183 – Warm and Harmonious Family

At the thought that his beloved would entangle with a woman, Zhangsun He felt like a knife stirred in his heart, blood unceasingly spilled. He wanted to kill that fabricated woman. He also loved Chen Mufeng so much that he wanted to eat him, but he wasn’t willing to do anything drastic because he knew that Chen Mufeng’s pressure was no less than him.

Right hand clenched into a fist in his sleeve, he breathed evenly, stared at Chen Mufeng’s eyes, and then said in a steady voice, “In that case, we’ll continue wasting time. I’ve plenty of time.”

For fear of losing control in front of Chen Mufeng, he turned around and left in a hurry – the figure of his back showed profound loneliness and desolation.

Chen Mufeng’s heart ached, but he didn’t follow.

Zhangsun He walked forward in a trot. His cold face frightened the passers-by, who then consciously gave way to him.

The two attendants had to jog to keep up with him, not daring to breathe out loud.

On the street opposite, a middle-aged man with natural, graceful, and poised temperament rode a black horse slowly toward him. The middle-aged man was followed by six other attendants, who also rode on horses.

Zhangsun He halted and went over. The owner of the horse saw him, too – there was no fluctuation in his expression. The distance between them got closer and closer.

Zhangsun He bowed with a cupped fist and said with a smile, “Greetings, Imperial Prince Ming.”

Imperial Prince Ming nodded slightly and said with a light smile, “No need to be courteous, Young Marquis.” The reins moved gently, and the horse went on.

Zhangsun He caught up with a few steps. His respectful tone was full of sincerity, “Imperial Prince Ming, this junior would like to invite you to have a cup of tea. Venture to ask if Imperial Prince Ming have the time to spare?”

“Forgive me, Young Marquis. This prince has been burdened with official business these days. There’s no time to spare.” Then Imperial Prince Ming nodded and directly left.

Zhangsun He was silent for a long time – there was nothing he could do.

……

Qin Mian brought Qin Ruiqi and Lei Ruilin back to the State Defender Duke Establishment. Qin Ruiqi and Lei Ruilin wanted to wait for Lei Tie in the foreyard, so Qin Mian first went back to the inner yard to pick out a change of clothes for Lei Tie and then took the opportunity to enter the space to pick some fresh fruits. Without permission, the servants would not enter their rooms at will. Thus, he wasn’t afraid of being found out.

After picking the fruits, he went to the quadrangle courtyard to see White Spot.

White Spot had advanced recently. These days, it lay on the ground in the space with its eyes closed, motionless – it looked like it was sleeping, but in fact, it was cultivating. The spiritual qi in the space entered its body slowly just like a snowflake fell into the water, faded without traces. The spiritual threads flashed and died out like electric currents on its fur; its dark fur then became brighter and smoother.

Out of the space, Qin Mian went back to the foreyard.

Qin Ruiqi and Lei Ruilin were practicing martial arts on the training ground, surrounded by a group of servants.

The servants knew that the Lady had a good temper. As long as they didn’t delay their work or break the rules, the Lady wouldn’t scold them. When they saw Qin Mian coming, they didn’t panic and saluted him properly.

After Qin Mian nodded, they stepped aside and continued to watch the two young masters practicing.

Golden Fur stood by and also watched with relish.

Qin Ruiqi and Lei Ruilin were seven years old this year. Their heights had reached Qin Mian’s waist and their bodies were slender and strong. At a young age, they had manifested a modest and light-hearted temperament. No matter where they went, they were the targets of admiration by parents alike.

It was surprising to see the two boys sometimes flew to the air to fight and sometimes fell to the ground – their footwork was faintly discernible and their figures were agile. They didn’t yield to each other at all, unusually brilliant. As they fought, their eyes swept to the main gate now and then.

Qin Mian shook his head and held his chin as he mused. This Dad I are pretty good, too? Why do the two sons never look at me with adoring eyes?

After a short while, the sound of approaching horse’s hooves came from outside the gate.

Qin Mian easily recognized that the sound of the horse’s hooves belonged to Lei Tie’s black horse.

Sure enough, in a flash, Lei Tie rode into the main entrance.

“Old Dad!”

Qin Ruiqi and Lei Ruilin immediately stopped and ran to meet him.

Lei Tie jumped off his horse, patted his two sons on the shoulders, and handed them a birdcage-sized brocade box.

Lei Ruilin happily asked, “Old Dad, is this a gift for Gege and me?”

Lei Tie nodded.

Qin Ruiqi and Lei Ruilin both focused on the brocade box.

After saluting to Lei Tie, the servants voluntarily withdrew. There was only the family of four left on the training ground.

Lei Tie went to Qin Mian and naturally put his arms around Qin Mian’s shoulder. He bowed his head and dropped a kiss on Qin Mian’s lips – it was as warm as he had fondly remembered.

“Was your trip smooth-sailing?” Qin Mian touched his prickly chin and patted the dust off his sleeves in passing.

Lei Tie nodded, took out a palm-sized brocade box from his inner pocket, and handed it to Qin Mian.

The brocade box was warm, immersed in Lei Tie’s body temperature. Qin Mian was not in a hurry to see it. Instead, he embraced Lei Tie’s shoulder and said, “Go have a bath first and rest.”

They didn’t care about the sons who were still studying how to open the brocade box. They went to the backyard first.

“That box is?” Qin Mian was curious. A box couldn’t take that long to open.

Lei Tie said, “There are contrivances. Let them ponder by themselves.”

Back in the bedchamber, Lei Tie went to the washroom to take a bath. Qin Mian took out the box in his inner pocket, lay on the bed, and subconsciously opened the lid. Unexpectedly, he couldn’t open it. It turned out that there were contrivances in this brocade box. He couldn’t help but smile. His heart itched even more, eager to know what Lei Tie bought for him.

The box could be broken by force and what’s inside could be found out by soul sense. However, that would not only disappoint Lei Tie but also make it less fun. Qin Mian first observed the six sides of the brocade box and noticed that each side was made up of many small squares. The mystery must be in these little squares.

He enthusiastically got ready to try when his back felt heavy, accompanied by the smell of bath soap. Next, his ear was bitten.

“Wife…”

Qin Mian curved his lips, placed the brocade box next to the pillow, and closed his eyes as he lay prone on the soft pillow. The feeling of his clothes being taken off became more distinct……

The lovemaking was intense and without inhibitions. Paralyzed on the bed, Qin Mian gasped for breath for a long time before he calmed down. His eyes suspiciously floated toward that man’s lower body, and his temples throbbed. Is that thing continue to grow in adulthood?!

Lei Tie had a trace of a smile in his eyes as he held Qin Mian’s sweat-stained face, kissed his dried petals of lips, and moistened them with saliva.

Qin Mian reciprocated, not to be outdone. Only when breathing became unstable again that the couple separated.

Lei Tie raised his hand, and the teacup on the table flew over. He caught it, drank a sip of tea, and lowered his head to slowly feed it into his wife’s mouth. His obsidian eyes focused on his wife without blinking.

Qin Mian had regained his normal body temperature with great difficulty and yet it began to rise again. He put his arms around Lei Tie’s neck and opened his mouth to suckle. Another entanglement occurred.

“Be honest, where did you learn all of this?!”

Lei Tie looked at him in puzzlement, “Instinct.”

Qin Mian had nothing to say in reply.

Lei Tie got off of Qin Mian’s body and embraced him, letting Qin Mian pillowed his arm. Then he pulled the thin blanket at the side and covered them up until the waist.

“Did you fight with anyone on the way? Not hurt, are you?”

“No.” Lei Tie said, “Three waves of killers returned without accomplishing anything.”

Qin Mian guessed, “When the time comes to send the Sixth Prince away, you are most likely asked to escort.”

Lei Tie said, “Very likely. There’s a royal banquet tonight. Rank four and above Mandated Ladies are required to attend. His Majesty allowed Ruiqi and Ruilin to go too.”

Qin Mian was very interested, “So, go it is. We haven’t eaten the food from the imperial kitchen yet.” He grabbed the brocade box and continued to study it.

Outside, two familiar steps were approaching.

“Dad, Old Dad~~”

They were both still naked. Qin Mian was in a hurry to get up.

Lei Tie hugged him and didn’t let him move. He looked at the closed door and spoke in a deep voice with impressive fatherly authority, “Play by yourselves.”

Lei Ruilin made a meaningful sound “Oh~~” and then ran away with Qin Ruiqi with a giggle.

“Mischievous kid.” Qin Mian found it both funny and annoying.

The couple stayed in the bedchamber for the rest of the day……

Thinking of the many inconveniences at the palace banquet that it was unknown when they could eat, Qin Mian made a wok of fried rice. The family of four enjoyed a small bowl. It didn’t matter to him and Lei Tie, but Qin Ruiqi and Lei Ruilin were growing up – they hadn’t mastered the cultivation yet, so they couldn’t stand hunger.

After the meal, the family of four took a bath. After changing their clothes, they went into the palace by carriage.

Because it a carriage customized by the imperial court, when they arrived at the palace gate, the palace guards let the carriage passed after they had inspected inside and out and found no suspicious person.

Into the palace, the carriage stopped in a special parking lot. The family of four got out of the carriage and followed the palace attendants. On the way, they met other Appointed Officials and Mandated Ladies. Every now and then, they saluted each other.

Banquets held in the palace were either in the imperial garden or in the reception hall. Due to the hot weather in summer, tonight’s banquet was in the imperial garden.

In the imperial garden, colorful flags fluttered and decorated lanterns hung high, just like the daytime; the sounds of stringed and woodwind instruments were ceaseless – relaxing and mellow. The emperor and the empress were not here yet. As the most honorable people, they were the last to appear. The Tuluo’s envoys also had yet arrived.

Qin Mian originally thought that he would be arranged at the Mandated Lady’s seat. Unexpectedly, the palace attendant arranged him next to Lei Tie. He secretly let out a sigh of relief. He would not be comfortable sitting among women.

Qin Ruiqi and Lei Ruilin naturally sat with them.

Chen Mufeng’s seat happened to be opposite them. With a smile from far away, he waved at them.

Qin Mian picked up his teacup as a greeting to him. He noticed that there was a gaze staring at him. He looked over. It was Zhangsun He, sitting on the right side of Chen Mufeng.

Zhangsun He nodded to Qin Mian and turned to talk to Chen Mufeng with a gentle look in his eyes.

Qin Mian was surprised. Chen Mufeng’s partner turns out to be Zhangsun He!

As if nothing was wrong, he looked straight ahead and raised his right hand to poke at Lei Tie sitting on his right side. His several poking didn’t find the target. Puzzled, he turned his head to take a look – Lei Ruilin had his lips pursed, restraining a peal of laughter. It turned out that he deliberately pulled Lei Tie aside to avoid Qin Mian’s hand. Qin Ruiqi drank a cup of tea, the corner of his mouth curled up. Lei Tie looked at Qin Mian with calm but doting eyes.