Chapter 301 The Young Heir

Chapter 301: The Little Young Master

Cui Ji abruptly reined in his horse. The steed reared with a long neigh, its front hooves kicking wildly in the air.

Just as the horse's body was about to land, Cui Ji dismounted swiftly, his war boots thudding onto the hard, dry ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.

He didn't even have time to steady himself before he rushed forward in three quick strides, like a gust of wind as he dashed to Cheng Ge's side.

In Cui Ji's eyes, there was nothing left but this slender, tall figure—the one he had longed for day and night, the one who visited his dreams every night.

Cheng Ge looked at the man before him and called softly, "Cui Ji..."

In an instant, all restraint crumbled.

Cui Ji's Adam's apple bobbed. He could no longer hold back. He stepped forward abruptly and pulled Cheng Ge tightly into his arms.

The moment Cheng Ge was embraced, his body stiffened noticeably.

The scent of windblown sand and cold iron from Cui Ji lingered around his nose—familiar and reassuring.

He paused for a moment, then his hands, which had been hovering uncertainly in the air,

slowly, tentatively, rose and finally landed gently on Cui Ji's solid, broad back.

He even patted him lightly twice on the back, a faint smile curling at the corner of his lips.

Not far away, behind a small mound of earth, a row of dark heads popped up in unison, several pairs of eyes wide open.

Zhao Cheng excitedly elbowed Wang Meng, whispering in a hushed breath, "Did you see that! Did you see that! They're hugging! They're really hugging!"

Wang Meng was also dumbfounded, nodding repeatedly, nearly shaking his helmet off his head.

A few nearby officers who had secretly crept over also crowded together, whispering excitedly:

"Good heavens, it really is the general's wife!"

"The general's move... is quite fierce! He might break the general's wife's waist!"

"Tsk tsk, I never thought our general could be so... impatient..."

The wind and sand continued, but they seemed to carry a rare warmth.

In the wilderness, the two embraced, while behind the mound, the row of heads that had been peeping with great interest began pointing and commenting.

The two held each other in the wind and sand for a long time, the howling wind in their ears, along with the clearly audible heartbeats in each other's chests.

Cui Ji's arms were wrapped extremely tightly, as if he truly wanted to embed the person he had regained into his very bones, never to be separated.

Cheng Ge was a bit breathless from the tight hold, a faint blush even rising on his pale face.

Finally, he couldn't help but lightly pat Cui Ji's lower back, his voice carrying a hint of helpless hoarseness.

"Cui Ji, loosen up a bit... I can't breathe."

Cui Ji: "..."

His body stiffened slightly, as if suddenly awakened from some uncontrolled emotion.

The strength in his arms immediately relaxed, but he still kept his arms around Cheng Ge's waist, not letting go completely.

But his gaze remained fixed on Cheng Ge's face,

as if he wanted to etch every contour of this face, unseen for months, back into his heart, afraid that if he blinked, the person before him would disappear again.

Just then, a soft, delicate baby's cry came from the carriage beside them.

Lü Rou carefully held a swaddled infant and slowly leaned out of the carriage.

When she saw Cui Ji, she quickly lowered her head and gently curtsied, "Greetings, Your Highness."

Cui Ji's gaze, which had been entirely focused on Cheng Ge, was suddenly drawn by the cry, landing on the small bundle in Lü Rou's arms.

At just one glance, his heart trembled as if struck by a heavy hammer!

An indescribable chill uncontrollably swept toward Lü Rou.

He turned his head sharply, his gaze fixed back on Cheng Ge's face, his eyes incredibly complex.

There was shock, disbelief, and a brooding sense of an impending storm.

He stared at Cheng Ge like that, his lips pressed tightly together, silent for a long time.

Cheng Ge, unnerved by this sudden change in expression, muttered to himself:

Is he having another episode? He was so passionate just now, and now he looks like he's seen an enemy? This illness really is hard to deal with...

Lü Rou was frightened by Cui Ji's demeanor, her heart trembling, "Young master..."

Seeing this, Cheng Ge didn't think much of it. He reached out and gently teased the little one in the swaddle.

He turned to look at Cui Ji and asked with a smile, "Cui Ji, look, isn't this little one adorable?"

Cui Ji's gaze remained cold, his fists clenched at his sides, the joints making faint cracking sounds.

But Cheng Ge, oblivious, continued speaking on his own.

"This is the orphan of Shen Chongzhuo, the county magistrate of Weixian. He and his wife were both killed by Lian Wujing, leaving only this bloodline.

By chance, he fell into my hands. They were kind to me, so I plan to raise him for now. You... don't mind, do you?"

As he spoke, he looked up at Cui Ji, a hint of hope in his eyes.

Cui Ji was rich, and the financial burden on him alone

was too heavy. He wanted to rope Cui Ji in.

After all, Cui Ji had no children, so this little one could take care of him in his old age.

As soon as he finished speaking, the terrifying cold aura around Cui Ji vanished instantly, and his clenched fists suddenly relaxed.

His expression visibly warmed, even taking on a hint of relieved softness.

He looked at the baby again, his eyes now carrying a hint of scrutiny, and spoke coldly, "Mm, he is quite adorable."

With that, he extended the finger he had just clenched tightly and, with a bit of clumsiness, poked the baby's cheek.

Having practiced martial arts for years, he didn't know his own strength. This poke left a distinct red mark on the chubby little face.

The baby seemed uncomfortable from the poke, its small mouth pouting, and its jet-black, almond-shaped eyes quickly filled with tears.

The baby looked at Cui Ji with resentful eyes, clearly on the verge of starting the waterworks.

Cui Ji: "!!!"

Flustered, he pulled his hand back, looking a bit embarrassed.

Not far away, behind the small mound, the row of dark-haired heads that had witnessed it all

felt their hearts pounding wildly, so worked up they nearly leapt out of their boots.

Zhao Cheng slapped both hands over his mouth to keep from screaming, and hissed to his comrades under his breath:

"Did you see that! A kid! It's a kid!!!"

"Oh my god! It's the little lord!!! It really is the little lord!!!"

"Our Cui Family Army finally has an heir!!!"

Even the wind and sand couldn't drown out the surging excitement and joy in these gruff men's hearts.

Those peeking eyes sparkled with the proud delight of doting old fathers.