When Xiao Tian left the capital with Yi Qing, it was a quiet departure. But when they returned, it was a grand spectacle.
Yi Qing leaned comfortably against the soft pillow in the carriage. With her fair and slender fingertips, she lazily lifted a small corner of the curtain to peek outside. Looking at the civil and military officials lining the streets in welcome, she couldn't help but say to Xiao Tian, "I heard that when they learned of Xiao Jinghan's death, these were the same people who celebrated with an extra pot of wine at home."
It was truly a case of arrogance before and obsequiousness after.
Xiao Tian remained calm. "I wonder if Baozi went to the academy today..."
Yi Qing looked down at her belly. "There won't be any younger siblings."
Xiao Tian glared at her. "Don't think I don't know you've been up to something."
Yi Qing showed a hint of surprise. "Me? Up to something?"
"You've been taking medicine," Xiao Tian accused.
"How did you find out?" Yi Qing didn't deny it.
"So you were really taking contraceptive pills!" Xiao Tian turned his head away in anger, refusing to look at her.
Tsk tsk, this straight - laced man was actually learning to fish for information in such a roundabout way.
Yi Qing said with a smile, "It would be too tiring to get pregnant on the road. Let's talk about it when we get home."
Xiao Tian snorted and closed his eyes, too lazy to bother with her.
When it came to scheming, he was quite aware that there was an insurmountable gap between him and Yi Qing.
"By the Emperor's order, General Xiao Jinghan and his wife are summoned to the palace!"
The shrill voice of the little eunuch echoed through the long street. Everyone prostrated themselves on the ground, listening to the Emperor's order in awe.
As the person involved, Xiao Tian remained unusually calm.
He said to Yi Qing, "You go back to the mansion first. I'll return as soon as I've seen the Emperor."
His voice wasn't low, and many people around heard it.
— It was truly a rare sight. Wasn't the Emperor's order clear enough? Was this man deaf or just too bold to openly defy the imperial edict?
Unexpectedly, Yi Qing followed his words. "Come back early. I won't save any food for you if you miss the meal."
Everyone was even more shocked.
This so - called "widow" of General Xiao had once risen to prominence with an "unborn child." But those who were jealous could console themselves, thinking that she was a widow and would never be able to remarry. However, with Xiao Jinghan's "resurrection," everything had changed.
She was now the youngest first - rank official's wife!
Moreover, seeing how concerned Xiao Tian was about Yi Qing, it wasn't hard for people to guess that this lucky lady had won Xiao Jinghan's respect and love because of her faithfulness.
What Xiao Tian was thinking: Are you serious about her faithfulness? Were you all blind when she was always trying to seduce me?
What others were thinking: We're so desperate watching you play this split - personality game!
As soon as Xiao Tian entered the palace, the Emperor threw a teacup at him.
He quickly reached out and caught it. While bowing, he said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for the reward!"
"I told you such a confidential matter, and you turned around and betrayed me," the Emperor said in a fit of rage. "I told you to be on guard against Yi Qing, and you immediately told her! If Yi Qing were really a spy from an enemy country, you, you..."
"Then I'd be a traitor collaborating with the enemy," Xiao Tian said calmly.
The Emperor looked at the calm Xiao Tian and was so angry that he almost fainted. He cursed, "Do you dare to say anything? I'm the Emperor, the Emperor! One day when I'm in a bad mood and decide to settle the score with you, I'll take your life!"
Xiao Tian didn't respond. Instead, he told the Emperor about Prince Min's rebellion one by one.
At first, the Emperor was still a bit angry, but later he waved his hand and said calmly, "Anyway, they're all dead. I don't really care. It's just this matter about Yi Qing..."
"You don't need to worry," Xiao Tian said.
"Even if she's not a spy, aren't you worried that she...," the Emperor said euphemistically, "is not of our kind?"
"So what if she's not of our kind? As long as she's Yi Qing."
Damn it, the Emperor was so angry that he slapped the table and stood up. "Aren't you afraid that she'll harm you!"
Xiao Tian showed that he didn't want to bother with him. He even somewhat understood why Yi Qing always called the Emperor a "dog - emperor." He was really being a pain.
After the Emperor had vented his anger, he waved his hand and said, "Get out. You'll have a hard time when you get home."
"What do you mean?"
"Now that you've regained your identity, the happiest person should be your mother. Think about how to deal with her."
The Emperor, who had his own annoying Empress Dowager, was now gloating as he watched Xiao Tian having to face his mother whom he had never really gotten along with.
They were truly brothers in misfortune!
Yi Qing was dealing with Lady Fan.
Lady Fan was supported by Ran Ran and sat on the chair. Her eyes were full of disbelief and joy. "Is it true? Is this really true? Yi Qing, tell me, is this true?"
Yi Qing pretended to be innocent. "I only found out during this trip."
But Ran Ran disagreed. "But sister - in - law, you've already had Baozi with big brother. How could you not recognize him?"
The little girl didn't seem very angry, which made Yi Qing breathe a sigh of relief for Xiao Tian.
"He used to wear a mask," Yi Qing explained.
Ran Ran, perhaps influenced by Xu Maozhi, was skeptical about everything. "I'd recognize you even if you wore a mask, sister - in - law."
Yi Qing said, "We were only together for one night, and I was so panicked. So much time has passed. I really don't have much of an impression."
Ran Ran still thought that Yi Qing must have known earlier.
But Lady Fan said, "Ran Ran, stop talking. The most important thing is that your big brother is okay. I don't know when he'll be back from the palace..."
She was eager to see Xiao Tian and reunite with him as mother and son. But at the same time, she was extremely nervous because she clearly knew how cold and distant Xiao Tian was towards her.
"Maybe we should go back first," Lady Fan stood up and said nervously.
Yi Qing sighed. "Lady, you'll have to face this sooner or later. I think during the time when he was 'dead', he saw how you treated Baozi and understood that you had no choice back then."
Speaking of this, Lady Fan and Ran Ran were both full of gratitude towards Yi Qing.
Yi Qing said, "Let's have a meal together when he comes back."
But Lady Fan refused to stay. She insisted on pulling Ran Ran away in a hurry.
Yi Qing felt a bit sad.
Seeing that there was finally no one around, Xue Miao'er, like a curious child, asked, "What's going on? I'm so confused."
Yi Qing was too lazy to bother with her. She pointed at Xue Miao'er and said to Sang Sang, "Xue Miao'er will stay in the mansion from now on. Make arrangements for her. You don't have to be too polite to her. From now on, she'll listen to you."
Xue Miao'er wasn't angry. She came over with a smile and pulled Sang Sang's sleeve. "This sister makes me feel comfortable."
"There's another sister who has caught a cold and has gone home temporarily to avoid infecting the young master," Sang Sang, seeing through that Xue Miao'er was an innocent girl, said with a smile.
Baozi came back earlier than Xiao Tian. When he saw Yi Qing, he couldn't help but throw himself into her arms. "Mom, you're finally back! Everyone outside is saying that Uncle Xiao is my dad. Is it true?"
Yi Qing stroked his head. "Of course it's true."
But Baozi's expression showed that he didn't quite believe it.
Yi Qing was speechless.