When the word “child” slipped from Li Yuer’s lips, the entire atmosphere inside the boat abruptly froze.
Xu Ping’an, who had just raised his teacup to take a sip, was stunned.
The three who were playing cards also turned their gazes toward him.
Clearly, in this enclosed space, those two words weighed heavily on everyone.
Heavy…?
At least, for Xu Ping’an, he instantly felt the eyes of all four women in the cabin lock onto him.
This was no longer something as simple as “heavy.”
In fact, he suddenly understood the feelings of a crawfish clinging desperately to the edge of a bubbling pot of oil with its pincers.
In that moment, every muscle in his body tensed involuntarily. He even felt as if his heart skipped a beat.
That Li Yuer girl did it on purpose!!
Xu Ping’an’s hand, holding the teacup, trembled slightly.
He cast a glance and immediately caught sight of Li Yuer, her eyes glinting with hidden mirth, staring at him with excitement.
No doubt about it, this troublesome girl was doing it on purpose!
With her clever and discerning mind, she must have already guessed what would happen the moment she uttered those words.
And seeing that mischievous glimmer in Li Yuer’s eyes, Xu Ping’an instantly understood… this girl was getting back at him.
Even though she always said she didn’t care, it was impossible for anyone to have so many women around and feel not a trace of jealousy.
Li Yuer clearly understood that the skirmishes between the girls meant little to Xu Ping’an.
After all, he could easily mediate and play the peacemaker.
So, to take her revenge, this girl brought up the word “child” right out in the open in such a setting.
She was clearly pointing the barrel right at him!
Hurriedly calming himself, Xu Ping’an slowly brought the cup to his lips and took a light sip of tea.
“Ahem~ There’s no need to rush about children. Your health isn’t very good right now, and I’m not in a hurry either, so let’s not talk about this for now.”
He forced down the trembling in his heart, truly afraid the four girls would quarrel.
If they were just targeting each other, it wouldn’t be so bad. The problem was, this matter really did fall on his shoulders.
Suppressing the urge to reprimand Li Yuer, Xu Ping’an looked up at the three girls who had stopped playing cards.
“You as well, Qingxuan. You’re still the Sect Master, and your injuries have only just healed. Whether for internal or external reasons, it’s not suitable for you to have a child right now. And as for Zhi’er… you should wait another couple of years.”
There was nothing else he could do. Li Zhi’er was only thirteen or fourteen.
At that age, he really couldn’t bring himself to do it.
If he did, that would mean starting at least five years later.
And then there was Xiao Jing’er—she was clearly meant to be a companion maid.
Since Li Yuer would become his, Xiao Jing’er would naturally stay as well.
But Xiao Jing’er was only fourteen, just a bit older than Li Zhi’er.
He truly couldn’t bring himself to do anything!
Seeing Xu Ping’an casually cut off the topic, Pei Qingxuan nodded.
“Husband is right~ Now… my status really doesn’t allow me to have a child right away. But don’t worry, Husband, I’ll resolve these matters as quickly as I can so the Xu Family can flourish!”
Watching Pei Qingxuan’s expression—full of responsibility, as if this was her mission—Xu Ping’an could only feel a headache coming on.
Li Zhi’er looked down at herself, then glanced at Pei Qingxuan.
“Does Mister like them bigger? I heard that papaya can…”
Xiao Jing’er’s face flushed bright red. She glanced at Li Yuer, then at Xu Ping’an, already lost in fantasies about sharing the bridal chamber with them.
With this topic brought up, the three girls stopped playing cards and gathered to discuss the matter of having children.
“Elder Sister, don’t worry, Zhi’er won’t compete with you. Mister’s firstborn will definitely be yours~”
Li Zhi’er’s face was rosy, but her tone was firm and righteous.
Xiao Jing’er quickly chimed in, “That’s right. No matter what, Mister’s legitimate child will be Madam Qingxuan’s. My lady’s health is weak, so it’s fine to wait.”
Qingxuan looked at Li Zhi’er and Xiao Jing’er with a serious face.
“It doesn’t matter if Husband’s first child is mine or not. What’s important is that the Xu Family must flourish. After we return to the Sect, I’ll fetch some Fertility Pills—you must take them regularly so the Xu Family can prosper.”
As expected, even Pei Qingxuan couldn’t escape the constraints of this era’s views.
After all, for women in this era, their main social function was to bear descendants.
And at this moment, all four women aboard this boat were Xu Ping’an’s. You could say, this was the first Xu Family’s Rear Courtyard Gathering, wasn’t it?
Though somewhat hasty, it truly left Xu Ping’an feeling at a loss.
A sly glint flashed in Li Yuer’s eyes, and she looked at Xu Ping’an with a provocative gaze.
“Mister~ who do you think should have the first child?”
Li Yuer, you’re relentless, aren’t you?
Fine, just you wait, once we’re off this boat!
Mister will let you see why ‘the flower is so red’!
As expected, Li Yuer’s question once again drew the three girls’ gazes to Xu Ping’an.
He forced down the urge to teach Li Yuer a lesson right now and took a deep breath.
“Children? That will follow Heaven’s will. But thinking about it, that small courtyard won’t be big enough for much longer. Shouldn’t we expand it? Yuer, you’re well connected—how do you think we should expand?”
There was nothing else Xu Ping’an could do; he really couldn’t handle this line of attack, so he hurried to change the subject.
Li Yuer heard this and a mischievous smile curled at her lips.
Seeing this little demon’s expression, Xu Ping’an’s heart thudded.
It’s over!
This girl still has something up her sleeve!!
“Of course we need to expand. Mister, don’t worry. With the connections of the Duke of the Southern Border’s Residence, even if you want to build a palace-sized hall, it’s no problem. By the way, Mister, how many people do you plan to house? Right now, the four of us will all be moving in, right (?”
Xu Ping’an’s mouth twitched, but he could only nod.
“Then, Mister… when you visit the Floating Cloud Sect this time, are you not planning to see her? After all, for her sake, you really made the Liu Family lose face.”
At the mention of this, Pei Qingxuan and Xiao Jing’er both remembered the past events, but Li Zhi’er looked up with a blank face.
“Mister and… the Liu Family? Which Liu Family? Is it Liu Fuzong’s family?”
“Of course not.”
Li Yuer shook her head. Liu Fuzong was a minister who had served three dynasties and was now the Minister of War, considered a highly influential family in the Qi Nation.
But the Liu Family of Liuyexian—that was just a small, minor family, not even comparable.
“It’s the Liu Family in Liuyexian, a half-cultivator family. For the sake of their eldest daughter, Mister personally visited their home and made them suffer a huge loss, bringing them great shame.”
Li Zhi’er’s eyes instantly sparkled at those words.
“Really? Mister is that heroic?” “Of course, Zhi’er, let me tell you…”
Li Yuer’s spirits lifted as she prepared to tell the tale of Xu Ping’an’s exploits, but suddenly, a thunderous explosion erupted outside the boat, and in the next instant, the entire vessel capsized!