Xiao Yuan nodded without saying a word.
After a long pause, she said, "Back then, Uncle Lan missed out on my mother because of his personality. This time... I hope he won't miss out on my aunt."
Yi Chunjun pulled her close, letting her nestle her head against his shoulder. "Don't worry anymore. Master and Sister Xiao each need to overcome their own hurdles, otherwise it will be in vain if they force themselves to be together. Okay, Xiaoyuan, I don't want you to look so gloomy anymore. After you finish your postpartum confinement, I'll take you to an interesting place."
Xiao Yuan hugged his neck and smiled. "I'm very curious. I know that Master's visit this time is related to you, but she won't tell me what it is about."
"Great news. I wanted to give you a surprise."
"What good news? Tell me, tell me!" she pleaded.
Yi Chunjun chuckled a few times, "I lost a lot of money looking for you, so I took on a big deal. This deal is also related to Western Xia, so Uncle Tuoba came."
Xiao Yuan pouted, "I don't think there's any surprise coming my way here."
"If you can hear it, how can it still be called a surprise?!"
Xia Lan meticulously combed Xiao Yuan's hair, then marveled at how she styled the gemstone headdress that Yi Chunjun had given her. It consisted of only three simple pieces, extremely small and exquisite, with shapes that complemented each other. It was valuable yet not gaudy or ostentatious.
She clicked her tongue in amazement: "The son-in-law has such good taste. Just these three pieces alone, even the Empress would be envious if worn in the palace."
Xiao Yuan smiled and said, "I married a rich husband."
Xia Lan chuckled, "Just how much money does your son-in-law have? Look at all these clothes he made for you; one piece alone costs more than an average family's expenses for a year. Where are you and your son-in-law going? Why are you dressed so extravagantly?"
Xiao Yuan shook his head and said resentfully, "He wouldn't tell me, he just loves to keep me in suspense! He only said he was going to see the business."
When Xiaoyuan walked out of the room, everyone in the courtyard stared at her in disbelief. Dressed in her finest attire, she was more beautiful than a fairy from heaven.
Yi Chunjun smiled and put his arm around her, looking straight at her. "This is my Moon King, my fairy, my enchantress."
With a wave of his hand, a servant led over a pure white horse, adorned with colorful bridles, like a celestial mount. He personally helped her onto the horse, then leaped onto an equally dazzling pure black steed, pulling its head to ride alongside her.
"We can set off now." He smiled triumphantly, his black hair fluttering in the spring breeze, looking absolutely beautiful.
Xiao Yuan was a little worried. "Is it really okay for Brother Pei to take the child away?"
He laughed, "Isn't there wind, rain, thunder, and lightning following along? They'll protect the little master and the little princess. Besides, aren't Uncle-Master Zhu and your master helping out too?"
Xiao Yuan smiled and nodded. Yes, everyone has their own wonderful story, even her daughter—she hoped that she could bring happiness and love to Pei Junwu.
"Where are we going? Can you tell me now?"
Yi Chunjun laughed heartily: "Chanzhou!"
Enjoying the scenery along the way, Xiao Yuan was full of energy. With him by my side, no matter how vast the world is, happiness and sweetness are everywhere.
Once they climbed the high earthen slope ahead, they could see the city of Chanzhou. Suddenly, Yi Chunjun pulled his horse back, and Xiao Yuan also pulled on the reins and looked back at him.
He smiled, spurred his horse, and galloped to the top of the hill, looking down at her. Between heaven and earth, she saw only him.
He spread his arms wide on horseback, gazing up at the clear blue sky, his roar echoing throughout the universe: "In this life, I want to be with you!"
Xiao Yuan's eyes blurred with tears, but she urged her horse uphill—she froze, stunned. Outside Chanzhou city, thousands of troops had gathered. Looking closer, she saw banners from the Three Kingdoms. Not only that, but there were even two sets of imperial regalia—the regalia of the Liao and Song emperors?!
By the way, the Song and Liao dynasties held peace talks and ceasefire here.
The Western Xia contingent was the first to greet them, led by a veteran official. He held aloft the decree of the Western Xia king, followed by his entourage carrying the princess's complete attire, and then the princess's ceremonial guard.
Yuanxun ran over, a smile on his face, but he gave Yi Chunjun a disapproving glare. Yi Chunjun smiled wryly, "Little Yuanxun, what should I call you?"
Yuanxun's face darkened further, and he clasped his hands in a huff and a puff of helplessness: "Greetings, Uncle!"
Xiao Yuan was startled. Uncle?!
Yi Chunjun laughed heartily, "My good nephew, your uncle will give you a big red envelope later. Come and meet your little aunt."
Yuanxun hesitated for a moment, then suddenly his eyebrows relaxed, and he smiled generously at Xiaoyuan: "Greetings, Auntie."
Xiao Yuan stared at him blankly, completely bewildered.
Yuanxun touched his nose and laughed: "Xiaoyuan, my father has already decreed that you be adopted as his sworn sister and given the title of Princess Huayue. Haha, you've become my aunt."
Yi Chunjun dismounted and helped her down as well, who was looking horrified. "This is the real purpose of Uncle Tuoba's visit. She is a special envoy from Western Xia."
The attendants rushed forward and placed the princess's golden crown on Xiao Yuan's head, and draped her in the princess's magnificent robe.
Xiao Yuan stared wide-eyed, speechless.
The imperial retinues of the two emperors from the Song and Liao dynasties also came to greet them.
Emperor Zhenzong of Song dismounted with a sour expression and followed Yelü Longxu, who was beaming with joy, toward Yi Chunjun, who stood arrogantly atop the hill.
"Uncle," Yelü Longxu said with a smile and a slight bow, "how have you been lately?"
Yi Chunjun raised the corner of his mouth slightly, "Good boy."
Yelü Longxu glanced at Xiao Yuan behind him and said, “The Song Dynasty is indeed full of beauties. Brother Zhao, you should also find a girl as beautiful as my aunt and send her to the capital.”
Emperor Zhenzong of Song looked sullen. He was already annoyed enough by having such an elder brother, but he never expected that the Yelü family would have such a young uncle! He didn't know whether to greet him or not, and he was filled with resentment. Fortunately, Yelü Longxu changed the subject to the beautiful woman, and he quickly chuckled twice and said, "Such a celestial beauty is truly hard to find in this world. My sworn brother, please don't make things difficult for me."
Yelü Longxu was a little disappointed, and asked with a bitter face, "Uncle, do you have any other younger or older sisters-in-law as beautiful as this?"
Yi Chunjun said with a hint of smugness, "Is there anyone in the world more beautiful than my wife?"
Yelü Longxu pouted, "Hurry up and show it to the Empress Dowager, she's been waiting for it too."
Yi Chunjun took Xiaoyuan's hand, leaned down and whispered in her ear, "This is my last secret. My surname is not Yi. My name is Yelü Chunjun."