Xin He was taken aback: "Huh?"
But before her words fell, she saw Mu Houchu had already flashed into the inner room, disappearing from sight.
In a moment, he rushed out from the inner room, now wearing a clean set of clothes. He directly took Xin He into his arms, tightening the arm encircling her waist. The usually calm and collected man’s voice now had a rare hint of uncontrollable excitement and caution: "Xin He, are we having a baby?"
Xin He was suddenly pulled into his embrace, her nose turning red as it collided with his chest. She covered her nose and muttered: "Mmhmm..."
Mu Houchu looked at her red nose, feeling somewhat at a loss: "I’m sorry, I won’t be so impulsive in the future."
As he spoke, he gently released her, afraid that he might have accidentally hurt her.
Xin He looked strangely at the suddenly gentle man, feeling as if something was odd.
When has this man not been impulsive? Just now, he had suddenly pulled her into his embrace, causing her nose to collide with his chest - she had almost grown accustomed to it.
Now, not only did he apologize, but also so carefully let her go. Ji Xinhe couldn’t help but wonder if this man had suddenly lost his mind.
However, the situation that followed made Xin He gradually realize that Mu Houchu’s mind was not temporarily off, but rather completely gone.
"What are you standing for? It’s tiring, sit."
"Why is the window still open? It’s so cold outside, and it’s snowing. Be careful not to catch a cold!"
"Xin He, are you hungry? Thirsty? Do you want a cup of hot tea?"
Ji Xinhe looked at the man asking his gentle and caring questions with a mixture of horror and surprise. He was now rubbing her belly with a loving smile: "I’m your daddy, do you know that?"
Xin He: "..."
The maids and women in the room couldn’t help but twitch the corners of their mouths but still lowered their heads stiffly, trying to suppress the laughter in their mouths.
Xin He couldn’t stand it any longer and helplessly said, "The doctor just said it’s only been over a month. The child probably hasn’t even taken shape yet. It’s strange if they can hear you."
How could this man, usually calculating and unrivaled in wisdom, now say such a mindless remark?
However, Mu Houchu didn’t get annoyed, but instead laughed even more lovingly, touching her belly and saying, "I see, then your daddy is greeting you in advance, so you won’t forget."
Xin He: "..."
——
As the Chinese New Year approached, every household was bustling with preparations, except for Xin He, who had just become pregnant. Mu Houchu wouldn’t let her do any work, and he was extremely attentive to their first child. After all, it was his first time being a father, and Xin He didn’t know how much he had been looking forward to it.
He never mentioned it because he was afraid of putting too much pressure on her, but deep down, he really wanted a child. They had been married for half a year and had no news of a child until this unexpected joy came along. Mu Houchu was so happy that he could hardly resist jumping into an icy lake.
Xin He was not allowed to worry about the troublesome matters by Mu Houchu, and fortunately, there were stewards to manage Winding Pavilion and Hua Man Lou. At the end of the year, Xiaoyu was also capable, managing the affairs of the mansion very well. After being busy for half a year, Xin He truly took a break during the festivities, thanks to the merit of the child in her belly.
While Xin He was enjoying her leisure, things were not so quiet in the other houses.
The Duan family in the capital city was especially busy during this Chinese New Year.
It should be known that Duan Lan and Li Junyan’s marriage was set in the twelfth lunar month, to be celebrated right after the new year.
The Duan family was extremely busy these days, preparing for the new year and the wedding. Madam Duan was quite distressed, but when she thought about her stubborn son finally getting married, she felt relieved.
Duan Lan was also very busy, as the Emperor now entrusted him with a vital task. Recently, there was a famine in Mingzhou region, compounded by the harsh winter. Countless people had frozen or starved to death, and yet a large portion of the disaster relief funds sent by the court had somehow been embezzled en route.
Enraged by this, the Emperor sent Duan Lan as an imperial envoy to thoroughly investigate the matter.
Duan Lan was gone for two whole months before returning today.
Upon his return to the city, he saw Qingshan waiting for him at the city gate. Qingshan hurriedly greeted him: "Young Master! It’s good that you have returned. Madam has been constantly thinking about you, and she specially asked me to wait here to welcome you."
Duan Lan dismounted, his features now carrying an air of indifference and coldness, though his very presence was clearly much sharper. The simple youth from before had matured, carrying a man’s composure.
"Mmhmm." Duan Lan responded indifferently, "Go back and tell mother that I am fine. I have to go to the Emperor’s palace to report now and will return to the mansion later tonight."
Qingshan answered in a series of assurances, laughing: "Madam was worried that your assignment would delay the Chinese New Year and the wedding, it’s good to be back!."
Qingshan was delighted, but he didn’t notice Duan Lan’s gaze turning colder.
Without responding, Duan Lan asked, "What news do we have from Yu State?"
Upon hearing the words "Yu State," Qingshan’s eyelids twitched, and he hesitated: "Huh?"
Duan Lan’s cold eyes swept over him: "I wouldn’t want to have to repeat myself."
Qingshan shivered, then quickly said, "No, nothing! Everything’s normal in Yu State."
Duan Lan stared at him intently, seeming to scrutinize.
Feeling the scrutiny, Qingshan lowered his head, saying sheepishly, "Prince Pingyang is known for his simplicity and rarely shows himself. The officials in Yu State rarely see him face to face, and he’s very low-key. And she, she, she’s also low-key, nothing major is happening."
Qingshan could feel the resentment in Duan Lan’s eyes, so he dared not even mention the word "Princess Pingyang."
However, Duan Lan just coldly looked at him: "Qingshan, I entrusted you with managing my dark line, not to keep things concealed from me on your own accord."
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