They stayed in Italy for another two months, returning home only when the semester was just fifteen days away. Ning Yunhuan felt a momentary relief at stepping back onto familiar soil before her nerves tightened again with anticipation.

The imperial capital of his previous life still echoed with memories of careful steps and silent suffering. Now that he stood here once more, he could never be that cautious version of himself ever again.

This time they weren't returning to the old Lanling Yan estate in central Kyoto but a much grander residence on the eastern outskirts. The new villa complex enclosed an entire private forest garden to the east, and not just his family had returned - the cook, nursemaid, governess, and all the staff came back together in one large procession.

The first two days were spent battling jet lag. Ning Yunhuan didn't even return home immediately after landing but instead took two days of rest until her reflection in the mirror showed restored vitality before she finally called home.

She easily transferred the sleeping Baizi Lan from her arms to the nursemaid's - only for the bigger problem to appear when Lanling Yan's expression darkened: "We're married now with a child. You still refuse to introduce me to your family?" His voice was cold and cruel, forcing Ning Yunhuan to lower her gaze in shame before she nervously adjusted her skirt hem as excuse to appease him.

"My father doesn't know yet," she admitted softly, her voice dwindling like a leaf caught in autumn wind. The memory of using her overseas studies as an excuse for infidelity, then getting married and conceiving all without permission made her stomach twist with guilt. Even imagining how her father would react was unbearable, let alone introducing the child's father to him.

Lanling Yan had always lived unchallenged through life, countless women vying for his attention over these years. The irony of being rejected by the one he actually desired turned his chest into a pressure cooker of resentment. Yet something in Ning Yunhuan's anxious eyes and pleading expression made his heart soften - though his face remained unreadable as he finally spoke:

"Be careful with that Gu woman." He took their son from the nursemaid, silently accepting her decision without further coercion.

Ning Yunhuan exhaled shakily, confused by his mention of a 'Gu' but grateful enough to be released for now. As she pressed a kiss to his forehead through trembling fingers, Lanling Yan seized the opportunity when she gasped at his sudden movement - lifting her skirt hem and burying his face in her chest. Her body's involuntary shiver ignited more desire than satisfaction, forcing him to release her with great restraint.

"Come back soon," he rumbled hoarsely as he fastened her camisole again. He couldn't resist marking the soft skin of her waist before cradling her away from their son.

The summer heat had returned just as it had when she first discovered her pregnancy, a whole year spent abroad for prenatal care and postpartum recovery having transformed Ning Yunhuan in subtle ways. While the childish innocence remained in her features, there was now an alluring maturity to her curves. Lanling Yan's gaze lingered on her plain cotton blouse - exactly as he remembered from when they first met - which only emphasized how ivory-soft her skin had become.

His earlier bite still tingled at her navel, the contrast of that mark against her pale flesh making his pulse quicken once more. "Come back soon," he repeated with dark emphasis. Ning Yunhuan's ears burned as she tried to argue about returning to see her parents - but his possessive glare made it clear refusal wasn't an option. She acquiesced in a breathless whisper.

Her round cheeks and translucent skin reminded him of perfectly ripened peaches, the pointed chin creating a heart-shaped face that only intensified those dark, adorable eyes. Lanling Yan's long narrow eyes gleamed with satisfaction - she was meant to be cherished forever.

"Watch out for that Gu woman," he warned again as they sat up together, his lips curling in disdain. "That woman is dangerous."

Ning Yunhuan frowned at the third mention of this mysterious 'Gu' woman. The only person with a 'Gu' surname in her memories was... no, that couldn't be right. She forgot to feel shy and asked impulsively:

"Which Gu?"

His expression hardened instantly as his phoenix-like eyes sharpened with dislike. "The one you found objectionable." A year ago he'd sent two groups of operatives after this faceless woman - both failed spectacularly, and worse yet, these capable men had actually developed attachments to her. The fact that an ordinary woman without family connections could survive twice and make his best agents lose focus... it was unsettling enough for Lanling Yan to have those people disappear permanently once the danger became apparent.