Improved Umbrella
“It seems we can’t go to the mountains today,” Yan Ge looked at the rain pouring outside the window.
“Who said that?” Huangfu Yuchen produced two umbrellas out of nowhere, clearly prepared in advance.
Yan Ge chuckled.
Huangfu Yuchen said, “The mountain road is difficult to traverse, so let’s take a stroll in the Imperial Garden.”
Yan Ge nodded, took an umbrella and opened it.
“Yours is broken,” Huangfu Yuchen handed him his own umbrella. “Let’s get another one.”
Yan Ge examined the umbrella from top to bottom. “Isn’t this made of cloth?”
“It’s oiled paper. No fabric can be as waterproof as oiled paper,” Huangfu Yuchen replied.
Yan Ge tore off a piece from the torn umbrella and examined it. “Indeed, it’s oiled paper. So there’s no fabric that can be as waterproof as oiled paper? What if it rains during a military campaign?”
Huangfu Yuchen said, “Wear a raincoat or just get wet.”
Yan Ge raised an eyebrow, his lips curled up and his eyes became bright.
Huangfu Yuchen put down the umbrella and helped him sit on a chair, while he himself sat on the side, calmly observing him. Yan Ge must have thought of something again so their planned walk in the rain had to be canceled.
After calculating in his mind, Yan Ge snapped back to reality and asked, “Oh, why am I sitting down?”
“What do you think?” Huangfu Yuchen stuffed a grape into his mouth.
Yan Ge said, “I was just thinking about improving the umbrella. There’s money to be made. How come I didn’t think of such a simple thing earlier? Du Juan, you go… Oh, not necessary for now. Yuchen, let’s go for a walk.”
“I’m amazed you still remember me.” Huangfu Yuchen fed him another grape, wiped the grape juice off his hand, and the two of them took their umbrellas and went out together.
The rain today was just right, refreshing the air and bringing a cool breeze. Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen were in a good mood as they walked in the Imperial Garden. They had someone bring a chessboard and played Gomoku. Only in playing Gomoku did Yan Ge have a chance of winning against Huangfu Yuchen.
“Baby, am I missing a chess piece here?” Huangfu Yuchen looked at the chessboard and asked.
Yan Ge was puzzled. “How would I know? Maybe you thought it is a bean and ate it.”
Huangfu Yuchen looked at the black chess pieces, then at the snack plate of dried and spiced soybeans which Yan Ge said “the crunchy sound of chewing is interesting”. He confirmed that he was not color blind.
“I win,” Yan Ge said confidently, taking a silver coin worth ten taels from Huangfu Yuchen’s money box and putting it in his own.
Huangfu Yuchen: “…”
“Another round?” Yan Ge glanced at his money box. “We both had ten taels of silver, but now you only have one tael left.”
Deng Mande thought to himself, ‘Yan Caiqing, five of the nine taels you won were obtained through cheating.’
“Let’s play again,” Huangfu Yuchen said, “but wait a moment.”
Huangfu Yuchen took out a handkerchief from his pocket and tied it around Yan Ge’s left sleeve, then pulled out a handkerchief from Yan Ge’s pocket and tied it around the right sleeve.
Yan Ge smiled and said, “Thanks, it’s much more convenient this way.”
Huangfu Yuchen sighed and rubbed his forehead. “Let’s begin.”
After a while, Huangfu Yuchen said, “I win.”
After a while longer, Huangfu Yuchen said again, “I win.”
Finally, Huangfu Yuchen opened his mouth, but Yan Ge interrupted him. “I know, you win.”
Huangfu Yuchen chuckled, touched the back of Yan Ge’s neck, and said, “It’s almost noon. I’ll have the food brought here.”
“Let’s have hotpot. It’s been a while since we had hotpot,” Yan Ge’s mouth watered.
“Alright, as you wish.”
Tian Guiren stood behind the flower bushes, soaked from head to toe, watching the two of them chatting and laughing in the pavilion, her eyes filled with jealousy and hatred. Things would have been wonderful if it weren’t for Yan Caiqing!
Huangfu Yuchen’s sharp gaze suddenly swept over, his cold eyes seemingly looking at a dead person.
Tian Guiren’s heart trembled. She turned her head back, her knees weak, and she fell to the ground, trembling all over.
Huangfu Yuchen sent a voice transmission to Deng Mande, “Keep an eye on Tian Guiren. If she makes any moves at Xiao Ge, execute her without mercy!”
“I want fish fillets, various meatballs, fatty beef, mushrooms, and potato slices. What do you want?” Yan Ge didn’t notice Tian Guiren’s presence.
Huangfu Yuchen smiled and said, “Anything is fine. You decide for me.”
Yan Ge said to Deng Mande, “Let the Imperial Kitchen prepare about a dozen dishes. That should be enough to satisfy our appetites.”
“Yes, I understand. Rice should not be missing,” Deng Mande replied.
“Yes,” Yan Ge nodded in approval.
Yan Ge said to Huangfu Yuchen, “After we finish eating, I’ll need your help.”
Huangfu Yuchen nodded. “To make an umbrella?”
“Yes, let’s make a prototype and test its effectiveness.”
After enjoying the spicy hotpot, the two of them returned to the Tenglong Palace, changed into ordinary clothes, and arrived at Yan Ge’s laboratory.
This laboratory was the birthday gift Huangfu Yuchen gave Yan Ge this year. It was about 200 square meters in size, with the most eye-catching feature being the brown medicine cabinet on the left wall, occupying an entire side of the wall. The medicine cabinet was divided into hundreds of small compartments, containing various medicinal ingredients used in the Imperial Hospital.
On the right side was the laboratory bench and storage shelves. The shelves displayed commonly used tools. If Yan Ge invented something, he could create a prototype in this laboratory. It was spacious and discreet. No idle people were allowed to enter here, not even for cleaning. Only trusted individuals arranged by Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen were permitted. Otherwise, if anyone tampered with the medicinal ingredients, it would pose a hidden danger.
“Bring another umbrella. Also, get some more candles,” Yan Ge ordered, handing his umbrella to Huangfu Yuchen. “First, remove the oilcloth on top.”
Huangfu Yuchen nodded, formed a fire seal, and with a “whoosh,” the umbrella burned until it only the frame was left.
Yan Ge was taken aback, and he stroked his chin. Could this guy’s intelligence really surpass his own? If someone else was asked to dismantle an umbrella, their first instinct would surely be to tear off the oilcloth. No, this could only mean that this guy was lazier than him.
“What’s wrong?” Huangfu Yuchen looked at Yan Ge, puzzled by his somewhat gloomy expression. Not knowing what he was thinking, he shook his head and a mischievous smile crept up on his face.
“It’s nothing.” Yan Ge picked up the frame and examined it. “Each rib of the umbrella is straight, so when the umbrella is opened, the fabric doesn’t have enough tension. No wonder some umbrellas have poor waterproofing. Go and fetch some bamboo sticks.”
Despite the continuing rain, the bamboo sticks were wiped dry before being brought inside.
Yan Ge picked up one and handed it to Huangfu Yuchen. “Cut it into thin strips, like chopsticks. The length should be similar to the ribs of this umbrella. Deng Mande, have someone prepare three pieces of fabric, each large enough to make an umbrella this size. Also, have someone steam resin, pine resin will do. When steaming, be careful to use two pots—one large and one small. Fill the large pot with water and heat it over high flame; place the resin in the small pot, which should be floating on the water in the large pot. Understand? And melt some candles as well…”
“I understand,” Deng Mande replied, “This slave will also ensure confidentiality.”
“Good. A capable student.” Yan Ge smiled at Huangfu Yuchen. “Yuchen, you should give Deng Mande a raise.”
Deng Mande was praised by Yan Ge and happily said, “After following Your Majesty and Yan Caiqing for so long, this slave only learned a little. Yan Caiqing, you’re overpraising me. This slave will get it done now.”
Huangfu Yuchen skillfully cut bamboo strips while asking, “Why do we need two pots of different sizes?” If an outsider saw this scene, their jaw would surely drop. The esteemed emperor had actually rolled up his sleeves and assisted someone.
Yan Ge replied, “The pine resin melted by this method is more pure.”
However, under the current conditions, the speed of melting the resin using this method was slow. After steaming for one and a half hours, Deng Mande personally brought over the melted resin and wax solution.
Following the existing umbrella as a reference, Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen made three new umbrella frames using bamboo strips. They tightly tied two pieces of fabric to the frame, while the third piece was soaked in the wax solution before being installed.
For the remaining two umbrellas, Yan Ge instructed Huangfu Yuchen to evenly apply a thin layer of resin solution to one umbrella’s fabric, leaving the other one untreated.
“Baby, won’t the umbrella without any coating let water seep through when it gets rained on?” Huangfu Yuchen raised a question.
Yan Ge secretly felt proud. Those who hadn’t studied physics wouldn’t understand, would they?
“You’ll see in a moment.”
After applying the resin solution, Yan Ge had a eunuch hold the resin-coated umbrella in the corridor, allowing the cool breeze to quickly dry the umbrella’s surface.
After a while, Yan Ge touched the umbrella surface, which was no longer sticky. The resin had dried out.
He ordered three eunuchs, “Each of you take an umbrella and stand in the rain. Oh, and wear some extra clothes, so you don’t catch a cold.”
“Thank you for your concern, Yan Caiqing. We are all in good health,” the eunuchs replied.
The three eunuchs held their umbrellas and stood in the rain.
After a while, Yan Ge asked the eunuch holding the regular fabric umbrella, “How is it? Is the umbrella leaking?”
The eunuch replied in astonishment, “Reporting to Yan Caiqing, although the umbrella is wet, it doesn’t leak.”
“Baby, why is that?” Huangfu Yuchen also expressed his surprise. “Is it related to the curved ribs of the umbrella.”
“Correct,” Yan Ge gestured for the eunuch to come back and pointed at the umbrella’s surface as he explained to Huangfu Yuchen, “When the umbrella is opened, the fabric becomes tightly stretched, and the gaps between the lines that make up the fabric are also pulled taut, squeezing together. This makes it difficult for raindrops to penetrate. Moreover, the umbrella surface is inclined. Just imagine, when a bead falls on a sloping surface, it naturally rolls down along the slope. That’s why the umbrella fabric doesn’t leak.”
“I see now,” Huangfu Yuchen nodded.
Deng Mande and the others also found it fascinating.
“Now let’s take a look at the resin-coated umbrella and the wax-coated umbrella,” Yan Ge said.
The eunuch holding the resin-coated umbrella excitedly said, “Yan Caiqing, the inside of both umbrellas is completely dry. There’s not a drop of water.”
Yan Ge smirked at Huangfu Yuchen. “How about that?”
“You’re amazing as ever, my love.”
Yan Ge chuckled. “It’s a pity, though. Both the wax-coated umbrella and the resin-coated umbrella have their flaws. Wax is a luxury item, and making a wax-coated umbrella would be too costly. As for the resin-coated umbrella, the cost is relatively low, but the resin will become hard and brittle when it dries. After multiple uses, the coating might easily peel off. I’ll have to think of a way to improve them for mass production.”
At that moment, a eunuch rushed in through the rain, drenched from head to toe. However, a joyful smile adorned his face.
“Yan Caiqing, this slave has good news!”
Yan Ge was puzzled.
The eunuch approached and knelt down before Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen. “This slave greets His Majesty and Yan Caiqing . Congratulations to Yan Caiqing! It has been announced that Lady Yan Wen is pregnant!” (Yan Wen is the Miss Wen that Yan Su married.)
The news that Yan Wen had conceived brought great joy to the entire Yan family, including Yan Ge. He specifically asked Physician Zhang to examine her pulse, check for any issues with her health, and advise on how to take care of herself. He also wrote a letter asking Yan Su to serve in the army without any worries about home. He also sent a letter to Madam Yan to let him know if there’s anything Yan Wen wants to eat that can’t be found in the market. He would arrange for it to be sent from the palace.
Compared to Miss Ruan, Yan Ge had a better impression of Yan Wen. Miss Ruan was beautiful and appeared gentle, but her docility seemed somewhat unnatural, as if she was putting on a show for others. On the other hand, Yan Wen’s tranquility emanated from within, and her eyes showed no impurities. She was simply a pure young girl. He hoped she wouldn’t disappoint Yan Su and the Yan family in the future.
Yan Su’s reply arrived quickly, expressing his overwhelming joy at becoming a father. Unfortunately, he had just begun his military service, and he would have to wait for more than two years before returning home. Yan Wen on the other hand, had no complaints and even wrote a letter assuring him to focus on his duty with peace of mind.
Yan Ge had inquired and learned that Yan Su had already adapted to life at Xiguan Pass and was performing well. He had requested Feng Zhun and Cao Zhan to secretly take care of him, ensuring that the new soldier wasn’t bullied by the veterans. Besides, Yan Su had spent several years in the officialdom, and his social skills were not inferior to Yan Ge’s. He already had a good relationship with the people in the military camp.
Improved Umbrella
“It seems we can’t go to the mountains today,” Yan Ge looked at the rain pouring outside the window.
“Who said that?” Huangfu Yuchen produced two umbrellas out of nowhere, clearly prepared in advance.
Yan Ge chuckled.
Huangfu Yuchen said, “The mountain road is difficult to traverse, so let’s take a stroll in the Imperial Garden.”
Yan Ge nodded, took an umbrella and opened it.
“Yours is broken,” Huangfu Yuchen handed him his own umbrella. “Let’s get another one.”
Yan Ge examined the umbrella from top to bottom. “Isn’t this made of cloth?”
“It’s oiled paper. No fabric can be as waterproof as oiled paper,” Huangfu Yuchen replied.
Yan Ge tore off a piece from the torn umbrella and examined it. “Indeed, it’s oiled paper. So there’s no fabric that can be as waterproof as oiled paper? What if it rains during a military campaign?”
Huangfu Yuchen said, “Wear a raincoat or just get wet.”
Yan Ge raised an eyebrow, his lips curled up and his eyes became bright.
Huangfu Yuchen put down the umbrella and helped him sit on a chair, while he himself sat on the side, calmly observing him. Yan Ge must have thought of something again so their planned walk in the rain had to be canceled.
After calculating in his mind, Yan Ge snapped back to reality and asked, “Oh, why am I sitting down?”
“What do you think?” Huangfu Yuchen stuffed a grape into his mouth.
Yan Ge said, “I was just thinking about improving the umbrella. There’s money to be made. How come I didn’t think of such a simple thing earlier? Du Juan, you go… Oh, not necessary for now. Yuchen, let’s go for a walk.”
“I’m amazed you still remember me.” Huangfu Yuchen fed him another grape, wiped the grape juice off his hand, and the two of them took their umbrellas and went out together.
The rain today was just right, refreshing the air and bringing a cool breeze. Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen were in a good mood as they walked in the Imperial Garden. They had someone bring a chessboard and played Gomoku. Only in playing Gomoku did Yan Ge have a chance of winning against Huangfu Yuchen.
“Baby, am I missing a chess piece here?” Huangfu Yuchen looked at the chessboard and asked.
Yan Ge was puzzled. “How would I know? Maybe you thought it is a bean and ate it.”
Huangfu Yuchen looked at the black chess pieces, then at the snack plate of dried and spiced soybeans which Yan Ge said “the crunchy sound of chewing is interesting”. He confirmed that he was not color blind.
“I win,” Yan Ge said confidently, taking a silver coin worth ten taels from Huangfu Yuchen’s money box and putting it in his own.
Huangfu Yuchen: “…”
“Another round?” Yan Ge glanced at his money box. “We both had ten taels of silver, but now you only have one tael left.”
Deng Mande thought to himself, ‘Yan Caiqing, five of the nine taels you won were obtained through cheating.’
“Let’s play again,” Huangfu Yuchen said, “but wait a moment.”
Huangfu Yuchen took out a handkerchief from his pocket and tied it around Yan Ge’s left sleeve, then pulled out a handkerchief from Yan Ge’s pocket and tied it around the right sleeve.
Yan Ge smiled and said, “Thanks, it’s much more convenient this way.”
Huangfu Yuchen sighed and rubbed his forehead. “Let’s begin.”
After a while, Huangfu Yuchen said, “I win.”
After a while longer, Huangfu Yuchen said again, “I win.”
Finally, Huangfu Yuchen opened his mouth, but Yan Ge interrupted him. “I know, you win.”
Huangfu Yuchen chuckled, touched the back of Yan Ge’s neck, and said, “It’s almost noon. I’ll have the food brought here.”
“Let’s have hotpot. It’s been a while since we had hotpot,” Yan Ge’s mouth watered.
“Alright, as you wish.”
Tian Guiren stood behind the flower bushes, soaked from head to toe, watching the two of them chatting and laughing in the pavilion, her eyes filled with jealousy and hatred. Things would have been wonderful if it weren’t for Yan Caiqing!
Huangfu Yuchen’s sharp gaze suddenly swept over, his cold eyes seemingly looking at a dead person.
Tian Guiren’s heart trembled. She turned her head back, her knees weak, and she fell to the ground, trembling all over.
Huangfu Yuchen sent a voice transmission to Deng Mande, “Keep an eye on Tian Guiren. If she makes any moves at Xiao Ge, execute her without mercy!”
“I want fish fillets, various meatballs, fatty beef, mushrooms, and potato slices. What do you want?” Yan Ge didn’t notice Tian Guiren’s presence.
Huangfu Yuchen smiled and said, “Anything is fine. You decide for me.”
Yan Ge said to Deng Mande, “Let the Imperial Kitchen prepare about a dozen dishes. That should be enough to satisfy our appetites.”
“Yes, I understand. Rice should not be missing,” Deng Mande replied.
“Yes,” Yan Ge nodded in approval.
Yan Ge said to Huangfu Yuchen, “After we finish eating, I’ll need your help.”
Huangfu Yuchen nodded. “To make an umbrella?”
“Yes, let’s make a prototype and test its effectiveness.”
After enjoying the spicy hotpot, the two of them returned to the Tenglong Palace, changed into ordinary clothes, and arrived at Yan Ge’s laboratory.
This laboratory was the birthday gift Huangfu Yuchen gave Yan Ge this year. It was about 200 square meters in size, with the most eye-catching feature being the brown medicine cabinet on the left wall, occupying an entire side of the wall. The medicine cabinet was divided into hundreds of small compartments, containing various medicinal ingredients used in the Imperial Hospital.
On the right side was the laboratory bench and storage shelves. The shelves displayed commonly used tools. If Yan Ge invented something, he could create a prototype in this laboratory. It was spacious and discreet. No idle people were allowed to enter here, not even for cleaning. Only trusted individuals arranged by Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen were permitted. Otherwise, if anyone tampered with the medicinal ingredients, it would pose a hidden danger.
“Bring another umbrella. Also, get some more candles,” Yan Ge ordered, handing his umbrella to Huangfu Yuchen. “First, remove the oilcloth on top.”
Huangfu Yuchen nodded, formed a fire seal, and with a “whoosh,” the umbrella burned until it only the frame was left.
Yan Ge was taken aback, and he stroked his chin. Could this guy’s intelligence really surpass his own? If someone else was asked to dismantle an umbrella, their first instinct would surely be to tear off the oilcloth. No, this could only mean that this guy was lazier than him.
“What’s wrong?” Huangfu Yuchen looked at Yan Ge, puzzled by his somewhat gloomy expression. Not knowing what he was thinking, he shook his head and a mischievous smile crept up on his face.
“It’s nothing.” Yan Ge picked up the frame and examined it. “Each rib of the umbrella is straight, so when the umbrella is opened, the fabric doesn’t have enough tension. No wonder some umbrellas have poor waterproofing. Go and fetch some bamboo sticks.”
Despite the continuing rain, the bamboo sticks were wiped dry before being brought inside.
Yan Ge picked up one and handed it to Huangfu Yuchen. “Cut it into thin strips, like chopsticks. The length should be similar to the ribs of this umbrella. Deng Mande, have someone prepare three pieces of fabric, each large enough to make an umbrella this size. Also, have someone steam resin, pine resin will do. When steaming, be careful to use two pots—one large and one small. Fill the large pot with water and heat it over high flame; place the resin in the small pot, which should be floating on the water in the large pot. Understand? And melt some candles as well…”
“I understand,” Deng Mande replied, “This slave will also ensure confidentiality.”
“Good. A capable student.” Yan Ge smiled at Huangfu Yuchen. “Yuchen, you should give Deng Mande a raise.”
Deng Mande was praised by Yan Ge and happily said, “After following Your Majesty and Yan Caiqing for so long, this slave only learned a little. Yan Caiqing, you’re overpraising me. This slave will get it done now.”
Huangfu Yuchen skillfully cut bamboo strips while asking, “Why do we need two pots of different sizes?” If an outsider saw this scene, their jaw would surely drop. The esteemed emperor had actually rolled up his sleeves and assisted someone.
Yan Ge replied, “The pine resin melted by this method is more pure.”
However, under the current conditions, the speed of melting the resin using this method was slow. After steaming for one and a half hours, Deng Mande personally brought over the melted resin and wax solution.
Following the existing umbrella as a reference, Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen made three new umbrella frames using bamboo strips. They tightly tied two pieces of fabric to the frame, while the third piece was soaked in the wax solution before being installed.
For the remaining two umbrellas, Yan Ge instructed Huangfu Yuchen to evenly apply a thin layer of resin solution to one umbrella’s fabric, leaving the other one untreated.
“Baby, won’t the umbrella without any coating let water seep through when it gets rained on?” Huangfu Yuchen raised a question.
Yan Ge secretly felt proud. Those who hadn’t studied physics wouldn’t understand, would they?
“You’ll see in a moment.”
After applying the resin solution, Yan Ge had a eunuch hold the resin-coated umbrella in the corridor, allowing the cool breeze to quickly dry the umbrella’s surface.
After a while, Yan Ge touched the umbrella surface, which was no longer sticky. The resin had dried out.
He ordered three eunuchs, “Each of you take an umbrella and stand in the rain. Oh, and wear some extra clothes, so you don’t catch a cold.”
“Thank you for your concern, Yan Caiqing. We are all in good health,” the eunuchs replied.
The three eunuchs held their umbrellas and stood in the rain.
After a while, Yan Ge asked the eunuch holding the regular fabric umbrella, “How is it? Is the umbrella leaking?”
The eunuch replied in astonishment, “Reporting to Yan Caiqing, although the umbrella is wet, it doesn’t leak.”
“Baby, why is that?” Huangfu Yuchen also expressed his surprise. “Is it related to the curved ribs of the umbrella.”
“Correct,” Yan Ge gestured for the eunuch to come back and pointed at the umbrella’s surface as he explained to Huangfu Yuchen, “When the umbrella is opened, the fabric becomes tightly stretched, and the gaps between the lines that make up the fabric are also pulled taut, squeezing together. This makes it difficult for raindrops to penetrate. Moreover, the umbrella surface is inclined. Just imagine, when a bead falls on a sloping surface, it naturally rolls down along the slope. That’s why the umbrella fabric doesn’t leak.”
“I see now,” Huangfu Yuchen nodded.
Deng Mande and the others also found it fascinating.
“Now let’s take a look at the resin-coated umbrella and the wax-coated umbrella,” Yan Ge said.
The eunuch holding the resin-coated umbrella excitedly said, “Yan Caiqing, the inside of both umbrellas is completely dry. There’s not a drop of water.”
Yan Ge smirked at Huangfu Yuchen. “How about that?”
“You’re amazing as ever, my love.”
Yan Ge chuckled. “It’s a pity, though. Both the wax-coated umbrella and the resin-coated umbrella have their flaws. Wax is a luxury item, and making a wax-coated umbrella would be too costly. As for the resin-coated umbrella, the cost is relatively low, but the resin will become hard and brittle when it dries. After multiple uses, the coating might easily peel off. I’ll have to think of a way to improve them for mass production.”
At that moment, a eunuch rushed in through the rain, drenched from head to toe. However, a joyful smile adorned his face.
“Yan Caiqing, this slave has good news!”
Yan Ge was puzzled.
The eunuch approached and knelt down before Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen. “This slave greets His Majesty and Yan Caiqing . Congratulations to Yan Caiqing! It has been announced that Lady Yan Wen is pregnant!” (Yan Wen is the Miss Wen that Yan Su married.)
The news that Yan Wen had conceived brought great joy to the entire Yan family, including Yan Ge. He specifically asked Physician Zhang to examine her pulse, check for any issues with her health, and advise on how to take care of herself. He also wrote a letter asking Yan Su to serve in the army without any worries about home. He also sent a letter to Madam Yan to let him know if there’s anything Yan Wen wants to eat that can’t be found in the market. He would arrange for it to be sent from the palace.
Compared to Miss Ruan, Yan Ge had a better impression of Yan Wen. Miss Ruan was beautiful and appeared gentle, but her docility seemed somewhat unnatural, as if she was putting on a show for others. On the other hand, Yan Wen’s tranquility emanated from within, and her eyes showed no impurities. She was simply a pure young girl. He hoped she wouldn’t disappoint Yan Su and the Yan family in the future.
Yan Su’s reply arrived quickly, expressing his overwhelming joy at becoming a father. Unfortunately, he had just begun his military service, and he would have to wait for more than two years before returning home. Yan Wen on the other hand, had no complaints and even wrote a letter assuring him to focus on his duty with peace of mind.
Yan Ge had inquired and learned that Yan Su had already adapted to life at Xiguan Pass and was performing well. He had requested Feng Zhun and Cao Zhan to secretly take care of him, ensuring that the new soldier wasn’t bullied by the veterans. Besides, Yan Su had spent several years in the officialdom, and his social skills were not inferior to Yan Ge’s. He already had a good relationship with the people in the military camp.
