After calming down, Qin Xia still felt anxious and angry. She didn't understand why Bao Ge would appear in Li Chang'an's courtyard in the middle of the night, but because she loved her child, she naturally couldn't question Qin Yu Bao. She also couldn't get angry at Li Chang'an.
After a long struggle to calm herself down, Qin Xia finally managed to suppress her anger somewhat.
"How come Bao-ge is with you? He was clearly asleep. How long have you two been together? Why didn't you tell me?"
Although he tried his best to soften his tone, Qin Xia's series of questions still gave Li Chang'an the feeling of being interrogated.
Li Chang'an felt somewhat bewildered and suddenly felt extremely wronged. How could she have known that the child would suddenly come to her place?
If you want to ask someone, go ask Qin Yubao. What's the point of being so aggressive and asking yourself questions here?
Glancing over, she saw Qin Yubao's little hand being tightly held by Qin Xiashi. The child was probably quite frightened. After meeting Li Chang'an's gaze, he stared at her expectantly, as if begging Li Chang'an not to tell Qin Xiashi the truth about his situation.
Qin Yubao was a clever boy. He understood that if Qin Xiashi found out that he had secretly run away to catch crickets, even if she didn't scold him, she would definitely keep a closer eye on him in the future. If he wanted to sneak away again, it would be harder than climbing to heaven.
By then, his only source of enjoyment would be shattered.
Although Qin Yubao was only three years old, he already had the awareness to defend his interests and hobbies, so he silently prayed in his heart that his all-powerful sister-in-law would not expose him.
Qin Xia's red and swollen eyes stared directly at Li Chang'an, looking somewhat frightening.
Judging from her appearance, she probably won't let the matter rest until Li Chang'an gives her a satisfactory explanation.
"this……"
Originally, Li Chang'an wanted to tell the truth, since the responsibility for this matter could not be placed on his own shoulders no matter what.
But seeing Qin Yubao's pleading face, Li Chang'an couldn't help but soften his heart. The child was only three years old; perhaps it was best not to cause too much trauma to his young mind.
He involuntarily swallowed, and began to think about how to reasonably explain this matter without arousing Qin Xia's suspicion.
“I was getting some fresh air in the yard when I saw Bao Ge outside. I asked him why he wasn’t sleeping in his room so late, and he said he woke up and saw that no one was there, so he came out to look for you, but he got lost and ended up here with me…”
This was the first time Li Chang'an had ever lied so blatantly, and she couldn't help but feel a little nervous. But she quickly calmed down and secretly comforted herself, thinking that this was just a white lie, and that she was doing it for Bao Ge's sake.
Moreover, she was also thinking that if she helped that child this time, their relationship might take a step further. It would only take a few words, so why not?
Is that really true?
Qin Xia frowned as she looked at Li Chang'an, her gaze filled with suspicion.
"yes!"
Li Chang'an said it with absolute certainty, without batting an eye.
So, Qin Xia turned her gaze to Bao Ge beside her. She felt that children would never lie, especially since Bao Ge had always been very well-behaved.
"I...I got up to pee, but nobody was there, waah..."
Qin Yubao was also exceptionally helpful, speaking unclearly and then bursting into tears in a pitiful state.
Seeing that the child was crying, Qin Xiashi had no mood to pursue the matter. She quickly squatted down, hugged Qin Yubao, and gently coaxed him.
"Good boy, don't cry, Mommy will never leave you alone in your room again..."
Seeing her child crying so heartbrokenly, Qin Xia's heart ached. She picked up Qin Yubao, wiping his snot and tears from his face as she walked out, saying, "Come on, let's go back to sleep. Mother will lull you to sleep..."
Before leaving, she turned back to look at Li Chang'an. Seeing that Li Chang'an looked normal, Qin Xia didn't say anything more and left with the child.
The woman carried Yu Bao back to her room, still seemingly shaken, her eyes unwilling to leave the tiny child for even a moment.
After all that commotion, Qin Yubao was exhausted and sleepy. He lay down on the bed and soon became drowsy.
"Brother Bao, my Brother Bao, you must not leave Mother, not even for a moment. No one can take you away from us!"
Looking at that adorable little face, Corporal Qin's eyes involuntarily reddened again, as if he were possessed, and he murmured to himself...
"Mmm, Mother, I'm so sleepy!"
In a daze, Qin Yubao nodded slightly in agreement, then yawned again.
Because of their life-or-death bond the previous night, Qin Yubao and Li Chang'an had clearly become much more familiar with each other, and Qin Yubao's previous wary demeanor was nowhere to be seen.
Although Qin Xiashi took care of Bao Ge most of the time, as long as he could see Li Chang'an, the child's big, dark eyes would accurately track her.
On the other side, the pair of soldiers brought by Deputy General Sun were also settled in. To reward everyone, Li Chang'an generously booked an entire floor of a restaurant.
This restaurant is one of the most prestigious in the capital. Li Chang'an always treated everyone as his brothers and his soldiers like family.
Everyone drank and ate together, chatting and laughing amidst the clinking of glasses, having a wonderful time.
"General, you'll be attending court tomorrow, won't you?"
Because he was happy, Deputy General Sun drank a few more cups, and his face turned slightly red.
"Our general is mighty! Tomorrow after court, you must tell us what the court looks like, so we can all broaden our horizons!"
Another soldier chimed in.
Li Chang'an couldn't help but smile as she was amused by these people. Originally, she was quite heavy-hearted and had prepared herself to be ostracized by the court officials, but now that she saw so many people silently supporting her, what was there to worry about?
The next day, Li Chang'an got up at the third watch of the night, practiced his sword in the courtyard for a while, and then went out.
Riding her horse all the way to the palace, bathed in the faint morning light, the woman's face was exceptionally resolute.
Upon arriving outside the hall, Li Chang'an dismounted and walked step by step toward the white marble steps leading to the main hall.
The surrounding scenery was solemn and dignified, just like the unwavering heart within my chest.
"Wait a minute."
A discordant voice suddenly rang out behind them, shattering the solemn atmosphere.
Li Chang'an turned slightly to the side, his expression cold: "What is it?"
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