The final decision for heading to the capital was set on the 16th of April. They would take the Prince Consort's fleet eastward along the Yangtze River, then northward along the Grand Canal, passing through Bian River to Tokyo. Currently, this was a relatively busy waterway in the Wu Dynasty, with many fleets, so they wouldn't encounter bandits or robberies along the way.

With the child barely a month old, their departure was a difficult matter for the family. However, with over a hundred family members having just been buried, a baby's full-month celebration seemed insignificant. The only matter of debate within the family these past few days was the child's name. Ning Yi wanted the child to bear the surname Su, but after the many events that had transpired, Su Tan'er insisted that the child should bear the surname Ning.

"My first child with my husband must bear the surname Ning. He will inherit your legacy. At most, our second child can bear the surname Su... Isn't that right, little one? We will be named Ning..."

As she spoke, Su Tan'er was still in bed, leaning over and teasing the baby in the cradle. The first part she spoke with a stern look, exhibiting her strong-woman demeanor, while the second half she spoke as a gentle mother. Ning Yi watched this scene from the side and could only agree in the end, listing a few names for Su Tan'er to choose from. Tan'er ultimately chose a simple yet grand name, Ning Xi, befitting the first child, like the newborn morning sun, radiating brilliance. From then on, the child would be called Little Xi'er. Ning Yi laughed at her, saying the child would blame her in the future for choosing a character with so many strokes. Tan'er confidently said that Little Xi'er would grow into a great scholar and wouldn't be afraid of many strokes, which would be good practice. Ning Yi didn't share her confidence.

After the name was decided, it drew complaints from a few elders of the Su family, who said that the family hadn't even finished dividing the assets, yet the child's surname was already being changed to the husband's side, which was too much. However, Su Yu suppressed these complaints.

Currently, Tong Guan's army had already broken camp and headed north, crossing the Yangtze River. Ning Yi wanted to go to the capital earlier to see Qin Si Yuan, also to formally join the Secret Intelligence Division earlier. He was doing it for revenge, while Qin Si Yuan and Kang Xian wanted more than that. Although he had contributed greatly in Hangzhou and earned the praise of the two elders, it would be too presumptuous to assume that they would fully support him if he only wanted to take revenge on Liangshan. Therefore, before going to Shandong, it was ideal to have a discussion with Qin Si Yuan and reach a consensus.

Su Tan'er couldn't leave for the time being, firstly because she was still in her confinement period and needed to rest and recuperate, and secondly because many issues in the Su family's division of assets needed to be sorted out and resolved. Although her business would inevitably expand to the north in the future, she still needed to stay at home for a month or two. In this way, Ning Yi's trip to the capital would be a reconnaissance mission for her. As long as he could get Qin Si Yuan's support, the Su family's business in the north would be smooth sailing in the coming years.

Ning Yi was going to the capital, while Su Tan'er was still in Jiangning. By the time Su Tan'er went to the capital, Ning Yi might have already gone to Shandong. Realizing this and the dangers Ning Yi might encounter, Su Tan'er showed him extra affection in the remaining days, chattering about being careful every night, or discovering something interesting about Little Xi'er, or having new thoughts about the Su family in recent days. Although she was usually attached to Ning Yi, she was an independent person and wouldn't reveal many thoughts until things were settled. Now, she told him everything. Ning Yi occasionally shared his thoughts with her, such as how he would deal with Liangshan using various despicable and shameless methods. The couple discussed, and Ning Yi also said that if he encountered danger, he would definitely turn around and run.

In fact, Su Tan'er talked about those trivial things to deepen the family's bond in Ning Yi's heart, which Ning Yi understood perfectly. On the other hand, after being together for so long, Tan'er knew Ning Yi well. In so many situations, Ning Yi had always emerged victorious from the brink of death. Schemes themselves weren't reliable. If the person using the schemes didn't have enough willpower, even the best schemes would be nonsense and wouldn't go the distance. However, her constant nagging would always have some impact on Ning Yi.

Spending time with his wife, teasing the child named Ning Xi, watching the chaotic scenes at home as they prepared for his departure, the days passed by. Tan'er was in her confinement period, drinking terrible chicken soup every day. The weather was starting to get hot. She lay in bed, wearing only a thin blouse over her bodice, revealing her graceful curves. Even though he was very familiar with her body, Ning Yi was occasionally tempted. The twenty-something married woman who had become a mother possessed both youth and maturity. Holding the child exuded one charm, chattering about household chores was another, and occasionally being playful and sharing her thoughts was yet another.

Xiao Chan was occasionally brought over - she was going to accompany Ning Yi to the capital. Naturally, these days, her time with Ning Yi was allocated by her young mistress. Tan'er once put her hands together and said to her: "Xiao Chan, let me have my husband these few days, okay?" Xiao Chan blushed, flustered, and said, "Miss..." Then she was pulled onto the bed by Su Tan'er. That night, the three of them slept together. Ning Yi slept on the outside, Tan'er in the middle, and Xiao Chan on the inside. The blessing of enjoying the company of two women wasn't necessarily easy. When he woke up the next morning, Tan'er was lying on his chest, while Xiao Chan was sleeping against Tan'er's back. Both women were only wearing bodices and short bloomers, yet they hadn't released their desires at all the night before, so he couldn't help but smile wryly.

On the night of the fourteenth, Tan'er缠着 Ning Yi and quietly made a request "to get pregnant." She had only given birth less than twenty days ago and felt that her body had recovered. Since Ning Yi was leaving, she wanted to get pregnant again immediately. Ning Yi naturally refused. She took off her clothes and teased him, only to be held down on the bed and spanked by Ning Yi. She lay naked by the bed, her face flushed, and said to the baby in the cradle: "Little Xi, Daddy is bullying me... You have to grow up quickly and protect Mommy..."

This was her intentionally lighthearted side in front of Ning Yi. Late at night, she lay on Ning Yi's neck and shed tears, saying: "You have to come back early, really don't risk your life, you know what's important, Li Heng... If you're annoyed, hit me, but you must keep this in mind, Dad is already dead, they are all dead, don't die, revenge can be taken slowly..." This was something she had repeatedly mentioned in recent days. As Ning Yi's departure date approached, the matter became more and more pressing. Tan'er spoke for a while, then bit her teeth to try not to shed more tears. Ning Yi stroked the skin on her waist and back and could only make another guarantee.

During those few days, Tan'er went to see Yun Zhu once. She went to thank Yun Zhu for saving Little Xi'er, but also seemed to have proposed a marriage arrangement. What they discussed in the room was not mentioned again, but it was said that Tan'er put on airs in front of Jin'er, making Jin'er cry and say that it was a good thing Yun Zhu didn't marry over, otherwise she would be bullied to death. When Ning Yi asked Yun Zhu about their conversation, Yun Zhu rarely didn't say, only saying that it was a secret between women.

Tan'er's weakness would only be shown to Ning Yi during such special moments. During those few days, if any other family members came to visit because of the division of assets, she would definitely be dignified and mature. Yun Zhu's perseverance could only be truly felt by those who were close to her. On the fifteenth of April, everything was ready. Zhou Pei and Zhou Jun Wu came to visit. Jun Wu invited Ning Yi to go out to see a large kite, with a long cage hanging below it.

On this day, a kitten was taken up into the sky.

"I've thought about it. What you said is right, Master. One person can only do so much. Now that I have this power, there are things that can be done. I want to gather a large group of people and promote the study of material science. I, Zhou Jun Wu... will fly into the sky in my lifetime!"

He was just reaching the age of transitioning from a child to a teenager, but when he said the phrase "in my lifetime," he already sounded like he knew what he was talking about. Looking at the large kite being pulled away, the little prince in front of him seriously raised his question.

"I know you're a person who will do great things, Master. There are things I may not understand. But what I want to do, what I can do, is this. Master, you're about to go to the capital. I've always wanted to ask, in your heart, do you also think that what I'm doing is meaningful? Like creating peace for future generations. Will my research into material science really be useful in the future? If so, Master, you can do other great things, and let me take care of material science. I... I'm considered your true disciple, right?"

At this time, many men were already marrying at the age of twelve or thirteen. Although Jun Wu was young, he wasn't without the ability to think. Ning Yi studied material science and could explain these things clearly, but his attitude seemed like he was playing, which made Little Jun Wu uneasy. Did Master really think this was something very meaningful but didn't have time to do? If so, the little prince would feel that his efforts could be continued.

Ning Yi looked at him for a long time, then patted him on the shoulder and nodded: "That must be meaningful. If you can really persevere, you will not only be my disciple in the future, but you may become my teacher."

"Jun Wu will always be Master's disciple." The face in front of him, still somewhat childish, became serious, and he bowed respectfully to him, then smiled expectantly: "Master, I want to be a competent little prince, and a competent prince in the future, to make a lot of money, to gather those powerful craftsmen, to give them status, not to be bullied, and then I will definitely promote the study of material science and fly into the sky!"