In the study of Prince Jing's mansion, Shen Yuewei held her daughter's thick stack of letters, both smiling and sighing.

"Chengjing, look! An'an's letter is full of talk about that Lu family brat!" Shen Yuewei handed the letter to Xiao Chengjing, her tone tinged with a helpless smile. "She says Lu Xiao helped her grind medicine and dry herbs, and fend off those 'uncooperative' soldiers... I think it's clearly just that kid getting jealous! Just like you back then!"

Xiao Chengjing smiled but didn't say anything. He was also thinking about how someone had spoken to Shen Yuewei back then, and he had punished Shen Yuewei that night. Otherwise, where would all these children have come from?

Xiao Chengjing immediately took the letter, quickly glanced through it, his brows furrowing slightly at first, but he couldn't help but chuckle as he read on: "This kid... he's quite protective. However..." He put down the letter and looked at his wife, "Yuewei, An'an is four and a half years older than Lu Xiao. Although the Emperor's bestowal of a marriage is an honor, and the Lu family values ​​it, this age difference... what will happen in the future..."

Shen Yuewei walked to her husband's side, gently took his hand, and said softly, "Chengjing, I know what you're worried about. But look at An'an's tone in her letter. Although she complained about that boy's domineering behavior and jealousy, the sweetness and dependence between the lines are undeniable. We haven't had much contact with Lu Xiao, but he protected An'an on the battlefield and dared to take responsibility in front of his parents. He's a responsible person. As for his age..." She smiled slightly, with maternal magnanimity and a hint of pride, "Our An'an is exceptionally skilled in medicine and has unparalleled beauty. She's more than a match for the Lu family's heir! As long as An'an is happy and Lu Xiao treats her sincerely, what do a few gossips matter? Do you think the daughter of the Jingwang Mansion is afraid of such things?"

Looking into his wife's gentle yet firm eyes, Xiao Chengjing's worries vanished. He took Shen Yuewei's hand in return and smiled, "My wife is right! I was overthinking it. As long as An'an is happy, what does it matter if she's four or ten years older? My daughter, Xiao Chengjing's daughter, can marry whomever she wants!"

The couple smiled at each other, picked up their pens, and wrote back to their daughter, their words filled with satisfaction, words of advice, and approval of their future son-in-law.

Compared to the intense jealousy in the northern military camp, the General's Mansion in Dingyuan City was filled with a different kind of innocent yet cunning sweetness.

"Sister Zhao'er, try this. It's freshly baked mutton buns from Wang's shop at the east end of Dingyuan City. They have thin skins, generous fillings, and delicious broth." Lu Qi, dressed in a moon-white casual robe, had a gentle smile on his handsome face as he pushed an oil paper package in front of Shen Zhao, who was practicing calligraphy.

Shen Zhao's eyes lit up, and she immediately put down her brush, exclaiming, "Brother Qi! You brought me delicious food again!" She eagerly opened the oil paper package, picked up a still-hot bun, took a big bite, and squinted her eyes in satisfaction, like a satiated kitten. "Mmm! Delicious! Even better than the last one! Brother Qi, how do you always find the best restaurants?"

Lu Qi watched Shen Zhao eat with her cheeks bulging and her manners completely unrefined, his smile deepening, tinged with a barely perceptible doting: "I'm glad you like it. Eat slowly, don't burn yourself." He picked up a handkerchief and very naturally wiped the grease from the corner of her mouth.

Shen Zhao's face flushed slightly, a little embarrassed, but she didn't shy away. She just muttered, "Brother Qi, you're so good to me. Much better than my dad! All he knows is to make me practice martial arts!"

Lu Qi chuckled, "Your father is doing this for your own good. But..." He changed the subject, a mischievous glint in his eyes, "If Sister Zhao'er thinks I'm good, then from now on, I'll make all your 'meat buns,' how about that?"

"Meat Bun" was a nickname Lu Qi gave Shen Zhao, derived from her round face and love for steamed buns when she was little. Shen Zhao initially protested, but later accepted it and even found it quite endearing.

"Really?" Shen Zhao's eyes lit up even more, then she thought of something and smiled slyly, "Then Brother Qi, you have to keep your word! I want to eat all the delicious buns in the world!"

"It's a deal." Lu Qi held out his finger. "Pinky promise?"

"Pinky promise, a hundred years from now!" Shen Zhao stretched out her oily little finger and hooked it with Lu Qi's slender finger with a grin.

Lu Qi looked at their intertwined fingers, his smile gentle yet resolute. The various novelties and snacks he carefully selected and sent by fast horses every year, as well as his unwavering "visits" from the military camp to Dingyuan City four or five times a month without fail, had long been an open secret between Shen Wensong and Xiao Mingyu.

The two families were already close friends, the two children were childhood sweethearts, and Lu Qi was an outstanding individual, so the marriage was almost a natural progression.

Just one month before Lu Xiao and An An's wedding, Lu Qi solemnly proposed marriage to Shen Wensong and his wife during another "steamed bun" delivery.

Shen Zhao blushed, watching her parents' smiling agreement. Then, looking into Lu Qi's eyes—eyes that seemed to understand everything yet held only tenderness for her—she felt as sweet as if she'd eaten honey. Her "meat bun" supply was truly secured!