"Master, the famous sword has been found!" Old Fifth shouted from the courtyard.
Su Mian poked her head out to look. After a while, the door opened, and the young master emerged, dressed neatly in a light purple brocade robe.
"Su Mian, come and attend to the Madam."
Su Mian immediately jumped out. Had she finally been allowed to see her young lady?
Nan Xing also hopped inside, hugging Feng Shihao's leg. "Daddy, what have you been doing these past few days? Nan Xing hasn't seen you or Mommy."
"Mmm-hmm, your mother was a bit unwell, so Daddy was taking care of her. You can go in now." Feng Shihao's lips curved upwards, his phoenix eyes sparkling with joy. He possessed a graceful bearing and unparalleled charm.
"Daddy looks so handsome."
"Go on in."
He patted Nan Xing's head, then left with his guards.
Su Mian eagerly led Nan Xing into the room.
"Young lady?"
Qu Linglong sat on the dressing stool, pursing her lips as she looked in the mirror, absently combing her hair.
In the mirror was a fair, smooth, and elegantly beautiful face, her features soft and tinged with a spring-like glow.
Su Mian had never seen her young lady like this before, exuding an air of languor and contentment from within.
Her complexion was better than ever, with a rosy hue showing beneath her skin.
This was hardly the complexion of someone on the verge of death!
"Young lady, your face... are you... are you well?"
"Yes, I am well."
Qu Linglong bent down and picked up Nan Xing. "I can play with Nan Xing flying kites, or run around wherever we please."
Nan Xing touched her face in amazement, overjoyed.
"Daddy is handsome, and Mommy is also handsome."
"Little Nan Xing is the most handsome."
Su Mian covered her mouth, tears of joy welling up. Her young lady was truly well. Had the young master cured her? Had he been in the room treating her for the past two days?
It was too miraculous. Not a single scar remained on her face.
"Su Mian, I want to bathe."
Why would she want to bathe so early in the morning? Su Mian couldn't question it further. Her young lady seemed rather embarrassed, so she wouldn't ask.
She was too happy!
Thirteen silently brought over firewood.
Su Mian found him pleasing to the eye as well. "Thank you, Thirteen!"
Thirteen lowered his head, his hands twisting together. "That, about the marriage..."
Su Mian froze. Right, she had said something before, and she had also put away a large sum of silver for the time being.
She looked at Thirteen again, his head bowed, acting meek and subservient, looking so pitiable.
Over the past two years, following him around to find her young lady, he had often shielded her from danger and handled the difficult situations.
She had also scolded him for two years.
"Um, I'm sorry for scolding you so much before!"
Thirteen was taken aback. What did this mean? Her sudden politeness made him feel uneasy.
Was she going to renege on their marriage again?
Why was she like this, always going back on her word?
Thirteen mumbled, feeding the firewood into the stove, and soon the sound of water could be heard.
"Help me carry the water into the room later."
"Okay."
A brief silence followed.
Su Mian glanced around. "Your clothes are coming undone. I'll mend them for you later."
Thirteen suddenly threw down the firewood. Anger, rarely seen, flashed across his bruised and battered face, along with a hint of grievance.
"I won't mend your clothes! You said you liked me, then you denied it. You just said the Madam was well, and you'd marry me, but now you're denying it again! You're a liar!"
The strange atmosphere from moments ago vanished instantly.
Su Mian glared at him, angered once more.
"Fine if you won't mend them! Get out of the way, I don't need your help anymore!"
Su Mian pushed him hard, but he wouldn't budge. She stomped her foot on him in anger a few times, but he didn't react, only hurting her own foot.
"I'm just not marrying you! You can stay single forever!"
...
Feng Shihao gifted his third brother a pile of swords, which his third brother was very pleased with, and he also took a liking to Feng Shihao.
As a gesture of reciprocity, having nothing else to give, he thrust a handful of glass beads, given by Xiao Bei Shang, into Feng Shihao's hand.
Oh, they were for Nan Xing! Feng Shihao gave them to Nan Xing upon returning home, and Nan Xing naturally cherished them.
Since the branches of Hua Shang Lou were mostly located in bustling cities, Feng Shihao decided to settle in a central location, Heyang City.
Halfway there, Qu Linglong began to vomit uncontrollably.
She took her own pulse and realized she was pregnant again.
Calculating the dates, it was from that one time in the thatched hut.
Feng Shihao was going to be a father again. This time was different; this time, he could stay by her side at all times.
From then on, he was cautious, doting on his wife and son day and night, cherishing Nan Xing.
He finally understood the sweet bliss of being a devoted husband like Xiao Shan.
"Young master, why haven't I seen Thirteen these past few days?" Su Mian asked hesitantly.
Moreover, it was Twelve who had been coming and going recently. Had Thirteen been sent elsewhere?
"Thirteen? He's dying!" Feng Shihao said casually, as if it were merely a stray cat or dog.
Su Mian was stunned, her heart shaken. She didn't even know how she left.
This couldn't be true. His martial arts were the best. She had to go ask Twelve.
Qu Linglong pinched Feng Shihao's waist. "You scared her."
"If I don't scare her, how will she know to cherish him? Thirteen is the most pure-hearted among these guards. When such a person is good to someone, they are wholeheartedly devoted. If she misses this chance, she'll truly cry her eyes out."
"Then why do you always call him an idiot?"
"He is an idiot! If it were any of the others, would your Su Mian still be standing here intact?"
Feng Shihao looked at the sleeping Little Nan Xing in the carriage, then lowered his head, drawing closer to Qu Linglong.
"Once Thirteen's injuries heal, you'll probably be presiding over a wedding."
His breath, carrying a faint, pleasant fragrance, puffed onto Qu Linglong's face. Qu Linglong's face flushed again.
She weakly pushed him away. "What are you doing?"
"Who told you to pinch my waist just now? It tickles."
Her alluring red lips parted slightly, as if waiting for him to pluck them. His Adam's apple bobbed, and fire ignited in his eyes.
The carriage moved steadily, the bells at its four corners tinkling, masking all the sweet, intimate sounds.