night.

Ji Shang returned from outside with Bi Lian and Chang Le, carrying large and small bags. The three of them looked just like a family of three. When they went shopping today, many people said that the couple was very enviable.

At first, Bilian tried to explain, and Jishang also blushed and tried to defend himself. The stall owner saw that the more they acted like this, the more he thought they were just shy, and he wanted to tease them even more.

This left neither of them willing to offer any further explanation.

Chang Le had a big smile on her face, laughing non-stop the whole way, as if she had nothing else to say except for opening her mouth wide and laughing, or she would just tug at other people's pretty things.

"Hey, Bilian, where did you take Chang Le with you?"

"Tsk tsk tsk, you actually bought so much stuff?"

Guan Zhiyue took a nap today and is now full of energy, not sleepy at all. She wants to walk around the military camp, but it's dark outside, so she can only pace back and forth in her room.

Hearing her mistress say this, Bilian lowered her head shyly. "No, I just went for a walk with Lord Shang and the princess."

"Oh, who is Lord Shang? Bilian, are you in love?"

Guan Zhiyue watched with amusement, especially seeing Bilian's already red cheeks and slightly red ears, which were simply too funny.

"Your Highness, this servant...this servant didn't...it's just...it's just..."

"What is it? But who is this Lord Shang you're talking about?" Guan Zhiyue asked curiously. Did she have someone she admired?

"Your Majesty, it is the Imperial Guard, Lord Ji Shang."

"Oh! Ji Shang!" Guan Zhiyue realized, then her eyes widened as she looked at Bi Lian. "Oh, you went on a date with Ji Shang today?"

Bilian: Why is my lady so excited? And isn't she on a date?

"Your Majesty, this servant does not have it!"

"Oh, that's great news! You're a year older than me, so you should start thinking about marriage. If you have someone you like, just tell me openly, and I'll be your matchmaker," Guan Zhiyue said generously.

Upon hearing this, Bilian immediately knelt down on the ground with a thud and said, "Your Majesty, I am yours in life and in death. I will serve you forever and I will never marry!"

Guan Zhiyue held her stomach with one hand and supported her waist with the other, then said, "You, you, get up first. Didn't I tell you not to kneel down so easily?"

Getting married is something that will happen sooner or later. Don't be silly and say you won't get married if you want to serve me. Please don't be foolish!

"However, there's one thing your mother has to advise you on!"

Bilian stood up from the ground, staring intently at Guan Zhiyue. "Your Majesty, what advice do you have?"

"That's right, whether you get married or not, you must have a skill that can support you and enough money to support yourself in your old age. No matter what happens, you must leave yourself a way out."

"Whether it's money or love, you have to manage them well. You can support your family, but there should be a sum of money that is yours alone. Even if something unfortunate happens in the future, this money will be your greatest source of security."

"Yes, Your Highness, I will follow your teachings and remember them well." Bilian bowed respectfully, deeply engraving Guan Zhiyue's words in her heart.

****

Five days later.

The sky was exceptionally clear today, with the sun shining brightly; it felt like the most comfortable day in a long time.

"Your Highness, you should wear more clothes. We're going to the seaside later to welcome the army back. There will definitely be strong winds and waves there," Bilian said with concern, looking at Guan Zhiyue, who wasn't dressed very warmly today.

Guan Zhiyue looked down and then nodded, "Then bring me the rabbit fur cloak I bought a while ago."

"Yes, Your Highness, I will go right away. Please wait a moment."

Bilian left quickly. Guan Zhiyue looked at Chang Le, who was still playing on the blanket on the ground, and said, "Chang Le, come to your mother's side. Your mother will take you to pick up your father, okay?"

"Okay." The adorable voice rang out, completely melting Guan Zhiyue's heart.

"Tuantuan, hold Changle and don't drop her, okay?" Guan Zhiyue turned her head and looked at little Tuantuan, who was standing to the side, not knowing what to do.

Little Tuantuan tossed her two braids hanging down her chest and said directly, "Okay, don't worry, sister, I guarantee I'll do it perfectly."

"Look, they're back, they're back."

"Our warships have returned."

"Finally back, finally back."

The coastline was already crowded with civilians, and soldiers from the military camp, except for those cooking in the kitchen, had all come out to welcome Li Qiji and his men back.

Ten ships slowly approached, from initially appearing as blurry shadows to now having their entire hulls clearly visible.

Finally, everyone on the boat came down safely, and everyone on the shore cheered and was very excited.

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

It's unclear who started it, but all the civilians and soldiers knelt down in unison. Guan Zhiyue, being pregnant, couldn't kneel, so she stood alone opposite Li Qiji.

Li Qiji had no idea that Guan Zhiyue was already five months pregnant. He only noticed that his Yue'er seemed to have lost a lot of weight. He quickly ran down from the deck.

He rushed to Guan Zhiyue, grabbed her hands, and pulled her into his arms. Only then did he realize that Guan Zhiyue's belly was protruding.

He released Guan Zhiyue, looked down at her round belly, his eyes filled with surprise, and a few tears welled up in his eyes. "This, this is our child?"

"Yes, our baby! He's over five months old now."

"I've finally waited for you! It's so good to have you back!"

Li Qiji gently pulled Guan Zhiyue into his arms again. "When we were at sea, I thought of you every moment. It's a pity I couldn't send you any messages. It's all my fault. I didn't take good care of you by your side."

Hearing Li Qiji's reproachful words, Guan Zhiyue smiled and said, "It's good that you're back. I also wanted to write to you."

But I didn't know where you were, and I didn't know how a carrier pigeon could cross that vast ocean, so I didn't write to you.

"Hmm, it's alright. Even if I wrote it, I probably wouldn't get it. Now that we've returned victorious, I promise you, we'll never be apart again!"

"Um!"

Everyone was watching the two of them; they were showing affection, expressing their deepest feelings, and pouring out all the waiting they had endured!

"Come on, let's go back first. The sandstorm is too strong here, it's not good for you." Li Qiji turned around and helped Guan Zhiyue up, completely abandoning everyone behind him. At this moment, all he wanted to do was hold Guan Zhiyue in his arms and caress her properly.

Everyone behind them, watching the two embrace and walk away, felt so jealous their teeth were chattering. The Emperor and Empress were so loving, they simply couldn't bear to watch.

"Alright, let's go back to the barracks first and rest a bit before talking. We've finally landed! It's so much more stable with our feet on solid ground!" Guan Hongsheng laughed loudly, and everyone echoed, "Yeah, we're finally back."

So the group chatted and laughed as they walked toward the military camp. They had a happy dinner that night, with a joyful atmosphere of family reunion.

Li Qiji and Guan Zhiyue made a quick turn at the banquet before hurriedly leaving and returning to their room. Behind closed doors, they whispered their feelings for each other...