Chapter 83: Extra 5

Chapter 83 Extra 5

◎End of Extras.◎

On their wedding night, Qiao Wan was kept awake by Mu Chi until the early hours.

In the end, all she felt was Mu Chi holding her tightly, their heartbeats nearly synchronized, as he called her "wife" over and over again, never tiring of it.

The next day, a light late autumn rain fell over Yandu.

Mu Chi quietly held Qiao Wan close, gazing through the half-open window at the misty pavilions and towers in the drizzle, listening to the sound of rain pattering on banana leaves outside. At some point, their intimate movements began to mingle with the rain, surging like waves.

Because of the wedding, Mu Chi took three days off, and the two spent those three days in the bedchamber of the Crown Prince's residence. In the end, Qiao Wan pushed him out with a mix of kicks and shoves.

Not long after, winter arrived in Yandu.

The winter in Yandu was not as gentle and subtle as in Lingjing, nor was it as piercingly cold as in Jiuyuan. Instead, it was a dry, crisp cold.

The Crown Prince's residence had a grove of plum trees, their fragrance as crisp and clear as the dried plum blossoms in the sachet left to Qiao Wan by her mother.

In early December, Qiao Wan went to a neighboring city to purchase a batch of jade. Mu Chi had intended to go with her but was sternly sent back by Qiao Wan.

The night she returned to Yandu, Mu Chi waited for her at the city gates, having skipped court altogether. He held her close, teasing and provoking her until his voice grew hoarse by the early hours.

The next day, Qiao Wan was awakened by the rustling sound of sweeping in the courtyard.

When she opened her eyes, she saw the charcoal brazier burning quietly in the room, warming the bedchamber so that not a hint of cold remained.

From outside, the faint sound of pages turning could be heard.

Following the sound, Qiao Wan saw that Mu Chi had not gone out today and was instead reading yesterday’s memorials at the desk.

"What time is it?" Qiao Wan tried to sit up, but her sore waist made her reluctant to move.

Mu Chi put down the memorial almost immediately. "It’s a quarter past noon. Do you want to sleep a little longer?"

Noon...

Qiao Wan’s expression stiffened as she recalled the overly amorous events of the previous night. She glared fiercely at Mu Chi and pushed herself up with her arms.

Mu Chi smiled. Even though they were already married, he couldn’t help but feel panicked whenever she left him. Only now had he settled his mind. He brought over the prepared fiery red fox fur cloak and placed it beside her, helping her into her outer robe. "It snowed this morning. Dress warmly."

"It snowed?" Qiao Wan looked up in delight, but when she saw the satisfied smile on his lips, her ears grew warm, and she felt a surge of annoyance. "You’re not allowed in the bedroom for the next few days!"

The smile on Mu Chi’s lips froze.

Seeing this, Qiao Wan felt much better. She smiled, her eyes curving, and walked to the dressing table. Just as she was about to pick up the wooden comb, a pale hand reached out and took it before her.

Mu Chi skillfully combed her hair and tied it up, then took a red glass hairpin from his sleeve and inserted it into her hair. "This red glass was a tribute from Xidi. I had it made into a hairpin. Do you like it?"

Qiao Wan had a fondness for these exquisite, ornate trinkets. She looked left and right, her heart growing even more delighted. "It’s nice."

Mu Chi leaned on her shoulder, tilting his head to plant a kiss in her hair. "Will you allow me in the bedroom these few days, my wife?"

Qiao Wan’s smile faded. "No!"

Mu Chi pressed his lips together, about to say more, when Lv Luo announced from outside that breakfast had arrived.

By the time they finished breakfast, it was already noon.

The snow was still falling softly, and a thick layer had already accumulated on the ground.

Qiao Wan’s waist was no longer as sore, and she eagerly headed outside.

Mu Chi followed behind her, smiling as he watched her back. The fiery red fox fur cloak fluttered in the snow, like a fiercely burning flame.

The next moment, a snowball came flying toward him.

Mu Chi looked at the snowball but didn’t move.

The snowball hit him in the chest, splattering into fragments.

Qiao Wan laughed brightly, her cheeks flushed red, her breath forming a mist that crystallized into dewdrops on her eyelashes.

She remembered that snowy day in Lingjing when Mu Chi had similarly stood still and let her hit him.

Qiao Wan walked up to him, brushing the snow off his chest, and asked, just like back then, "Why don’t you ever learn to dodge?"

Mu Chi looked at the smile on her lips. "If I don’t dodge, you’ll be happy."

He loved seeing her smiling face as she looked at him.

Qiao Wan fell silent for a moment. "Then do you know what makes a snowball fight fun?"

Mu Chi paused, then shook his head. The dark past he thought he would never mention to anyone suddenly felt natural to bring up now. "Since childhood, winter has always been the hardest to endure. That dungeon had only a small charcoal brazier, and the skylight leaked wind, rain, and snow. So, I never liked snow. Later, after I left the dungeon, no one dared to play in the snow with me."

Hearing his words, Qiao Wan’s nose tingled with emotion. She sniffled hard, looked up at him, and blinked. "Then let me teach you."

Mu Chi looked into her bright, fiery eyes and nodded.

Qiao Wan smiled, shaping a soft snowball. "Just throw it like this. You have to dodge the ones I throw, and we take turns throwing. Whoever loses has to grant the other a wish." Here, she added seriously, "And no going easy on me!"

A wish?

Mu Chi’s eyes lit up. He looked at the snowball in her hand and nodded.

Qiao Wan stepped back satisfied and, taking him by surprise, quickly threw the snowball at him. But it was as if he had eyes everywhere—he instinctively dodged the snowball that came dangerously close.

Not only that, but every time Qiao Wan threw one at him after that, he moved like a swift dragon, dodging through the falling snow. The snowflakes didn’t even touch his cloak.

Meanwhile, Qiao Wan was hit several times, though he never actually struck her directly—the snowballs merely brushed lightly past her fox fur cloak. No matter how she tried to evade, it was always the same!

But this felt even more insulting!

Qiao Wan grumbled and stopped. Another snowball flew past her cloak, and Mu Chi flew to her side, standing before her. "Does this count as my win?"

Qiao Wan glared at him indignantly.

But Mu Chi smiled. "My wish... would you let me back into the bedroom these few days?"

Qiao Wan took half a step back and, catching him off guard, quickly threw another snowball. Mu Chi sidestepped it. Annoyed, Qiao Wan lifted her chin and declared, "My wish is for you to stay with me forever!"

As soon as the words left her mouth, Mu Chi’s previously fluid movements froze abruptly. A large snowball hit him squarely in the face, snow bursting across his frost-like features.

Qiao Wan laughed heartily at his disheveled appearance, doubling over with mirth. "You lost!"

Mu Chi wiped the melting snow from his cheek and nodded. "I lost."

So, her wish—he would grant it.

They would be together forever.

Qiao Wan squinted happily, wanting to say something more, but suddenly felt dizzy, swaying unsteadily.

Mu Chi’s face fell. He rushed forward to catch her: "Wan Wan?"

Qiao Wan nestled into his arms, feeling reassured but confused. "I’m fine…" Yet her consciousness began to drift, and her vision gradually darkened.

Seeing her eyes slowly close, Mu Chi’s heart tightened. His fingers trembled slightly as he panicked, carrying her swiftly toward the bedchamber. On the way, he barked at the guards, "Summon the imperial physician!"

Qiao Wan did not remain unconscious for long, waking after only the time it took half an incense stick to burn.

As she opened her eyes, she saw Mu Chi sitting by the bed, clutching her hand. His fingers were colder than ever, his face as pale as a ghost, his eyes faintly red-rimmed.

"What happened to me?"

Only when Qiao Wan spoke did Mu Chi snap out of his thoughts. His voice was hoarse and strained: "Wan Wan, I’m sorry…" he murmured in distress, "I’m sorry…"

"What did the imperial physician say?"

Mu Chi’s lips trembled. Remembering what Song Pan had just told him, his throat tightened, and he struggled to speak: "Song Pan said—said you’re pregnant."

Pregnant?

Qiao Wan was startled, though not entirely surprised.

No matter how skilled the imperial physicians were, the contraceptives still harmed the body. After discovering the contraceptive pills, she had secretly ordered the guards to swap them for tonics.

Still, the thought of being pregnant felt strange to her.

"I’m sorry, Wan Wan," Mu Chi said anxiously when she remained silent, stepping closer. "I didn’t know it would come to this. I clearly—"

He had clearly taken the contraceptive pills—how could he risk putting her in any danger?

At this thought, Mu Chi pressed his lips together, his eyes moistening the next moment. "Wan Wan, let’s not have this child…"

He couldn’t bear the slightest possibility of losing her. Nothing else mattered.

He would order the imperial medical institute to develop a permanent contraceptive, and he would give up everything else.

Hearing his words, Qiao Wan couldn’t help but think that if someone else had said this, she would have slapped them long ago. But knowing his fear, she instead felt a pang of sadness.

Qiao Wan pursed her lips: "Mu Chi."

Mu Chi’s long eyelashes fluttered as he looked up at her.

Qiao Wan smiled: "Actually, I ordered the guards to replace your contraceptive pills with tonics."

Mu Chi froze, confusion flickering in his eyes, then realization dawned. His face turned pale with shock: "You knew…"

"Yes," Qiao Wan nodded.

She didn’t dislike children. She thought that from today onward, there would be another person in this world who belonged to her and Mu Chi, another person to love and be loved by.

Mu Chi remained silent for a long time before suddenly kneeling by the bed, burying his face in her embrace: "Wan Wan, I can’t take that chance."

He knew hiding the contraceptive pills from her was selfish, but he was terrified.

It was the first time he had felt such fear since returning from Yanming Mountain.

Qiao Wan could sense his terror—his hands were still trembling slightly. After a pause, she raised her eyebrows and said, "If you dare suggest not keeping the child again, I’ll leave with the merchant caravan for Jiangnan tomorrow."

Mu Chi stiffened, then after a long while whispered, "Just this once." After another moment of silence, he added, "If you’re in danger, my choice will always be you."

He would personally end the child’s life.

Qiao Wan smiled and murmured in agreement, knowing he had conceded.

The next day, Mu Chi, who had never believed in deities, went to a temple. He made a generous donation, bowing devoutly before the Buddha and making a wish.

In the days that followed, the Crown Prince’s residence became more heavily guarded than the imperial palace. All daily meals and tonics underwent strict inspections before being handed over to Mu Chi’s personal guards for preparation.

Qiao Wan, however, felt completely fine, eating and sleeping well every day. In her spare time, she even helped Yicui go over account books.

As for Mu Chi, Qiao Wan noticed his complexion had grown increasingly pale, as if—he had returned to when he fell from Yanming Mountain, or even worse.

Yet whenever he saw her, he smiled as if nothing was wrong.

Until one night when Qiao Wan woke suddenly and realized Mu Chi was holding her from behind. Afraid to hold her too tightly, his body was rigid, curled beside her, occasionally adjusting her blankets, checking her temperature, and ensuring her lips weren’t dry—restless yet silent.

Qiao Wan observed him for several nights and realized it wasn’t just that once. Mu Chi hardly slept at all, and no amount of persuasion helped.

By the third month, Qiao Wan remained as usual, but Mu Chi suddenly began vomiting from anxiety, sometimes even vomiting blood.

The imperial physician examined him but found nothing wrong, attributing it to severe anxiety and prescribing calming remedies.

Yet Mu Chi grew weaker each day, as if drained of life.

He would wake abruptly at night, only relaxing slightly upon hearing Qiao Wan’s steady breathing. He would picture her giving birth, then feel dizzy spells.

In contrast, Qiao Wan’s days continued normally, without any issues.

One night, Mu Chi had a dream: a baby’s cry, and his Wan Wan lay covered in sweat on the bed, surrounded by people congratulating them. To him, they and the child all looked demonic.

Mu Chi woke gasping for breath, holding Qiao Wan—who had been disturbed and frowned slightly—close and burying his face in her hair, unable to suppress his dread.

After that, fearing he might wake Qiao Wan at night, Mu Chi would stay with her until she fell asleep, then go to the outer chamber to keep watch, returning to the bed early the next morning.

As days passed, when Qiao Wan was in labor, Mu Chi stayed by her side the entire time.

He feared that if she were in danger, someone might hesitate between saving her or the child.

When it came to Qiao Wan, he trusted no one.

He needed to see with his own eyes that she was safe. If anything seemed amiss, he would not hesitate to end the child’s life.

Then came the sound of a baby’s cry, and cheers erupted.

Mu Chi never looked away from Qiao Wan on the bed, trembling as he wiped the sweat from her forehead. Only when she grasped his hand and exhaled, "I’m exhausted," did the tension he had held for months finally ease. He rested his head in her palm, motionless.

Qiao Wan turned to look at him, feeling moisture in her palm.

Qiao Wan had a girl, named Qiao Zhi.

When the court officials learned the child would take the surname of the Li Kingdom, they submitted many petitions. However, as Mu Chi was now regent, he dismissed them all.

The officials, wary of Mu Chi’s unpredictable nature, had no choice but to turn to his mentor, Zhou Zhuangmo.

When Zhou Zhuangmo arrived at the Eastern Palace, Mu Chi said lightly with a smile, "Qiao is the imperial surname of the Li Kingdom. Surely you wouldn’t want the child of a matrimonial alliance between two kingdoms to carry the unrelated Mu surname."

Zhou Zhuangmo was stunned. Recalling the actions of Father and Son Li toward him, he ultimately sighed and silently acquiesced.

After Zhou Zhuangmo left, Mu Chi went straight to the bedroom chambers.

The wet nurse and serving women waited outside, while Qiao Wan and Yicui sat in the inner room amusing Qiao Zhi. Her features were as daring and vibrant as ever, her smile bright as the blazing sun.

As if nothing had changed.

Mu Chi stood quietly at the entrance of the bedroom chambers, watching her until Yicui turned and noticed his presence. She quickly rose, curtsied, and left.

"You're here!" Qiao Wan smiled at him, called out to him, then lowered her head.

The smile on Mu Chi’s lips froze before it could fully form. He watched Qiao Wan gazing tenderly at the child, realizing she hadn’t looked properly at him for several days.

Pursing his lips, Mu Chi stepped forward, intending to pick up the infant and hand her to the wet nurse. But just as his hand touched the swaddling blankets, Qiao Wan suddenly handed the child to him: "Zhi'er, this is your father."

Mu Chi stood there frozen, cradling the soft, tiny infant in his hands. Such a fragile life—it seemed the slightest force could harm it. Unconsciously, he softened his hold, standing rigidly in place.

"She looks like you," Qiao Wan said with a smile, looking at the baby’s exquisite features. "She’ll surely grow up to be very beautiful."

Mu Chi frowned as he looked at the infant’s face. He wished she resembled Qiao Wan more. Resembling him… was not a good thing.

"From now on, the three of us will be family," Qiao Wan murmured smilingly.

Mu Chi’s gaze softened, but he couldn’t resist correcting her: "She and I are family. You and I are husband and wife."

The two were different. She was his only wife; they were the closest of all.

Qiao Wan glared at him and took Qiao Zhi back into her arms.

Mu Chi’s heart softened because of her words. He thought that perhaps this child wasn’t entirely a bad thing.

The dark past of the underground prison was finally behind him. He, too, could have the ordinary domestic happiness of a family, like the trio he once saw at the entrance of Shuren Academy.

Yet as days passed, Mu Chi grew increasingly restless. The faint joy of the novelty of fatherhood faded, replaced by unease.

Back then, Li Zheng had imprisoned him in the underground prison because of Li Muxuan.

Even the Empress Mother favored Li Muxuan, not daring to offer him the slightest protection…

He feared that now that Qiao Wan had Qiao Zhi, she would pay less attention to him.

In fact, she had already been paying less attention to him for many days. Her attention was entirely consumed by the child, and the child adored her in return. It had been so long since he last held her close.

On the day of Qiao Zhi’s full moon celebration, after meeting with the officials who came to offer congratulations, Mu Chi headed to the bedroom chambers. When he saw Qiao Zhi tugging at Qiao Wan’s hair and laughing, and Qiao Wan tilting her head playfully in response, he could bear it no longer. He grabbed Qiao Zhi’s swaddling blankets and handed her to the wet nurse waiting outside.

Qiao Wan was puzzled: "What are you—"

Before she could finish, she was drawn into a forceful embrace.

Mu Chi held her firmly, his voice muffled and raspy: "You’ve been neglecting me for so long."

Perhaps from the very beginning, he should have ordered someone to prepare a long-term contraceptive medicine—so it would always be just the two of them.

After a moment of surprise, Qiao Wan couldn't help laughing: "Zhi'er is still young."

Mu Chi pursed his lips: "Just the right age to not remember anything."

Qiao Wan: "Hmm?"

"Whether we treat her well or poorly, she won’t remember anyway," Mu Chi murmured against her neck, his cool breath brushing against her skin, causing tingling sensations.

Qiao Wan caught his meaning and fell silent for a moment before saying, "She’s your daughter!"

Mu Chi knew he was in the wrong. His arms around her stilled slightly. After a long pause, he said, "I was like that too."

"What?"

"I don’t remember anything before the age of three," Mu Chi said gloomily. "But perhaps it’s for the best—saves me three extra years of painful memories."

Qiao Wan’s heart ached at the thought of him being imprisoned in a dark, sunless underground prison since childhood. She quietly settled into his embrace.

The atmosphere had somehow turned intimate, but just as Qiao Wan began to notice it, she suddenly realized something: "Were you just trying to win sympathy earlier…"

But before she could finish, Mu Chi cut her off with a kiss.

*

Qiao Wan soon returned to Gold and Silver Parlor, often traveling with trade caravans to various places.

She experienced the charm of the desert and witnessed the splendor of countless flowers in full bloom.

But the night before each departure, Mu Chi would always suffer from insomnia, anxiously asking her repeatedly when she would return and whether she would send letters.

When Qiao Zhi was three years old, the emperor of Great Qi passed away. Mu Chi ascended the throne as emperor, with Qiao Wan as empress. The era name was changed to Yongle, and their only daughter, Qiao Zhi, was named crown princess.

An empress engaging in commerce and a crown princess being named—these actions caused an uproar in the court. For the next two years, officials tirelessly submitted memorials, insisting that Great Qi had no precedent for a crown princess.

But Mu Chi remained unmoved.

By the time Qiao Zhi turned five, her features had begun to show remarkable grace. Her shining eyes much resembled Qiao Wan’s, yet lacked her uninhibited boldness; her face was strikingly similar to Mu Chi’s—beautiful and delicate, yet not as cold and unapproachable.

She was intelligent, able to memorize most classics after reading them just a few times, and remarkably precocious, quickly grasping military strategy.

Only in front of Qiao Wan did she display the innocence and playfulness of an ordinary young girl, being coquettish and laughing playfully.

Mu Chi, however, saw Qiao Zhi as the little torment who had tormented Qiao Wan for over two hundred days. Aside from personally teaching her academics, martial arts, and strategy daily, he rarely was affectionate with her.

In fact, he grew irritated whenever she clung to Qiao Wan, inevitably leading to competition for her favor.

One day, while it was still early, Qiao Wan returned from Gold and Silver Parlor.

By now, Gold and Silver Parlor had expanded to dozens of branches, and the trade caravan had grown significantly.

As soon as Qiao Wan entered the palace, she heard that Qiao Zhi had ordered a cuju ball prepared and was practicing in the rear garden.

As Qiao Wan stepped into the garden, she saw two figures, one tall and one small, standing there. The taller one was dressed in white, ethereal as an immortal; the smaller one wore northern nomadic attire, her hair tied up, looking dashing and heroic.

Qiao Wan smiled and was about to approach when she heard Qiao Zhi’s young but serious voice: "If Imperial Father refuses to teach me cuju, I will go find Imperial Mother." With that, she turned to leave.

Mu Chi frowned: "Don't you bother your mother."

Qiao Zhi looked up: "Then can Imperial Father do so?"

"Of course," Mu Chi squinted his eyes. "She is my wife."

"Imperial Mother is my mother."

The two stood facing each other, neither giving way to the other.

Qiao Wan arched an eyebrow with a smirk, just stood there to watch the show.

Qiao Zhi being younger, she soon lost the argument. She hung her head and asked, "Does Father not like me?"

Mu Chi paused. "Your mother suffered greatly when she gave birth to you."

Qiao Zhi didn't understand.

"But despite the hardship, she still gave birth to you. She loves you," Mu Chi said, thinking back to Qiao Wan's childbirth, still haunted by it. "I love what she loves."

Qiao Zhi thought seriously for a moment. "So Father likes me?"

Mu Chi frowned. "My love for you comes through your mother, but it'll never equal how much I like your mother..." Not even one-tenth.

He bit back those last words, remembering that this was his own daughter.

Qiao Zhi shot back, "Me too! I love Mother much, much more than I love Father!"

Mu Chi wasn't fazed. "Hmm."

Then he asked, "Why are you practicing soccer?"

Qiao Zhi stiffened, then scrunched her nose with a scoff, lowering her head. "Today, I overheard some gossipy students at the Imperial Academy saying that Mother was poorly regarded back in the Li Kingdom. They also mentioned someone called Princess Zhaoyang, saying that whoever gets her can rule the world. Is that true?"

Mu Chi's brows furrowed, his expression turning cold. "Who said that?"

Qiao Zhi pursed her lips. She wasn't the type to snitch or throw her weight around, and those words had only come out after she pressed them when she heard someone mention "Princess Changle." She decided to change the subject. "So it's true, isn't it, Father?"

Mu Chi had personally taught Qiao Zhi both literature and martial arts, but her temperament had been shaped by Qiao Wan's influence. He knew she was straightforward and disliked using authority to suppress others, so he didn't press further, though he made a note to have Si Li investigate later.

Mu Chi countered, "What'll you do about it?"

Qiao Zhi's young face went stern, and she sneered, "That's bullshit—'whoever gets Princess Zhaoyang can rule the world'! One day, I'll make them say, 'Whoever gets Princess Changle can rule the world'!"

Mu Chi watched her defending Qiao Wan, his expression softening. "What does that have to do with practicing soccer?"

"In a few days, there's a soccer match. Those guys will be participating, and I'm going to wipe the field with them," Qiao Zhi declared, lifting her chin. "I also want to prove to those stubborn old ministers who doubt me that I'm better than those bumbling fools."

Mu Chi noticed the way she lifted her chin, surely learned from Qiao Wan—equally bold and radiant.

"Only the weak feel the need to prove themselves," Mu Chi said. "You don't need to prove anything to anyone. You just need to know that once you have the ability to take that throne, there is no right or wrong, and you need not care about the opinions of insects."

Qiao Zhi was stunned, chewing on his words carefully before saying, "Thank you for your guidance, Father."

Perhaps because her actions reminded him so much of Qiao Wan, Mu Chi found unusual patience and added a few more words. "You are the Crown Princess of Great Qi, the only daughter of the most noble Princess Changle of the Li Kingdom. I will give you a stable and thriving Great Qi. As for the Li Kingdom, you'll have to handle that yourself."

Ten years ago, Mu Chi would never have imagined that someone like him would one day desire a stable and thriving Great Qi. Back then, he only wished for everything to turn into hell.

But now, thinking of that fiery, brilliant presence, he couldn't help but smile.

Qiao Zhi's eyes widened, filled with eagerness. "Understood."

"Hmm." Mu Chi replied curtly and turned to leave, but his eyes brightened when he saw Qiao Wan not far away. He quickly walked over, his expression softening like warm winter sunlight. "Wan Wan..."

"Mother!" Before he could finish, Qiao Zhi's small body rushed into Qiao Wan's arms.

Mu Chi's expression stiffened. Watching Qiao Wan bend down to pinch her cheek, he took a deep breath but ultimately couldn't help himself. He lifted Qiao Zhi and set her aside, then stepped forward to embrace Qiao Wan himself. "You're back early today?"

"Yes," Qiao Wan smiled. "I'm heading to the eastern Jin Kingdom in a few days to source some jadeite, so I'm resting these days."

"To Jin Kingdom?"

"To Jin Kingdom?"

Mu Chi frowned deeply, and Qiao Zhi looked anxious. Both stared at her and spoke in unison.

Qiao Wan was amused. "What's wrong?"

"When are you going, Mother? How long will you be gone? When will you return?" Qiao Zhi looked up and asked.

Qiao Wan answered each question, but Qiao Zhi still clung to her reluctantly. Mu Chi, however, remained silent, earning a few curious glances from Qiao Wan.

That night, Mu Chi kept her up multiple times. It was late by the time she finished bathing and fell into a deep sleep, only to be tightly embraced from behind.

Mu Chi gently kissed the back of her neck. "Wan Wan, the Double Seventh Festival is in half a month."

"Hmm?"

Mu Chi said uneasily, "There's nothing major happening at court recently. Shall I go with you?"

*

In the end, Mu Chi did accompany Qiao Wan.

However, as the ruler of a nation, traveling privately could invite trouble, so he disguised himself as a zither player traveling with the merchant caravan.

As for why he chose to be a musician, no one knew.

But some noticed that when Qiao Wan saw him dressed in white as a musician, she seemed spaced out for a long time.

The journey to Jin Kingdom was long, and the caravan happened to arrive on the day of the Double Seventh Festival.

Jin Kingdom was a major eastern power, and its capital was incredibly lively, especially during the Double Seventh Festival. The streets were lit with dragon-shaped lanterns winding through, young men and women walked together in pairs, and in the distance, decorative lanterns woven together while children laughed and ran nearby.

Qiao Wan loved crowds and opted to ride a horse in men's clothing, while Mu Chi sat in a sedan chair, scowling at the attention from the crowd.

After a while, Qiao Wan's gaze suddenly fell on the roadside, where she saw a woman with fine, appealing features standing apart from the crowd, a gentle and serene smile on her lips. Just one glance made her seem absolutely lovely.

The woman was also looking toward Mu Chi's sedan chair along with everyone else.

Beside her stood a man.

The man was tall and slender, dressed in crimson robes. His appearance was breathtakingly beautiful, his eyes darting with a seductive gleam as he focused intently on the woman beside him.

He resembled a poppy blooming ominously in the darkness.

Qiao Wan blinked and smiled. "I didn't expect to see someone so stunning in Great Jin."

As soon as she spoke, Mu Chi stiffened in the sedan chair. He turned his head and coldly looked toward the edge of the crowd, his eyes meeting those of the man in red. For a moment, neither spoke, but frosty tension immediately formed between them.

That night, the merchant caravan stayed at an inn.

Qiao Wan had long forgotten the incident on the street. After bathing, she returned to the bedroom and was immediately embraced by a figure in white.

Startled, Qiao Wan let out a soft cry. Recognizing Mu Chi, she swatted him lightly. "What are you doing?"

Mu Chi leaned on her shoulder, holding her tight, uneasy. "The way you looked at that man in red tonight..."

"Hmm?"

"It was exactly like how you looked at me back in the Lingjing market." He remembered clearly—how her eyes had been full of wonder, and then she had bought him at the Songzhu Pavilion.

Qiao Wan turned her head to look at Mu Chi leaning against her shoulder and chuckled, "No matter how handsome that person is, he's taken." Besides, she still preferred someone like Mu Chi, though she left the latter part unsaid, simply stating matter-of-factly, "But you are mine."

Mu Chi tightened his embrace. "Mhm," he murmured, his voice gradually softening, "I am yours."

Feeling his agitated state slowly calm, Qiao Wan felt an inexplicable strange ache. She shifted slightly, and Mu Chi immediately held her tighter, as if afraid she might leave.

"I'm not going anywhere," Qiao Wan quickly soothed, patting his back. "Mu Chi, did I never tell you before..."

As she spoke, she gently pulled back from his embrace, looked into his eyes, and thought carefully, as if confirming something, then smiled. "I love you."

Mu Chi stood frozen in place, gazing at her, stunned.

After waiting a long moment without a response, Qiao Wan was about to pull away when she was suddenly pulled back into his arms. His large hand gripped her waist, and kisses showered her.

Words brimming with surprise and a hint of choked emotion escaped between their lips: "I love you, Wan Wan."

The night stretched before them.

As did all the days to come.

"Extra Story End."

Author's Note:

The story of Doggy and Wan Wan has come to a perfect conclusion here!

Thank you to all the readers for your support and companionship along the way. A bow to you all!

Next up is an if-line extra. Due to Jinjiang's regulations, the if-line can be considered a dream, independent of the main story, and it won’t be very long~

PS: Comments within 24 hours of this chapter will receive a small cash reward!