Chapter 176 The Genuine Imperial Guards
She then suddenly realized that in her haste, she had almost revealed what Xiaoyu had kept hidden deep in her heart!
Yes, to outsiders, even though Xiaoyu is now the young lady of the General's Mansion, there is still a huge gap between her and the young master's marriage. To those who don't know the situation, my act of standing up for her would only seem inexplicable, or even a bit presumptuous and lacking in discretion.
"I...I didn't mean that!" Shen Yuejiao hurriedly tried to cover it up.
"What I mean is that Xiaoyu has done a good deed for the Marquis's family, and you... should treat her well and not let her suffer any grievances. I'm not interfering in the marriage. You, you're misinterpreting what I mean."
As Shen Yuejiao spoke, she became increasingly nervous. She simply turned her head away, no longer looking at Xiao Jingxuan, her palms sweating profusely.
Su Xiaoyu was afraid that the two would continue this topic, so she quickly said, "Yuejiao is just worried and confused. Second Young Master, please don't take it to heart."
She scrutinized Xiao Jingxuan's attire, then cleverly changed the subject: "Second Young Master, your clothes... you look quite dashing. Is this the uniform of the Imperial Guard?"
Sure enough, as soon as this was mentioned, Xiao Jingxuan's attention was immediately diverted, and he was filled with youthful pride and ambition.
“That’s right! It’s the standard uniform of the Golden Guard!” He straightened his back, raised his chin slightly, and his peach blossom eyes shone brightly.
"I've earned merit while following His Highness the Crown Prince at the hunting grounds, and now I'm a proper member of the Imperial Guard!"
Xiao Jingxuan spoke with great enthusiasm, but his eyes involuntarily glanced quickly in Shen Yuejiao's direction, as if trying to see a hint of surprise or approval on her face.
Su Xiaoyu took in his little expression and understood. Following his words, she praised, "Second Young Master is really amazing! You've joined the Imperial Guard, which is the Emperor's personal guard. Your future is limitless. Congratulations, Second Young Master!"
"Hehe, it's just so-so."
Xiao Jingxuan spoke modestly, but his smile was practically reaching his ears. Suddenly remembering something, he recalled the purpose of his trip and quickly pulled a brocade box from his robes, handing it to Su Xiaoyu.
"Here, this is for you. I heard you were frightened. This is some calming incense I found in the West Market. It's made with the finest agarwood and borneol. It can help you sleep. Don't be disgusted by it."
Su Xiaoyu took it, opened it, and smelled it. Sure enough, the fragrance was elegant and serene, and it was clear at a glance that it was quite valuable.
"Thank you very much, Second Young Master. You've gone to so much trouble."
"It's nothing."
Xiao Jingxuan waved his hand, his gaze involuntarily drifting towards Shen Yuejiao. Seeing that she was turned away, seemingly still upset about what had just happened, his heart skipped a beat.
Su Xiaoyu noticed his awkwardness and sighed inwardly.
"Yuejiao came here mainly to see me. She's about to return to Qinghe County, and I don't know when we'll see each other again..."
"What!?"
Xiao Jingxuan's expression froze instantly, and his previous high spirits vanished completely.
No, he just became a Jinwuwei (Imperial Guard), with a bright future ahead of him, and Shen Yuejiao is already leaving?
"You...you really want to leave? Aren't there still so many fun places in the capital we haven't been to yet? The theater in the west of the city just opened a new troupe, and the pastry shop in the east of the city has launched new products..."
Shen Yuejiao was taken aback by his excited appearance and asked in confusion, "Young Master Xiao, my home is in Qinghe County. I came to the capital for sightseeing before. Now that so much time has passed, it's time to go home."
Xiao Jingxuan realized he had overreacted, and his handsome face flushed red to his ears.
"I just think... I think it's such a waste that you've come all this way to the capital and are just leaving like this! Besides, Qinghe County isn't nearly as lively as the capital. You'll be so bored when you go back!"
He became less and less confident as he spoke, his voice weakening, but his heart felt like it was stuffed with cotton wool, making him feel suffocated.
Seeing his distraught appearance, Su Xiaoyu gave Shen Yuejiao a wink, "Second Young Master means well, after all, there are indeed many novelties in the capital."
Xiao Jingxuan wanted to say something to persuade her to stay, but when he met Shen Yuejiao's bewildered and confused eyes, he swallowed the words back.
Finally, he listlessly told Su Xiaoyu a few words like "Take good care of your injuries" and "If you need anything, send someone to the Jinwuwei yamen to find him," and then dragged his heavy steps away from Su Xiaoyu's courtyard.
"What's wrong with him?" Shen Yuejiao asked, her face full of confusion as she watched Xiao Jingxuan's figure disappear through the door.
"I just went home, why is he acting like he's lost his soul?"
Su Xiaoyu picked up her teacup and took a sip, not pointing out the truth, but instead changing the subject: "By the way, what happened to Lu Xinghe's harassment of you last time? Has he contacted you again recently?"
The doubt on Shen Yuejiao's face disappeared. She shook her head and said, "No, I haven't seen him since we parted ways at the city gate last time."
I heard he came to my house several times afterward, but my parents stopped him at the door each time. A while ago, Lu's parents even came to apologize, hoping I would give Lu Xinghe another chance, but my parents refused again.
"Uncle Shen and Aunt Shen are quite open-minded," Su Xiaoyu remarked.
“My mother said that a daughter’s marriage should be one that makes her happy. If she marries someone who makes her suffer, she’d rather stay at her parents’ home for the rest of her life.”
Shen Yue smiled and said with a clear mind, "I've figured it out. Before, I only lived in Qinghe County and had limited contact with men. I think men like Lu Xinghe are brave, resolute, and spirited, much better than those young shop owners or minor officials in the county."
"But after what happened last time, I realized that a man can lack many things, but he cannot lack responsibility. He can have many things, but he cannot be cowardly. He doesn't even have the courage to face the unexpected, and he doesn't trust me. What good is it if he has a good family background and high talent?"
Su Xiaoyu listened quietly, and seeing that she seemed to have really moved on from this matter, she was genuinely happy for Shen Yuejiao.
She held Shen Yuejiao's hand and said, "Yuejiao, I'm really happy that you think this way."
"Being able to see things clearly and move on is more important than anything else."
Shen Yuejiao's eyes began to redden again, but this time it wasn't from sadness, but from her complete understanding and support for her friend.
She nodded emphatically. "Yes! Little Fish, you too. Take good care of yourself in the capital. Don't mistreat yourself. There's nothing a good meal can't solve. If there is, then have another one, okay?"
Su Xiaoyu was somewhat amused and exasperated, but she smiled and agreed, "Mm."
The two girls held hands tightly, silently conveying the power of their friendship. For a moment, the gifts in the room seemed to fade into the background.
What is truly precious is this friendship that has withstood the test of time and the mutual understanding between us.
...
Three days later, Su Xiaoyu's injuries had almost fully recovered. Today was the day Su Xiaoyu and her family of three moved out of the Marquis's mansion.
In the past few days, Zhao Yueru has been working hard and has settled the General's Mansion. She has bought several servants to guard the house. They are all comrades who fought alongside Su Zhong in the past. Some were retired due to injuries, while others were in financial difficulties. They are all loyal and reliable.
As for the maids and servants, Su Zhong felt that his wife and daughter had been servants to others all their lives, and now that he had become a general and had military merits, he should let his wife and daughter live a good life. So he waved his hand and specially asked a reliable official broker to buy some quick-witted and honest children.
"You've suffered half your lives; from now on, just enjoy the good life."
Su Zhong watched his wife count the books. The woman was wearing new clothes, and a rare, honest, and satisfied smile appeared on her usually serious face.
As the auspicious hour approached, the Su family of three finished tidying up and came to the main hall of the Marquis's mansion for the last time to bid farewell to the host family.
Inside the hall, Xiao Dingshan and Madam Liu sat at the head of the table, Xiao Lingxi stood beside her mother, and even Xiao Jingxuan stood respectfully below his father.
Xiao Jingheng was nowhere to be seen.
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