The Prince Jing's Mansion in Jiangnan.
Shen Yuewei carefully folded the last thick, soft cotton coat she had sewn herself and placed it in an exquisite wicker trunk. The trunk was already filled with various high-quality medicines, tonics, delicate pastries from Jiangnan, and several letters she had written to her son, each word filled with words of advice.
"Chen Feng, take this cotton coat with you. The north is not like the south; it gets cold in autumn. Also, these medicines are newly prescribed by Master Mo; they'll help your recovery." Shen Yuewei handed the rattan trunk to Chen Feng, the young shadow guard who could already walk but still had a splint on his right arm. She then took out a heavy money bag and stuffed it into his hand. "This money is for your elderly mother. I sent someone to check on her; she's still quite healthy, but she keeps talking about you. Tell her that you work at the Prince's mansion, and the Prince values you highly. Tell her to rest assured and take care of herself; if she needs anything, just ask."
Chen Feng's eyes were red-rimmed as he held the wicker trunk and money bag, his throat choked with emotion: "Your Highness... this subordinate... what merit do I possess..."
“Silly child,” Shen Yuewei patted his shoulder affectionately, her eyes also a little red, “You risked your lives for Kang Kang, you are my children. Just focus on recovering from your injuries and getting strong, that’s the greatest way to repay me.” She then looked at another shadow guard who had recovered better and was already able to do some light work, “Zhang Wu, you too, the Prince’s Mansion has already sent people to take care of the fields at home, don’t worry about it.”
Zhang Wu, equally moved to tears, knelt down to express his gratitude.
After seeing the two shadow guards off, Shen Yuewei's smile faded. She stared blankly at the falling paulownia leaves in the courtyard. No matter how busy she was, no matter how much she devoted herself to caring for the wounded and their families, the worry for her son far away in Xiling, at the eye of the storm, always clung to her heart like vines in the quiet of the night, almost suffocating her. She grew increasingly thin, a layer of unyielding sorrow always shrouding her brow.
Xiao Chengjing saw all of this. He put down the military report in his hand, walked to his wife's side, and gently put his arm around her slender shoulder: "Yuewei, the autumn air is crisp and clear, the chrysanthemums on the estate should be in full bloom. Come with me for a few days? To relax. You've been cooped up in the manor all day, you should get some fresh air."
Shen Yuewei leaned on his shoulder, her voice weary: "Your Highness, I...I can't rest easy..."
“Kang’er is intelligent and quick-witted, and with Yuan’er by his side, plus the Shadow Guards protecting him in secret,” Xiao Chengjing’s voice was steady and powerful, carrying a calming force. “Being in the palace, they are less likely to engage in open warfare. Our excessive worry here will not benefit them, but will only harm ourselves. Go to the estate, take a walk, and enjoy the scenery; perhaps… we will receive good news from them.”
Looking at the deep concern in her husband's eyes, Shen Yuewei finally nodded wearily: "Okay... I'll listen to Your Highness."
The sky above the northern frontier is vast and high. Yet, inside the warm pavilion of the general's mansion, the air is filled with the scent of milk, cries, and laughter.
Shen Zhao leaned back in the rocking chair with its thick cushions. The wound on her lower abdomen was healing well, and her complexion was much rosier. She watched as Lu Qi clumsily held his crying daughter, his tall body stiff as a block of wood, muttering, "Don't cry, sweetie... Daddy's here... Daddy's here to give you a ride, okay?" He tried to bounce the swaddled baby in his arms, but his movements were so stiff that he almost threw his daughter away, startling Shen Zhao into a gasp.
"Lu Qi! Be gentle! That's your own daughter! Not your meteor hammer!" Shen Zhao was both annoyed and amused.
Lu Qi frantically steadied himself, sweat beading on his forehead: "I...I didn't use any force...Why is she still crying?" He looked pleadingly at An'an, who was skillfully changing her son's diaper beside him, "Sister-in-law! Help!"
An'an suppressed a laugh, deftly changed the diaper, and then picked up the little girl who was also starting to pout. Her movements were smooth and effortless: "When a baby cries, it's either because she's hungry or she's wet. Feel her to see if she's wet."
Lu Qi felt as if he had been granted a pardon. He carefully untied a corner of the swaddling clothes and, sure enough, felt a warm, damp patch. He immediately became alarmed and yelled at the wet nurse and nanny standing beside him, "Quick! Quickly bring clean diapers and warm water!" His tense demeanor was more serious than when he was commanding a thousand troops.
Shen Zhao smiled, her eyes crinkling at his disheveled yet earnest appearance. She reached out and took her son, whose diaper had been changed and who had been re-swaddled by the wet nurse. The little guy immediately stopped crying and looked at her curiously with his big, dark eyes.
She lowered her head and kissed her son's soft cheek, then looked at her daughter in Lu Qi's arms, who had finally quieted down and was sucking on her little fist. Her heart was filled with immense happiness. Although Lu Qi still didn't want her to hold the children too much, afraid that she would tire her wounds, being able to watch him interact with the children like this was already the greatest joy in the world.
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