Zong Yan's smile brightened at her words. "Then I'll smile for you often from now on," he said.
Yan Suxue laughed, amused by him. "You'll tire yourself out smiling all the time. Just be your usual self."
Along the riverbank, Kongming lanterns rose one after another. The two of them lit their own lantern at the bow of the flower boat, making wishes as a northern breeze swept past, carrying the lantern away and rocking the vessel.
As the crowd onshore stirred, Zong Yan guided her back inside the boat, showing her how to peer through the latticed windows. "You can see from here too," he said.
Before she could move closer, the boat swayed again. Yan Suxue lost her balance and stumbled forward, but Zong Yan swiftly caught her—one hand gripping her arm, the other cushioning her head.
"Thud—"
They tumbled onto the cabin floor, pressed tightly together.
In the dim light filtering into the flower boat, their faces were just visible. Yan Suxue's eyes shimmered with a mix of confusion and nervousness, her lips parted but silent.
Zong Yan's throat moved as he leaned down, brushing his lips against hers.
The moment their mouths met, their hearts raced. The unfamiliar yet familiar sensation stirred memories from many years ago—back when they had once been the closest two people could be.
The quiet cabin filled only with their ragged breaths.
Like lightning igniting a wildfire, the kiss shattered the distance between them. They clung to each other, exchanging warmth, their bodies flush against the clean mats lining the cabin floor.
Zong Yan kissed her first as they lay tangled, then pulled her up to press her against the window, his mouth never leaving hers.
Yan Suxue looped her arms around his neck, shy but responsive.
Their plans to solve lantern riddles were forgotten. After releasing the Kongming lantern, they returned home early. Outside their chambers, maids bustled in and out of the bathing room, replenishing hot water, while inside, Zong Yan cornered his wife before her vanity, stealing another kiss as she removed her hairpins.
Yan Suxue pushed at his chest, flustered, gesturing toward the door to remind him of the servants outside.
With a chuckle, Zong Yan released her. "I'll go prepare the bed."
Yan Suxue flushed anew.
She had worried that sharing a bed after Zong Yan's long absence would feel awkward, but after their outing, he clung to her without hesitation, leaving no room for discomfort.
Staring at her reflection—cheeks pink—she fanned herself, willing the heat away.
Zong Yan was… unbearably affectionate.
She had never encountered someone like him, so relentless in his attention. She stood no chance.
That night, when Zong Yan pulled her into his arms, Yan Suxue assumed it would end there.
But then the lamps were extinguished.
His warm body pressed closer, his lips trailing kisses as he loosened her sleeping robes…
By the time Yan Suxue processed what was happening, it was already morning.
Zong Yan's head still rested against her, his warmth seeping into her bare skin. She stiffly tried to withdraw her arm, only for him to twine their fingers together instead.
Yan Suxue: "…"
So this was how it was.
Fourteen years ago, she hadn’t understood how it happened.
Fourteen years later, she still didn’t.
But somehow… they had consummated their marriage.
From that day on, Zong Yan changed noticeably. The initial unfamiliarity faded as he settled back into their home, his comfort growing by the day. The Old Marchioness couldn’t stop smiling.
Only Zong Zhao occasionally grimaced, muttering to Xu Wan, "Zong Yan’s grin is downright shameless."
Xu Wan laughed. "You’re just jealous."
Zong Zhao ignored her, turning instead to dote on their child.
Meanwhile, Zong Wenxiu watched his parents’ deepening bond with a heart full of sweetness, his enthusiasm for work renewed.
Months later, as he returned to the estate—
Shunzi came sprinting toward him, shouting, "Young Master Wenxiu! Wonderful news! WONDERFUL NEWS!!"
Zong Wenxiu hadn’t seen Shunzi this excited in ages. Bewildered, he asked, "What is it? Calm down—did something happen at home?"
Shunzi beamed. "It’s the Second Madam! She’s with child! You’re going to have a little brother or sister!"
Zong Wenxiu froze, as if struck by a colossal bell. His chest trembled.
"My… mother… is pregnant?" he whispered.
Shunzi nodded vigorously. "Yes! The Second Master and Second Madam are overjoyed! The physician just confirmed it—the pulse is strong and steady!"
Zong Wenxiu sprinted toward the main hall.
Inside, Yan Suxue sat surrounded by the family. The Old Marquis waved him over. "Wenxiu, your mother is expecting. Your father is discussing moving to a separate residence—come listen."
"Moving out?" Zong Wenxiu looked at his mother.
Yan Suxue smiled gently. "Your grandmother purchased the neighboring estate. It’ll be our new home, under the name Pingyou Marquisate."
The Old Marquis cleared his throat. "Exactly. I support this. All these honorary plaques in our house—what’s the point if we don’t display them? Right, Zhao?"
He still hadn’t forgotten how his own Marquis Yuanyang plaque had been barred by his eldest son’s Great General title. If his younger son’s honors weren’t given their due, it’d be downright humiliating.
Zong Zhao pretended not to hear. He wasn’t moving out.
Xu Wan suppressed a smile and mediated, "There's only this one estate near our home—let's give it to Zong Yan and Yan Suxue first. After all, it’s close by, so visiting will be convenient."
Zong Yan responded, "Once the new residence is settled, I’ll bring my wife’s relatives from her father’s side to live with us."
Yan Suxue and Zong Wenxiu both looked over in surprise.
Though her aunt and the others lived comfortably in the capital, the distance made visits rare.
If they were brought to Pingyou Marquis’s estate, it would mean treating them as true family, far beyond mere in-law relations.
Zong Yan placed a reassuring hand over Yan Suxue’s and continued, "If the child is a boy, I intend to register him under the Yan family lineage. I hope Father and Mother will grant us this wish."
At these words, Yan Suxue stood up abruptly.
Xu Wan and Zong Zhao showed little surprise—they were rather open-minded.
The Old Marquis, typically rigid in his traditional views, thought of how the Yan family’s male line had been entirely wiped out. The thought of Chancellor Yan, a man of such integrity, leaving no heir pained him.
The Old Marquis fell silent, which seemed like tacit approval.
Tears welled in the Old Marchioness’s eyes as she said, "Good, good. Zong Yan, you’ve miraculously returned from death—your father and I will respect your wishes. And Suxue, don’t feel too pressured. If this child isn’t a boy, you can always try again later."
Yan Suxue didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
The following year, the newborn arrived—a boy.
Zong Yan named him: "Yan Xu."
A continuation of Chancellor Yan’s bloodline, a chance for the fallen Yan family to rise again.
On a breezy summer evening, the family of four sat by the small pond, grilling fish as Yan Suxue listened to Zong Yan recount childhood stories of burning his elder brother’s books, their laughter carrying through the air.
Under the grapevine trellis, Zong Wenxiu gently rocked the cradle with one hand while fanning with the other. Gazing at the familiar infant, he murmured warmly, "Little Yan Xu, grow up quickly. Your elder brother will be waiting for you in court. Until the day… you reclaim your grandfather’s position."
But by then, Yan Xu would no longer stand alone as Chancellor Yan once had. He would have them—his family. He would have a future full of promise.
