Chapter 242: Ms. Su Returns to the Capital
Chapter 242: Chapter 242: Ms. Su Returns to the Capital
As the Su couple were happily bickering, Xiao Yunjing had already made preparations. Ms. Su hugged the three little ones, kissing them repeatedly while holding back her tears. She was afraid that her mood would affect Li’er, as women should avoid being upset during their confinement period.
She said, “Li’er, Mother is reluctant to leave you all, but I’m also worried about your older brother and his situation. I’m sorry that I have to leave when you need me the most.” If her son hadn’t been alone in the Capital City, she wouldn’t have considered going back. With Gu Xicheng here, she was even more worried about her son. She loved both her son and daughter; she couldn’t just focus on her daughter while neglecting her son. It wouldn’t do for her future daughter-in-law to resent her, not to mention her parents-in-law were also there.
“Mother, what are you saying? You’ve done more than enough. I understand. You can go back with peace of mind. Dad is here, so you don’t need to worry. With us around, no one reckless will dare to target him.”
Gu Qingli spoke from the heart. This society placed too many restrictions on women, and it was a world where men were valued above women. Ms. Su had stayed here to care for her for so long. If she hadn’t been so strong-willed, forget staying to care for her, she probably wouldn’t have even been allowed to come look for her.
“Now that Li’er thinks this way, Mother feels much better. A daughter is indeed a mother’s little comforter.” Ms. Su hugged her, then turned to Gu Xicheng and said, “I’m leaving now. You take good care of our daughter and don’t let anyone bully her.”
“Alright, stop fussing. Let’s go,” Gu Xicheng said, helping her out.
After they left, Gu Qingli took out some pills, a large pot of Spiritual spring water, and some fruit from her Space, then asked Wuqing to deliver them. Xiao Yunjing saw them out of the city before returning.
“Li’er, I was thinking, once Father takes over matters here, should we return to Qiyang County?” Xiao Yunjing asked, cradling and rocking the Eldest.
“Qiyang County has been taken?” Gu Qingli was surprised. She had thought they would have to stay here much longer. Only when Qiyang County was secured could they return with peace of mind.
Since Xiao Yunjing suggested returning, Qiyang County had most likely been secured; after all, it had long been under his control.
“Yes, it’s too cold here. After August, it will snow again in September and October.”
He considered Li’er’s active nature. She had only stayed cooped up because she was pregnant. Now that she had delivered the babies, she was free again. However, there was nowhere to go in this place, and he knew Li’er would eventually feel cooped up and restless. He had considered the Baiyue Clan. They used to think it was safe. However, ever since they learned Xi Chenqing was with Qingchen, it became very safe for others, but not for Qingchen himself. In fact, Qingchen was wary of them. So, he had decided to take Qiyang County directly.
“That’s wonderful!” Gu Qingli smiled. To be honest, staying here for half a year had truly made her feel stifled.
Over the next few days, Xiao Yunjing and Gu Xicheng were busy outside. Every day upon their return, they would tell Gu Qingli about the sheer joy of the people who had harvested their sweet potatoes.
This year, every household in Beijing had a harvest of sweet potatoes, ensuring no one would go hungry.
Furthermore, since Xiao Yunjing took charge and announced a five-year tax exemption, the farmers were overjoyed. Who wouldn’t love and support such a commandery government?
「A month passed in the blink of an eye.」
Gu Qingli finally managed to take a comfortable bath.
She didn’t know how she had endured the past month. Her body ached all over. Xiao Yunjing hadn’t allowed her to bathe, insisting she complete her full month of confinement, and to top it off, the rascal insisted on holding her to sleep every night. She had no idea how he could stand the scent clinging to her; she herself was nearly suffocated by it!
Xiao Yunjing squinted at the clean and refreshed Gu Qingli, his throat bobbing a few times. Remembering what Ms. Su had told him before she left, he abruptly stood up and plunged into the cold pool to soak.
Gu Qingli, looking at his ghost-like retreat, paused in confusion for a moment before drying her hair and walking over to the edge of the pool.
“What’s gotten into you?”
“It’s nothing. Li’er, you go on ahead. I’ll be fine in a moment,” Xiao Yunjing said, his voice thick with embarrassment.
“Oh.” Gu Qingli didn’t press further, assuming he merely wanted to soak for a bit.
She quickly returned to the bedroom. Their family of five always slept in the Space at night, so the bedroom itself was empty. She needed to check on the children inside. Although Da Bai was watching over them in the Space, it might not catch every little thing.
“Da Bai.” Gu Qingli entered the Space and patted Da Bai on the head.
“WOOF WOOF…” Da Bai looked at the three little ones in their small beds and whimpered a few times, its eyes seeming to say, ’See? I watched them very well! The little masters were very good!’
Gu Qingli chuckled. This rascal is incredibly shrewd! For watching over the three little ones each day, it demanded a roasted chicken. She had no choice but to have Wuyou prepare roasted chickens in advance. “Good boy,” she said, “keep watching. Your mistress will get you a roasted chicken.”
“WOOF WOOF…” Da Bai squinted its eyes and nodded at her.
Gu Qingli went to the kitchen in the Space, took a roasted chicken from the cupboard, returned to where the children were, and placed it in Da Bai’s bowl.
Da Bai trotted over happily to eat.
Gu Qingli went to the side of the small beds to check on the three little ones. These small beds had been personally made by Xiao Yunjing, one for each of the triplets. The three little ones were currently sleeping soundly.
She kissed each of their faces, her gaze tender. Seeing their adorable little appearances, her heart completely melted.
The three little ones were now chubby and fair-skinned, with heads full of dark, silky hair and round faces. Their eyes and brows strongly resembled Xiao Yunjing’s; they would undoubtedly be strikingly handsome when they grew up.
As Gu Qingli looked and looked, she couldn’t find any part of them that resembled her. She found herself questioning if these were truly her children. Were they really hers? However, thinking of her own petite build, it was probably for the best they didn’t resemble her. She would cry her eyes out if they didn’t grow tall in the future. Boys should be tall, strong, and robust.
Gu Qingli kissed the three little ones again, then finished drying her hair and climbed into her own bed in the Space.
When Xiao Yunjing returned from his cold soak, she was almost asleep. He also went to check on the children, kissing each of their faces. He watched as the triplets smacked their lips and wriggled their tiny bodies in their sleep.
Xiao Yunjing touched the stubble on his chin and quickly went to shave it off.
Once clean-shaven, he climbed into bed and gently pulled Gu Qingli into his arms.
“Are you asleep?”
“Not yet.”
“Li’er, shall we leave in a few days?”
“Alright. It’s starting to get cold here.” Gu Qingli was sensitive to both cold and heat. Thankfully, the Spiritual spring water nourished her body, so the effects weren’t too severe. Even so, she wasn’t accustomed to such cold weather and disliked it. Besides, shopping here was inconvenient. Many things were unavailable, and what was available was exorbitantly expensive, forcing them to have items purchased from elsewhere. It would only become more inconvenient as the children grew older.
After talking for a while longer, the couple drifted off to sleep. Da Bai, having finished its roasted chicken, faithfully stood guard before the triplets’ small beds.
「Five days later, two horse-drawn carriages departed from Banyue City.」
Gu Qingli lifted the carriage curtain and gazed at the city gate. It was a formidable structure, built in a pass so strategic that one defender could hold off ten thousand attackers, standing tall between two high mountains. The city wall itself, three zhang in height, looked majestic and solid.
“What do you think?” Xiao Yunjing asked.
“It’s quite impressive.” Could a city gate built with so much silver not be solid? This city wall alone must have cost at least six million taels of silver.
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