warm-blooded

Upon returning to the mansion, Cui Yi had already changed out of his armor and was rolling up his sleeves as he walked out from the inner chamber. Seeing her, he merely nodded without saying anything special.

Chi Ying couldn't help feeling strange. According to Baili Zan, Yang Qiong should have talked to him, but did it have no effect?

They sat down to eat, Chi Ying filled with doubts, eating absentmindedly. Suddenly, Cui Yi said, "Eat quickly, I'll take you somewhere after this."

"... Where?" Chi Ying asked in surprise.

But Cui Yi said nothing, just focused on eating. Chi Ying saw that he seemed unchanged and assumed that Baili Zan had overpromised, things didn't go as expected, so she didn't ask further.

After lunch, Cui Yi rinsed his mouth, took his daughter from the nanny, and urged, "Let's go."

Chi Ying didn't understand what he was up to, so she followed him.

Outside the mansion, soldiers were waiting with horses. Cui Yi had someone bring a step stool for her to mount, handed Xiao Cuiyan to her, then mounted his horse himself, holding them both from behind, flicking the reins, "Giddy-up!" The horse galloped down the street.

Chi Ying carefully held her daughter, asking, "Where are we going?"

Cui Yi replied, "You'll know when we get there."

Without Jingu, Cui Yi rode an ordinary warhorse, but it was fast enough. Soon they were out of the city, heading east towards Mount Yanlan along a dirt road.

It was mid-autumn, the best time to see red leaves in the capital. Mount Yanlan also had maple trees, but being too far north, most leaves had fallen. Chi Ying looked around, thinking Cui Yi wasn't taking her to see the red leaves. What else could there be on Mount Yanlan?

The mountain got steeper, Cui Yi slowed down the horse, trotting leisurely towards the summit.

A cold wind blew, making Chi Ying sneeze. Cui Yi asked, "Are you cold?" Chi Ying rubbed her nose and shook her head. Cui Yi used one hand to hold the reins, freeing the other to hug her.

Just this simple gesture made Chi Ying's restless heart calm down instantly.

Cui Yi, accustomed to martial arts, was strong and warm-blooded, never fearing cold. His body temperature was higher than most people's. During winter nights, Chi Ying always fell asleep in his warm embrace. Separated for a winter, the familiar warmth suddenly awakened her dependence, making her feel Cui Yi's true feelings.

As Baili Zan said, caring for someone doesn't need to be proven to anyone. No matter how Bumu doubted, she never questioned Cui Yi's feelings for her. Because Cui Yi never said meaningless pretty words but cared for her in every detail.

Bumu, emphasizing verbally, "I'll treat you well."

Cui Yi, who feared losing her more than having a child...

"We're here," Cui Yi nudged her temple with his chin, "Look."

Chi Ying snapped out of her thoughts, realizing the horse had brought them to the summit. The view was excellent, overlooking vast fields outside the city. Under the autumn sun, golden wheat shone brightly, countless black dots moving in the fields, those were Yanzhou soldiers harvesting this year's crops.

Cui Yi pointed, "Do you see that place where we went out of the city earlier this year? It was a reed swamp, now it's a large rice field."

Chi Ying looked in the direction he pointed, seeing endless scenes of harvest. Wheat, rice, sorghum... barren mud had become fertile fields. This year's favorable weather brought them enough food for a year.

"These days, I've been thinking about many things," Cui Yi hugged them both comfortably, speaking in a soothing tone, "I'm not like you and Wen Yu, quick thinkers. I can't figure out many things. The more I think, the more I feel guilty, feeling sorry for you."

Chi Ying was startled, instinctively asking, "Sorry for me?"

Cui Yi nodded, bending down to rest his head on her shoulder, "When Bumu asked how we met, half of what I said was true, the other half was my wishful thinking. No matter how much time passes, I never forget that I tricked you into loving me. You didn't want to marry me at first."

Chi Ying was speechless. Cui Yi continued, "I'm grateful to have you, but I also feel guilty. If not for my greed, you'd be the Crown Princess, the Empress, not following me away from home. For a whole year, you haven't received a single letter or greeting from your parents."

His voice was low and sorrowful, making Chi Ying's eyes water. She couldn't help but hug his neck, whispering, "But I don't regret it."

"I don't regret it either," Cui Yi kissed her cheek, whispering, "Because I don't regret it, I feel even more guilty. Because of me, you lost too much. Only when I decided to give up Jingu did I understand your pain back then."

Chi Ying stared at his close face, overwhelmed by heartache.

So during this month, he wasn't upset about losing Jingu, but felt guilty for understanding her pain of giving up something precious!

After rebirth, their fates were irresistibly intertwined, misfortunes kept coming, each blaming themselves, repenting, but neither expressed their true feelings.

Chi Ying suddenly wanted to tell him everything, including her initial intentions, the schemes to use him, her unknown past life secrets, all eager to pour out.

But Cui Yi smiled slightly, "Today Gong Qi came to talk to me, discussing many things. I finally understood. Since we don't regret it, there's no need to overthink. Just follow our hearts, leaving no regrets. Everything you gave up for me, I'll compensate you better one day."

Since there's no regret, there's no need to overthink... Chi Ying took a deep breath, her gloomy mood clearing up like a bright autumn sky.

Worrying about who owes whom is meaningless. Better to do our best to give each other more and better than before!

"I agree," she leaned into his warm, reliable embrace, making a lifelong commitment.

Autumn winds brought the scent of wheat, swirling the remaining red leaves, blending into the twilight with the evening bells.

At dusk, the absentee Wu Wang returned to the mansion with his wife and daughter. Greeting them was Jingu, grazing in the courtyard.

Cui Yi stood stunned for a tea break, then turned into a raging beast, roaring, "What's going on!"

Chi Ying was equally surprised, unable to speak. Jingu, intelligent, raised its tail and looked at her, blinking wet eyes.

"What's going on? What does this mean? Who—Who did this!"

Cui Yi raged, drawing his sword. Baili Zan walked in smiling, stroking his beard, "We just played along, hiding Jingu until you sorted things out."

Cui Yi still couldn't let it go, "You all conspired to deceive me! Making a fool of me! Baili Wenyu, I'll cut you down!" He swung his sword.

Baili Zan laughed, running away. Chi Ying didn't know whether to laugh or cry, finally calming Cui Yi down, sending Xiaoqiu to thank Baili Zan and Yang Qiong.

After all this, Chi Ying's lingering knot was finally unraveled, understanding Cui Yi's true feelings, leaving no barriers between them.