As the two walked side by side through the corridor, the wind chimes on the eaves tinkled in the drizzle.
Nurhadu paused slightly at the corner and glanced at the buildings under renovation in the west wing.
There, craftsmen were busy decorating the bridal chamber for the newly married Third Master Xue.
"I heard that the Marquis' Mansion has had many happy events recently."
Nurhatu spoke Chinese in a clear, rhythmic voice, yet with the distinctly low cadence of the grasslands. "Would you be so kind as to offer me a cup of wedding wine?"
Xue Yuanchu calmly moved to the side, just blocking his view of the inner courtyard.
"Your Highness, you are joking. My brother's wedding is still under preparation, but His Majesty will certainly host a banquet for you when you come to the capital."
"My dear young master, have you forgotten my intention to ask for my sister's hand in marriage?" Nurhadu suddenly lowered his voice, and gently stroked the Xirong snow lotus pattern on the jade pendant on his waist with his fingertips.
Xue Yuanchu was stunned when he heard this.
He did remember that the prince had expressed his affection for Sun Qiu on several occasions.
To be fair, although Nurhatu was a foreigner, he was familiar with the etiquette of the Central Plains because his mother was Han Chinese. He was also brave and good at fighting, and had an extraordinary demeanor.
If this marriage could really happen, Shanqiu would become the princess of Xirong, and she would be rich and glorious. But how could her mother bear to let her go thousands of miles away to Xirong?
"The prince's love is so great, I'm afraid I can't bear it."
As he was speaking, a gust of wind blew by, lifting Nurhadu's sleeve and revealing half of the scar.
Xue Yuanchu suddenly remembered that he was captured by an enemy spy in the snowy plains of Xirong, and it was because of a white fox fur shawl that he was recognized by Nurhadu.
The fur on the cloak was as white as snow, and the lining was embroidered with Shanqiu's favorite crabapple flowers. But later it was discovered that the white fox was actually hunted by Nurhadu himself.
"Hahaha--"
Nurhadu suddenly laughed out loud, and seeing that there was no one around, he suddenly took out a silk handkerchief from his arms.
The corner of the handkerchief was embroidered with the delicate word "Autumn" with fine stitches, which was the unique embroidery method of the daughter of the Xue family.
"My bond with your little sister is much deeper than you think, young master."
Xue Yuanchu was surprised. He recognized the handkerchief; it belonged to his younger sister Shanqiu.
Nurhachi carefully folded the silk handkerchief and put it back into his arms.
He looked at Xue Yuanchu with a burning gaze: "Now that the Xingyuan Marquisate has made a comeback, Miss Shanqiu will surely attract countless suitors."
"But I can promise you that if she marries me, no one in the vast grasslands of Xirong will dare to touch her. I will protect her for the rest of her life."
Xue Yuanchu looked at the iron-willed man in front of him and felt a bit of admiration in his heart.
The determination in Nurhadu's brow reminded him of his father's heroic appearance on the battlefield.
Such a person is indeed worthy of my little sister.
"I have taken note of what Prince said today." Xue Yuanchu bowed solemnly.
Nurhadu smiled heartily, clasped his fists, and said, "I've come to congratulate you today, showing my sincere gratitude. Your residence has many guests, and if I stay for too long, I'm afraid it will cause gossip." He paused, "I'll visit you another day."
After saying that, he turned around and strode away, his black brocade robe fluttering in the wind.
Xue Yuanchu watched his tall figure walking away, feeling mixed emotions.
In the Prajna Hall, candlelight flickered.
After hearing what her eldest son said, Hong Yingrong stopped the teacup in her hand in mid-air, and the tea reflected her slightly furrowed brows.
The sound of rain hitting the banana leaves outside the window is pleasing to the ears.
Xue Yuanchu sighed softly, "Mother, I do believe Nurhadu is sincere, but..." He looked out the window at the courtyard where his younger sister lived, "If Shanqiu were to marry someone from the Western Rong, that would be thousands of miles away."
The old lady tapped the table with her fingertips and suddenly remembered that her family was imprisoned in her previous life. She heard that Shanqiu died suddenly of colic, but in fact it was a murder.
"If Nurhadu could really protect her for the rest of her life."
Hong Yingrong slowly put down the teacup, "What does it matter if it's thousands of miles away? As long as Shanqiu is safe and happy for a while."
Her voice was very soft, but it startled Xue Yuanchu so much that he looked up suddenly: "What does mother mean?"
"I am not such a pedantic person." Hong Yingrong gently stroked the edge of the teacup, her eyes gradually becoming deep.
"It's just that the Empress Dowager once said that Shanqiu's marriage must be arranged by her personally."
Xue Yuanchu's expression froze when he heard this.
Empress Dowager Lu Fengqing has always had a subtle attitude towards the Xue family, especially paying special attention to her youngest sister Shanqiu.
He recalled Chen Jin's meaningful look from the day before and couldn't help but lower his voice: "Mother, do you mean the Queen Mother has another choice?"
The old lady did not answer immediately. She stood up and walked to the window. Her voice was as vague as smoke: "The Queen Mother once hinted that she would marry Shanqiu to Prince Linjiang."
Xue Yuanchu frowned and said, "Mother, I've heard some rumors in the army recently. I'm afraid the King of Linjiang is not a quiet person."
A flash of lightning flashed outside the window, illuminating his solemn face.
The sound of raindrops hitting the window frame suddenly became rapid, as if responding to his worry.
"How about letting Shanqiu and Huichun go to a Taoist temple and practice asceticism for a few years, just like they did?" Xue Yuanchu said thoughtfully, "Just to avoid the limelight for a while."
"Nonsense!" Hong Yingrong shook her head. "How could every daughter of the Xue family go to a Taoist temple before getting married?"
Before she could finish her words, she suddenly started coughing violently.
Xue Yuanchu hurried forward to support her, but his mother waved her hand away, "Yuanchu, I know you love your sister. But you can hide for a while, but not forever."
"Don't worry too much, mother."
Xue Yuanchu held his mother's cold hand and said, "I promise you that as long as I am here, I will never let my little sister suffer any injustice."
His voice was steady and powerful, just like the old marquis's voice when he swore an oath on the battlefield.
Hong Yingrong looked at the resolute eyes of her eldest son. This once reckless and dissolute young man from a noble family has grown into a man who can carry the weight of the entire family.
…
The palace on Taohua Mountain overlooking the river is shrouded in dusk.
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