Xiao Shan had thick skin and strong self-control, so his embarrassment remained hidden in his heart and did not show on his face. In contrast, Xie Zhui's expression was a bit stiff, but since he always had a cold and hard demeanor, no one paid special attention to any differences in his expression.

 

Xiao Shan stepped forward, took the child, and weighed him in his arms, saying, "Mingming is quite mischievous. He didn't trouble you, did he?"

 

"He is very well-behaved and wouldn't trouble anyone," Xie Sui replied. However, when his eyes glanced at Yin Jin beside him, a smile flashed in his eyes. "He does seem to have a special bond with him, though, as he wouldn't let go of him."

 

Recalling the scene where the child grabbed Yin Jin's hair, leaving him stiff and unable to move, Xie Sui almost wanted to laugh out loud.

 

Yin Jin usually maintained a cold and aloof demeanor, fully engrossed in his research on poisons and antidotes. Now, however, he was completely at the mercy of a child. It was clear to anyone that he didn't want to interact with Xiao Mingyu, but the child insisted on clinging to him.

 

When denied, the child would cry and fuss, so in the end, Yin Jin had no choice but to hold him and let him pull his hair.

 

Hearing Xie Sui's words, Yin Jin glared at him before getting up to leave. The child in Xiao Shan's arms watched his departing figure and babbled, drooling in the process. Xiao Shan wiped the child's mouth with a cloth and tapped his nose, saying, "Little messy one."

 

Naturally, the child didn't understand Xiao Shan's words. After wriggling for a while, he closed his eyes and fell asleep.

 

Xiao Shan said a few words to Xie Sui before taking the child back.

 

Xie Zhui actually wanted to stay because Xie Sui was going to take a medicinal bath today. However, he understood that Xie Sui did not want him to stay. Taking a medicinal bath was an extremely painful process, and the cries of agony when the pain became unbearable were like those of a dying beast, very distressing.

 

Xie Sui did not want Xie Zhui to see him in such a vulnerable state, so after a moment of hesitation, Xie Zhui left with Xiao Shan.

 

Back in their room, Xiao Shan handed the child to Xie Zhui and smiled, "Don't worry. Shi Yan will be there soon. Father-in-law is right here with us. Once he has recovered, we can visit him again."

 

With the child in his arms, Xie Zhui's attention was diverted. He said, "I just feel bad for the suffering he has to endure."

 

Xiao Shan reassured, "It will be alright."

 

Xie Zhui responded softly.

 

Xiao Shan didn't offer any other words of comfort; instead, he simply rubbed Xie Zhui's head, silently conveying that he was always there.

 

***

 

Life with a child was chaotic. Both Xiao Shan and Xie Zhui had experienced being urinated and defecated on by the child.

 

If it were someone else's child, Xiao Shan would certainly have been disgusted, but with his own child, he felt none of that. The most he did was tap Mingming's head and affectionately scold, "Little messy one."

 

Time passed in this way, and before they knew it, winter had arrived, and the child could now roll over.

 

Xiao Jin and Xie Chen each sent letters. Naturally, Xiao Jin's letter was addressed to Xiao Shan, while Xie Chen's letter was for Xie Zhui and Xie Sui.

 

Xie Chen had been granted the title of Earl. Now that his eyesight had recovered, he had entered the court. Although his official position was not high, he was highly regarded by the Emperor and was sure to have a promising future.

 

In his letter, Xie Chen detailed the recent events around him and finally inquired about Xie Sui's health.

 

Xie Sui read the letter repeatedly. Looking at Xie Zhui, he said, "Write a reply for me, telling him that my health has improved." Just as he finished speaking, he added, "On second thought, I'll write the reply myself. He's not young anymore, and his marriage prospects were delayed for several years due to his eyesight. I need to ask him about his thoughts so I can be prepared."

 

Speaking of this, Xie Sui's tone was somewhat wistful.

 

During the years when Xie Chen was blind, Xie Sui was not around, and Xie Zhui was always in the military camp, so no one was there to worry about Xie Chen's marriage. Moreover, even if someone had been concerned, Xie Chen would not have been willing under those circumstances.

 

Now that Xie Sui had returned, Xie Zhui was happily married to Xiao Shan and had a child, while Xie Chen remained alone.

 

Naturally, Xie Sui wanted him to start a family and have someone who understood him by his side.

 

But he also knew that Xie Chen's heart was closed off. Perhaps it was the many grievances and unspoken sufferings he endured during those years when Xie Sui was absent that made Xie Chen reluctant to let anyone get close.

 

He couldn't ask Xie Zhui to inquire about Xie Chen's thoughts on marriage; as a father, he had to do it himself.

 

Hearing Xie Sui's latter words, Xie Zhui pondered for a moment and said, "Elder Brother hasn't even considered marriage." In the letters Xie Chen had sent recently, he hadn't mentioned anything about it.

 

He said this to suggest that Xie Sui approach the topic gently. Xie Chen had just emerged from darkness, and his emotional knots wouldn't be easily untied. As his younger brother, Xie Zhui also hoped for Xie Chen's happiness.

 

Xie Sui said, "I'll first try to understand his thoughts."

 

Xie Zhui nodded, thinking that this was a good approach. Ultimately, it was important for Xie Chen to have his own ideas about the matter.

 

As for Xiao Shan, the content of Xiao Jin's letter was quite straightforward.

 

He asked whether Xiao Shan would return to the capital this year. Although the Emperor didn't say it outright, he also wanted to know Xiao Shan's plans and was eager to see Mingming.

 

Xiao Shan replied directly, saying that they would not return to the capital for the New Year this year. The main reason was that the child was now older, could roll over, was very active, and curious about everything.

 

Traveling all the way back to the capital with him would be too inconvenient. They would return next year when the child was older and could walk.

 

After writing the reply, Xiao Shan reflected on how, if they had stayed in the capital, they would be facing such decisions today.

 

This year, they spent the New Year at the Prince of Yunnan's residence.

 

When the family was together, they didn't have the various rules and regulations of the palace. They didn't invite performers or arrange for singing and dancing, but the group still had a lively and joyous New Year celebration.

 

Both Xie Sui and Yin Jin got drunk.

 

Yin Jin, who usually didn't talk much, became quite talkative after drinking, pulling Shi Yan aside to discuss various medical theories.

 

Shi Yan also became excited, and the two, one sober and the other heavily intoxicated, had an animated conversation.

 

Xie Sui, on the other hand, wore a constant smile on his face when drunk but didn't say a word more than necessary.

 

Xiao Shan thought this was a skill honed in the capital, where saying the wrong thing while drunk could lead to serious consequences. Over time, those in the officialdom learned not to get drunk, and even if they did, they wouldn't say a word more than necessary.

 

Xiao Shan and Xie Zhui remained sober. After ensuring everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, they instructed the servants to escort the guests back to their rooms.

 

Once everyone had left, Chun Tao and the others came to clear the tables and chairs.

 

Chun Tao, Xia He, Qiu Ju, and Dong Mei—except for Xia He, the other three were not from the capital.

 

Those who were older did not come to Yunnan with them. Before leaving, Xie Zhui had made arrangements for them. Those who wished to marry were given a dowry and married off from the Prince of Li's residence.

 

Those who had other places to go were given enough silver to support them for the rest of their lives. Those with difficulties, like Chun Tao, whose family hoped she would climb the social ladder and wanted her to continue as a maid or become a concubine of a high-ranking official, were handled differently.

 

Chun Tao had someone she liked, a guard from the prince's residence.

 

Xie Zhui made the decision, and the two got married and stayed in the capital to look after the residence.

 

As for Dong Mei, she had no sweetheart or family, so she followed Xie Zhui to the Prince of Yunnan's residence. She knew that as long as she remained loyal, Xiao Shan and Xie Zhui would certainly treat her well.

 

When Xiao Shan and Xie Zhui returned, the child had already fallen asleep and was taken to the wet nurse's room.

 

Xiao Shan called for water and pulled Xie Zhui into a shared bath.

 

Xie Zhui had also drunk quite a bit of alcohol today, his cheeks slightly flushed. Sitting in the large bathtub, the steam rising around him made his eyes even more dreamy. Xiao Shan looked at him, smiled with a glint in his eyes, and then moved closer.

 

They had an intimate moment in the water, and at the last moment, Xiao Shan, breathing heavily, pulled away.

 

They changed the water and bathed again before lying back in bed.

 

The room was warm. Xie Zhui lay there, staring at the ceiling beams. He should have been asleep, but no matter what, he couldn't fall asleep.

 

Xiao Shan lifted his head slightly and turned to the side, asking, "What's wrong?"

 

Xie Zhui looked at him, hesitant to speak, with a difficult expression. Seeing his low spirits, Xiao Shan felt a bit uneasy. They had just been intimate, yet Xie Zhui was acting this way, making Xiao Shan suspect something. He asked, "What's really wrong? Didn't we agree not to keep things bottled up inside?"

 

Xie Zhui pressed his lips together and remained silent for a long time. Finally, he whispered, "Why... these days... always outside."

 

As he uttered those barely audible words, his cheeks burned with embarrassment.

 

Xiao Shan didn't catch the last few words clearly, but seeing Xie Zhui's expression, he understood what he meant.

 

He pulled the blanket over both of their heads, and in the darkness, he said in a frustrated tone, "Do you think I enjoy it? I'm just... just afraid you'll get pregnant again. Although taking medicine can prevent it, medicine is still harmful to some extent, and I don't want you to take it too often."

 

Although there was still a high risk with external methods, he couldn't gauge the likelihood of a ger getting pregnant, so he resorted to this clumsy method.

 

The experience of Xie Zhui giving birth truly frightened him.

 

He didn't have a strong desire for more children. He was indifferent to having more, and now that they had Xiao Mingyu, he was content.

 

Hearing this, Xie Zhui felt as if his whole body was on fire. He only asked because he saw Xiao Shan struggling at times and hadn't expected Xiao Shan to have such thoughts.

 

Xie Zhui quickly tried to move past the awkwardness and changed the topic, "Does Your Highness plan to have only Mingming as a child? He is a ger, and his path in life will inevitably be limited. Without a younger brother to support him, I'm afraid his journey might become difficult."

 

Xiao Shan replied, "I understand that society is harsher on gers and women. With us looking after him, Mingming's path won't become increasingly difficult. I've thought about this too. In the future, when Second Brother has children, we can take him back to the capital every year for a period, so he can build relationships with peers. Besides, there's also Eldest Brother. Our Mingming is someone who has fallen into a nest of honey."

 

"Moreover, if you can't give Mingming a younger brother, do you expect me to have one with someone else?"

 

"Absolutely not," Xie Zhui responded without hesitation. "I have never thought that way, and I can't tolerate anyone else by your side. If that day ever comes, I might not be able to resist killing someone."

 

Xiao Shan laughed, "Exactly, so don't overthink it. Just let things take their natural course."

 

In the darkness, Xie Zhui reached out and grabbed Xiao Shan's hand, "Then you should also let things take their natural course."

 

Xiao Shan thought to himself, "..." He wasn't letting things take their natural course for whose sake? He was also struggling and needed to replenish his energy.

 

Later, Xiao Shan and Xie Zhui truly did let things take their natural course. Whether it was by divine will or not, they ended up having only Xiao Mingyu as their child.

 

***

 

Compared to the lively atmosphere in Yunnan, the New Year in the capital was as solemn and dignified as ever.

 

Without Xiao Shan, who usually livened up the atmosphere, the reunion night was much quieter. After the Emperor bestowed dishes upon the ministers, the banquet ended shortly thereafter.

 

Xie Chen, who recently entered the officialdom, received a reward from the Emperor.

 

Many were envious of his favor with the Emperor, but Xie Chen could only smile bitterly in his heart. He felt that the Emperor didn't really want to reward him, but perhaps thought of Xiao Shan and Xie Zhui, who were far away, and reluctantly bestowed the reward upon him.

 

After the banquet dispersed, Xiao Jin called out to Xie Chen, and they walked together for a while.

 

Given the relationship between Xiao Shan and Xie Zhui, Xie Chen naturally stood on Xiao Jin's side. However, Xiao Jin rarely interacted with him directly, so Xie Chen was puzzled as to why Xiao Jin had called him over at this time.

 

The two walked a distance, and seeing that Xiao Jin had no intention of speaking, Xie Chen took the initiative, "Does Your Highness have any instructions?"

 

Xiao Jin replied, "No, I was just thinking about Third Brother and Xie Zhui spending the New Year in Yunnan. It made me feel a bit sentimental. I wonder how Mingming is doing. The last letter from Third Brother mentioned that he can roll over now."

 

Xie Chen responded, "Yes, I received a letter from the prince, saying that the child is very mischievous and loves to pull people's hair. He can even smile now, and he's always happy when the prince holds him..."

 

He said a few more sentences and then felt he was being a bit verbose. Just as he was about to stop, he noticed Xiao Jin listening intently.

 

Xie Chen's heart skipped a beat, thinking to himself, could it be that Xiao Jin just wants to hear him ramble about these things? He remembered Xie Zhui mentioning that Xiao Shan wrote letters to the capital quite frequently.

 

Reflecting on how everyone said Xiao Shan and Xiao Jin had a close relationship, Xie Chen sighed inwardly. He then deliberately slowed his pace and continued speaking.

 

Seeing that Xiao Jin showed no signs of impatience, Xie Chen felt relieved.

 

Throughout their walk, it was mostly Xie Chen talking, with Xiao Jin occasionally chiming in with a word or two.

 

It wasn't until they reached the palace gates that Xie Chen finally fell silent.

 

Xiao Jin looked at the palace gate, which was quite a distance from the Eastern Palace, without a hint of embarrassment. He said, "I'll see you off here."

 

Xie Chen thought to himself, you were so engrossed in listening to the stories that you lost track of time and ended up here, but outwardly, he expressed his gratitude, "Thank you, Your Highness."

 

Just as Xie Chen was about to leave through the palace gate, Xiao Rong and Gu Linglong's carriage arrived.

 

Xiao Rong lifted the curtain and saw Xiao Jin and Xie Chen. His eyes flashed with a hint of impatience, thinking that the Xie family had indeed fully aligned themselves with Xiao Jin because of Xiao Shan.

 

Gu Linglong also saw the two. If Xiao Jin weren't present, Xiao Rong would have said something to Xie Chen. But with Xiao Jin there, Xiao Rong remained motionless, lost in thought, until Gu Linglong nudged his leg.

 

Xiao Rong turned to look at her, and Gu Linglong, holding her waist, prepared to get off the carriage to greet Xiao Jin.

 

Knowing that she had been feeling unwell lately and that enduring the banquet had been quite difficult for her, Xiao Rong held her back and said, "You stay put and take care of yourself. I'll speak with the Crown Prince."

 

He then got off the carriage, wearing a forced smile, and said to Xiao Jin, "Is the Crown Prince seeing someone off?"

 

Gu Linglong, hearing this, wanted to roll her eyes. Honestly, if she were the Crown Prince, she would have mentally prepared a ledger for Xiao Rong to review later.

 

Xiao Jin didn't mind Xiao Rong's sarcasm. He replied, "With Third Brother not here, I'm seeing Lord Xie out of the palace on his behalf."

 

Hearing Xiao Jin mention Xiao Shan, Xiao Rong's mouth twitched. He thought to himself, Not here means not here, what's there to miss? He remembered that after Xiao Shan's child, Mingming, was born, he hadn't sent any gifts to Yunnan for the full moon celebration. Xiao Shan had written to him for gifts, specifically asking for something valuable, forcing him to rush a pure gold safety lock from the goldsmith to Yunnan.

 

Wouldn't it be better to save such good things for his own children? But Xiao Shan, with his thick skin, managed to extract quite a few good items from him.

 

Seeing that Xiao Rong wasn't moving, Xiao Jin said, "It's late and cold, Elder Brother should head back."

 

Xiao Rong had no intention of staying longer. With those words, he got back on the carriage and left.

 

After he departed, Xie Chen finally took his leave and exited the palace.

 

As Xie Chen got into the carriage, he inadvertently saw Xiao Jin's back as he walked back into the palace. He sighed inwardly, thinking that being the Crown Prince seemed quite lonely. Perhaps it was fate; those destined to become emperors were bound to lead solitary lives.

 

Meanwhile, in the carriage from Prince Rui's residence, Gu Linglong looked at Xiao Rong and asked, "Are you still dissatisfied with the Crown Prince?"

 

Xiao Rong wanted to jump up and ask why he should be satisfied, but seeing Gu Linglong's belly, his urge to shout diminished. He suppressed his frustration and grumbled, "I am the eldest son."

 

Gu Linglong sighed, "I understand your feelings, Your Highness. But today, when Prince Yong addressed the Emperor as 'Your Majesty' upon entering the banquet, I felt deeply moved."

 

That night, Consort Shu was deposed, Xiao Yi was adopted by Prince Yong's residence, and the Gu family was demoted. Consort Lan's rank was lowered, and the Empress was reprimanded.

 

Rumors abounded in the capital regarding these events. Some said that Consort Lan and the Gu family had conspired to overthrow the Crown Prince, while others claimed that the old rumors were true. But if Consort Lan truly had such intentions, why would the Emperor grant Xiao Shan a fiefdom?

 

There was undoubtedly some secret behind all this. However, those who knew the truth, including Prince Yong, Xiao Yi and Crown Prince Xiao Jin, remained silent, leaving the public to speculate without ever knowing the real story.

 

Xiao Rong, in a stroke of luck, had not been implicated and remained Prince Rui*.

*that he retained his title.

 

Hearing Gu Linglong mention Xiao Yi, Xiao Rong immediately became agitated and said, "Why bring him up? I will never end up like that."

 

Gu Linglong, finding his voice too loud, covered her belly and let out a sigh.

 

Xiao Rong immediately asked, "Is the child troubling you again? Let's return to the palace and find an imperial physician."

 

Gu Linglong held his arm and said, "There's no need to be so fussy. Let's just hurry back to the prince's residence."

 

Xiao Rong supported her and said, "Then lean on me to save yourself some effort."

 

Gu Linglong nodded, softened her body, and leaned against him. Then she smiled and said, "What you said earlier was absolutely right. You are wise and discerning, and the Emperor personally conferred the title of Prince Rui upon you. Naturally, you won't end up like Prince Yong."

 

Giving Xiao Rong a stick and then a sweet date* was something Gu Linglong had become increasingly adept at.

*stick is for discipline, and the sweet date is a reward. For those that don’t know, date or Jujube is a type of fruit that comes from the jujube tree (Ziziphus Jujuba). It's a small, oval-shaped fruit with a reddish-brown skin and a sweet, slightly tart taste.

 

Xiao Rong's face immediately showed a hint of pride. He said, "The princess consort is right. As long as that troublemaker Xiao Shan is not around, Father Emperor has been paying much more attention to me." He was currently enjoying his duties at the Ministry of Justice, relishing the experience.

 

Gu Linglong responded with a nod, thinking to herself that if the Emperor truly valued him, he would have moved him from the Ministry of Justice by now.

 

But she couldn't say that out loud. Instead, she echoed Xiao Rong's sentiments, while mentally letting his words go in one ear and out the other.

 

Life had to go on, and as long as she kept Xiao Rong in check, their future wouldn't be too bad.

 

After all, with the upheavals in the capital, even Xiao Yi had stumbled before Xiao Shan and Xiao Jin. Her father had also realized that Xiao Rong wasn't fit to be the Crown Prince, and his support had waned.

 

And that was just fine.