Chapter 64: Twins, Resembling Him

Shen Xiunian’s face darkened, unable to speak.

If Pei Zhouwu truly wanted to repay him, the best repayment would be never appearing before Liu Fuying again in this lifetime.

“General Shen has endured a long and tiring journey. Please dismount and enter the mansion.”

“General Pei…”

Shen Xiunian called out once more to Pei Zhouwu, who was about to dismount and turn away.

“General Pei must also be exhausted from the journey. Moreover, you are injured and need proper rest. I’ve heard that General Pei prefers tranquility and dislikes being disturbed. Given this, I dare not ask you to stay in the mansion. The truth is, I have two children at home who are at their most boisterous age, and I fear they might disrupt your peace. Therefore, last night, I sent someone ahead into the city to secure a quiet residence. General Pei, why not follow them there now and rest early?”

With such a commotion outside, news of his return would soon reach inside. He was truly afraid that Liu Fuying might come out at any moment.

His words of dismissal were spoken with utmost consideration, hoping only that Pei Zhouwu would leave quickly and avoid causing trouble.

“Very well.” Pei Zhouwu did not insist.

Originally, having arrived at the doorstep of the Shen Family, he should have paid a visit to Old Madam Shen.

However, he had heard long ago that Old Madam Shen suffered from a mental illness, and meeting a stranger abruptly might only agitate her further. Thus, he accepted Shen Xiunian’s suggestion.

The gatekeeper of the Shen Family had already come down and was waiting nearby, now speaking up at the right moment.

“General, Madam went out earlier to the home of Widow Shen at the end of the alley. I’ll go inform her that you have returned.”

“No need!” Shen Xiunian hastily refused.

To avoid arousing suspicion, he softened his tone immediately afterward.

“Over the years, I have been away fighting battles, and Madam has been the sole support of the household. She has truly endured much hardship. There’s no need to make a fuss and disturb her, lest she become anxious and distressed over my injuries. I will speak with her properly later.”

With that, Shen Xiunian lowered the carriage curtain and stepped out.

Liu Fuying was at the end of the alley and might return at any moment. It was best for him to enter quickly and for Pei Zhouwu to leave promptly to avoid an encounter.

He was very weak and needed several people to support him to walk steadily.

Pei Zhouwu intended to dismount and help him but was politely declined on grounds of inconvenience.

After exchanging a few more polite words, Shen Xiunian turned and ascended the steps to enter the mansion.

A large crowd surrounded Shen Xiunian as he entered, soon disappearing from the doorway.

“General, we should also go.” A subordinate beside Pei Zhouwu reminded him.

Pei Zhouwu nodded and tightened the reins, preparing to leave.

“Daddy!”

A childish voice rang out from behind, brimming with barely contained excitement.

“Daddy, you’ve finally returned!”

Pei Zhouwu’s brow twitched. The voice seemed to be calling him, though he wondered which child had mistaken him for someone else.

Turning around, he saw a little boy with a beaming smile, running eagerly toward him on his short legs. The boy appeared to be only three or four years old.

“Daddy!”

Behind the boy, a maid chased after him, urging him to slow down.

Pei Zhouwu turned his horse around, curious as to why the little boy, having already seen his face, still called him “Daddy.”

It occurred to him that since they were in front of the General’s Mansion, it would make sense if the child were Shen Xiunian’s son.

During his time in Yunnan, he had heard many stories about Shen Xiunian in the army.

It is said that shortly after Madam Shen became pregnant, Shen Xiunian went off to the battlefield. In the more than three years since, he had only managed to return home twice.

If that were the case, it was indeed possible that the child might not clearly remember his father’s appearance.

“Daddy, Ah Yun misses you so much.”

The little boy rushed forward to hug the horse’s leg, but fortunately, the maid behind him reacted quickly and pulled him back.

“Young master, this is not your father. You’ve mistaken him for someone else.”

The maid looked deeply embarrassed, then awkwardly turned to Pei Zhouwu to explain.

“I’m truly sorry, General. This is the son of our General Shen. Since the general has been away fighting for years and hasn’t had the chance to return to see the child, and the child is young and has only seen the general a few times, it’s inevitable that he doesn’t remember his father’s appearance clearly. However, the young master knows that his father is a general who wears armor. Just now, seeing you in full armor at the doorstep, he thought his father had returned, so he mistook you and called you daddy. Please forgive him.”

Pei Zhouwu nodded, thinking to himself that it was indeed as he had suspected.

Shen Xiunian was blessed with a pair of twins—a boy and a girl. He had heard about this in the army as well.

“It’s fine.” Pei Zhouwu didn’t mind. He leaned down slightly and spoke gently to the little boy, “The child is still young and didn’t mean to call me daddy by mistake. Your father has already returned home and will be staying for quite some time. Spend more time with him, and you won’t mistake anyone else for him in the future.”

But the little boy looked confused, scratching his head in puzzlement.

Pei Zhouwu smiled at him, feeling an inexplicable sense of familiarity when he looked at the boy.

“But… but…”

The little boy frowned, widening his eyes as he stared at Pei Zhouwu.

“He really isn’t my daddy? But… but he looks so much like my sister.”

Though it seemed like innocent child’s talk, even Pei Zhouwu’s subordinate behind him couldn’t help but murmur, “General, it does seem that way. This child really does bear some resemblance to you.”

“Nonsense!” Pei Zhouwu’s expression turned serious.

This was no joking matter. How could Shen Xiunian’s child look like him?

If word got out, it would tarnish the mother’s reputation.

“Young Master Xiyun, please don’t say that. He really isn’t your father.”

The maid forced an awkward smile, her face stiffening as she continued to explain to Pei Zhouwu.

“General, please don’t take offense. Actually, more than one person has said the child resembles someone else. At the end of our street, there’s a family where the lady’s brother bears some resemblance to our young master and young lady in the eyes and brows. If our madam hadn’t already been heavily pregnant when she arrived here, who knows what people would say. There are so many people in this world, and coincidences like similar appearances happen. General, please don’t take it to heart.”

“It’s fine.” Pei Zhouwu remained gentle.

After hearing the maid’s explanation, he did feel somewhat relieved.

Indeed, there are so many people in this world.

He didn’t need to dwell too much on the familiar feeling that this child somewhat resembled him.

“Then, General, please go about your business. I’ll take our young master inside now.”

Pei Zhouwu nodded and slowly stepped aside.

“Young Master Xiyun, did you hear? Your father has returned and is now at home.”

“Great!”

Shen Xiyun dashed up the steps, overjoyed.

“I won’t have to worry about others teasing me for being a fatherless child anymore. This is wonderful!”

In a flash, he disappeared behind the gate.

“General, we should also depart.” The subordinate reminded Pei Zhouwu once more.

“Mm, let’s go.”

The white horse finally lifted its hooves and left the front of the Shen Family’s gate. The guide walked at the very front, leading the group as they proceeded unhurriedly down the long street.

At the courtyard of the house at the end of the street, Liu Fuying still leaned back in her chair, the sound of children’s laughter by her ears bringing her a joyful mood.