The north wind howled, and snowflakes drifted down.
By the time Fang Er returned to Shenyang, it was only a few days before the New Year.
When the fleet passed through Dengzhou, they dropped off Li Tai and his siblings. Wang Xuance personally escorted them back to Chang'an with a small team.
The captured animals shivered in their cages. The weather here was too damn cold, and the beast lord wasn't ready for hibernation yet.
The Duke's Mansion had already received the telegram from Dengzhou. Chai Yue, Xiao Qing, and Xing'er had been waiting at the gatehouse, counting the days.
They had been away for several months, and the women missed him terribly.
Fang Xin sat on Su Feng's bed, with Wangcai guarding him. The little fellow didn't get angry even when Fang Xin pulled his ears.
Gulp, gulp, gulp~~~~
Using a tractor requisitioned from the aluminum workshop, Fang Er appeared outside the An Guogong Mansion, braving the wind and snow.
The Duke is back!
The guards outside shouted excitedly to those inside when they saw him.
Creak~~
The heavy gate opened, and Chai Yue and the other two stood at the entrance. Seeing Fang Er covered in snow, their eyes involuntarily welled up with tears.
Husband!
Chai Yue called out softly.
Fang Er smiled and opened his arms. "Hahahaha, I missed you all so much these past few months. Come, give me a hug!"
Chai Yue blushed. Although they were husband and wife, she still felt a bit shy in front of everyone.
Fang Er, however, was not shy at all. If the mountain wouldn't come to him, he would go to the mountain.
With an unashamed gait, he walked towards the three women, embraced Chai Yue, and whispered in her ear.
"Did you miss me?"
"Mmm!"
Chai Yue nodded softly, her response almost imperceptible.
"Hahahaha! Let's go, back to the mansion!"
Saying this, he released Chai Yue and took Xiao Qing's hand, walking ahead.
"Your husband was afraid this little one wouldn't be able to wait, so he rushed back ahead of me," he said.
Xiao Qing felt a surge of sweetness upon hearing this.
Ever since she became pregnant, Fang Er had barely stayed home for a few days, going to Mie Kong, then west, then south.
Yet, her husband still remembered her due date.
The baby in her belly was conceived when Chai Yue was recovering from childbirth, around March.
Now that the New Year was approaching, she was nine months pregnant, and her child could be born any day.
Xing'er walked on his other side, supporting Xiao Qing with Fang Er.
"Master, the young master can crawl now."
Fang Er was stunned. He had only remembered Xiao Qing's due date and had completely forgotten about their eldest son.
Three months to roll over, six months to sit up, nine months to crawl, and one year to walk. Of course, he should be crawling now.
"Where is Xin'er?"
He looked around but couldn't see the little fellow, so Fang Er turned to Chai Yue and asked.
"You still remember him? He's in the gatehouse playing with Wangcai."
Chai Yue chuckled lightly, then walked into the gatehouse and carried Fang Xin out.
"Oh, oh, oh~ Madam, let me! Don't strain your back!"
Hua Niang, who was following them, quickly took Fang Xin into her arms.
Fang Er looked closely and exclaimed, "Huo~!"
"Why has this brat gotten so fat?"
With the mink coat he was wearing, he looked like a little meatball.
"This little brat must be over thirty pounds, right?"
He casually guessed a weight and asked Hua Niang.
"My Lord, you're not far off. When we bathed him the day before yesterday, we used the big scale. He weighed twenty-six catties and eight taels!"
Hua Niang smiled so much that her eyes narrowed into slits, as if she were praising herself.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, Hua Niang, you and Zhuzi have been married for so long, why is there still no news?"
Fang Er pointed at her belly and teased.
"It's still that blockhead Zhuzi. He says having Ma Yu is enough and refuses to have another child with me." Mentioning this, Hua Niang felt both happy and a little guilty.
"Hahahaha, alright, I'll talk to him about it later!"
As they chatted and laughed, they returned to the backyard. They had barely sat down when Lai Yifa, upon hearing the news, hurried over.
"My Lord, we have news about that person."
Fang Er looked at him quizzically. "Whose news?"
"The one who escaped in the Western Regions! This intelligence was sent back from the special forces unit using Commander Yuchi's radio."
Saying this, Lai Yifa handed over two telegrams.
"Telegram for My Lord. Within the territory of Yu Tianxian's department, a yellow-haired devil was spotted. His actions are suspicious, possibly the escapee from the Western Regions.
This person carries a great secret. We are continuing to monitor him closely. Whether to apprehend him is to be decided. The fifth day of the twelfth lunar month, in the fourth year of Zhenguan."
This telegram was sent half a month ago!
Looking at the next one, it was full of the deeds of the yellow-haired devil in the grasslands.
After reading them, Fang Er smiled.
"This must be a mission from that guy's system. Otherwise, a transmigator of his caliber wouldn't actively do such things.
He's doing good deeds on the grasslands day and night. If we arrest him beforehand, wouldn't that go against heavenly principles?"
He glanced towards the gate, where Xiao Qing was chatting with Chai Yue, and made a decision.
"Notify Zhuzi, Zhang Tian, the First Division, and the Fifth Division to all mobilize. Keep a close watch until we understand this fellow's intentions!"
"Yes!" Lai Yifa saluted and went down to relay the order.
With two divisions and six thousand men, he wouldn't be able to escape even if he had wings.
For now, he would stay home and look after Xiao Qing. After she gave birth, he would personally go and meet that person.
After sending Lai Yifa away, Fang Er walked towards Bai Cao Ju with his hands behind his back.
In the courtyard, Sun Simiao was teaching medicine to Changsun Ling'er and the others. These twelve girls were now the main force of the second echelon of Shenyang Hospital.
The first echelon consisted of Old Sun and the experts he had invited.
"It's only a few days until the New Year, Miss Ling'er, why haven't you returned to Chang'an yet?"
Fang Er asked the women in surprise.
"Ah, Your Grace, I pay my respects to Duke Anguo!" Seeing that it was him, Changsun Ling'er bowed slightly and said with a smile.
"Alas, have you noticed? The young master Fang has become much more robust in the past few months."
"Indeed, and he's gotten much darker."
~~~
The other young ladies from the dukes' families also chimed in with playful remarks.
Having spent a long time together, they had learned each other's temperaments. They were not at all reserved in front of Fang Er and spoke casually.
"I've also just returned home. By the way, why haven't you returned to reunite with your families?" Fang Er rubbed his nose and asked again.
"We sisters were brought to Chang'an by you. If you don't return, can we leave?" Fang Fengzhu spoke even more boldly.
"Hahahaha, that's a bit too serious. How about this, I'll send people to escort you back tomorrow. Also, I've brought some rare items from overseas, which I'll give to the dukes as New Year's gifts."
Fang Er used laughter to mask his awkwardness.
"Pfft~~ Thank you very much, Young Master. Sisters, let's go pack our things. We won't disturb Duke Anguo and Zhenren Sun."
Changsun Ling'er giggled, covering her mouth, then waved to the other women and led them away.
ps: Happy Mid-Autumn Festival! Also, a little favor, leave your gifts and requests for updates.