The next half-month of the journey passed smoothly, and they finally arrived back in the capital in mid-October.
Their journey was exceptionally smooth thanks to the escort provided by the Duke of Yu's guards.
Occasionally, small groups of bandits would attempt to raid them. However, upon discovering their equipment and identifying them as soldiers of the Western Frontier Army, they were so terrified that they fled at the mere rumor.
They not only dared not show themselves but also kept their distance.
They were afraid of being annihilated by them.
According to Shen Yun, the Duke of Yu and the Crown Prince had done such things quite often.
In the past, when they were short on military funds and couldn't secure them from the court, they would find their own solutions.
They would then target the outlaws in the Western Frontier region.
First, they would send a notice demanding money.
If the outlaws refused, they would send people disguised as a merchant caravan to lure them down the mountain to rob them, only to rob them in return.
This was not an isolated incident for them.
They would do this whenever they struggled to raise military funds.
As a result, the bandits in the Western Frontier region would retreat at the mere sight of anyone from the Western Frontier.
Even though they were known for robbing people, they dared not even look at them too closely.
They were afraid of being targeted and becoming suckers.
Su Xiaoqi found this amusing, but thinking about how hard they worked to protect the country and make their due contributions, while other parasites in the court indulged in corruption and bribery, yet felt at ease enjoying the peace they maintained, she truly felt it was unfair to them.
As soon as they reached the capital's borders, Shen Yun informed Su Xiaoqi that Yu Changfeng and A Ze had sent people.
"A Ze?" Su Xiaoqi wondered, as he had already gone to the Western Frontier, so why was he back?
"His trip to the Western Frontier was not for long-term stationing, but for a mission.
Now that he has returned, it is likely that he has completed the task assigned by the Emperor."
Upon hearing that people had arrived from the capital, the Northern Frontier Army immediately took their leave.
As a token of gratitude for their escort, Su Xiaoqi gifted each of them two cotton-padded coats, which delighted everyone.
They no longer felt tired from the extended journey.
As the guards departed, Yu Changfeng and Su Ze arrived.
Having not seen each other for several months, there was naturally a great deal of catching up to do.
While they were talking, Du Yiyi ran towards Su Xiaoqi.
Su Xiaoqi was startled; she was pregnant and couldn't afford any rough movements.
She could only hold her belly and turn sideways.
Fortunately, Du Yiyi was caught in mid-air by a man.
"Yiyi, why are you running so carelessly? Didn't you see the Princess is pregnant?" Xiao Qing said with a chiding tone.
Seeing their intimate interaction, Su Xiaoqi thought they must be together now.
And observing Xiao Qing's gaze, which seemed to be solely focused on Du Yiyi, she knew this man had fallen for Du Yiyi.
She was deeply happy for her sister.
She proactively extended her hand to Du Yiyi and gave her a gentle hug.
Du Yiyi looked at Su Xiaoqi's visibly rounded belly and dared not touch her.
She remained stiff, allowing herself to be hugged.
Then, she stared blankly at Su Xiaoqi for a long time before stammering, "Sister Xiaoqi, you, you have a baby."
Su Xiaoqi took her hand and gently placed it on her abdomen.
At that moment, the baby inside kicked her lightly.
"Ah…" Su Xiaoqi gasped.
Du Yiyi was completely stunned.
Her palm seemed to still retain that electric sensation.
"Hiss"—how to describe this feeling? It was indescribable.
It felt as if she had sensed another life hidden in Sister Xiaoqi's womb.
Shock, excitement, exhilaration, trembling…
A mixture of various emotions, ineffable yet profoundly mysterious and captivating.
After touching, she silently extended her hand, wanting to touch again.
This time, however, no one kicked her hand.
So, she simply rested her hand on Su Xiaoqi's lower abdomen, quietly feeling the life within.
Su Xiaoqi chuckled at Du Yiyi's stiff fingers and cautious demeanor.
"You don't need to be so careful; he is very strong. He hasn't fussed at all during the entire journey from North Chu to here."
He never made her uncomfortable, truly a very well-behaved child.
Du Yiyi then gently caressed her belly and whispered, "You are so good. Grow up quickly, and your auntie will wait for you to play together."
As if hearing her, the little life kicked her again, forcefully.
Through her clothes and belly, Du Yiyi was once again startled, almost letting out a scream.
But fearing she might frighten Su Xiaoqi, she quickly covered her mouth, her face a mixture of shock and delight.
Seeing them having such fun, Shen Yun couldn't bear it any longer. He stepped forward, hugged Su Xiaoqi, and gently placed his hands on her abdomen from behind, saying with a hint of jealousy, "The baby hasn't kicked me at all."
Su Xiaoqi chuckled and softly comforted him, "Then when he comes out, you can just spank his bottom a few times."
"That won't do; I couldn't bear it," Shen Yun felt no comfort, only more jealousy.
The group picked up Su Xiaoqi and Shen Yun and headed straight for the Duke of Yu's manor.
After escorting her to the manor, Shen Yun had to go to the palace.
Meanwhile, Madam Zhao and Shen Mingzhu had also arrived at the Duke of Yu's manor, taking over the task of caring for Su Xiaoqi and urging him to go to the palace quickly.
Su Xiaoqi had evidently become a person of great importance and was under heavy protection.
She was surrounded by multiple layers of guards. If Su Xiaoqi hadn't objected, the Old Madam would have ordered Yu Changfeng to carry her in a sedan chair.
Everyone gathered in the Old Madam's courtyard to listen as Su Xiaoqi recounted her experiences during the journey.
Everyone listened intently.
They were surprised to learn how perilous the journey had been.
At the same time, some praised Shen Yun for his timely intervention.
They were impressed that he had immediately detected the suspicious circumstances and pursued them.
Yu Changfeng was very angry with Chu Yunwei, feeling that he had completely betrayed his trust.
He was so enraged that he had been thinking of following Shen Yun to North Chu and eliminating him.
Shen Yun, worried that Yu Changfeng might actually kill someone, had sent people to persuade him to return.
Otherwise, he might have indeed acted against Chu Yunwei.
"There's no need for that. He is now imprisoned, just like Prince Ping," Su Xiaoqi explained with a smile.
Chu Yunwei was not entirely irredeemable.
At least, although he harbored ambitions for the throne, he had not resorted to taking lives.
His only mistake was daring to set his sights on her!
Yu Changfeng chimed in:
"Prince Ping, he is no longer as fortunate.
You don't know, but after you left, he had been secretly contacting the Western Frontier Army, trying to instigate them to mutiny and attack the capital.
Fortunately, the Emperor had anticipated this and sent Su Ze to the Western Frontier to suppress them all."
Su Xiaoqi was astonished. When she had seen Su Ze earlier, he had grown a bit taller, and his skin was still tanned dark and red, just like before.
His eyes were sharp and bright, and on the surface, he seemed unchanged.
This made her believe that he was merely undertaking a very ordinary mission in the Western Frontier.
She hadn't expected him to be involved in quelling a rebellion.
It could be considered a dangerous undertaking.
He appeared so calm. Su Xiaoqi felt a pang of sympathy for him.
In fact, if it were just for himself, he wouldn't have pushed himself so hard.
She presumed it was for the future prospects of his younger siblings.
"Is Prince Ping still alive?" Su Xiaoqi asked.
Everyone shook their heads, saying he was dead, having died of illness.
"Died of illness?" Su Xiaoqi uttered, then seemed to understand something.
She gave a meaningful "Oh," and a knowing smile played on her lips.
When someone wants to get rid of another person, there are truly many ways to achieve it.
Dying of illness, an accidental death…
In any case, Prince Ping was now a thing of the past.
Su Xiaoqi sighed, lamenting that although her absence of several months had brought her rich experiences in North Chu, she had missed out on a lot of the excitement in the capital of Daliang.
As she was regretting this, Du Yiyi brought up another piece of exciting news.