Zhou Gu looked at Nangong Zheng, admiring the man. It was he who had almost caused Zhou Gu’s death on the road while escaping with his father-in-law.
Just for this skill alone, he deserved more of Zhou Gu’s persuasive efforts.
Especially since he was still two years younger than him.
He looked at Nangong Zheng and said, "Does a dead man compare to countless living ones?"
Nangong Zheng remained silent, even sitting in front of Su Rong and Zhou Gu, listening to their words. His inner struggle had not lessened since his time in Dawei.
Su Rong suddenly remembered something and suggested to Nangong Zheng, "Why don’t you meet the Queen? Hear what she has to say. She is a daughter of the Nangong family, your grandfather’s own sister. She has done quite a lot for the Nangong family, and they have also given much to her."
Nangong Zheng nodded, "Alright."
Su Rong immediately ordered someone, "Go to the Royal Palace and invite the Queen here, quietly."
Someone agreed and left right away.
Nangong Xin was discussing with her wet nurse. Since spring had arrived, she planned to request leave from the palace and then move back to the former residence of the Nangong family. She would return to the courtyard where she lived before she left the family.
The wet nurse said with a smile, "The Princess has already commanded someone to refurbish the courtyard where you lived before you left the family. She also said that when spring comes, you can move out and live there, to avoid seeing the King’s displeasing face."
Nangong Xin snorted, "Damned old fool, who would want to see his old face at his age."
She touched her own face, "Wet nurse, I am still young, right? Much younger than him, aren’t I?"
"Yes, you haven’t worn yourself down day and night like the King. If you were to go out and say you are the Princess’s elder sister, people would believe it," the wet nurse replied.
Nangong Xin immediately laughed, "Of course, I’ve been pampered with good food and clothing since I was young, naturally I look much younger than him who indulges in alcohol and meat all night."
She expressed her longing and anticipation for moving out of the palace, "I never imagined that one day I would leave this Royal Palace and live a free and joyful life. I can hardly wait."
The wet nurse also laughed, "Indeed, this old servant looks forward to it just as much." 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚
As they were talking, someone from the Princess came to call the Queen out of the palace; the Carriage was already prepared.
Nangong Xin was puzzled, "It’s the Lantern Festival today, isn’t she enjoying herself outside the palace with the Master of the Imperial? Why did she think of me? What is the purpose of calling me out of the palace?"
The messenger shook his head, "The orders I received are that the Princess requests your presence outside the palace once."
"Alright then!" Nangong Xin knew that Su Rong would not send for her without good reason, so she suppressed her doubts and agreed to go.
She quickly got ready, did not bring any Palace Maid or wet nurse, and followed the person in the Carriage, quietly leaving the Royal Palace.
The Nanchu King got the news right away and frowned, "Why is Xiaoqi calling her out of the palace?"
Li He shook his head.
The Nanchu King was displeased, "The two of them are indeed close. Xiaoqi doesn’t seem to bear any grudge for her having tried to kill her all those years."
Li He suggested, "Your Majesty, the Queen didn’t really intend to kill the Princess back then; otherwise, with all the Nangong family mobilized, killing her before she grew up would have been easy."
The Nanchu King was still not pleased, "But she did try to kill her, injuring her many times."
Li He closed his mouth.
To have a mismatched couple like the King and the Queen was rare in history, and since there was never any reconciliation, why bother advising further.
Nangong Xin quickly left the Royal Palace and arrived at a street-side Restaurant. Led by someone, she went inside, ascended the stairs to a Private Room, pushed the door open, and upon seeing the three people inside, she was suddenly stunned, "Brother Zheng?"
Nangong Xin had never consummated her marriage with the Nanchu King, nor did they have any children. She was very fond of her bright and beautiful grand-nephew. When he was young, she would have him stay in the palace occasionally, and during festivals, she showered him with gifts. If there was anyone in the Nangong family who caught Nangong Xin’s attention, it was Nangong Zheng.
Nangong Zheng stood up and gave a salute, "Great-aunt."
His feelings were complicated. Before leaving Nanchu with the main lineage of the Nangong family, he had never thought he would return to Nanchu quietly, in this manner, to see Su Rong and Zhou Gu, nor had he anticipated meeting his great-aunt, who once had a fondness for him. According to conventional wisdom, his great-aunt was the first to betray the Nangong family. He should be irreconcilable with her, but now that the Nangong family had fallen into such a state, he had to think far ahead for the sake of the family’s future in ten years and not let hatred cloud his judgment.
Nangong Xin closed the door, approached Nangong Zheng, examined him carefully, and then glanced at Su Rong and Zhou Gu standing beside him before asking in confusion, "Why have you come back?"
The word "returned" suddenly made Nangong Zheng’s eyes redden, and he pursed his lips, "I came back to visit the ancestral tombs."
Nangong Xin paused upon hearing this.
Nangong Zheng looked at Nangong Xin, and from what he could see, she seemed to be faring very well, perhaps even better than when the Nangong family was at its most prosperous. After all, back then, she always looked somber, and even when she smiled, it never really seemed heartfelt.
Now, the somberness on her face had disappeared, replaced by a bright and radiant demeanor, like the sunny sky after rain clouds had passed.
He suddenly remembered that his great-aunt was actually not very old; she was much younger than his grandfather. Today, her youthful appearance was almost the same as when she was a maiden.
Nangong Xin softly said, "With me here to look after the ancestral tomb of the Nangong family, and with the Princess’s kindness, you can rest assured."
Nangong Zheng nodded, "Having seen it, I am indeed reassured."
Nangong Xin didn’t know what else to say, so she asked, "How many days have you been here?"
"I just arrived today."
"Are you leaving again?" Nangong Xin asked.
"Of course, I am leaving."
Nangong Xin ran out of things to say.
At that moment, Su Rong, pulling Zhou Gu, stood up, "You two talk; we’ll go out and come back in an hour."
This was giving them time for a private conversation.
Nangong Xin nodded and habitually cautioned them, "There are too many people outside. Be careful, both of you. And, you both are wearing too little. Get someone to quickly bring a couple more garments. It’s still cold these days. Catching a cold is no laughing matter."
Su Rong smiled, "Understood."
The two left the room, and Su Rong could still be heard instructing, "Go to the carriage and bring down our cloaks."
Someone immediately went to do so.
Nangong Xin smiled, pleased that her words were not only heard but acted upon; she hadn’t wasted her good intentions. This was the endearing part of Su Rong, even though she didn’t feel cold herself.
Nangong Zheng felt complex emotions; he had not expected his great-aunt to be living this kind of life under Su Rong’s care.
Nangong Xin stepped forward and touched his head, "You’ve grown much taller."
Nangong Zheng spoke softly, "Great-aunt has changed a lot, too."
Nangong Xin laughed and sighed gently, "Yes, letting go and moving on changes one from the inside out."
She sat down and looked at Nangong Zheng, "I really didn’t expect you to come back. I thought... it would be many years later."
Su Rong’s intentions were never hidden; Dawei and Nanchu were bound to meet on the battlefield in ten years.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
