Lu Ziyuan’s gaze was so blatant, how could Ji Chengfeng not notice it?

Naturally, a few doubts arose in his heart.

Especially since, from his expression, he didn’t seem to know Wanwan was in Bianzhou.

And Xie YanYu was right beside him, yet he didn’t pay much attention either.

...Could it be that he came specifically for me?

But he has never had any dealings with this Crown Prince.

No matter how incredibly intelligent he was, Ji Chengfeng couldn’t fathom the real reason why Lu Ziyuan had specially diverted to Bianzhou because of him.

With a carriage, the speed was significantly reduced.

Perhaps it was intentional, but this precious steed-drawn carriage was even slower than an ordinary household’s.

The person inside the carriage was the Crown Prince of the current dynasty. Even if anxious enough to want smoke to rise from under his feet, Xie YanYu restrained himself from showing any impatience.

He was merely an official dispatched by the Holy Emperor to oversee the civil service exam; the childbirth of the Prefectural Magistrate Mansion’s lady had nothing to do with him, and it wasn’t his place to be concerned.

On the contrary, Ji Chengfeng could freely express his anxiousness.

Both brothers were insightful individuals; just a glance at each other revealed what the other was thinking.

After much dilly-dallying, they finally reached the gate of the Prefectural Magistrate Mansion.

As soon as he dismounted, the steward of the mansion came forward, drenched in sweat, and said, "My lord, you’re finally back..."

Saying this, the old steward caught sight of the long line of soldiers and immediately fell silent in fright.

Those who followed Lu Ziyuan were all soldiers fresh off the battlefield, surrounded by an intimidating aura and a sense of menace.

Lu Ziyuan himself had also dismounted.

He clenched his hand into a fist, coughed softly with it against his lips, and said leisurely, "It seems there is something urgent at Lord Ji’s residence?"

The fact that a woman was giving birth in the house could hardly be concealed.

Ji Chengfeng admitted frankly, "It’s my wife who is about to give birth."

Upon hearing this, before Lu Ziyuan could react, Xie YanYu coughed first.

Lu Ziyuan was also surprised, "You’re married?"

"..." Ji Chengfeng paused, looking troubled, "I haven’t informed my parents yet."

With these words, Lu Ziyuan guessed the situation.

Probably this short-lived fellow had taken a fancy to a woman of low status, not enough to enter the Ji Family, but he truly liked her.

So he married her without his parents’ approval.

Calling it a marriage, without parental consent, she would only be considered a concubine.

At this moment, with the woman giving birth, seeing his anxious and worried demeanor, it seemed he genuinely had feelings for her.

—So, he had a woman he cared about, and there was certainly no affair with Wanwan.

Coming to this conclusion, the last bit of jealousy in Lu Ziyuan’s heart dissipated.

Seeing that he had someone to care for, and was about to be blessed with a child, the bit of jealousy suddenly turned into envy.

Child.

He also wanted a child.

Perhaps because of too much killing in the previous life, even after two years, they didn’t have a child.

This life...

Not only did he not have a child, he didn’t even have a wife.

A gust of cold wind blew, and Lu Ziyuan coughed softly again.

"Your Highness, forgive me," Ji Chengfeng could no longer hold back, cupped his hands, and said, "My wife is giving birth, it’s inconvenient to stay long, I must take my leave."

With that, he gave a few instructions to the steward, ignored everything else, and quickly left.

Leaving Xie YanYu behind, his eyes anxiously sparkling, yet he could only suppress his feelings.

After all, as a cousin, he could not show excessive concern over his cousin’s wife’s childbirth.

He just hoped this plague god would quickly return to his quarters to rest, so he could go see his sister.

Unexpectedly, the ’plague god’ Lu Ziyuan, watching Ji Chengfeng’s anxious departing figure, suddenly became interested.

"I shall go take a look too."