Traveling to Daliang Kingdom starts from falling into the water

In early May, the weather in Qingyang County is just right, neither too hot nor too cold. In the summer season, one can still enjoy the beauty and coolness of spring.

On this day, Yuyuan, nestled at the foot of the mountain and hidden behind the workshops, seemingly isolated from the hustle and bustle of the world, was already brightly lit and bustling with people before the quiet dawn.

West courtyard.

Although the maids and servants outside were making their footsteps extremely quiet, perhaps because she was worried about something, Zhou Banxia was still groggily awakened.

What time is it?

"It's still early, take a nap." Gu Wenxuan half-closed his eyes, pulled her closer to him, and gently patted her back with his other hand.

If Gu Wenxuan had said this on a normal day, Zhou Banxia would have closed her eyes and gone to sleep peacefully. She covered her mouth, yawned, and tried to open her eyes.

The clock in the hall would not strike the clock face until the hour, quarter-hour, or hour, and the hammer rope would even be turned off at night for fear of disturbing the children's sleep.

Fortunately, I knew what time it was, and there was an alarm clock inside that could be used as a substitute.

If you close your eyes again, you can see the digital alarm clock on the bedside table in the master bedroom.

4:06.

It's still early, I can lie down for another twenty-four minutes. I can get up at 4:30, wash up and get ready, and then rush to the main courtyard by 5:00. No, wait!

What happened to the alarm clock that I set for 4 o'clock?

Without a doubt, who else could tamper with and turn this off? I just don't know how this person managed to find and turn off the alarm clock she had hidden under the sofa this time.

They're even better at finding things than police dogs.

That's a waste of talent.

"can not fall asleep?"

"Don't worry about me, just go back to sleep. I'll wake you up at 4:45."

"I can't sleep either, how about we do it again, this time you can be on top—"

"Shut up!" Zhou Banxia interrupted him through gritted teeth, quickly covering his mouth with her hand. "If you keep talking nonsense, I'll sew your mouth shut!"

"Waaah..." Gu Wenxuan made a few muffled sounds, looking like he couldn't breathe, then snorted, "Mmm, hmph, mmm—"

"You're crazy!" Zhou Banxia raised her left hand, which she had already released from his mouth, and shook it in front of his eyes before quickly withdrawing it and pressing it against his neck. "Did I get serious?"

"Come on." Gu Wenxuan let go and lay flat, lifted his leg to kick and then pulled it back, laughing, "That feels so good. I was wondering why our son likes to kick his legs so much."

Zhou Banxia glanced at him with amusement, then sat up, raised her arms and hands, stretched, and then patted his thigh.

"You're blocking my way, I need to use the restroom. You say you're not a manly man, but nobody believes you. You always let me sleep on the inside, that proves it, you know?"

Gu Wenxuan scooped her up and "planted" her on the ground in front of the kang (a heated brick bed). "With your sleeping posture, where you can roll from one end of the kang to the other, do you think I'd let you sleep outside?"

"How can it be!"

"The month before last—"

"That's because the weather got warmer. When I was in confinement after giving birth, the kang (a heated brick bed) was heated even during the day. It was too hot at the head of the kang, so I couldn't kick off the blankets. I had to move to the foot of the kang to sleep."

“You didn’t say that before. You said you were not used to not having me accompany you during your afternoon nap. You even reached out to touch me when you were half asleep.”

As you were touching me, you somehow ended up at the end of the kang (heated brick bed). Luckily, you found my robe and smelled your familiar scent, which put you at ease and made you fall asleep. Am I remembering correctly?

Why do you have such a good memory?

It's not like I'm asking you to memorize something!
"This—" Zhou Banxia stammered, her brain was about to overload! "You definitely can't remember wrong, I always subconsciously look for you when I'm asleep." "I believe you!"

Since you blurted out the word without even a moment's hesitation, it would seem like I'd be letting you down if I didn't explain further. "The reason, well, you know it."

Do not!
I have no idea!

"I'd be too embarrassed to keep saying it, just so you know. Oh dear, I can't hold it in anymore, I'll be right back, we'll talk about it when I get back."

You've got some nerve, managing to sneak away to pee!

Seeing this, Gu Wenxuan shook his head and quickly picked up the oil lamp to follow her. Otherwise, given his wife's speed as she rushed towards the bathroom, it was not impossible for her not to fall.

Oil lamps were already lit in the washroom, and hot water was also prepared.

To be honest, having too many servants around can be inconvenient at times, but at other times, like now, they are indispensable.

Layoffs are out of the question; any increase would only be in the workforce. No wonder his wife often laments that no matter how many people they have, it's never enough.

Use the toilet and wash up.

Ring the bell, leave the clean room, and return to the inner room.

As expected, his good son was still asleep.

Leaving the mother and son to take their time, Gu Wenxuan went out of the west courtyard to the main courtyard.

main courtyard.

Gu Erzhu got up very early today, which was rare for him, but he still couldn't keep up with his eldest son. He was almost trapped in bed by his eldest son.

When Gu Wenxuan arrived, he was not surprised to see his elder brother already there. The only thing that surprised him was that it sounded like his mother was also going out.
"...The middle of next month is perfectly fine. How far is Jingu? If Suocheng weren't so young, I would have taken the three of them to Zhending Prefecture."

"Your brother is here."

"You're here just in time so my brother can hear if this is true." Gu Erlang said, beckoning to Gu Wenxuan, "Why are you here so early?"

"Then I'll go back first?" Gu Wenxuan said with a smile, deliberately taking a step back. Then he turned and walked quickly toward Liu Shi, who was to the left of Gu Erlang.

Seeing this, Gu Erlang mischievously stepped in front of Liu Shi, "What are you doing? Didn't you want to go back first? Are you trying to take my mother away from me? Come on!"

Gu Wenxuan laughed heartily, "Since you're my brother, I'll let you off this time. Mom, there's still a month to go, are you sure you don't want Dad to go on a long trip alone?"

Anyway, we have our own estates along almost every route to Jingu. If you don't like staying in Jingu, you can rest wherever you want. If you want to come back, just give the order.

"Don't worry about things at home. Our son's home right now, so what's there to worry about? Go ahead, it's good to go out for a walk, Dad, don't you think?"

What a fart!
Liu almost cursed, but then she heard Gu Erzhu, who had been singled out by her youngest son, respond. She laughed angrily, "Don't drag me into this, I'm not going out."

You men are busy with important matters; I, a mere woman, shouldn't get involved. Besides, nothing beats the comfort of home. Alright, you can go back to the east courtyard now.

When Gu Erlang heard that his mother was going to send him away, he went to see his father.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Gu Erzhu glared at his eldest son. "I've already told you that your mother hasn't been back from her trip for very long. Even if you beg her to go with you to Zhen Ding Prefecture, she won't go. Don't you believe me!"

When did it become a situation where I wanted my mother to accompany me to Zhen Ding Prefecture?

Gu Erlang, betrayed by his father, was speechless for a moment.

"Alright then, let Tiger Girl accompany you to Zhen Ding Prefecture. Chang Suo can come along too, and as for Suo Cheng, don't worry, he's grown up now. Your mother will take care of him..." (End of Chapter)