Huang Ying looked at Cui Hongyu with surprise. "Sister, don't you want to see Brother Xiaobei?"
Cui Hongyu gently rubbed her belly. "Alas, my stomach feels so uncomfortable day by day, how can I have the energy?"
Huang Ying then came back to her senses and quickly supported Cui Hongyu's arm. "Sister, I was too thoughtless. Let me help you to rest."
After settling Cui Hongyu, Huang Ying turned to look for Chen Xiaobei.
Walking on the road, she was filled with excitement. Since Cui Hongyu was inconveniently pregnant, Chen Xiaobei was all hers.
At this time, Chen Xiaobei was also happily drinking with La Erduo and others. For men, it was a joyous occasion to reunite after a separation, though not as exciting as enjoying pleasures. Although Erduo was more than ten years younger than Chen Xiaobei, they got along well and could have a few extra drinks.
As they drank, Chen Xiaobei became a bit tipsy, as he wasn't particularly good at drinking.
La Erduo raised his wine cup and said to Chen Xiaobei, "Brother, can your Two Energies Four Spirits Eight Trigrams Formation really save Miss Liu?"
Chen Xiaobei smiled calmly. "Don't worry, it definitely will. The Crown Prince has already promised me that as long as we do our job well, he will surely keep his word and release the Liu family."
"That's good, that's good," La Erduo agreed, and raised his cup again. Just then, the door opened, and Huang Ying walked in.
Seeing Huang Ying enter, La Erduo immediately called out to his men to add another chair and have her sit beside Chen Xiaobei.
Huang Ying saw that Chen Xiaobei's face was already flushed red. She did not sit down but shook her head and bowed slightly to everyone present. "Everyone, Brother Xiaobei can no longer hold his liquor. I think it's best to let him go back and rest early."
The crowd exchanged glances, then looked at Chen Xiaobei meaningfully, erupting into laughter.
Chen Xiaobei understood what their laughter meant.
Speaking of which, even Huang Ying understood a little. Her face turned slightly red. "Everyone, it's not what you think. It's because Sister Hongyu is feeling unwell."
Huang Ying's reason was worse than not saying anything. After she spoke, everyone burst into another round of hearty laughter.
Chen Xiaobei knew that if he didn't speak now, they would continue to make a fuss. Thinking of this, he swayed and stood up.
"Everyone, I have indeed drunk too much, and I need to go back and rest. I have to do something for the Crown Prince tomorrow and cannot be delayed."
"Yes, yes, this is important, and it must not be delayed."
The crowd echoed their agreement. Chen Xiaobei, with Huang Ying, turned and left the scene.
Walking back to the inn, Huang Ying supported Chen Xiaobei's arm, with a hint of reproach in her voice. "Sister Hongyu just arrived today, and you're already drinking so much!"
Chen Xiaobei smiled. "It's alright. Your Sister Hongyu will understand me. Besides, everyone was here to welcome her, but since she left, I had to drink more on her behalf!"
In Huang Ying's heart, a strange ache arose. When she arrived, everyone was very enthusiastic, but no welcome drinks were offered to her. However, these feelings could only be buried in her heart.
They walked and talked, and soon arrived at the inn.
Chen Xiaobei came to Cui Hongyu's door and gently knocked twice. A slightly tired voice from inside replied.
"Is it Brother Xiaobei?"
"It's me, open the door."
There was some rustling from inside, and after a moment, the door opened, and their eyes met.
Xiaobei stepped forward and gently embraced Cui Hongyu.
"Brother Xiaobei..." Cui Hongyu instantly felt an urge to cry. Although she had spoken so casually to Huang Ying, when she truly faced Chen Xiaobei, she still felt some reluctance.
Chen Xiaobei gently kissed Cui Hongyu's forehead. "You've worked hard these past few days."
Cui Hongyu smiled. "It's nothing, nothing."
"Alright, let's rest. You've been tired these past few days." Chen Xiaobei said, moving towards the bed.
Cui Hongyu reached out and stopped him. "Brother Xiaobei, I'm not feeling well these past two days. You should go to Sister Huang Ying's room."
Saying this, she pulled Chen Xiaobei towards the door, pushed him out, and then slammed the door shut, locking the bolt with a click.
What was this? Chen Xiaobei was a bit confused. Cui Hongyu, inside the room, was actually a bit conflicted. She touched her belly, looked out the window, and finally shook her head, muttering to herself, "Brother Xiaobei, I'm carrying your child, so let Sister Hongyu accompany you for now."
Chen Xiaobei turned and went to Huang Ying's room. Huang Ying was sitting by the window, feeling anxious. Although Cui Hongyu had asked him to accompany her, it also depended on Chen Xiaobei.
Just then, the door creaked open, and Chen Xiaobei pushed it open and entered.
Seeing Chen Xiaobei come in, Huang Ying was both surprised and delighted. She sprang up and rushed forward.
"Brother Xiaobei, Sister Hongyu, she..."
Chen Xiaobei waved his hand. "It's nothing, nothing. Hongyu has endured a long journey, let her rest for a few days."
Huang Ying secretly rejoiced, stepped forward, and helped Chen Xiaobei unbutton his clothes.
"Then... Husband... let's rest early!" Before she could finish, Huang Ying's face turned red.
From "Brother Xiaobei" to "Husband," Chen Xiaobei knew what was about to happen.
How could he not engage in some "taijiquan" to live up to Huang Ying's change of address?
In a flurry, they were soon bare.
Chen Xiaobei, fueled by alcohol, seemed a bit wild.
He first leaned in for a French kiss.
Taking the opportunity to caress her. Then, it suddenly erupted.
Although it wasn't Huang Ying's first time, she was still a bit shy, her face flushed red.
"Brother Xiaobei, you're so annoying."
Xiaobei chuckled. "When knocking on the door, one should ring the doorbell. That's what a gentleman does."
"Ah..." Huang Ying cried out.
...
The maidservant Du Juan outside the door listened to the faint sounds from within, a look of joy in her eyes.
Cui Hongyu was pregnant, and Du Juan was anxious. Huang Ying was already the second wife, and if her stomach wasn't more capable, she might be neglected in the future.
Therefore, the more rounds of "taijiquan" Chen Xiaobei and Huang Ying played, the happier she, as a maidservant, was.
The next day, until dawn, Chen Xiaobei lazily opened his eyes.
Suddenly, he seemed to remember something. He reached out and felt that the space beside him was empty. He looked at Huang Ying, who was already gone.
Xiaobei shook his head. Alas, he had slept too soundly and didn't even know when Huang Ying had left.
He yawned and lazily got up. Just then, the door opened, and Huang Ying and Cui Hongyu walked in side by side.
"Brother Xiaobei, you're awake." Huang Ying's eyes held a hint of shyness, while Cui Hongyu's face was beaming with joy. It was evident that after resting for a night, Cui Hongyu had recovered much of her energy.
"Brother Xiaobei, you're awake. Let's go for breakfast."