Chapter 274: Strive to Produce Heirs as Soon as Possible

Yan Si seemed to have fathomed Shangguan Xingyu's innermost thoughts; he spoke gently, "You must be utterly exhausted today as well; go rest at once. Set your mind at ease — in broad daylight, I absolutely will not make any improper moves toward you."

Having spoken, he carefully tucked the quilt corners for Shangguan Xingyu, then lightly encircled her slender waist, and slowly closed his eyes.

Hearing Yan Si's such thoughtful words, Shangguan Xingyu's originally taut heartstrings gradually relaxed. Once body and mind were completely at ease, a powerful wave of drowsiness surged over her like a tide.

One must know, this morning she had risen far too early; now she could no longer resist this surging sleepiness. Before long, the room filled with Shangguan Xingyu's even, faint breathing.

Yet just then, Yan Si, who had already closed his eyes, suddenly opened them. Gazing at the person before him whom he had longed for day and night, haunted his dreams, and who now finally lay beside him as his pillow-mate, a surge of indescribable joy welled up in Yan Si's heart.

This feeling was both sweet and blissful; if one said he felt not the slightest exultation at this moment, that would surely be a lie. Still, he knew full well Shangguan Xingyu was exhausted to the extreme, and tender pity welled up unbidden.

So he quietly brought his face close to Shangguan Xingyu, like a light butterfly alighting a gentle kiss on her delicate, dewy red lips.

In that instant, it seemed as if time itself froze. Afterward, Yan Si, heart full of contentment, slowly closed his eyes once more and, together with his beloved, sank into sweet dreamland.

In sharp contrast to the tranquil atmosphere of the two inside the room was the somewhat chaotic scene outside. Ever since the bridegroom had been helped away, few of the hosts' drinking-and-reveling guests remained.

After eating and drinking their fill, the guests rose one after another to take their leave. Only after the crowd had dispersed did the servants begin busily clearing up the aftermath.

Other unrelated people each returned to their rooms for a midday nap, while An Wangfei's heart, which had been hanging high all this time, could finally settle securely; she smoothed her brows as if relieved of a heavy burden and fell soundly into dreamland.

Time flowed quietly by; afternoon sunlight filtered through the window lattice onto the bed.

Everyone woke from sweet dreams in succession, stretching and yawning, slowly regaining their spirits. Shangguan Xingyu and Yan Si went together to pay respects at An Wang and An Wangfei's residence.

Although by convention paying respects usually occurs in the morning, because they had just married this morning, not showing their faces today would be improper after all. So the two walked side by side, slowly stepping into the courtyard where An Wangfei resided.

An Wangfei at this moment had just woken up, looking radiant and full of vigor. She raised her eyes and saw Shangguan Xingyu and Yan Si walking toward her hand in hand; her face instantly blossomed into a smile, the corners of her mouth nearly cracking to her ears.

Yan Si spoke first: "Mother Consort!" Seeing this, Shangguan Xingyu hurriedly echoed, "Mother Consort!" Her voice was clear and melodious, like an oriole emerging from the valley.

An Wangfei replied with delight, "Come in quickly, don't stand outside catching a chill."

When the two reached her, An Wangfei hastily bade them be seated, then turned to Chunxi beside her and said, "Go brew a pot of hot tea at once, and bring some exquisite pastries." Chunxi acknowledged the order and left; before long she returned with steaming tea and fragrant pastries arranged on the table.

An Wangfei looked at Shangguan Xingyu with a face full of affection: "Yu'er, if Si'er goes out busy, and you find yourself bored alone, you can come sit with Mother Consort more often." Shangguan Xingyu nodded obediently and replied softly, "Understood, Mother Consort."

An Wangfei smiled and continued, "If you feel bored, you can also go find Qianqian and Shuang'er to go out and play together. You are all young ladies, you'll surely get along well. And since you just married, you might as well take the chance to familiarize yourself more with our situation here.

If there is anything you're unaccustomed to, just speak up directly; we will certainly do our best to accommodate you. As for morning respects, you needn't worry — sleep as late as you like. After all, when you were a Princess in Dongying Guo, you were surely used to being free and unfettered, weren't you? Now that you're here, it can be the same — this place will be your home from now on!"

Shangguan Xingyu had still felt a slight awkwardness in her heart, but hearing An Wangfei's such thoughtful words, she was instantly moved. She nodded slightly and replied gently, "Understood, Mother Consort."

At this, An Wangfei suddenly shifted tone, speaking with a touch of bashfulness and anticipation: "However, Yu'er, the matter of continuing the family line must not be delayed too long. Si'er is no longer young, so the two of you should strive to produce heirs for the Wangfu as soon as possible. In other respects, Mother Consort doesn't have many demands."

Finished speaking, Shangguan Xingyu's face instantly flushed red; she lowered her head and nodded lightly. Yan Si at the side quietly watched the two converse; seeing the atmosphere so harmonious, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curve into a gratified smile.

Hearing these words, his heart also settled considerably; he secretly mused, "When I'm away busy, with my wife managing everything at home, nothing should go wrong." Just as he was pondering thus, he suddenly heard light, quick footsteps approaching from afar. It turned out to be Qianqian and Yan Shuang'er arriving hand in hand. Qianqian had just woken up not long ago, looking spirited and full of vitality. She tightly tugged Yan Shuang'er's hand, trotting all the way.

Just as they were about to step through the door, Qianqian couldn't wait to call out loudly, "Mother~" That clear, melodious voice reverberated through the room. Then she released Yan Shuang'er's hand and ran in. An Wangfei, hearing the voice, rose slowly, smiling as she watched Qianqian dash in.

At this moment, Qianqian's peripheral vision caught sight of Yan Si and Shangguan Xingyu also present, and she couldn't help but exclaim, "Ah! Second Brother and Second Sister-in-law are here too!" Yan Si's face instantly stiffened; he feigned severity and chided, "Look at you, all grown up yet still acting like a mischievous child, not a shred of steadiness." Qianqian stuck out her tongue playfully and retorted, "Hmph, I'm much younger than you..." Finished speaking, she ignored Yan Si and plopped down beside Shangguan Xingyu.

Qianqian casually picked up an exquisite pastry from the table, put it in her mouth and took a light bite; her eyes instantly brightened and she praised incessantly, "Wow, this pastry tastes really good! Second Sister-in-law, you try some quick." Saying so, she held the pastry out to Shangguan Xingyu. Shangguan Xingyu smiled and accepted it, carefully tasting a small bite; indeed the texture was superb, sweet but not cloying, leaving an endless aftertaste. So she too nodded in praise: "Mm, truly delicious beyond compare."