Chapter Fifty-Nine: Warmth and Happiness

Zhan Yan couldn’t help but laugh; just because she had fed medicine to Zhongli Yu that day, this little boy now believed she was a fairy. Zhongli Yu also found it amusing, watching the boy disappear into the distance. Clearly, the people of Wangcheng lived well and simply. This small interlude did nothing to diminish their leisurely mood as they strolled about. Yet wherever they passed, people whispered among themselves. The two of them had excellent hearing, so naturally, they caught every word.

“Look, that woman is the wife of Prince Chun. She’s so beautiful. I’ve never seen such a lovely woman in my life,” commented a middle-aged man selling buns.

“She’s not just beautiful, she’s skilled too. She was able to kill many Xiyuan soldiers in one go, and she even took out that villain,” the old man selling baked flatbread added.

“That’s right, she’s amazing. When she arrived, Prince Chun was bleeding so much that everyone thought he’d die. But after she kissed him, he came back to life,” another person chimed in.

“Prince Chun really has good fortune, marrying such a wonderful wife. If I had such a wife, I’d burn incense to my ancestors every day,” a young man said with a silly grin, looking honest and earnest.

“Haha! You, marry such a woman? You’d better go home and dream about it instead,” the crowd burst into laughter.

“Don’t look down on me,” the young man retorted indignantly.

“Well, we don’t have to think so highly of you either,” someone teased back, and the laughter continued.

“Hmph, I can’t be bothered to talk to people who have no taste,” the young man huffed, turning away as the others laughed even harder.

Zhan Yan listened to their banter with amusement. It seemed the shadows of war had truly lifted, and people had returned to peaceful, cheerful lives. She gazed at the man beside her, deeply moved. These people could stand here, alive and laughing, because he had nearly laid down his life for them. He truly deserved to be called the guardian of Dongling.

“Yan’er, you’re staring at me like that—do you find your husband so very handsome?” Zhongli Yu turned his head and, seeing his beloved wife gazing at him with such devotion, spoke teasingly.

“Yes, you’re very handsome.” Handsome, of course—so refined and elegant, so strikingly beautiful, how could he not be?

“That is my honor,” Zhongli Yu replied, pride lighting his face.

“Shameless,” Zhan Yan shot him a playful, reproachful look, her eyes sparkling with affection, irresistibly charming.

“Oh? Am I?” Zhongli Yu touched his own cheek. “No, it’s not thick at all. Yan’er must not have touched it properly, or how else could she think her husband is shameless?”

Zhan Yan was speechless—she didn’t know this man at all; his audacity was truly outrageous. Zhongli Yu watched her as she struggled for words, feeling quite pleased, and followed along in high spirits. Indeed, it was destined to be a joyful day.

That night, after they had washed up, they approached the bed.

“Yan’er, did you miss me?” Zhongli Yu’s enchanting voice drifted over as he wrapped his arms around Zhan Yan, his warm breath grazing her earlobe.

“I… I didn’t…” Being held like this, Zhan Yan felt heat suffuse her entire body.

“Yan’er, don’t you miss your husband at all? It’s been so long…” Zhongli Yu spoke with grievance. Ever since his wound had reopened, Yan’er hadn’t let him touch her, making him endure a long and difficult restraint.

“No, I…” Zhan Yan tried to explain, but he silenced her with a kiss. “If not, then you must have missed me,” he murmured, his voice husky as he pressed her beneath him. That night, he finally released all his pent-up passion, taking her with him again and again to the heights of ecstasy.

Holding her as she drifted into deep sleep, Zhongli Yu felt an indescribable contentment. As dawn broke and light crept across the sky, he gazed at the approaching morning and sighed softly. It seemed they would rise late today—but so be it. With that thought, he gently drew Zhan Yan into his arms and slipped into a deep, peaceful sleep.

The next day, the two of them slept until the sun was high in the sky. When Zhan Yan awoke and moved, she found her whole body aching. She cast a reproachful glance at the man beside her.

“Why is Yan’er looking at me like that? Are you thinking of me again?” Zhongli Yu, who had woken earlier, teased her when he caught her resentful glare.

“Yes, I am. I’m thinking of wringing your neck,” Zhan Yan replied fiercely, wrapping her hands around his throat.

“So much strength, Yan’er? It seems you weren’t tired enough yesterday. That’s my fault,” Zhongli Yu responded unconcernedly. He knew she would never truly hurt him; her hands felt warm and soft, and he felt no pain at all.

“Who says so? My whole body aches,” Zhan Yan complained pitifully. She knew she could never match his shamelessness, so she could only take a softer approach.

“Where does it hurt? I’ll rub it for you,” Zhongli Yu said anxiously, sitting up to help her.

“No need. We should get up quickly, or people will laugh,” Zhan Yan protested. She didn’t dare let him massage her—if he started, they might not get out of bed at all today.

“Who dares laugh at you? Even if they want to, they’ll have to hold it in, or else…” Zhongli Yu declared loudly, deliberately leaving his threat unfinished. Outside, Li Hun and the others, who had been keeping watch, leaped away and vanished from the courtyard.

“Hurry and get up. There’s business to attend to today; we have important matters to resolve,” Zhan Yan said earnestly. There were things that could not be delayed any longer—she still didn’t know whether her father was alive or dead.

“All right, I’m getting up,” Zhongli Yu replied, seeing her serious expression. He stopped teasing, dressed quickly, and got ready.

Outside, Qingyun and the others were already waiting to serve them. When the door opened, they brought in breakfast—though it was really more of a lunch, for it was nearly noon. The dishes they brought were those meant for the midday meal.

Having risen so late and exhausted themselves the night before, the two were ravenous and ate more than usual. Afterward, Zhongli Yu left to attend the day’s council.

Zhan Yan soaked in a hot bath, feeling much better though still weary, so she curled up on the soft couch to rest. Unknowingly, she drifted into sleep. The summers at the frontier were not oppressively hot. Fearing she would catch a chill, Qingyun brought a light blanket to gently cover her.

The afternoon sunlight was intense, yet filtered through the lattice windows, it became soft and gentle as it bathed Zhan Yan’s exquisite face. When Zhongli Yu returned, she was still sleeping peacefully. Watching her, he realized just how much he had exhausted her. He sat quietly by her side, not disturbing her, simply gazing at her sleeping form, feeling wholly enveloped in happiness.

He had nearly lost her forever, but heaven had been merciful and spared his life. Never before had he felt such profound gratitude as he did now, for every day with her was a blessing.

Time passed as he watched her, never growing tired of the sight. Eventually, Zhan Yan stirred, opening her eyes to meet his bright, clear gaze—eyes filled only with her and nothing else. Warmth radiated through her entire being, and she felt herself willingly drowning in his gentleness.

“Was Yan’er too tired? Why didn’t you sleep in the bed?” Zhongli Yu asked softly, his large hand gently stroking her dark hair.

Zhan Yan flushed, recalling last night’s passion and feeling embarrassed. Of course she was tired—no matter how skilled in martial arts she was, even she could not endure such exertion.

Zhongli Yu caught the sudden blush on her cheeks and knew exactly what she was thinking. He couldn’t help but laugh softly. Even he hadn’t realized how much more he smiled since she came into his life.