Chapter 331 Tang Huo'er's Introduction

The news spread much faster than Shen Wen had anticipated.

That very evening, Xiao Yi Xian arrived.

She carried a bowl of freshly brewed soup and placed it in front of Cao Ying, saying softly, "Sister Ying, this is an anti-miscarriage soup I brewed specially for you. Please, have a taste."

Cao Ying took the bowl, sipped it, and looked up at Xiao Yi Xian. "Where did you learn this?"

Xiao Yi Xian's cheeks flushed slightly. "I asked Dan Chen. She said the Dan Family has a recipe."

Dan Chen nodded from the side. "Mm-hmm, I had someone go back to get it, and I specifically had it brewed for you."

Watching her earnest expression, Cao Ying suddenly smiled.

"You two..."

She shook her head and lowered her head to continue drinking the soup, though her eyes felt a little sore.

Xiao Yi Xian sat down beside her and said softly, "Sister Ying has waited so long for this; you have finally had your wish granted."

Cao Ying nodded, not saying anything.

By the time Cai Lin walked in holding Shen Yinian, Cao Ying had already finished the soup.

When Shen Yinian saw Cao Ying, her purple eyes immediately lit up. She reached out her little hands toward her, babbling away.

Cao Ying reached out, took her into her arms, and kissed her on the cheek.

"Good girl, One Thought."

Shen Yinian giggled from the kisses, her little hands clutching onto her lapel.

Cai Lin sat down nearby, her gaze falling on Cao Ying's lower abdomen, the corners of her lips curling slightly.

"This child of yours, Sister Ying, will definitely be a boy."

Cao Ying raised an eyebrow. "How do you know?"

Cai Lin said, "Intuition."

Cao Ying chuckled, shook her head, and didn't say anything more.

The moonlight outside the window shone through the gauze curtains, falling upon the smiling faces in the room.

Shen Wen stood outside the door, watching this scene, and suddenly felt a soft spot in his heart.

He walked inside, sat down next to Cao Ying, and reached out to put his arm around her waist.

Cao Ying leaned on his shoulder and asked softly, "Have you thought of a name?"

Shen Wen looked down at her and smiled. "It's still too early."

Cao Ying hummed in acknowledgment and didn't say anything more.

In the days that followed, the Shen Residence became much livelier.

After the news of Cao Ying's pregnancy spread, a continuous stream of people came to deliver gifts.

The Dan Ta Three Giants visited in person, bringing a pile of rare medicinal herbs, saying it was to help Cao Ying nourish her body.

From the Cao Family, the Old Family Head Cao Tianxiong came in person. He hugged Cao Ying and wept, saying that the Cao Family finally had a successor.

The Dan Family also sent people over, bringing a large pile of anti-miscarriage prescriptions and Medicinal Pills, saying it was a token of their affection for their in-laws.

Even Burning Flame Valley sent gifts, along with a congratulatory note written personally by Valley Master Tang Zhen, saying that when the child was born, he must be invited to the full-month celebration.

Shen Wen accepted them all one by one. After seeing off wave after wave of guests, when he returned to the Flower Hall, his smile had already stiffened.

Cao Ying was sitting there, sipping her soup in a leisurely manner. Seeing him enter, she lifted her eyelids.

"Tired?"

Shen Wen sat down beside her, picked up a teacup, took a sip, and didn't speak.

Cao Ying smiled and didn't ask further.

Just then, footsteps were heard outside the door.

Tang Huo'er.

Today, she was wearing a bright red long dress, looking radiant and stunning. After entering, her gaze first swept over Cao Ying's lower abdomen before looking at Shen Wen.

"Congratulations."

Shen Wen nodded. "Thank you."

Tang Huo'er sat down opposite him, took a sip of tea, and suddenly said, "My father said, when you have time, you should visit Burning Flame Valley."

Shen Wen raised an eyebrow. "What for?"

Tang Huo'er set down the teacup, her gaze resting on his face, the corners of her lips curling slightly.

"To discuss our marriage."

The Flower Hall fell silent for a moment.

Cao Ying looked up, glanced at Tang Huo'er, then at Shen Wen, a meaningful curve appearing on her lips.

"Oh? Finally getting down to business?"

Tang Huo'er's cheeks flushed slightly, but she didn't avert her gaze, simply saying, "It was my father who said it, not me."

Cao Ying gave a meaningful "Oh."

Tang Huo'er felt uncomfortable under her gaze, so she stood up and said, "I've delivered the message; whether you go or not is up to you."

After saying this, she turned and left.

After taking two steps, she suddenly turned back and looked at Shen Wen. "I will wait for you."

As the words fell, that fiery red figure had already disappeared outside the door.

The Flower Hall was quiet for a moment.

Cao Ying picked up her teacup, took a sip, and said leisurely, "Aren't you going to chase after her?"

Shen Wen glanced at her, then stood up and walked outside.

The wedding was set for half a month later.

Burning Flame Valley moved very quickly. The marriage horoscopes, betrothal gifts, and auspicious dates were all finalized, even more formally than when Dan Chen had entered the family.

In the words of Valley Master Tang Zhen, Huo-er was the heir to Burning Flame Valley, so the wedding could not be taken lightly.

Shen Wen naturally had no objections.

It was just taking in a concubine; no matter how grand Burning Flame Valley wanted to make it, he would accept it.

Half a month passed in a flash.

On the day of the concubine-taking, the entire Shen Residence was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers.

Valley Master Tang Zhen personally escorted Tang Huo'er into the residence, followed by a group of Elders from Burning Flame Valley. The spectacle was even grander than when Dan Chen had entered the family last time.

From Pill Tower, Xuan Kongzi and Tian Leizi came again.

The two stood in the crowd, watching the grand red bridal sedan chair land. They exchanged a glance, both seeing helplessness in the other's eyes.

"This kid, the residence is almost full," Tian Leizi muttered.

Xuan Kongzi held his teacup, his tone languid. "If it's full, just expand it."

Tian Leizi glared at him.

Xuan Kongzi acted as if he didn't see it.

The ceremony was complete.

Tang Huo'er was sent to the bridal chamber, and Shen Wen remained in the hall to drink a few cups with the guests.

Valley Master Tang Zhen walked over with a wine cup. He didn't say anything, just raised his cup to him and drank it all in one gulp.

Shen Wen also raised his cup and drank it all.

Valley Master Tang Zhen looked at him and suddenly smiled.

"Huo-er is a stubborn girl; once she sets her mind on something, not even nine oxen can pull her back." He paused, his tone becoming somewhat serious. "Treat her well."

Shen Wen nodded. "I will."

Valley Master Tang Zhen patted him on the shoulder and turned to leave.

The festivities lasted until late at night, and only then did the guests gradually disperse.

Shen Wen drank a few more cups before rising and heading toward the backyard.

In the bridal chamber, red candles burned brightly.

Tang Huo'er sat upright on the edge of the bed, her bright red wedding dress glowing with a warm luster under the candlelight. She lowered her head, her hands twisted together, unsure of what she was thinking.

Hearing footsteps, she looked up and met Shen Wen's gaze.

Her bright, beautiful face flushed instantly—it was incredibly red, and even her earlobes were tinged with a faint pink.

Shen Wen sat down beside her and reached out to hold her hand.

Her hand trembled slightly, her fingertips cold, but they were soon warmed by the heat of his palm.

"Nervous?"

Tang Huo'er shook her head, then nodded, and finally just gave up on shaking it, simply looking at him like that.

Shen Wen smiled.

He reached out and pulled her into his arms.

Tang Huo'er's body stiffened slightly, then immediately relaxed as she leaned on his shoulder.

"Shen Wen..."

She spoke softly, her voice tender, a completely different person from her usual bright and brisk demeanor.

Shen Wen lowered his head, resting his chin on the top of her head, inhaling the faint, fresh scent from her hair.

"Hmm?"

Tang Huo'er was silent for a moment, then suddenly said, "I won't bring shame upon you."

Shen Wen smiled and pulled her a little tighter.

"I know."

The night was deep and still.

The red candles burned down, the flames extinguished, leaving the bridal chamber in a peaceful darkness.

At this very moment, that familiar mechanical voice rang out in Shen Wen's mind—