After discussing the arms orders, Fang Er looked at the crowd again.
"My lords, I have another matter for which I have gathered you here. I plan to return to Chang'an soon, and I know it's not easy for you to make the long journey. Coincidentally, I've recently developed something quick, and I intend to give you a ride, as well as let you broaden your horizons."
Fang Er's words were rather blunt, as if implying the leaders had never seen the world. However, to their ears, they sounded like heavenly music.
"Listen! The Duke wants to take us to broaden our horizons, it must be something extraordinary."
Yelü Goudan almost burst into laughter upon hearing this. "Hahaha, Duke, do you mean you'll be flying us to Chang'an in a helicopter?"
"You got it right!" Fang Er smiled and raised his cup to him. "Come, Goudan, a reward cup for you!"
"Hahaha, I knew there would be good news! Thank you, Duke, for the reward!" Yelü Goudan picked up his cup and drank it down in one gulp.
Their conversation sounded like a riddle to the others.
"Duke, what is a helicopter?"
"I've only heard that chickens hatch from eggs, how can they give birth directly to chickens?"
"Hahaha, Goudan, would you be so kind as to explain to Chief Lemo?" Fang Er chuckled at Lemo's question. Lemo had mistaken "helicopter" for "direct-birth chicken."
Yelü Goudan was incredibly smug; he was a man who had flown in a helicopter. "You country bumpkins, let me tell you all about it. This helicopter..."
Yelü Goudan spoke of the helicopter with such eloquent praise, as if it were a marvel unparalleled in the heavens and on earth. The leaders of the eight grassland tribes all craned their necks and widened their eyes.
"It can fly? Is it even more powerful than a hot air balloon?" He Yike had seen a hot air balloon before, and he thought it was already impressive. Yet, after such a short time, the Great Tang had developed a flying tool that could be controlled at will. It was simply incredible.
"Tomorrow, I will have someone take you to experience the feeling of flying. A few days later, once I've arranged matters here, we will fly directly to Chang'an!"
"Hahaha, excellent! The Duke is mighty!" Yelü Goudan laughed heartily, already imagining himself arriving in Chang'an from the sky. "At that time, there will surely be fluttering banners and crowds of people, what a magnificent scene, it's intoxicating just thinking about it!"
"Indeed! The Duke is generous! I salute you, Duke!"
Everyone rose and toasted Fang Er. Selling arms and taking these country bumpkins back to Chang'an were Fang Er's reasons for summoning them. After eating and drinking their fill, they left the residence arm in arm, escorted by Su Feng. Inns had already been arranged for them in Shenyang City.
Back in the rear courtyard, Fang Er, reeking of alcohol, was helped to bed by Chai Yue and Xiao Qing after their ministrations.
"Ugh~!"
Fang Er, who was drowsy, suddenly heard a retching sound. His heart jolted, and half his drunkenness dissipated. He sat up straight and saw Chai Yue bending over, supporting herself on the table. From the side, her throat could be seen constricting.
"Yue'er?" Seeing her discomfort, Fang Er helped Xiao Qing off the bed and went to Chai Yue's side. However, the closer he got, the more Chai Yue retched.
"Was she affected by the smell of alcohol? That can't be right; she didn't have such a strong reaction when I was drunk before." Suddenly remembering something, Fang Er smacked his forehead. "Qing'er, quickly, quickly, go invite True Man Sun!"
Xiao Qing was startled by his urgent tone and nodded quickly. She then helped Fang Er to a chair by the table, turned, and left the room.
Chai Yue cast Fang Er a glance. "Why are you so nervous, my lord? Yue'er just didn't rest well these past few days."
"Hehehe, you don't look like you haven't rested well!" Fang Er chuckled foolishly at Chai Yue. He had a suspicion.
Late at night, the courtyard gate was knocked upon with a bang. Old Sun, shuffling in his shoes with disheveled hair, opened the gate and peered out. Seeing Xiao Qing, he asked confusedly, "Is Mistress Qing in need of something?"
Xiao Qing, who had run all the way, had rosy cheeks. "True Man Sun, my lord asks you to come and see the Madam."
Sun Simiao raised an eyebrow. "Is Madam Yue unwell?"
Xiao Qing nodded. "Yes, my lord drank a few more cups today. Perhaps Madam didn't rest well and felt nauseous from the smell of alcohol. My lord fears Madam is ill and sent Qing'er to invite the True Man to take her pulse."
"Hahahaha!" Old Sun, after hearing her explanation, stroked his beard and laughed heartily. After a while, when Xiao Qing was getting anxious, Old Sun leisurely turned back to fetch his medicine chest. "Let's go, I'll go and wish that young man some good fortune!"
The two arrived at the rear courtyard one after the other. The door was not closed. Old Sun coughed lightly at the entrance to signal his arrival.
Fang Er heard his voice and eagerly called out, "True Man Sun, please come in quickly!"
Old Sun, his face beaming, walked with vigor to Chai Yue's side and placed his hand on her wrist, which lay on the table.
"Young friend, it's late at night, how much do you intend to pay for the consultation?" he asked, smiling at Fang Er while taking her pulse.
Seeing his expression, Fang Er rejoiced. "Hahaha, if this is true, Old Sun, just name your price!"
Chai Yue, hearing their cryptic conversation, looked puzzled. "My lord, what are you and True Man Sun talking about?"
"Hahaha! Congratulations, congratulations! Madam is with child!" Old Sun withdrew his hand from Chai Yue's pulse and unceremoniously pulled over a chair to sit down.
"Hahaha, Yue'er, did you hear that? True Man Sun says you are with child! I'm going to be a father!" Hahahaha!
"Pfft~!" Fang Er was so happy he spoke incoherently.
Chai Yue laughed until her eyes rolled back, looking at Fang Er and chiding, "My lord, what nonsense are you talking? What do you mean 'you're going to be a father'?"
"Ah?"
"Ah! Hahaha, slip of the tongue, slip of the tongue! True Man Sun means, my lord, you are going to be a father!" Fang Er quickly explained. "Yue'er, you have a baby in your belly!"
There was no embarrassment, only happiness!
"Ah! Madam is with child?" Xiao Qing's eyes widened in disbelief as she stared fixedly at Chai Yue's belly. After a moment, she rushed out like the wind and shouted loudly in the courtyard, "Xing'er! Bingxue Yulu! Come quickly, Madam is with child!" Her voice, like a silver bell, echoed through the courtyard.
With her shout, the household became lively. Not only did Xing'er and the others hear it, but Chai Yue's girlfriends in the side courtyard also heard it. They had just finished a day's work and were about to wash up and sleep when they heard about Chai Yue being with child, and they all ran over, still in their robes.
Chai Yue was stunned for a long, long time. Finally, she placed a hand on her small belly and asked Sun Simiao again for confirmation, "True Man, I, I really have it?"
"Hahaha! You do! You've been carrying for over a month!" Old Sun smiled as he wrote a prescription for prenatal care on a piece of paper. "This is a major event, it cannot be taken lightly!"