Chapter 398: Affection

Nianqing's marriage was quickly arranged. The Sixth Princess hadn't expected to choose her, and was somewhat surprised. They were both too young, and the marriage was several years away. The Sixth Princess would remain in the capital, while the Eldest Princess would take the Sixth and Ninth Princesses to the Princess House for upbringing. She didn't want them to become too deeply involved with the Xilin royal family. No one dared to interfere. Firstly, the marriage was arranged, and it established a legitimate status. Secondly, the Eldest Princess was a strong personality, with territorial power. No one dared to challenge her decisions. The day after the marriage, the Sixth Princess was taken to the Princess House.

In order to avoid suspicion, Nian Qing did not live in the princess's mansion. He originally lived in the Huainan Palace, which was quite quiet. After the marriage between Xilin and Huainan, the matter was almost settled. Su Qingwan knew that Nian Qing should go back to Huainan. This time, he would not come back on New Year's Eve, and she didn't know when he would come back. She couldn't help but feel reluctant.

But no matter how reluctant she was, Su Qingwan knew Nianqing had to return to Huainan and couldn't stay in the capital. She could leave trivial matters to the civil servants, and if that wasn't possible, Su Qingwan would negotiate. The eldest princess also had this intention. Even though she knew the capital was under control, she still hoped Nianqing would return to Huainan.

On the day Nian Qing left, Su Qingwan carried Xiaoyuer to see him off. The weather was cool and sunny. Su Qingwan smiled and said, "Next time you come to the capital, Xiaoyuer should be able to speak."

"When he grows up, I'll teach him horseback riding and archery." Nian Qing said with a smile. After playing with Xiao Yu'er for a while, he said goodbye to Su Qingwan. "Aunt, you're alone in the capital. Be careful. I've left a few secret guards with you. If you need anything, just have them send a message back to Huainan. Huainan will always be your home."

He knew that Su Qingwan was avoiding suspicion and didn't care about Huainan's affairs, but Nian Qing wanted to give her enough sense of security. His aunt must know that the whole Huainan was behind her.

"Okay!" Su Qingwan felt warm at heart. The nurse took Xiaoyu'er away, and Su Qingwan hugged Nianqing gently. "You are alone in Huainan, so you must take good care of yourself, eat well, sleep well, and don't get sick."

"Yes, my child knows!"

After Nian Qing said goodbye to Su Qingwan, he jumped on his horse and the army set off back to Huainan. Su Qingwan felt empty in her heart, as she knew she would never be able to return to Huainan in her lifetime.

But Huainan felt at ease because he had Nianqing.

Nian Qing left the capital, and Lu Jing stopped resting at home. He began to attend court and handle official business. His life was quiet and peaceful. Su Qingwan was in charge of internal affairs, the Xie family's business in the capital, and also the Huainan business in the capital. She didn't even have time to take care of Xiaoyuer's affairs. Xiaoyuer was too young to need her company.

On the day that Earl of Anping returned to Beijing, Su Qingwan was sitting in Nanfeng Tower discussing tea business with Manager Xie when she saw a team of fast horses passing through the long street. Following the bustle, she saw that Earl of Anping had returned to Beijing. Lu Jing was very efficient in his work, so he should be going to Jiangnan soon.

Uncle Anping was nearly ten years older than when she first met him. He no longer had the high spirits he once had, and his brows were full of fatigue. Su Qingwan was not actually worried that the Li family would stir up any trouble.

Let it be, hatred goes with the wind!

She won't take it to heart anymore.

After Shopkeeper Xie called out to her several times, she slowly came back to her senses.

"It's okay, go on!"

Shopkeeper Xie also knew what was on her mind. "Don't worry about the eldest lady's matter, Princess. If she knew that you were doing well now, she would be very happy too."

"Hopefully, I'm just a little sad. My sister and I have been separated since we were young, and the bond between us sisters is so thin."

Next time I’ll just write the ending and post it!