Shangguan Wanning saw the fierce murderous intent in Zheng Bingrong's eyes.
She suddenly realized that the relatives she had always respected and felt familiar with had actually become different.
"I'll go with you." Shangguan Wanning pulled Sun Jinyao's sleeve and walked in front of him. "Third uncle, don't be angry. I'll go back with you."
"Ning'er..." Sun Jinyao held Shangguan Wanning's wrist.
At this moment, a wave of regret surged in his heart.
For the first time, he felt that his martial arts skills were not strong enough and his status was not high enough. Otherwise, who could force Shangguan Wan Ning in front of him?
Zheng Bingrong signaled all his men to retreat and gave Sun Jinyao a mocking look.
"That's good."
Shangguan Wanning sighed silently, followed the archer out of the yard, and got on the sedan chair that had been prepared long ago.
Sun Jinyao had no choice but to follow.
Shangguan Wanning only found out when she returned to the government office that the general guarding the border was once a disciple promoted by Zheng Guoxun.
He asked the garrison generals to deploy the troops according to his method, and indeed, with a small number of troops, he blocked the Western Xia army outside the pass.
Although the battle was brutal, they managed to hold the last line until the imperial reinforcements arrived.
This battle lasted for three or four months, and both sides suffered countless casualties. However, in the end, the imperial army drove the Western Xia army out of the Central Plains and recaptured the occupied cities.
On the day the army returned to the city, the people in the city lined the streets to welcome them and cheered warmly.
Zheng Guoxun rode on a tall horse, enjoying the praise and admiration of the people, as if he had returned to his heyday.
He always felt that this was the life he should have.
Shangguan Wanning was sent back to the capital in advance, and she was able to learn about the war situation from her parents.
Only then did she realize that from the beginning to the end, her grandfather had never thought of giving up the glory that the Zheng family had enjoyed for many years.
"Ning'er." Mrs. Shangguan pushed the door open and saw her daughter sitting in front of the mirror in a daze again. She couldn't help but shake her head and sigh. "Mother made you the crystal osmanthus cake you like. Come and have a taste."
Shangguan Wanning just took a light bite and put it down.
"Ning'er, mother just received a letter from your grandpa, saying that he will be back soon. Your father also said last night that the emperor praised your grandpa highly. It seems that he will be rewarded when he returns this time."
Shangguan Wanning's heart trembled violently. The image of her grandfather in her mind had long collapsed.
She looked at her mother, and the words on her lips were about to come out, but she stopped herself several times.
The mother is so innocent and she trusts her father. If she tells the truth, how can her mother bear it?
"Ning'er, what's wrong with you? Are you unhappy?"
"No." Shangguan Wan Ning shook her head, "Mom, I want to go to the temple to perform some rituals for Jing Rui."
Mrs. Shangguan also felt sorry for Mu Jingrui.
"Okay."
She just hoped her daughter would feel more comfortable, so she asked the housekeeper to arrange it as soon as possible.
The next morning, Shangguan Wanning set off for the White Horse Temple.
She lifted the curtain of the sedan chair and watched the fallen leaves fluttering down to the ground. The sadness in her heart continued to spread.
"Jingrui, now that you are gone...it's me who killed you...there is no point in me living anymore."
Shangguan Wanning knelt devoutly before the Buddha and prayed, listening to the monks chanting sutras and reciting Buddhist scriptures, until noon when she returned to her room to rest for a while.
"Miss, I will go to the kitchen to get you some vegetarian food."
Lutong walked out, and Shangguan Wanning came to the yard alone, staring at the flowers in the flowerbed in a daze, her mind blank.
"Miss Shangguan, I am deeply saddened by your loss."
A familiar voice was heard, and Shangguan Wanning shuddered all over. She turned around and saw Xiao Zhenting walking towards her.
Ever since his biological mother died, Xiao Zhenting seemed like a different person, only knowing how to eat, drink and have fun.
Shangguan Wan Ning had not paid attention to his movements for a long time. Seeing him again at this moment, she didn't know if it was a psychological effect, but she always felt that the smile on Xiao Zhenting's face was not only hypocritical, but also a bit cunning.
"Greetings, Your Majesty."
"No need to be polite." Xiao Zhenting did not step forward to support him, but was polite. "I have also heard about General Mu's story. It's such a pity... God is jealous of talented people, and the court has lost a great general. It seems that you and him... are really not destined to be together."
Shangguan Wanning lowered her eyelids, and a sharp light flashed across her eyes.
"Don't get me wrong, I don't mean to mock you, I just feel sorry. I didn't know you would come today. I have already finished burning incense and will leave soon. I won't disturb you anymore."
After Xiao Zhenting finished speaking, he turned around and prepared to leave.
Just at this moment Shangguan Wanning felt dizzy and staggered forward a few steps.
Xiao Zhenting seemed to support Shangguan Wanning instinctively.
"Are you okay? Do you want to call a doctor to take a look?"
"I'm fine..." Shangguan Wanning wanted to leave Xiao Zhenting's arms, but she was too weak.
"I'm so sorry, I think I came at the wrong time."
As soon as Mu Jingyan walked over, he saw Shangguan Wanning and Xiao Zhenting cuddling each other, and he was immediately furious.
Xiao Zhenting hurriedly stepped back, walked over and clasped his fists, being very polite to Mu Jingyan.
"Sister-in-law, you misunderstood. I just happened to meet Miss Shangguan and came over to say hello."
"Really? What a coincidence. If I remember correctly, the last time... it seemed to be at the White Horse Temple as well."
Shangguan Wanning's face immediately turned pale.
"Jing Yan, you really misunderstood..."
Seeing that the situation was not good, Xiao Zhenting knew that if he continued to stay here it would only cause trouble for Shangguan Wanning, so he left embarrassedly.
"Jingyan..." Shangguan Wanning was still dizzy and unsteady on her feet, so she wanted to pull Mu Jingyan's hand.
Mu Jingyan snorted coldly and dodged.
"I heard that you were performing a ritual for my brother at the White Horse Temple. I thought it was a token of your love for my brother, but I didn't expect..."
Mu Jingyan secretly clenched his fists, raging anger surging in his heart.
She had always thought that Shangguan Wan Ning was grieving for her brother's death, and wanted to find an opportunity to tell Shangguan Wan Ning that her brother was not dead, but who knew...
"Shangguan Wanning, don't forget that you and my brother are also engaged. You are eager to date your ex-lover before his body is cold. Aren't you afraid that my brother will come to settle the score with you tonight?"
"Jing Yan, I didn't, I really just..."
"You don't have to say anything. Shangguan Wanning, you will regret it one day."
Mu Jingyan glared at Shangguan Wanning fiercely and walked away.
She really wanted her brother to come and see what kind of person this woman, whom he had always been obsessed with, was.
Shangguan Wanning didn't even have the energy to chase after him to explain, so she just sat down beside the flower bed with her head in her hands.
"Jing Rui, it's not that I don't want to accompany you. It's just... my parents are old, and I can't abandon them. Wait for me... Whether I live or die, I will be your wife."
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