Chapter 345

Xiao Ju did not leave the camp today. Shen Zheng recognized her, so it was inconvenient for her to show herself. Shen Qingnian then arranged for her to stay in the tent.

Shen Qingnian, being perceptive, immediately noticed Jin Yi's gaze. She smiled and said, "I heard that the Commander is not yet married. After finding a good man, he will have several children, so that he can be surrounded by happiness."

Song Xuan also spoke up: "Jin Yi, you are not young anymore. Do you have a woman you admire? I can arrange a marriage for you."

Jin Yi was also a young master from a prominent family, ranking among the most distinguished in the capital. While other young masters his age were already married and had children, he was an exception.

"I...I have no one I fancy," Jin Yi replied after a moment's thought, but his hesitation was obvious to everyone present.

Shen Qingnian looked towards Xiaoju's direction, but Xiaoju, who was standing beside her, kept her head down, and her expression was not visible.

Song Xuan naturally noticed this as well, and he said, "Since you have no one you like, then I cannot bestow a marriage upon you. Come and ask me again when you meet someone you like."

Jin Yi is a loyal minister, and he is willing to put in more effort.

"Your subject obeys the decree!" Jin Yi replied, clasping his hands in a fist salute.

He did not stay in the tent for long and soon excused himself under the pretext of patrolling.

Watching Jin Yi's departing figure, Shen Qingnian tugged at Song Xuan's sleeve: "It's almost dusk, Your Majesty, please go and change your clothes. I also need to do my hair and makeup."

Upon hearing this, Song Xuan nodded and said, "Then I will come to find you after I change my clothes."

He had also noticed some clues about Jin Yi's matter earlier, but it was inconvenient for him to interfere in the matter between Qing Nian and her servant, so he left it to the other party to handle.

"We await Your Majesty," Shen Qingnian said with a smile.

Before leaving, Song Xuan took the two little ones with him, thoughtfully giving Shen Qingnian and Xiao Ju a quiet space.

If the two little ones were here, they definitely wouldn't be able to have a private conversation.

After Song Xuan and the two little ones left, Shen Qingnian gestured to Xiao Ju to help her with her dressing and grooming. She sat in front of the bronze mirror, watching Xiao Ju tie up her black hair.

She spoke calmly, "Xiao Ju, it's been a while since we returned to the palace. Has the Commander come looking for you?"

Judging from Jin Yi's reaction just now, the two must have been in contact privately.

Xiaoju paused upon hearing this, then knelt down: "Your Majesty, this servant has no ulterior motives, this servant only wants to serve Your Majesty!"

This is what she truly felt.

Shen Qingnian hadn't expected Xiaoju to react so strongly. She quickly said, "You didn't do anything wrong, why are you kneeling down? Get up quickly."

Xiaoju then stood up.

Seeing this, Shen Qingnian said, "I was just thinking that you can't stay in the palace forever. If you have someone you like, then you can have a companion."

During her three years in Jiangnan, she realized that Xiaoju longed for freedom, and she couldn't bear to let Xiaoju stay in the palace with her for the rest of her life.

She deserves to have her own life.

Xiaoju shook her head repeatedly upon hearing this: "Your Majesty, after we returned to the palace, the Commander did come looking for me several times, but I ignored him."

The commander is a young master from a noble family. I have seen freedom, and I cannot be confined to the inner quarters. Once Your Highness's matter is settled, I only wish to go outside the palace, and under Your Highness's protection, do some small business and live a peaceful life.

If she hadn't come to the Empress's side, she would have been overjoyed to be noticed by a noble young master like the Commander. But having followed the Empress and witnessed many sordid and beautiful things, she already knew what she wanted.

Shen Qingnian looked surprised upon hearing this, but then smiled. She took Xiaoju's hand and said, "It's good that you have your own ideas, but there's no need to make a decision too early. Whatever decision you make, I will support you. If you need any help from me, you must ask."