Tong Yao leaned closer to the phone and said, "Luowa, take good care of yourself. Don’t worry about Ziyan and Sangyu—they’re getting more and more obedient and can even help look after Ziheng now."
"Ziyan and Sangyu are truly mom’s good kids!" Yi Luowa laughed, but tears couldn’t stop streaming down her face. "Mom, thank you for all your hard work. I’m... I’m sorry."
"Don’t ever say that! Every family goes through sothing. If you say that, what will your parents think?"
"In-law, Luowa’s right. We do owe you all," said Queen Haotian as she walked over. "Our skin must be really thick, keeping her here even after being discharged. But don’t worry, it won’t be much longer. I’ll take care of Luowa’s health for a few days, then let her return with Airui. These past few days, we’ve made all of you worry and trouble yourselves. This kindness, Randy and I will always rember."
Tong Yao feigned anger and said, "The more you say, the more like outsiders you sound!"
"Alright, alright, don’t get mad. I won’t say it anymore."
Connie took Ziheng from her mother-in-law’s arms and said softly, "Mom, could you ask if Aino has arrived yet?"
Tong Yao glanced at her with a smile. "You sure know who cares about whom! Zhi Lan, has Aino arrived yet?"
"Not yet... Oh, here he cos."
The "here he cos" was said by Tong Airui, who was standing at an angle where he could see the entrance. At this mont, the butler was already guiding Aino and Uncle Pu inside.
"In-law, Aino’s here!"
Tong Yao said with a smile, "Then you all go ahead and get busy. We’ll chat when there’s ti."
"Alright, once I’m done with things here, I’ll visit Xiawu to see you all," Queen Haotian said before hanging up the call with a smile.
Tong Aino walked in, greeted Emperor Haotian and Queen Haotian, inquired briefly about the health situation, then turned to Yi Luowa. The first thing he said was, "Sister-in-law, how did you get this thin?!"
Uncle Pu sighed quietly, "Luowa really has lost quite a bit of weight. Good thing I ca this ti—if the Second Lord had co, who knows how heartbroken he’d be!"
"Now you understand why I specifically asked for you to co instead, don’t you? I was just worried he’d bla ." After glancing at Uncle Pu with a smile, Yi Luowa turned to Tong Aino and said, "Give a few days—I promise I’ll plump up again. How’s Ziheng? Is he being fussy?"
"Fussy. If he weren’t fussy, he wouldn’t be him. But no matter how much fuss he makes, as soon as he sees Ziyan and Sangyu, he imdiately quiets down."
Yi Luowa chuckled. "Just like you!"
Tong Aino gave a helpless smile. "Why do you sound just like Connie?"
"Because the two of us understand you best!" Yi Luowa laughed, her gaze softening as she looked at him, the warmth of family filling her heart after so many days apart. "Aino, you and Uncle Pu haven’t eaten yet, have you?"
"We ate on the plane already. Sister-in-law, let’s et up with Stinky later."
Yi Luowa smiled and looked over at Tong Airui. "Now that he’s a dad, the Fifth Brother is different—always eager to wrap things up and get back ho to take care of his child."
"What’s the rush? You just got off the plane. You’re not tired, but Uncle Pu must be. Rest this afternoon and talk later tonight," Tong Airui said with a sideways glance at Tong Aino.
"Alright, I’ll follow your lead," replied Tong Aino, imdiately showing restraint.
"Tonight, I’ll discuss this matter with you."
Tong Aino cast a suspicious glance at his older brother. "Isn’t this sothing my sister-in-law’s supposed to handle?"
"She can’t manage it."
"Is Luowa ill?" Uncle Pu asked with concern, looking toward Yi Luowa.
Yi Luowa shook her head with a smile.
"Uncle Pu, Luowa is pregnant."
"Oh my goodness!" Tong Aino exclaid in surprise. Realizing his outburst, he awkwardly glanced at Emperor Haotian and Queen Haotian. "Uncle, Aunt, please don’t mind . I got too excited and slipped up."
"Your reaction shows you’re treating us as family," Queen Haotian said with a laugh. "Your sister-in-law’s already more than two months pregnant, and this scatterbrain only found out today."
"Haha, you’ve had two kids already and still don’t know when you’re pregnant. Are you dense or what?"
Yi Luowa pouted. "If I weren’t dense, how could I marry your brother?"
"Watch your words!" Tong Airui scolded lightly, glancing at her in dissatisfaction.
"Why are you glaring at ? I wasn’t done talking yet. What I ant to say is, people like are dumb but lucky!"
Uncle Pu laughed and nodded. "Luowa, you really are dumb yet lucky! If it weren’t for Airui, how could you have the happiness you enjoy today? We’re all riding the wave of your good fortune. Your Second Uncle doesn’t know you’re pregnant yet, does he?"
"I want to wait until I go ho to tell him. I’m afraid if Huo Li found out, she’d co rushing over with the children. It’s already quite cold here in Haotian; it wouldn’t be good if the kids caught a chill."
"Huo Li really might do that! Better not tell her, then."
"Sister-in-law..." Tong Aino hesitated to suggest that Yi Luowa return ho to rest during her pregnancy but swallowed his words, knowing her parents’ situation.
Yi Luowa saw his hesitation and smiled knowingly. "Is sothing on your mind?"
"Mom asked to bring lots of supplents for Uncle and Aunt. You should have the servants prepare so for them—and eat so yourself. Don’t go giving birth to another little skinny monkey."
Yi Luowa frowned playfully. "Why does everything that cos out of your mouth sound unpleasant?"
Uncle Pu laughed and added, "Luowa, Second Lord also sent over plenty of supplents. Everyone should take them."
"Great, we’ll all take them. I feel like I’m going to turn into a chubby person again very soon." Yi Luowa touched her belly and smiled at Tong Airui. "Let warn you, no matter how chubby I get, you’re not allowed to dislike ."
Tong Airui laughed. "Better to turn into a little pig, so we’ll have so at for Lunar New Year."
Yi Luowa pinched his arm. "Eat my at, and aren’t you afraid of getting sick?"
Tong Airui smiled and rubbed his arm. "Alright, alright, I won’t tease you anymore. You all go rest; I’ll head to the study to check on the progress regarding that case."
"Airui, I’ll co with you," Emperor Haotian said as he got to his feet. "Zhi Lan, make arrangents for Aino and Mr. Pu to get so rest. Airui and I will handle this matter regarding Xiang Zuo together. I need to quickly take over the responsibilities here so Luowa can focus on her recovery."
"Alright, you two go ahead."
Yi Luowa looked at her father with concern. "Dad, are you sure you’re up for this?"
"Don’t worry about . If you’re still worried, I’ll bring that doctor to the office."
"Sounds like a plan!" Yi Luowa said, grabbing her phone to call the doctor who had just left earlier. Arranging everything, she hurried to catch up with her father before he left the room, reminding him, "Dad, promise you won’t get angry no matter what you see."
Emperor Haotian gave her a loving smile. "I promise. For my daughter, and for my future grandchild, I won’t let anything upset ."
"Honey, keep an eye on Dad."
"Don’t worry," Tong Airui said with a smile as he gently rubbed her head. "Go lie down for a bit and rest well."
"Alright. If there’s anything you don’t understand, call ."
"I’ll ask Marcus if needed—no need to call you," Tong Airui said as he helped his father out the door with a smile.
After Tong Airui left, Queen Haotian imdiately began urging Tong Aino and Uncle Pu to rest.
Uncle Pu, feeling his age, truly needed so rest and followed the servants to the guest chamber.
Tong Aino, however, had plenty he wanted to talk about with Yi Luowa, so he refused to leave. The two settled on the sofa and started chatting.
Queen Haotian accompanied them for a while, but Yi Luowa, worried she might get tired, urged her to rest.
After hesitating briefly, Queen Haotian finally got up and left.
Seeing no outsiders were around, Tong Aino lowered his voice and asked, "Sister-in-law, when will you go back ho? The family misses you—especially the two kids. Every ti they see Connie holding Ziheng, they seem so downcast. Now we’ve changed tactics and have Mom hold Ziheng instead. This actually works pretty well; they think Ziheng is just like them, being held by Grandma."
Yi Luowa felt a surge of emotion and pursed her lips before replying, "Thank you all so much. I... I feel guilty about the two kids. Once my parents’ health improves a bit more, I’ll go back."
"Sister-in-law, I’m just asking—don’t stress over it. Even if you’re not back yet, we can take good care of the little ones."
"I know. You all take better care of them than I do, but this just isn’t ideal in the long run. And as for Danton—why did he have to leave? If he hadn’t left, maybe none of this would have happened... Look at this enormous palace; if I leave too, it’ll just be my parents here. How lonely they’d be."
Tong Aino rubbed his fingers together, montarily at a loss for words.
Yi Luowa sniffled, "No matter what anyone says, I refuse to believe he’d leave us. I truly hope that one day he’ll suddenly appear before ."
"I firmly believe that day will co too," Tong Aino said with a sigh. "Sister-in-law, try not to think too much. From now on, I’ll visit Haotian often. If you miss the kids, I’ll bring them here for you. If you return ho, I’ll stay at the palace whenever I co to Haotian—as long as Uncle and Aunt don’t mind."
"If you stay here, my parents would be thrilled—they’d never mind. Aino, just for saying this, I have to thank you."
"No thanks needed. We’re family—gratitude makes things distant."
Standing in the side hall, Queen Haotian wiped tears from her eyes, then turned and walked back to her bedroom.
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