Chapter 21: The Delicate Songstress vs. The Strong General

“Why are you crying, husband?”

His throat tightened instantly, and his gaze toward her turned sorrowful.

“The child was born safely, and I’m fine too. Husband should be happy.”

The stronger she pretended to be, the more guilty and pained Wei Chenheng felt. His emotions, which he had struggled to suppress, broke free, and silent tears slipped down his face.

When he spoke again, his voice was slightly hoarse. “Wanwan, childbirth is like passing through the gates of death. Even if one survives, they lose half their life. Just now, while waiting outside, I kept thinking—if something happened to you, what would I do?”

“Husband, you have witnessed countless deaths on the battlefield. Why are you so fragile now?”

Lowering his head, he cupped her cold little hand and pressed kisses onto it again and again. His tears dripped onto her palm.

“It’s precisely because I’ve seen too much death that I know how terrifying it is. I can’t even imagine… if I lost you—”

“Husband, I will not leave you.”

Her bright, clear eyes locked onto his, seeing through the silent tears, past the depths of his gaze, and into his unfiltered, passionate, and unwavering love for her.

Wei Chenheng fell silent for a moment before slowly regaining control over his emotions. “How do you feel now?”

“Hungry. I want to eat something.”

Wei Chenheng immediately said, “I’ll have them bring in food.”

“Wait, husband.” She grasped his hand, her voice somewhat weak.

“What is it?” He turned to look at her.

“You should name the child.”

Wei Chenheng was momentarily stunned. A mix of emotions flickered in his eyes before he nodded. “Alright.”

“And… don’t forget to send a letter home to Mother.” She reminded him.

He pulled her into a tight embrace, burying his face in the crook of her pale neck, hiding the redness creeping into his eyes.

She heard his quiet but firm reply: “Alright.”

The midwife, having settled the newborn twins with the wet nurses, returned to the room and, seeing their intimate moment, awkwardly interrupted, “General, the madam should rest now.”

Reminded of this, Wei Chenheng finally snapped back to reality and asked, “Do you need my help?”

The midwife was momentarily taken aback before quickly smiling. “Men shouldn’t be involved in this. Leave it to me. You should step outside—I’ll take care of everything here.”

He nodded. “I’ll leave it to you.”

Then, turning back, he bent down and kissed Ning Wanguan’s forehead. “I’ll be waiting outside. Call me if you need anything.”

Ning Wanguan reminded him, “Check on the children.”

His usually expressionless face tightened slightly, and he responded flatly, “Alright. I will.”

Reluctantly, Wei Chenheng left the room. Cui’er approached him and reported, “General, the children have been settled. Two wet nurses are attending to them in the side tent.”

He gave a slight nod, and after Cui’er finished speaking, she withdrew.

Wei Chenheng walked steadily toward the side tent. As soon as he lifted the curtain, he was greeted by the cries of the newborns. His brows furrowed—so noisy.

The wet nurses quickly bowed upon seeing him. “General.”

“No need for formalities.”

He stepped forward, and under the glow of the brazier, he saw the wrinkled, wailing newborns.

“Would the general like to hold the young master?”

Wei Chenheng hesitated for a moment before nodding. “I’ll try.”

One of the wet nurses gently placed the younger twin into his arms. Holding his own child awkwardly, Wei Chenheng stiffened, unsure of what to do.

The wet nurse chuckled. “General, this is how you hold a baby.”

Following her guidance, he carefully adjusted his posture. To everyone’s surprise, the infant, who had been wailing moments ago, suddenly closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

After settling the younger twin on the bed, Wei Chenheng picked up the elder twin as well. Once both children were sound asleep, he returned to his own tent.

By then, Ning Wanguan had already fallen asleep.

Gazing at her peaceful sleeping face, the cold expression on Wei Chenheng’s face gradually softened, revealing a rare trace of warmth.

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Ning Wanguan’s postpartum recovery was smooth and comfortable. She barely had to lift a finger, as Wei Chenheng attended to her every need like a devoted servant.

The soldiers in the military camp were astounded. The cold-faced general, ruthless on the battlefield, was capable of such tenderness—and all of it was reserved solely for his wife.

Even their newborn sons didn’t receive the same treatment.

In Wei Chenheng’s mind, his wife had suffered because of them. He planned to settle the score with the little troublemakers when they were older.

Fortunately, babies grow quickly. Though they had been wrinkled and unattractive at birth, resembling little monkeys in his eyes, within a month, they had filled out and become soft and chubby.

Looking at the twins, who bore some resemblance to Ning Wanguan, Wei Chenheng finally found them more pleasing to the eye.

As for their names, although Ning Wanguan had left the decision to him, he didn’t hesitate to discuss it with her.

“These are your children too—we should decide together,” he reasoned.

In the end, they settled on the names Wei Hongning for the elder twin and Wei Shuning for the younger, combining elements from both their surnames.

By the time the twins were six months old, Ning Wanguan had fully recovered.

She swallowed vitality pills, scar-healing pills, hydration pills, and firming pills without hesitation.

Like a rabbit, her favorite thing to eat was carrots.

Wei Chenheng, cautious after witnessing her ordeal, had not dared to touch her since childbirth. He followed the doctor’s advice, waiting until she had completely regained her strength.

Yet, even after a long while, this blockhead remained oblivious to her hints.

They say that when a couple is together for too long, they start feeling like siblings.

Had Wei Chenheng lost interest in her?

No, she had to test him.

That morning, Wei Chenheng returned from training, drenched in sweat. Entering the tent, he saw a wooden tub filled with hot water, and Ning Wanguan smiling at him.

He was slightly taken aback. “Wanwan, this is…?”

“I’ll help you bathe,” she said in a soft, delicate voice. “Husband has taken such good care of me—I want to return the favor.”

Wei Chenheng’s eyes flickered as he pressed his lips into a slight smile. “Alright.”

He was curious to see how she would ‘serve’ him.

Ning Wanguan felt nervous. It had been nearly nine months since they last faced each other so intimately. She stepped forward, her slender fingers beginning to undo his robes.

The man remained still, completely cooperative.

She couldn’t help swallowing.

So… delectable.

Her gaze roamed over his body, unabashedly lingering.

Meanwhile, his handsome face remained calm, his usual restraint in place.

“…Sorry. It’s just a natural reaction.”