Chapter 246 -

Chapter 246: Chapter

After Dong Li left the study, Yueqing walked over to Wenzhe’s side. She saw that he was busy packing up official documents and tactical military maps.

She marched over to his bed, sat down heavily, and pouted, folding her arms tightly across her chest.

"What’s wrong? You still haven’t told me why you’re up so early," Wenzhe said softly, not looking up as he placed a tightly rolled map into an open wooden chest.

"Well... you sent a maid to give me back that fur coat," Yueqing huffed, glaring at his busy hands. "Are you stupid? What do you take me for? I never take back something I’ve already given away! You’re insulting my generosity."

Wenzhe paused, his hand hovering over the chest. A rare, amused smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he turned around to face his pouting wife.

"Yueqing, it is freezing in the northern border," he explained gently, walking over and kneeling right in front of her. "That fur is the warmest coat collection I’ve seen. You gave me something so precious. I only wanted to make sure you stay warm during the trip."

"I don’t care!" Yueqing turned her head away dramatically, though a tiny giggle almost escaped her lips. "You already accepted it as a gift. If you give it back now, it means you don’t like my present!"

Wenzhe let out a low, soft laugh, reaching up to gently squeeze her small hands. "Alright, my mistake. I apologize, Madam Xi. I accept the gift again, but on one condition, you must share it with me whenever we are traveling in the cold."

Yueqing looked back at him, her dark eyes sparkling with mischief as she uncrossed her arms. "Fine. But only because you apologized so nicely!"

Wenzhe smiled, leaning in to press a warm kiss against her forehead before standing back up. "Now, come help me pick which maps we take. We leave in less than an hour."

...

When the hour finally arrived to depart, the grand courtyard of the Xi estate was packed with servants, guards, and the entire Xi family gathered to see off Wenzhe and Yueqing.

The carriage stood near the main gates, surrounded by heavily armed guards on horseback. Wenzhe stood tall in his dark traveling armor, while Yueqing stood beside him, wrapped snugly in a cozy cloak.

Old Madam Xi stepped forward first, resting her hand on her carved wooden cane, her sharp eyes filled with pride as she looked at her eldest grandson.

"Wenzhe," the Old Madam said, her deep voice carrying quiet authority. "Take care on the road. The north is treacherous, but you are a General of our family. Return safely."

"I will, Grandmother," Wenzhe replied, bowing deeply.

Duchess Lin Meiyun then stepped up, her eyes soft with emotion as she adjusted the collar of her son’s heavy cloak. "I am so proud of you, my son. No matter what rumors or troubles blow through the capital, always trust in your strength and trust in your wife."

Wenzhe smiled softly, casting a glance down at Yueqing. "I do, Mother."

[Aww, Mother-in-law is so sweet!] Yueqing’s voice suddenly echoed loudly in the mind of every single Xi family member standing in the courtyard. [She looks so gentle, but I remember from the plot that she once beat a corrupt official who tried to force himself on her with a broom! Truly an iconic woman. I hope Wenzhe inherits her good heart and not his father’s terrifying stubbornness!]

Duchess Lin blinked, her lips twitching slightly as she coughed into her handkerchief to cover a sudden smirk. Beside her, Duke Xi’s face flushed a deep, uncomfortable red, though he stubbornly kept his head turned away.

The twin brothers, Yunhao and Yunchen, immediately stepped in to break the tension, stepping around their mother with teasing grins.

"Look at our big brother," Yunchen, the sarcastic twin, chimed in, tossing an apple from hand to hand. "Going off to the cold, dangerous northern border, yet he looks like he’s going on a romantic spring outing just because sister-in-law is coming along!"

"Exactly," Yunhao joined in, nudging Wenzhe’s shoulder with a laugh. "Be careful, Brother! Don’t spend all your time keeping sister-in-law warm and forget to drill the soldiers!"

[These two idiot twins!] Yueqing’s inner thoughts roared merrily in everyone’s ears. [Yunchen is out here acting sarcastic, but he’s the same guy who cried for three days straight after the Duke banned him from going out until he complained his 3 thousand word essay on "peace" And Yunhao acts tough, but he’s terrified of frogs! I should total catch a toad and drop it in his boots before I leave.]

Yunhao’s eyes widened in sheer terror, his boots instantly taking a panicked step backward. Yunchen choked on his own breath... damn he thought no one heard him crying that night.

Xi Lanyin giggled behind her silk sleeve, while little Anran held onto her brother Mingyu’s hand, waving cutely at Yueqing.

"Have a safe trip, Sister-in-law!" little Anran chirped sweetly.

"Bring us back cool northern snow stones!" delicate little Mingyu added softly.

[Ahhh, my heart! The little ones are so adorable!] Yueqing gushed internally, her heart melting. [I must bring back the best sweets and northern wooden toys for them. If anyone dares hurt these precious kids while we are away, I will personally throw flour in their eyes like Second Brother Su does!]

The entire family, from Aunt Ronghua and her husband Gu Zhen to their cousins Gu Xing and Gu Yue stiffened, holding back absolute bursts of laughter. Even Wenzhe couldn’t fight the warm, deep laugh that escaped his chest.

Wenzhe extended his hand to Yueqing, taking her fingers in a firm, protective grip. "Come, Madam Xi. It is time."

"Safe travels!" the family called out in unison.

With one last bright smile and wave, Yueqing let Wenzhe help her up into the comfortable carriage, completely unaware that her chaotic inner thoughts had just brightened the entire estate for the journey ahead.