"Even this kid has his embarrassing moments!" He chuckled, as if recalling something amusing. "He actually called me Second Uncle!"
Back in the Southwest Army, no matter how much Chu Tianze teased Lu Mingxiu, who was only ten years old, Lu Mingxiu, looking at the carefree Chu Tianze, absolutely refused to call him Second Uncle.
Upon hearing this, Yun Shu couldn't help but smile.
“An Jiu was injured yesterday at Tan Lang’s residence while saving a young girl. Now Yun Niang has kept her here to recover.” Seeing that Yun Shu was no longer as resistant as before, Chu Tianze took the opportunity to say, “An Jiu’s reputation in the capital is not good, but she was specially invited by Yun Niang yesterday. What kind of person is Yun Niang? For her to catch her eye, I’m afraid An Jiu is not as bad as the rumors say.”
Yun Shu nodded slightly, seemingly lost in thought.
Seeing that Yun Shu's attitude had softened, Chu Tianze pressed on, saying, "Why don't we have Her Majesty the Empress ask Yun Niang about it another day?"
“Mingxiu is over twenty years old, and this is the first time he's fallen for a young girl. We can't just discourage him. What if he's seen it all and can't find a wife?” Chu Tianze raised an eyebrow, a barely perceptible hint of sadness flashing in his usually bright and lively eyes. “Like me? At least I have Yan-ge’er. He’s been single all his life!”
"Second Brother—" Yun Shu felt a pang of sadness. Chu Tianze had given up so much for the Duke of Dingguo's mansion. But back then, he and his elder brother both thought Chu Tianze was just a playboy who spent his days wandering among women and doing nothing productive.
He could no longer voice his objections.
“Mingxiu’s life has been tough; he’s had a hard time all these years.” Yun Shu sighed deeply and said, “When he was just over ten years old, he ran off to the southwestern border army, saying he wanted to join the army. Someone recognized him and reported it to me. I just thought it was a passing fancy and deliberately let it go. I never expected that he would hold onto his own strength and persevere through it all, and achieve what he has today.”
"Now everyone in the capital says that Marquis Pingyuan is deeply favored by the emperor and is on the emperor's mind. Those people have long forgotten that Mingxiu's military achievements were all earned by himself, one sword and one spear."
Chu Tianze said gently, "That kid didn't mean to put you in a difficult position, so he came to me first to let me sound out your intentions. Today, he suddenly asked you to issue an order because that girl collapsed in front of him, and although he was there, he couldn't protect her. He's feeling terrible right now. I told him long ago that you should hold on tightly to the person you like and never lose them."
Hearing this, Yun Shu finally understood; it turned out that her second brother had come to act as a mediator.
"Let me think about it some more." Yun Shu didn't give a definitive answer after all. He frowned and said, "The An family's young lady isn't even fourteen yet, is she? Isn't she a bit too young to marry into the family?"
Seeing that Yun Shu no longer objected, Chu Tianze seized the opportunity to say, "What does it matter? Let's marry her first, and we can always postpone the marriage. Her family needs someone to keep an eye on things. The huge Pingyuan Marquis's mansion is so deserted and quiet, it's really not proper."
“In a few days, let Yunniang bring Anjiu to the palace so that Jinniang can take a look at her.” Yun Shu thought of Lu Mingxiu’s disappointed and gloomy expression before he left and felt a little reluctant. “If she is indeed a good one, it’s not that we can’t tell Mingxiu.”
We're just one step away from success.
Chu Tianze nodded with satisfaction. This matter would be much easier once it reached the Empress.
It's important to remember that when Empress Xiao Jinniang, the unfavored legitimate daughter of a scholar's family, married Yun Shu, who was then Chu Tianshu, many people were skeptical of their relationship. Despite being a legitimate daughter, Xiao Jinniang was even less capable than a concubine's daughter; rumors circulated in the capital that she was weak, timid, and incapable of taking responsibility.
At that time, Chu Tianze, the second son of the Duke of Dingguo's mansion, felt that Xiao Jinniang was not good enough for his younger brother.
To his surprise, An Jiuniang was a poised and graceful young woman who loved Yan Ge'er more than her own son, raising him by her side daily. She was wholeheartedly devoted to her younger brother, following him to the Northwest without hesitation. Alone in the palace, she negotiated with Yun Xu, who was tormenting Chu Tianshu, and rescued him. This led to Chu Tianshu's later rise to power and revenge.
Rumors should not be believed entirely.
The Empress and Princess Yunyang were like sisters, and they got along very well. Since Yunniang had noticed them, Xiao Jinniang certainly wouldn't let her down.
The day when Lu Mingxiu will be able to marry An Jiu is not far away!
******
An Ran was unaware that her matter had already alarmed the Emperor, who was currently "resting peacefully" at the Yunyang Princess's residence.
Originally, her injuries were not serious. Marquis Pingyuan was quite reliable; he subdued the man in black in time, so the sword wound wasn't deep. Her fainting was entirely due to her lack of rest these past few days, which caused her to suddenly fall ill.
Although she only wanted to ruin her appearance that day, she still felt a sense of security when she saw Lu Mingxiu. It was as if he could always save her from danger whenever he was there.
He always manages to protect her.
A ripple stirred in An Ran's heart, but so what? She wasn't Qi Niang, single-mindedly dreaming of marrying the Marquis of Pingyuan and becoming his wife.
There is only gratitude. And that is all.
She has always been self-aware and never harbors any improper thoughts.
These days, Jia Niang stayed at Princess Yunyang's residence, keeping by his side and not going anywhere else.
Princess Yunyang found Jia Niang increasingly like her daughter who had gone missing seven years ago, and couldn't help but want to spend more time with her. Since Jia Niang refused to leave An Ran, Princess Yunyang had no choice but to stay in An Ran's guest room as well. Sometimes, when Jia Niang went to brew medicine, Princess Yunyang would even personally help her select the herbs and watch her brew the medicine.
If this gets out, it will seem as if I suffered a serious injury and needed Princess Yunyang to serve me personally. Wouldn't that seem a bit arrogant?
An Ran couldn't help but feel a little regretful.
She had only said that Jia Niang was more meticulous and could prepare medicine better than the maids in order to get Jia Niang away. An Ran had only said it casually, but she didn't expect Jia Niang to remember it so well. From then on, Jia Niang would personally prepare every medicine An Ran took.
Well, now even Princess Yunyang is being bossed around.
"Sister, when are we leaving?" After lunch, Jia Niang lay down next to An Ran to rest. "I always feel that the princess's attitude is a bit strange!"
An Ran's heart skipped a beat. Could it be that Jia Niang had noticed something was wrong?
“It’s understandable that my sister is recuperating here.” Jia Niang turned over to face An Ran. “After all, the incident happened at Princess Yunyang’s residence, and the princess dotes on my sister, so it’s normal for her to be worried. But—” A look of confusion appeared on Jia Niang’s face.
Before she turned five, she lived a life of luxury, spoiled rotten by her husband, Mr. and Mrs. Wu, who had no taste of sweetness. She was an innocent and pampered girl. But then everything changed. She experienced the destruction of her family and was betrayed by unscrupulous relatives, which taught her a lot about reading people and situations.
"Why should I stay here?" Jia Niang murmured. "Logically speaking, someone like me shouldn't even be noticed by the princess."
Upon hearing this, An Ran felt a pang of sadness.
If Jia Niang were really Princess Yunyang's daughter, how wonderful that would be! It would also fulfill the wishes of the two of them.
"Jia Niang doesn't want to stay with her sister?" An Ran deliberately avoided the main point and said, "That's true. It's naturally more restrictive at the Princess's residence than at home. How about this, I'll go and talk to the Princess and ask you to go back first."
Upon hearing this, Jia Niang immediately shook her head vigorously, like a rattle drum.
"I want to stay with my sister!" Jia Niang hurriedly grabbed her sleeve tightly, her pitiful appearance making everyone's heart ache. "I'm not thinking of rushing back; I want to stay with my sister!"
During her three years at Scholar Liu's residence, Jia Niang experienced the full spectrum of human emotions. Only An Ran reached out to her and cared for her. This time, An Ran was injured while saving her, making Jia Niang even more dependent on him, and she didn't want to be apart from him for even a moment.
An Ran couldn't help but smile. "Okay, you stay with your sister for a few more days. Once your sister's injuries have healed, I'll send you home, okay?"