Chen Xiaobei's voice trembled, unable to speak as he saw Liu Rumei. Liu Rumei's eyes met Chen Xiaobei's, and both slowed their steps. With each step, their hearts pounded more fiercely, their bodies trembling.
Three steps, two steps, one step. Chen Xiaobei and Liu Rumei finally met.
Chen Xiaobei reached out a trembling hand to grasp Liu Rumei's shoulders. He looked at her, her face gaunt but her eyes bright. His heart ached, and he pulled her into his embrace.
Liu Rumei was overwhelmed with emotion. In a single day, she had experienced the joy of seeing her father and the sorrow of losing her brother. Now, reunited with the man she loved, her emotions finally found release, and she wept uncontrollably.
Watching Liu Rumei cry, Chen Xiaobei gently wiped her tears and murmured, "Rumei, don't cry. It's good that you're back. It's good that you're back."
Tears in her eyes, Liu Rumei nodded softly. "Yes, I'm back. I'm back."
Then, ignoring the presence of Xiao Qing and the others, their lips met in a passionate kiss.
After an unknown amount of time, lost in their embrace, Xiao Qing cleared her throat. "Miss, it's cold outside. Let's go inside!"
Liu Rumei realized her lapse in composure and gently turned her face away from Chen Xiaobei's kiss. Chen Xiaobei also regained his senses, acknowledging his own impropriety, especially given his status as the驸马 (Fù mǎ - son-in-law of the Emperor).
Chen Xiaobei nodded. "Quickly, Rumei, it's warm inside."
They entered the room hand in hand. The room was warm from the burning charcoal stove. After a few cups of hot tea, their emotions settled. Chen Xiaobei then asked, "Rumei, tell me how you came back!"
Liu Rumei recounted her journey, especially the part where Zheng Zhun and his men stayed behind to cover their escape. Chen Xiaobei's eyes welled up with tears, moved by their selfless spirit.
After his emotional reflection, Liu Rumei changed the subject. "Husband, there's something I want to ask you. Father said Duo Bang is imprisoned in the Celestial Dungeon, and you've advised the Emperor to spare his life for now!"
Chen Xiaobei nodded and reiterated his reasons. Liu Rumei fell silent.
From her heart, she believed Duo Bang, who had killed her brother and the Crown Prince, deserved a gruesome death. However, she thought of the thousands of brothers who had stayed behind in Da Tu Kingdom with her, their fate unknown. Her own survival was a stroke of luck.
This thought brought a wave of emotion. If sparing one Duo Bang could save so many lives, it might be considered a great act of kindness.
"If saving so many people can be achieved by sparing Duo Bang, I believe my elder brother and His Highness the Crown Prince would be pleased, even in the afterlife!"
Chen Xiaobei nodded. "Yes, Rumei, you're right. By capturing Duo Bang, we've eliminated a potential threat. The rest is not as important." He then changed the topic. "Oh, there's something else I haven't had a chance to tell you..."
Seeing Chen Xiaobei hesitate, Liu Rumei seemed to guess what it was. She said calmly, "You're talking about the Princess, aren't you!"
Chen Xiaobei nodded. "Yes, yes. It wasn't my intention to propose to the Princess. It was His Highness the Crown Prince who brought it up. The Emperor had decreed that whoever achieved the greatest merit would marry the Princess, and the merit for rescuing Wànnián City was attributed to me."
Chen Xiaobei then explained how his father-in-law taught him the antidote and how he cured Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun of poison.
Liu Rumei listened and nodded repeatedly. "Then it's no wonder the Crown Prince wanted you to marry the Princess. In time, when the Crown Prince ascends the throne, this will be considered an act of saving the Emperor. It's immense merit, so it's only natural that your contribution is the greatest."
Chen Xiaobei, with a touch of guilt, pulled Liu Rumei into his embrace again.
"Alas, marrying the Princess was not my true desire, but since the Emperor decreed it, I had no choice but to obey."
Liu Rumei nodded gently, a slight smile on her face. Despite the pain of losing her brother, she found solace in Chen Xiaobei's presence.
"Husband, I don't blame you. Marrying the Princess is a good thing. The Princess will be part of our family. By the way, I heard the Princess will be handling state affairs. In this world, women don't govern. I think the Princess managing affairs is much like you managing affairs. Although you are not the Emperor, you are more than an Emperor."
Chen Xiaobei shook his head. "Rumei, you mustn't say such things. You can say them to me, but never outside. If anyone overhears and reports it to the Emperor, it could cost you your head."
Just then, hurried footsteps were heard outside, followed by a clear voice.
"Sister Rumei, Sister Rumei!" It was the young girl's voice.
Liu Rumei quickly broke free from Chen Xiaobei's embrace. Chen Xiaobei stood up and moved aside. As he sat down, the young girl burst in.
Liu Rumei stood up and opened her arms. In the next moment, the young girl ran into her embrace.
"Sister Rumei, you don't know how much I missed you. I worried about you every day."
Liu Rumei nodded and gently stroked the young girl's hair. "I know you worried about me. But I'm back now."
The young girl smiled and nodded. "Yes, I knew it. Sister's martial arts are peerless, and she would surely be fine and return."
Liu Rumei smiled and nodded, then turned to Chen Xiaobei. "Husband, since Xiao Yatou is here, let's have a meal together to celebrate."
Chen Xiaobei understood Liu Rumei's intention. She had just suffered the loss of her brother, and she didn't want to appear overly sorrowful, especially in front of Xiao Yatou. She wanted to appear strong. After all, for a child like Xiao Yatou, who had not experienced much of life, it was difficult to comprehend the pain of losing a loved one.
However, Xiao Yatou shook her head. "No, Sister. I can't stay for dinner. My grandfather said I should return immediately after seeing you. He also said he has urgent matters to assign to me."
Chen Xiaobei knew that Fang Zheng's words meant he didn't want Xiao Yatou to stay. Indeed, if Fang Zheng had made such arrangements, there must be a reason. He nodded. "Alright then, you should go back first!"