Mo Jiuye bid farewell to his two elder brothers and set off for Xi Ling Village with He Zhiran.
Upon returning home, he naturally had to explain the situation clearly to his family again.
As Mo Jiuye had expected, none of his family members objected to his decision.
Especially Mo Qing, who had served the imperial court for most of his life. Although he was disappointed by the injustice the Mo Family had suffered, his heart had never ceased longing to serve the imperial court.
Originally, he thought it would be good if the family could remain together harmoniously, as titles and wealth were ultimately vain pursuits.
But after the birth of Zhu, his heart began to waver.
Being from an older generation, he felt that the descendants of the Mo Family, especially his eldest grandson, should not remain obscure.
Now, with Mo Jiuye agreeing to become the King of Defending the West for Nan Yu, not only would the title be hereditary, but he would also receive a fief.
For Mo Qing, this was the best of both worlds.
Their family could continue living together harmoniously in the northwest, while Zhu's future title was also secured.
Similarly, although Madam He did not have as many thoughts as Mo Qing, she simply wished for her beloved grandson to follow in his father's footsteps, which was also a considerable honor.
The sisters-in-law were even happier. On one hand, they were delighted that the Mo Family had been cleared of the charges, allowing them to visit their parents in the capital openly in the future. On the other hand, it was due to the small vanity women tend to have.
If Mo Jiuye had not been granted a royal title, even though the Mo Family's charges were cleared, they would have returned to their maiden homes as commoners.
With so many nephews and nieces in their families, who had always been envious of them, their commoner status would have been grounds for mockery.
But now, all their worries were resolved.
In short, He Zhiran's reminder for Mo Jiuye to make this decision pleased everyone in the Mo Family.
After a long conversation with his family, Mo Jiuye and He Zhiran returned to their own courtyard.
Madam He and He Ziming had already learned of their return.
Madam He was both happy and angry - happy that her daughter and son-in-law had returned safely, but angry at He Zhiran's sudden departure.
He Ziming was also eager to see them and learn about the situation in the capital, most importantly, his father's decision.
Madam He had already planned to scold He Zhiran upon her return.
However, when Mo Jiuye and He Zhiran appeared before her, Madam He immediately lost her composure, her initial anger dissipating completely.
She pulled He Zhiran and looked her over, tears flowing uncontrollably.
"You child, you've really grown wings and become headstrong, not even listening to your mother. That dangerous capital, what could a woman like you do there..."
After being away from the northwest for a month, hearing her mother nag at her suddenly filled He Zhiran with a sense of warmth.
Although her mother nagged a bit, she truly loved her daughter.
This maternal affection was something He Zhiran could only long for in her previous life but never attain.
"Mother, look, I've returned safe and sound," He Zhiran said, spinning around to prove she was unharmed.
Madam He could only helplessly accept it, for this was her precious daughter!
"You ungrateful child, making your mother worry for so long."
As she spoke, she pointed at the two little ones sleeping on the bed.
"You even had the heart to leave these two little babies behind to run off. Didn't you miss them?"
How could she not miss them?
He Zhiran didn't know how many times she had reminisced about her two precious babies with Mo Jiuye.
If not for Madam He holding her back earlier, she would have rushed over to embrace the two little ones she had longed for day and night.
Now, taking advantage of Madam He's words, He Zhiran quickly walked over to the bed.
As people say, newborn babies grow quickly, changing appearance daily.
This saying was not exaggerated.
Zhu and Mingzhu's little faces had become much rounder since she had left home, their skin a healthy, rosy hue.
Ever since his birth, Zhu had always worn a serious expression, rarely smiling.
Mingzhu, on the other hand, was the opposite of her brother, her every emotion written on her face.
At this moment, Zhu seemed to be having some kind of dream, his little brows furrowed tightly, looking like a miniature adult, melting the hearts of his parents, Mo Jiuye and He Zhiran...
Not to be outdone, Mingzhu suddenly smiled when her parents' gazes fell upon her face, revealing two shallow dimples on her chubby cheeks.
This utterly charmed Mo Jiuye and He Zhiran.
Eagerly, Mo Jiuye wiped his large hand on his clothes before gently picking up Mingzhu.
Naturally, He Zhiran would not show favoritism, and seeing her husband hold their daughter, she also picked up Zhu.
Perhaps sensing the long-missed yet familiar embrace, the two little ones opened their eyes as soon as they were picked up.
Both babies had large, black grape-like eyes, currently gazing at the faces before them.
Ordinarily, after waking up, the fussy Mingzhu would have cried a few times before settling. This time, however, she remained unusually quiet, staring at her father's face for a moment before her little lips curved into a smile, even emitting a series of giggles that melted one's heart.
Zhu maintained his usual seriousness, but his clear, watery eyes revealed his fondness for his mother.
Madam He was delighted to witness this scene.
"Look at these two little rascals, not the slightest bit unfamiliar with their parents after a month apart. Blood ties truly surpass all..."
As she spoke, she deliberately feigned displeasure.
"Your paternal grandmother holds you every day, yet you've never been so affectionate with her."
He Ziming chimed in, "Indeed, I play with Mingzhu every day, but she only rewards me with a smile when she's particularly happy.
I never expected the little one to smile so freely in her own father's arms."
Seeing He Ziming say this, Madam He immediately changed the subject.
"You can't be envious of such things. If you want a child to smile at you like that, go have one yourself."
Upon hearing this, He Ziming immediately blushed deeply and closed his mouth, unsure of what to say.
Based on He Zhiran's understanding of her mother, for her to say such a thing, she must no longer oppose the relationship between He Ziming and Lan Er.
As the elder sister, she naturally had to inquire about her brother's marriage matters.
"How are things progressing between Elder Brother and Lan Er?"
This was a question He Ziming felt too embarrassed to answer.
He Zhiran also understood that although she appeared to be asking He Ziming, she was actually waiting for her mother to respond.
