Reborn as a Happy Wife in a Rural Family
Chapter 197: Celebrating the New Year

Chapter 197: Chapter 197: Celebrating the New Year

She cried out all the longing, pain, confusion, and grievances that had accumulated during these tumultuous days.

"Don’t cry. I will never leave you again," Xiao Yunjing said, his heart shattering. He cupped her face and kissed away her tears.

This is all my fault, he thought. I almost cost Li’er her life, and the lives of our three unborn babies. I deserve to die.

He had originally believed the imperial court and the battlefield were the most dangerous places, never expecting the martial arts world to be just as perilous. Open attacks were easy to dodge, but hidden schemes were insidious and impossible to fully guard against.

Now that they had come this far, he was determined to persevere, no matter what. It wasn’t just Li’er anymore; three little babies were waiting for his care and protection.

A smile touched Xiao Yunjing’s lips as he imagined the soft, tender moments with their future family of four. He undressed, slipped into bed, and held Gu Qingli close, his large palm gently resting on her protruding belly.

In the future, we’ll be a family of five.

At some point, Gu Qingli heard Xiao Yunjing’s even, soft snores beside her. She gently lifted her head and saw he was already asleep.

Gu Qingli pursed her lips. This big fool... I wonder how long it’s been since he had a proper night’s sleep.

She rose quietly and dressed. Wuyou and the others are outside. Now that Xiao Yunjing has been found, there’s no need to rush. And it just so happens to be New Year’s Day. I’ll have them come in for a good meal and some rest before we set off again.

Gu Qingli leaned down and kissed Xiao Yunjing’s lips. This silly man, frowning even in his sleep. He’s not resting peacefully. She gently smoothed the frown from his brow, kissed his forehead, and then slipped out of the Space.

Outside, the members of the Secret Sect who had arrived later were gathered, talking amongst themselves.

"Miss," Wuqing said with a beaming smile, being the first to spot her emerging.

Gu Qingli looked at them; they were all weary, yet their faces were alight with joy. She beckoned them over.

The group approached, and with a mere thought from Gu Qingli, everyone present, along with the sedan chair, vanished from the snowy ground.

Inside the Space, the members of the Secret Sect, who had never entered it before, were greatly alarmed by the sudden change of surroundings. However, when they saw Yun No. 20 and the others remaining perfectly calm, they inwardly sighed in relief and quickly regained their composure.

Gu Qingli gave them a brief glance. Their mental fortitude is commendable. She then said, "Go prepare some delicious food. Today is New Year’s Day. We’ll set out again after everyone has rested well."

Wuqing and her companions, being seasoned hands, cheerfully went off to cook. The other ten followed, their eyes curiously taking in their new environment.

Yun No. 20 sidled up to the newcomers and whispered something in their ears. The ten of them nodded solemnly.

Gu Qingli returned to the bedroom, where Xiao Yunjing was still sleeping soundly. She undressed, slipped back into bed, and nestled against him, burying her face in the crook of his neck. Xiao Yunjing’s arm instinctively tightened around her.

Breathing in his familiar scent, Gu Qingli soon drifted into a deep sleep.

「When Xiao Yunjing woke up」

Gu Qingli was still fast asleep. He gently stroked her cheek. Her belly has grown, but her face has thinned, he thought, a pang of tenderness striking him. He lovingly kissed her cheek. It’s wonderful. I’ve finally found her.

Xiao Yunjing had never felt as content as he did in this moment. He raised an eyebrow, carefully withdrew his arm, then rose, dressed, and stepped out of the room.

Outside, everyone was seated and waiting. Two large tables were laden with fragrant, steaming dishes. The aroma made Xiao Yunjing swallow; it had been a long time since he’d had a proper meal or a full night’s sleep.

I hadn’t paid attention to my own disheveled state until now, he mused. Thankfully, Li’er doesn’t mind.

"Go on and eat, don’t wait," he told them. "Just save some for my wife and me. Eat your fill, then get some sleep. We have a journey ahead of us after we’ve eaten and rested."

"Yes, Master."

Upon hearing they could eat, the members of the Secret Sect eagerly dug in, like a pack of starving ghosts. They had all been famished, and sitting before the delicious food, unable to eat, had been sheer torture.

Watching the scene, Xiao Yunjing’s eyes flickered. When did my men become so ravenous? A faint smile played on his lips. He turned, went back into the room to find a change of clothes, and then headed to the pond to wash.

「Gu Qingli was awakened by hunger.」

She opened her eyes to see a clean and refreshed Xiao Yunjing sitting beside her, gazing at her intently. With his beard shaved, he looks even thinner, but he seems quite energetic, she observed.

"You’re awake. Are you hungry?" Xiao Yunjing asked, helping her sit up and lean against the headboard.

"So hungry," Gu Qingli said, rubbing her belly and seizing the chance to plant a kiss on Xiao Yunjing’s lips.

Xiao Yunjing smiled, ruffled her hair, and offered his lips for a few more kisses before quickly fetching the food that had been kept warm in a pot.

"Have you eaten yet?" Gu Qingli asked, looking at him with a smile.

"I have. I was about to starve to death if I didn’t. Come, let me feed you."

With that, Xiao Yunjing picked up a bowl and began to feed Gu Qingli, carefully scooping up rice and morsels of food for her.

Gu Qingli wanted to laugh at his clumsy attempts but let him continue. This is the first time I’ve been treated like this! My heart feels incredibly sweet, as if I’ve drunk a bowl of honey.

"Are you full?" Xiao Yunjing asked after she had finished two large bowls of rice, two substantial plates of dishes, and a tureen of soup. Li’er must be carrying little gluttons; she’s eating so much! That’s enough for three adults.

"I’m full." Gu Qingli patted her stomach; she had to eat this much at every meal these days.

"Shall we get up and walk around a bit?"

"Yes," Gu Qingli nodded. Sitting or lying down after eating so much is uncomfortable. A walk would be much better.

Xiao Yunjing helped her sit up on the edge of the bed, dressed her, and then took her hand, leading her out of the room.

Outside, the men of the Secret Sect were sleeping on cloths spread directly on the open ground. Only Wuqing and her three female companions had a small wooden cabin.

"We should build a proper house here in the future," Gu Qingli said.

"We can. We’ll build one when we get back," Xiao Yunjing replied.

"How did you find this place?" Gu Qingli asked curiously. Knowing Xi Chenqing’s temperament, she wouldn’t have told Xiao Yunjing. Since Xi Chenqing forced me to jump, she definitely wouldn’t have planned to tell him.

"And how did my Li’er end up jumping into that sinkhole? Did Xi Chenqing force you? Did she use us to threaten you?" Xiao Yunjing asked, his gaze fixed on Gu Qingli.

"Yes, my dear, you’re so clever." Gu Qingli leaned her head against his chest and continued, "At that time, all of you were vomiting blood and unconscious. My Detoxification Pill had no effect at all.

"Later, I figured the poison came from that unkempt old man, so there had to be an antidote. I decided that even if I had to steal it, I would get that antidote.

"Unexpectedly, as soon as I went out, I ran into Xi Chenqing, who was digging around frantically like a madwoman. When she saw me, she took me away.

"She told me that if I left you and jumped into that sinkhole, she would find a way to save all of you. There wasn’t much time then. If I delayed any longer, all of you would have died, especially you. So, I agreed.

"After I jumped, Wuqing and the others followed me down..."