TGFH Chapter 31: Home

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By the time Xiao Yiran and Mu Qi left, the sky had darkened. The two walked side by side, both men naturally silent and cold-faced, making the atmosphere very oppressive. Even the small palace attendant leading the way dared not breathe too loudly. After finally escorting the two to the palace gate, the attendant lowered his head and hurriedly took his leave.

Mu Qi watched the attendant leave in a rush and couldn't help but chuckle softly. He sighed again. That innocent, easily seen-through nature was something he hadn't had for a long time.

"What's so funny?" Xiao Yiran asked, puzzled. Mu Qi had developed a cold demeanor over time, while Xiao Yiran was naturally thick-skinned, so there was a considerable difference between the two.

Mu Qi shook his head. "Nothing. Let's go."

After leaving the palace gate, the two walked for a while. Xiao Yiran broke the silence with a cold voice, "What did the Prince of Luo say to you in the end?"

Mu Qi hummed thoughtfully, as if recalling the conversation. "He said he lost the bet." He paused and sighed lightly, then continued, "Actually, he didn't have to gamble. Unfortunately, he couldn't let go." After saying that, Mu Qi shook his head, no longer wanting to continue the topic. He waved his hand at Xiao Yiran and walked toward his carriage.

Xiao Yiran stood still, watching Mu Qi walk farther away. After hesitating for a moment, he asked, "Mu Qi, what about you and Huaiyuan...?"

"The Emperor will issue a decree tomorrow, and he can't escape," Mu Qi interrupted Xiao Yiran, halting his steps. Without turning around, his tone carried some unidentifiable emotion. "Yiran, tell him he can disobey the imperial decree, but this will be the last time."

Xiao Yiran didn't respond. It was true that Bu Huaiyuan was capable of defying the decree, but if he did, Mu Qi would also be implicated. Xiao Yiran believed Bu Huaiyuan would not defy the decree this time.

He didn't really understand the situation between them. Mu Qi and Bu Huaiyuan were a few years older than him. He vaguely remembered that when they were younger, the two had a close relationship. Bu Huaiyuan had particularly looked after Mu Qi, and he even heard that their families had arranged a marriage, with Mu Qi meant to marry Bu Huaiyuan. But after he left Shengjing to study martial arts with his master, when he returned, Bu Huaiyuan had lost all his martial skills and had broken his tendons, never to practice again. He also became distant, especially towards Mu Qi. Although he still appeared gentle and approachable, it seemed as if something stood between them. As for Mu Qi, he became more indifferent and taciturn, and sometimes even filed petitions targeting Bu Huaiyuan, leading others to believe that there was "an old grudge" between the Prime Minister and the Duke of An. The matter of their arranged marriage was never mentioned again. Xiao Yiran once asked Bu Huaiyuan about it, but he just smiled bitterly and shook his head. Now, Mu Qi was requesting an imperial decree for marriage... Xiao Yiran was increasingly confused about what was really going on between them.

As Mu Qi was about to get into his carriage, Xiao Yiran shook his head and stopped thinking about the matter. Since it was an issue between Bu Huaiyuan and Mu Qi, it was better for them to resolve it themselves. After bidding Mu Qi farewell, Xiao Yiran got into his carriage and headed back to the General's Mansion.

...

The people at the General’s Mansion had already heard about today’s celestial sacrifice ceremony. Although it was publicly stated that there was an assassination attempt on the Emperor, the news of Xiao Yiran saving the Emperor was not kept a secret. Bai Yi had learned from Yun Mozhi the day before that Xiao Yiran was personally protecting the Emperor and had not rested the entire night. He was currently waiting for Xiao Yiran in the main courtyard, occasionally going outside to check.

Although Bai Yi had already witnessed Xiao Yiran’s martial arts prowess, and Feng Jing had mentioned that Xiao Yiran’s skills were among the best in the martial world, he was still a little worried. After all, some things couldn’t be defended against. He remembered when he first met Xiao Yiran, he had been secretly attacked and severely wounded, and just thinking about it now still made him feel uneasy.

Several hours had passed since the Emperor returned to the palace after the ritual, but there had been no further news. Even Yun Mozhi had been summoned to the palace, and the sky was growing darker. Bai Yi began to feel anxious and slowly paced around the yard. He thought about going outside to check if Xiao Yiran had returned.

Meanwhile, Yuan Er saw that Bai Yi had not eaten dinner and decided to bring him some hot porridge from the small kitchen in the back. When she returned and saw Bai Yi standing outside in the yard again, she immediately put the porridge on the table and hurried over to support him. "Madam, why are you out here again? It’s cold outside, please go inside and wait."

"I just wanted to see if Yiran is back," Bai Yi said with a slight smile, feeling a little embarrassed. She wasn't sure if it was because of her pregnancy, but her emotions seemed a little unstable. She wasn’t usually this fragile.

"Oh dear, the General will have someone report when he returns. Even if you want to go out, you have to wait for Yuan Er to come back! The ground outside is slippery, and if you go out alone, the General will definitely skin me alive!" Yuan Er said, her eyes wide as she pouted and scolded.

"Alright, alright, I’ll go inside," Bai Yi said helplessly. Since Yuan Er had received an order from Xiao Yiran to report on Bai Yi’s condition every day, she followed him like a shadow and would sometimes even use Xiao Yiran to tease Bai Yi, which often made Bai Yi feel helpless.

After slowly returning to the house with Yuan Er, Bai Yi had just sat down when a servant came to report that Xiao Yiran had returned to the mansion and was heading toward the main courtyard. Bai Yi immediately stood up, her movements so fast that Yuan Er’s eyes went wide in shock. "Madam, slow down! You scared me to death!"

Bai Yi looked at Yuan Er’s exaggerated reaction and poked her gently on the head, smiling as she gave orders, "Alright, no more complaining. Quickly have the servants reheat the food, and when Yiran comes, serve it to him. He probably hasn’t eaten yet."

"I told them to keep it warm already. You didn’t eat much either, Madam, so eat a little more when you can," Yuan Er said as she rubbed her head, pouting. "Madam, stop poking my head, you’re going to make me stupid!"

Bai Yi chuckled as she listened to Yuan Er muttering. Yuan Er was only fifteen, still a child who had grown a little mischievous since following Bai Yi, and often teased her to make her laugh.

When Xiao Yiran entered, he saw Bai Yi smiling at Yuan Er with a doting expression, her warmth almost glowing, making him feel a little dazed. He cleared his throat, attracting their attention, before closing the door and walking inside.

"General, you’re finally back! Madam has been pacing the yard!" Yuan Er teased Bai Yi, but when Bai Yi glared at her, she stuck out her tongue and, after Xiao Yiran took Bai Yi’s hand and led her to sit, she quietly left.

Xiao Yiran raised an eyebrow when he heard Yuan Er’s teasing but didn’t say anything. Instead, he helped Bai Yi sit down and then sat beside her.

"This child is so mischievous, don’t listen to him," Bai Yi explained softly, a little embarrassed by his gaze. Xiao Yiran merely hummed in acknowledgment, his expression still neutral. Bai Yi, feeling a little unnecessary in her explanation, laughed awkwardly and said, "I’ve had the food reheated. You haven’t eaten yet, have you? Let the servants bring it in."

"Alright," Xiao Yiran nodded. After a long day, he indeed hadn’t eaten much. He then looked at Bai Yi and frowned. "You haven’t eaten either?" He had overheard Yuan Er mentioning that Bai Yi hadn’t eaten much that evening and asked with some dissatisfaction.

"...I’ll eat with you," Bai Yi smiled in a conciliatory manner. She hadn’t had much of an appetite earlier, especially when Xiao Yiran’s situation in the palace was uncertain, but now that he was back, she felt more at ease and finally had some appetite.

Xiao Yiran nodded slightly, not very pleased, but didn’t comment further. Soon, Yuan Er returned with the food, and after serving it, she left again. Since Bai Yi was pregnant, she couldn’t eat greasy foods, so the dishes were light. Only a few were prepared with Xiao Yiran in mind. However, Xiao Yiran wasn’t particularly picky about food and didn’t object. Bai Yi had a bowl of plain porridge, and when she couldn’t eat anymore, she looked at Xiao Yiran pitifully. Once he allowed her, she immediately put down her bowl and chopsticks.

After the meal, Xiao Yiran, as usual, helped Bai Yi walk around the room a few times. Throughout the process, Bai Yi casually mentioned what had happened in the mansion that day, and Xiao Yiran listened quietly, occasionally responding with an "mm." For the most part, he seemed to be lost in thought.

It wasn’t until Bai Yi mentioned feeling tired that Xiao Yiran finally helped her sit on the edge of the bed.

Seeing that Xiao Yiran seemed distracted, Bai Yi took a moment to calm her breath and asked softly, "What’s wrong? You’ve seemed troubled since dinner. Did something happen?"

Xiao Yiran turned his head to look at Bai Yi, frowning. He opened his mouth as if to say something but hesitated, his expression suggesting he was trying to figure out how to say it. Bai Yi maintained a warm smile and tilted her head slightly, patiently waiting.

"We... may not be able to return to Huaiding for now," Xiao Yiran said after a pause, his brows furrowing. His usually expressionless face looked a little darker as he spoke.

Bai Yi laughed softly and shook his head, gently holding Xiao Yiran's hand. "I thought it was something serious. It's nothing. If we can't go back, that's fine, Shengjing is quite nice." He wasn't upset by this result. Although Xiao Yiran had promised him that they would return to Huaiding together after everything settled, Bai Yi had thought about it afterward and realized that, given Xiao Yiran’s position, leaving might not be that easy. In fact, as long as they were together, it didn’t matter where they were.

"I’m sorry, I promised you..." Xiao Yiran's brow remained furrowed, his voice tinged with a hint of heaviness.

Bai Yi looked up at Xiao Yiran, his expression calm and his lips curled into a gentle smile. He took Xiao Yiran's hand and placed it on his abdomen, smiling softly as he said, "As long as we’re together, it’s fine. There will always be time to go back later."

Xiao Yiran felt a tremor from Bai Yi’s abdomen through his palm, and meeting Bai Yi’s gentle gaze, a warm current flowed through his heart. He leaned down and kissed Bai Yi on the lips. "Wait for me, I will take you back."

"Alright," Bai Yi smiled and nodded lightly, his hand brushing Xiao Yiran’s hair at his ear. "Will you stay tonight?"

Xiao Yiran hummed in agreement. Since being "scolded" by Yun Mozhi, Xiao Yiran had been dutifully coming home on time, aligning with Bai Yi’s schedule and resting properly.

Although the two of them were simply sharing a bed without any intimacy, Bai Yi’s increasingly sensitive body due to pregnancy, coupled with Xiao Yiran’s presence and scent, made Bai Yi occasionally feel tempted. Yun Mozhi, while forbidding Xiao Yiran from engaging in certain activities, still allowed for Bai Yi’s needs to be met, leading to Xiao Yiran often attending to Bai Yi’s comfort before they both fell asleep. Compared to Bai Yi, Xiao Yiran’s situation was more difficult—because of Yun Mozhi’s repeated orders to prevent Xiao Yiran from taking action, he had to endure and take care of his own needs.

Despite this, Xiao Yiran still tried to stay by Bai Yi’s side as much as possible. As Bai Yi’s pregnancy progressed, it became more challenging for him, as Bai Yi would often experience night sweats, leg cramps, or have to get up in the middle of the night. If there was no one by his side, Xiao Yiran couldn’t rest easy, so even if he had other matters to attend to, he would ask Yuan Er to stay in the outer room to keep Bai Yi company.

After having the servants tidy up the room, Xiao Yiran noticed that Bai Yi was starting to feel drowsy. Knowing that Bai Yi hadn’t rested well the previous night because of him, he urged Bai Yi to sleep earlier.

When Xiao Yiran remembered that he needed to tell Bai Yi that a decree would be issued tomorrow, Bai Yi had already fallen asleep. After thinking for a moment, Xiao Yiran decided not to wake him. After all, Bai Yi would find out sooner or later, so it didn’t matter if it was now or later. He rose and added some charcoal to the heater in the room, then went to bed himself.

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