Chapter 114: Acceptance

Chapter 114

Acceptance

At dawn, Song Qilin was the first to wake. The room was filled only with the rhythmic breathing of his wife and their triplets. Pale light filtered through the curtains. He turned to look at his young wife in his arms, her soft fragrance and smooth skin making it hard for him to pull away. The thought of leaving today filled him with sadness.

The three children were sprawled in different directions. Last night, he had to constantly wake to adjust their blankets and positions, ensuring they didn’t roll onto each other. Xiao Hua Hua, as cute as a little doll, was the most restless, rolling over her brothers to snuggle against their mother, while Bei Bei and Bao Bao kicked at each other all night. When the kids cried and wet their diapers, Song Qilin had gently pressed his wife to continue sleeping and changed them himself. It was a shame—he had become so adept at it, but now he wouldn’t be able to stay and take care of them much longer.

He gently kissed Shuang Shuang’s forehead before sitting up, trying his best not to wake her, but she stirred anyway. She sat up, rubbing her sleepy eyes, her long hair falling messily around her shoulders, her cheeks adorably flushed pink.

"Qilin...aren’t you going to sleep a bit longer? It’s still so early,"

She whispered, her voice slightly hoarse and charming, a tone that stirred his heart.

One by one, their little ones woke up. Xiao Hua Hua slowly opened her eyes and, upon seeing her mother beside her, smiled brightly, reaching out joyfully. Bei Bei and Bao Bao woke up, babbling to each other. The quiet morning suddenly became lively.

Hearing the commotion, Xiao San called out from outside the room,

"General, Young Furen, should we bring the young masters and young miss for their bath now?"

The General responded affirmatively, and soon the three children were carried out. Once alone, Song Qilin pulled his wife into his embrace.

"It’s still so early, let’s go back to sleep..."

He teased, using her own words. Nie Shuang knew exactly what he meant and pinched his waist.

"You fool! All you ever think about is that!"

Song Qilin feigned a pained groan, causing Shuang Shuang to soften and let go. He had held back since last night—how could he let her slip away now? Before she could get off his lap, he pulled her back down onto the bed, fulfilling his desires until she was left utterly exhausted by the morning.

They bathed together, their touches filled with longing. Nie Shuang tenderly dried his hair, helped him dress, and did his hair. Throughout, his gaze never left her. Once he was dressed, he went to play with their children, leaving Xiao San and Xiao Tong to assist Nie Shuang in getting ready. Soon, she and the children would accompany him to send him off. The thought saddened her deeply.

After breakfast, they all boarded the carriage. The Hou and Elder Furen also came to send off their son. It seemed they had no intention of returning to the capital anytime soon, as long as their grandchildren were here. Since their mansion was adjacent, they visited the little ones every day. In truth, it wasn’t that Nie Shuang hadn’t invited them to stay with her, but the Hou and Xu Shi felt too ashamed of their past behavior. Additionally, staying in a house bought by their daughter-in-law with her own earnings seemed too much like taking advantage of her, when in fact, it should have been the husband’s family providing the residence.

As usual, Kang Wang was waiting by the city gates. He ordered his carriage to follow behind and he himself climbed into the carriage with the family, as if it were routine. Upon seeing him, Xiao Hua Hua smiled and babbled a greeting, while Bao Bao squinted his eyes suspiciously. The last time they met, Kang Wang had playfully hugged him and his beautiful aunt tightly. Noticing the little one’s wary gaze, Kang Wang secretly smirked, amused. Da Ge was quite observant, even at such a young age—already developing a liking for beautiful women. Fortunately, he was still a child; otherwise, he’d be a formidable rival!

"Children, greet Kang Wang properly,"

This time, when Song Qilin instructed, the triplets obeyed, though still clumsy in their movements, which made their father feel a bit proud.

"My teaching wasn’t in vain."

Song Qilin patted the heads of the three children with satisfaction. Kang Wang picked up Xiao Hua Hua, placing her on his lap, gently patting her small head with its cute little topknot.

"Shuang Shuang, it won’t be long until the children turn one, right?"

Kang Wang asked. Upon hearing this, Song Qilin’s expression dimmed. He likely wouldn’t be able to attend their first birthday celebration. By the time he saw them again, who knew if they’d already be walking and talking? His fatherly heart ached, and beneath his sleeve, his large hand clenched into a tight fist. He was determined to win the upcoming battles quickly so he could return to them.

"Why do you ask, Your Highness? Have you already prepared a gift for your goddaughter?"

Nie Shuang teased lightly. Kang Wang chuckled softly and leaned down to kiss the little girl’s cheek. Xiao Hua Hua giggled as his whiskers tickled her, her laughter making her eyes squint, cheeks flushed like peaches. Her delicate features clearly indicated she would grow into a beautiful lady.

"Of course. I’ve already prepared a precious gift for my goddaughter,"

Kang Wang looked up and replied with a smile. Xiao Hua Hua glanced up with her bright eyes, looking so innocent. Suddenly, Kang Wang thought of someone—if he and she had a daughter as beautiful as this, it would have been wonderful. But today, she wasn’t here. She was surely avoiding him on purpose.

They continued chatting softly until they had traveled some distance beyond the city. Song Qilin raised the window curtain, knocked on the carriage wall, and the carriage slowly came to a stop. He turned to his wife and said,

"This is as far as you should go. You...hurry and take the children back to rest."

Nie Shuang felt a pang in her heart, looking silently at her husband. Knowing they needed a moment alone, Kang Wang stepped out of the carriage first.

"Qilin, please take care of yourself. The children and I will be waiting for you,"

Nie Shuang said, her voice trembling. She had always been strong, but at this moment, she felt an overwhelming urge to cry.

"Mm...I will,"

His deep voice replied. His large hand gently cupped her face as he leaned down to give her a deep, lingering kiss. When they finally parted, they gazed into each other’s eyes lovingly, and Nie Shuang’s tears fell. The General wiped her tears away with his knuckle.

"Don’t cry. I’ll come back as soon as I can."

The two exchanged soft words of love, embracing and kissing once more. When they finally turned to look, they were met with three pairs of innocent eyes staring at them intently, causing them to feel a bit embarrassed.

"What are you kids staring at?! It’s not strange for a father and mother to love each other!"

He mumbled, trying to mask his embarrassment. Da Ge furrowed his brows slightly, internally weighing whether or not he should share his mother with this person. Up until now, he had done a decent job, forming a close bond with Bao Bao and his younger siblings. Considering how well the servant had taken care of them, the boy decided to let it slide this time.

As they dismounted from the carriage, Bao Bao couldn’t help but feel a sense of déjà vu. The long road and the surrounding forests were all too familiar. Wasn’t this the same place ’he’ had left last time? And then disappeared for so long? Bao Bao looked up at his father, who was carrying him, frowning and gripping his father’s shirt tightly.

Song Qilin held his son close, gently rocking him as he spoke softly,

"Bao Bao... my strong little Bao Bao. I have to go now. I need you to help look after your mother and siblings."

Bao Bao didn’t like this at all. His father was talking like this because he was about to leave, right? The little boy’s lips pouted, his small chin jutting out as big tears welled up in his eyes. As soon as Song Qilin loosened his embrace to hand Bao Bao over to the wet nurse, Da Ge burst into tears.

The man held him tightly, rocking him gently while his deep voice quivered slightly,

"Bao Bao, don’t cry...I’ll be back soon. You’re the big brother. Remember what I taught you—no teasing your siblings, okay?"

But Bao Bao was heartbroken. He hadn’t teased anyone this time—why did his father still have to leave? He was willing to accept this servant as his father, so why was he going away again? Since he couldn’t speak yet, his cries grew louder, and his small hands clung to his father like a gecko’s. Nie Shuang had to take Bao Bao into her arms, and upon seeing their eldest grandson cry, the Hou and Xu Shi felt a pang of pity and quickly gathered around to comfort him. Meanwhile, Song Qilin picked up Bei Bei and Xiao Hua Hua, hugging them before handing them back to the wet nurses.

Once all the farewells were said, Nie Shuang spoke softly to her husband,

"You should go now, or you’ll be delayed and end up traveling after dark. And don’t overwork yourself again—make sure to rest."She continued to give him several reminders, while her husband could only gaze at her, nodding with a heavy heart. After bidding farewell to everyone with a formal bow, he mounted his horse and rode off.