Uncle Jing 'an snorted. It was obvious that he didn't want to talk to the mother and daughter.

Not only did this make He Ying and her daughter feel very awkward, but even the Matriarch felt very awkward.

After all, the Matriarch had taken care of and protected He Ying and her daughter.

After everyone in the reception hall finished greeting them, it was He Dalang's turn to kneel on the ground.

He Changqi hadn't seen his father for a long time and missed him dearly. However, he knew that his father was ignoring him because of him.

Uncle Jing 'an glanced at his disappointing son from the corner of his eyes and was really angry. He ordered in a low voice, "Follow me to the study."

He Changqi stood up and followed Uncle Jing 'an out of Qingfeng Hall with his head lowered.

Uncle Jing 'an's return filled the entire Count Jing' an Estate with joy.

The news quickly spread to Countess Jing 'an's courtyard. Countess Jing' an ignored her sick body and immediately went to the front courtyard to visit her husband, whom she hadn't seen for a few years.

Fortunately, He Changdi and his wife rushed over and stopped her. Otherwise, Countess Jing 'an really wouldn't have cared.

At night, the whole family had a reunion dinner in the front courtyard's reception hall.

He Erlang, who usually didn't go home unless there was something important, also returned early today.

Count Jing 'an's residence was even livelier than during the New Year. The dinner was personally prepared by Chu Lian and her maidservant.

There was fragrant Dongpo pork, chili stir-fried beef, dry pot cabbage, boiled fish, duck soup … there were more than ten dishes in total, all of which Uncle Jing 'an had never eaten in Mingzhou.

After the meal, he couldn't help but praise his third daughter-in-law's culinary skills.

Because they had a satisfying reunion dinner, Uncle Jing 'an's mood, which had worsened because of He Dalang's matter, was much better now.

At night, Uncle Jing 'an brought his two granddaughters and Countess Jing' an back to the courtyard.

In the main room of Countess Jing 'an's courtyard, all the servants were dismissed. Only Uncle Jing' an and his wife were left. The two children had also been taken to sleep by the wet nurse.

Uncle Jing 'an held his wife's hand and sat at the table. The couple was very close. They hadn't seen each other for a few years and missed each other very much. The two of them had a lot to talk about.

Uncle Jing 'an was still most concerned about his wife's health.

Although he had received He Changdi's letter saying that his wife's illness had been cured, he still couldn't be at ease without seeing it with his own eyes.

Now that he saw his wife, who had been bedridden for many years, standing in front of him with a healthy and ruddy complexion, he was extremely happy.

Uncle Jing 'an was a burly, middle-aged general, and his eyes actually reddened. He held his wife's hand and said, "Peiwen, you've finally recovered."

Countess Jing 'an, the Liu matriarch, also smiled. "That's right. Now that I think about those days when I was bedridden, it's like a dream."

"Quick, tell me, who is this Divine Doctor Miao that treated you?"

Uncle Jing 'an roughly knew how his wife's illness had been cured, but he didn't know the details.

Countess Jing 'an had anticipated that he would ask this question, so she told him everything in detail.

An hour later, Count Jing 'an's wife finally finished speaking. She smiled at her husband and said, "I'm afraid even the heavens don't want me to stay in bed. They're telling me to get well soon so that I can wait for you to return to the estate!"

Uncle Jing 'an nodded with a smile. He sighed ruefully. "Third daughter-in-law is truly the lucky star of our He Family. If not for her, Miracle Doctor Miao wouldn't have willingly stayed in our manor and specially nurtured your body.

Although Mother is old and a little muddle-headed, the marriage that she arranged for San Lang is a lucky star.

I will personally thank Miracle Doctor Miao tomorrow. "

Countess Jing 'an, the Liu matriarch, nodded. "You should indeed personally thank Miracle Doctor Miao."

Then, she seemed to recall something and laughed. "Husband, now that you mention it, it's true. Ever since San Lang's wife married into our estate, San Lang has become more and more successful.

He's a marquis now!

Could it be that this child was born to bring good fortune to her husband? "

Uncle Jing 'an laughed heartily. After laughing, he reminded his wife, "It's fine if we joke about this kind of thing in our own rooms. Things like the fortune of a prince's estate shouldn't be spread outside. This kind of thing is the most unreliable."

Once Uncle Jing 'an returned, Countess Jing' an found her pillar of support and became more clear-headed. She hurriedly said, "I understand."

The two of them drank a cup of tea. Uncle Jing 'an saw that his wife was looking at him, wanting to say something but hesitating. He could already guess what she wanted to say. He sighed slightly. "That child of Dalang's surname is honest and kind, and he values relationships. It's not entirely his fault that he and Madam Zou ended up like this. The two of them have already separated, so don't think too much about it. Look forward to the future.

As for that child from He Ying's family, don't worry. As long as I'm here, I will never agree to their marriage.

Even if Dalang remarries, he will marry a girl with a good temperament.

Otherwise, Sister Lin and Sister An will be the ones who suffer. "

The Liu matriarch didn't expect her husband to think so clearly. She instantly let out a sigh of relief.

She leaned closer to her husband's side. Her tightly wound heartstrings finally relaxed after so many days.

It was the fifteenth of the month. A full moon hung outside, emitting a clear glow. Moonlight spilled in through the half-open window, illuminating a small area in front of the long couch.

The elderly couple looked up at the bright moon outside the window. At this moment, they felt a sense of fulfillment.

While they were feeling this sense of fulfillment, they didn't know that in their previous life, Count Jing 'an's family would be destroyed in another two months.

At that time, Countess Jing 'an would die from an old illness. The Matriarch would fall ill from anger after the Count's Manor was confiscated. After that, she would be bedridden.

Count Jing 'an would be beheaded at the entrance of the market, and the three He brothers would be exiled to the Northern Territory.

That nightmare seemed to be getting further and further away …

He Changdi stood by the window and gazed at the moon in the sky. The cool moonlight fell on He Sanlang's body, as if gilding him with a layer of silver light.

He stood with his hands clasped behind his back. The spring night breeze brushed past his cheeks and lifted the strands of hair at his temples. He looked like an immortal who had descended to the mortal world.

Chu Lian was half-asleep when she was awakened by her thirst. When she opened her eyes, she discovered that the "stove" that had been sleeping beside her had disappeared. She sat up in a daze, lifted the curtains, and looked outside.

There was a small, dim lamp lit in the room. Chu Lian could see He Changdi standing by the window with one glance.

She was puzzled as to why He Sanlang was standing by the window in the middle of the night. He was wearing so little. It was spring now, and the nights were relatively cold.

She put on her sleeping shoes and got out of bed. She picked up He Changdi's cloak and walked to his side. She tiptoed and covered his shoulders with the cloak.

"It's already so late. Why aren't you sleeping yet?" Chu Lian was still a little groggy, and her voice sounded a little hoarse.

Her watery almond-shaped eyes were no longer as clear and crafty as they usually were. Instead, they were hazy.

He Sanlang felt a warmth on his shoulders. That warmth seemed to travel from his chest to his heart, causing his cold heart to beat faster.

He suddenly reached out and pulled Chu Lian into his embrace. He bent down slightly and asked gently, "Why are you awake?"

This little woman was usually a deep sleeper. Even the earth and mountains wouldn't wake her up.

Chu Lian hadn't completely woken up yet. She couldn't open her eyes. She leaned against He Changdi and buried her head in his chest. She mumbled, "I woke up because I was thirsty. I realized you weren't in bed, so I got out of bed to look for you."

He Sanlang looked down and saw that Chu Lian's little head was nodding in his arms. She was about to fall asleep. The corners of his lips curled up helplessly. His negative emotions were instantly swept away by his wife's adorable appearance.

He lowered his head helplessly and kissed the top of Chu Lian's head.

"You're sleepy already?"

Chu Lian was already unconscious. She subconsciously wrapped her arms around He Sanlang's narrow waist. "Sleepy …"

He Sanlang laughed. "Aren't we supposed to get up to drink water?"

As soon as the words left his mouth, he realized that Chu Lian had already fallen asleep with her arms around his waist.

This little troublemaker.

He Changdi felt sweet and helpless at the same time.

Looking at the petite girl nestled in his arms, he felt like he was raising a daughter who liked to act spoiled.

He Changdi bent down slightly and pulled Chu Lian's slender arms away from his waist. Then, he wrapped his arms around his neck. His large palms supported Chu Lian's perky bottom, and he held her in his arms like he was holding a child …

Chu Lian leaned against his chest. She had no idea what state she was in.

He Changdi freed one hand to pinch her rosy cheeks. He turned around and walked to the bed. He placed her on the bed and covered her with a blanket so she wouldn't catch a cold.

At this time, he didn't immediately turn off the lights and go to sleep. Instead, he walked to the table and heated half a cup of hot water on the red clay stove. Then, he mixed cold water with warm water.

He brought the teacup filled with warm water back to the bedside. He took a sip first and then fed it to Chu Lian.

Chu Lian, who was sleeping soundly, subconsciously swallowed the warm water in her mouth and subconsciously licked her lips. Her action instantly made He Changdi's eyes darken.

He Changdi took a deep breath and turned around. He placed the teacup on the side table and sat on the bed for a while. Then, he lay down next to Chu Lian again. He reached out and pulled Chu Lian into his arms.

Smelling the familiar fragrance in his arms, He Changdi's chaotic thoughts slowly calmed down.

Although the fate of Duke Jing 'an's estate had been rewritten in this life and he had avoided many things and created a good situation for himself, he still couldn't help but worry and let his imagination run wild.

He was worried that this was just a beautiful dream. When he woke up, he would still have to face the cruelty of his past life.

It wasn't until he truly held Chu Lian in his arms and felt her real existence that He Changdi could confirm that everything was real.

After his anxious emotions were calmed, sleepiness slowly came over him.

It was already late at night in one of the side rooms of Qingchi Hall, but Mu Xiang couldn't sleep at all.

The doors and windows of the side room were tightly shut. Not a single ray of light leaked through.

There wasn't a single candle or lamp lit in the side room. It was pitch-black.

In this pitch-black place, Mu Xiang sat on the side of the bed. She was like a silent shadow, frightening to look at.

She sat on the side of the bed in a daze. She couldn't believe that Duke Jing 'an would come back early.

It wasn't like this in her past life!

With Duke Jing 'an's return, the entire situation in Duke Jing' an's estate was thrown into chaos. It was almost impossible for her to achieve her goals through the Matriarch and He Ying.

She bit her lip and cursed Duke Jing 'an in her heart.

In a place where the light couldn't reach, her eyes were sinister and vicious.

She clutched the brocade bedding underneath her and swore that no matter what she had to do, she would get what she wanted.

The next morning, Duke Jing 'an went to the palace with He Changjue and He Changdi.

He had just returned to the capital. First, he had to attend the court conference. Then, he had to go to the Ministry of War to resign and hand over the Tiger Tally. There were many things to do.

He had only returned to the estate in time yesterday because he was taking a break from his busy schedule.

After Duke Jing 'an handed over the Tiger Tally, he would take up an idle position in the Duke's estate in Shengjing City. This was a normal way for most border generals to retire, so it wasn't strange.

The palace's Hall of Diligent Government.

The court conference had already ended. Duke Jing 'an was summoned to the Hall of Diligent Government for a private talk.

Duke Jing 'an had just returned from Ming Province and was a general who had guarded Ming Province for many years. It wasn't strange for Emperor Chengping to summon him for a private talk.

Dressed in a general's uniform, Duke Jing 'an was tall and sturdy. He stood in front of the Hall of Diligent Government like a mountain. Only when Eunuch Wei, who served Emperor Chengping, came out to summon him did Duke Jing' an follow him into the Hall of Diligent Government.

Slightly bowing his head, Duke Jing 'an's eyes flashed. His brows furrowed even more resolutely. Finally, he took a deep breath and raised his head. His gaze fell on the bright yellow figure at the head of the table.

Although Emperor Chengping was nearing the end of his life, he still hadn't grown a beard. The men of the Great Wu Dynasty didn't like to grow beards, and Emperor Chengping followed this rule.

Without a beard, Emperor Chengping looked five or six years younger than his actual age. Emperor Chengping, who was nearing fifty, looked like he was in his early forties.

But it was different with Duke Jing 'an standing in the hall.

Duke Jing 'an was clearly a year younger than Emperor Chengping, but his face was weathered. His black hair was mixed with a few strands of white, making him seem a few years older.

The wrinkles at the corners of his mouth were obvious, and he had grown a beard. At a glance, Duke Jing 'an seemed at least ten years older than Emperor Chengping.

Hearing the footsteps, Emperor Chengping raised his head from his desk and looked at Duke Jing 'an.

There was an indescribable feeling in his gaze. It wasn't admiration for his subjects, nor was it admiration for them. It was definitely not trust or gratitude.

In short, it made people feel weird when they looked at it.

"He Yanwen, it's been many years. How have you been?"

Emperor Chengping suddenly said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. Eunuch Wei, who had served him for many years, also trembled.

Duke Jing 'an lowered his head and bowed slightly, giving Emperor Chengping a standard bow.

"General of the South, He Yanwen, greets Your Imperial Majesty. Long live Your Imperial Majesty."

Emperor Chengping's voice immediately turned cold. "Long live Your Imperial Majesty?

He Yanwen, don't give me that. If you really thought of me as a long live Your Imperial Majesty, you wouldn't have done such a thing back then! "

Duke Jing 'an laughed bitterly in his heart. As expected, even after so many years, His Imperial Majesty still couldn't forget that incident.

However, the past was already in the past. How could he chase it back?

Duke Jing 'an sighed in his heart. "If Your Imperial Majesty still wants to blame me, this humble subject will accept his punishment."

Emperor Chengping was instantly enraged when he saw how stubborn he was. The rage that had been suppressed in his chest for so many years suddenly seemed to explode, and his entire face began to contort.

Emperor Chengping raised his hand and smashed the priceless Dianjue Jingtai Ten Thousand Blessing teacup beside him. He roared, "He Yanwen, don't think that I dare not sentence you to death!

If it wasn't for her pleading on your behalf, you would have been hacked to pieces by me a long time ago! "

Duke Jing 'an lowered his gaze. His tall and sturdy body was like a towering mountain, firm and unyielding. It was annoying to look at him.

"This humble subject is at Your Imperial Majesty's disposal."