Chapter 190:
Xie Wanning swallowed, wrapped her arms around his neck, “Lift your head.”
The person with his face buried in her neck nook moved a bit, gently lifted his head, and Xie Wanning glanced at him.
Just one glance, and she was somewhat stunned.
Who could have thought that this man’s stern face, sharp as an iceberg, when stripped of its gloomy ferocity, could reveal a touch of gentle elegance.
Truly deceptive!
Xie Wanning felt a wave of muttering in her heart, cupped his face, planted a kiss on his chin, and said perfunctorily, “That good enough?”
“……No,” Lu Ziyan pursed his lips, “I didn’t feel it.”
Xie Wanning shot him a glance, then tilted her head and planted a heavy kiss on his chin.
This time, the sound was so loud it couldn’t be ignored.
“This good now?” Xie Wanning’s face flushed red, “Don’t push your luck!”
“Alright,” Lu Ziyan’s eyes shone like stars, gazing deeply at her, very amenable as he said, “That’s it for today.”
He leaned down to kiss her forehead, his voice soft enough to drip water, “Sleep.”
Xie Wanning was still somewhat unaccustomed to his gentle indulgence, she lowered her eyes and said, “I’m not used to sleeping in someone’s arms.”
“Then get used to it starting now,” Lu Ziyan tightened his arm, “Be good, Wanwan, no negotiation on this.”
Xie Wanning was full of depression, couldn’t help but reach out and pinch his waist hard, but this man was probably hard all over, she didn’t pinch him but hurt her own hand instead.
Lu Ziyan chuckled lightly, rubbed her fingertip, and kindly taught her, “If you’re angry, you can bite me.”
Xie Wanning: “…”
She fell silent, chose to close her eyes and sleep.
That night, the two held each other tightly, like a pair of intimate lovers
But Lu Ziyan knew that this was all just surface level.
There was too much pain and too much harm between them. Even if they tried to repair their feelings, it would be like building a tower in the air—any slightly stronger gust of wind could shatter it into pieces, beyond recognition.
But it doesn’t matter. He can take it step by step; even an impregnable city isn’t built in a day.
He had sufficient patience, and also confidence that as long as no other man came to intervene, in time, she would eventually see his feelings, his efforts.
As long as that sickly person who has caught her eye completely disappears!
…………
The next afternoon, they returned to the Northern Frontier.
Xie Wanning also personally witnessed this majestic city gate that was known to all the Great Khan’s people.
Gale winds swept through, sand flying across the vast desert.
Desolate, withered, dilapidated, with the faint sweet smell of blood still lingering in the air.
But in the eyes of the city’s common people, there was no panic or fear, nor any color of despair.
Xie Wanning lifted the carriage curtain and looked at the common people walking along the street, discovering that everyone’s face was radiating brilliance, full of hope for their own lives.
Lu Ziyan’s several crushing victories forced the Jin people to shrink back to their own territory, not daring to invade again, so they did not need to worry about being kidnapped by foreign cavalry this year.
The nobles and officials far away in the Capital City, upon hearing of the victory in the Northern Frontier, first think of their own interests. Only the common people in the Northern Frontier are grateful from the bottom of their hearts.
Compared to being grateful to the Emperor, they were even more grateful to Lu Ziyan who drove away the enemy invaders, and some even specially set up a longevity archway for him at home.
Xie Wanning was of course still unaware of all this, but as soon as their group entered the city, even sitting in the carriage, she could hear the commoners on the street continuously cheering for Lu Ziyan riding a horse outside.
The young general notorious for his arrogance in the Capital City was revered as a god by the people in the Northern Region.
Xie Wanning’s heart was full of complex emotions. She certainly felt a sense of pride, but there was even more hidden worry.
Lu Ziyan’s madness left too great a shock on her, a person like this……
Amid her random thoughts, the carriage stopped. The carriage curtain was lifted, and Lu Ziyan stood outside the carriage, reaching out his hand to her.
Xie Wanning placed her hand on it and alighted from the carriage.
This should be Lu Ziyan’s General’s Mansion.
Although it could not compare to the splendor and grandeur of the marquis’s estate in the capital city, at first glance it only appeared majestic and extraordinary, inspiring fear in people’s hearts and making them dare not offend it lightly.
……I also don’t know how long she will stay here.
Xie Wanning walked while looking around, and in that short stretch of road, she encountered several groups of soldiers wearing armor.
Lu Ziyan was all alone with no family, his mansion had no womenfolk, even the kitchen duties of cooking, cleaning, and sweeping were done by male cooks, naturally there was no distinction between inner courtyard and outer courtyard, his confidants, staff, and deputy generals often came to visit, the mansion also had a training ground, and his personal soldiers directly treated this place as a training field.
At this moment, seeing a gathering place of a bunch of men unexpectedly produce a young lady, several groups of people were somewhat stunned.
Xie Wanning also felt it was novel. Although the Great Khan did not emphasize the separation of men and women, she had never seen so many men coming and going in the courtyard like this before.
The delicate young lady raised in the boudoir had sparkling eyes upon seeing novel people and things.
Lu Ziyan took her into a courtyard. Seeing her expression, he smiled and said, “So happy?”
Xie Wanning huffed, ignoring him.
Lu Ziyan was not angry either. He looked around and introduced, “This is the courtyard where we live. Ahead is the hall for receiving guests and the study. Several of my deputy generals brought their family’s female relatives. Wanwan, if you are bored, you can call them to chat. If you lack anything, tell me directly. If I am not here, I will leave either Ming Feng or Ming Jian at home. Do not grievance yourself.”
He paused and said, “As long as you want, you can go anywhere in this General’s Mansion.”
Xie Wanning was slightly stunned.
The residence of a military commander—unknown how many foreign races wanted to spy on its secrets—yet he was so undefended toward her.
But these words made her recall the scene from her past life when she barged into his study.
As if knowing what she was thinking, Lu Ziyan coughed lightly and said cautiously, “I was really unconscious that time. It was absolutely not intentional to forbid you from entering.”
Before they were married, she could freely enter and exit his study, and as for those rules of the Lu Family, he never took them to heart.
…She did not even think that if he did not fully trust her, how could he allow her to come and go from the heavily guarded study before they were married.
Did she think his territory was somewhere anyone could enter?
Thinking this way, Lu Ziyan felt somewhat aggrieved, but more than that, he felt heartbroken.
He had personally seen her silently shedding tears that day. How could he not feel heartbroken for this young lady.
Xie Wanning did not speak.
The study incident had indeed struck her deeply, almost destroying all her expectations of him.
But she could not voice her resentment.
The grievances that could be voiced were those expecting the other party to explain, comfort her, and coax her.
But now, she could no longer uncover her scars to him or tell him about her feelings that day.
The two were silent for a while. Except for the two generals and soldiers standing at the courtyard entrance, there was no one else in the courtyard.
Lu Ziyan said, “I told Ming Jian to find a batch of maidservants for you. In a moment, have him bring them for you to look over and select two clever ones to serve you personally.”
How could a young lady raised in luxury do without people to wait on her.
There were also clothes, jewelry, rouge and powder, and the like—things young ladies needed—all had to be properly arranged.
She had been kidnapped and brought nothing with her, not even a single hairpin. They had hurried back all the way without time to buy anything.
Fortunately, though it was the frontier, the Northern Frontier was after all a city. Everything needed was available.
With one order given, someone would handle it properly.
Lu Ziyan reached out and patted her little head, asking, “Do you feel the conditions are too harsh?”
The Northern Region had sweeping winds and sand, especially in winter. The cold wind blowing on one’s face was like a knife cutting. Xie Wanning was now draped in fox fur, wearing a big hat, with the fluffy collar wrapping half her face tightly. Hearing this, she shook her head and said, “Not harsh. I find it quite interesting.”
Although the food, clothing, and daily necessities could not compare to the capital’s refinement, it truly seemed free here.
In both her past life and this life, “freedom” was a very unfamiliar word to her.
Growing up in the Marquis’s Estate and marrying into a prominent family, she went out surrounded by servants, living a life of splendor, but it could not be called freedom.
Even if she was truly doted on by her father and brothers, even if the Great Khan’s customs were relatively open.
If it were the Previous Dynasty…
Xie Wanning’s eyebrows and eyes curved, “Then can I go out for a stroll?”
Lu Ziyan was stunned and nodded, “Of course you can. Remember to bring guards.”
He did not have the habit of raising wastes under him. Ming Feng and Ming Jian went without saying; the other deputy generals were also incomparably valiant. Even ordinary personal soldiers were existences who could fight ten alone.
Having obtained his permission and confirming that this person had no intention of placing her under house arrest, Xie Wanning’s smile became more genuine. She waved her hand at him and said, “You are after all a military commander. Having suddenly left for so long, there must be many military affairs waiting to be handled. No need to accompany me.”
She had heard that a few days ago he ordered an attack on the Jin Dynasty, changing from years of passive defense to taking the initiative.
As a result, once the warfare started, he ran off to Yuezhou, leaving only Ming Jian here to hold the fort. Now that he was back, how could he not be anxious at all and instead stay by her side talking about these trivial matters.
Lu Ziyan was aware of her patriotic thoughts and smiled upon hearing this, “Don’t worry, I have a plan. Once Jin Wuji’s death news spreads, the Jin army will surely be panicked and uneasy. No need to hurry to attack them now; they will chaos themselves first. I need to avenge you first. The Great Khan has many vermin; I must clean up first before discussing other matters.”
He had truly learned from the lessons of his past life. At this moment, where was the reticence of before? He almost wanted to tell her all his plans at once, afraid that the two would have another misunderstanding.
Xie Wanning listened quietly.
The Jin People had suffered countless defeats and retreated step by step, shrinking back to their own territory. This time, even the Crown Prince had fallen in the Great Khan. This battle was already the greatest victory in a century.
Since he did not plan to continue pursuing, was he going back to the capital?
She asked curiously, “Are you preparing to return to the capital?”
Lu Ziyan hummed, “Have to wait until after the new year when spring begins.”
Otherwise, if he left now, the Jin People short of clothes and food for winter might come to plunder again.
“This year we will spend in the Northern Region,” he took her hand and said softly, “Our wedding can be hurried. How about holding it before the end of the year?”
These days, he had been thinking of holding a wedding. Even if there were not many guests and it was not grand, he could inform the world that she was his wife.
“I know the conditions here are crude and it is somewhat of a grievance to you,” he said, “Next year when we return to the capital, I will perform the three matchmakings and six betrothals rite to welcome you as Crown Princess.”
And those who dared to join Jin Wuji against her, he would not let a single one go. If the Emperor was sensible, he would remain Crown Prince for now.
If not sensible…
He did not mind staging another palace coup against his father.
Xie Wanning had no idea that he was even plotting to usurp the throne in his mind. She was still thinking about the wedding, and hesitation showed on her face. Seeing this, Lu Ziyan felt a sinking feeling in his heart, “Is Wanwan going to go back on her word again?”
Didn’t she already agree to marry him?
“……That’s not it.”
This man’s aggressive pursuit really resembled a general who never suffered defeat!
Xie Wanning secretly grumbled in her heart, but said aloud: “You have to let me see the divorce certificate before I can decide whether to marry you, right?”
Otherwise, with her marriage certificate to Pei Yuqing still in place, how could she remarry someone else.
“Then wait for it. At earliest three days, at latest five days, Yun Jin will return with the items.” Lu Ziyan snorted with laughter, “By then, not only will there be the imperial decree for your divorce, but also the imperial decree granting our marriage. Don’t tell me again that you want that sickly person’s handwritten letter.”
Of course, if she really asked for it, he would get it no matter what.
That sickly person’s bones were indeed tough, but so what?
In Lu Ziyan’s eyes, there was no unbendable pride in this world.
Once in his hands, even if he disregarded his own life and death, he would always have loved ones he cared about.
Princess Duanyang, Duke Pei, Princess Pingning—so many blood relatives, at least one could make him learn his lesson.
A personally handwritten divorce certificate was nothing; he would crush the person bones and all.
A flash of killing intent passed through his eyes as he looked at her and said: “Prepare the wedding first. If you really want that sickly person’s handwritten divorce certificate, that’s fine too. I will definitely give it to you before the wedding.”
“I don’t necessarily need one written by him. Don’t force him!” Xie Wanning’s heart tightened, and she hurriedly said: “The imperial decree is enough, it’s just…”
She paused, her expression somewhat strange, “You’re making His Majesty slap his own face. How could he agree.”
After all, her marriage to Pei Yuqing was personally granted by the emperor. It had only been a year, and now the marriage was to be canceled, and he would immediately grant her another one.
It was no different from slapping his own face.
This was the emperor!
The sovereign’s word is unbreakable!
Imperial decrees cannot be treated as child’s play!
She was unwilling to believe things would be that simple, but Lu Ziyan sneered, “Of course he will agree. He turned a blind eye to your abduction the entire time, and his other two sons were involved. Do you think he wants to see brothers turn against each other, or sacrifice a minister’s marriage to appease me?”
Xie Wanning was shocked to hear this, “You mean His Majesty knew that the First Prince and Second Prince joined forces with outsiders…”
“Who knows what that old emperor is thinking,” Lu Ziyan grasped her chin and lifted it, saying seriously: “Listen well. The imperial decrees you so revere are really nothing. Those rules and doctrines are set by those in power, and you can scoff at them.”
He only believed in strength above all.
He would deal with everyone who had shown her malice, step by step ascending to the highest position, while she only needed to nestle safely in his arms and never leave.
