In the capital city, Yang Wei, dressed in a brocade purple robe, stood in front of the palace gate, looking at the carriage not far away.

Soon, the carriage arrived.

But then Fei Qian dismounted, opened the carriage door, and Ning Nanxiao, dressed in bright red, appeared.

A face with well-defined features, even more refined than before.

His expression was cold and aloof, but when he looked at Yang Wei, there was a hint of a smile in his eyes, which lessened the coldness and added a touch of languor.

Ning Nanxiao jumped down and put his arm around Yang Wei's shoulder: "Oh, Your Highness, were you waiting for me?"

Yang Wei slapped Ning Nanxiao's hand in an annoyance: "Why are you getting more and more indecent?"

"Father has already prepared a banquet in the palace. Uncle and Aunt are already waiting. Let's go."

As Yang Wei spoke, he walked toward the palace gate.

Ning Nanxiao followed, saying calmly, "I'm sorry to trouble you, Uncle Emperor."

"What are you saying? You've spent very few years in the capital these past few years. If it weren't for you, where would the Sheng Ning Kingdom be today? You and your uncle are both invaluable military talents in the Sheng Ning Kingdom."

Yang Wei said slowly, "However, after this bandit suppression, we should be able to rest for a while."

Ning Nanxiao responded with a faint "yes".

Yang Wei didn't feel that Ning Nanxiao had neglected him, after all, he knew Ning Nanxiao's personality.

"By the way, Tuantuan is coming back." A smile appeared on Yang Wei's face. "Yesterday I received a letter from Yang Zhi. He learned that Tuantuan was coming back and has been rushing back from the border. It seems that Father Emperor intends to betroth Tuantuan to Yang Zhi."

Ning Nanxiao's hand clenched slightly, then he curled his lips into a smile: "Tuantuan is not someone to be manipulated."

“That’s true.” Yang Wei, who had been watching Ning Nanxiao closely, didn’t notice anything amiss in his expression and was somewhat disappointed. “Speaking of which, you’re not getting any younger. Don’t you really think about your personal matters?”

"The Crown Prince is quite free?" Ning Nanxiao raised an eyebrow. "Hasn't the Empress given you any trouble? Hasn't your younger brother given you any trouble?"

Yang Wei looked at Ning Nanxiao speechlessly, and having no other choice but to shut up, he couldn't win the argument.

"But to be honest," Yang Run said, having learned his lesson.

Upon hearing this, Yang Wei lowered his eyes and gave a bitter smile: "She is, after all, my mother."

Ning Nanxiao patted Yang Wei on the shoulder: "Alright, go in."

When Eunuch Cai, who was standing at the door, saw Ning Nanxiao and Yang Wei, he quickly came over to greet them: "The young master has finally returned."

Ning Nanxiao smiled: "Eunuch Cai, have you been missing me?"

"Hahaha, of course I miss the Crown Prince." Eunuch Cai looked at Yang Wei again, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "Your Highness, the Third Prince is here. You, you must be careful."

Ning Nanxiao scoffed, "Look how scared Eunuch Cai is. He's just the Third Prince. Why would the Crown Prince be afraid of him?"

With that, he walked straight inside.

“Father, my elder brother is not young anymore, and he is about the same age as my cousin. My cousin is also very fond of the Crown Prince. Isn’t this a good match?” Yang Run’s voice came over.

Yang Wei frowned.

A mocking look appeared in Ning Nanxiao's eyes.

"Your cousin from your maternal family? Is that Fan Zhiying, the one who had illicit relationships with many men and even forcibly abducted men in the street?"

"Is such a woman worthy of the Crown Prince? Is she worthy of becoming the Crown Princess?"

"Is the Third Prince infatuated with his cousin, or is he just too stupid to even know what kind of Crown Princess the Crown Prince needs?"

"If it's the latter, then the Third Prince's intelligence is far too low. He shouldn't hold a position in the court; he should just be a leisurely prince!"

Yang Run hadn't expected that what he said would be overheard by the person involved, but he was no longer afraid and said dismissively, "I was just making a suggestion, why is Your Highness being so aggressive?"

“Anyone with a brain wouldn’t make such a suggestion.” Ning Nanxiao cupped his hands in greeting to the Emperor, then looked at Yang Run. “Anyone who didn’t know better would think you and the Crown Prince were enemies.”

“Uncle, I am now absolutely certain that the Third Prince is not smart enough and is too stupid. He is still serving in the Dali Temple. Is he really not afraid of wronging innocent people?”

Yang Run's expression changed.

"Nanxiao, how can you speak like that?" Ning Chengzhu spoke before Yang Run could. "Why are you spouting such blunt truths? Is that how I taught you?"

"puff!"

The emperor, who was drinking water, suddenly spat it out.

Ning Chengzhu immediately said, "Look, you've angered your royal uncle! Hurry up and apologize!"

"However, Your Majesty, the Crown Princess must be chosen carefully. We can't be so hasty. But judging from the Third Prince's tone, he seems to like Miss Fan very much. Why not make her the Third Prince's wife? She's just a prince's wife after all. There's no need to be as cautious as with the Crown Princess. As long as the children like her, that's fine. Don't you agree?"

Seeing Ning Chengzhu's concerned expression, the Emperor coughed again.

"Oh dear, Eunuch Cai, hurry and summon the imperial physician!"

"Alright! I'm fine." The Emperor waved his hand, glanced helplessly at Ning Chengzhu, then stopped smiling and looked at Yang Run.

"Since you like it, I will grant you this marriage."

Yang Run's face paled, and he looked at the Emperor in disbelief.

Father Emperor's words showed that he never imagined he could become the Crown Prince!

Yang Run clenched his fists tightly, his heart filled with resentment.

“Father,” Yang Wei spoke slowly, “My cousin’s feelings for me are nothing more than those of a brother and sister. I suppose my third brother has misunderstood. My third brother and cousin are about the same age and grew up together as childhood sweethearts. If they were truly interested in each other, they would have been together long ago.”

"Let's wait until my third brother finds someone he truly loves before you bestow a marriage upon him, Father."

Yang Wei's words were clearly intended to give Yang Run a way out.

Although Yang Run was unwilling, he could only bite the bullet and say, "Yes, maybe I misunderstood. I'll go find my cousin to ask her now. Father, Marquis, Lady, Heir Apparent, Elder Brother, I'll be going now."

The emperor waved his hand, and Yang Run left without looking back.

Once the Emperor caught his breath, he glared at Ning Nanxiao and said, "Who can cure your mouth?!"

"There's probably no one left." Ning Nanxiao shrugged and slumped into a chair.

Du Chunhua, who had been silent until now, spoke up: "Tuantuan is fine."

Ning Nanxiao's ears turned red: "I'll just let that little girl have her way."

Du Chunhua's mysterious expression, her knowing look but not saying anything, made Ning Nanxiao's heart itch. He wanted to explain, but couldn't find the words.

Ning Chengzhu sighed, "What a pity, Tuantuan doesn't like my son, sigh..."

As he spoke, Ning Chengzhu glanced at Ning Nanxiao with disdain: "Now that Tuantuan is back, you should do your best. But speaking of which, I wonder what that little girl looks like now."

"Yes, it's been many years," the Emperor laughed. "But that girl hasn't missed a single letter, and she keeps sending me health and fitness recipes. It would be even better if she could become my daughter-in-law..."

Ning Chengzhu: "That won't do! I took a liking to Tuantuan first!"

The Emperor raised an eyebrow: "What use is it if you fancy him? It's up to Tuan Tuan to approve of your son!"

"My son is such a handsome man!"

The Emperor said, "My son is the Crown Prince, the future ruler of the country, and in the future, Tuantuan will be the mother of the nation!"

Ning Chengzhu rolled his eyes: "My son will only have one wife, Tuantuan!"

The Emperor said, "If she becomes my daughter-in-law, she will enjoy endless wealth and honor!"

Ning Chengzhu: "Hmph, my son will only have Tuantuan as his wife, and he will spoil her endlessly!"

emperor:???

Ning Chengzhu was smug.

Du Chunhua, standing to the side, was speechless. What was the point of arguing? Tuantuan probably didn't like either of them!