Mi primer marido después de la transmigración

Capítulo 88

Jiang Ming glanced at Shen Haoyu, chuckled, but remained silent. I suppose Jiang Ming and I are familiar with each other, but he still shouldn't be too outspoken in front of Shen Haoyu.

Shen Haoyu said considerately, "Master Jiang has finally returned to the manor, so why don't you stay at Mingxin Courtyard? There are plenty of empty rooms there. When Guard Song and the others return in a couple of days, you and your master can have a good get-together."

Upon learning that Song Zhixuan and the others would be returning in the next couple of days, I was overjoyed: "Your Highness, is it true?" Shen Haoyu looked at me with amusement and nodded gently.

After leaving Shen Haoyu's place, I escorted Jiang Ming to Mingxin Courtyard. As I was tidying up the room, Zi Nuo arrived and greeted Jiang Ming warmly, "Master."

When Jiang Ming left, Zinuo was still a child. Now she's as tall as me. Jiang Ming said with a touch of emotion, "The two siblings have grown up." The days when we were together and protected by Jiang Ming seem to be gone forever. But if it weren't for Jiang Ming when we first lost our aunt, how could Zinuo and I be where we are today? Time may have passed, but how can our past friendship fade away?

Jiang Ming settled into Mingxin Courtyard, but he frequented Prince Qing's Qinzhu Garden the most. I knew they must have a lot to discuss, so I didn't bother Jiang Ming often. Instead, I would bring a small pot of wine with Zinuo to visit him every day at mealtimes, making my days even more comfortable and pleasant.

Shen Haoyu was right. Three days after Jiang Ming's return, Song Zhixuan and the others also returned one after another. When Song Zhixuan saw Jiang Ming, he was pleasantly surprised, but he only smiled and called out "Master." Jiang Ming simply responded and then remained silent. Lin Zhao, however, jumped out and shouted, "Master, you're finally back!" Then he insisted on dragging Jiang Ming to see how much his martial arts had improved over the years.

Seeing the people I care about finally reunite after several years fills my heart with warmth.

Shen Haoyu, being considerate of our separation, specially instructed the kitchen to prepare a table of fine wine and dishes for us, which was set up in the garden of Mingxin Courtyard.

At the table, Lin Zhao complained angrily: "Master, look how badly Huai En deceived us back then. Now that you're back, you have to help us get revenge."

I raised my eyebrows at Lin Zhao defiantly: "Hmph, I've only been in the manor for a short time, and my master already knows."

"Master, you actually helped her deceive us, that's so unfair!" Lin Zhao shouted at Jiang Ming, emboldened by a bit of alcohol.

Jiang Ming curled the corners of his mouth, his smile a little wicked: "Were you surprised to see Huai En wearing a skirt? Were you startled?" He sighed and added, "I had expected that scene."

Lin Zhao lowered her head in frustration: "Master, now I finally understand why you've always been so biased towards Huai En."

Song Zhixuan nudged Lin Zhao and nodded to Jiang Ming, saying, "I finally understand."

Jiang Ming glanced at them but didn't speak, a hint of sadness in his expression. Only I knew that Jiang Ming had been very kind to me even before he knew I was a girl.

It would have been better if Song Zhixuan hadn't responded, because his words reminded me of something. I couldn't help but smile and lean closer to him, asking, "By the way, Brother Zhixuan, how's your peach blossom luck going?" I wondered what he had done with the sachet that Yunshang had asked me to give him.

Upon hearing the words "peach blossom," Jiang Ming's gossipy interest was piqued, and he stared at Song Zhixuan with amusement. Song Zhixuan feigned composure and said, "I returned it to her," though his face still flushed slightly.

"Don't listen to his lies." Lin Zhao patted Song Zhixuan and said, "He returned the things, but his heart is gone. He even said something like, 'When I am worthy of Miss, if Miss's feelings have not changed, I will come to ask for her.' Tsk tsk.

I looked at Song Zhixuan for a while, thinking that Yunshang was still young, and that with Song Zhixuan's abilities, she might actually be able to get Prince Qing's permission in a few years. So I didn't think much of it. But then Jiang Ming couldn't help but ask, "Whose young lady is she?"

I leaned close to Jiang Ming's ear and whispered, "It is indeed Miss Yunshang." After all, this was a private matter between the two of them, and if it were overheard in the Prince's mansion, it wouldn't be good for Song Zhixuan and Yunshang. Jiang Ming nodded thoughtfully after hearing this, then gave Song Zhixuan a complicated look. It seemed that if Song Zhixuan wanted to be with Yunshang, he had a long and arduous road ahead.

When everyone returned to the palace, the weather had warmed up. The things that Yin Yan and I had made in the winter were completely useless, but I still took them out and presented them to them, thinking that they could still be used next winter.

"What's this?" Zi Nuo frowned as he looked at the two fluffy things piled up on the table.

I gently tapped his head. "Here, this is a scarf, and these are gloves. I made them by hand last winter, stitch by stitch. Who knew you wouldn't come back? Keep them for next time, don't waste my efforts." I laid the items out on the table one by one, noting who belonged to whom. I glanced at Jiang Ming, stuck out my tongue, and said, "Master, I didn't know you'd be back, so there aren't any for you. If you want some, ask your mistress."

Jiang Ming shook his head, glanced at me, and said, "Although you did a bad job, as a disciple, you still have to be respectful to your master. A master can't dislike his disciple."

I looked through the scarves and gloves. Although they were uglier than the ones Yin Yan made, they were still pretty good. They were much better than the previous ones. Luckily, Jiang Ming hadn't seen the previous ones, otherwise... "Then I'll make something else for Master," I said ingratiatingly.

"This is such a strange thing, but it should be alright to use in winter. It's not ugly, but it'll do." Lin Zhao cleverly put the scarf around her neck and tried it on, but what she said was quite unpleasant to hear.

Zi Nuo fiddled with the gloves and muttered, "Why didn't you bring this out sooner? Now you can't use it..."

I just forgot, didn't I? I can use it next time, right? Honestly!

With them all around me, I'm in a great mood every day. It's just that they often have to talk about serious matters and don't have much time to spend with me. But... I'm still very content.

In our free time, we would drink tea together, ask Jiang Ming to give us some more pointers on kung fu, chat about interesting things that happened outside, and teach Jiang Ming to play cards with us. It was a very pleasant time. However, strangely, no one mentioned Shen Haoyu's trip to the Golden Sparrow Kingdom, let alone asked me about the dangers along the way. So I didn't say anything either, and I also kept the sudden appearance and disappearance of Gan Lin a secret. Zi Nuo was never very talkative in front of them, and if I didn't mention it, Zi Nuo would certainly not bring it up with them.

Good times always pass too quickly, and thus seem exceptionally short. On a breezy, birdsong-filled morning, as I went to Mingxin Courtyard to practice martial arts with Jiang Ming as usual, Song Zhixuan, standing under the apricot tree counting the blossoms, said softly, "Master has left."

His return was sudden, and his departure was just as quiet. I promised to do something to honor my master, but I haven't even started yet. If he had told me earlier that his stay wouldn't be long, I would have done it before he left. Who knows when we'll meet again!

I drew my sword and practiced the new sword technique that Jiang Ming had been teaching me these past few days. Each strike was fierce, as if I wanted to vent all the disappointment and regret in my heart. But then I heard Song Zhixuan's gentle voice in my ear again: "Wrong, the direction of the thrust is off."

I glared at him, threw down my sword, walked a few steps to him, plopped down under the apricot tree, and said nothing more.

Do not lean against the west railing to lock in the clear autumn. Chapter 73

Chapter word count: 3494 Last updated: 09-08-21 10:20

On the third day of the third month of the twenty-first year of Tianxuan, it was once again the Spring Flower Festival. Shen Haoyu took Yunyue, Yunshang, and Yunruo to Jinxiu Garden to attend the Hundred Flowers Banquet. Shen Haoyu originally wanted me to wear men's clothing and go with him, but I refused, which surprised him greatly. If it were any other time, I probably would have tried to pester him to take me, just like when I wanted to see Princess Luoli. But, the third day of the third month... I didn't want to.

So, Shen Haoyu took Yin Yan with him.

A person was lying outside sunbathing, closing their eyes and smelling the various fragrances of flowers around them, when a respectful voice broke the atmosphere: "Miss, there is news."

I opened my eyes and saw it was Alu. Since returning from Pingcheng, I hadn't heard a word from Shen Zexuan. He hadn't sent me a single message, and I'd become even more reluctant to inquire. I took the letter, opened it, and saw it was indeed his handwriting, inviting me to meet at the place we'd met last year. I smiled faintly, turned and went into the house, picked up my brush and wrote: "This love can only be cherished in memory." Since so many things stood between us, there was no need to drag it out any longer; otherwise, it would be too exhausting.

When Shen Haoyu and the others returned, they were furious. Xiang Yinyan inquired and learned that Yun Yue had been humiliated at the Hundred Flowers Banquet a few days prior, told she was an unwanted old maid. An old maid? She was clearly only eighteen, barely an adult in modern times, not even old enough to be married yet. Too bad, this was ancient times.

However, Yunyue hadn't heard of any marriage proposals coming to her door in recent years, and Prince Qing and his family didn't seem to be in a hurry. Thinking back to the serene and unassuming girl she met at Qifeng Mountain, to be honest, I wondered who she would even notice. Those cold words at the Hundred Flowers Banquet probably didn't anger her; it was her younger siblings who were truly upset.

The events at the Hundred Flowers Banquet passed quietly, unnoticed by most. However, another piece of news struck like a thunderbolt, throwing the court into disarray and shocking the entire Youjing Dynasty: Last year's year-end snowfall had severely impacted Xuan Ying Kingdom, causing countless livestock deaths and injuries. This spring, as soon as the snow melted, Xuan Ying dispatched an army of 200,000 to attack Youjing's northwestern border, plundering its provisions. General Chen, who had been stationed in the northwest for many years, not only failed to resist but instead opened the city gates to meet the enemy. Now, six cities in the northwest have fallen into Xuan Ying's hands, and there's a further southward incursion. The speed of this advance is astonishing; several days have likely passed since the news was sent, and it's unknown what the situation is like in the northwest now.

Emperor Youjing was furious about this matter. He immediately ordered the arrest of everyone in the Chen family and spent days discussing the selection of generals for the northern expedition. However, his messengers reported that everyone in the Chen family seemed to have disappeared the day before the news arrived. Emperor Youjing was enraged and ordered a nationwide search and arrest warrants to bring everyone in the Chen family to justice.

General Chen, is it the General Chen Dan that Zinuo and I overheard? If it really is him, then the veracity of this matter of opening the city gates to welcome the enemy is questionable.

There were differing opinions within the court regarding the selection of generals for the northern expedition. The only certainty was that Chen Dan was originally a protégé of the eldest prince. Chen Dan's treason implicated the eldest prince, who was placed under house arrest by Emperor Youjing and forbidden from seeing anyone, especially court officials. The eldest prince's corresponding authority was also stripped away and temporarily handed over to others.

After several days of debate and discussion, the generals for the northern expedition were finally decided. General Du Zhai was appointed commander-in-chief, and Shen Zexuan was appointed military supervisor. On March 15th, they would lead 200,000 iron troops to the northwest. The next day, a supplementary decree was issued, ordering Shen Haoyu to accompany the army and assist Shen Zexuan in all matters within the military.

Upon receiving the imperial edict, Prince Qing merely gave a slight, cold laugh before entering the study with Shen Haoyu. Emperor Youjing was about to resort to his old tricks again. Du Zhai, previously loyal to the late emperor, was now utterly devoted to the current Emperor Youjing, never siding with any of the princes' factions—he was entirely the emperor's man. With the eldest prince demoted and Shen Zexuan accompanying the army, it seemed Emperor Youjing intended for Shen Zexuan to take over the military power in the Northwest. However, Shen Haoyu…

No matter how unwilling they were, an imperial edict was still an imperial edict. The entire Prince Qing's mansion was making preparations for Shen Haoyu's upcoming journey, and the accompanying personnel were carefully selected, even more cautiously than during the last trip to the Golden Sparrow Kingdom. After returning this time, Song Zhixuan and his men did not travel far again, generally staying in Qiufeng Garden. When it came to the expedition to the Northwest, all the Yu Guard members returned to their posts to accompany Shen Haoyu to the Northwest. Indeed, after years of training, it was finally time for them to show their skills and no longer have to go out and do unknown things.