You Yuji’s unspoken words were profoundly felt by Si Que in an instant.
You Yuji was not a delicate girl who relied on others. Her occasional coquettishness towards Si Que was merely a rare display of affection. As Si Que gazed at You Yuji’s furrowed brows, he felt an unprecedented sense of being needed. He had lived a lonely life, despised and avoided, but never needed by anyone.
Si Que tightly held You Yuji’s sweat-covered hand, feeling a pang of regret. He had always thought she was strong and self-reliant, and in his haste to seize power, he had neglected to accompany her. If he could turn back time, he would rather spend more time with her than rush to plot other matters.
He held You Yuji’s hands with both of his, brought them to his lips, and kissed them. Smiling, he made a gentle vow, “Yuan Yan, Queshu will never leave again.”
From that day on, he never allowed himself to be away from You Yuji for even half a day.
As the twelfth lunar month began, Madam You woke up less frequently. Today, Jiang Chun also came to keep her company, just as You Yuji had stayed with her during Jiang’s childbirth. She even brought along a skilled doctor, waiting for the baby to be born and collect the umbilical cord blood for medication, according to the prescription of Imperial Physician Hu.
You Heng and You Jiamu waited outside, asking the maids about the situation inside several times. Sitting under the eaves, You Jiamu tugged at You Heng’s clothes and asked, “Brother Yuanyi, is sister in any danger?”
It was said that one in ten women died in childbirth, a considerable risk. Unable to tell You Jiamu the harsh truth, You Heng only said, “Your sister is in good health.”
“Mm.” You Jiamu nodded.
You Heng patted You Jiamu on the shoulder and said, “Jiamu is almost thirteen. In another three to five years, when you marry a wife, you must be a man who knows how to cherish her.”
Absentmindedly, You Jiamu nodded, his mind still on his sister.
Baishui, the cat, paced silently under the eaves. On such a day, it had been chased out to avoid causing trouble.
As night fell, fireworks began to light up the distant sky. Baishui stood under the eaves, watching the fireworks with a long, drawn-out meow.
Despite being born on the same day, the twins were separated by less than a moment at the turn of New Year’s Eve, making the brother a year older than the sister.
You Yuji’s eyelashes fluttered as she opened her eyes to see Si Que’s dark gaze.
Si Que leaned down and kissed her damp eyes.
“A new year has begun,” he said.
You Yuji, too weak to speak, softly replied in her heart, “This is our second time watching the New Year together.”
Si Que gently wiped the moisture from You Yuji’s temples with a handkerchief, whispering amidst the noise of fireworks outside the window, “From now on, we’ll welcome every New Year together.”
Outside, the sound of firecrackers was deafening. Too weak to hear Si Que’s words clearly, You Yuji only caught the words “together.” Hearing just those words was enough.
The continuous sound of firecrackers on New Year’s Eve seemed endless. Worried that the noise would frighten the newborn, Liu Momo hurried to cover the baby’s ears, only to find the little prince quiet and undisturbed.
Surprised, she suddenly heard a loud cry and quickly turned to the midwife holding another baby.
You Yuji, resting against Si Que’s arm while drinking water, looked up weakly and asked, “Which one is crying so fiercely?”
Lady Jing smiled and said, “The younger one!”
Liu Momo, worried about You Yuji’s concern, softly reassured her, “Don’t worry, it’s fine for babies to cry a bit. We need to clean them up and feed them. You should take care of yourself first.”
You Yuji stopped drinking water and asked the midwife to bring her crying daughter over. As soon as the little girl was in a different embrace, she cried even louder.
Looking down at her daughter on her lap, You Yuji saw a wrinkled baby with undeveloped features, making it impossible to tell who she resembled. Her little face was dominated by her wide-open mouth, crying incessantly.
After gently patting her for a while, You Yuji listened as her daughter’s cries turned a corner, then rose in volume for two more wails before gradually lowering to soft whimpers.
Finally, the baby stopped crying, and a smile touched You Yuji’s face. She carefully touched her daughter’s face with her fingertip and then looked at Si Que, only to find that Si Que had been watching her the entire time, not the baby.
“Are you still thirsty?” Si Que asked.
You Yuji shook her head with a smile, prompting Si Que to set the wooden cup aside and join You Yuji in gazing at their daughter.
The baby’s crying inside the house immediately delighted You Heng and You Jiamu, who had been waiting all day. They eagerly watched the door, hoping the nurse would bring the babies out soon. After a long wait, the two nurses finally brought the cleaned babies out for them to see.
Even after the nurses took the babies away to feed them, You Heng and You Jiamu were still excitedly discussing.
“I like the one wrapped in the purple blanket!” You Jiamu said with bright eyes, “This nephew is awake, looks strong!”
Zhenxu, standing nearby, shook her head with a smile and explained, “That’s your niece.”
“What, the one I just held is a niece?” You Jiamu’s eyes widened, “The one who’s been sleeping is my nephew?”
Zhenxu nodded with a smile.
You Jiamu knocked on the back of his head.
Lady Jing spoke up, “Madam said today is New Year’s Eve. You don’t need to wait here any longer. She can’t leave the house to join you for the New Year’s dinner, so you should go and enjoy yourselves.”
Upon hearing this, the people who had been waiting outside all day realized they were indeed hungry. Just as they were about to turn and leave, the inner room’s door opened again.
Seeing Si Que walk out, You Heng frowned, remembering the letters You Yuji had sent him from the army, showing a bit of hesitation. You Jiamu glanced at his brother Yuanyi, then looked at Si Que, wanting to speak but holding back.
As Si Que approached, You Heng hadn’t yet spoken. Si Que introduced himself first, “Si Que.”
Clearly, he didn’t want to be mistaken for that fool Si Lang.
You Jiamu frowned, still confused. You Heng thought about the letters You Yuji had written and gradually understood.
Si Que invited You Heng for a private conversation.
After a moment of silence, You Heng spoke in a deep voice, “At this time, shouldn’t you be with Yuan Yuan?”
“She’s asleep,” Si Que replied, “I’ll be back before she wakes up.”
On New Year’s Eve, the study in the You family mansion was lit. This was the study used by You Yuji’s father when he was alive, with the words “Integrity” written on the wall.
You Jiamu paced back and forth in the courtyard, occasionally glancing at the study. After a long while, the study door opened, and Si Que walked out. You Jiamu immediately stopped, staring intently at Si Que as he approached.
You Jiamu’s gaze was intense, filled with a dangerous message, like a young leopard in the jungle watching its prey.
Si Que stopped and looked at him, “What do you want to say?”
You Jiamu had grown taller, almost catching up to You Heng. His face was pale as if he was strongly suppressing something. After holding back for a long time, he finally spoke, “Before, sister mentioned you to me and referred to you as a true brother-in-law.”
Si Que lifted his eyes, looking in the direction of You Yuji’s room through the fireworks in the sky.
“But you are not my brother-in-law. Not only will I not acknowledge it, but no one else will either.”
Si Que’s gaze returned to You Jiamu’s face.
Though still a youth, he was no longer a child. He spoke solemnly, “You should give my sister everything she deserves.”
Si Que pondered for a moment, realizing that this was his brother-in-law urging him to marry.
“I will,” Si Que replied with these two words, then hurriedly walked back. By this time, You Yuji was about to wake up.
You Jiamu stood in place, frowning as he watched Si Que’s departing figure.
“Jiamu,” You Heng called from the doorway.
You Jiamu turned around and saw the words “Integrity” written by his father hanging on the wall behind his brother Yuanyi. The teachings of integrity from his childhood had been shaken by recent events. Jiamu deeply respected his father’s and sister’s grace and had always aspired to it. Yet now, he would rather use any means, no matter how base, than be trampled by others.
Si Que returned to the room, filled with the scent of blood. Childbirth required warmth, and in the winter, the room was heated with roaring charcoal fires, making the bloody smell thick and cloying. Si Que quietly approached the bed, gently parting the heavy bed curtains, and seeing You Yuji still asleep, he sighed in relief.
Zhenxu lightly knocked on the door and brought in a meal.
Si Que took the tray, not allowing Zhenxu to enter. Just as he placed the food down, the sound of rustling from the bed indicated that You Yuji had woken up.
He carried a bowl of congee and a few of You Yuji’s favorite small dishes to the bed.
“You’re here,” You Yuji’s voice was soft.
Si Que paused for a moment, spoon in hand, then smiled and said, “Of course.” He helped You Yuji sit up and personally fed her.
“Have you eaten?” You Yuji asked gently.
Si Que responded with a vague “hmm,” dismissively, while feeding You Yuji and asking if there was anything specific she wanted to eat.
“You’ve been here all day; you don’t have to do everything yourself,” You Yuji said, her voice still weak and soft.
“It’s rare to see you so delicate; it’s quite enjoyable to take care of you.”
Whatever You Yuji wanted to say was interrupted by the spoonful of egg yolk Si Que fed her. As she ate, she thought about the time she was poisoned with the soft paralysis powder and how Si Que had taken care of her then. She was even weaker at that time, hardly fitting Si Que’s description of rare delicacy.
After feeding You Yuji, Si Que called for a maid to bring warm water and personally gave You Yuji a simple wipe-down. As she changed into clean clothes, You Yuji leaned her head against his shoulder and fell asleep.
Si Que cleaned his hands and returned to the bedside, watching You Yuji’s sleeping face. He felt as if he had forgotten something. After a busy and anxious day, Si Que was also tired. He didn’t want to rest elsewhere, preferring to stay close to You Yuji. Just as he was about to lie down, he remembered what he had forgotten.
He quietly left the room and went next door.
The nursemaids had just finished feeding the twins and were tidying their clothes. Si Que walked to the bedside and looked down at his sleeping son and daughter.
He stood silently, not moving for a long time, causing the nursemaids to exchange puzzled glances.
To this day, Si Que still harbored mixed feelings about having twins. He only wanted one child, to give everything to that one child.
Two, how could there be two?
This unlikely surprise fell upon him. If it were anyone else, they would undoubtedly be overjoyed, but he felt a trace of resistance in his heart.
Are there truly any completely fair parents in this world?
No, there aren’t.
He slowly sat down by the bed, looking at his two children and falling into deep thought.
He felt he couldn’t do it.
Soon, the younger one started whimpering, hungry and needing milk. Only then did Si Que rise to leave. The colorful moonlight stained by fireworks fell under his feet as he suddenly stopped and looked up at the night sky.
He belatedly realized he was no longer the solitary man who flipped coins to decide others’ fates, caring little for his own life or death. He now had a wife and children, responsibilities, and attachments.
Well, not quite yet. His brother-in-law had just hinted at urging the wedding ceremony.
It would be soon.
Si Que quickly returned to You Yuji’s room, quietly lying down beside her and gently holding her.
In the following month, You Yuji recuperated peacefully. Besides taking care of the twins, she either ate or slept. Even when she wanted to go out for a walk, Si Que wouldn’t allow it.
Si Que, unusually stern, said, “They all say you can’t do this or that during the confinement period.”
“Who says?” You Yuji asked with a smile.
Si Que didn’t answer, just held her shoulders and gently pulled her to lie down. They lay on the bed, turning their faces to look at each other.
“Sister,” he called softly, then moved closer to rub his forehead against her shoulder.
You Yuji was taken aback. Since giving birth, she had been taken care of by Si Que, hardly doing anything herself, including eating and dressing. It had been a while since she heard him call her that or saw him show such reliance.
She immediately wondered if he was too exhausted lately.
“What’s wrong?” You Yuji turned around, placing her palm against Si Que’s cheek, her fingertips lightly touching under his eyes.
When he called her sister, she instantly became the gentle, indulgent, and tolerant sister again. Si Que leaned against her shoulder, closing his eyes, slowly curling his lips into a comfortable, contented smile.
He loved his Yuan Yuan, and he loved his sister too.