Dongyang-
Li Yannian's injuries weren't too serious; he was physically strong and recovered almost completely in a few days. However, Di Jinghan was extremely worried, personally supervising the imperial physicians to change his dressings daily and forbidding him from wielding any weapons.
Li Yannian was naturally obedient and compliant, handling military affairs and enjoying the care and attention of his beloved. He couldn't be more content, and their feelings for each other grew stronger day by day.
Seven days later, Di Jinghan received news from the capital that Di Jingcheng had issued an imperial edict summoning her back.
Di Jinghan was naturally reluctant to leave Li Yannian, and stammered, not daring to tell him. The observant Li Yannian noticed that she had been preoccupied these past few days, and when the two had lunch together, he saw her reaching her chopsticks into his bowl.
He sighed softly, feeling helpless. What a silly girl. She could have just told him what was wrong. He gently took the chopsticks from her hand and placed them aside, then took her small hand and squeezed it: "Jinghan, what's wrong?"
Di Jinghan's eyelids drooped, and he looked at her listlessly: "A-Nian, my brother told me to set off for the capital tomorrow. I can't bear to leave you."
After she finished speaking, she felt even sadder, her eyes reddening as she looked at Li Yannian with pleading eyes. Li Yannian felt an instant pang of heartache and gently wiped away her tears: "Don't cry, don't cry, it hurts me to see you like this."
Di Jinghan couldn't hold back any longer and threw herself into her arms, sobbing softly, "A-Nian, can you come back with me?" Although she knew it was impossible, she still asked hopefully.
Li Yannian certainly didn't want to be separated from her, not even for a moment, but he couldn't disobey the emperor's decree. So this was the pain of being separated from his loved one that the emperor had spoken of; he had truly experienced it firsthand.
"His Majesty once asked me if I could bear the pain of missing you while we are separated. Of course, I could not bear it at all. I only want to be by your side at all times, but..." Li Yannian did not know how to express himself, and was afraid of hurting her.
"My brother asked me the same question, and I couldn't bear it either. But if we have to separate like this because we can't bear it, I won't agree, I won't compromise. When I return to the capital this time, I will ask my brother to let me follow you." Di Jinghan's tone was resolute. She decided that she would follow Li Yannian wherever he went. She was not afraid of hardship, but she was afraid that the two of them would love each other but not be able to stay together.
Li Yannian was deeply moved. He was so grateful that the noble little princess treated him with such affection. He would do everything in his power to take good care of her and bring her happiness!
Holding Di Jinghan tightly, her heart overflowing with love, she said, "Jinghan, go back to the capital and wait for me. Once I've settled things here, I'll return immediately and ask the Emperor to grant us marriage!"
Overjoyed, Di Jinghan nodded happily, tears streaming down her face. "I'll wait for you!"
"Don't cry. You'll see the little prince when you get back, your lovely little nephew. It's a happy thing." Li Yannian said something happy to cheer her up.
"Yes, go back and see your nephew. You should come back as soon as possible too!"
"Okay, don't worry, just wait for me."
Cheng San was sent by Emperor Jingcheng to Dongyang to personally escort Emperor Jinghan back to the capital. When he arrived at the palace where the two were staying, he overheard these words outside the house and secretly sighed that the emperor was truly wise and had guessed correctly. Then the imperial edict he had brought could finally be used.
He gestured for Ning Hui, who was standing at the door, to come forward and knock. The two people inside saw Ning Hui knock and enter: "Princess, General, Lord Cheng San has arrived."
The two exchanged a glance and then asked Ning Hui to invite the person in.
"Your subject pays respects to the Eldest Princess."
"Get up."
Cheng San stood up, nodded slightly to Li Yannian, and then turned to Di Jinghan: "Princess, His Majesty is worried about your safety and has specially sent me to bring you back."
Di Jinghan nodded dejectedly: "Thank you for your hard work. Let's set off early tomorrow morning."
"Yes, Your Highness. His Majesty has sent me with an imperial edict, instructing Your Highness and General Li to examine it personally." Cheng San took out a roll of bright yellow silk from his robes and handed it to Di Jinghan.
After reading the contents of the imperial edict, Di Jinghan and Li Yannian could hardly contain their joy, and their hands trembled slightly with happiness as they held the edict.
"That's great! My brother is letting you return to the capital, so we won't be separated anymore!" Di Jinghan excitedly hugged Li Yannian, completely disregarding the other people around them.
Li Yannian hugged her back. He hadn't expected the emperor to treat him so kindly for his own sister, allowing him to command the Imperial Guards so that he could stay in the capital and Jinghan wouldn't have to suffer with him outside.
Li Yannian was filled with gratitude for the emperor: "Your Majesty's great kindness!"
"Jinghan, we'll never be apart again!"
Cheng San's lips curled slightly. The Emperor was well aware of what had happened between the two of them. Li Yannian treated the Princess fairly well, which was reassuring.
"Your Highness, General Li, I shall take my leave now."
"Ning Hui, quickly take Cheng San down to get some rest!" Di Jinghan shouted happily.
Seeing her mistress happy, Ning Hui couldn't help but smile as well: "Lord Cheng, please come with me."
Di Jinghan excitedly began packing his luggage. In the afternoon, he and Ning Hui, along with several guards, went out of the palace and bought many gifts with Dongyang characteristics, which he wanted to bring back to his elder brother, sister-in-law, or nephew.
Li Yannian went to the military headquarters to hand over military duties, his radiant appearance arousing the curiosity of many. However, all they could find out was that Li Yannian had been transferred back to the capital to become the commander of the imperial guards serving the emperor. Some also knew that he was about to become the consort of the eldest princess, and his status was likely to rise accordingly.
After nearly seven days of travel, Di Jinghan and his entourage finally returned to the capital. Li Yannian, naturally unable to enter the palace, escorted Di Jinghan through the palace gates and then returned to the Li residence.
Because of the presence of General Li Yan, the Protector of the Nation, and General Li Yannian, the State Guardian, the Li family was very luxurious and grand, truly a prominent and wealthy household. Li Yan's principal wife was Jiang Ning, the only daughter of the Duke of Jiang's family. She was gentle and kind, and had a son named Li Yanji. Both mother and son were easygoing and not difficult to get along with, but they disliked the concubines and their children.
There was an old lady above, Li Yan's mother, who was a difficult person to get along with. She disliked the concubines and their children, and only favored the noble first wife and her son Li Yanji.
However, there were two other concubines, Concubine Liu and Concubine Wang, each with a son and a daughter. Li Yannian's birth mother was Concubine Liu, but due to the old lady's favoritism and Jiang Ning's dislike, the children born out of wedlock lived mediocre lives, unlike Li Yanji, who was pampered and spoiled.
Li Yanji grew up in a pampered environment, receiving the best education and resources. Now he has passed the imperial examination, entered the court, and is a fifth-rank official in the Ministry of Justice.
Li Yannian rode his horse to the Li residence, happily dismounted, and wanted to quickly tell his mother and younger sister the good news.
Aunt Liu was in her courtyard calling her eight-year-old daughter, Li Ningyun, to do her work when she saw her son hurriedly approaching, still dressed in military uniform.
Aunt Liu's eyes instantly welled up with tears. Her son had returned; the son she had only seen a few times was back again. When Li Ningyun saw her brother, she happily put down her needlework, ran over, hugged her waist, and sweetly called out, "Brother!"
Li Yannian pulled her over and said, "Mother, your son is back."
Aunt Liu stepped forward happily, tears welling in her eyes, and looked at him carefully: "It's good that you're back, it's good that you're safe."
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