Yunyang Marquis's Mansion
Luo Yuncheng had just returned and was having dinner with Marquis Yunyang and Princess Changle tonight.
They only have one child, Luo Yuncheng, so they spoil him a lot. Fortunately, Luo Yuncheng is quite promising and hasn't been spoiled.
"Yuncheng, you've been gone for so long, and I've missed you terribly. You haven't sent any more letters in all this time. Do you know how worried I am about you?" Princess Chang Le looked at Luo Yuncheng with a hint of reproach.
"Yes, yes, it's all my fault, I know I was wrong. I brought you a gift when I came back this time, can't you stop being angry?" Luo Yuncheng said.
"You're the best at making your mother happy, why don't you say you'd make me happy too?" Marquis Yunyang said with a smile.
"Isn't Dad usually the one who knows how to please Mom the most? What? Are you trying to steal Mom's gift now?" Luo Yuncheng said with a smile.
“You’re so glib. Now that you’re back, don’t go out again this time,” said Marquis Yunyang.
"Yes, now that Yuncheng is back, he shouldn't go out with you anymore. What's so good about the outside world? Isn't it better to stay at home? It's tough, tiring, and dangerous outside. Your mother and father are worried." Princess Chang Le was genuinely worried about her only child. What would she do if something happened to him?
“This time I’m back… I’m not going out again,” Luo Yuncheng said after a moment’s hesitation.
"Really? You can't lie to me, okay?" Princess Chang Le was still a little surprised, after all, this child was good in every way, except that he was very stubborn.
“Really,” Luo Yuncheng replied.
"That's good, you should have done this a long time ago." Princess Chang Le put some of his favorite dishes on his plate.
Luo Yuncheng smiled but didn't say anything.
"Oh, by the way, Yuncheng, you're not young anymore. Since you're not going out this time, let me help you see if there's a suitable girl. Let's settle these matters as soon as possible," said Princess Chang Le.
"Mother, you know I have no interest in these things," Luo Yuncheng said helplessly.
"You came from my womb, how could I not know you? Which daughter of the Nan family do you like? The current Consort Shu?" Although Princess Chang Le was asking, her tone basically confirmed her suspicions.
Luo Yuncheng frowned slightly.
“Yuncheng, I must remind you, the daughters of the Nan family have sensitive identities. Just from His Majesty's attitude, you should know that Nan Zhiyun is not someone to be trifled with. Moreover, she is now Consort Shu, one of His Majesty's consorts.” Princess Chang Le's tone became somewhat firm.
“My son knows what he’s doing, so Mother doesn’t need to worry,” Luo Yuncheng said.
“Don’t just talk the talk. I understand your thoughts. I didn’t remind you before because I didn’t think it was necessary. At that time, Nan Zhiyun was in love with His Majesty. Even if the Empress Dowager and Nan Su were unwilling, it didn’t necessarily mean that you and she would have a chance. So I didn’t say anything. But now, you can’t even have this thought.” Princess Chang Le became much more serious.
"Furthermore, even if Nan Zhiyun didn't have such a status, I still don't think I would allow her to marry into the Yunyang Marquis's mansion, do you understand?"
“Nan Zhiyun has been pampered by Nan Su and the Empress Dowager since she was a child. She is spoiled and arrogant, and she doesn’t understand anything. She only has a wealthy family background. What can she do for you? Besides, His Majesty is very wary of the Nan family now. Don’t you know that? So Nan Zhiyun is not good enough for you at all.” Princess Chang Le’s words gradually became more urgent.
“Yes, Yuncheng, your mother is right. The daughter of the Nan family is not suitable for you. Judging from the current trend, the Nan family may not exist in a while. Although His Majesty has bestowed honors upon Nan Su this time, it is inevitably intentional. You understand what that means.” Marquis Yunyang also disagreed somewhat.
His Majesty's wariness of the Nan family is nothing new. Although they received a reward this time, it's likely a case of being flattered to death, especially with Prince An present.
"Alright, I know what you're worried about, so don't worry. That's enough for today. I'm tired from traveling these past few days, so I'll go and rest now." Luo Yuncheng stood up from his seat, bowed to Princess Chang Le and Marquis Yunyang, and then withdrew.
“Hey…” Princess Chang Le wanted to call out to Luo Yuncheng, but Luo Yuncheng ignored her.
"This child, why has he become so temperamental after being away for a while?" Princess Chang Le said with displeasure.
"Don't worry, your son has his own plans. You don't need to worry about him. As long as he knows what he's doing," Marquis Yunyang advised.
"I think he's probably bewitched by that little girl Nan Zhiyun. He's even throwing a tantrum at his own mother over something like this." Princess Chang Le said, her face full of displeasure.
“Let me tell you, I don’t think much of Nan Zhiyun. She’s His Majesty’s concubine now. If Yuncheng is still thinking about her, something bad will happen. Even if His Majesty doesn’t like her, if his concubine is being thought about by another man, won’t Yuncheng be dragged down by her?” Princess Chang Le said with a look of disgust.
Marquis Yunyang smiled but said nothing.
"No, I have to go to the palace another day to see this so-called Consort Shu. Otherwise, I won't be able to put my mind at ease." After thinking about it, Princess Chang Le still felt that she should go.
"Be mindful of your status. She's Consort Shu now. It's better to speak politely." Knowing he couldn't dissuade her, Marquis Yunyang simply stopped trying, only reminding her to be mindful of her attitude. With that, the matter was considered closed.
Royal Palace
He'an Hall
Nan Zhiyun was already asleep, and Yu Jingchen lay quietly beside her, watching her. Lately, he had also been unable to sleep, suffering from insomnia. Moreover, images from his past life frequently appeared in his mind, some of which he hadn't noticed before, and others that he still remembered vividly.
He knew he owed Nan Zhiyun a lot, and he would slowly make it up to her. Yu Jingchen reached out and stroked Nan Zhiyun's face. During the nights he spent with her, Yu Jingchen had actually discovered many different sides of her.
"That's good, and it will only get better in the future..." Yu Jingchen muttered to himself.
Then he pulled her into his arms, and slowly his consciousness began to blur. In a daze, he saw his past life, which was also the thing he did most after Nan Zhiyun's death: standing on that high city wall and watching all of this.
The city wall was very high, and it was cold up there, especially in winter. Below, a woman in a crimson palace dress stood. As she turned her head, Yu Jingchen recognized her face—it was Nan Zhiyun, the woman from when she first entered the palace. Back then, she loved to laugh; just that smile seemed to warm him even standing atop the towering city wall…
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