At the morning court session, the emperor issued an edict appointing Ling Yuwen as the deputy commander of the imperial guards, allowing him to carry a sword and walk in the inner courtyard of the imperial palace, and to be responsible for the safety of the royal family.
"Sir Shangguan."
Ling Ruiying called out to Shangguan Yue who was about to get into the sedan chair, and walked over with a flushed face.
Shangguan Yue stopped and bowed to Ling Ruiying. "Congratulations, Master Ling. Master Ling is so young and yet he has achieved the position of deputy commander of the Imperial Guards. The young are truly formidable."
"Hahaha."
Ling Ruiying laughed heartily and looked at his son with eyes full of pride.
"Sir Shangguan, I'm not bragging, but my son is definitely the best among the younger generation in the entire capital. However, I still have a small regret."
Shangguan Yue did not respond, but just smiled faintly.
"My son is over 20 years old but still unmarried. I always feel that there is no real lady from a noble family to match my son in the wild land of the southeast. Although I have married a few concubines to serve him, I am always worried that there is no wife to take care of the housework."
A meaningful light flashed across Shangguan Yue's eyes. He had already guessed what Ling Ruiying would say next, so he took the initiative.
"If a girl from some family is lucky enough to marry your son, it would be a blessing that has been cultivated for several lifetimes. If I had known this, I would not have betrothed my daughter so early. What a pity, what a pity!"
Ling Ruiying's face suddenly darkened.
He and Shangguan Yue are both old foxes, and they know each other's little tricks very well.
"So, Lord Shangguan and I have no chance to become in-laws?"
Ling Ruiying's piercing eyes stared at Shangguan Yue intently.
If it were an ordinary person, he might have been frightened to the point of his legs going weak.
Shangguan Yue has been working in the officialdom for so many years and has become the head of all officials. He has a strong aura and is not afraid of anything.
"No chance, no chance! My Shangguan family's ancestors were not blessed enough."
"snort."
Ling Ruiying said nothing more and left with Ling Yuwen.
With a hint of disdain in his eyes, Shangguan Yue turned around and got into the sedan chair, but he was full of worries all the way.
"Master, what's wrong with you?"
Mrs. Shangguan waited for him at the door as usual after he came back from court. This had become a routine over the years.
Seeing that her husband looked unhappy, she asked with concern, "Should we ask Elder Lu to come over and take a look?"
Shangguan Yue waved his hand and walked into the hall with his wife. Just then, Shangguan Wanning and her maid came out to set out breakfast.
"Dad, did something happen in the court? You look very tired."
Shangguan Wanning came forward and massaged her father's shoulders.
"good."
Shangguan Yue patted his daughter's hand, hesitated slightly, and said slowly: "When we were leaving the court today, Ling Ruiying hinted to me that he wanted his son to marry Ning'er..."
"I won't marry." Shangguan Wanning stopped what she was doing and sat down on the stool angrily, holding her chin with one hand, with annoyance and disgust written all over her face.
When Shangguan Yue saw this situation, he couldn't help but shake his head helplessly.
"Of course I know you don't want to get married. But..." Shangguan Yue cast his gaze towards his wife, "Ning'er is already at the age to get married. If she doesn't get married yet, there must be someone who is thinking about her. Madam, you see... Ning'er's marriage..."
Mrs. Shangguan's expression darkened.
She glanced at her husband and daughter one by one and sighed deeply.
"I know what you mean. The matter of Yiyong Marquis Mansion... I really can't forget it completely. Although, I also understand that some things cannot be blamed on Mu Jingrui, but in the end..."
Madam Shangguan tried to accept Mu Jingrui and allowed Shangguan Wanning to meet when she recovered from a serious illness, but this was only out of concern for her daughter's health.
"Ning'er, I can see that your mind is still on Mu Jingrui. But there have been too many misunderstandings between you. Can you guarantee that he will really let bygones be bygones?"
Shangguan Wanning was still worried and sighed deeply.
"If you ask for my opinion, I hope you can choose Sun Jinyao. He is also from a scholarly family, handsome, and good at both civil and military affairs. Moreover, it can be seen that he is deeply in love with you."
"Mother no longer expects you to marry into a famous family. As long as you live a peaceful life, that's enough. Although the Sun family has fallen into decline, Sun Jinyao still has the nobleness and pride in his bones. He and you are a good match."
"Moreover, when Mu Jingrui came to my house in advance, he stood up to defend you. At that time, I also agreed to betroth you to him. This can be regarded as a promise made by our Shangguan family to him."
After listening to this, Shangguan Wanning couldn't help but lower her head.
If the mother had brought up the issue with someone else, she would definitely have been able to refute it with confidence.
However, Sun Jinyao is different.
"Ning'er, what your mother said makes sense. Dad doesn't want you to continue to be trapped in this vortex. If you agree, Dad will go to Sun Jinyao to propose marriage, so that the two of you can get married as soon as possible. You can leave the capital and live somewhere else, which will be peaceful and stable."
It's better than having to live on the edge of a knife with Mu Jingrui in the future.
Shangguan Yue did not say the latter sentence, but he believed that Shangguan Wanning understood it in her heart.
Mu Jingrui is now a member of the prince's party. Who knows what kind of bloody storm will happen on the road to the throne.
"Dad, Mom..." Shangguan Wanning's voice was a little choked. "I know Brother Yao is good to me, but... I only treat him as my own brother. I don't have any romantic feelings for him."
Shangguan Yue and his wife looked at each other. Although they liked Sun Jinyao, they didn't want to force their daughter's feelings.
After all, this is her life.
"Mr. Sun, what are you doing standing here?"
Lu Tong's voice was heard from outside the door. The three of them turned around and saw Sun Jinyao standing at the door without them knowing when.
Shangguan Wanning felt inexplicably guilty.
"Brother Yao?"
Sun Jinyao walked in calmly, bowed to Shangguan Yue and his wife, and placed the medicine in his hand on the table.
"The old monster asked me to bring the medicine to you. The temperature is just right. Drink it quickly."
After saying that, Sun Jinyao turned and left.
Shangguan Wanning looked at the medicine on the table, feeling a mixture of emotions.
At night, Shangguan Wanning lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep. The sight of Sun Jinyao leaving in the morning made her feel melancholy and uneasy.
She got up, put on some clothes, and opened the window to look at the bright moonlight.
A melodious flute sound came, as if the waves hit her heart.
She hesitated for a long time and walked towards the direction of the flute sound.
Under the moonlight, Sun Jinyao was wearing a light blue gown, and his lonely and tall figure seemed to be shrouded in a layer of faint sadness.
"Brother Yao..."
The sound of the flute stopped abruptly, and Sun Jinyao looked back at Shangguan Wanning. The light in his eyes was gentler than the moonlight.
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