The Mute Wife Who Brings Prosperity

Chapter 831 - 789: Jinbao, I’m Leaving

Su Qing pondered for a moment and honestly said, "I have returned the military power."

Upon hearing this, Lin Xiaoyue was shocked into silence.

She didn’t expect Mr. Qi to pay such a huge price just to take his wife and children to the Western Border.

Military power.

That’s what he had always longed for. From the day she married into the Su Family, he had been constantly working hard for the day he could hold substantial power and make a name for himself.

He endured the death of Aunt He, the constant suppression at the mansion, biting through all those years just to wait for the day he could retaliate with authority.

The power he held was not only a guarantee of his personal safety but also a protection for their mother and daughter.

Years of efforts were now gone in an instant, leaving Lin Xiaoyue feeling deeply pained. She bit her lip, "Or, Ah Nuan and I will stay in the Capital, and Mr. Qi won’t need to relinquish military power because of us."

She didn’t want to see all his efforts go to waste in a single moment.

As the person beside his pillow, she understood better than anyone else the sacrifices he had made to achieve today’s status.

Su Qing’s response, however, was one of relief and ease, as if he didn’t find the loss of military power regrettable, "All those years, I had no choice. Now, I just want to stay with my family."

Yes, to stay with family, with his wife.

Reflecting on the years after marriage, he and his wife had spent more time apart than together. At critical moments, he couldn’t be by her side.

For instance, the fire at the Martial Champion Mansion, or when she was bedridden after a miscarriage, or more recently, during the widespread rumors.

At those moments, when he should have had her protected behind him, he was out at war.

Many years ago, he was just an inconspicuous illegitimate son of the Su Family. To completely extricate himself from that devouring pit of dragons and tigers, he had no choice but to grasp power for himself.

Later, with military power in hand, serving as a great general of the Chu Country, he had to prioritize the safety of the people above all. He had to be separated from his family, spending years in battle.

Now, having a choice, he no longer needed to prioritize the people over his family. Naturally, he wished to choose the latter — his family.

He didn’t want his future decades to be nothing but battle after battle. One day, upon returning, he might find his wife with a head full of white hair, or worse, only see her cold, stone grave.

Su Qing’s words undoubtedly warmed the heart, but Lin Xiaoyue understood too well what military power meant to him. She wanted to speak more words of comfort, but Su Qing said, "It’s not because Your Majesty forced me; I initiated it myself. Besides, it’s not without benefits. Your Majesty said he has found Little Four for me. Once we go to the Western Border, we can reunite with Little Four."

"Little Four?" Lin Xiaoyue was stunned. That child had vanished after the Su Family’s incident. No matter how many people Mr. Qi sent out to search, there was no trace to be found, yet Your Majesty secretly managed to find him?

"He has had a hard time raising the child alone," Su Qing said. "Let him come with us to the Western Border, a family together, so we can care for each other."

"That’s wonderful, so wonderful!" Lin Xiaoyue was full of excitement.

Back then, Su Xiang was cunning and treacherous, quite ambitious. He had harmed countless people, but the only right thing he did was to cultivate Little Four into a pure existence, completely detached from family disputes.

Perhaps because of the goodness accumulated in Little Four, leaving a blessing for the main branch of the Su Family, eventually, Little Four and the child managed to survive.

At this moment, Lin Xiaoyue felt immense gratitude and relief, grateful that her elder brother acted humanely with Little Four, grateful that the Su Family was not devoid of heirs.

...

The departure was set for three days later, with many belongings to move from the Su Mansion. Lin Xiaoyue only casually chatted with Su Qing for a while before starting to arrange the moving matters.

Amuer was still young and understood nothing; as long as his parents were around, he would be fine wherever they went.

Ah Nuan, however, seemed somewhat unhappy.

When Su Qing came to the west wing to see her, she was sitting by the bedside, indifferent to her brother climbing up and down beside her, looking dispirited.

"Ah Nuan, what’s wrong?" Su Qing pulled a bamboo chair in front of her and sat down.

Upon hearing her father’s voice, Ah Nuan returned to her senses and softly called, "Father."

Su Qing raised the corners of his lips, his voice deep and gentle, "Is it because we’re leaving the Capital, you feel somewhat reluctant?"

Ah Nuan lowered her head and then seriously nodded.

Su Qing said, "If you are reluctant to leave your little friends, go and say goodbye to them now. There might not be another chance to return to the Capital in the future."

Ah Nuan pursed her little lips, "Mother won’t allow."

Mother was somehow angry with Aunt Wan and didn’t let her or Amuer mention Aunt Wan or Jinbao. In short, everything about the Song family was forbidden by Mother.

Su Qing had already learned the whole story from the Hidden Guards he left in the mansion to protect his wife and children.

Yue Niang is upset with Mrs. Song from the Song family for not helping her.

Although from Yue Niang’s perspective, being stabbed in the back by her friend’s husband was indeed unpleasant, Su Qing felt that Song Wei’s stab was well-placed, at least it relieved him from a lifetime of marching and warfare, allowing him a tranquil place to accompany his wife and children in his remaining years.

Thinking of this, Su Qing smiled and asked Ah Nuan, "Do you want to see Jinbao?"

Su Qing knew his daughter always enjoyed playing with the little genius from the Song family.

Ah Nuan was initially shy to admit it, but thinking of her upcoming departure to the Western Border, possibly never to return, she gathered her courage and nodded vigorously.

"Jinbao, Jinbao..." Nearby, Amuer waved his little paws, excitedly dancing at the mention of Jinbao.

Seeing his children like this, Su Qing’s heart softened, "Let Jin Zhi come in and change your clothes, and soon Papa will take you both there."

"Really?" Ah Nuan’s face lit up with joy, but then, thinking of her mother, she became dejected, "What if Mother disagrees?"

"She won’t disagree." Su Qing patted her head and kissed Amuer’s chubby cheek before getting up to instruct Jin Zhi.

Jin Zhi quickly went to the young lady’s room to change the children’s clothes.

A quarter of an hour later, Ah Nuan and Amuer were taken by Su Qing to Lin Xiaoyue.

Lin Xiaoyue was busy tidying the storeroom, seeing them, she laughed, "How come you’ve changed clothes so quickly?"

Su Qing said, "I plan to take them to the Song Mansion."

Upon hearing this, Lin Xiaoyue’s expression stiffened, visibly displeased.

Su Qing smiled, "Whether your relationship with Mrs. Song is good or bad, it’s between you ladies. I have some words for Song Wei, just between us men, it won’t interfere with anything."

Listening to him, Lin Xiaoyue couldn’t argue back, merely nodded sullenly, "Then go!"

Su Qing can face the Song family calmly, but it doesn’t mean she can forgive Wen Wan, that’s a different matter.

...

A stick of incense later, Su Qing arrived at the Song Mansion with Ah Nuan and Amuer.

Song Wei was off duty at home today, surprised to hear Mr. Qi from the Su family requested to see him, he promptly asked the gatekeeper to invite them in.

Song Wei tidied up and headed to the front hall.

Soon, Su Qing was received in the front hall for tea, while Ah Nuan and Amuer were taken directly to the backyard.

"Mr. Qi is a rare guest." Song Wei sat down and smiled, "It’s rare for you to come here, could it be to hold me accountable?"

Su Qing’s sword-like brows raised, "If I truly wish to hold you accountable, I fear Lord Emperor’s Tutor wouldn’t leave through this door today."

Song Wei remained calm, sipping his tea modestly, "That would depend on whether Mr. Qi dares to exchange my life with that of his wife and children."

...

The conversation between the two in the front hall gradually became engaging, while in the backyard, Ah Nuan finally met Jinbao as she wished.

Xu Dengke entered Hanlin Academy, Jinbao was now without a tutor, soon to be sent to school. Leisurely today, he was in the garden playing with Duobao and his uncle Yan Li when Linglong from Qingteng Residence suddenly rushed over, saying Mrs. Song wanted to see him.

Jinbao followed Linglong to Qingteng Residence and saw the little girl sitting in the armchair.

She pursed her lips, her brows slightly furrowed, appearing to have encountered something troubling.

Seeing Jinbao, Ah Nuan’s eyes lit up sharply, softly calling, "Jinbao brother~"

Jinbao shifted his gaze from Ah Nuan to Wen Wan, "Mother, Sister Linglong said you wanted me?"

Wen Wan looked at him with a smile, "It’s Ah Nuan who’s leaving, she specially came to say goodbye today."

"Leaving?" Jinbao was puzzled; Ah Nuan’s home was in the Capital, where could she be going?

Ah Nuan stood up from the armchair, walked to Jinbao, her face slightly flushed, "Jinbao brother, I’m leaving, going with my parents to the Western Border. I don’t know where the Western Border is, they all say it’s a very, very far place, and once gone, never return."

Jinbao replied with an "Oh", "Then be careful on your way."

Ah Nuan listened, her eyes reddening, "I thought, you would try to keep me here."

Jinbao received a glare from Wen Wan, he coughed, "I originally wanted to keep you here, but my mouth didn’t let me, should I try to keep you here again?"