Before returning to the courtyard, Shen Qing had already sent someone ahead to inform the maids at home, telling them to prepare a room.
She had originally planned to go inside with Yu Zihan and only leave after watching him fall asleep. However, the half-grown boy blocked the doorway with an abashed look on his face and protested, "Mother, I'm a big boy now. If you still need to watch me sleep, my comrades in the army will laugh at me!"
Shen Qing couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
'I wonder who that little brat was who pestered me every day to watch him sleep right after I got back.'
Though she felt a pang of loneliness, Shen Qing had more or less processed the fact that her son was grown up during their journey. She didn't insist on going in. Instead, she patted his head and said, "Alright, go on in. I've already sent someone to prepare some warm water and a light, easily digestible meal. Wash up and have a bite before you go to sleep."
