Chapter 485: Extra 3: Weichi X Hua Chang - Cries Like Lin Daiyu

Chapter 485: Chapter 484: Extra 3: Weichi X Hua Chang – Cries Like Lin Daiyu

After Emperor Wu Su returned to Lin’an from the Northern Border, Wei Chi Lianping stood guard at the southern border for another six months before coming home.

The moment he stepped through the main gates of the Princess Mansion, the heart of the Great General, so long away at war, was finally at ease.

Though the magnificent mansion seemed to lack warmth, it was home to him, for his beloved was inside.

Wei Chi Lianping rushed inside, his face alight with excitement.

He stopped short at the entrance to the main hall, even taking a moment to check his reflection in the large water basin under the covered walkway.

‘Not bad.’

‘A bit more weather-beaten, perhaps, but still as handsome as ever.’

Princess Hua Chang was seated on a chaise lounge, sipping Longjing tea—brewed with morning dew—from a newly fired Sky Blue Porcelain Cup.

The door was pushed open, and an acrid cloud of dust and sand billowed in.

Princess Hua Chang frowned, handing the teacup to a maid at her side.

Wei Chi Lianping stepped inside but stopped just at the doorway, rooted to the spot. He stared at her, his eyes so bright they were like two blazing searchlights in the room.

Despite her icy composure, Princess Hua Chang could feel a flush creep up her face under his intense gaze.

She said calmly, “All of you, leave us.”

But Wei Chi Lianping was still standing there like a statue, blocking the exit. When the maids reached the door, they couldn’t get past him.

It was his first day back, so Princess Hua Chang’s patience was still in plentiful supply.

“Step aside,” she said.

Hearing her voice, which sounded like heavenly music to him, Wei Chi Lianping obediently stepped aside. He then strode toward her.

Princess Hua Chang pointed to a crude wooden chair opposite her. “Go sit over there.”

The chair was jarringly out of place with the room’s other furnishings; it had obviously been brought in just for the occasion.

Wei Chi Lianping frowned. “I just arrived, and you’re already giving me the cold shoulder?”

As he spoke, little puffs of dust fell from his clothes.

Princess Hua Chang covered her nose and mouth with a handkerchief. “If you don’t want the cold shoulder,” she said icily, “I can offer a warm slap instead. Would you prefer that?”

Gazing at the ethereal beauty before him, Wei Chi Lianping knew she was once again disgusted by his filth. He licked his dry lips, sat down, and spread his legs wide in an imposing, unceremonious posture.

Princess Hua Chang said, “Go take a bath first. Then…”

Wei Chi Lianping cut in, “…then you’ll get close to me?”

“Then you will go see Tingnan,” Princess Hua Chang said.

Wei Chi Lianping asked blankly, “See who?”

Princess Hua Chang couldn’t help but snap, “Your son!”

Wei Chi Lianping stared, dumbfounded. He glanced at her flat stomach and said, “A son? When did you give birth? How did I not know?”

“What good would it have done for you to know?” Princess Hua Chang retorted.

Wei Chi Lianping shot to his feet and, before the Eldest Princess could react, swept her into his arms.

He had already removed his armor, but his solid frame still dug into her painfully. He didn’t have the stench of sweat she had been expecting, only the smell of dust.

Princess Hua Chang pushed against him with all her might, but he was like a thick, earthen wall; completely immovable.

“I bathed every two days on the border,” Wei Chi Lianping said, his voice suddenly plaintive. “If there was no water, I’d wash in the river. The other generals all laughed at me for being so fussy.”

The sharp retort on the tip of Princess Hua Chang’s tongue went unsaid.

Wei Chi Lianping continued, “I counted the days on my fingers and toes. By my calculations, you weren’t supposed to give birth for another thirteen days.”

The push of her hands against his arms softened. “The baby came a month early,” she said gently. “But he’s fine.”

Wei Chi Lianping grabbed her hand. His rough palm, calloused like sandpaper, chafed her wrist as he took her hand and slapped it against his own face.

“It’s all my fault.”

The slap did nothing to his leathery cheek, but her palm was left red and stinging.

Princess Hua Chang tried to pull her hand back, but he held it fast, pressing it against his cheek.

“You truly are the Eldest Princess,” Wei Chi Lianping said. “You handle everything perfectly. Thank you, Tianhua.”

A small smile touched the corners of Princess Hua Chang’s lips.

“It’s just… our son’s name,” Wei Chi Lianping added.

He mulled it over. “Wei Chi Tingnan… it sounds so feeble. I don’t like it.”

The smile vanished from Princess Hua Chang’s lips. “And what name do you think is better?” she asked, her voice turning to ice.

Wei Chi Lianping racked his brain. “How about Wei Chi Tianyi? Or Wei Chi Zhiqiang, Wei Chi Feihu, Wei Chi Pengfei…”

“Then let’s just call him Zhao Tingnan! *I* think it sounds perfectly lovely!” Princess Hua Chang shot him a glare.

Wei Chi Lianping knew he’d angered her and quickly forced an appeasing smile. “The name isn’t important! I’ll train him in martial arts from a young age. A true man makes his name through his own strength.”

But the Prince Consort had overestimated his own teaching abilities and underestimated Little Tingnan’s fragility.

‘How did he end up with a son who cried like a tragic heroine?!’

‘And whenever Princess Chen Zhao from the palace visited, Little Tingnan’s inner coward and sycophant were on full display.’

‘Wei Chi Lianping could only fume in silence and pin all his hopes on their second child.’