Joyful Motherhood in a Rural Family-Chapter 1087 - 1086: Heading to Xixia Country

Liu Sisi’s mind was completely detached from the matters everyone else was discussing.

She felt a wave of anxiety, and for reasons she couldn’t quite understand, the moment she heard the news, the urge to stop him from going to Xixia surged forth immediately.

And she acted upon it without hesitation!

Ignoring the important matters being discussed by everyone else, she suddenly stood up and dashed over to Di Yelei, firmly pressing down on the hand he was using to count the number of people.

"Ye Lei, don’t go! I won’t allow you to take this trip to Xixia."

Di Yelei was somewhat startled, "Why? Sisi, why won’t you let me go?"

After all, with an Imperial Edict, it was not so simple for him to just decide not to go.

"I... I just don’t want you to go..."

Liu Sisi didn’t understand why she felt this urgency to prevent him from leaving, "Ye Lei, how about I go and beg Father Emperor to spare you from this mission, to send someone else instead, is that okay? Is it?"

"Sisi, you know as well as I do that once His Majesty issues a decree, there’s no easily changing it! If you go to inform His Majesty about a replacement at the last minute, you’d need a suitable pretext, wouldn’t you? How do you plan to explain it to His Majesty?"

How to explain? She surely couldn’t tell him that she feared for Di Yelei’s safety, so she wouldn’t let him go to Xixia, could she?

Liu Sisi’s grip on Di Yelei’s hand unconsciously loosened.

"Sisi, if you’re tired, why not go back to your room and rest for a bit? As soon as I’m done with these matters, I’ll come over to check on you."

While speaking, Di Yelei made a sign with his eyes to Ms. Gao standing beside them.

Ms. Gao hurriedly stepped forward to help Liu Sisi leave.

Liu Sisi initially wanted to resist, but after some thought, she ultimately went along quietly.

That night, when Di Yelei returned, worn out, it was already well into the third period of late night. Seeing Liu Sisi still leaning against the desk, he subconsciously paused in his step before turning back towards her.

"Sisi, why haven’t you rested yet?"

As he walked, he casually tossed his coat aside and headed to the bathroom.

Liu Sisi stirred slightly and silently climbed to the head of the bed to lie down, staring blankly at the canopy above, without saying a word.

When Di Yelei emerged from the bathroom after freshening up, he found her, her eyes transfixed on the canopy above.

"Sisi, what’s gotten into you today? You’re nothing like your usual self."

"I, I don’t know... But I have this feeling that if I let you go to Xixia, I would, I... I would lose you," Liu Sisi murmured.

"Don’t be silly. You know my martial skills, and the Emperor has granted me authority over selecting my soldiers. I’ve already included all the troops I’m familiar with under my command, and besides, our mission to Xixia is to provide support, not to lead the charge. Sisi, you’re worrying too much."

Di Yelei gently patted her hand and then lay down beside her.

Resting his head on his arm, he looked at her amusedly, "My title was earned through genuine combat, with not a single drop of water diluted in it. I can’t boast of anything else, but I am certainly capable of taking care of myself!"

After so many years of campaigning in the north and south, he had grown accustomed to confronting life and death. How could a warrior fear for his life?

"I... Ye Lei, I don’t know! I really don’t understand why, but the moment you mentioned going to Xixia, my heart began to panic! This is a feeling I’ve never had before! Truly! You have to believe me."

Liu Sisi was struggling with unbearable discomfort.

"I do believe you, I truly do, so don’t be upset," Di Yelei uttered a long sigh, holding her in his arms, "Sisi, I promise you, I will return safely! Believe me."

"I..."

Liu Sisi wanted to agree to him, but just couldn’t ignore the feeling of uncertainty deep in her heart.

"Trust me, just this once, alright? I will come back in one piece."

"Really? You said it yourself!"

Liu Sisi let out a rare sigh of relief, smiled, and thus agreed to his request.

"Yes! I said it, my word is as good as gold!"

With Di Yelei’s promise, the subsequent days were extremely busy for him.

Liu Sisi was also very busy, preparing not only for Di Xuan’s wedding but also for the arrangements of Di Wei’s marriage. Since Di Yelei needed to expedite the deployment of troops and leave, it was decided after discussions to bring forward the weddings of both parties: Di Wei’s marriage was set for the 20th of this month, while Di Xuan’s on the 23rd.

Both dates were auspicious, but at present time was so tight that many preparations had not been made in time, so everything had to be simplified.

Di Yelei was hardly ever at home, and even when he did return, it was very late. As soon as he got home, he’d fall asleep at once, and the couple living under the same roof were like two parallel lines, with Di Yelei barely managing to exchange a word with Liu Sisi.

Compared to the bustle of the Di family, His Majesty almost appeared at the hostel every day, engaging in historical discussions with Lin Xiner, and every two or three days, he would go out to enjoy himself, seeming to grow a decade younger.

Lin Xiner always maintained a tactful distance from him but never let Zhao Yuanlang stay the night.

Perhaps it was for this reason that Zhao Yuanlang grew increasingly interested in her, lingering in the hostel almost all day and eventually moving in, regardless of his close advisors’ entreaties.

On Lunar December 20th, Di Wei got married, and her dowry procession stretched for ten miles, drawing envious glances from all.

Specially, the county lord’s court dress perched atop the first dowry palanquin envied many.

Indeed!

Di Wei was specially conferred by the current Emperor, granted the title of County Lord Wei, with a fief of two hundred households and two hundred miles of land.

Each of the imperial gifts laid out on the great red dowry display was particularly striking.

On Lunar December 22nd, Di Wei visited her home after her marriage, and she bid farewell to Di Yelei and Liu Sisi with a smile.

How could she not be moved, having all that she had today and finally marrying the man of her dreams, thanks to the full support of her Third Uncle and Third Aunt?

Yet, Liu Sisi and Di Yelei had no time to catch their breath. Compared to Di Wei’s side of marrying off a daughter, the preparations on Di Xuan’s side of welcoming a daughter-in-law had everyone’s feet worn out even more.

On Lunar December 23rd, it was the auspicious day for Di Xuan to wed Prefecture Princess Luo.

Zhao Yuanlang conveniently attended the wedding and graciously received three bows from the couple.

"It is hard for Prefecture Princess Luo to discern a hero and see the value in the son of Di the Courtier. Now that he has also become a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations, so be it, he shall go to Hangzhou and take up the post of county magistrate! When the opportune moment arises, I will make room for him," the Emperor declared.

This statement made everyone gasp, and their eyes turned towards Di Xuan with a probing look.

Di Xuan was very delighted and profusely thanked His Majesty, and after the Imperial Presence departed, he then bowed deeply in gratitude to Prince Luo, causing the prince to roar with laughter.

But this deepened the somber look in Liu Sisi’s eyes.

Di Xuan, brimming with success, greeted everyone with a fist and laughter.

Indeed, "Joyful events really liven up one’s spirit!"

Prince Luo was also very excited, and the day after the wedding, he eagerly introduced Di Xuan to his horsemen.

And on the third day, which was the day Di Yelei and Thirteenth Luo paid a return visit, Di Yelei led his subordinates on the journey to Xixia Country.