The Aloof Lord's Mysterious Wife
Chapter 591: Never Leaving Behind My Family

Chapter 591: Never Leaving Behind My Family

Seeing how much Zhongwei liked her, Nanli was delighted and quickly approached, "Sister-in-law, can I hold him?"

Before Xiao Wanyi could respond, Zhongwei had already turned himself over and leaned into Nanli’s arms.

"Zhongwei really likes you," Xiao Wanyi said with a smile, shifting to the side. "He seems indifferent to others, but he’s different with you."

This made it easy for Nanli to hold him. Once in her arms, Zhongwei’s eyes were fixed on her, not wanting to look away. His small hands clutched her collar, as if afraid she might let him go.

This scene brought joy to Grand Lady and Madam Shen.

Chu Shuo leaned in to take a look: "Zhongwei definitely likes you. Whenever I bring him something, he only glances at me, not bothering to look more than twice."

Madam Shen joked, "Second Young Master, once you get married, you should have a couple of your own, so you won’t need to tease mine."

Chu Shuo chimed in, "Better have three or four, or there won’t be enough to share the wealth."

Zhongwei continued to stare at Nanli.

Ye Siheng observed for a while and finally couldn’t help but step forward, "Can I hold him too?"

Nanli shot him a glance, "Aren’t you prefer girls over boys?"

"It wouldn’t hurt to learn early," Ye Siheng made up a good excuse.

Nanli laughed, "Alright, you can hold him."

But Zhongwei had no intention of leaving her embrace, stubbornly pulling at her collar.

Ye Siheng’s gaze deepened, his voice calm, "Your aunt’s hands are tired; let your uncle hold you for a while, okay?"

His tone was gentle, but it carried a hint of threatening.

Zhongwei seemed to understand and pouted, then let go, allowing himself to be taken by Ye Siheng.

He let out a sigh, seeming bored, and after playing for a while with his little hands, fell asleep.

Ye Siheng looked down at the sleeping child, a smile playing at his lips: "What a well-behaved child."

Nanli nodded in agreement.

Grand Lady watched everything quietly, feeling puzzled. However, with Chu Shuo present, she didn’t want to bring it up.

Xiao Wanyi didn’t want Ye Siheng to keep holding the child, so she took him back and said softly, "Your father and elder brother are still in the army, but your third brother will be back soon. You should stay and have dinner with us; I’ll have someone prepare it."

They had returned to the capital earlier due to busy official duties and hadn’t had a moment of leisure.

Nanli readily agreed.

As her brothers arrived one after another, they were all delighted to see Nanli.

Before dinner, she took the chance to discuss Zhi Mi’s situation, as he had been living in their residence, and it was important for them to know.

Once they learned the details, their anger grew.

That Penglai Island was truly sinister and vile.

Fortunately, they had obtained the lotus seed; otherwise, Zhi Mi would have been in a terrible predicament!

But upon hearing this, Grand Lady and Madam Shen became anxious, and their meal was consumed with distracted thoughts.

Noticing their worries, Nanli decided to accompany Madam Shen back to Xianghe Courtyard after the meal.

Grand Lady noticed that Nanli had something to say, so she had an old maid brew a pot of good tea.

"Grandmother, mother, you don’t have to worry; I can handle this," Nanli said earnestly. "I’m not alone; I have my father and brothers, and I have my husband. I’m not afraid of them."

Upon hearing this, Madam Shen’s tears flowed freely, choked with emotion: "How can we not worry? The last time you were seriously injured, I prayed every day, hoping for your safety. Even your grandmother was so worried she fell ill... If it had been you at Xuanyue Temple, then... the consequences would be unimaginable..."

She couldn’t bear to think of her daughter’s fate being beheaded.

Grand Lady’s expression was grave as she stroked Nanli’s cheek, "Don’t think of your mother as timid; she just hopes for you to live a smooth life like other girls, without illness or disaster."

"I hope for that too. Just now, seeing you and the prince fond of Zhongwei, I wanted to ask when were you planning for a child. But now it seems, if you become pregnant, it would put you in danger instead."

Nanli blinked, a bit surprised: "I didn’t expect Grandmother to think of that too."

"Of course, I love children, but back then I had to fight alongside your grandfather, so I only bore your father and the second son," Grand Lady sighed. "I clearly remember when I was pregnant with your father, I was about to return to Yan Town to give birth, but unexpectedly, we were attacked by enemies. If I hadn’t been pregnant, I could have easily wiped out the enemy forces, but... fortunately, your grandfather arrived in time; otherwise, it would have been a disaster for both mother and child."

As women, they understood each other’s struggles.

That’s why she brought this up.

Now, she had to remind Nanli that until the enemy was eliminated and she could ensure her own safety, she should not become pregnant.

Madam Shen was even more anxious, "Even if you don’t get pregnant..."

"Mother, trust me," Nanli’s gaze was firm.

Madam Shen was taken aback, and after a while, she wiped her tears and nodded.

"A’Li, be careful. No matter what happens, we are always behind you."

"Indeed, don’t worry about us; just do what you want to do," Grand Lady added.

This enemy was different from before; their strength was weak, almost unable to resist.

Thus, she could only tell Nanli that in critical moments, when life and death were at stake, she didn’t have to worry about them.

They didn’t want to become a burden or worry for Nanli.

"Grandmother..." Nanli was very perceptive and immediately guessed Grand Lady’s meaning.

Grand Lady pressed her hand down, her gaze burning, her voice resolute: "Tongtong, promise Grandmother!"

But Nanli replied, "You’re all my family, Grandmother. No matter when, I will never disregard my family!"

Grand Lady looked at her for a long moment and finally sighed softly.

She gently stroked Nanli’s head, her expression somewhat helpless: "Alright, we’ll do as you wish."

Only then did Nanli break into a smile.

However, during her returns, she hadn’t seen her seventh sister, Chu Nanying, so she asked, "Why hasn’t Seventh Sister come back yet? Is she still at Second Uncle’s?"

Grand Lady sighed: "He took little Seven back for a few days but hasn’t brought her back."

Nanli understood: "How much silver does Grandmother send over each month?"

"Not much, just fifty taels," Grand Lady said. "After all, she is his daughter, and we can’t let them be separated forever."

Nanli thought for a moment and said, "Money is a small matter, but with Second Uncle using her to extract money, it seems he hasn’t reflected on his behavior. Grandmother, it’s better not to be soft-hearted; otherwise, he might spoil Seventh Sister."

Grand Lady’s expression grew serious as she nodded, "I understand. Previously, there was too much snow and I was too busy, but now that things have settled, I’ll bring little Seven back tomorrow."

Hearing this, Nanli finally felt relieved.

After all, as Second Brother said, if the upper beam is not straight, the lower beam will be crooked. Even though it’s a father-daughter separation, she couldn’t let her seventh sister grow up with him.