New Yu Era, Year 1332, March 7

    Hexi Prefecture City, behind the main hall of Hou Mansion

    A dozen or so maids were gathered around a delicate woman with elegant features, who was holding a beautifully crafted and gentle baby in her arms.

    The baby was asleep, unaware of so many eyes on him, occasionally smacking his little lips. If not for the fear of waking the child, the dozen maids would have been enchanted enough to exclaim out loud.

    "The little young master is so beautiful, no wonder the third lady said he looks exactly like the Family Head did when he was a child. I think when he grows up, he''ll surely become a handsome gentleman just like the Family Head!"

    "Yes, yes, look at the eyes, they''re exactly the same."

    ...

    The Hou Mansion is not what it used to be; those who can attend closely to the Family Head''s wife are not only of clear background but also possess impressive Martial Arts Levels, with most being above the Gang Qi Realm. They spoke cautiously, controlling their volume so as not to disturb the baby.

    Zhao Qingxue had heard similar compliments so often these days that her ears were nearly calloused from it. Hearing them again, her face was still full of warmth as she looked down at her son, her eyes brimming with love, nearly overflowing.

    "Eee...…"

    The baby, who was sleeping in her arms, suddenly opened his eyes and met Zhao Qingxue''s gaze, his eyes full of attachment, and let out a gentle coo.

    "Wuji is awake, is he hungry!"

    Though Zhao Qingxue had the cultivation of the Three Realms of Yuan Dan, she couldn''t hide the fact that she was a new mother. Seeing her son awake, she became nervous and forgot that she had just fed him, thinking he was hungry again.

    "Madam, the little young master just ate, he shouldn''t be hungry."

    Fortunately, a maid hurriedly reminded her, and Zhao Qingxue realized, looking down at her son again, only to find him with wide eyes, gazing up at the sky.

    "Eee ya...…"

    Not only did he make a sound, but the baby also pointed his finger toward the sky. Zhao Qingxue and the maids were surprised and looked in the direction Hou Wuji was pointing.

    To their surprise, at some point, a figure in green clothes was standing mid-air, looking intently at the baby in Zhao Qingxue''s arms while slowly descending to the ground.

    Zhao Qingxue''s face lit up with joy, and the other maids hurriedly bowed their heads, paying respects to the figure slowly landing from the sky: "We greet the Family Head!"

    Looking at his son, Hou Yuxiao was filled with emotions. Despite pausing mid-air to calm down for over a hundred breaths, upon seeing the tiny one lying in Zhao Qingxue''s arms up close, he couldn''t help feeling a profound bond.

    Perhaps it was the father-son connection; though he had already concealed his aura, and even Zhao Qingxue and others hadn''t sensed it, Hou Wuji, still in swaddling clothes with no cultivation, was the first to detect his presence.

    "Husband, hold Wuji."

    Hou Yuxiao nodded, a bit nervous, as he stepped forward and took his son from Zhao Qingxue''s arms. Feeling the weight and smelling the milky scent from his son, Hou Yuxiao felt it was the most delightful fragrance in the world.

    Seemingly sensing his father''s love, the little one was not afraid, reaching out his tiny hands to paw at Hou Yuxiao''s chest, making cooing sounds like he was trying to talk.

    He really was a father now.

    Hou Yuxiao smiled, unable to resist reaching out to tease his son while also turning to look at Zhao Qingxue, walking to her side with a gentle gaze.

    "You''ve worked hard, Qingxue!"

    Zhao Qingxue gently shook her head. Though she had some grievances about Hou Yuxiao not being by her side during childbirth, seeing the closeness between him and their son, her heart felt sweet and all grievances dissipated.

    "Are things settled on the Nanping side?"

    Usually, Zhao Qingxue didn''t concern herself with these matters, but hearing her question, Hou Yuxiao knew her thoughts. He quickly sat down beside her, holding their son and softly said, "Almost. I''ve arranged for Yuduan to manage the remaining matters there. I''m back to properly spend time with you and our child; I won''t be leaving anytime soon."

    Hearing these words, Zhao Qingxue smiled, gently leaning her head on Hou Yuxiao''s shoulder, turning to softly stroke Hou Wuji in his arms.

    During this warm family moment, the maids tactfully left the courtyard, with some staying outside on standby while others hurried to inform others that the Family Head had returned.

    Hou Yuxiao returned without much fanfare, causing only a slight stir within the Hou Mansion. Hou Yucheng was expected by April, and the twenty or so days ahead he wished not to be disturbed, preferring to quietly accompany Zhao Qingxue and their son, staying within the mansion.

    Apart from meeting with Third Lady and Fourth Elder to understand the development of Hexi and Xingnan over the past half year, Hou Yuxiao spent nearly all his time with Zhao Qingxue, occasionally playing with their son Hou Wuji, thoroughly enjoying his leisurely moments.

    ...…

    New Yu Era, Year 1332, March 27 Sёar?h the N??elFirё.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Hou Yucheng, leading an army of 1.28 million, did not return to the prefectural city but instead bypassed it, heading directly to Baiye Camp.