"I long for your return, General's wife, wait for me to come back!"...

In the year the new emperor ascended the throne, his power base was not yet stable. At the same time, bandits were rampant and swaggering in the Huguang region. Upon hearing the sudden news of the late emperor's death in the capital and the new emperor's ascension, the emperor noticed that this band of tens of thousands of mountain bandits, who had been decimated by General Zhaoyi and his troops, were now seeking out more bandits due to their dense forests and unique terrain. They were recruiting soldiers and horses to avenge their previous defeat.

In the spring of the fourteenth year of the Kang Le reign, the new emperor ascended the throne. Bandits ran rampant, causing great suffering to the people. Even the villagers who stayed in their hometowns near the mountains suffered greatly and were forced to flee their homes because of these bandits.

As the spring snow melted and the morning light began to break, the new emperor stared at the memorial requesting reinforcements on his desk for a long time without uttering a word during the court assembly that day.

The court officials exchanged bewildered glances, knowing full well what was going on.

Below the imperial desk stood the Marquis of Jingning, dressed in official robes, standing shoulder to shoulder with the newly appointed Grand Secretary, Lord Luo. As childhood friends of the new emperor, those who, aside from those who had not yet entered officialdom or received favors from the court, had all risen to high-ranking positions. Even General Zhaoyi, the "rebellious minister" of that day, had received an unofficial reward.

However, Marquis Jingning still holds the position of Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Although he is already a high-ranking official of the third rank in the court and a confidant of the current emperor, he remains firmly in this position.

Many people thought that the Marquis of Jingning would be promoted again. However, the current emperor has not taken any action. It seems that apart from the tens of thousands of soldiers who followed General Chu Lanzhe in his campaigns and were now under the Marquis of Jingning's command, the new emperor has forgotten about this Marquis of the highest rank.

The Vice Minister of War stepped forward and advised, “Your Majesty, bandits are rampant now. When the late Emperor was in power, General Chen led the troops there and was very familiar with the terrain where these bandits were hiding. Now, General Chen should lead the troops again to eliminate the bandits.”

The new emperor looked at the group of ministers below him and was about to speak when the Marquis of Jingning, who had remained silent until now, said, "I'll go."

Then he stepped forward again, his voice clear and cold: "Your Majesty, I am leaving."

The courtiers were momentarily stunned and began to whisper among themselves. The tragic death of the Marquis of Jingning's heir at Huangtupo, who accompanied his father to the border and never returned alive to the capital, was a matter that remained unspoken among the officials. After all, it was the current emperor himself who had left the souls of tens of thousands of soldiers in a foreign land during the Battle of Huangtupo.

Now that the Marquis of Jingning is about to marry the daughter of the former Duke of Dingguo, Qin Heng, it would be a perfect match. At this critical juncture, the Marquis of Jingning should stay in the capital.

Mentioning the Duke of Dingguo, the officials were once again reminded of the current Duke of Dingguo, an unprecedented and unparalleled figure who inherited the title through a special process. He was still just a callow youth.

However, the fact that the Marquis of Jingning was able to use a deceptive strategy to keep the son of a criminal who had been executed for treason under the late emperor's nose for ten years is unprecedented and unparalleled.

Thinking about it this way, it wasn't just those mountain bandits who were arrogant and unrestrained, but also the Marquis of Jingning, the little tyrant of the capital.

What the Marquis of Jingning was waiting for was unknown to others, but only he himself knew the answer.

After the court assembly, the current emperor summoned the Marquis of Jingning to the Imperial Study. It was March, and the peach blossoms and willows were in full bloom. When the new year came, this newly enthroned emperor would change the era name to Zhaochu, and everyone would privately call him Emperor Zhaochu.

Jiang Yuanjun dismissed the palace guards on duty in the corridor and dismissed Cui, the eunuch. She then personally poured a cup of tea for Chu Yening, who was already sitting leisurely in the armchair.

"Why did you volunteer for the expedition?" he asked. Then, Jiang Yuanjun slowly continued, "I know Seventh Sister's wish, which is why I haven't arranged a suitable, leisurely position for you. I originally planned to sit down and talk with my brother soon, but I never expected..."

Chu Yening took the teacup with one hand and said, "Thank you." Then she lifted the lid, took a sip, and looked up at him: "You're such an incompetent new emperor. Have you forgotten what I said before?"

Jiang Yuanjun was holding a teapot in one hand, about to put it back in its place, when she heard this she stopped in her tracks and turned around to look at him.

What he said.

That moment felt like stepping back into the winter of the third year of Kang Le before the snow melted, with snow-laden branches and deep alleys with red walls.

"If it is for the peace and happiness of the world, I am willing to die ten thousand times."

Chu Yening placed the tea lid back on the rim of the cup, and the cup quickly closed with a clinking sound.

"That girl, like me, is concerned for the peace and well-being of the people."

Because Emperor Kangxi had already ordered the Ministry of Works to renovate the Qin family's old residence after the first year of Kangxi's reign, in order to make his own ambitions more visible, this second renovation would not take much longer.

Qin Weixi frequently traveled between the Qin family's old residence and the Luo family's mansion, while Feng Hua chose to stay by the side of Zhu Ruo and Jiu Bao, who had returned to the mortal world, to contribute to the revitalized Qin family.

The two sat on the balustrade under the veranda of the Qingliang Garden, watching the birds singing and flowers blooming in the warm spring of March, a time of vibrant spring.

Feng Hua went back to the room to get a cloak and draped it over her back, saying incessantly, "Some time ago, Miss asked me to find some reliable servants and maids. I have already found them. Once the old lady has seen them and chooses to keep them, I will collect all these indentures."

The old lady...

Qin Weixi lowered her eyes and a faint smile appeared on her lips.

Her sister-in-law, Zhu Ruo, is not even thirty years old, yet she has already become an old lady in the household.

After a moment she spoke, “Just give those indentures to my sister-in-law. Actually, a piece of paper is not of much use.”

Feng Hua was confused and was about to ask again when a series of footsteps suddenly sounded outside the garden.

Qin Weixi turned around and saw that Zhou Feng, who had been playing somewhere, was covered in mud, while Chu Yening ran over, holding a rope in one hand.

Qin Weixi immediately got up and went over.

Seeing the filthy creature, Zhoufeng, staring intently at her with its tongue lolling out, she crouched down and stroked its fur.

Now the little gust has become an old gust.

Thinking of this, she looked up and asked, "Fourth Brother, why did you leave the palace so early today?"

Feng Hua had quietly left the garden, leaving the spring scenery to the two of them.

Chu Yening bent down and helped her up with one hand, then led her back into the house and took off her cool cloak.

"There is something I need to tell you. Recently, bandits have been emerging in the Huguang region..."

"Is Fourth Brother going to suppress bandits?"

Before he could finish speaking, the girl in front of him already understood his meaning.

Chu Yening nodded, then wrapped his arms around her from behind and pulled her into his embrace.

The girl in his arms remained motionless for a moment.

Just as Chu Yening was about to turn her head to look, she heard a clear voice beside her ear: "Then go."

"I know."

Chu Yening felt a sudden pang of sorrow in his heart, then walked around to her side and saw that her clear, bright eyes were now misty with tears.

Qin Weixi suddenly tilted her head back and gently rubbed her eyes with her fingertips: "Ouch, the wind blew into my eyes."

Chu Yening took in her actions and chuckled softly, "You don't want me to go? Qin Luo, hurry up and finish making your wedding dress. Your fourth brother will give it to you when he returns..."

Qin Weixi suddenly smiled and said, "No need. We don't need those formalities, or suffering for the sake of saving face. Having heaven and earth as witnesses is enough. We don't need those things. Fourth Brother, I just want you to return to the capital safely."

Looking at the determination in her eyes, Chu Yening's starry gaze softened like spring water, and he smiled, "Okay."

Qin Weixi then said, "I made you an inner garment and cloud-patterned shoes."

Just as Chu Yening was about to reply, she heard her say, "But I can't give it to you now. I'll wait for you, wait for you to come back."

She lowered her eyes, playing with the little sachets around his waist as she said, "I dreamt of the old man yesterday."

Chu Yening raised an eyebrow slightly: "Which old man?"

Qin Weixi suddenly smiled: "Of course it's Old Man Chu."

She stopped speaking after that, but Chu Yening understood the unspoken meaning in her words. Back then, his father had defeated the enemy on the battlefield amidst everyone's expectations, but he failed to return in triumph as expected.

Chu Yening immediately replied, "No. Qin Luo, your fourth brother assures you, I will definitely come back alive."

Qin Weixi remained silent, only lowering her eyes and twirling the small tangerine ball with a faint scent of mandarin oranges on her index finger.

The room was warm and filled with the faint scent of jasmine, and there was a blue silk curtain nearby.

Chu Yening's throat moved slightly.

He said, seemingly suppressing his anger, "Qin Luo, you're not allowed to touch me anymore."

But the girl in front of him glared at him fiercely and whispered, "I want to touch her!"

The stubbornness in those bright eyes suddenly reminded him of their "first encounter" in the garden of Penglai Xiaoding. He stepped on his foot, bit his wrist, and then rammed his head against his chin.

Every time, it was with decisiveness.

He was always cautious and prepared when fighting on the battlefield, but he was completely unprepared in front of her.

He can turn his back to her, and he can also be completely honest with her about his weaknesses and everything about him.

Now that his parents have both passed away, what does he have left? He has relatives who are closer than family, brothers who are like brothers, and a girl for whom he would risk everything.

She was his weakness.

Chu Yening did not turn around, but simply raised one foot slightly and reached behind her, quickly slamming the not-quite-closed door shut with a bang.

Then he picked her up with one arm, placed her on the flower stand under the window, and leaned down to kiss her.

The intertwining of lips and teeth, and his step-by-step plundering and conquest of that city, where there was a "ruler" for whom he would willingly lay down his arms.

He was also willing to be her devoted follower.

Qin Weixi bit his lips instantly, leaving a trail of crimson blood, which also revealed his restraint and forbearance.

She said bitterly, "Chu Yening! I will go to the ancient roadside pavilion on the outskirts of the city every day to wait for your triumphant return, and pray to the gods every day."

As she spoke, she suddenly smiled slyly and hooked her hand around the jade belt at his waist. Before he could speak, Chu Yening's Adam's apple bobbed slightly again, and then he chuckled softly: "No... no. Qin Luo, don't mess with... me. Your fourth brother is a gentleman. Wait for me to come back."

Qin Weixi suddenly looked up at her, their eyes met, and she asked in confusion, "Really?"

She leaped down from the flower table and headed towards the door, saying as she went, "Chu Yening, if you don't return to me unharmed, I'm going to find my cousin, fifth brother, and third brother, and go traveling with them, forgetting you completely, forgetting you entirely..."

A hand suddenly grabbed her from behind, then pulled her quickly towards the jade curtain. Another hand draped behind her head, while the other grasped her waist, drawing her beneath him.

He seemed to be gritting his teeth as he said, "Qin Weixi!"

He gently pulled down the fabric covering her neck, leaving kiss after kiss on her snow-white neck, all the way down to her shoulder.

"Qin Luo, do you know that your fourth brother once applied medicine to you?"

Chu Yening's starry eyes suddenly curved into a smile. Soon after, she heard the girl in her arms, her bright eyes fixed on her, ask, "When?"

"Really?"

Chu Yening smiled but remained silent. Suddenly, she remembered the caning punishment she had received the previous month. After returning to the manor, she had been in a coma for two days while waiting for Pu Niang's soul to return.

Then, Qin Weixi grabbed his collar and gave him a light kiss on his slightly bobbing Adam's apple.

"Chu Yening, I liked you a long, long time ago, did you know that?"

The man before her, whose eyes were like a galaxy or a garden full of blooming peach blossoms, suddenly brightened up: "Really?"

He quickly added, "It must be true."

At dawn three days later.

Chu Yening led his 30,000-strong army from Gulou Street, slowly riding his horse to the ancient road pavilion on the outskirts of the capital. The families of the soldiers lingered at the ancient road pavilion, reluctant to part with those who were about to leave the capital, whether husbands or children.

Willows sway gently by the shore of Haizi Lake, marking the beginning of another spring. A girl in a bright red cloak, carried by the spring breeze, suddenly pounces on the general clad in armor.

Chu Yening embraced her tenderly.

Qin Weixi stared intently at him, then cupped his face, which was no longer as youthful as it had been, in her hands, and gently stroked the fine stubble on his chin with her fingertips.

She said, "Chu Yening, I want you to live on, I want you to live to be a hundred years old."

Then she looked at the young man in blue riding towards her in the distance and said, "And Third Brother, make sure everything goes well."

Three days ago, Tao Qingyun had a heated debate with the new emperor in the emperor's study hall. The palace guards on duty outside could only hear the emperor's cousin talking incessantly and eloquently, leaving the emperor speechless.

“Old blockhead, even if you become the emperor, you’re still an old blockhead, and I’m still your older cousin. Since I brought back Little Seventh Sister in her entirety back then, today I’m going to go out of the city with that old fox to suppress the bandits.”

"I don't want any merit or titles of generals. I just want to bring Seventh Sister's husband back safely. You can reward me with mountains of gold and silver out of your own pocket."

"Your older cousin is really short of money lately!"

On the shore of Haizi Lake, Chu Yening mounted his horse, holding the reins, his armor reflecting a dappled halo in the early sun.

He smiled, then leaned down and gently kissed the girl in front of him: "General's wife, wait for me to come back!"