The two went to the Buddhist temple to offer incense.

Haitang clasped her hands together and closed her eyes in prayer.

He hoped that Yu Chen would only love him.

After offering incense, Yu Chen accompanied Hai Tang for a stroll. When it was time for lunch, the two went to eat. Martial arts practitioners expend a lot of energy and have high cravings for meat. Yu Chen would not be able to eat a purely vegetarian meal and could only manage to finish it.

wait.

The temple bells rang softly, and time passed minute by minute.

The sandalwood incense in temples is most effective at calming the mind and soothing the spirit.

But things didn't go as he expected, and Yu Chen became irritable.

I waited from afternoon until evening.

Haitang: "Ronghe, are you going back tonight?"

Yu Chen's courtesy name was Ronghe, but Haitang rarely called him that. When she did, it meant he wasn't in a good mood. Although Yu Chen had spent the whole day with her today, he was always absent-minded. Thinking back to her encounter with Qi Ziming earlier, Haitang felt like she was being consumed by jealousy and was in a very bad mood.

Yu Chen seemed to have also realized Haitang's feelings.

He couldn't wait any longer, and he didn't want to wait any longer.

He also refused to coax Haitang.

He said coldly, "Go back."

Haitang's eyes were red with anger, but he couldn't say anything, for fear that if he pointed it out, Yu Chen would give up and do whatever he wanted, and it would be great if Qi Ziming died on the way, so that everyone would be happy.

Dengxin sat on the stone bench under the eaves, surrounded by all kinds of snacks. He was holding an unfinished sesame ball in his hand, his cheeks bulging like a little hamster.

I promised to pick up Shen Qichuan, but nothing has happened.

It was almost noon by the time the man returned to the general's mansion after court.

The butler said that the young master was playing outside and hadn't even had lunch before going to find his wife.

He took almost no detours; he knew where his wife would go.

When they found the young master, both of them had crumbs on their mouths and their hands were greasy. Shen Qichuan took out a handkerchief from his pocket and went over to wipe the young master's mouth. "Why are you eating here for lunch?"

With a smile, Dengxin held out the sesame ball in her hand to the man.

"It's delicious. We went to Lihuazhai this morning, and after eating, we came down to stroll around. As we strolled around, we found a lot of delicious food. You should try it. There's a pancake that's really good. You must try it later."

The young master, who loves to eat, was so engrossed in his food that he became incoherent.

Smiling, she looks like a little lucky star.

Shen Qichuan also smiled.

He opened his mouth and ate the sesame ball that the young master handed him. It was crispy and sweet, with red bean paste inside. It was alright.

"Is it tasty?"

Chen Xichuan: "Delicious."

Shangqing couldn't help but agree, "It's really delicious, young master. Please come again next time, okay?"

The wick nodded.

Shen Qichuan didn't like Shang Qing as a third wheel.

With a cold glance, Shen Qichuan saw that Shang Qing had just avoided his gaze and was busy gnawing on a chicken leg. Shen Qichuan: "..."

Soon, his cold gaze softened and fell back on his wife. He leaned down slightly and said in a low, gentle voice, "Take it back to eat. It's cold outside."

Why are you cold?

Nan Yu came to the corridor to cool off because it was hot sitting outside.

She looked up at the man, and without any attempt to hide it from Shang Qing, she kissed him on the lips. However, it was only for a moment, and Shang Qing was so engrossed in his food that he probably didn't see it.

The warm sun shone down, casting dappled shadows on the corridor. The young master's smile was as bright and radiant as the blooming flowers of spring. He reached out and patted the empty seat on his left, warmly inviting, "Sit down, let's eat together."

Looking at his smiling wife, the man felt a tenderness in his heart, and his fierce eyes were filled with doting affection. He couldn't resist such a young master.

Even if he wanted the moon in the sky right now, Shen Qichuan would find a way to get it for him.

He sat next to him and ate what his wife had left over.

The street food was of varying quality and could not compare to the delicacies prepared by the general's chef. He also did not like to eat these odds and ends, but his young wife liked them, so he would accompany her.

"Are you full? Would you like to buy anything else?"

Nan Yu's eyes lit up, and she said with great interest, "I want to eat chilled dumplings. Buy a few servings."

Upon hearing this, Shang Qing's eyes lit up instantly.

For every gluttonous master, there is a gluttonous servant.

Shen Qichuan ordered someone to buy it.

Thinking about what he wanted to eat, he lost his appetite for the leftovers on the table, probably because he was already full. He pushed the food he had eaten to Shen Qichuan, saying, "You eat it."

Shang Qing thought to himself: Can I really eat it all if I just pretend?

He didn't believe it.

Only servants would not mind their master's leftovers; masters themselves would not eat each other's leftovers.

We bought a lot of things, and Shangqing ate until she was stuffed.

The more comfortable Nan Yu was that day, the more gloomy Yu Chen became.

For the next few days, Nan Yudu lived a leisurely life.

On the Mid-Autumn Festival, a day for family reunion, Deng Xin had to return to the Minister's Mansion. The Qi family knew that he was in the General's Mansion and had a good relationship with Shen Qichuan. Qi's father wanted to curry favor with him. Although the court was divided into factions, they had not clearly sided with anyone.

Especially Shen Qichuan, the emperor's favorite, is loyal only to His Majesty. Spending time with him is entirely beneficial.

Many daughters of officials in the capital wanted to marry Shen Qichuan.

The Qi family naturally had its sisters who cared about it.

On the day Nan Yu returned to the manor, his elder sisters and half-sisters, who were usually quiet, all gathered around him, wanting him to act as a matchmaker.

The young master finished eating and ran away.

She wouldn't do that; there's no reason for her to send her husband away.

Upon learning of this, Shen Qichuan chuckled softly. His eyes, filled with love and possessiveness, gazed at the young man. He naturally enjoyed his wife's possessiveness. As night fell and the city lights came on, the young master, having just recovered, eagerly offered himself to assert his dominance.

Her husband wouldn't give it to anyone.

The two were very affectionate.

Yu Chen only found out much later that Nan Yu had moved into the General's Mansion and was living with Shen Qichuan. He had been thinking that Qi Zimo would take the initiative to find him, so he didn't deliberately inquire about the news.

Who knows...

Upon hearing the news, Yu Chen's face turned ashen, his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white. He wanted an answer: why?

Why did you suddenly get together with Shen Qichuan?

To get revenge on himself?

The frustration in his heart grew thicker and thicker, and he could no longer contain himself. Under the pretext of discussing military affairs, Yu Chen stepped into the gate of the General's Mansion for the first time.

The General's Mansion bestowed by His Majesty was far more magnificent than the Minister's Mansion, with pavilions, towers, and winding corridors. Yu Chen went to the study under the steward's guidance. Every time he turned a corner or passed a garden, he hoped to see that familiar figure, but he didn't. When he arrived at the door of the study, he didn't encounter Bu Yi either.

Inside the study.

Shen Qichuan, dressed in a long black robe, sat at his desk, flipping through books. When Yu Chen arrived, he put down what he was holding, had tea served, and chatted for a bit before realizing that Yu Chen's true intentions were not what they seemed.

A slight curve to the corners of her lips.

After chatting for a while, Shen Qichuan asked, "Would you like to stay for dinner tonight?"

Shen Qichuan never invites people proactively, even in the military camp. Although he is returning to the capital, this is probably a matter of etiquette, and perhaps he should refuse. But Yu Chen wants to see Qi Ziming.

I'm eager to ask him in person.

Even if he wanted to take revenge on himself, he shouldn't have moved into the general's mansion so rashly.

——

P.S.: Happy New Year, everyone!