The Past

"No." Grandmother Gu hurriedly said, "I promise I won't make trouble for the An woman again. From now on, I won't interfere in your private affairs."

Old Madam Gu hurried to make her position clear. She did not want to damage the bond between herself and her grandson. Fortunately, the child in the An woman's womb was unharmed. Otherwise, Qing Shi probably would not have forgiven her.

"Nanny Fang, I'm tired."

"Let this old servant help you back to rest." Nanny Fang took stock of the situation and immediately played along, helping Old Madam Gu away.

When Madam Gu saw that she had left, she angrily scolded Gu Qingshi. "You're a man, yet you can't even protect your wife. You let others bully her. What use are you to Yingying?"

"Gu Qingshi, Yingying is pregnant now. So she can rest easy and nurture the baby, you must hurry and sort out that whole mess, then take good care of her."

Gu Qingshi obediently accepted the scolding. Only after Madam Gu had finished did he say, "Yes, Mother."

Yan Wanning reclined lazily in Si Yunqi's arms, leafing through a storybook. She suddenly sighed, and Si Yunqi set aside his work and looked down at her little face, scrunched up with worry.

It was the ninety-ninth time she had sighed since coming to the study.

"Sigh!"

Si Yunqi was truly curious what could have his little princess consort so worried. He reached out and pinched the soft flesh of her cheek. "What are you thinking about, my lady, that has you so worried?"

"I'm thinking about Yingying," Yan Wanning said softly.

She had not seen An Yingying since that day and did not know how she was doing. Had she made up with the young general?

"Don't worry. If you're truly concerned, the Gu family's Old Madam's sixtieth birthday celebration is in three days. Won't you be reassured once you see her then?"

Yan Wanning's eyes lit up at Si Yunqi's words. "That's right! I can say goodbye to Sister Ying that day. Otherwise, I won't have time on the day we return to the Capital."

"Mm. Make your own plans, my lady."

Yan Wanning tilted her head in thought and tugged at Si Yunqi's lapel. "Husband, will Sister Liyue be there?"

She had not seen Sister Liyue in a long time either. If she could see her again, she could say goodbye to them both at the same time.

"She'll probably go with Shao Heng," Si Yunqi said after a moment's thought.

Qin Shaoheng had rarely shown himself since injuring his legs, but Old Madam Gu's birthday banquet was tomorrow, so he should make an appearance.

"Husband, are Sister Liyue and Young Master Qin husband and wife?" They had been leaning against each other that day and had looked very close.

"Not yet."

"Huh?" Yan Wanning looked at him with wide, puzzled eyes. Si Yunqi tapped the tip of her nose. "Before Shao Heng injured his legs, he had wanted to marry Liyue. But after the injury, he likely feared burdening her and gave up the idea. He even avoided her at every turn. Liyue refused to give up and kept following Shao Heng around. She's still following him to this day, and they still haven't married."

"Oh, Sister Liyue's feelings for Young Master Qin run so deep."

"Mm. They've been through life and death together. Before Liyue met Shao Heng, she was a famous assassin in the martial world. Later, Shao Heng saved her by chance. After that, Liyue kept following him around and stayed by his side for years. They went to the battlefield together and killed enemy soldiers. In time, they fell in love and pledged their lives to each other."

"Then Young Master Qin's leg injuries..."

"My lady, do you know about the winter three years ago when Western Rong invaded?"

Yan Wanning's heart jolted. She nodded and said, "Of course I remember."

Zhaoyuan had suffered devastating losses in the war three years ago. When news reached the Capital, it caused a great uproar, and the people were gripped by fear. Even she, a young lady who hardly ever left the residence, had heard about it. At the time, her second uncle had been rushing about and rarely came home, while Chen Shi had muttered about it all day long.

Only half a month later did the tide of battle turn. At the same time, it was exposed that someone in the Ministry of Revenue had embezzled the army's pay, leaving it short of provisions. The commanders had been forced to fight bitterly on empty stomachs and defend the city to the death. Zhaoyuan had lost nearly fifty thousand officers and soldiers.

The emperor flew into a rage and issued several edicts in succession, confiscating the property of multiple officials. Those who deserved execution were executed, and those who deserved exile were exiled. It was said that blood had flowed at the execution ground for a whole day and night without ceasing, and only a heavy rain afterward washed it away.

To placate the officers and soldiers, the emperor issued an edict promoting the commanders who had rendered meritorious service. The soldiers also received a substantial sum of compensation, and all those who had fallen in battle were given lavish burials. The compensation due to them was given to their families.

"That year, Shao Heng faced a Western Rong commander in battle. Unable to defeat him, the other side resorted to a treacherous scheme. At a critical moment, the enemy took advantage of the chaos to shoot poisoned arrows into both of Shao Heng's knees. The poison could have been treated, and he would have recovered after a few months' rest, but unexpectedly, an avalanche struck. Shaopa was gravely injured and buried beneath the snow. By the time we reached him, he was barely alive."

"Liyue dug Shao Heng out of the snow with her own hands." Recalling the past, Si Yunqi could not help feeling somewhat powerless, as though he had returned to that winter. His arms tightened involuntarily around Yan Wanning, but when he heard a soft hiss from her, he loosened his hold.

Yan Wanning rested her head against his chest, listening to his strong, steady heartbeat. She could not help feeling reassured as she heard him continue, "After we brought him back to the military camp, we found five or six renowned physicians in succession to treat him. They could only save his life; none could heal his legs."

"From then on, Shao Heng rarely left the residence and spent his days alone in the Qin residence."