The Northern Frontier General's Residence.

Shen Zhao sat on the heated kang, teasing his two children, who lay side by side in brocade swaddling clothes, with a rattle drum. Xuan Ge'er (Lu Mingxuan) reached out his little hands to reach them, babbling softly; Xi'er (Lu Mingxi) blinked her big, dark eyes and watched quietly.

Lu Qi brought in a bowl of freshly stewed bird's nest soup. Seeing this heartwarming scene, his cold and hard expression softened instantly. He sat on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), scooped up a spoonful, blew on it to cool it, and naturally brought it to Shen Zhao's lips: "Here, eat it while it's hot."

Shen Zhao took a sip from his hand, her eyes still glued to the children: "Look at Xuan-ge'er, how strong he is! Xi-er is much better behaved."

“That’s right, my daughter takes after you, so quiet,” Lu Qi said proudly, his gaze softening as he looked at Xi’er. He fed Shen Zhao another bite before lowering his voice, a hint of mystery in his tone, “By the way, a letter arrived. It was from Kang Kang.” At the same time, An’an also received a letter, just like Shen Zhao’s.

"Really?!" Shen Zhao's eyes lit up. He immediately put down the rattle drum and eagerly stretched out his hand. "Let me see!"

Lu Qi took out a letter from his pocket and handed it to her. The letter was written by Xiao Chengkang himself, detailing their arrival in Xiling: A Yuan's high-profile return to the palace, the emperor's joy, the empress dowager's刁难 (difficulties/challenges), and how they skillfully countered Lin Shi in the deep palace, eliminating her important cronies in the military and the Ministry of Personnel. The letter omitted the thrilling assassination attempt and the danger at Hefeng Pavilion, only mentioning lightly, "There were occasional disturbances, but they have all been resolved," and finally reported that they were safe and sound, and inquired about their relatives in the north.

Shen Zhao's heart was filled with mixed emotions as she watched, sometimes worrying about A Yuan's situation, and sometimes applauding their brilliant counterattack. Only when she saw the final words, "All is well, don't worry," did she finally breathe a sigh of relief and smile: "I knew Kang Kang and A Yuan were the best! Let's see if that wicked empress dares to bully people again!"

She carefully put the letter away, then remembered something and said to Lu Qi, "Oh, right, my sister-in-law said this morning that Sister An'an made two new winter outfits for our Xi'er and Xuan'er, using the softest cotton and silk floss, and the stitches are very tight. And you," she poked Lu Qi's strong arm, "Sister An'an also specially made you a thick knee brace, saying that you have an old knee injury and need to be extra careful in the cold weather."

Hearing this, Lu Qi felt a warmth in his heart, but said, "Sister-in-law, you're just too worried. I'm not that delicate." But he couldn't hide the smile in his eyes. He put down his bowl, reached out and carefully pulled Shen Zhao and the two swaddled babies into his arms, rubbing his chin against the top of her head. "When spring comes and you're fully recovered, we'll take the children to the estate to stay for a while and properly thank my brother and sister-in-law."

Shen Zhao nestled in his warm, firm embrace, looking at her two babbling toddlers beside her, and thinking of her brother and sister-in-law who were safe and sound in Xiling. She felt a deep sense of peace and happiness. Outside the window, the wind and snow of the northern frontier howled, but they couldn't dispel the warmth in the room.

Jiangnan Chrysanthemum Manor.

Shen Yuewei carefully mixed the last batch of "Imperial Robe Yellow" chrysanthemum petals, which had been repeatedly steamed and dried, with dried goji berries and cassia seeds, and gently stuffed them into elegant brocade pillowcases. A faint chrysanthemum fragrance filled the room, carrying a calming and refreshing scent.

She picked up a pillow that was exceptionally finely sewn with tight stitches and gently stroked it. It was specially made for Kang Kang. In addition to chrysanthemums and goji berries, she had secretly sewn in a Hetian jade safety buckle that had been offered to the Buddha for forty-nine days.

“Your Highness,” she handed the pillow to Xiao Chengjing beside her, her voice tinged with a barely perceptible sob, “this…when a reliable person goes to Xiling, be sure to bring it to Kang’er. The chrysanthemums from Jiangnan might soothe his spirit. And this jade clasp…please pray to the Bodhisattva to bless him with peace and safety.”

Xiao Chengjing took the heavy pillow, brimming with endless longing and prayers, and nodded solemnly: "Don't worry. I will arrange the safest route." He put his arm around his wife's shoulder, and together they gazed at the boundless sea of ​​chrysanthemums outside the window. The autumn wind swept by, and the flowers rippled like waves of gold. Their longing was silent, yet it had already crossed mountains and rivers, lingering in the distant, turbulent depths of the Western Ling Royal Palace.

Inside the Qiwu Palace, red candles burned brightly. A-Yuan nestled in the arms of Xiao Chengkang, who had just survived a life-or-death ordeal and, though the effects of the drug had worn off, remained exhausted and asleep. Her fingertips gently traced the furrowed brows of his sleeping figure, her eyes filled with unyielding tenderness and lingering fear. The night deepened, the dew grew heavy, and the road ahead remained fraught with thorns, but at least for this moment, they embraced each other, together warding off the chill of the deep palace.