As evening fell, the dining hall of the Marshal's Mansion was brightly lit, but the atmosphere was somewhat subtle. Luo Qingrou personally led An'an in, who had washed up and changed into a clean, plain-colored dress (although it was still men's clothing, it couldn't hide her girlish figure), and whose makeup cream had been mostly washed off, revealing her delicate and pretty face.

Lu Zheng, Lu Xiao, and Lu Qi, father and sons, were sitting at the table waiting. Upon seeing An'an beside Luo Qingrou, all three were stunned!

Lu Zheng was puzzled: Why did Madam bring this young military doctor home for dinner? And why did she change her clothes? She looks... a little different.

Lu Xiao was stunned and his heart raced! After washing away the deliberately rough disguise, An Ping's facial features became much clearer. Although his skin still showed signs of hardship, it was much smoother. Especially his eyes, which were clearer and brighter after the dust was washed away, like the brightest star in the night sky, making him almost unable to look away! He felt his mouth dry and his heart pounding like a drum.

Lu Qi was the calmest. A knowing smile flashed in his eyes as he pushed up his glasses (a habitual gesture) that weren't actually on his nose and watched his father and brother's reactions with amusement.

“Madam, who is this…” Lu Zheng asked first.

Luo Qingrou, holding An'an's hand, walked to the main seat, a gentle yet proud smile on her face, and said loudly, "Brother Zheng, Xiao'er, Qi'er, come, let's get to know each other again. This is not some 'Anping' military doctor, but the apple of Jingwang Mansion's eye, my good niece—Xiao Yue, nickname An'an!"

boom--!

It was like a thunderclap exploding in my ears!

Lu Zheng's eyes widened suddenly, and the wine glass in his hand clattered onto the table: "Wh...what?! An'an?! Yuewei's daughter?!"

Lu Xiao was as if frozen in place! He sprang up from his seat, staring incredulously at the graceful young woman before him, her features vaguely reminiscent of the delicate beauty of Jiangnan in the misty rain. His mind went completely blank! Anping... it's An'an!

Is it the same Miss Jing, the moon-like beauty of whom he would secretly slip away to Jiangnan every year just to catch a glimpse of her from afar?

That "man" who haunted his dreams and even made him question his own sexuality?!

A wave of shock, elation, and absurdity overwhelmed him instantly! His mouth hung open, but no sound came out. He just stared intently at An'an, his eyes filled with an indescribable mix of disbelief, sudden realization, the ecstasy of something lost and found, and a profound understanding born from the cruel twist of fate—all his agitation, confusion, and "abnormality" stemmed from her! He had always loved her, from beginning to end, simply for who she was! Whether she was a noblewoman from Jiangnan or a military doctor from the north!

Looking at his brother's dumbfounded yet fascinating expression, Lu Qi finally couldn't help but chuckle. He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and calmly said, "I knew it all along."

"Uncle Lu, Brother Xiao, Brother Qi." An'an was a little nervous, but she still greeted Lu Zheng, Lu Xiao, and Lu Qi with grace and poise. Her voice returned to its original clear and melodious tone, with a touch of girlish shyness. "An'an is being presumptuous and concealing her identity was out of necessity. Please forgive her, Uncle Lu, Brother Xiao, and Brother Qi."

"Oh! Good child! Get up! What's there to forgive!" Lu Zheng finally snapped out of his shock, his beard trembling with excitement. He walked around the table to An'an and examined her closely, his eyes filled with amazement and admiration. "So alike! So much like Yuewei when she was young! Good! Good indeed! Courageous! Compassionate! No wonder you're the daughter of the Shen and Xiao families! This courage to enter the military camp alone and practice medicine is just like your Aunt Luo Qingrou back then! Your aunt also disguised herself as a man to save lives in the military medical camp," he laughed heartily, his tone full of pride and warmth.

Luo Qingrou playfully slapped him: "Shameless old man, why bring up these old stories in front of the child!" She pulled An'an to sit down, "Sit down, An'an, don't be shy, make yourself at home. Are you hungry? Try the mutton from Xinjiang, it's quite different from the Jiangnan style your mother makes."

Throughout the meal, Lu Xiao's gaze almost never left An An. He no longer concealed it; his eyes were burning and focused, filled with the preciousness of something lost and found and intense emotions. An An's cheeks flushed, and she could only lower her head, eating the food in her bowl in small bites, unable to taste it.

“Sister An’an,” Lu Qi spoke up at the right moment, breaking the somewhat awkward atmosphere, his tone carrying a youthful mischief, “My brother goes to Jiangnan alone every year to handle business. How does it go? The Jiangnan snacks he brought back are absolutely authentic!”

An An was taken aback by what she heard, and looked up at Lu Xiao in confusion.

Lu Xiao's face flushed red instantly. He glared at his younger brother, coughed awkwardly twice, and looked away, "Cough... Qi'er! Eat! Talk less!" He secretly glanced at An'an and met her clear, questioning gaze. His heart pounded even faster, and he hurriedly lowered his head to eat.

Looking at Lu Xiao's flushed ears and embarrassed expression, and recalling Lu Qi's words, An An instantly understood—he went to Jiangnan every year! Was it to see her? This realization made her heart tremble, and an indescribable warm current mixed with sourness welled up in her heart.

She recalled his selfless rescue at the edge of the cliff, his clumsy attempts and sincere explanations, his composure as he strategized in front of the sand table, and his dashing figure on the training ground... All these memories combined to make the quietly growing feeling of attraction incredibly clear at this moment.

Yes, she had fallen for Lu Xiao. She liked this young general who was almost five years younger than her.

But... the sweetness brought by this realization was instantly drowned out by the enormous gap in reality. She was almost nineteen this year, while Lu Xiao had just turned fifteen. In an era where women generally married young, the age difference was almost an insurmountable chasm.

An An smiled and said, "So Xiao Di goes to Jiangnan every year. It seems that the scenery and food in Jiangnan are quite attractive." An An said with a touch of sadness. Although she guessed why Lu Xiao went to Jiangnan every year, the age gap was still too big.

The eldest daughter of Prince Jing's mansion, a goddess-like physician in the Northern Army, is so much older than her future husband... How much gossip will this cause if word gets out? Will the Lu family really not care? Lu Xiao... is young and infatuated, but how long can this passionate love last? When he truly grows up, sees a wider world, and meets many more young and beautiful women, will he regret it?

Upon hearing this, Lu Xiao forgot to chew his food and swallowed it whole, his eyes filled with unease as he stared intently at An An.

Her grip on the chopsticks tightened slightly, and she lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes concealing the complex emotions surging within them. That fluttering heart, like a flame doused with ice water, flickered uncertainly in the cold winds of reality.

"An'an, why aren't you eating? Is the food not to your liking?" Luo Qingrou asked with concern.

"No, Aunt Luo, it's delicious." An'an forced a smile and picked up her chopsticks again, but the food in her bowl tasted like cardboard. She dared not look at the burning gaze opposite her, feeling that the chasm called "age" stood between her and Lu Xiao, unfathomable, making her hesitate.

Only Lu Qi's gaze shifted between his brother and An'an, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.