The Villain in the Quick Travel is My Wife

Chapter 48

Chapter 48.2.18

When Sun Yuebai finished speaking, the Duke's wife widened her eyes, and Duke Zhao rose abruptly from his chair.

The two approached quickly. Lady Zhao gazed at the baby’s chubby, rosy cheeks, smiling through tears. “He looks just like Ting’er when he was a child,” she whispered, noticing the small red mole on his earlobe—exactly like An Shuting’s.

Duke Zhao nodded, his eyes moving to Sun Yuebai. “This child…?”

They had heard no news before, suggesting the child’s mother had kept it secret. Duke Zhao hadn’t expected that his son, always affectionate and unrestrained, would have a child. But seeing Sun Yuebai embracing the baby with such care filled the Duke and his wife with both gratitude and remorse.

Sun Yuebai pursed his lips, then gently handed the baby to Lady Zhao, who had reached out eagerly. “The child’s mother has passed away,” he said quietly. “She entrusted him to me.”

Lady Zhao didn’t press further. She simply cradled the child, her heart softening as she gazed into his smiling, crescent-shaped eyes.

Suddenly, commotion erupted outside. The household steward rushed in, his face pale. “Master, this is not good!”

Duke Zhao frowned, looking toward the door. “What has you in such a panic?”

“There’s a large force outside. What should we do now?”

Lady Zhao’s expression changed, and she held her grandson tighter, glancing anxiously at Sun Yuebai. “You shouldn’t have come today,” she murmured. “You could have left quietly; you didn’t need to risk yourself to find us.”

Sun Yuebai remained silent, positioning himself protectively in front of his aunt. His eyes narrowed as he looked out the door, hand tightening around the hilt of his sword. He had left guards outside, his most loyal aides, but they were now silent, perhaps overpowered by the surrounding troops.

For a moment, regret surged through Sun Yuebai—not for visiting his aunt and uncle, as he had promised An Shuting he would—but for not sending the child away to safety first. He hadn’t wanted to leave the little one with anyone else.

“What’s all the fuss?” A deep voice boomed from outside, calm yet commanding. A figure strode toward them, dressed in white armor, with strong brows and piercing eyes that radiated authority.

The guards at the door, recognizing the figure yet stunned by his arrival, hesitated. They exchanged confused glances, rooted to their spots.

An Shuting tossed his helmet to his attendant, Zhang Wu. “Uncle Wu, I told you—you’re getting old. Stop swinging weapons around all the time. Aren’t you afraid of straining your back?”

With a swagger, An Shuting strode past the guards and into the hall, catching sight of Sun Yuebai holding a sword, and his parents nearby. His face broke into a broad smile. “I’m back!”

Despite the armor, his darker complexion, and taller build, the Duke’s wife recognized her son immediately. “Ting’er!” she cried, her eyes brimming with tears.

She took a step toward him, but he bypassed her, going straight to Sun Yuebai. Sweeping him up in his arms, An Shuting spun him around with joy. “Cousin, I missed you so much!”

Sun Yuebai dropped his sword, wrapping his arms around An Shuting’s neck, allowing him his exuberance. The two clung to each other as if they were alone in the room, completely unaware of Lady Zhao, who hesitated, her hand still outstretched.

Duke Zhao chuckled, placing a comforting arm around his wife’s shoulders, only to release her quickly. While she focused solely on their son, he noticed the armored soldiers outside—some familiar faces, others unknown, all looking disciplined and formidable.

The Duke silently deduced that An Shuting’s “great plans” likely meant he had joined the rebel army.

An Shuting couldn’t get enough of looking at Sun Yuebai and, in a burst of affection, planted a kiss on his cheek. “Cousin, you look thinner. Have you been like me, unable to eat or sleep from missing me?”

To An Shuting, Sun Yuebai’s face seemed paler, more delicate, as though he’d been through an illness. Sun Yuebai just smiled, touching his face lightly. “Yes,” he murmured, “I missed you too.”

A heavy cough echoed beside him, reminding Sun Yuebai that An Shuting’s parents were still present. Embarrassed, he withdrew his hand and released An Shuting from his embrace.

An Shuting, noticing his cousin’s sudden withdrawal, coughed lightly and turned toward his parents with a smile. His gaze then fell on the little bundle cradled in his mother’s arms—a baby as fair and round as a small dumpling, who instantly tugged at his heart.

He stepped closer, gently unfolding the baby’s blue swaddling cloth and playfully pinching the chubby cheeks. With a spark of surprise, he looked back at his parents. “Did you two have a little brother for me while I was away? Now, that would be a surprise.”

Could it be that his parents, skeptical of his own “main account,” had decided to “practice” with a younger one to secure the An family legacy? How... considerate.

“What nonsense are you spouting?” Lady Zhao chided, casting a sidelong glance at Sun Yuebai. The poor fool hadn’t even realized he had a son, and now he had to come up with an explanation fit for the King of Chu.

“Let’s save these matters for later,” Sun Yuebai interrupted, stepping forward with a meaningful look toward the soldiers stationed outside. “First, tell us what’s going on.”

Duke Zhao, hands clasped behind his back, fixed An Shuting with an expectant gaze, clearly waiting for an answer.

An Shuting hesitated, casting a contemplative look toward the row of young, fierce soldiers assembled outside. His expression grew serious. “Only those with high aspirations dare to change the sun and the moon. This,” he said, gesturing toward the troops, “is the kingdom I have built.”

Duke Zhao gave him a firm slap on the back. “Enough with the grand words. Speak plainly.”

An Shuting hid his grimace, smiling as he brushed off imaginary dust from his shoulder. “Father, calm down. No need to get so worked up. A true head of the family should maintain some poise.”

“Fine, I’ll spare you the suspense. I am the leader of the National Defense Army,” he said, his voice steady. “We’ve overthrown the corrupt regime of the old dynasty. In this new era, it’s our duty to serve the people.”

His tone was firm, the words coming from deep within. Perhaps his original goal had been mere survival, but after witnessing the suffering and poverty on the streets, he’d realized that if he didn’t take action, his life would be wasted.

Sun Yuebai could sense a true transformation in An Shuting. Not only did he appear stronger and more confident, but his heart also seemed more determined. He now understood why so many people had willingly followed An Shuting into battle, risking their lives to support him.

After An Shuting finished, he expected a barrage of questions from his family. Instead, he found them silent. Sun Yuebai’s eyes held a complex mix of emotions, and even Lady Zhao was gazing at her son in quiet wonder.

Duke Zhao, in particular, seemed deep in thought. He saw his son, now grown and more extraordinary than he’d anticipated. Though he was seen by many as a ruthless official, there was once a time when he, too, had harbored dreams of justice and stability for the people. But years of compromise in court had worn away those ideals.

Yet here was his son—daring, thoughtful, and bold enough to challenge a dynasty. Duke Zhao felt a complicated pride, a flicker of joy hidden behind his official’s mask.