Chapter 92 [92] Beautiful scenery everywhere, year after year...

【92】/First release on Jinjiang Literature City

When Sima Jing returned to the palace, he learned that Yun Ran had returned to the Marquis of Changxin's mansion.

His first reaction was that the fight last night was too fierce, and she ran away angrily when she woke up.

It was the concierge who noticed his expression was off and quickly explained, "I heard the Third Young Master's wife is about to give birth?"

Sima Jing's brows slowly relaxed after hearing this.

But her third sister-in-law was giving birth, and she was not a midwife, so why was she running so fast?

He looked up at the still bright sky, hesitated for a moment, and decided to wait for her to come back home.

After all, it is really inappropriate for the couple to run over to watch someone else's wife giving birth.

But I didn't expect that after waiting for so long, until the sun set in the west and the sky was filled with sunset glow, I still didn't see that figure.

Sima Jing absentmindedly poured a basket of mice into the snake cave. Seeing this, Cui Baoer, who was much older, hissed and spit out bright red tongue, and also ran into the snake cave.

When Sima Jing came to his senses, Cui Baoer had been frightened back by the other snakes in the snake cave, and she was burrowing into her owner's wrist as if she had been wronged.

Sima Jing: “…”

In the past, he would still smile.

But right now, he was thinking about someone. He lowered his eyes to look at the small green snake that was coiled in several circles, and whispered, "Have you become stupid from sleeping during the New Year? You're running around everywhere."

Cui Baoer seemed to understand, and instantly curled up into a ball with a look of grievance.

Sima Jing: “…”

That's all.

The slender fingertips gently tapped the little green snake's head: "At least you knew to run back, unlike that person, who didn't even know to come back after dark."

No matter how resentful he was, Sima Jing could no longer sit still as the sky grew darker and the market gates were about to close.

We just celebrated the Reunion Festival yesterday, and today you leave him alone in the empty house?

That's not possible.

As soon as he stepped out of Liuxian Garden, he put his hands behind his back and ordered: "Come here, prepare the car——"

***

The Marquis of Changxin’s Mansion welcomes the Purple Courtyard.

From the time the sky brightened to the time the sky darkened, three hours had already passed.

Hearing the screams in the delivery room getting louder and louder, Yun Ran could no longer sit still, so he stood up and paced back and forth in the corridor with his third brother.

Zheng and Li Wanrong, who were sitting in the main hall, said: "..."

Yunze was already dizzy from just walking around, and now the brother and sister were dizzying together, making him even more dizzy.

At this time, the maidservant in front hurriedly came to report: "Prince Jing's Royal Highness has arrived."

Zheng and Li Wanrong were both startled and quickly stood up to greet the guests. When they looked down the corridor, they could no longer see the brother and sister.

Zheng was shocked: "Where are they?"

Li Wanrong was also confused: "It was still there just now."

Zheng hurried out of the house and ordered her attendants, "Go and find the princess."

Yingziyuan was only this big, and soon Chen Ma, who was beside Zheng, invited the princess back from outside the delivery room.

Yun Ran was pulling at the window with his third brother, intending to check on his third sister-in-law. They were caught halfway through.

She was still a little unwilling, but the third brother waved his hand at her: "Go quickly, I'll take care of your sister-in-law."

Yun Ran: "Oh, okay..."

When she met Sima Jing in the front hall with her mother, she was still a little surprised: "Didn't I send someone back to deliver a letter saying that my third sister-in-law had given birth to a baby and I would stay at the Marquis' Mansion tonight? Didn't Your Highness receive the letter?"

Sima Jing: "Got it."

As soon as I left Prince Jing's mansion, I saw the servant delivering the letter.

But he thought that since the horse had already been led, he might as well go to the Marquis' Mansion to take a look.

She was not in the palace, and it was boring for him to stay alone.

"I wonder how Third Sister-in-law is doing now?"

Sima Jing asked seriously, trying his best to appear in front of his father-in-law and mother-in-law as if he was worried about the safety of his wife and sister-in-law, rather than because he couldn't leave his wife.

Marquis Changxin and his wife exchanged a glance, understanding the situation but not exposing it. They simply bowed their heads and said, "Your Highness is thoughtful. Giving birth is not easy for women, especially for their first child. It takes some effort. The third house has the eldest daughter-in-law, the third son, and the midwife to look after them. Everything is fine for now."

"That's good."

Sima Jing nodded, and his gaze fell on Yun Ran again: "Have you had dinner?"

Yun Ran: "Just eat something."

After answering, seeing the man still looking at her intently, Yun Ran suddenly came to her senses: "Your Highness, haven't you eaten yet?"

Sima Jing saw that her heart was completely devoted to her sister-in-law and she only remembered him at this moment. He sneered in his heart and just nodded lightly on his face.

Yun Ran didn't know that the man was still jealous. Looking at the dark sky outside, she thought for a moment and said, "Then Your Highness, please follow me to listen to Xia Xuan. I'll ask the kitchen to bring food."

Sima Jing nodded again, raised his sleeves and took his leave with the Marquis of Changxin and his wife.

When the two of them left the flower hall, Zheng couldn't help but chuckle: "You see, after this separation, the relationship between the young couple has become even better."

Marquis Changxin: "Of course, don't you see how good our Ranran is? He's as pretty as a fairy, smart and clever, brave and resourceful, and fearless in the face of danger. Not to mention that Your Highness likes him, who wouldn't like him?"

King Jing only had a noble status and good looks. If he didn't have these two qualities, Marquis Changxin might not have been interested in this son-in-law.

Seeing her husband's smug look, Zheng didn't refute him for the first time.

After all, the unexpected events that occurred at the palace banquet yesterday had indeed frightened the couple greatly. When they learned that all of this had been secretly planned by their daughter and son-in-law, they were even more shocked.

How can these two youngsters be so bold!

Later they learned that their second son Yun Rui was also involved, and their fourth son Yun Shang had also known for a long time that King Jing was still alive. The couple sighed that "the children are all grown up and can stand on their own, and it's time to let them go and make their own way."

"At court this morning, His Majesty declared the Duke of Su guilty of treason and sentenced him to slaughter all of his family and exterminate all three clans. The remaining rebels will be executed or exiled, depending on the severity of their crimes. However, His Majesty, mindful of their voluntary surrender, granted them a break from the law and spared their families."

There was a rare free time today, so Marquis Changxin took this opportunity to tell his wife what happened in court today.

After hearing this, Zheng was filled with sorrow, especially when she recalled that not long ago, she had been dining with the wife of Duke Su, chatting and laughing, and then, in the blink of an eye, her entire family had been executed, and her entire clan had been exterminated...

"Oh, what a sin! You could have been a Duke, but you're still struggling at this age. Now look what you've done. One person's sin has brought trouble upon the whole family!"

Zheng was now old and could no longer bear to hear these things. She shook her head and sighed, no longer thinking about other people's affairs, but returned to Yingziyuan to accompany her third daughter-in-law, the person she should care about the most.

At the same time, on the way back to Ting Xia Xuan, Yun Ran took Sima Jing's hand and talked to him about entering the palace.

Upon learning of the fate of Duke Su and the rebels, Yun Ran sighed deeply.

He was also puzzled: "Didn't he say that he and the late emperor had a very close relationship, like brothers, and that the late emperor had once saved his life? The late emperor treated him so highly, and yet he colluded with the enemy to rebel? How ungrateful he is."

"In the royal family, even brothers can kill each other, not to mention that he is separated from the late emperor by a cousin."

Sima Jing still spoke in that cold tone: "But before I left the palace today, I went to Jiashou Palace and learned some old stories."

When Yun Ran heard this, his curiosity was instantly piqued: "What?"

Sima Jing didn't say anything, but just gave her an ambiguous look.

Yun Ran: “……?”

She shook Sima Jing's arm and said, "Your Highness, please speak quickly. It's really annoying to leave people hanging halfway through a sentence!"

"I've been waiting for you all afternoon, and now I'm still hungry. I haven't eaten a single bite of food or had a sip of water. It's ok that you don't feel sorry for me at all, but you still say I'm annoying?"

Sima Jing sneered: "Yun Wu, where is your conscience?"

Yun Ran: “…”

She was obviously not wrong, but for some reason, under the man's scorching gaze, she suddenly felt a little guilty.

Just as she was about to stroke his fur to comfort him, she remembered that she had been applying the medicine for nearly a quarter of an hour in the afternoon. When she got out of bed, her legs felt weak. She let go of his arm for a moment, turned her head away and muttered angrily, "Maybe the dog ate it last night!"

After that, she strode forward.

Sima Jing: “…”

He pursed his lips and followed.

"Yun Ran."

He reached out to hold her hand, but was dodged.

"slowly."

I tried to hold her hand again, but was dumped again.

“…”

He narrowed his eyes slightly, and the next moment, he simply picked up the person from behind and carried him sideways.

Yun Ran exclaimed, looking around at the servants following him, blushing as he hammered him and cursed softly, "Sima Jiu, put me down!"

Sima Jing held her and walked forward: "I won't let go."

Yun Ran: "You...you scoundrel!"

Sima Jing: "Yeah."

Yun Ran: "Put me down quickly! There are so many people watching us, and this is the Marquis' Mansion!"

Sima Jing: "Look, you can see it. I am hugging my own princess, not someone else's."

Seeing how shameless he was, Yun Ran's cheeks became even hotter.

But he was shameless, and she still had some dignity, so she didn't argue with him loudly. She just buried her rosy face in the man's arms and pinched the flesh on his arm in annoyance.

But the man's muscles were strong and hard like rocks, and I couldn't get much flesh out of him even after pinching him for a long time.

Yun Ran was a little discouraged.

Suddenly, a man's voice sounded above his head: "If you can't pinch it, bite it, just like I ate your conscience last night. I don't mind giving it to you."

Yun Ran: “……!?”

Who wants to eat him!

He doesn't mind, but she does!

Some things are better left unmentioned. Once mentioned, your thoughts will wander, and even eight horses can't pull them back. Anyway, on the way to Tingxiaxuan being carried by Sima Jing, Yun Ran's mind was filled with the image of him eating his conscience without satisfaction last night.

When Sima Jing was eating with his bowl and chopsticks, she couldn't look directly at his beautiful, light red lips.

Why do you like eating there so much?

Although it is soft and smooth, it has no taste...

Don't understand.

She covered her hot face, closed her eyes, and tried hard to get rid of the chaotic thoughts.

After dinner, the scene in Yingziyuan was still going on.

Yun Ran frowned and sighed, "I used to only know that childbirth was difficult for women, but now that I've seen it with my own eyes, I know how difficult it is."

She suddenly felt that her mother was truly great, having given birth to five children in succession.

"Fourth brother said that mother gave birth to so many children because she wanted a daughter. If I had been born earlier, mother might have suffered less."

Sima Jing lazily replied, "If that's the case, then perhaps there won't be any second, third, or fourth brothers in this world."

“Ah? This…this…”

Yun Ran was in a dilemma and said hesitantly, "Then I still want my second, third, and fourth brothers. Besides, I bet my mother would not be willing to give up my brothers either!"

Sima Jing didn't want to say much about the mother-son relationship.

The moon was full on the 16th. After rinsing his mouth with fragrant tea, he saw that the night sky outside the yard was brighter than yesterday, so he took Yun Ran out for a walk.

As for the habit of walking, Yun Ran often said to him: "Take a hundred steps after a meal, and you will live to be ninety-nine!"

In the past, he sneered, why bother living that long.

Now, he wants to hold hands with his princess and stay with her until they grow old together.

The moonlight was like water. As the two of them strolled leisurely in the back garden of the Marquis's mansion, Sima Jing no longer kept Yun Ran in suspense and told her the reason for Duke Su's rebellion.

"Back when Taizu was still alive, the late emperor and Duke Su were both grandchildren of the emperor. The late emperor's father and Duke Su's father had a private dispute over the throne. Later, the late emperor's father, my grandfather, seized the throne and became the legitimate heir. Duke Su's lineage, however, became a side branch and was supposed to be sent out to a fiefdom. However, before that could happen, Duke Su's father died of illness."

"According to Duke Su's confession, his father was murdered by Emperor Gaozu, and he has always held a grudge against his father. Furthermore, when he was young, he went hunting with the late emperor, and that was the time when the late emperor saved his life—"

"He hadn't wanted to go that day, but couldn't resist the late emperor's invitation. He hadn't expected to encounter a black bear in the forest. The bear lunged at Duke Su, and it was the late emperor who saved him with an arrow. Although he survived, his arm was crippled. It didn't affect his daily life, including eating and writing, but he could no longer practice archery or martial arts."

"Because of this, he was no longer able to achieve anything significant, and spent most of his life as an idle clan member in Chang'an. He blamed this vengeance on the late emperor, believing that the late emperor had orchestrated everything, crippling his arm and still trying to gain a reputation for virtue."

Yun Ran was stunned when he heard this: "Did the late emperor do this on purpose?"

Sima Jing glanced at her sideways and said, "I'll tell you when the late emperor appears in my dream one night."

Yun Ran: “…”

She curled her lips in displeasure and said, "I was just asking casually, why are you so narrow-minded?"

Sima Jing chuckled and raised his hand to embrace the person in his arms.

Yun Ran didn't want him to hold her in his arms. She just struggled a few times, but in the end she couldn't get rid of the man's strength and was still held tightly in his arms.

Fortunately, it was night time and it was pitch black everywhere, so the maids following not far away couldn't see clearly.

After a while of cuddling, Sima Jing looked at the little face in his arms, which was made even whiter and more charming by the moonlight. He straightened his expression and talked about another matter: "I went to the palace today and saw Sima Ji."

Yun Ran was startled, then thought of the emperor's strange expression yesterday, and calmed down his expression. "What did you say?"

Sima Jing did not hide it from her and told her briefly.

Finally, he talked about how he took the initiative to ask for the position of Protector-General of the Western Regions.

"I brought it up in a rush, and only later realized I hadn't discussed it with you..."

Although most people at that time followed the concept of husband singing and wife following, Liangzhou was thousands of miles away from Chang'an, and he had no concerns about the people in the palace, but Yun Ran was different.

She has parents, brothers and sisters-in-law who love her, and a happy big family.

"If you don't want to leave, you can stay in Chang'an."

Sima Jing looked at her with an extremely serious look: "After I defeat the Rongdi and take the head of my old enemy, I will immediately return to the capital to accompany you..."

"So you're going to leave me alone again and let me wait for you?"

Yun Ran interrupted him. In the moonlight, she raised her face, her eyes clearer and brighter than the moonlight, reflecting the man in front of her with incredible clarity.

Sima Jing: "I'm not abandoning you, I'm..."

"Are you worried about my safety? Afraid that I can't endure the hardship? Or do you feel that only you can support me in joining this game and accompany me to do what I want to do, while I can only tie your hands and feet and can't accompany you to do what you want to do?"

"Your Highness, I am not your master, and you are not my servant. We are husband and wife. Aren't husband and wife supposed to share joys and sorrows, advance and retreat together, and support each other?"

Yun Ran frowned, feeling a little angry and a little aggrieved. "Or do you think that in your heart you have always looked down on me? Do you think that I am not the one who can know you, be with you forever?"

"No."

Sima Jing had always known that his princess was eloquent, but he couldn't help being shocked when he heard her say this.

He was grateful that she was so kind and willing to shine on him and care for him.

Even though he often thought selfishly, he wanted her to have only him in her eyes and in her heart, and to be the warm sun and bright moon that belonged to him alone.

But I also know that it is wishful thinking.

But now, her extravagant wish has come true, and she is willing to let the moonlight shine on him alone.

"Ran Ran, I never looked down on you, on the contrary..."

His throat rolled with difficulty, and his voice lowered: "I am trying to climb above your level."

He is not worthy of her.

He is mean, dark and unbearable, while her soul is light, noble, pure and natural.

Yun Ran never thought that Sima Jing had always thought of her this way in his heart.

Besides being shocked, my heart also softened.

"You always call me a fool, but I think you are the fool."

Yun Ran walked forward and gently put her arms around his waist: "What's the big deal? I think you're the best!"

"Even if you offer all the men in the world to exchange, I won't trade."

She stood on tiptoe and wanted to kiss Sima Jing, but the man was too tall and she couldn't stand steadily for a moment, and accidentally kissed his Adam's apple.

Before she could come to her senses, her slender waist was tightly embraced.

He hugged her so hard that her feet almost left the ground.

Yun Ran could clearly feel the man's hot breath buried in her neck, and she seemed to hear the strong heartbeat in his chest.

Plop, plop, plop...

Gradually, the two hearts in different bodies seemed to come closer and overlap.

Heartbeats in sync, souls resonate.

Suddenly, a word that was more appropriate than "like" popped up in Yun Ran's mind: love.

It seems that she likes more than just Sima Jing.

But, love him.

But before she could tell him about this new discovery, a hurried sound of footsteps came: "It's born! The Third Young Master's wife is giving birth!"

Another burst of joy came, and Yun Ran's eyes were filled with bright smiles: "Your Highness, did you hear that? My third sister-in-law has given birth!"

Sima Jing really didn't care whether his third sister-in-law gave birth or not.

But seeing her so happy, he also raised the corners of his lips: "I heard it. Congratulations, Princess, you are an aunt again."

"Congratulations, you're going to be an uncle again!"

Yun Ran smiled and took his hand: "Let's go, let's go see Third Sister-in-law, after that we can go back to the house and sleep peacefully!"

*

Although it was almost time for the festival, the Yingzi Courtyard of the Third House was filled with joy and excitement.

When Yun Ran and Sima Jing arrived, Zheng was holding a pale pink swaddling baby, surrounded by people.

"Ran Ran, Your Highness, you've arrived just in time, come and take a look."

Zheng smiled and said, "After sixteen years, our family finally has a little girl!"

Yun Ran exclaimed, "It's a girl!"

Her anticipation for her beautiful little niece made her let go of Sima Jing's hand without hesitation and run forward in two steps.

But after seeing the wrinkled, red baby in the cradle, the expectation in her eyes was instantly shattered: "This... this... is this really the child of my third sister-in-law?"

Li Wanrong laughed: "What are you talking about? With so many of us guarding him, who else could it be if not your third sister-in-law's child?"

Yun Ran was embarrassed. Although her third brother and sister-in-law were not around at the moment, she still couldn't help but express it in a tactful way: "But how come this little kid doesn't look like my third brother at all, let alone my third sister-in-law... My third brother and sister-in-law are both so good-looking, but this child..."

He's just a clown monkey!

When Zheng and the others heard this, they burst out laughing and said, "All newborn babies are like this. After a few days of feeding and growing up, they will look good!"

Li Wanrong: "Yes, when A Zong was born, he was not only wrinkled but also very black. At first glance, I thought he was taken away by mistake and was very panicked. But after seven or eight days, he started to look good."

Zheng nodded in agreement and looked at Yun Ran again, her eyes full of nostalgia: "When you were just born, you were also this small and red."

Yun Ran was shocked. She was so ugly when she was a child!

Sima Jing, who was standing aside, was not interested in the baby at first, but after hearing what Zheng said, he went over and took a look into the cradle.

It really is a tiny little thing.

He glanced at the wrinkled little baby girl and then at the lively princess.

A feeling of regret suddenly arose in his heart. If they had not been separated in their childhood and had grown up in Chang'an, perhaps he could have seen her childhood appearance.

The slight regret in his eyes, in the eyes of others, changed its meaning -

The way King Jing stared at Ranran eagerly, could it be that he also wanted to be a father?

Yun Ran was so focused on entertaining his little niece that he didn't notice anything else.

She originally wanted to go into the delivery room to visit her third sister-in-law, but her third sister-in-law was too weak to give birth and had already fallen ill. Yun Ran didn't want to disturb her, so she and Sima Jing went back to Ting Xia Xuan first.

The next day, she went to Yingziyuan again to visit her third sister-in-law and little niece, and then returned home with Sima Jing.

Unexpectedly, just as the canopied carriage stopped in front of the palace, another carriage drove over.

The young couple looked back from the steps and saw the eunuch in charge of the imperial court approaching with a scroll of yellow imperial edict. "This old servant greets His Royal Highness Prince Jing and His Royal Highness the Princess."

"It's better to arrive at the right time than to arrive early. As His Highness and His Majesty are here, then we will accept the order."

Yun Ran and Sima Jing seemed to have sensed something, looked at each other, and bowed to receive the order.

"The Emperor, by the grace of Heaven and the Mandate of Heaven, proclaims: The tribes of the Western Regions are the western frontier of our dynasty. Ever since our ancestors established the Protectorate, peace has been enjoyed throughout the ages, and the people living on the border have lived in peace and contentment. However, in recent years, the remaining Rong and Di tribes have repeatedly invaded the border, plundering our cattle and horses and disturbing our cultivated lands...

My brother, Prince Jing, is known for his bravery, determination, and talent for military leadership. The Western Regions need a strong and capable official to lead the troops and pacify the various tribes. No one other than my brother can fulfill this responsibility. I hereby appoint Prince Jing, Sima Jing, as Grand Protector General of the Western Regions, commanding all the armies there..."

"...I will also bestow upon you a golden seal, a purple ribbon, a dragon robe, and a jade belt. I hope that upon your arrival in the Western Regions, you will diligently perform your duties and promote the great power of the Great Jin. When the border is cleared and news of victory reaches the capital, I will personally welcome you and reward you according to your merits, ensuring our everlasting brotherhood. Do not disappoint me, I decree!"

"Your Highness, Prince Jing, please accept the order."

"Your Majesty, I, Sima Jing, bow in gratitude."

Sima Jing took the imperial edict, unfolded it and read it again. Every word was extremely familiar. It was not written by a eunuch, but by Sima Ji himself.

Yun Ran also curiously poked his head over, glanced at the imperial edict, and commented seriously: "This handwriting is not as good as yours."

Sima Jing raised his eyebrows slightly: "What do you mean?"

Yun Ran hummed: "I can't really say, anyway, I just like your handwriting more."

Sima Jing smiled and didn't ask any more questions.

"Now we really have to go to the border."

He placed the imperial edict in her fair and slender palm and pursed his thin lips: "Really don't regret it?"

"Humph, who are you looking down on?"

Yun Ran raised his hand and patted his chest: "It's just a border crossing. If you can go, then I can go too!"

"Besides, I've always remembered the bullying you inflicted by the Rongdi people, so I'm here to help you get even! How does that saying go? Good brothers are lifelong... Ahem, that's not right. Husband and wife are one. Your business is my business, and your hatred is my hatred!"

Sima Jing: “…”

He is really loyal.

"Okay, Your Highness, don't be too moved. Come in and eat!"

Yun Ran took his hand and walked side by side into the vermilion gate, muttering: "But what should we prepare when we go west? Should we take those snakes from Liuxian Garden with us? Fudou'er is easy to carry, so let's take it too."

"good."

"Oh, then I have to take care of all the tea and silk we've received in the past six months. Otherwise, they'll just be wasted if they just sit there unused..."

"good."

"I suddenly remembered that Your Highness, you haven't told me anything about the west. Before we set off, please tell me more..."

"good."

The autumn sun is bright and the golden osmanthus is fragrant. It is a good time of the year.

As for Sima Jing, as long as his princess was by his side, everything was good and every year was a good time.

==

End of text

==

-----------------------

The author has something to say: The main text ends here, but the wonderful life of us Ranran and Ajing has just begun!

Thank you all for your company along the way (especially the partners who have been following the series and supporting all the way, I really thank you very much (bow), and I will write more words after the full article is finished. I will take a day off tomorrow and start updating the extra chapters on the 2nd. The extra chapters mainly include the following two parts:

①Spread sugar every day.

② Three to five years later

In short, it’s sweet, sweet, sweet!

This chapter drops a small red envelope, I wish you all a happy long vacation in advance~~