed his disgruntled lips, her voice like the sweetest seduction, melting into the space between their intertwined lips: "Okay... I'll coax you... I'll only coax you..." Her delicate kisses, like feathers, brushed across his straight nose, his slightly furrowed brow, finally landing on his sensitive earlobe, as she gently breathed, "Husband... how do you want me to coax you... hmm?"

That teasing "husband" and the deliberate provocation instantly ignited Lu Xiao's long-suppressed desire. He growled, flipped her over, and pinned her beneath him. His fiery kisses, with the force of conquest, descended, transforming all his "grievances" and "dissatisfaction" into a primal, possessive demand. The gauze curtains swayed gently, moonlight streamed in, leaving only the blushing breaths and soft moans. An An, in her unique way, had completely "coaxed" this fierce tiger—so majestic outside, yet so cool at home—into utter submission.

---At this time, the Prince Jing's Mansion in Jiangnan.

Inside the quiet room of the Jingwang Mansion's medicine shed, the aroma of herbs wafted. Shen Yuewei sat by the couch, carefully feeding the young shadow guard (named Chen Feng) with a silver spoon, his shoulder blade severely injured and his arm immobilized by bamboo strips. The young man was barely in his early twenties, his face still pale from excessive blood loss. Now, being personally fed medicine by the noble princess, he was so embarrassed that he didn't know what to do with his hands and feet, his ears turning bright red.

"Your Majesty...Your Highness...I can do it myself..." His voice was barely audible.

"Don't move." Shen Yuewei gently but firmly pressed down on his left hand, which he was trying to raise. "You can't move your right hand, and your left hand is in a splint. How can you do it yourself? Drink your medicine obediently, so your injury will heal faster." She gently brought a spoonful of medicine to his lips, watching him drink it nervously as if he were completing a task. A loving smile couldn't help but appear on her lips. "Slow down, don't choke. This medicine was personally prepared by Elder Mo. It's a bit bitter, but it's very beneficial for your recovery."

After feeding him the medicine, Shen Yuewei carefully tucked him in, then picked up a warm, damp cloth and gently wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. Chen Feng was so embarrassed that he wanted to bury his face in the blanket.

Xiao Chengjing had appeared at the doorway sometime earlier, silently watching the scene unfold. The deep worry that had lingered between his wife's brows seemed to be temporarily replaced by a maternal tenderness and sense of responsibility as she cared for the young shadow guards. A thought stirred within him, and he stepped inside.

"Your Highness!" Chen Feng saw Xiao Chengjing and struggled to bow.

"Lie down." Xiao Chengjing pressed him down, his gaze falling on his wife with a gentle smile. "Your Highness has had a hard time these past few days."

Shen Yuewei sighed, wiped Chen Feng's sweat, and then straightened up: "What's so hard about it? It's just doing what I can. Seeing these children injured, my heart..." Before she could finish speaking, her eyes reddened again, clearly thinking of her son who had gone far away.

Xiao Chengjing naturally put his arm around his wife's shoulder and led her a few steps away from the bed. His voice was low and steady: "Kang'er followed in his master's footsteps, possessing profound medical skills, and is also brave and resourceful. Look at these prescriptions and recuperation methods he left behind; even Elder Mo praised them highly." He pointed to the detailed medical instructions left by Xiao Chengkang on the table beside him, "These children will definitely recover completely in his hands. Kang'er himself will surely return safely."

Shen Yuewei leaned against his strong shoulder, feeling the reassuring strength that calmed her anxiety slightly. She looked at Chen Feng, who was gradually falling asleep on the bed due to the effects of the medicine; his young face still held a touch of childishness. She murmured, "This child… he looks two years younger than Kang Kang… I wonder how worried his parents must be…"

“Yes.” Xiao Chengjing followed her words, his gaze sweeping over another shadow guard in the quiet room who was sleeping with a waist and abdomen injury. “They are all good children who have risked their lives for the Prince’s Mansion. Once they are better, the Princess Consort may ask them more about their family situation. If there is anything that needs help, the Prince’s Mansion will do its best. Let them recuperate in Jiangnan, which is also a way of doing our part for Kang’er.”

Upon hearing this, Shen Yuewei's eyes lit up slightly. Yes, she could take care of these wounded warriors who had been injured for her son! Wasn't this a form of protection? A prayer for her son far away? The unsettled worries in her heart seemed to have found an outlet in an instant.

She raised her head and looked at her husband, a renewed spark and determination in her eyes: "Your Highness is right. I'll go to the kitchen to check. Old Mo said Chen Feng might have a fever at night, so we need to prepare some cooling mint water and warm towels..." As she spoke, her feet moved involuntarily towards the door. Although her figure was still slender, it carried a more busy and energetic air.

Watching his wife's hurried departure, Xiao Chengjing's eyes revealed a deep tenderness and a barely perceptible sense of relief. He walked to Chen Feng's bedside, looking at the young man's slightly furrowed brow in his sleep, as if looking at his own child. Outside the window, the strong branches of an old plum tree stretched into the courtyard; though not yet in bloom, it already brimmed with vitality. He stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze fixed on the distant west, silently praying: "Kang'er, your mother's heart is at peace for now. The road ahead is fraught with danger; I hope you and that girl will be blessed with good fortune and return home soon."