Spring sunlight carried a lazy warmth, streaming through the window lattice of the Military Governor's Mansion, weaving tiny spots of light across the floor. Su Wan sat on the soft couch by the window, needle in hand, embroidering a small tiger-head belly band for Shen Nian'an. She used bright red thread, with neat, tiny stitches; the tiger's eyes were round and innocent, full of childish charm.
Shen Yanci sat in the armchair opposite, holding a military book—but his gaze was not on the pages. It was fixed softly on Su Wan's profile. When she bent her head to embroider, her long lashes lowered gently, casting a faint shadow over her eyes. Sunlight gilded the top of her hair, and even a loose strand by her temple looked extraordinarily gentle.
"What are you staring at?" Su Wan looked up, her eyes smiling like spring lake water.
Shen Yanci looked away, his fingertips tapping the page lightly, the tips of his ears warming faintly. "Nothing. Watching you embroider is far more interesting than military books."
Su Wan's cheeks warmed too. She lowered her head to thread the needle, the corner of her mouth lifting quietly. "You're just being sweet. Go back to your work, or Father will ask you about military affairs later."
"Father's mind is only on Nian'an these days. He has no time for me." Shen Yanci set the book aside, sat down beside her, and picked up the nearly finished belly band. "This tiger is beautifully embroidered. Our Nian'an will look the most majestic in it."
"You just know how to flatter me." Su Wan chided softly, but her heart was sweet.
She remembered how, when she had first married him, he could not speak a single soft word. Now he spoke gently and tenderly without effort. The love hidden in his change comforted her more than any sweet talk.
As they spoke, the nurse carried Shen Nian'an in. The little fellow had just woken up, full of energy. When the nurse teased him, he giggled loudly, kicking his little arms and legs joyfully.
"He must be hungry." Su Wan took the baby and readied herself to nurse him.
Shen Yanci turned around politely, his back to them, but his ears pricked up quietly, listening to his son's satisfied little sucking sounds, a soft smile curving his lips.
Once Su Wan finished nursing and handed the baby back to the nurse, Shen Yanci turned around. In his hand, he held a freshly peeled orange segment, holding it to her mouth.
"Try it. The kitchen just sent these. Very sweet."
Su Wan bit it gently. The sweet, slightly sour taste burst on her tongue—much like the warmth of their days: plain, simple, and endlessly comforting. She noticed the orange juice on his fingertips, glowing like faint amber, and wiped it gently with a handkerchief.
His fingers were cool, with rough calluses from holding a gun all year. At her touch, he trembled slightly. Shen Yanci looked at her earnest face, and suddenly reached out, pulling her into his arms.
The couch was small, and they were close enough to hear each other's heartbeat, beating in the same gentle rhythm. Su Wan rested her cheek against his chest, smelling the faint soap scent on his clothes mixed with sunshine—soothing and safe.
"Wanwan," he spoke softly above her head, his voice a little hoarse. "This is perfect."
"Hmm?" Su Wan snuggled against him like a lazy cat.
"Having you, Nian'an, and a home." Shen Yanci held her tighter. "Once, I thought living meant fighting, guarding Fengtian. Now I understand: guarding you is more important than guarding any city."
Su Wan said nothing, only pressed closer to him.
She knew he meant every word. The man who had once been cold and hard as iron was slowly softened by time and love.
The afternoon sun slanted westward. Shen Yanci had military affairs to attend to and prepared to leave for the camp.
Su Wan walked him to the door, straightening the folds of his coat. "Come back early tonight. I'll have the kitchen keep your favorite braised pork elbow for you."
"Alright." Shen Yanci's gaze fell to her slightly open collar, and his Adam's apple moved quietly. He reached out to fasten it for her, his fingertips brushing her neck lightly, sending a faint shiver through her. "The wind is cold outside. Go in."
Su Wan's face flushed pink, like clouds dyed by the setting sun. She bowed her head and turned back, walking slowly—then glanced back at the corner of the corridor.
Shen Yanci was still standing at the door. When she looked back, he smiled at her, his eyes brighter than the sun. Only after her figure disappeared did he turn and stride out of the mansion, his steps light as if walking on clouds.
In the evening, Su Wan was in the kitchen watching the chef make braised pork elbow. The rich, savory aroma filled the room.
As she watched, Shen Yanci returned, still in his military uniform, and stepped straight into the kitchen, sniffing the air.
"It smells wonderful. I came back just in time."
"I'm just about to serve it." Su Wan went forward and took his military cap. "Go change and wash your hands. Dinner will be ready."
Shen Yanci nodded, but did not leave immediately. He stood beside her, watching her help the chef. A drop of hot oil splashed onto her hand; she gasped softly.
"How could you be so careless?" He quickly took her hand and checked it. Only when he saw it was only slightly red did he relax, still frowning. "I told you not to stay in the kitchen."
"I was only watching. I'm not that delicate." Su Wan pulled her hand back with a smile.
When he left, he turned to the chef and said firmly: "Take good care of the young madam. Don't let her near hot oil."
The chef smiled knowingly. Su Wan's face burned red, but her heart was sweet as honey.
At dinner, Shen Xiaoshan held Shen Nian'an, feeding him mashed rice, the two grandfather and grandson utterly content.
Shen Yanci busied himself piling food onto Su Wan's bowl—lean meat, vegetables, all her favorites, until it was piled high like a small mountain.
"Eat too," Su Wan pushed his arm, a little shy.
"I am eating." He took a bite of the braised elbow, his mouth full. "Eat more, to keep your strength up for nursing."
Shen Xiaoshan watched with a constant warm smile. "Girl, if the girls' school is too tiring, let Yanci help you. Your health comes first."
"Thank you, Uncle. I'm careful," Su Wan replied gently.
"Military affairs can wait," Shen Xiaoshan told Shen Yanci. "Spend more time with them. Days are meant to be lived well, one by one."
Shen Yanci nodded. "Yes, Father."
The dinner was warm and peaceful, filled with the simple warmth of home. Lanterns lit up outside the window, casting soft golden light over the whole room.
Late at night, after Nian'an fell asleep, Su Wan sat at her dressing table removing her makeup.
Shen Yanci sat on the bed, watching her tenderly.
"News came from the camp today. The warlord in the capital has fallen," he said quietly. "The new leader wants peace. Fengtian may be quiet for years to come."
Su Wan's hands stilled. "Does that mean you won't have to leave so often?"
"Yes," Shen Yanci smiled. "I can stay with you and Nian'an more."
Su Wan's eyes lit up like starlight. "When it's warmer, let's take Nian'an to the apricot valley outside the city. The apricot blossoms were beautiful there last year."
"Anything for you," he smiled.
He walked up and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder. In the mirror, their figures leaned against each other, soft and inseparable.
"We're becoming just like an ordinary family," Su Wan smiled softly.
"We are an ordinary family," Shen Yanci whispered in her ear. "In my heart, you are not a governor's wife—you are my wife. Nian'an is not a young master. He is our child."
Su Wan's face flushed. She put down her comb, stood on her tiptoes, and kissed his jaw lightly.
Shen Yanci's breath caught. He lowered his head and kissed her softly.
This kiss was gentle and steady, like spring rain—quiet, deep, and full of lasting love.
Moonlight spilled over their clasped hands, soft as silver.
In the middle of the night, Su Wan was woken by the baby's cry.
Shen Yanci moved faster than she did, putting on a coat and walking quietly to the crib.
"Did he wet himself?" He fumbled clumsily to check the diaper.
Su Wan got up and brought a clean one. By moonlight, they worked together smoothly—one holding the baby, one changing the diaper.
Afterward, Shen Yanci held him in his arms, patting his back gently, humming a soft, made-up tune.
Shen Nian'an quieted, snuggled against him, and fell back asleep.
The two returned to bed. Shen Yanci pulled her into his warm embrace.
"What song was that?" Su Wan mumbled sleepily against his chest.
"I made it up," he laughed softly. "Seems he likes it."
"He's close to you," Su Wan smiled.
"Of course, I'm his father." He paused, his voice turning gentle. "But he loves you most of all."
Moonlight fell gently over the quilt. They held each other quietly, listening to each other's heartbeat and their son's soft breathing—the sweetest sound in the world.
Su Wan knew these days were plain, trivial, and peaceful.
Like the crabapple tree outside the window, seasons came and went, blooming and fading quietly, guarding the courtyard and the people within.
She and Shen Yanci would grow old together like this,
in ordinary days, in warm fireworks,
slowly, steadily,
forever.