TSWPF -Chapter 434 When Will You Get Married

“An imperial edict?”

Li Qingling’s heart skipped a beat. She lifted her eyes and glanced around at the female guests, then smiled and said, “Please come out with me to receive the imperial edict.” The emperor’s decree had arrived at just the right time.

The women guests smiled and nodded, saying it was their honor.

Not everyone had the chance to welcome an imperial edict. They were fortunate because of the county magistrate’s wife.

Li Qingling smiled again and walked out while holding the little baby in her arms.

When Liu Zhimou saw her come out, he quickly walked to her side and stood beside her, protectively escorting her forward.

The eunuch who came to announce the edict was the same one from before. Seeing Mr. Luo and the others, he nodded to them, opened the decree, and began reading.

Kneeling on the ground, Li Qingling listened to the eunuch announce the rewards. Her heart kept pounding.

Weren’t the emperor’s rewards a little too generous?

She lowered her head and glanced at the little one in her arms, smiling with curved lips.

This little girl was truly loved by everyone.

With the imperial rewards bestowed, the old men’s gifts would surely arrive soon as well.

The baby’s full-month gifts would probably fill several rooms.

After the eunuch finished reading, everyone stood up. Mr. Luo stepped forward and invited him inside for a cup of celebratory wine.

The eunuch did not decline and walked in with a smile. When passing by Li Qingling, he leaned over to take a look at the baby.

Seeing her delicate features, he praised, “Such a beautiful child.”

Li Qingling returned the courtesy and said modestly that he flattered her.

The eunuch glanced at her and asked Mr. Luo, “What is the child’s name?”

“Her formal name is Liu Xiran. Her nickname is Xiaoxiao.”

“A good name,” the eunuch praised. “It must have been given by Mr. Luo, right?”

Mr. Luo stroked his beard and smiled inscrutably. “Yes, I named her.”

After all, he was the oldest. Who would dare compete with him for naming rights?

Luckily, Old Man Liu and Old Man Xue weren’t here, or there would have been a dispute.

Thinking this, Mr. Luo secretly felt relieved.

The eunuch laughed and praised them a few more times.

Not long after they went inside, a guard came to report that gifts from the Liu, Lu, and Xue families had arrived.

Li Qingling glanced at Liu Zhimou and was about to go out to receive them.

He shook his head and told her to take Xiaoxiao back to rest. He would handle it himself.

This wasn’t an imperial edict, so she didn’t need to carry the baby out.

Seeing the little one yawn, Li Qingling knew she was sleepy. She didn’t insist and, after saying goodbye to the guests, returned to her room with the baby.

As soon as they entered, the little girl burrowed into her arms.

Li Qingling laughed softly and tapped her forehead. “Aren’t you sleepy? Didn’t you want to sleep? Hmm?”

She sat on the bed, loosened her clothes, and began breastfeeding her.

The baby opened her eyes to look at her, then gulped down milk.

Li Qingling’s heart softened completely. She gently stroked the baby’s back, letting her drink slowly.

Since becoming a mother, her heart had been completely filled by this little one. She wished she could stare at her nonstop.

“What are you looking at, hmm?” The baby took a sip and glanced at her again, making Li Qingling laugh.

“Come on, close your eyes and keep drinking.”

As if understanding her, the baby closed her eyes and continued drinking.

After three-quarters of an hour, Li Qingling carefully laid her down, tucked in the blanket, kissed her forehead, and stood up.

She rubbed her sore waist, changed clothes, loosened her hair, and let out a comfortable sigh.

She was completely exhausted.

Banquets were truly tiring.

Xichun came in quietly and asked if she wanted something to eat. She hadn’t eaten much at the feast.

Li Qingling touched her stomach and nodded. She was indeed hungry.

She hadn’t dared eat much, afraid it might upset Xiaoxiao’s stomach.

Xichun told her to wait and went to fetch food.

“I didn’t eat much either. I’ll eat in the kitchen first and then come back.”

“Alright.”

Xichun quickly left.

After eating a little, she returned with Li Qingling’s food tray.

Halfway back, she ran into Liu Shi. He naturally took the tray from her.

“Have you eaten?” he asked.

She nodded and asked if he had.

He shook his head.

Hearing that, she tried to take the tray back and urged him to eat first.

Liu Shi smiled slightly. “Are you worried about me?”

Xichun blushed and scolded him softly for talking nonsense.

Anyone who said Liu Shi was cold and aloof deserved a punch. He often said embarrassing things!

Everyone had been fooled by his appearance.

Looking straight ahead, he added, “Don’t you care about me?”

Seeing no one around, Xichun pinched his waist lightly. “Stop talking nonsense.”

He deliberately cried out, “Ouch, that hurts!”

“…” With his rock-hard muscles, how could it hurt?

“My silly girl, I meant—doesn’t your hand hurt?”

“…” She rolled her eyes. Was he bored, always teasing her?

“Don’t you need to patrol? Why do you have time for me today?” she asked.

“I just switched shifts with Ling Yi,” he replied. “Don’t worry.”

Xichun nodded and urged him to eat quickly.

He looked at her with a wronged expression. “Do you really not want to see me?”

A tough man acting pitiful made her both amused and annoyed.

She rubbed her arms. “Talk properly. Don’t disgust me.”

“…” He pinched her cheek. “How am I disgusting? If you don’t explain, I won’t let you go.”

“Stop touching me. If someone sees—” She stepped back nervously.

They weren’t married yet.

“I didn’t touch you with my feet,” he replied calmly.

Seeing her worried, he sighed. “No one’s around.”

He would never let others gossip about her.

Xichun pouted. “You’re so bad. You do this on purpose.”

“I’m bad?” He smiled. “I just like how you look when you’re shy.”

Then he asked softly, “Xichun, when will you marry me?”

He couldn’t wait anymore.

Her heart skipped. She lowered her head. “When Miss grows a bit older.”

Xiaoxiao was still small. She wanted to help take care of her.

“How old is ‘older’?” he asked.

“Two—” She stopped when she saw his darkened face. “One… one year.”

He smiled. “Alright. One year. No backing out.”

“In a few months, I’ll talk to Madam.”

“Isn’t that too fast?” she asked.

“It has to be,” he said firmly.

“…” She was speechless.

Back in the courtyard, Li Qingling raised her eyebrows when she saw Liu Shi carrying the tray.

“Did the sun rise in the west today?” she teased.

He put down the tray and saluted. “Madam, I have something to report.”

“What is it?”

“After Miss turns one, I wish to marry Xichun. Please grant your approval.”

Li Qingling didn’t answer immediately. She looked at Xichun.

Xichun nodded shyly.

Li Qingling smiled and asked, “Why wait until Xiaoxiao turns one?”

Liu Shi sighed. “She wants to help take care of Miss so you won’t be too tired. Otherwise, she wanted to wait until two years old.”

Hearing this, Li Qingling felt deeply moved.

She held Xichun’s hand and said gently, “Silly girl. There are so many people at home. How could I be tired? Don’t worry about me. Follow your own heart. Get married whenever you want.”