Remarried to a top-tier playboy, her reborn ex-husband is filled with regret.

Xiao Fang looked at her, then looked down at his own hands.

He didn't laugh, but simply covered it with his other hand.

He placed his two hands on her abdomen, his palms slowly tightening and then carefully loosening.

"When did this happen?" he asked.

"You found out before you left," Yun Shuyao said. "It's been over a month."

Xiao Fang didn't say anything more.

He gently pulled her into his arms, resting his chin on the top of her head, his arms tightening inch by inch.

It wasn't the kind of desperate embrace, but rather a feeling of someone clutching at their only lifeline, afraid that if they loosened their grip even slightly, their family would fall apart again.

"I understand," he said, his voice muffled in her hair.

"I will protect you, and I will protect him."

He spoke softly, yet solemnly.

Yun Shuyao reached out and wrapped her arms around his waist, burying her face in his chest.

"it is good."

Xiao Fang changed out of his inner clothes, lay down on the bed, and fell asleep almost as soon as his head hit the pillow.

He didn't get a full night's sleep the entire way.

From the day we pursued the Northern Hu, through the forced march, repeated battles, and the return south to mourn, I was like a bowstring stretched to its limit.

Now that he had returned to the manor and seen Yun Shuyao, the strength he had been holding onto finally dissipated, and his body completely collapsed.

He was sleeping soundly, his breathing heavy and long.

His brows were furrowed tightly, as if he were still holding a knife even in his dream.

Yun Shuyao sat on the edge of the bed, not in a hurry to leave.

She had someone bring warm water and used a handkerchief to gently wipe away the sand and blood from his face.

He had a fresh wound on his brow bone, which had already scabbed over.

Yun Shuyao took out the wound medicine and gently applied it to his wound with her fingertips.

He seemed to sense something, his brows furrowed even more, and a mumbled murmur escaped his throat.

Yun Shuyao leaned closer to listen, but still couldn't hear clearly.

She gently patted his hand outside the blanket and whispered.

"I'm here. You can go to sleep."

Xiao Fang's breathing gradually calmed down.

Yun Shuyao sat by the bedside, watching over him.

Dusk was deepening outside the window.

The white curtains swayed gently in the wind, as if the entire palace was keeping her company, waiting for her to get a good night's sleep.

The mourning hall was set up in the courtyard in front of the main hall of the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion.

The white curtains hung from the main entrance all the way down to the porch, swaying in the morning breeze.

The sky was not yet fully bright, and the eastern sky was just beginning to lighten with a layer of crab-shell blue.

Xiao Fang and Yun Shuyao had already knelt before the spirit tablet.

He changed into heavy mourning clothes, his face so thin that the contours were hardened, and he knelt on the prayer mat, throwing paper money into the brazier one by one.

Yun Shuyao knelt beside him, also dressed in plain clothes, with only a white velvet flower in her hair.

The firelight in the brazier flickered, casting intermittent light and shadow on the two people's faces.

Xiao Fang turned his head away, his voice a little hoarse.

"Get up. A pregnant woman should not kneel for long."

Yun Shuyao didn't move.

"How can a daughter-in-law not kneel before her father-in-law's coffin? I'll only kneel for a short while, it won't hurt."

Knowing he couldn't persuade her, Xiao Fang gave Mingrui a wink.

Before long, Mingrui brought over a very thick soft cushion and quietly placed it under Yun Shuyao's knees.

Yun Shuyao glanced at Xiao Fang, said nothing, and simply moved the cushion closer to him.

Xiao Fang held her hand down, preventing her from moving.

Yun Shuyao said softly.

"Make me kneel down. Nobody knows I'm pregnant, and they'll say our Xiao family's daughter-in-law doesn't know proper etiquette."

We can't explain it to every single customer.

Xiao Fang remained silent for a moment before speaking.

"Then in a little while, you go and prepare the food. Tell them I'm hungry, and you must personally oversee the preparation."

Yun Shuyao understood immediately.

He nodded, either to save face or to save face.

"it is good."

As dawn broke, the mourners arrived.

The announcer at the entrance had a clear voice, calling out one call after another almost without stopping.

"The Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel has arrived—"

"The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review has arrived!"

"The Commander-in-Chief of the Beijing Garrison has arrived!"

"The Right Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate has arrived—"

The visitors were all dressed in plain clothes and had solemn expressions. They offered incense in the front yard and then went to Xiao Fang and Yun Shuyao to offer a few words of comfort.

"The Loyal and Brave King guarded the border for thirty years and was a pillar of the Liang Dynasty. He will live on forever."

"The prince dedicated his entire life to defending the country, and now he has died on the battlefield, which is truly heartbreaking for us."

Xiao Fang didn't speak, but nodded slightly as a way of thanking him.

Yun Shuyao returned the greeting from the side.

When the sun was fully up, Yun Shuyao got up and went to the kitchen.

Xiao Fang deliberately spoke loudly, telling her to arrange the meals, and no one thought much of it.

A short while later, a commotion suddenly arose outside the door.

Someone whispered.

"The Crown Prince himself has arrived!"

Xiao Fang looked up and saw a carriage parked outside the gate.

The guard opened the car door and pushed down the wooden wheelchair.

Long Yuanqi sat in a wheelchair, being pushed by the Crown Princess herself, and slowly entered the gate of the Prince's Mansion.

Xiao Fang quickly got up to greet him.

"Your Highness, what brings you here?"

Long Yuanqi's face was deathly pale, but a gentle smile still lingered on his lips.

"I've come to deliver the imperial decree."

His voice was very soft, like a dying ember, but his tone was extremely steady.

"This decree should have been delivered by someone else."

But I think, since this concerns your father, I should come myself.”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Fang said nothing more, but took two steps back and knelt down solemnly.

All the officials in the courtyard knelt down.

Long Yuanqi took out the imperial edict from his sleeve and slowly unfolded it.

He spoke slowly, but clearly and calmly.

"By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:"

Prince Long Yun, the Pillar of the State, was a loyal and courageous minister.

For over thirty years, he guarded the northern border, ensuring the peace and tranquility of our Great Liang. His contributions to the nation and the well-being of all its people are immense.

He is now posthumously granted the title of Prince Zhongyong, enjoying the rank of Prince.

The title of nobility, beginning with Xiao Fang, shall be hereditary and perpetual. So be it.

The courtyard fell silent for a moment after the words "hereditary succession without alteration" were uttered.

Although the officials did not show any outward expression, their eyes and brows were constantly exchanging glances.

In the Great Liang Dynasty, this was the first time a prince of a different surname had received a hereditary title of Prince.

This is an immense blessing.

This is also a huge signal.

However, some shrewd people felt a slight unease in their hearts.

The emperor removed the words "Zhenbei" and instead bestowed upon him the title "Zhongyong".

Does that mean that the future commander of the Zhenbei Army will be reassigned?

Xiao Fang did not hesitate for long and kowtowed to express his gratitude.

"Your subject Xiao Fang receives the imperial decree and expresses his gratitude."

He stood up and, seeing that Yun Shuyao had returned, reached out his hand to her.

Yun Shuyao walked to his side and gently placed her hand in his palm.

Xiao Fang turned to Long Yuanqi, his voice neither too loud nor too soft.

"Your Highness, my queen is pregnant."

The courtyard suddenly fell silent.

The court officials who hadn't left all instinctively turned to look over.

Some were surprised, some were delighted, and some had a complex look in their eyes.

Xiao Fang didn't explain much, but simply took Yun Shuyao's hand and bowed slightly to Long Yuanqi.

"Although my father is no longer here, my Xiao family will finally have an heir again."

Long Yuanqi was taken aback, then smiled.

When he smiled, his face still showed signs of illness, yet it was extremely gentle.

"Good. That's a good thing."

He nodded gently, a genuine joy appearing in his eyes.

"When I return to the palace, I will tell my father in person."

Father will be pleased to know.

Xiao Fang nodded.

"Thank you for your trouble, Your Highness."

Long Yuanqi smiled without saying a word.

Xiao felt as if he had been pricked by a fine needle; it was very light, but he couldn't avoid it.

He understood that the Crown Prince had comprehended the message.

He's deliberately exposing his weakness.

No one forced him, and he didn't blame anyone.

It was just to reassure the father and son.

He has no ulterior motives and doesn't need to be treated like a thief.

His child will be raised in Kyoto.

As long as the mother and child are safe, Xiao will let them do as they please.

Xiao Fang didn't feel humiliated, just a little heartbroken.

He suddenly realized that his father probably felt the same way when he left him in the capital as a hostage.

But it's okay.

He had no intention of rebelling, so this weakness wasn't as painful to expose.

This has been true of emperors throughout history. It's not that the emperor is harsh; it's just that the position itself cannot tolerate the slightest mistake.

He understands.

Long Yuanqi did not linger.

He coughed for a while, covering his face with his sleeve, before speaking again.

"I won't stay any longer."

If you need anything, just send someone to the Eastern Palace to deliver a message. I'll do anything I can for you.

Looking at his increasingly ashen face, Xiao Fang felt as if a stone was pressing on his heart.

"Your Highness, please take care of yourself."

Long Yuanqi smiled but didn't respond.

The Crown Princess nodded slightly to Xiao Fang and Yun Shuyao, then pushed open the gate of Long Yuanqi's residence.

Xiao Fang and Yun Shuyao escorted them all the way to the door.

After the carriage slowly drove away, the two returned to the coffin to continue keeping vigil.