My house was confiscated and I was exiled. I emptied the emperor's warehouse and fled.

After having lunch with the old lady, Qin Junyi sent the children and Su Yunwan back to their room to rest.

The children already have their own rooms, but they live with Su Yunwan most of the time and rarely sleep alone.

When they arrived at the main courtyard, the wet nurse coaxed the two children back to their own bedroom, leaving space for the couple.

Qin Junyi accompanied Su Yunwan for a short rest for half an hour, then quietly got up and went to the study, where he met with officials and soldiers in important positions one by one.

I was busy all the time until dark.

And today happens to be the two children’s third birthday.

In the Zhou Dynasty, children under the age of three generally did not celebrate their birthdays. Large-scale celebrations would only take place when they reached their third, sixth, or ninth birthdays.

But the weather was hot, and Su Yunwan didn't want to host a banquet, so she didn't make a big fuss about it, and just invited her family to the banquet as a token of her appreciation.

The Qin family members scattered around had made arrangements to return home for dinner. After learning that Qin Junyi had returned, they finished their work as quickly as possible and set off early.

However, these people do not include Uncle Qin Er and Qin Junxian.

After Qin Mu recovered from his injuries, Second Uncle Qin set out to return to his base. However, since the distance to the palace was quite far and it would take several days to travel there, he did not plan to go back.

Qin Junxian was located further away and was busy fighting the Japanese pirates who were disturbing the border, so he could not get away. He could only write letters and send gifts to express his congratulations.

After Qin Junyi finished his work, he returned to the main courtyard, only to see that everyone in each household had gathered together, waiting for him to start the feast.

Except for the old lady, Su Yunwan, and the two children sitting in the baby chairs that Su Yunwan specially asked the carpenter to make, everyone else stood up at the same time and greeted Qin Junyi.

Qin Junyi met with many people in the afternoon. He still had a majestic and cold aura around him. He nodded sternly and said, "Sorry to have kept you waiting for a long time."

After saying this, he ordered the servants to serve the dishes and start the meal.

Due to the large number of people, three sets of tables and chairs were placed in the hall for dining.

Qin Junyi walked to the main table and sat down at the main seat. Then others began to find seats and sit down in order.

Among them, Qin Mu, who was standing at the back of the crowd, hesitated for a moment, then turned on his tiptoes and went to the side table to avoid suspicion.

Qin Junyi was chatting with the old lady. He caught a glimpse of her and coughed lightly.

The old lady asked nervously: "Brother Yi, are you feeling unwell?"

"Don't worry, grandma. My grandson just has an itchy throat. Just drink some tea and you'll be fine." Qin Junyi comforted her.

The servants hurriedly brought tea, and Qin Junyi lowered his eyes and drank it, with a cool air emanating from his body.

When Qin Mu heard the cough, his body suddenly froze, then he lowered his head, turned around, and silently sat down at the end of the main table.

Qin Junyi then calmed down and reached out to make longevity noodles for the two babies.

During the whole meal, Qin Junyi did not take the initiative to say a word to Qin Mu, and Qin Mu did not say a word either, wishing he could bury his face in the bowl.

There seemed to be an invisible wall between the two brothers, isolating them from each other.

After the meal, even the most obtuse person could tell that something was not right with the two brothers.

They all speculated: What did Qin Mu do to make Qin Junyi unhappy as soon as he returned?

Everyone recalled the major events that had happened in the past year. Qin Mu's rear-line dispatch, suppression of rebels, improvement of weapons, etc., were all great contributions.

The only thing that violates the family rules is taking a concubine, but he has already punished himself, so he shouldn't be blamed again!

It can't be that Qin Mu is so bold as to be disrespectful to his elder brother!

Su Yunwan also noticed the brothers' abnormality, and a hint of deep thought flashed in her eyes.

*

The night is warm and starry.

After Su Yunwan finished her bath, with her long hair like a waterfall and wearing a thin and smooth silk pajamas, she walked back to the dormitory hand in hand with Qin Junyi, with whom she had bathed and played together.

She sat in front of the dressing mirror and let Qin Junyi pick up the wooden comb and gently comb her half-dried long hair.

Looking at the person in the bronze mirror, Su Yunwan asked, "Did you receive the letter I wrote to you?"

Qin Junyi paused for a moment, then continued to sort it out, "I just received it a few days ago."

That day, not only did Su Yunwan mention Qin Mu's marriage in her letter, but Qin Mu also wrote a few words about it in his own letter.

The reason why it took so long to tell him was because when Qin Mu took a concubine, Qin Junyi was on a war against Beidi.

In order to prevent him from being distracted and worried, Su Yunwan and Qin Mu did not mention the matter until the news of the army's return home came back.

“Whether it’s marrying a wife or taking a concubine, if it’s his own wish, I won’t interfere, but he…” Qin Junyi paused, his face full of colors.

Su Yunwan turned around and looked directly into Qin Junyi's eyes: "What's wrong with him?"

Qin Junyi took a deep breath and said vaguely: "He is presumptuously guessing what I am thinking."

Seeing that he didn't want to talk more, Su Yunwan stopped asking and only reminded him, "There are reasons for this. You'd better have a frank talk."

"Wait a couple of days. I'm afraid I won't be able to help punishing him once I open my mouth now!" Qin Junyi's heart was agitated and his face became gloomy.

He first encountered Yin Ruoshu and heard the so-called uncle-sister-in-law affair, and then received a letter about Qin Mu taking a concubine. Combining the two, he could easily read the considerations and intentions behind Qin Mu's taking a concubine.

At that time, sadness, anger, heartbreak...all kinds of negative emotions intertwined together, like a tsunami, devouring his sanity with overwhelming force.

He asked himself that he had never doubted Qin Mu, but he never expected that his third brother, who was always well-behaved and obedient, did not trust him at all in his heart!

But he could understand Qin Mu's inner fear and difficulties, and was reluctant to blame him. He had to suppress the fire and ice that was constantly burning and corroding in his heart, and tried his best to restrain himself from venting his anger towards Qin Mu.