The mother and daughter met again after a long separation and had endless things to talk about. Mrs. Shangguan listened to what her daughter had seen and heard in the past six months, and lovingly combed her long hair.
She used to think that girls should stay at home and behave themselves, but she found that her daughter seemed to like the world outside more.
"It's getting late. I've asked the maid and the nanny to prepare hot water for you to bathe and change clothes. You can rest for a while. When your father comes back in the evening, we can have dinner together."
"OK."
Shangguan Wanning tried her best to hide her inner anxiety. After seeing her mother off, her smile immediately froze on her face.
"Lutong, go to the Mu Mansion and find Jing Yan immediately. Ask her what happened. You must find out the whereabouts of Jing Rui."
"Yes, I'll go right away." After receiving the order, Lu Tong hurried out the door.
At dusk, Shangguan Yue came back from outside.
Shangguan Wanning took the initiative to greet him, and when her father turned the corner, she rushed over and covered his eyes.
"Guess who I am?" Shangguan Wanning deliberately raised her voice.
Shangguan Yue stopped, pulled his daughter's hands down, turned around and glared at her, and was about to speak, but his beloved daughter spoke first.
"Dad, I'm sorry. I know I was wrong, and I won't dare to do it again." Shangguan Wanning grabbed her father's sleeve, lowered her head and admitted her mistake pitifully.
All of Shangguan Yue's temper was suppressed in an instant.
He couldn't bear to scold her, and even less to punish her, so he could only poke Shangguan Wanning's forehead with his hand.
"You are just spoiled. In the past six months, how many people have I sent to pick you up? What about you?"
"He's studying medicine out there. Being diligent and studious is a good thing, Dad, don't you think? Besides, having a skill will definitely be useful in the future."
Shangguan Yue disagreed. In his mind, his daughter would marry a rich or noble man in the future, so why bother...
Thinking of this, Shangguan Yue couldn't help but frowned.
He knew in his heart that a big part of the reason why Shangguan Wanning stayed in the Northwest for more than half a year was because of Mu Jingrui.
"Master, if you have anything to say, let's talk while we eat." Madam Shangguan also came out, "The food is getting cold."
The three of them walked into the main hall. Shangguan Wanning saw Aunt Zhao standing by the table and walked to Shangguan Yue attentively.
"Master, today I specially asked the kitchen to prepare the dishes that the young lady likes. Look, how delicious it is."
Shangguan Yue responded indifferently, and Shangguan Wanning saw that Aunt Zhao sat naturally on her father's right hand side.
In the past, Aunt Zhao was not qualified to eat at the same table with them.
Madam Shangguan seemed to have seen Shangguan Wanning's confusion. She pulled her hand calmly and said with a soft smile, "We are all family, there is no need to be so particular. Ning'er, please sit down and eat."
Shangguan Wanning frowned secretly, not knowing if it was an illusion, she saw a hint of provocative pride in the corner of Aunt Zhao's eyes.
"My Lord, the Second Prince has returned with the Second Miss."
Shangguan Yue was slightly startled, then stood up with his wife and concubine and prepared to go out to greet them.
"I can smell the delicious food from far away. Father-in-law, sorry to bother you."
Xiao Zhenting walked into the hall with a hearty laugh, followed by Shangguan Xiaoxiao, who was also smiling.
As soon as he entered the room, his eyes were fixed on Shangguan Wanning.
After not seeing her for half a year, she seemed to have lost some weight, but her stunning beauty was still visible.
"Don't bother me. If the Second Prince doesn't mind, let's have a simple meal together." Madam Shangguan stood in front of Shangguan Wan Ning calmly, "Ning'er, go to the kitchen and tell the servants to cook a few more delicious dishes."
Shangguan Wanning understood, bowed, and left.
She passed Shangguan Xiaoxiao and saw Shangguan Xiaoxiao's obvious hostility from the corner of her eye.
After leaving the hall, Shangguan Wanning let out a long sigh of relief. She casually asked a passing servant to go to the kitchen to pass on a message, and then stood in the garden with a heavy heart.
"Miss..." Lu Tong came back, panting after running.
Shangguan Wanning asked anxiously, "How is it? Did you find out?"
"I met Miss Mu, and she said the same thing as my cousin. However, she said that she didn't know exactly where General Mu was recuperating. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince said that General Mu had offended the Minister of War, and he should be careful that someone would plot against him while he was recuperating, so his whereabouts must be kept secret."
"Even Jing Yan doesn't know?"
Shangguan Wanning felt that things were not that simple.
Maybe Xiao Yujue was lying.
Her thoughts were a little confused, and the uneasiness in her heart became stronger.
"Miss, are you okay?" Seeing Shangguan Wanning's pale face, Lu Tong supported her and asked worriedly.
Shangguan Wanning took a deep breath and shook her head slightly. "I'm fine. You've worked hard too. You don't have to serve me tonight. Go and have a rest."
"Yes." Lu Tong said and then retreated obediently.
Shangguan Wanning lowered her eyelids and thought secretly. It seems that she must find a way to meet Xiao Yujue.
She stood alone in the garden, the breeze blew past, gently lifting her long hair and brushing it gently across her cheeks.
There seemed to be a slight chill in the air, and Shangguan Wanning shivered. Just as she was about to turn around and go back to her room, her shoulders suddenly felt heavy and a long gown was draped over her.
She turned around and saw Xiao Zhenting standing behind her.
Shangguan Wanning immediately returned the gown to Xiao Zhenting and took a few steps back to keep a distance from him.
"I appreciate the Second Prince's kindness, but... it's easy to attract criticism when you are in such a melon field."
"Ning'er, do you really have no feelings for me at all?"
Xiao Zhenting grabbed Shangguan Wanning's wrist, his eyes burning with desire. He lowered his voice and said, "How do I feel about you? You don't understand, do you?"
Shangguan Wanning struggled a few times but couldn't pull her hand back, and she couldn't help but get angry and embarrassed.
"Your Highness must have had a few too many drinks and recognized the wrong person. If you don't let go, I'll call for help."
Shangguan Wanning had a gloomy face, but Xiao Zhenting had no doubt that she would really do this.
"Half a year ago, you suddenly became unusually cold to me. Was it because of Mu Jingrui?" Xiao Zhenting asked in a low voice.
Shangguan Wanning sneered and looked up at Xiao Zhenting.
"Have you forgotten, Second Prince, that I was originally Mu Jingrui's fiancée? Now that you have married the young lady of the Prime Minister's Mansion as you wished, you should be content."
"How can she, a bastard girl, compare with you?"
Xiao Zhenting almost roared out these words from his throat.
Shangguan Xiaoxiao, who was hiding and watching them secretly, was deeply hurt by these words. She was so angry that she was shaking all over and her teeth were chattering.
"You are also a bastard." Shangguan Wanning took advantage of Xiao Zhenting's daze, pulled back her hand, and walked away.
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