"Little Li, Little Feng, Little Jing, come, let me hug you."
Gu Zhiruo looked at the three adorable children and hugged them one by one.
Yun Shu smiled and said, "Let's go in."
As she spoke, she glanced behind Gu Zhiruo, not seeing Ruan Xi. She raised an eyebrow subtly. Could it be that he knew she was here and had hidden?
"Okay, let's go in first." Gu Zhiruo genuinely liked Yun Shu's three children. They were all lively and mischievous, intelligent, and each had their own unique abilities. Seeing them made her feel a strong urge to have children of her own.
Unfortunately, she would never remarry, nor would she have her own children.
She held one child's hand in each of hers.
Looking up, she saw Zhan Tianye. She dared only steal a glance before quickly averting her gaze. She truly didn't have the courage. She used to be afraid of the Night King and wouldn't even dare to look at him for long. Even though the Night King didn't seem as terrifying now, the lingering psychological shadow remained. One look from the Night King could still make one's heart tremble and dare not meet his eyes.
An hour later.
Amidst laughter and joy, Ruan Xi nervously appeared. The moment he saw Yun Shu, he didn't dare to step out. He hesitantly hid behind a large tree.
Zhan Tianye glanced in that direction.
Yun Shu, noticing Zhan Tianye's movement, also glanced over. She saw Ruan Xi hiding behind the tree, looking like he had done something wrong and was hesitant to come out. She subtly pursed her lips without saying anything.
At this moment, Gu Zhiruo noticed Ruan Xi and immediately got up to go to him, standing before him.
Ruan Xi whispered to Gu Zhiruo, "Do you think Yun Shu will want to hit me? She's highly skilled in martial arts and possesses profound inner strength. One slap from her could keep me bedridden for half a month."
Seeing Ruan Xi's fearful expression, Gu Zhiruo couldn't help but laugh. "No, I promised to be with you, and she will respect my choice."
After saying "be with you," Gu Zhiruo's face couldn't help but blush. This was not a whim. After careful consideration over the past few days, she had decided to give him a two-year chance. If within these two years she felt he was someone she could entrust her life to, she would become his true wife.
"Let's go," Gu Zhiruo said, seeing Ruan Xi's guilty demeanor. She knew he must have promised Yun Shu that he wouldn't delay her life or take advantage of her. Yet, by some twist of fate, the two of them had become entangled.
Ruan Xi puffed out his chest. It was fine, even if Yun Shu wanted to hit him, he would be willing! For Zhiruo, he was willing to do anything! Losing face in front of others was nothing!
Then, they came before Yun Shu and Zhan Tianye.
Yun Shu looked up at Ruan Xi, a hint of depth in her beautiful eyes. Before she could speak, Ruan Xi confessed first, "I admit I didn't keep my word, but my heart for Zhiruo is as clear as the heavens! In this life, I don't want to marry anyone but Zhiruo."
This declaration, in front of everyone, Ruan Xi could say with a straight face. After all, he had always been shameless. However, Gu Zhiruo's face turned even redder.
"What are you nervous about? Since Zhiruo has made her decision, I will naturally respect it and only offer my blessings," Yun Shu said with a light laugh. Was she that scary? Look at how scared Ruan Xi was! She winked playfully at Zhan Tianye.
Zhan Tianye looked at her dotingly, his thin lips curving into a smile.
Ruan Xi's eyes widened in disbelief that Yun Shu was letting him off the hook and wasn't planning to beat him up. He stammered, "That's it? I thought you were going to give me a beating."
"If I hit you, Zhiruo would be heartbroken, so there's no need," Yun Shu said with a faint smile.
Ruan Xi was completely relieved and chuckled foolishly, "I knew you wouldn't hit me, so why was I scared! This table of food smells too good."
"Uncle Ruan, are you going to have your own son soon?" Yun Xiaojing asked Ruan Xi like a little adult.
Gu Zhiruo's face instantly turned even redder. "It won't be that soon." Whether she and Ruan Xi could reach the end together still depended on whether they could truly resolve all difficulties within the next two years. After all, the situation they would face was not something that could be easily dealt with in a few words.
Ruan Xi giggled, "As long as Uncle Ruan works hard enough, maybe we'll even have a daughter." Thinking of the scene where he would have both a son and a daughter, Ruan Xi had a doting father's smile. Damn it, the thought of such happiness made his heart bubble with joy. Heaven had not treated him poorly; he had found a woman he deeply loved in his lifetime, a woman he wanted to spend his life with.
Before long, the courtyard was filled with laughter and joy once again.
Time flew by.
In the blink of an eye, twelve years had passed.
In these twelve years, it seemed as if nothing had changed, yet everything had changed. The world was still the same world. The young emperor of the Eastern Ning Kingdom back then had become a middle-aged emperor who could awe his officials and strategize with great skill. The Emperor of the Western Xia Kingdom, having suffered from prolonged torment, had been bedridden for five years and finally passed away. His successor, his eldest son, was too mediocre and lustful. In the years since his ascension, the people of Western Xia had suffered immensely.
As for the Southern Zhao Kingdom, due to the decline of Western Xia, they had launched numerous wars over the years, capturing many cities from Western Xia. Their national strength had gradually increased, rivaling that of the Eastern Ning Kingdom.
Recently, the Emperor of the Eastern Ning Kingdom suddenly fell gravely ill. Although it wasn't life-threatening, he suffered greatly, and the imperial physicians were helpless. Finally, the Emperor of the Eastern Ning Kingdom searched the realm for famous doctors.
Some people came before the Emperor of the Eastern Ning and offered advice. They said that no famous doctor in the realm could compare to the Night King's Consort. Although the Night King and his Consort had been traveling the world for over a decade and had never returned to the capital, their whereabouts were unknown. However, if news spread that the Emperor was looking for them, they would surely return to the Eastern Ning Kingdom, for nothing was more important than their Emperor. The safety of the Emperor's life concerned the very fate of the entire Eastern Ning Kingdom!
However, for some unknown reason, when the Emperor heard this suggestion, his expression turned somber, and no one dared to speak further. He then said that there was no need to trouble the Night King and his Consort. Seeing this, everyone could only abandon their idea. Yet, they were puzzled as to why the Emperor didn't want to summon the Night King and his Consort back.
Of course, they also had a great question: why had the Night King and his Consort traveled the world all these years and never set foot in the capital? Now, twelve years later, many people in the capital had forgotten them. Even those who once feared the Night King had completely lost their fear over twelve years. Twelve years, besides leaving the marks of time on people and fostering new people and things, had more significantly brought about changes in power and status.
As everyone wondered, a boy of seventeen or eighteen entered the capital. The moment he appeared within the city gates, he immediately drew countless gazes.