Chapter 393: then translation of title

Everything that Du Shanü possesses originally stems from the two words 【ambition】.

And she is charming, precisely charming in this hint of ambition.

Although she could also see that Chinu and Chen Weifang......

Even Yuanlong, who was in swaddling clothes and put on a little stinky face, was reluctant to see her leave.

However, Du Shanü still managed to embark on the road back to Cang Cheng smoothly——

Winter cold dissipated, all things meet spring.

The daylight is leisurely, the wind harbors warmth and kindness.

Du Shanü's return journey was safe and steady; the carriage moved forward slowly, neither hurried nor agitated, allowing the carriage body to sway smoothly, carrying her onward to her homeward path.

The carriage curtain was lightly lifted by the attendant; the cool breeze streamed in through the curtain seam, sweeping away the road dust.

Du Shanü leaned against the carriage wall, lifted her gaze to the scenery outside the window along the way; everything she saw was the nascent scenery of early spring.

The peach trees planted in continuous rows on both sides of the road, having endured the barrenness of an entire winter, now sprouted countless fine tender buds on their branches; pale green and tender red dotted the withered branches, layer upon layer, shaking off the winter's desolate bleakness.

The winter-wasteland grass by the roadside also gradually revived, sprouting dense new green shoots that lightly covered the soil, gently blanketing the pathways.

Along the way, the countryside had already shaken off winter's stillness, gradually regaining vitality and the warmth of human life.

Although it was not yet the time for formal spring planting, the laboring populace along the route had already left their homes, taking advantage of the early spring warmth to tend the fields; many farming households held tools, bent over the fields, orderly turning the frozen soil, gently loosening the compacted earth that had hardened over winter.

Some also guided the flowing water from the ditches to gently irrigate the fields, preparing for the subsequent farming season.

Passersby walked with ease, labor proceeded in order, and everywhere in the fields there was lively motion, sweeping away the winter's cold, silent desolation.

The carriage proceeded onward, gradually entering the urban precincts of the city.

Cang Cheng, having endured winter's hibernation, saw the market's warmth and bustle fully revive after the spring thaw.

Street-side shops all opened their doors; passersby flowed incessantly, the streets hummed with faint chatter, and carriages moved in orderly fashion.

Street stalls set up one after another, arranged neatly; the lanes were lively yet not clamorous, prosperous yet not chaotic—everywhere was a tranquil, vibrant human scene.

Compared to the stern, tense atmosphere of the Zhoufu government office, this relaxed, lively market scene in the city was especially comforting.

Having taken in the spring scenery all along, the carriage arrived at the manor's gate and came to a gentle stop.

The attendant alighted first, set down the footstool, and lifted the carriage curtain.

Du Shanü slightly bowed her body, stepped down from the carriage; the moment her feet touched solid ground, the fatigue of the journey quietly dissipated.

She lifted her gaze; her family estate remained as before—walls orderly, gate tidy, the courtyard layout and furnishings unchanged, without the slightest alteration, tranquil and serene, exuding a warm, comforting aura.

The servants in the manor, having undergone the previous purge, were far more steadfast than when Du Shanü had last flown into a rage.

Now everyone performed their duties; upon seeing the female master return, they all bowed respectfully, their conduct orderly and reverent, the manor's order remained as usual, with no trace of panic or laxity.

Du Shanü gave a slight nod, stepped inside, and her gaze unconsciously swept the courtyard; where it fell, a familiar warm figure sat quietly......

It was Yu Baobao.

Spring's warm light filtered through the gaps in the courtyard's branches and leaves, gently landing on his shoulders and amidst his hair.

He still sat on the stone bench he usually occupied, his posture relaxed and soft, without a trace of restraint.

In his hand he held a slender piece of wood and a small carving knife, head bowed, focused on his work.

This time he was crafting a delicate little toy for children to play with; his fingertip movements were gentle and fine, his knife work meticulous and steady, every line polished to a smooth, exquisite finish, his patience abundant.

Yu Baobao's brows and eyes relaxed, his expression open and gentle, a faint warmth glowing in his gaze; his entire bearing was clean and warm, blending perfectly with the gentle spring light of the courtyard.

He was wholly immersed in his handiwork, his demeanor tranquil and serene, non-contentious and undisturbed, peacefully at ease.

Such a gentle, pure appearance struck straight into Du Shanü's eyes.

Du Shanü had long known that Yu Baobao was a person quite unlike others.

Yet upon seeing him again, she still felt the urge to remark: Yu Baobao, indeed, is quite unlike anyone else.

What power, scheming, official duties, ambition......

From beginning to end, it seems difficult to taint him even slightly with any of those.

Du Shanü needs only to glance at him, and the tense thoughts that accompany her official dealings in the Zhoufu—handling trivial matters, responding to various people—melt away instantly.

Different.

Different.

Yu Baobao and Chinu are ultimately two kinds of people that are quite different.

Even though Du Shanü's nature is normally cold-hard and decisive, at this moment she could not help but soften somewhat, her heart filled with a comforting warmth.

Du Shanü no longer hesitated at all; she stepped forward briskly, her steps light, nothing left but the ease of returning home.

She walked straight up behind Yu Baobao, bent down, firmly covered his eyes, pulled him from behind into her embrace, and said with a smile:

「Guess who I am? 」

Yu Baobao, suddenly embraced, paused slightly in his handiwork, a gentle smile spreading at his lips, and he relaxed his posture:

「Wow! It's the Wife Master! (〃'▽'〃)」

「It's the Wife Master coming back to see me, right?!!!! (〃'▽'〃)」

Spring sunlight bathed the two of them; the courtyard was peaceful and calm, nothing left but the tender intimacy of an ordinary married couple.

Du Shanü loosened her hold, laughing as she pressed a kiss to his forehead:

「Yes, it's me! 」

「What are you doing? 」

Yu Baobao, after being kissed, instantly became blissfully dazed:

「Following the letter I last wrote to the Wife Master, I'm making a toy for our good child! 」

「Little Ai has made plenty; we're just waiting for the Wife Master to come back and pick them up! (〃'▽'〃)」

Yu Baobao is always this cheerful; if it were usual, seeing him happy would surely make Du Shanü very delighted.

However, today this smile truly swayed Du Shanü's eyes.

After all, if Du Shanü didn't misremember, that letter was read to her by Chinu back then.

Chen Weifang was also there at the time, checking the strange treasures sent from Guangzhou Prefecture by Bai Liren, and she blandly replied, 'Yuan Long has so many treasures—who would bother with his three melons and two dates?'

To be honest, hearing that, saying I didn't feel the slightest bit upset would definitely be a lie.

But this is all Du Shanü's own choice; she chose the drawbacks of having two husbands, and even if she vaguely senses the bitter fruit, she must swallow it.

Du Shanü sighed inwardly, reached out to gently stroke Yu Baobao's eyebrows and eyes, didn't respond to that, and simply asked:

"Have you had dinner? If not, rest a bit first, then get busy later."

"By the way, is your cousin home?"

Yu Baobao took Du Shanü's hand, and while happily packing the many toys into boxes, she said:

"I was supposed to eat, but I'm not hungry today, so I postponed it—I didn't expect the Wife Master to happen to come back just now! Perfect, let's eat together!"

"As for your cousin, he probably hasn't returned yet—he leaves to drill before dawn and comes home after dark... Hey! Is your cousin back?"

Du Shanü followed Yu Baobao's call, looked up, and suddenly met the gaze of a man and woman peeking at the door, in the midst of parting.

The four stared at each other; compared to the bewildered Yu Baobao, the suddenly nervous Yu Lve and Zhao Yunniang, Du Shanü could be said to have bitten into a shocking big melon.

"Yo, what drilling... turns out it was just a lovebirds' date coming back."

?? The daily life of the silly, pure, sweet husband——

? Morning: eat meals, think of wife.

? Noon: eat meals, work, think of wife.

? Evening: work, eat meals, think of wife.