In the following period, Wei Qinghan’s life in the mansion gradually settled into a routine.
Every morning, she would take Nuannuan to Xiao Yunheng’s courtyard, personally wiping her unconscious husband’s body and massaging his limbs.
Occasionally, she would whisper in his ear about Nuannuan’s amusing antics and the changes happening outside.
Nuannuan, meanwhile, would lie by the bedside, holding her father’s hand, carrying out her most important “task”:
Absorbing the annoying “black qi.”
Every day, Nuannuan watched as strands of black qi from her father’s body flowed into her own, only to be greedily absorbed by the Purple Dragon. She felt increasingly satisfied in her heart.
However, this process took a tremendous toll on the Purple Dragon. By the end of each day, its consciousness would grow so faint it was almost on the verge of disappearing.
Nuannuan kept urging it on.
“Xiao Zi! Don’t fall asleep! Just a little more… just a little…”
Xiao Zi was, of course, the name Nuannuan had given the Purple Dragon. She found it easy to remember and pleasant to say, and she liked it very much.
The Purple Dragon had protested countless times.
This name sounded too much like a maid’s name, and it absolutely refused to accept it.
But Nuannuan paid no heed and insisted on calling it Xiao Zi.
“Xiao Zi sounds nice. Nuannuan likes it.”
The Purple Dragon fumed, spinning around in her mind, yet there was nothing it could do.
Nuannuan was not only a great demon king but also a little ancestor.
Naturally, absorbing the black qi consumed not only the Purple Dragon’s energy but also Nuannuan’s physical strength.
Every time Xiao Zi grew so exhausted it fell silent, Nuannuan would also drift into a drowsy sleep.
Wei Qinghan simply assumed her daughter had tired herself out from playing and would helplessly smile each time as she carried her to the nearby soft couch.
…
Xiao Qingcang spent his days embroiled in endless arguments at court. Upon returning to the mansion after court sessions, his first task was to ask the steward about the situation in the household.
Each time he heard that the Shizi Fei and the young miss were in the Shizi’s courtyard, he felt an immense sense of relief, both physically and mentally.
But gradually, he noticed that Shen Dehou was speaking hesitantly.
Sensing something amiss, Xiao Qingcang’s expression darkened. “Shen Dehou, you’ve served me for so many years. If you have something to say, speak plainly!”
“Your Highness is perceptive,” Shen Dehou, realizing he couldn’t hide it, quickly bowed and replied. “Some time ago, a few servants in the mansion, seeing that the Shizi Fei had a gentle nature, were… somewhat disrespectful in their words.”
Seeing the prince was about to change his expression, he hurriedly waved his hands. “Your Highness, rest assured. Now that the Shizi Fei has been tending to the Shizi day and night, handling everything personally, everyone has witnessed it. The entire household now genuinely respects and admires the Shizi Fei.”
Xiao Qingcang snorted coldly. “Do they need to respect and admire her?”
“Qinghan is my Xiao family’s daughter-in-law, the Shizi Fei of Wu’an Wang. Keep a close watch for me. If anyone dares to be disrespectful again in the future, no matter who they are, throw them out and sell them off immediately.”
Shen Dehou repeatedly agreed.
This father and daughter pair even spoke in exactly the same manner.
“Alright, you may go. I’ll go see the Shizi.” That day, court ended a bit earlier, so Xiao Qingcang headed straight for Xiao Yunheng’s courtyard.
As soon as he entered the courtyard gate, he saw Wei Qinghan carrying the sleeping Nuannuan out of the room.
Seeing him, Wei Qinghan quickly bowed. “Father-in-law.”
Hearing this address, Xiao Qingcang’s mood improved even more, and the smile on his face grew wider.
Noticing the faint dark circles under his daughter-in-law’s eyes, he softened his voice further. “Qinghan, you’ve worked hard these past days.”
As he spoke, he took Nuannuan from Wei Qinghan’s arms. “Perfect timing. I have something to discuss with you.”
Seeing the prince’s serious expression, Wei Qinghan quickly nodded.
Xiao Qingcang adjusted the position of Nuannuan in his arms to make her more comfortable, then spoke seriously: “Since this child Nuannuan arrived at the Wangfu, we have always called her by her childhood name.”
“Now that she is the legitimate eldest granddaughter of my Wu’an Wangfu, she should have a formal name registered in the family records and entered into the clan genealogy.”
Upon hearing this, Wei Qinghan thought the Wangye intended to personally bestow a name and was slightly taken aback: “Everything is at Father’s discretion.”
“That is not what I meant,” Xiao Qingcang quickly waved his hand. “You are Nuannuan’s mother, who carried her for ten months, gave birth to her, and painstakingly raised her. The matter of naming her should rightfully be your decision.”
“What I had in mind was for you to choose her name, or for me to have a few options prepared, and then you and Nuannuan can select one together.”
Wei Qinghan suddenly looked up, gazing at Xiao Qingcang in disbelief.
In matters of naming children, even in ordinary households, women were not allowed to have a say.
Yet she never expected that the powerful and esteemed Wu’an Wang would show such respect for her wishes.
In an instant, her eyes grew warm: “Father, I… your humble servant…”
Seeing her expression, Xiao Qingcang sighed inwardly: “Silly child, since you call me Father, we are family.”
…
With Xiao Zi absorbing the black qi, Xiao Yunheng’s complexion no longer appeared as frighteningly ashen as before, even showing a faint hint of color.
In the eyes of others, it seemed that the arrival of the Shizi Fei and the little miss had brought about this change in the Shizi.
Throughout the Wangfu, respect for the Shizi Fei grew even deeper.
On this day, Wei Qinghan continued as usual, meticulously wiping the face of the unconscious Xiao Yunheng.
Nuannuan, as always, lay by the bedside, holding her father’s hand, diligently “working.”
But Xiao Zi had completely shut down today.
No matter how Nuannuan called out to it in her heart, there was no response.
With Xiao Zi on strike, Nuannuan had nothing to do.
She simply moved a small embroidered stool to the bedside, resting her now slightly chubby cheeks on her little arms, her big eyes fixed unblinkingly on her sleeping father.
As she gazed, she suddenly exclaimed in her childish voice: “Mother, Father is so handsome, even more handsome than Brother Chen.”
Wei Qinghan was wiping Xiao Yunheng’s well-defined hands when she heard this. She looked up, her gaze naturally falling on his face.
From this angle, she could see Xiao Yunheng’s strong brow bone and straight nose bridge… even after three years of unconsciousness, it was difficult to conceal his original charm.
In a daze, Wei Qinghan recalled that hazy moonlit night three years ago.
Suddenly, two blushes spread across her cheeks, her heart skipped a few beats, and she hurriedly lowered her head, resuming her wiping motions.
“Is Sister-in-law secretly admiring Elder Brother’s good looks?” Xiao Yunshu had caught Wei Qinghan’s blushing and lowered head moments earlier and teased as she approached a few steps.
Wei Qinghan, her thoughts exposed, blushed even more and quickly lowered her head.
Xiao Yunshu walked cheerfully to the bedside, also examining her elder brother, her tone tinged with emotion.
“Sister-in-law, don’t be fooled by how peacefully Elder Brother lies here now. Back in the capital, the noble ladies who admired him could form a line all the way to the city gates!”
“It’s a pity, though—my elder brother is such a blockhead. Even if a young lady gave him a scented sachet or handkerchief, he’d probably ask if she had some military intelligence to pass on!”
“Before, I used to wonder: with so many talented and beautiful young ladies in the capital, he didn’t fancy a single one. Could it be that he preferred men?”
At this point, she couldn’t help but glance at Wei Qinghan. “But now it seems, Big Brother isn’t clueless about romance—he just hadn’t met the right person!”
Wei Qinghan’s wiping motion slowed as the image of him clumsily comforting her surfaced in her mind.
After a moment of silence, she gently shook her head. “Your big brother… he’s actually quite gentle.”
Hearing this, Xiao Yunshu’s eyes lit up, and she leaned her whole face close to Wei Qinghan. “Sister-in-law, are you already speaking up for my big brother? Tell me quickly, how is my iceberg of a big brother gentle?”
Wei Qinghan was overwhelmed by her teasing, her face flushing so red it seemed about to bleed.
Beside them, Nuannuan, resting her chin in her hands, watched her aunt and mother talk, her little brain working hard.
Suddenly, she remembered that fierce Auntie Su from Zuoxiang Fu.
She tilted her head toward her aunt and said with certainty, “Bad Auntie Su likes Daddy.”