Song Yihuan was now the "Princess Changhuan" of Yanyun. As the two countries were making a marriage alliance, she, as a princess, would marry the heir of Prince Ning. Naturally, she would return to the capital with Ji Lingchuan to complete the wedding.
However, the capital was a place of heart - ache for Song Yihuan, Song Yixuan, and even Qi Lei.
Song Yihuan was willing to return to the capital with Ji Lingchuan, but Qi Lei and Song Yixuan might not be willing to step into that place full of nobles again.
Hearing Ji Lingchuan's question, Song Yixuan did lower his head and think.
Song Yihuan looked at him and Qi Lei tenderly and said, "If you and Father don't want to return to the capital, whether you want to settle down in Sucheng or return to Jiancheng to live in seclusion, it's up to you."
Song Yixuan made his decision. He raised his head and said, "No, Sister, I will return to the capital with you."
Qi Lei also said, "We are a family. No matter where we go, we should be together. Moreover, with our family by your side, no one would dare to bully you."
Song Yihuan also didn't want to be separated from her family in her heart. She showed a bright smile and said, "Father, I'm a princess of a country now. Brother specifically proposed a condition during the peace negotiation, asking the Emperor to build a princess mansion for me in the capital, and the Emperor agreed."
"This marriage alliance might be that I marry the heir of Prince Ning, or it might be that the heir of Prince Ning becomes my consort. From now on, no one can bully me. When we get to the capital, it should be me protecting you."
Ji Lingchuan, the "consort" of Yanyun, coughed lightly and said, "If I ever let Huan'er down in the future, Uncle Qi, just go ahead and teach me a lesson. Don't be polite."
Their coordinated words made everyone burst into laughter.
Qi Lei had just recovered from a serious illness. After a while, he showed signs of fatigue on his face. Everyone knew that he needed to rest for a while. After helping him back to the room, they all left.
There was still some time before they would return to the capital in triumph. In order to treat Qi Lei's illness, they had traveled north from Jiancheng to Sucheng with light carriages and few belongings. There weren't many things in total.
For Ji Lingchuan, the most important thing now was not to help Song Yihuan and the others pack their luggage, but to make Xiangxiang recognize him as his father.
When Song Yihuan left the capital, she was already pregnant, but he didn't know about it. Four years had passed in a flash. It was not until he came to Sucheng that he found out he had a child who was connected to him by blood in this world.
Moreover, this child was so smart and cute.
Naturally, he liked Xiangxiang very much in his heart. However, he had missed four years. The relationship between their father - son pair was not as close as that between Xiangxiang and Feng Tingyun.
This was his child, and he had to take on the responsibility of being a father.
Standing in the yard, Ji Lingchuan said to Xiangxiang, who was being led by Song Yixuan, "Xiangxiang, come here."
Ji Lingchuan was a military general who had fought on the battlefield. Although he looked tall and noble when he wasn't wearing armor, Xiangxiang naturally had a bit of fear of him. When he heard Ji Lingchuan calling him, he couldn't help but hide behind Song Yixuan, showing only half of his head and whispering:
"Big guy Bobo, Xiangxiang didn't do anything bad today."
Song Yihuan gently poked him in the waist from behind and whispered, "Your tone should be gentler. Xiangxiang is still young. He hasn't seen many people. He will be afraid of you like this."
Ji Lingchuan gently raised his eyebrows and said to Xiangxiang, "Come here. I'll tell you the story you want to hear the most."
But Xiangxiang wasn't deceived. He pouted and said, "But you will bully people. Last night, you said you wanted to talk to Liangqin. Xiangxiang heard Liangqin crying all the time. You must have bullied Liangqin."
Noticing that Song Yixuan and Guard Kong were both looking at him, Song Yihuan's face instantly turned red.
This child, why did he say everything!
Ji Lingchuan endured his laughter and said seriously, "You might have heard wrong. Your mother was laughing happily. If you don't believe it, you can ask her." Just as he finished speaking, a sharp pain came from his waist. Song Yihuan was so angry that she pinched him hard.
Sure enough, Xiangxiang poked his head out and looked at Song Yihuan, asking, "Liangqin, is it true?"
Song Yihuan was so ashamed that she tightened her sleeves and pretended to be calm, saying, "If you're interested, come here and listen for yourself."
Song Yixuan also knew that Ji Lingchuan wanted to officially recognize Xiangxiang as his son. So he let go of his hand. Xiangxiang no longer hesitated. He took small steps and ran towards Ji Lingchuan. He grabbed Ji Lingchuan's sleeve. His deer - like eyes, extremely similar to his mother's, were bright and watery.
"Big guy Bobo, what story are you going to tell me?"
Ji Lingchuan picked him up and let him sit on his arm. Xiangxiang also naturally put his arms around his neck.
The blood connection between father and son made him put down his fear of Ji Lingchuan. His small hands held tightly.
"My story can only be told to Xiangxiang. I'll take you to ride a big horse. Okay?"
Hearing that he could ride a big horse, Xiangxiang was extremely happy and nodded vigorously.
Ji Lingchuan looked back at Song Yihuan and gave her a reassuring look. Then he carried Xiangxiang out of the door. After Song Yihuan watched the father - son pair leave, she raised her hand and stroked Song Yixuan's head, smiling:
"Okay, go and pack your luggage quickly. We'll set off for the capital in a few days."
Outside the door, Ji Lingchuan helped Xiangxiang onto the horse and slowly walked towards the market. He didn't say a word, just protecting the child in his arms.
The news that the State of Yu had won the war had already spread to Sucheng. The originally tense and desolate market was now bustling. As the New Year was approaching, the streets were full of pedestrians.
Xiangxiang was so attracted by the bustling street view outside that he forgot that Ji Lingchuan was going to tell him a story. His eyes were fixed on the surroundings.
"Daddy, daddy, I want a candied haws!" A child tugged at the man beside him and shouted. This address caught Xiangxiang's attention. He turned his head and looked at the father - son pair, with a bit of envy in his eyes.
Ji Lingchuan had been paying attention to Xiangxiang's reaction. Seeing this, he asked, "Does Xiangxiang want a candied haws?"
Xiangxiang looked up at him. His black - and - white pupils were wet, making people's hearts soften. "Yes."
Ji Lingchuan tightened the reins and stopped the horse in front of the candied - haws vendor. He bought one and put it in Xiangxiang's hand. "Eat it."
Xiangxiang was extremely happy. But after getting the candied haws, he didn't gobble it up. Instead, he cherished it in his arms.
Ji Lingchuan slowly followed the father - son pair. Whenever the child asked his father for something, Ji Lingchuan would buy the same thing for Xiangxiang. Soon, Xiangxiang's arms were full of many small toys and snacks that he liked.
Xiangxiang was holding the small wooden horse in his arms. His look at Ji Lingchuan completely changed.
At this moment, in his eyes, neither Master Daddy nor Jiujiu was as amazing as Big Guy Bobo! Big Guy Bobo could not only take him to ride a big horse but also buy him so many delicious and fun things. No one had ever treated him like this before!
This feeling was just like... just like Big Guy Bobo was his daddy!