451: A heavy responsibility

The calming incense in the inner chamber curled and drifted, isolating the twilight and chill outside the window lattice.

Situ Jun held Su Yunniang’s cool hand, slowly infusing spiritual energy from his fingertips to smooth away the lingering fatigue between her brows.

Situ Fengyan, in his swaddle, smacked his little mouth and slept soundly, a faint blush still on his tender pink cheeks.

Su Yunniang leaned against a soft pillow, her gaze tenderly falling on the face of the sleeping infant in the swaddle, a faint smile on her lips; the pain of childbirth from earlier seemed to have been completely smoothed over by this joy of being a first-time mother.

With a soft "creak," the door was gently pushed open.

"Sister."

Liu Xuaner was the first to walk in, holding a gold-painted lacquer box in her hands, her steps extremely light for fear of disturbing the mother and son on the bed.

Behind her followed Li Danying, Nangong Xue, and others, each carrying something—either nourishing medicinal soups or soft swaddling clothes—their faces filled with uncontrollable joy.

Li Danying supported her waist and walked slowly to the bedside, her gaze falling on the swaddle with eyes full of envy. She reached out to gently touch the infant's small fist and smiled:

"This child is born so well; his cry was so loud, he will certainly be successful in the future."

Nangong Xue’s temperament was usually cold, but at this moment, warmth also touched her eyes as she placed a jade pendant on the bedside and said softly:

"This is a piece of Warm Jade I found in my early years. It can calm the mind and settle fright. Let Short for Situ Fengyan wear it."

Aunt Xu was an elder in the manor who had known Su Yunniang for over a decade. Seeing Yun Niang become a mother now, her eyes reddened slightly. She stepped forward and handed over a small cloth bundle:

"Yun Niang, these are the Tiger-head Shoes I sewed overnight for the little Young Lord to ward off evil. Please don't look down on them."

Su Yunniang hurriedly took them. Feeling the dense stitches with her fingertips, her heart warmed, and she said softly:

"What are you saying, Aunt Xu? I couldn't be happier."

Jiang Yan followed at the end, holding a small brocade pouch containing a Peace Talisman she had embroidered herself with dense stitches and patterns to ward off evil and misfortune.

She walked to the bedside, gently placed the pouch by the infant's pillow, and smiled:

"I don't have anything impressive to give, so I embroidered a Peace Talisman. I hope Short for Situ Fengyan grows up safe and sound."

The Embroiderer's eyes were also red as she wiped the corners of her eyes and smiled:

"I’ve long made many little clothes and shoes for Short for Situ Fengyan; I’ll have someone deliver them later. This child is even more handsome than the patterns I used to embroider back then."

"Thank you, sisters."

Su Yunniang looked at the gifts everyone brought, her heart filled with emotion and her eyes reddening slightly:

"It is Yan'er's blessing to have all of you aunts to dote on him."

Situ Fengyan seemed disturbed by the sound of the bells; his tiny brows furrowed, his mouth smacked, and he let out a soft, milky "yi-ya" before falling back into a deep sleep.

Seeing this, everyone couldn't help but chuckle softly, and the atmosphere in the hall was warm and harmonious.

At this moment, Lin Suwan walked in holding an exquisite food box. She was the most skilled in cooking in the manor and said with a smile:

"Sister Yun Niang, I stewed some pigeon soup for you to replenish your Qi and blood. Drink some while it's hot."

Su Yunniang agreed with a smile. Situ Jun personally took the food box, carefully ladled out a bowl, handed it to her, then picked up a spoon, scooped some up, and blew it cool before bringing it to her lips.

Su Yunniang took it, the warmth traveling from her throat all the way to her heart. She looked at Situ Jun’s gentle profile and then at the sleeping infant beside her, feeling that her life was now one of Perfection, with no more regrets.

Before long, Chen Yufei, Mei Shuang, Lan Yanliu, Cherry, Shen Xingwan... also walked in with gifts, supplements, and Spirit Medicine.

For a moment, the inner chamber was crowded, yet it didn't feel noisy at all.

The female family members gathered around the bed, chatting and saying heartfelt words, their gazes all falling on that tiny swaddle, full of affection and joy.

Su Yunniang looked at the familiar smiling faces before her, her heart filled with warmth and her eyes heating up slightly.

She knew she wasn't fighting alone; everyone in this City Lord’s Manor was her family.

Situ Jun fed Yun Niang the soup, and as he watched this scene, the smile on his lips was gentle, almost tender.

He watched the women surrounding Su Yunniang and the child, seeing the genuine concern in their eyes, and a strong sense of satisfaction suddenly welled up in his heart.

This was the home he wanted, the warmth he was willing to protect with his life.

He raised his hand and gently patted the back of Su Yunniang’s hand, saying softly:

"You’ve just given birth and your body is weary. Don’t talk too much; get some good rest. I’ve noted their kindness on your behalf."

After saying that, he looked at everyone and said loudly:

"Yun Niang needs quiet rest, and you’ve all been tired all day. Go back and rest first. You can come to see her and Short for Situ Fengyan another day."

Hearing this, the women nodded one after another.

Before leaving, Liu Xuaner specifically reminded:

"If you need anything, sister, just tell the servants to let me know. Zhu Changpo and I are keeping an eye on the manor's affairs, so you just focus on recuperating your body."

Li Danying also agreed:

"Yes, sister, you must not push yourself. Giving birth is a major event; you must have a good rest."

Everyone gave a few more reminders before reluctantly departing.

Quiet returned to the inner chamber, leaving only Situ Jun, Su Yunniang, and the sleeping infant.

The sunset glow outside the window gradually faded, and night enveloped Northern Border City. Faint sounds of bustle came from afar, likely the manor's servants celebrating the birth of the Young Lord.

Situ Jun put down the empty bowl and reached out to gently touch the infant's delicate face. The fine, warm sensation under his fingertips made his heart soften.

"Short for Situ Fengyan... Situ Fengyan."

He whispered the name, his gaze looking toward the night sky outside the window, where the stars were scattered, reflecting the lights of the thousands of households in Northern Border City.

"This child was born with blessings," Su Yunniang said softly. "Listen to the sounds outside; even the servants are this happy."

Situ Jun turned to look at her, his eyes gentle:

"It is you who brought blessings to Northern Border City. Yun Niang, thank you."

Su Yunniang was slightly stunned, then smiled faintly and shook her head:

"What are you saying, husband? It is my blessing to be able to marry you."

She paused, then looked at the child in the swaddle and said softly:

"I only hope that in the future, this child can be like you—responsible, bold, able to protect the people of Northern Border City, and keep this Northern Border land peaceful forever."

Situ Jun’s heart stirred. He held her hand and said solemnly:

"He will. With me and Short for Situ Fengyan here, Northern Border City will surely get better and better."

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried a power that brooked no doubt.

Just then, Situ Fengyan in the swaddle let out a soft whimper, his small body moved, and his little mouth opened, making "yi-ya" sounds.

Situ Jun and Su Yunniang held their breath at the same time, their eyes fixed on the little fellow, the softness and joy in their hearts almost overflowing.

Situ Jun carefully extended his finger and gently touched the infant's small hand.

The little fellow seemed to have sensed something; his small hand gripped, actually firmly grasping his finger.

The strength was very light, yet it was like a warm current that instantly surged through Situ Jun’s entire body.

Situ Jun and Yun Niang looked at each other, both smiling... As the night deepened, the lights in Yunxiang Courtyard remained bright.

The maid guarding the door gently lowered the door curtain, leaving the warmth and tranquility within this small inner chamber.

Meanwhile, in the East Courtyard far from Yunxiang Courtyard, laughter and cheers rose and fell, and the atmosphere was jubilant.

The birth of Situ Fengyan was like injecting a new vitality into Northern Border City, and it also added a heavy responsibility to Situ Jun’s shoulders.

He drank and celebrated with everyone in the manor. Seeing their heartfelt joy, he felt more than ever that he must protect Northern Border and the happiness of everyone.

He knew he had to become even stronger.

Only then could he support a truly peaceful sky for his wife, child, and this city.