Chapter 92

In the Wei Manor, Old Madam Wei and Madam Jiang hugged Wei Zhan and Wei Ji, crying for quite a while. It took half a day of consolation from Wei Ji's several aunts before they felt better. Wei Ji supported Old Madam Wei to sit down and smiled, "I wasn't really injured at all. Grandmother always loves to listen to those wild rumors from outside."

"How can you say you weren't injured?" Old Madam Wei wiped her tears and anxiously pounded on Wei Ji's back. "Do you have to lose an arm or a leg to be considered injured? You two little troublemakers went to the battlefield together. If something happened, wouldn't it cost me my life?" As she spoke, the old lady started crying again, and everyone hurriedly consoled her.

After finally coaxing the old lady, Wei Ji turned around, held Madam Jiang's hand, and said softly, "Mother, have you been well these days? I asked His Highness to send letters home to inform you of our safety. Did you see them?"

Madam Jiang dabbed the corner of her eyes with a handkerchief and nodded, "I saw them. Whenever I missed you during the day, I would have the maid read those few letters to me, and only then would I feel better."

Wei Ji kept reassuring her, "It's all our fault for making you worry."

Madam Jiang shook her head and suddenly said, "Oh right, after the princess gave birth, the Crown Prince's residence sent two thick gifts, saying one was to congratulate you on having a son. What's this about?"

Hearing this, Old Madam Wei also asked suspiciously, "Yes, I haven't had a chance to ask you yet. What exactly is going on? The one who delivered the gifts wasn't the usual Eunuch Wang who often comes. Your mother and I didn't dare to ask for details. Could it be that the Crown Prince's residence made a mistake?"

Hearing this, Wei Ji hesitated, not knowing how to explain. Wei Zhan paused for a moment and said, "No, it's not a mistake. Wei Ji and I discussed it and decided to have my second son adopted by him."

At these words, everyone in the room fell silent. What were the two brothers trying to do? Only Madam Jiang understood a little. She closed her eyes. This must have been the Crown Prince's idea again.

Wei Zhan had already been instructed by Chu Shaoling on how to explain it to the family. He slowly said, "In this initial battle, Wei Ji made great contributions. That day, the Crown Prince sent a memorial to the Imperial City to request a first-rank duke title for him. Later, Wei Ji continued to make meritorious deeds, and there was no higher title to confer. The Crown Prince said he wanted to follow the old custom of the previous dynasty and bestow grace upon descendants, granting Wei Ji's eldest son the title of Marquis Changping. However, Wei Ji doesn't have a son yet, so after discussion, we decided to have my second son adopted by him, so as not to let the Crown Prince's grace go to waste."

After everyone understood, they were overjoyed. Wei Ji breathed a sigh of relief and nodded, "Yes, in the previous dynasty, when General Song Hongshuang fought in battles and repeatedly achieved extraordinary feats, the former emperor, in order to commend General Song, granted General Song's eldest son the title of Marquis Wu'an."

Old Madam Wei was beside herself with joy, "Ancestors bless us! Our little one who just turned a month old is already a marquis!"

Madam Jiang also didn't expect Chu Shaoling to be so generous. She said happily, "Why didn't you say so earlier, child!"

Wei Ji smiled, "It was already against the rules for His Highness to have the army send word of our safety back home. How could I dare to mention these important military matters? Besides, the edict of conferment hasn't been issued yet, so it's not certain."

"If the Crown Prince has said it, what's there to be uncertain about? Now, even the Emperor..." Old Madam Wei held her forehead and laughed, stopping mid-sentence. She was overjoyed and almost said something disrespectful. She chuckled, "Now, whatever the Crown Prince says goes. Oh my, that child is truly lucky."

"Have the two children been named yet?" Wei Zhan was very concerned. "Are they healthy?"

Madam Jiang smiled, "How could they be named? Your father can't return from his post, and you brothers aren't here either. After discussing with Old Madam, we decided to wait for you to come back and decide for yourself. We've been talking for half a day. Quickly go see the princess and the children. Ji'er, you go too."

The two agreed and hurriedly followed the others to the courtyard on the west side. Hearing that Wei Zhan had returned, Fuyi had been waiting inside for a long time. When she heard that Wei Ji had also come, she immediately ordered someone to invite them to the pavilion and had the wet nurse bring the two children over for the brothers to see.

The two children had just fallen asleep and were awakened by the commotion. Seeing strangers, they started crying.

Wei Zhan laughed, "Hearing their cries, you can tell their bodies are quite sturdy." Wei Ji first asked which one was the eldest and which one was the second. The wet nurse answered with a smile. Wei Ji hurriedly took the second child. Perhaps it was fate or something, but after being in Wei Ji's arms for a while, the child actually stopped crying and stared at Wei Ji. His two little hands reached out to touch Wei Ji's face. Wei Ji's heart softened, and he smiled, "He's an easy child to coax."

The brothers held the children and doted on them for a good while. Before long, Fuyi's wet nurse came to call Wei Zhan. Wei Ji smiled, "I won't delay you from talking with the princess. His Highness has probably returned to the residence by now. I'll head back first."

Wei Zhan nodded, "There will likely be many matters to attend to in the coming days. Your injuries haven't fully healed yet. Take care of yourself."

Wei Ji agreed and left.

Wei Zhan had the wet nurse carry the two children back to the inner room, and he went to the pavilion. Fuyi was sitting on a chair. Seeing Wei Zhan come in, she hurriedly got up and walked over, carefully examining him. Wei Zhan smiled, "Princess, don't worry. I only suffered some minor injuries, nothing serious."

Fuyi lowered her head, and her eyes suddenly turned red. Fuyi's wet nurse tactfully led the other nurses and maids out.

Seeing that everyone had left, Wei Zhan took a step forward and embraced her, gently coaxing, "I'm back now, aren't I? Why are you crying? It's my fault. I wasn't by your side when you were giving birth."

"I don't blame you." Fuyi shook her head and said in a choked voice, "The matters of war are not for you to decide. I'm just happy that you've finally returned safely. Not long after you and Big Brother left, Second Brother presented a plate of poisoned fruits to Father Emperor, nearly costing him his life. At that time, there were all sorts of rumors in the Imperial City. You know I don't understand anything. Whatever others said, I would be afraid."

"It's my fault, my fault." Wei Zhan kept comforting her, "The war situation was very tense. I couldn't casually send letters home, causing you to worry for nothing. Don't worry, with the Crown Prince present, others can't cause trouble."

Fuyi took a handkerchief and wiped her tears, nodding, "I know. Just now, I vaguely heard the nurses in the front mentioning something about adopting a child. This..."

Wei Zhan repeated to Fuyi what he had just told Old Madam Wei and Madam Jiang, saying, "We discussed and decided that you will still raise the child. It's just a change in title. This child will be adopted by Wei Ji. Not only will he gain a marquis title, but in the future, the Crown Prince will certainly hold him in higher regard."

Fuyi was initially worried when she heard about the adoption, but now that she understood it was Chu Shaoling's idea and that she would still raise the child herself, she felt relieved. She nodded and said, "If that's the case, it's good. I'm only concerned about one thing. In the future, if Wei Ji marries and has children, and if he wants to take back the title, what will happen then?"

Wei Zhan thought to himself that if Wei Ji could really get married, there would be no need for Chu Shaoling to go through all this trouble to arrange this matter. After thinking for a moment, he replied perfunctorily, "That won't happen. Besides, when the time comes, the imperial decree will clearly state it, so how could it be changed? Just rest assured."

Fuyi thought for a moment and nodded, "Since you have all discussed it, it's fine. You must have suffered many injuries on this journey, right?"

Wei Zhan rarely joked, "If the princess undresses me and takes a look, you'll know."

Fuyi blushed and snorted, "You're already a father, yet you're becoming more and more shameless."

Wei Zhan held Fuyi's slender fingers and said in a low voice, "What's there to be ashamed of? During these three months on the battlefield, whenever I had free time, I would always think of you and the child."

Fuyi's face turned crimson. The young couple, reunited after a long separation, naturally had many intimate things to say to each other.

Wei Ji went to the front and talked with Old Madam Wei and Madam Jiang for a while before leaving. As soon as he walked out the main gate, he saw a carriage from the prince's Manor parked in the distance. Wei Ji hurried over. The driver was none other than Chu Shaoling's coachman. Seeing Wei Ji come out, the coachman quickly came up to him, smiling, "Lord Wei, are you returning to the Manor?"

"Yes." Wei Ji nodded and got into the carriage. "Has the Crown Prince already returned?"

The coachman nodded, "He's been back for almost half an hour. Knowing that Lord Wei had come to the Wei Manor, he asked Eunuch Wang if he had sent a carriage. When he heard that none had been sent, he urged me to come and pick up my lord."

Upon hearing this, Wei Ji untied his silver money pouch, took out a piece of silver, and handed it to the coachman, reassuring him, "The Crown Prince must have scolded you all. After I left the palace, I went directly to the Wei Manor, and you didn't know, so naturally, you wouldn't send a carriage. The Crown Prince has a bad temper, so please bear with him."

The coachman didn't dare to accept it and repeatedly refused, "No, no, we never see the Crown Prince. Even if there is a scolding, it's the stewards above who bear it."

Wei Ji smiled knowingly, "If the stewards above are scolded, they will inevitably take it out on you. No matter what, it's because of me, so just take this silver."

"Thank you, Lord Wei, thank you, Lord Wei." The coachman bowed repeatedly, turned around, got on the carriage, and drove the horse back to the prince's Manor. On the way, he kept talking to Wei Ji through the curtain, "Lord Wei is truly a kind person. Before, I only heard the stewards say that you have a good temperament and no temper. Now I see that you are indeed the most considerate."

Wei Ji smiled, "I was originally just a guard beside the prince. I know something about the hardships of everyone. It's just that the Crown Prince grew up in the palace with fine food and clothes since childhood, so he doesn't quite understand the hardships of the people below. Moreover, he has a quick temper, so he inevitably makes people feel that he is not easy to serve. In fact, after a long time, you will know that the Crown Prince is a very good person."

The coachman kept agreeing, and before long, they arrived at the Qin Prince Manor. As soon as Wei Ji got off the carriage, someone welcomed him in.

Wei Ji went directly to the bedchamber to change clothes. Chu Shaoling was already waiting inside. Seeing Wei Ji, he smiled and said, "Did you see your son?"

"I saw him." Wei Ji smiled and walked closer. "He looks quite strong. Your Highness should also take a look when you have time. The little one is very adorable."

Chu Shaoling smiled and nodded, "It's good that he's strong. I was always worried that twins would be weaker than ordinary children. Is your family doing well?"

Wei Ji nodded, "They're all well. Big brother explained the adoption matter clearly. The family heard about the title and they are all very grateful. They told me to serve Your Highness well to repay your great kindness."

Chu Shaoling laughed indifferently, thought for a moment, and suddenly said with a smile, "I see that your family all knows to let you serve me well."

The meaning of the sentence changed when Chu Shaoling said it. Wei Ji was about to change clothes, but at this moment, he didn't dare to change. Chu Shaoling walked over and hugged Wei Ji's waist, whispering with a smile, "There's no more fighting, so how does the Cavalry General plan to repay this lonely prince?"

Wei Ji's face turned slightly red, and he said softly, "Your Highness, they are still outside."

Chu Shaoling looked back and saw several maids standing outside the chamber. He turned his head and chuckled, "What about them being outside? Do you have something unspeakable to say to me?"

Every time Chu Shaoling saw Wei Ji afraid of being heard or seen by others, his heart was stirred unbearably. He deliberately teased him, "There are so many people guarding outside when we sleep at night. Why can't people hear it now? Hmm?"

Wei Ji was not as thick-skinned as Chu Shaoling. Because of his injury, the two had not been intimate for days. Chu Shaoling loved to tease him with these words more and more. It was fine to fool around in the carriage during the day, as no one could see it anyway. Now that they were back in the Qin Prince Manor, there were people inside and out. Anything said could be heard by others. The maids serving outside were about the same age as Wei Ji. What would it mean to let these young girls hear Chu Shaoling's words? The more Wei Ji thought about it, the more embarrassed he became. He pleaded in a low voice, "Your Highness, don't make trouble. I still have things to do."

"What things?" Chu Shaoling lowered his head and affectionately kissed Wei Ji's ear, whispering, "Is the wound itchy again today?"

Wei Ji shook his head gently, "It hasn't been itchy since yesterday. The scab has mostly fallen off, and it's probably healed well. Your Highness, I want to change clothes."

"Healed well?" Chu Shaoling chuckled softly, "Then shouldn't you 'repay me' tonight?"

Wei Ji lowered his eyes and said nothing. Chu Shaoling kissed Wei Ji's lips and let him go, "If you don't say anything, I'll take it as a yes."

Wei Ji pursed his lips and went to change his clothes.