Chapter 66 "Does Wanwan not want me to come...?"

Chapter Sixty-Six: Xiao Yu Arrives in the Capital ==

The warm sunlight streamed down, and his wife's eyes were bright and her face was radiant with a smile. Xiao Yu should have been happy to see his wife after so long, but seeing her smiling so brightly at her ex-fiancé made him twitch his lips. He put his hands behind his back and watched his wife and her ex-fiancé.

This was the first time Xiao Yu had met his wife's former fiancé in person. He was indeed as rumored, gentle and refined, with a clear conscience. Before leaving the capital, his wife had told him that she loved him and only loved him. After leaving the capital, she couldn't help but be captivated by his fiancé, her smile radiant. How could Xiao Yu not feel at ease? He knew he would have to keep his wife by his side at all times from now on.

The steward following behind almost knelt down. The night the princess returned, he heard her tell the prince that the Crown Prince of Beili might come to Nanqiong in a few days. But he never expected the Crown Prince of Beili to come at this time, and he just happened to run into the Second Young Master Lu. Unfortunately, the prince was at court at this time. The steward was extremely anxious. He wanted to remind him but was afraid of the Crown Prince of Beili's status, so he could only watch helplessly.

It wasn't until Lu Qingchen, who was in the pavilion above, noticed something was wrong that he frowned slightly, looked up, and met the eyes of a man standing with his hands behind his back, exuding a powerful aura. Lu Qingchen's pupils contracted, and he had already guessed the identity of the newcomer.

"What is Wanwan discussing with Young Master Lu?"

He easily recognized Lu Qingchen's identity, causing Lu Qingchen to swallow back the words she was about to say, momentarily at a loss for words.

"Why is Your Highness here?" Xiao Yu suddenly appeared, and Su Wanyue was stunned for a moment before walking towards him.

Xiao Yu glanced at the so-called upright and virtuous Second Young Master Lu out of the corner of his eye, then slowly pinched his wife's slender waist, and then smiled casually, "My wife is here, why can't I come, or does Wanwan not want me to come?"

If he hadn't come, he wouldn't have known that she was meeting her ex-fiancé so early in the morning. The man felt a pang of regret; if he had known, he should have come with his wife.

His voice had a pleasant, magnetic quality, and he spoke slowly, but he emphasized the word "wife" very much.

Everyone knew who he was talking to, and Lu Qingchen understood as well. He was silent for a moment. At this moment, Su Wanyue tugged at Xiao Yu's sleeve and whispered, "I didn't mean to stop Your Highness from coming. I was just a little surprised."

She had only been in Nanqiong for seven days when he arrived. She had thought he would take another half month to come, which was why she was surprised.

In front of her ex-fiancé, Xiao Yu made no attempt to hide his affection for his wife. He spoke casually, saying things like "It's been a day since we last met" and "I'm worried about her being alone out there."

Su Wanyue blinked lightly, then glared at him. Every word he spoke was loaded with hidden meaning, deliberately sarcastic, "My second brother and I are just..."

"Second Brother" again. Xiao Yu's eyes darkened, but a faint smile played on his lips, as if he didn't care at all.

"I see, Young Master Lu, it's a pleasure to meet you." Xiao Yu's lips curled up slightly as he stretched out his arm to embrace his wife's waist, his voice neither hurried nor slow.

"Your Highness, it's a pleasure to meet you." As a man himself, Lu Qingchen could tell that the Crown Prince of Beili was probably jealous and therefore harbored considerable hostility towards him. Last year, when he and Qin Jue left the capital, two sentences from Wanwan's husband's words were clearly meant for him. However, his behavior was undoubtedly because he liked the girl very much. Lu Qingchen smiled and prepared to take his leave. At this moment, Madam Lu heard the commotion and came over. "Wanwan, who is this?"

"Madam Lu, this is His Highness the Crown Prince of Beili," the steward quickly explained to Madam Lu.

"So it's His Highness the Crown Prince of Beili. This humble woman greets His Highness." Madam Lu quickly realized why it was so lively here all of a sudden; it turned out that Wanwan's husband had arrived.

Because of Su Wanyue, Madam Lu had heard a little about the Crown Prince of Beili. She had heard that he was exceptionally capable and had an extraordinary demeanor. Taking this opportunity, she secretly observed the Crown Prince of Beili. He was tall and imposing, with an elegant and composed air about him, as if he were born into royalty. At this moment, he had a smile on his lips, and his narrow phoenix eyes seemed to be able to hold only Wanyue. Seeing this, Madam Lu was ultimately happy for Su Wanyue. Girls are different from boys. Under the rule of the emperor, if she could not find a good man, who knows what kind of fate awaited her.

Originally, Madam Lu wanted to say a few more words to Su Wanyue, but since Xiao Yu had come over, Madam Lu thought she should go back first. Su Wanyue, on the other hand, acted very generously, saying, "Madam has not yet had a cup of tea since arriving at the Prince of Nan's residence. Why don't you sit down and have a cup of tea?"

"My dear girl, then I shall gladly accept your offer." Upon hearing this, Madam Lu immediately beamed with joy. What she liked most about Wanwan was her graceful and generous nature, which made her very likable.

It was clear that his wife was very likable. As husband and wife, Xiao Yu felt that he, as the husband, should be more magnanimous. He smiled gently and said, "Young Master Lu, please have a seat."

"Thank you, Your Highness." Upon hearing this, Lu Qingchen sat down. Thus, in the large pavilion, Su Wanyue and Xiao Yu and his wife sat on one side, while Lu Qingchen and Madam Lu sat on the other. Qin'er stepped forward to pour tea for Madam Lu, Xiao Yu poured a cup of tea for his wife, and then calmly poured a cup of tea for Lu Qingchen. "Please, Second Young Master Lu."

The situation was incredibly bizarre. Lu Qingchen paused, then took the gilded teacup. He felt as if the Crown Prince of Beili was treating his guest like a host.

The steward also had this illusion, as if their princess was an empress, and the Crown Prince of Beili placed himself in the position of the central palace, looking down on all the young men.

While Madam Lu was talking to Su Wanyue, Xiao Yu listened quietly. Seeing that his wife was drinking her tea too quickly, he gently reminded her, "Wanwan, slow down. Is the baby in your belly behaving well?"

Lu Qingchen knew half a month ago that the young lady was pregnant, but the young lady was still very young and slender, so it was impossible to tell that she was pregnant. Lu Qingchen lowered his head and took a sip of tea.

"Wanwan is pregnant for the first time, so you must be extra careful during these first three months. You absolutely must not touch any spices that you shouldn't." Madam Lu had just remembered that her daughter was pregnant. She gently patted her daughter's hand and instructed, "Your Highness, please take good care of Wanwan."

"Wanwan is my wife, and I will take good care of her." Xiao Yu nodded slightly.

In the short time it takes for an incense stick to burn, everyone could see that the young couple were exceptionally loving and had a great understanding of each other.

On the way back to the Prime Minister's residence, Madam Lu looked at Lu Qingchen with a hint of something in her eyes. Lu Qingchen seemed to understand what Madam Lu wanted to say, and he smiled gently, "I understand what Mother wants to say. As long as Wanwan is doing well, I have nothing to be resentful about."

"So what are your plans for the future?" This question cut off all of Madam Lu's words. It was good that her son had come to his senses. Just now, the Crown Prince of Beili seemed nonchalant, but he had actually acted like the host. Wasn't he telling them that he was Wanwan's husband? If her son hadn't come to his senses, was he going to fight with the Crown Prince of Beili?

"I wish to petition His Majesty to appoint me as a local official to benefit the people of this region," Lu Qingchen said, having already considered this idea.

Previously, because the girl's identity was unknown, Lu Qingchen was worried that her exposure would lead to her death or imprisonment, so he was always worried. Now that he knows she is doing well and has a child with the Crown Prince of Beili, Lu Qingchen can finally rest easy. He wants to be a good official in the future.

Madam Lu and Prime Minister Lu have two sons and a daughter. Their eldest son married his mentor's daughter when he came of age. The couple are a pair of bickering lovers. Their youngest daughter recently got engaged to the son of the Grand Tutor. Both children are talented and I believe they will become a harmonious couple in the future. Only their second son...

Madam Lu sighed and finally agreed, "Since you have already made up your mind, then I will go with you. Just one thing: don't take your health for granted."

Lu Qingchen smiled gently and said he wouldn't.

===

After everyone left, Xiao Yu easily pulled his wife into his arms, his tone carrying a hint of resentment, "Wanwan, did you miss me?"

His tone was resentful, and his phoenix eyes were deep, making Su Wanyue feel somewhat overwhelmed. The butler and Qin'er, who were very perceptive, were waiting downstairs. A gentle breeze ruffled Su Wanyue's hair. Su Wanyue looked at him with her eyes curved and said "I want to" seriously.

A single word from her could extinguish the beast within Xiao Yu's heart, making him bow down and submit to her. Xiao Yu picked up his wife and casually asked, "Isn't Second Young Master Lu a court official? Why did you come to the Southern Prince's Mansion today? Does he come every day?"

Su Wanyue didn't answer his question, but instead asked, "Is Your Highness jealous?"

Su Wanyue wasn't a slow-witted girl; it was just that every word he had said seemed to carry a hint of jealousy.

"What would Wanwan do if I said I was jealous?" His wife's heart was with him, so why would he be jealous? Xiao Yu reflected on this in his mind, and then steadily carried his wife down the stone steps.

Su Wanyue was held tightly in his arms, only able to see the distant blue sky and the scenery above the treetops. She hugged Xiao Yu's neck, closed her eyes slightly, tilted her head back, and placed a kiss on his sharp profile. Xiao Yu's Adam's apple bobbed heavily, and he paused. Su Wanyue's kiss was very light, like a gentle breeze. After the kiss, she was about to turn her head away, but Xiao Yu gently lifted her up. The man looked at his wife, whose face was as pink as a peach blossom, and held her like this. He lowered his head and kissed her lips, slowly deepening the kiss, but the movements were exceptionally gentle, as if telling her of his longing.

The woman's nostrils were filled with the scent of his ambergris. Her eyes were closed, her breathing was a little erratic, her brows were slightly furrowed, and her face was beautiful and delicate, like a peony blooming in spring.

Just then, the Prince of Nan returned. Because of the distance, he could only see a tall man holding a little girl in his arms. Because the man's clothes were light green, the Prince of Nan recognized that the woman in his arms was his daughter. The man was none other than the Crown Prince of Beili. Although the Prince of Nan also doted on his daughter, it was a bit much to see him carrying her even in the pavilion...

Although the Southern King did not get a clear look at the Crown Prince of Beili's face, his first impression of his future father-in-law was extremely positive.

Xiao Yu was a martial artist with extremely keen senses. The kiss was fleeting, and he immediately patted his wife's back reassuringly before carrying her downstairs. The Prince of the South was already approaching them. Su Wanyue struggled slightly in Xiao Yu's arms, indicating that he should put her down.

Xiao Yu had no choice but to put his wife down with regret and straighten the wrinkles on her clothes. The Prince of Nan was even more satisfied when he saw this and nodded to himself, "Wanwan."

"Father," Su Wanyue said, her almond-shaped eyes brimming with tears and her smile gentle, as she introduced the Prince of Nan to His Highness.

"My father-in-law."

The Prince of Nan was taken aback by the man's polite address of "father-in-law." After a moment of surprise, he began to scrutinize the man. The man before him was handsome and had a refined demeanor. He was more composed than Qin Jue. Although he was the crown prince of a country, his attitude was very polite, and he acted like a junior in front of the Prince of Nan.

The Prince of the South's eyes revealed satisfaction, and his voice was refined and gentle, "I heard from Wanwan that the Crown Prince would not be able to come for some time, but I did not expect that the Crown Prince would come today."

Does that mean he also met with members of the Lu family?

The steward of the Southern Dynasty glanced at him and nodded. Xiao Yu said, "I originally planned to visit my father-in-law with Wanwan, but due to matters of state, we were delayed for two days. I hope my father-in-law will not take offense."

"Your Highness, what are you saying? Matters of the court are certainly more important. Wanwan, why don't you show Your Highness around the mansion first? We can all have dinner together tonight," said the Prince of Nan, who wasn't going to fuss over such a trivial matter.

Su Wanyue: "Then I will take Your Highness to the Peony Garden first."

The King of the South nodded.

"Your Highness just met with the Lu family. Did anything happen?" The Prince of Nan had to go to court early this morning and really didn't know that Xiao Yu would come today. It's quite a coincidence that the Lu family didn't say they wanted to see their daughter when she first returned to the mansion. Today, they just happened to run into each other.

Although his daughter and that boy from the Lu family had nothing going on, the two families had planned to arrange a marriage between them. One was his daughter's husband, and the other was the man she admired when she was of marriageable age. The Prince of Nan was worried that something might go wrong.

The steward thought for a moment, "Nothing happened, and His Highness the Crown Prince even poured a cup of tea for Young Master Lu."

King of the South: "..."

This was beyond his expectations.

***

Su Wanyue led Xiao Yu to the Peony Garden. The courtyard was filled with the fragrance of peonies. This was Xiao Yu's first time visiting his wife's boudoir. The woman's room was different from the magnificent Zixia Palace in the Prince Cheng's Mansion. There was a yellow pear wood bed, a light purple beaded curtain, and several books, writing brushes, ink, paper and inkstones on the tea table. A string of bells hung by the window, and they made a pleasant sound as the breeze blew.

Fresh flowers were arranged in a small celadon vase, their subtle fragrance wafting through the air, smelling wonderful.

This was where his wife had lived since childhood. Xiao Yu sighed. He first took a bath and changed into a moon-colored outfit that looked completely harmless. He gently pulled his wife, who was reading a storybook, into his arms. "Wanwan, would you like to sleep with me for a while?"

Su Wanyue stopped flipping through the storybook and looked at him. She noticed dark circles under his eyes, so she put down the storybook and gave a soft "hmm".

With her consent, the man skillfully lifted her up by the waist. The bed in the girl's boudoir wasn't as big as the canopy bed in the Zixia Palace, but it was more than enough for two people to lie down. A light purple beaded curtain hung down, and Xiao Yu kissed her lips, then her forehead, eyebrows, and earlobes, stopping after a few light kisses. "Sleep."

Su Wanyue didn't sleep well last night and was already sleepy. Once his wife's breathing became steady, Xiao Yu suddenly opened his eyes. He touched his wife's flushed face, gently pushed open the door, and went out.

Qin'er, who was outside the door, saw him and quickly bowed to him. Unexpectedly, His Highness asked about the recent condition of the Princess Consort. Then, Xiao Yu summoned Imperial Physician Zhang, who told him in detail about the situation of the Crown Princess and the fetus in her womb.

When the Crown Prince of Beili arrived in the capital of Nanqiong, the Emperor and Empress quickly received the news. They learned that the Crown Prince of Beili had gone to the Nanwang Mansion immediately. After much deliberation, the Emperor and Empress decided to send Princess Weiyang to the Nanwang Mansion to meet the Crown Prince of Beili on their behalf.

So, when they were having dinner at the Prince of Nan's residence that evening, Princess Weiyang came over.