Xin Kui's cheeks flushed slightly, and she softly hummed in agreement, her hand unconsciously resting on her lower abdomen. A few days ago, the imperial physician had diagnosed her with a pregnancy of over a month, but the pregnancy was still in its early stages and hadn't been announced yet. Looking at the adorable Cheng Ji and thinking of the little life within her, her heart was filled with sweet anticipation and longing for the future. The days of hardship and danger seemed truly a distant past. Now, she had a home, a lover, and her own child. This peaceful happiness was something she had never dared to dream of before.
Qi Huaihe and Xin Xiyao sat on the other side. Xin Xiyao was already showing, her belly prominently protruding, and her complexion was excellent. She looked at her sister holding her child with such happiness and contentment, then at her own growing belly, her eyes filled with a gentle smile. Qi Huaihe, on the other hand, calmly dealt with the officials who came to talk to him, occasionally exchanging a knowing glance with Xiao Xun. His trip to the capital was not only to celebrate his nephew's full moon, but also to bring a detailed report on the Yuncheng land redistribution pilot project and good news about the post-disaster reconstruction and restoration of trade routes in Yingzhou. Looking at Xin Jiuwei's current status in the Prince's residence and Xiao Xun's reliance on her, Qi Huaihe was filled with mixed emotions. His cousin, who had once been isolated and helpless in Yingzhou, needing his secret assistance, had now truly grown into a wise and insightful lady capable of influencing the court and concerned for the world. The Qi family, the Xin family, and the Sixth Prince's residence were now firmly bound together, their future bright.
"Wei'er," Xin Xiyao took the opportunity to move to Xin Jiuwei's side, looking at her sleeping nephew with eyes full of affection, "Chengji is growing up so well, he looks like you, and he looks like His Highness. Everything is fine in Yuncheng, Father is in good health, most of the disaster victims in Yingzhou have been settled, and the spring crops are growing well. The Qi family business has also opened up several new trade routes thanks to the equal land distribution and post-disaster reconstruction, and business is even better. Father told me to tell you to rest assured and recuperate in the capital. He and Huaihe are looking after Yingzhou, and nothing will go wrong."
Hearing her sister's words, Xin Jiuwei felt comforted: "Thank you for your hard work, Father and Brother-in-law. With you in Yingzhou, His Highness and I can focus on our work in the capital." Looking at her sister's noticeably protruding belly, she asked with concern, "Sister, you're heavily pregnant; you must be tired from your journey. Has the imperial physician seen you?"
"It's alright, Huaihe made all the arrangements perfectly. The journey by boat was very smooth." Xin Xiyao smiled, gently stroking her belly. "The imperial physician said the pregnancy is very stable. Huaihe said that once the child is born, regardless of whether it's a boy or a girl, he will be sent to the capital to start his education with Chengji and learn skills from his uncle!"
Xin Jiuwei smiled and said, "That's great! Chengji will have a companion now." The two sisters looked at each other and smiled, their blood ties flowing silently between them.
After the full moon celebration, the guests gradually dispersed. Xin Jiuwei coaxed Xiao Chengji to sleep and handed him over to the wet nurse for care, while she and Xiao Xun talked in the warm pavilion.
"Wei'er, are you tired today?" Xiao Xun put his arm around her and let her lean on his shoulder. His large hand habitually covered her waist and abdomen. Although there was no longer a bulge there, the habit of protecting her had not changed.
"It's alright, I'm happy." Xin Jiuwei nestled against him, her voice languid with contentment. "Seeing Chengji loved by so many people, seeing my brother and sister-in-law, my sister and brother-in-law all well, seeing Yingzhou thriving, I feel... very at ease."
Xiao Xun lowered his head and kissed the top of her head: "This is all thanks to you. If it weren't for your role as a pillar in the rear, purging the treacherous officials, implementing new policies, and stabilizing the overall situation, I wouldn't be able to fight with peace of mind on the front lines, and we wouldn't have the peace we have today."
Xin Jiuwei shook her head: "It's all thanks to us. Brother Xun fought valiantly on the front lines, my brother and his comrades guarded the borders, my father and brother-in-law managed affairs locally, my sister and Sister Lin provided assistance in the capital... and Princess Rongchang, the old lady of the Marquis of Anguo... no one could have been missing." She paused, raised her head, looked into Xiao Xun's deep eyes, and said earnestly, "Brother Xun, Chengji's birth is a blessing bestowed upon us by heaven, but also a responsibility entrusted to us. I hope that in the future, he can become a wise and upright ruler like you, with a heart for his country. But before that..."
She grasped Xiao Xun's hand, her eyes clear and resolute: "We must lay a solid foundation for him, for the millions of children of this Great Liang, a foundation of clean governance, prosperous people, and a stable border. The problems with the Grand Canal have been addressed, but land annexation, unequal taxation, border troop supplies, and official performance evaluations... there are still many accumulated problems, and the task is arduous and the road ahead is long."
Looking into her eyes, filled with an unwavering concern and responsibility for her country and its people, Xiao Xun felt a surge of love and admiration. His Wei'er, even as a new mother immersed in immense happiness, never forgot the burdens on her shoulders.
“I know.” Xiao Xun grasped her hand in return, their fingers intertwined, his voice steady and powerful, carrying an absolute promise. “With you by my side, I would gladly bear any burden, no matter how heavy. Chengji is our hope, and the new face of Daliang is a blueprint we must personally draw for him. Governance, people’s livelihood, military preparedness… we will proceed step by step. First, we will stabilize the new policy of grain transport, then we will implement the equal-field system pilot program in other prefectures. I have ordered the Ministry of Revenue to recalculate the border troops’ provisions and pay, ensuring that they are in full and on time. As for the performance evaluation of officials…” A sharp glint flashed in his eyes, “Zhou Zhengqing is a capable official; the Censorate’s blade needs to be sharpened even more.”
As Xin Jiuwei listened to his well-organized plan, she felt at ease. She knew that he was not only her husband and Chengji's father, but also the future leader of the Great Liang Dynasty. And she would always be his most steadfast supporter, his most trusted strategist, and his warmest haven.
"Mmm." She leaned back on his shoulder, closed her eyes, and smiled gently. "I'll do whatever you say, Xun-gege. We... together."
At that moment, Xin Kui's voice, tinged with surprise and uncertainty, came from outside the door: "Your Highness, my sister... the imperial physician... the imperial physician just came to take my pulse and said... said that I seem to be carrying twins..."
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