Chapter 1145 - 303: Jade Hairpin Slanting in the Spring Waves, Gentle Hands Stirring Deep Honeyed Affection (Part 3)

"Sister Yili..." Liu Guihua called softly, a tremor of shared anguish in her voice.

Yili turned her head, her fiery skirt sweeping across the blue bricks, rouge tears blooming on her cheeks: "Look at how lively they are, it makes us seem superfluous." She suddenly clasped Liu Guihua’s hand tightly, "Do you think... is there something lacking in us? Why can’t we bear children?" These words struck Liu Guihua with a heavy blow to her heart, she suddenly nestled into Yili’s embrace, tears soaking the other’s shoulder: "Clearly I pray devoutly every day, clearly... clearly willing to do anything for him..."

Before she finished speaking, Shi Feiyang’s footsteps suddenly echoed. He took in the sight of the two hastily wiping their tears, reached out and enveloped their trembling bodies in his arms, his fingers brushing away the tear stains from their faces: "Silly girls, to me, you are different from anyone else."

Yili looked up into his deep eyes, suddenly choked: "But we can’t even extend your lineage..."

Shi Feiyang sealed her lips, gently yet dominantly kissing away all unease: "With you by my side, it’s the most precious treasure in this world." He turned to Liu Guihua, holding her cold hand against his chest: "Doesn’t this affection weigh more than any offspring?"

Gong Simeng, holding a child, was unknowingly leaning against the door, smiling with her brows and eyes: "You all, only say foolish things."

She placed the child into Shi Feiyang’s arms, "Come, let daddy hold our little general."

The child’s chubby little hands suddenly reached towards Yili, babbling "Auntie," Yili froze, her eyes once again moistening.

Taking advantage of the moment, Shi Feiyang wrapped all five wives in his embrace, the children’s laughter, the women’s playful chiding, woven into a gentle net in the twilight, transforming all bitterness into soft affection.

Accompanying the five wives and children for half a month in the Naiman Tribe, with no news from the Flying Eagle Detective Xie Wen, Shi Feiyang took Shi Xiong and used the Supreme Lightness Technique "Thousand Miles with No Stops," flying back to Jiangnan, flying back to Suzhou Prefecture.

As the New Year approaches, Suzhou Prefecture City is especially lively. Red lanterns hang throughout the streets and alleyways, storefronts bustling with crowds, all kinds of New Year’s goods in an array of colors. Kids, dressed in new clothes, frolic amongst the crowd, occasionally bursts of laughter and cheer are heard.

Each household busies with thorough cleaning, pasting Spring Festival couplets, preparing to welcome the New Year.

The air is filled with a faint smell of gunpowder and the aroma of food, involuntarily immersing one in this rich festive atmosphere.

Suzhou Prefecture City in late spring is veiled with a pale golden gauze, the scent of Biluochun wafts through the green stone alleyways.

Shi Feiyang and Shi Xiong stroll slowly in the twilight, watching the shadowy figures in tea houses and pubs, listening to the melodious tunes of storytelling.

Shi Feiyang stands with his hands behind his back, his black garments stirred by the evening wind, like a flowing ink painting; Shi Xiong hopping along behind, sometimes attracted by the sugar painting stalls at the street side, his shiny eyes full of curiosity.

Turning past Vermilion Bird Bridge, the magnificent Shi Mansion’s flying eaves and corners come into view.

The vermilion door, adorned with gold animal head rings in the setting sun, glimmers warmly, the plaque above the lintel "Shi Mansion" crafted by a famous artist, its strokes powerful and dynamic. On both sides, stone lions stand proudly, their paws on clear embroidered balls, their manes meticulously carved, exuding an aura of majesty. The vermilion door is half open, the door ring still wrapped in red silk, gently swaying in the wind as if welcoming the master’s return.

Stepping onto the white marble steps, one can glimpse the exquisite brick carvings of "Pine and Crane of Longevity" on the shadow wall inside, pine branches rugged and sturdy, the cranes lifelike. Suddenly, behind the shadow wall comes the crisp cheer of a child: "Daddy! Daddy’s back!"

Qi Meizhen in a moon-white gauze skirt, a slanting magnolia hairpin by her temples, held her four-year-old eldest son Shi Huai’en, while carrying her less than one-year-old youngest son Shi Muyuan. Her previously pale complexion flushed with excitement, her phoenix eyes instantly brimming with tears, stumbling forward, her skirt sweeping the pebbled path in the courtyard, startling a few scattered blossoms. On both sides of the path, Taihu stones are arranged in a pleasing manner, with emerald rushes nestled in crevices, contrasting with the wisteria climbing the flower trellis, forming an elegant picture.

Shi Huai’en breaks free from his mother’s grip, like a joyful little deer plunging into Shi Feiyang’s arms, his small hands tightly hugging his father’s neck: "Daddy, why did you return only now, Huai’en waits day by day on the city wall watching and watching!"

Shi Feiyang, laughing, raises his son high, lips gently brushing his rosy cheeks: "Look, my Huai’en has grown taller!" Turning his gaze, it meets Qi Meizhen’s tear-filled eyes.

She, carrying the younger child, comes closer, her voice choked with sobs: "Have you been well along the journey? Have you been hurt?" Her slender fingers trembled over his shoulders, arms, terrified of missing a single scar, "Since you left, I have been guarding the Buddha hall daily, reciting scriptures and praying for you..."

Through the flower-fringed door lies the inner courtyard. The ground paved with green bricks is spotless, the birdcage hanging under the corridor echoing with cheerful thrush calls. The corridor pillars entwined with tender green vines speckled with tiny flowers.

Shi Muyuan suddenly reached out, his chubby little hands grabbing Shi Feiyang’s collar.

Qi Meizhen, breaking into smiles amidst tears, sends the child into his arms: "Quick, let daddy hold our little Muyuan, these days he’s been crying at night wanting daddy." Shi Feiyang carefully receives the younger son, the little fellow carrying a milk fragrance, his black eyes curiously fixed on him, suddenly giggling, drooling on his collar.

"Grand Squad Leader!" A loud shout shatters the warmth.