After The Soft And Cute Beauty Marries The Wolf King - Chapter 48

“Before, I couldn’t quite imagine it from Zhifeng’s description, but seeing it in person now, I realize it’s really not much different from where we are,” Xie Zhiming said, standing at his brother’s doorstep, looking around. “I’ve never been to such a distant place, so I always had some inexplicable fantasy, thinking that everything here must be quite different from where we are. But now that I think about it, what difference could there be? It’s all about sunrise and sunset, three meals a day. How much can it really differ?”

 

Xie Zhiqing smiled and nodded, inviting his elder brother to come in and sit.

 

Lang Sa leaned against the doorframe and said, “You arrived suddenly and without preparation. I had someone tidy up a room in a hurry, but it still needs a bit more arrangement.”

 

“It’s no trouble. I should have planned better and not caused trouble for Wang Wang,” Xie Zhiming said.

 

Lang Sa shrugged and said nothing more. He gestured for Xie Zhiqing to go ahead and talk with his elder brother while he stepped aside.

 

After Lang Sa left, Xie Zhiqing also gave him a friendly nod.

 

However, Lang Sa turned back a few steps later.

 

“Ah, let me say one more thing,” Lang Sa stuck his head back into the room and said quietly to Xie Zhiqing, “I’ll have someone bring the medicine over shortly. I forgot this morning. Remember to take it.”

 

Xie Zhiqing had also forgotten about this matter and quickly nodded, saying, “Alright.”

 

“What medicine?” Xie Zhiming asked, turning to his brother.

 

“…” Xie Zhiqing lowered his head, blushing, and said, “The medicine prescribed by Imperial Physician Sun.”

 

Understanding, Xie Zhiming nodded and didn’t press further. He looked around the room and said, “No wonder it looks so familiar. The layout here is quite similar to your quarters.”

 

“It is similar,” Xie Zhiqing admitted shyly, his voice soft but his tone revealing the sweetness he couldn’t hide.

 

Xie Zhiming smiled warmly and said, “It’s quite nice.”

 

Unlike these two younger twin siblings, Xie Zhiming, being much older, wasn’t as concerned about matters of love and affection. He was more focused on whether his younger brother was adjusting well to life here.

 

Previously, Xie Zhifeng had visited and mentioned many details about his younger brother’s life with Wang Wang, but this particular detail was left out. Although Xie Zhiming didn’t say anything, he had noted it quietly in his heart.

 

Seeing it for himself now, he was finally reassured.

 

Xie Zhiming then thought, based on Zhifeng’s account, that if Wang Wang was very sincere towards his younger brother, then Wang Wang would have considered what Xie Zhiming could also think of.

 

The eldest prince chuckled inwardly, thinking that despite being nearly thirty, he still couldn’t remain calm when it came to matters involving his family.

 

Returning to his seat, Xie Zhiming began explaining his unexpected visit.

 

“When we received your letter, everyone was shocked,” Xie Zhiming said slowly. “We were all happy for you, but after the happiness, everyone was worried—pregnancy in men is so rare, and no one knows what to be cautious about.”

 

Xie Zhiqing replied, “Didn’t we already send an imperial physician and many supplies? I don’t lack gold, silver, or fabric here.”

 

Xie Zhiming smiled and said, “Knowing that you have everything, we didn’t know what more to do. Zhifeng and Zhiyue were eager to come see you, especially Zhifeng—she’s young and doesn’t understand much, so her fussing can be excused, but Zhifeng also joined in. You wouldn’t believe it, since seeing your letter, he’s been restless in the palace, wanting to run away every day.”

 

Xie Zhiqing didn’t believe it, “Elder Brother, don’t tease me!”

 

In his mind, Zhifeng was always so composed!

 

Xie Zhiming shook his head and said, “If you think I’m lying, just ask Zhifeng when you see him next.”

 

Xie Zhiqing covered his mouth and laughed.

 

“In short, everyone is eager to see you but also hesitant,” Xie Zhiming continued, “They want to see you but are afraid of causing trouble. When Zhifeng and the others came last time, you were busy taking care of things, and it was quite tiring for you. Now, given your special situation, we couldn’t let you be burdened with unnecessary tasks, so it was postponed. I calculated that it’s been about three months, so things should be more stable. I couldn’t wait any longer and came first.”

 

Xie Zhiming looked at his younger brother seriously and said, “I left in a hurry and didn’t notify you in advance. Seeing you suddenly today must have been quite a shock.”

 

Xie Zhiqing shook his head repeatedly, “Elder Brother, what are you saying? I’m extremely happy that you came to see me.”

 

He blinked, and despite just a few words, his eyes were already moist.

 

Xie Zhiming touched his eyes gently and said, “A grown man shouldn’t cry. Have you forgotten what I taught you?”

 

Xie Zhiqing wiped his tears away and said, “I haven’t forgotten. Xiao Qing remembers everything!”

 

Xie Zhiming smiled and said, “Good.”

 

They talked about other things, and Xie Zhiming called for Imperial Physician Sun to check on Xie Zhiqing’s health. After confirming that his younger brother was fine, he was reassured. He then shared some news about the Anyu Palace.

 

Finally, Xie Zhiming said, “Xiao Qing, there’s one more thing I hadn’t planned to tell you right now. But considering the distance between Anyu and the grasslands, there’s always a time delay with letters. After thinking it over, I decided to inform you today.”

 

His expression became serious, which made Xie Zhiqing anxious.

 

“What is it?” Xie Zhiqing asked.

 

“Father plans to abdicate,” Xie Zhiming said. “He’s discussing it with the ministers and intends to pass the throne to me this year, just waiting for an auspicious date.”

 

The old emperor had three sons and one daughter: one son was disabled, another was gentle, and the youngest daughter was still a minor. It was clear who would succeed the throne. The brothers had never competed for the position of crown prince, and now, hearing this news, Xie Zhiqing was only happy for his elder brother.

 

His eyes brightened as he whispered, “Congratulations, Elder Brother!”

 

Xie Zhiming patted his head and said, “From now on, Xiao Qing won’t be the third prince anymore. You’ll be called a prince.”

 

“Prince?” Xie Zhiqing chuckled, “How impressive!”

 

Xie Zhiming looked at him and laughed.

 

After a few more words, Xie Zhiming suddenly asked Xie Zhiqing to find a small room, saying he needed to change clothes.

 

“I hurried on the road and didn’t have time to change clothes,” Xie Zhiming called over his soldiers and opened his small bundle, taking out a new set of clothes to change into.

 

Xie Zhiqing, with his sharp eyes, immediately noticed that the clothes were a few years old.

 

At first, he was puzzled, but then he understood.

 

It seemed that his eldest brother had indeed decided to come on a whim, bringing only a few items of clothing, not even having time to choose carefully, just grabbing some old clothes.

 

As he thought about it, he realized another thing.

 

His eldest brother came at this time likely because he truly had no other time. As he had said, earlier when Xie Zhiqing hadn’t yet reached three months of pregnancy, he didn’t want the trip to tire him out, so he waited until now. But soon, he would be ascending the throne, and an emperor, busy with state affairs, would have even less time to visit the grasslands.

 

Aside from now, when else would his eldest brother have the time?

 

Lost in his thoughts, Xie Zhiming had already changed and come out.

 

He finally realized his clothes were overly old, and said self-deprecatingly, “How did the sleeves get so short? I’m twenty-nine, could I still be growing?”

 

Xie Zhiqing walked up to help smooth out the wrinkles in his brother’s sleeves, smiling without speaking.

 

However, Xie Zhiming didn’t plan to stay long.

 

After dinner, he announced that he would leave early the next morning.

 

Xie Zhiqing was shocked, “Leaving tomorrow morning?”

 

Not just Xie Zhiqing, even Lang Sa was stunned, “…You come and go so quickly, what’s the point?”

 

Xie Zhiming said calmly, “I just came to see Xiao Qing. Staying longer wouldn’t accomplish anything else. Now that I know you’re well, that’s enough.”

 

Xie Zhiqing said sadly, “Brother, you spent so many days on the road, only to stay one night? I…”

 

He couldn’t continue.

 

But once Xie Zhiming made a decision, Xie Zhiqing couldn’t change it.

 

Early the next morning, he truly set off back to Anyu.

 

Xie Zhiqing didn’t sleep well that night, dark circles under his eyes. He watched his eldest brother mount his horse, knowing he couldn’t change his mind, and could only smile reluctantly, wishing him safe travels.

 

Xie Zhiming, already on his horse, suddenly thought the horse, being an animal, might injure Xie Zhiqing. He quickly dismounted and had someone lead the horse away.

 

He walked up to Xie Zhiqing, patted his head like a child, and said, “Later—after Father abdicates, he will come to see you too, but the time is uncertain. He’s torn, wanting to see you soon, but afraid his visit might disturb your rest.”

 

Xie Zhiqing shook his head, “That wouldn’t happen, I want to see him too.”

 

“I’ll discuss it with him,” Xie Zhiming said. “Father won’t come suddenly like I did, don’t worry.”

 

Xie Zhiqing’s nose tingled, but remembering his brother’s teaching that men shouldn’t easily cry, he held back his tears, forced a smile, and waved, “Eldest Brother, take care on the road! When Xiao Qing is well, I’ll come to see you all.”

 

Xie Zhiming nodded slightly, “Alright!”

 

Then he strode towards his horse.

 

He was taller than his two younger brothers, almost as tall as Wang Wang. He mounted his horse smoothly and looked back at Xie Zhiqing with a reluctant expression.

 

“Goodbye.” He bid farewell, eyes slightly red.

 

His horse galloped away, kicking up dust.

 

In an instant, Xie Zhiming’s figure disappeared.

 

Xie Zhiqing still looked in the direction he left, muttering, “Did he rest well… He only had one good night’s sleep after so many days on the road.”

 

Lang Sa wrapped him in his cloak and held him, saying, “Seeing you and knowing you’re well is enough for him.”

 

Xie Zhiqing looked up at him blankly.

 

Lang Sa’s heart ached, and he held him tighter.

 

“If I were him, just seeing you would make any number of days on the road worthwhile,” Lang Sa said, nuzzling his forehead. “Seeing you makes any fatigue worth it.”

 

Xie Zhiqing hugged him tightly and, after a long time, said, “Mm,” with a nasal tone.

 

However, not long after Xie Zhiming left, another event occurred.

 

Lang Xiaoxiao returned.

 

**Author’s note:**

 

Happy Spring Festival, everyone!

 

I have to visit relatives during the holiday, so I might not have much time to write. I’ll try to update daily, but if I can’t finish, I’ll post a notice. If the nutrient solution reaches 3000 during the holiday, I’ll add updates later. Love you all!