The triumphant return to the capital is still fresh in our minds, yet three years have passed in the blink of an eye. The Great Qi Kingdom is peaceful and prosperous, with no more wars on the borders, truly entering a golden age of peace.
On this day, the Zhenbei Marquis's mansion was brightly decorated and filled with guests. Today was Xiao Muyue and Xiao Nianyun's fourth birthday, as well as Qin Sang and Xin Rui's wedding day. With double happiness on their minds, the entire mansion was filled with a festive atmosphere.
Qi Yue was busy taking care of various matters early in the morning. She had now fully adapted to her role as the Marquis's wife and handled the affairs of the manor with ease.
"Mother!" Nianyun ran in wearing new clothes and threw herself into Qi Yue's arms. "Uncle said he's going to make big kites for me and my brother today!"
Qi Yue straightened her daughter's clothes and said with a smile, "Then you should thank your uncle."
Mu Yue followed behind her younger sister and bowed like a little adult: "Mother, the guests have arrived in the front hall. Father asked me to invite you."
Qi Yue looked at her son with satisfaction. Although Mu Yue was only four years old, his words and actions already showed the demeanor of Xiao Suiyun, and he was calm and sensible.
In the front hall, Xiao Suiyun was greeting guests. Upon seeing Qi Yue, he smiled and approached, "Is everything prepared?"
Qi Yue nodded, her gaze sweeping over the guests in the hall. The Crown Prince and Crown Princess, Qi Huaihe and Xin Xiyao, Qi Mingyue and Yao Xiuyan... relatives and friends gathered together, their laughter and chatter filling the air.
The auspicious hour arrived, and Qin Sang and Xin Rui's wedding officially began. Qin Sang, dressed in a bright red wedding gown, was breathtakingly beautiful. Xin Rui was overjoyed; his years of waiting had finally culminated in marriage.
"That's wonderful," Qi Yue sighed softly. "True love has finally found its way to each other."
Xiao Suiyun held her hand: "Just like us."
After the wedding, it was time for the children's birthday banquet. Mu Yue and Nian Yun received countless gifts, but what pleased them most was a pair of wooden horses that Xiao Sui Yun had made by hand.
"Daddy is the best!" Nianyun hugged the rocking horse tightly and wouldn't let go.
Although Mu Yue also liked it, she still maintained the demeanor of a little adult and thanked her father in a proper manner.
During the banquet, the Crown Prince announced that the Emperor had decided to abdicate next year and that he would succeed to the throne.
The entire audience was astonished. Xiao Suiyun rose and said, "Your Highness is wise and will surely usher in a golden age."
The Crown Prince smiled and said, "I still need the full support of all my beloved ministers."
The banquet lasted until late at night. After seeing off the guests, Xiao Suiyun and Qi Yue strolled in the courtyard. The moonlight was like water, and the osmanthus blossoms were fragrant, just like the scene on the night they fell in love many years ago.
"Time flies," Qi Yue exclaimed. "In the blink of an eye, the children are already four years old."
Xiao Suiyun put his arm around her shoulder and said, "Once the Crown Prince ascends the throne, I plan to resign from my position in court and spend more time with you and the children."
Qi Yue asked in surprise, "You're still young, why..."
“Over the years, I have done enough for Daqi.” Xiao Suiyun’s gaze softened. “Now that the world is at peace, I want to spend more time with my family. Besides…”
He paused for a moment, then said, "Mu Yue and Nian Yun are growing up, and I want to teach them myself."
Qi Yue leaned on his shoulder: "As long as you're happy, I'll support you."
The following spring, the Crown Prince formally ascended the throne, becoming Emperor Jinghe. After the new emperor's ascension, Xiao Suiyun indeed submitted a memorial requesting to resign from his military post. Emperor Jinghe repeatedly tried to persuade him to stay, and seeing that his mind was made up, he finally granted the request, but retained his title of Marquis of Zhenbei and allowed him to participate in the discussion of important court affairs.
After resigning from his military post, Xiao Suiyun seemed like a different person. He spent his days helping Qi Yue teach their children, occasionally sparring with Xin Rui or discussing medicine with Qin Sang, living the peaceful life he had longed for.
That day, he was teaching Mu Yue to write in the courtyard, Nian Yun was playing nearby, and Qi Yue was sitting under the eaves embroidering. The warm sunlight shone on the family.
"Father, what's the pronunciation of this character?" Mu Yue asked, pointing to the character in the book.
Xiao Suiyun patiently explained: "This character is pronounced 'ren,' meaning benevolence. A ruler should govern the country with benevolence, and a person should treat others with benevolence."
Nianyun ran over and asked in her childish voice, "Daddy, does that mean I have to be kind to everyone?"
Xiao Suiyun held his daughter on his lap: "Be kind to good people and brave to bad people. Just like when your father fought in the past, he was kind to the people and brave to the enemy."
Qi Yue listened to the conversation between the father and his two sons, her heart filled with happiness. This peaceful life was something they had earned through hardship.
However, the tree may wish to remain still, but the wind will not cease. One autumn day, an urgent report suddenly arrived from the border: an internal rebellion had broken out in the Western Rong, and Ashina Hong had seized power amidst the chaos, regrouping his army and intending to invade the border of the Great Qi.
The news sent shockwaves through the court and the public. Emperor Jinghe immediately summoned Xiao Suiyun to the palace for a meeting.
"Suiyun, what do you think of this matter?" Emperor Jinghe asked solemnly in the imperial study.
Xiao Suiyun pondered and said, "Ashina Hong is ambitious, but the Western Rong have just experienced internal strife and their morale is unstable. If we send troops in time, we will surely be able to quell the rebellion in one fell swoop."
"I intend to personally lead an expedition; would you be willing to accompany me?"
Xiao Suiyun knelt down and bowed, saying, "It is my duty to do this."
Upon returning home, Xiao Suiyun told Qi Yue about the matter. Although Qi Yue was worried, she knew it was his responsibility.
“Go,” she said as she packed his bags. “The children and I will wait for you to come back.”
This time, Xiao Suiyun was no longer the commander-in-chief, but accompanied the emperor as a military advisor. Emperor Jinghe personally commanded the three armies, greatly boosting morale.
On the day of departure, Qi Yue, as always, led the children to see them off from the city wall. The difference was that this time, Mu Yue and Nian Yun were old enough to understand that their father was going to defend their country.
"Daddy will defeat the bad guys!" Nianyun waved her little hand.
Mu Yue replied earnestly, "I will take good care of my mother and sister at home."
Xiao Suiyun patted his son's head with satisfaction, then looked deeply at Qi Yue before turning and mounting his warhorse.
As the army set off, Qi Yue watched the departing banners and silently prayed.
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