Xiao Manor.

Shangguan Yan woke up early and went to Old Mrs. Xiao’s courtyard to greet her. She then went to Eldest Mrs. Xiao’s courtyard to sit before returning to her courtyard. At this time, Xiao Zhenting had also finished practicing and returned to his room.

Xiao Zhenting was a rough man and was not that particular, however, Shangguan Yan was. And he was worried that he would make her unhappy because of his smelly sweat. Xiao Zhenting always went to see her after washing up.

He took a cold shower and changed into dry clothes. When he entered the house, breakfast had already been set up, and Shangguan Yan was packing up.

“Didn’t I tell you not to wait for me to eat?” Xiao Zhenting said.

Shangguan Yan smiled. “I’m not hungry.”

“What are you packing?” Xiao Zhenting walked forward and asked.

“The clothes I made for Dabao and the others have arrived. I suddenly remembered that I packed a few sets of clothes that Cong’er wore when he was young.” Shangguan Yan raised the small long robe in her hand. “He wore this when he was three.”

Xiao Zhenting looked at the small shoes and clothes that covered the bed. A trace of gentleness flashed across his hard face, as if that little fellow was following behind him again.

“He liked you very much when he was young. Unfortunately, he doesn’t remember,” Shangguan Yan said with a bitter smile.

When Xiao Zhenting was young, he was the Emperor’s most trusted general. He often entered and left the palace. The first time he saw Little Jiuchao was during the winter when he was proud of his status. He and the Emperor dug an ice hole on the surface of the Taiyao Pool to fish.

The Emperor went to the private room.

Little Jiuchao walked over with his big eyes, and asked, “What are you doing?”

“You’re not afraid of me?” Xiao Zhenting said.

“Why should I be afraid of you?” Little Jiuchao tilted his head.

Xiao Zhenting smiled. “Nothing. You’re very bold.”

“Of course!” Little Jiuchao puffed up his chest proudly and walked to the ice hole. He bent down and looked into the ice hole. “Is there fish in here?”

“Yes,” Xiao Zhenting said happily as he looked at this unbelievably beautiful child.

“Then show me,” Little Jiuchao said in a childish voice.

Xiao Zhenting was mighty and tall, like a walking beast. No child dared to approach him. Even the Eldest Prince and Second Prince were frightened to tears with just a look at him. Not only was this little fellow not afraid, but he even dared to order him. Xiao Zhenting smiled.

He had to give in to the Emperor when fishing with him, but he couldn’t care less now. He caught more than ten in one go, and Little Jiuchao shouted excitedly.

Shangguan Yan did not know about this, but she had heard her son laughing like a little fool in the pool. She asked the servants to bring her son over and left.

“So you’re there…” Shangguan Yan sighed.

Xiao Zhenting nodded and said, “That was the first time I saw you.”

He only took a look from afar, but he remembered it in his heart for the rest of his life. After that, his family had also arranged a marriage for him with a girl, but every night, he would always think of her.

Shangguan Yan glared at him. “How long have you been thinking about me?”

Xiao Zhenting coughed lightly and did not dare to reply.

Shangguan Yan was not angry. If it were not for this man still thinking about her and helping her at the most critical moment, she and her son would have died long ago. At first, she did not want to owe him anything when she married him, but in the end, she still owed him.

Back then, the Emperor had strongly opposed this marriage. Firstly, it was because the deceased Prince Yan did not look good. Secondly, he was worried that after she and Xiao Zhenting had their own children, they would threaten Yan Jiuchao’s status, and even take away what should have belonged to Yan Jiuchao. Therefore, the Emperor gave her a bowl of childless soup.

She did not regret not having children. It was enough for her to have a child in her life. She had never thought of having children for this man. He liked her body, so she would give her body to him. As for children… She thought that there should be many women who were willing to give birth to children for him.

Unexpectedly, he just didn’t want it.

He knew that she could not give birth… but he still did not want it.

… .

In the Young Master Manor, Yan Jiuchao woke up. When he opened his eyes, he saw Yu Wan lying on her side beside him. She supported her head with one hand and looked at him calmly.

Today, he actually woke up later than usual.

Yan Jiuchao felt uncomfortable under Yu Wan’s seemingly corporeal gaze. He cleared his throat and sat up calmly. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

Yu Wan narrowed her eyes and nodded. “Yan Jiuchao, did you have a nightmare last night?”

“No,” Yan Jiuchao said seriously.

Yu Wan looked at him skeptically. He had woken her up, someone who could sleep so well, and he still said that he didn’t have a nightmare.