Eunuch Hai took Xiao Heng away with a smile and returned him with the same cheerful expression.
Addressing Yin Hui, Eunuch Hai said meaningfully, “Madam, don’t worry, today is Wu Lang’s birthday. The prince just asked him to eat pastries.”
Indeed, Xiao Heng brought back a box of pastries.
Yin Hui accepted her son with a smile and watched Eunuch Hai leave. She understood the deeper meaning behind his words but couldn’t resist her curiosity, so she privately asked Xiao Heng about his time with his grandfather.
Xiao Heng responded innocently, “Grandfather invited me to eat cake, it was delicious.”
Observing the guilt in her son’s dark eyes, Yin Hui smiled and said, “Okay, it’s cake. No matter who asks, you have to answer like this.” Since her father-in-law had instructed Xiao Heng to lie, she knew it wouldn’t be difficult for her son.
Later in the evening, when Wei Luo returned, he decided to call Xiao Heng over and inquire. Once again, Xiao Heng wriggled in his father’s arms and repeated, “Eat cake.”
Sitting opposite, Yin Hui smiled as she observed her son’s loyalty to his grandfather. Wei Luo glanced at her and, addressing Xiao Heng seriously, said, “Xiao Heng, you can lie about what your grandfather asked you, but you have to tell me the truth about other things.” Obediently, Xiao Heng nodded.
Wei Luo then asked his son if he had learned any new poems that day. After some playtime, Xiao Heng suddenly asked, “Dad, did grandfather beat you before?”
Yin Hui, taking a sip of warm water, choked upon hearing the question, and Wei Luo shot her a concerned look.
“I haven’t been beaten before. Why do you ask this?” Wei Luo inquired, turning his attention back to their son.
Unable to keep too many secrets as a child, Xiao Heng stood up, leaned into his father’s ear, and whispered, “Grandfather said, if I don’t listen to him, he will beat father and won’t let you come home.”
Witnessing fear in his son’s eyes that his father might truly be beaten, Wei Luo felt distressed. Wei Luo was upset, contemplating how his father could use such intimidating words on a child.
“No, you obediently listen to what your grandfather says, and I will listen too. That way, Grandpa won’t beat anyone,” Wei Luo reassured his son.
With that, Xiao Heng was relieved.
After dinner, the wet nurse intended to take Xiao Heng to rest. Yin Hui, fearing the little guy might recall his grandfather’s threats, hugged Xiao Heng and showered his cheeks and neck with kisses.
Xiao Heng laughed until he was itchy and was then carried into the side room by the wet nurse, continuing to giggle.
Returning to the main room, Yin Hui noticed Wei Luo sitting on a chair, gazing at her with indescribable eyes.
Understanding his thoughts, Yin Hui snorted lightly, “Why, you don’t like me kissing you, so can’t I kiss Xiao Heng too?”
Wei Luo silently averted his gaze.
After a moment of contemplation, Yin Hui walked over, grabbed his hand with a smile, and led him to the inner room. Circling around the screen, she asked Wei Luo to sit on the edge of the bed. Yin Hui then removed her coat, sat in his arms, and turned her head, exposing her neck.
She was undeniably beautiful, and her neck possessed a fair and slender grace.
Wei Luo maintained a stoic expression, asking, “What are you doing?” He knew Yin Hui was pregnant, so this couldn’t be an attempt to seduce him.
Yin Hui closed her eyes, her voice softer than ever, “Kiss me.”
Wei Luo cleared his throat, reprimanding in a low voice, “Nonsense.”
Ignoring his resistance, Yin Hui lay on one of his shoulders, wrapping her arms around his neck, and softly declared, “I won’t let go until you kiss me.”
It was a form of torture for Wei Luo. He not only desired to kiss Yin Hui’s neck but also yearned for more, knowing well the boundaries he couldn’t cross.
He perfunctorily kissed her neck, almost withdrawing as soon as his lips touched her skin.
Teasingly, Yin Hui whispered in his ear, “You weren’t so reserved before.”
Wei Luo remained silent.
Yin Hui, with a smile, stood up and went to the wash rack to wet a towel. Returning to Wei Luo, she carefully wiped the spot he had just kissed, observing his expression closely.
Indeed, he frowned.
Yin Hui smiled and remarked, “You dislike my saliva, but I am not allowed to dislike yours?”
Wei Luo paused, finding no words to respond.
Content with the reaction, Yin Hui summoned the maids to attend to her.
As the room darkened, Yin Hui turned over twice under the quilt and spoke to Wei Luo’s back, “Third Master, tell me, what exactly did Father ask Xiao Heng?”
Wei Luo replied, “I don’t know. Don’t ask any more.”
Yin Hui bit her lip and asked earnestly, “Then, if I try to get something out of Xiao Heng, will he really beat you?”
Wei Luo took a deep breath.
Yin Hui turned her back to him with a smile, and just as she was about to drift into sleep, Wei Luo unexpectedly drew near, hugged her tightly, and planted a kiss on her neck.
Yin Hui, catching her breath, contemplated playfully annoying him in return. However, she found herself enjoying the gesture.
But Wei Luo departed as abruptly as he had started, retreating to his own bed, and declared coldly, “From now on, I will rest in the front yard.”
“Sure,” Yin Hui agreed. She also hoped for this change, as the current arrangement caused discomfort for both of them.
A few days later, Yin Hui began experiencing morning sickness, though the symptoms were milder. Nausea would come and go quickly.
Wei Luo still maintained his routine of leaving early and returning late. Upon returning home, he inquired about Yin Hui’s health, but their conversations were brief, reminiscent of their early days of marriage when the couple was distant. After expressing concern, Wei Luo would depart with few words. However, now he spent more time with Xiao Heng, playing before and after meals until bedtime.
Yin Hui cherished this peaceful life, appreciating the tranquility it brought.
In April, Yin Hui regained her healthy appetite, and feeling the calmness in the palace, she expressed her desire to go out.
Since returning from visiting her grandfather the previous year and witnessing the new crown prince’s funeral and the new arrangement, Yin Hui had not left the palace for more than half a year.
On the night of the ninth day of the lunar new year, after Xiao Heng departed, Yin Hui signaled Wei Luo with her eyes to stay. As night fell and the soft lights illuminated the surroundings, Yin Hui wore a small scarlet shirt. Contrary to expectations, her pregnancy didn’t make her look weary; instead, she became increasingly charming.
Wei Luo noticed her hesitant expression, as if she longed for him to stay overnight. Though he initially intended to go out, he paused, turned, and headed to the inner room.
Yin Hui was surprised. She only wanted to discuss something with him and figured it could wait until next time. Why was he going into the inner room?