Chapter 108, first published on Jinjiang. They still won't give me a proper title…

When Ruan Yu woke up the next day, her bedside was empty again. She didn't know when Chao Lu had left. She was stunned for a moment, feeling utterly absurd. Her cheeks flushed red, and she slowly got up.

During breakfast, Xuanniang brought news from outside—

After the Chaha tribe took action, the Qiang people had virtually nowhere to hide.

As fellow members of a remote tribe, Chaolu seemed to understand their thoughts well. While the Central Plains army was helpless, he always managed to capture them.

Emperor Qianyuan and several generals were very surprised.

Qingguo laughed and said, "The Great Khan is quite formidable. Those Qiang people are ungrateful and treacherous. They've finally met their match!"

After hearing this, Ruan Yu remained silent for a moment. He was very capable, but such capability came at a price.

Ruan Yu: "Xuan Niang, could you ask the kitchen to prepare a more substantial dinner tonight, maybe a soup, something nourishing..."

As she spoke, she unconsciously lowered her eyelashes. Qingguo and Xuanniang exchanged a glance and smiled meaningfully: "Yes, Princess, rest assured."

Ruan Yu awkwardly picked up her chopsticks and took a bite of the steamed dumpling.

-

At noon, Ruan Yu went to the Jiang residence.

After her mother moved there, the mansion was named after her. The mansion was not big, but it was very cozy. When Ruan Yu arrived, Zi Yan was brushing his spear in the courtyard, and Jiang Shi was doing needlework on the side.

"Sister!"

Jiang Ziyan saw her and excitedly ran over: "Why are you here!"

Jiang was both surprised and delighted, and hurried over to greet them.

"Why are you here now? Weren't you supposed to come tomorrow?"

Jiang Ziyan: "Mother also said she'll make your favorite snacks tomorrow!"

Ruan Yu laughed, "Since I had nothing else to do, I came over to take a look. Jiang Ziyan, why are you practicing with swords again? Have you finished reading the book?"

Jiang said, "I have no way to deal with him. He can't sit still at his desk all day. He really likes these things! Recently, there have been some troubles caused by the Qiang people in Chang'an. He keeps clamoring to fight the barbarians."

Ruan Yu said helplessly, "Just give up on that idea and stay home quietly."

"Sister, did your husband go out to beat them up? Can I see him?"

Ruan Yu was stunned for a moment. Because of this "brother-in-law", Jiang glared at him and said, "Jiang Ziyan, if you keep talking nonsense, you won't be eating tonight!"

Ruan Yu smiled and ignored the title: "The Khan is fighting the Qiang people outside, but I don't know the specifics, and I can't see him."

Jiang Ziyan's eyes widened: "He actually didn't look for you...?"

Ruan Yu: "...Is there anything surprising about that?"

"Of course, when he was training with me before, he kept mentioning his wife... At that time, I didn't even know it was you, and it was a bit annoying to hear... He kept nagging, and he always had 'finding a wife' on his lips."

Ruan Yu: "...What did he tell you?"

Jiang stopped what she was doing out of curiosity and quietly pricked up her ears.

"He said he made his wife angry, which was because of you... and then you refused to see him, but he would try his best to find a way, and he also said that he had a really hard time in the winter, and couldn't sleep for nights on end. I found it so cheesy..."

Jiang coughed lightly, and Ruan Yu's expression also became a little unnatural.

Jiang: "Is it that serious? I did hear that the snowstorm was quite severe... no one could get out..."

Ruan Yu: "..."

Chao Lu... it was all planned out in the first place.

He knew that these words would eventually reach his ears through Ruan Ziyan...

Ruan Yu felt a bit conflicted, but she would never show it in front of her mother and brother. She simply changed the subject: "Mother, I'm hungry. Let's eat."

Jiang quickly stood up and said with a smile, "Good, good, good. I have a lot to make, I'll go prepare it right away."

After dinner, Ruan Yu and Jiang Shi did some needlework together in the courtyard. Then they left the Jiang residence. It was almost dusk, so she got into the carriage and prepared to return home.

Just as they reached a narrow alley, the coachman suddenly said, "Princess, it looks like Lord Pei's carriage up ahead. It has stopped."

Ruan Yu: "Stop the car."

"yes."

Not far away was Pei Du. It was a narrow alley with few people, and the guards from the Princess's residence and the Pei residence were in front and behind. Since they had met, Ruan Yu lifted the carriage curtain and greeted him. Pei Du got out of the carriage: "Princess, may I have a word with you in private?"

Ruan Yu paused for a moment, then said, "Okay."

The two walked a few steps away, and the guards around them became extremely vigilant.

Pei Du: "Princess, I apologize for my abruptness. I was originally planning to pay you a visit, but I didn't expect to run into you here."

Ruan Yu smiled and said, "My lord, there's no need to be so polite. Just speak freely."

Pei Du nodded: "There is some news I would like to ask the princess to convey to the Khan. The situation is urgent, and I am unable to contact him at the moment."

Ruan Yu: "..."

Her expression was extremely strange; it seemed like one or two people were convinced that she could contact Chaolu.

But with such a big matter at hand, Ruan Yu had no time to concern herself with these trivial details.

"What is it?"

It turns out that Pei Du's side had found some internal information about the Qiang people. There might be a traitor among them. Pei Du is not good at fighting, but that doesn't mean he won't put effort into other areas.

This news is indeed very important, and it's best to let Chaolu know as soon as possible.

Ruan Yu nodded and solemnly replied, "I understand."

Pei Du gave a wry smile: "I have no choice. The Great Khan is elusive, and even the Imperial Guards can't find him now. I can only trouble the Princess..."

Ruan Yu: "...Okay."

After a moment of silence, Pei Du looked at the person and smiled bitterly again: "After this, I wonder... how long will the princess stay in Chang'an?"

Ruan Yu was somewhat surprised, seemingly not expecting Pei Du to ask such a question.

Why do you say that?

Pei Du lowered his eyes, concealing a hint of gloom in his brows: "The Qiang people rebelled, and the Chaha tribe contributed greatly. I'm sure Your Highness will also acknowledge the Great Khan."

Ruan Yu suddenly realized.

She found it a little funny.

The relationship between her and Chaolu was never one of mutual approval or disapproval.

"I don't understand what you're saying, my lord. I'm not a spoil of war. If the Chaha tribe wins, it won't have any direct impact on me."

Pei Du quickly bowed and said, "That's not what I meant."

Ruan Yu: "I understand what you mean, sir. I was just saying it casually."

"I have overstepped my bounds and should not have commented on the princess's private affairs."

Ruan Yu: "My lord, you can actually treat me as a friend, not as a princess."

She smiled gently, and Pei Du was taken aback.

“Okay… then let me ask you again, will you go back to the northern frontier with Chaolu?” Pei Du’s heart began to pound.

In fact, ever since Ruan Yu returned to the capital, that thought that had been hidden in his heart has sprouted again.

Although she had witnessed her relationship with Chaolu on the grasslands, she still held onto a tiny sliver of hope.

What if?

What if Chao Lu doesn't come?

When Pei Du heard that Prince Chen was even considering choosing another husband for her, he was overjoyed.

He had sent many gifts to the Prince Chen's residence without making a sound, but all of these gifts disappeared without a trace.

She did not respond.

Then, Chao Lu actually came.

It came faster than anyone expected.

You know there's absolutely no hope left, don't you?

What are they doing right now?

The dignified Minister of the Court of Judicial Review was incredibly nervous at this moment, seemingly even more so than during the imperial examination...

Ruan Yu looked at him with a smile on her lips.

“Since you ask this question as a friend, I will answer you as a friend as well. I miss the grasslands very much. Spring plowing is coming soon there, and I want to go and see the farmland and the seed drill.”

Ruan Yu's words were not definitive, but rather ambiguous, yet Pei Du understood their meaning perfectly.

He suddenly smiled, a look of relief on his face.

"In that case, I wish the princess a safe journey."

Ruan Yu raised the corners of her lips: "Thank you, sir."

As that beautiful figure disappeared from his sight, Pei Du suddenly smiled with relief.

Behind them, Shuangnian glanced at the adult with heartache.

It seems that adults can never control their own marriages. Previously, the family looked down on Miss Ruan's background.

Now that the eldest princess has returned, her parents have been urging her countless times, both openly and secretly.

But time and all things don't wait for people in one place; once missed, they're gone forever.

Pei Du gradually composed himself and returned to his usual calm and self-possessed demeanor as the Minister of Justice.

"Let's go, there are still many things waiting for us to deal with."

In the alley, the two carriages gradually drove away, seemingly never to meet again.

...

The princess's small kitchen was very observant; today they made mutton dumplings and stewed mutton soup, all of which Chaolu likes to eat...

Ruan Yu glanced at it helplessly, feeling a little regretful.

Chaolu is so busy, he probably won't even come today.

So Ruan Yu didn't even wait for Xuan Niang to ask, and started eating as if nothing had happened, as if she hadn't prepared these things for anyone at all.

Xuan Niang and the others smiled but didn't say much, but the fire in the small kitchen was kept burning slowly.

After having dinner and resting for a while, Ruan Yu went to bed. The more she thought about it, the more she felt that she had acted impulsively today. Pei Du said during the day that he was really busy, and her brother had also vaguely revealed that he had been on the go recently.

Why did she take it for granted that Chaolu would come looking for her?

I was truly influenced by what my younger brother said during the day.

Let's figure out a way to send Pei Du's message over as soon as possible tomorrow, so as not to delay important matters.

Ruan Yu slowly closed her eyes, preparing to fall asleep.

But she underestimated herself and also underestimated Chaolu.

A soft creaking sound came from the roof beams, and after a few creaks, the window seemed to be blown open.

Ruan Yu suddenly sat up.

He opened his eyes wide and stared at the person in front of him.

Chao Lu's eyes lit up; he had actually come in through the window.

"you……"

He was in high spirits, but looked travel-worn.

"I've caught up with the guy nearby, so I have to come in and check on you. Otherwise, I won't be able to concentrate on catching him tonight."

Ruan Yu: "..."

What kind of twisted theory is this?

"You mean you're still arresting people outside?"

"Yes, I can't sleep with you tonight. We can close the net tomorrow or the day after. There's a big fish tonight." Chao Lu said with a hint of smugness.

"Is there anything to eat, Yu Yu? I'm hungry."

Ruan Yu suddenly felt incredibly fortunate.

The room lights came back on quickly, and Ruan Yu stopped sleeping and sat up to eat with him. Chao Lu stared blankly at the table full of dumplings and mutton for a moment, then burst into hearty laughter.

Ruan Yu pursed her lips, not wanting him to be smug: "I just slaughtered a sheep today, it was something I did on the spur of the moment."

Chao Lu shrugged: "I didn't say anything, what is Yu Yu explaining?"

"..."

While laughing, Chao Lu ate heartily without any restraint, his eyes fixed on her, as if Ruan Yu was more delicious than anything else.

"Isn't the imperial examination coming up soon? I heard that some Qiang people are targeting those civil officials. You know, my brother, what's the point of all this? If those top scholars and third-place winners really encounter a Qiang person, all those years of studying will be for nothing."

Ruan Yu: "Let's eat... and keep quiet."

Chao Lu: "Don't take it personally, but I'm telling you the truth, when it comes to life and death, even a pen is useless."

"Scholars have their own integrity; you can't say that."

He was busy, working hard, and it was dangerous. Ruan Yu didn't want to argue with him about it, so she just shared her opinion and then changed the subject: "By the way, Pei Du told me today that he has some important news to tell you."

Chao Lu paused, his chopsticks hanging in mid-air.

He suddenly looked up strangely and stared at Ruan Yu.

Why are you looking at me like that?

Chao Lu: "He met with you? When? What could he have done that he couldn't tell me directly, instead of coming to you indirectly? His real intentions are not what they seem!"

Ruan Yu was taken aback, a hint of anger flashing across her face: "Chao Lu, are you going to be unreasonable again!"

Chao Lu quickly put down his chopsticks and coaxed, "It's all because of that old man from the Pei family who wanted to set you up while I was away!"

"...Don't talk nonsense, how could that be?"

"How could it be impossible?" Chao Lu thought of those espionage reports and was so angry that his teeth itched.

Looking at Ruan Yu, he suddenly felt a little aggrieved.

"It's all your fault. You still won't give me a proper title, and everyone outside is just making wild guesses."

Ruan Yu: "..."

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Author's note: The big dog in the red shirt is quite handsome; I'll post a larger picture later on @