Chapter 89 Have you ever met a wife who captivated your heart?
An Linglong's eyes flickered slightly, and she immediately smiled and made an excuse: "Look at my memory, I have a few regular guests invited downstairs, I have to go and entertain them first. Madam Lu, please sit here for a while, my little Pan Lang Xian'er will be here in no time."
She turned and went out with light steps, and sure enough, she saw Xiao Yeming standing outside the door looking a little awkward.
As she passed by him, An Linglong suddenly leaned closer and chuckled softly in a voice only the two of them could hear, "What a wonderful opportunity to spend time together, General Xiao, you must make the most of it."
Without waiting for his reply, she gracefully departed.
Lu Zhaoruo was sitting by the window, her slender fingers gently pushing open the carved window sash. The spring breeze of March, carrying the drizzle and the fresh scent of mugwort, wafted into the room, making one feel refreshed.
Suddenly hearing footsteps approaching behind her, she subconsciously turned around and saw Xiao Yeming standing by the door.
Today, he was no longer the stern man he usually was. He was wearing a new robe of sky blue after the rain, the fabric of which shimmered with a soft, watery sheen, making his pale complexion appear even more striking.
Her dark hair was loosely tied up with a plain silver hairpin, and her broad shoulders and narrow waist were hidden under her casual clothes, concealing the grim aura of the battlefield and revealing a touch of scholarly elegance.
Lu Zhaoruo's gaze involuntarily shifted to his face, and she was secretly amazed.
Having shed his armor and battle robes, he now exudes a completely different, refined and clear-headed aura.
His face was as clean as the clear sky after the rain, unlike Shen Rongzhi's deliberately maintained gentle and jade-like appearance. His handsomeness was natural, like white snow among pines or a clear moon on a rock. He had an indescribable elegant and refined demeanor that made people unable to look away.
Xiao Yeming noticed Lu Zhaoruo's gaze, and as soon as their eyes met, he hurriedly looked away, his ears turning red at a visible speed.
Upon seeing this, Lu Zhaoruo couldn't help but chuckle.
Who would have thought that such a dignified general would always show such a shy demeanor?
The fierce edge forged in the crucible of battle was now completely concealed beneath his blue-green casual clothes, revealing a rare hint of youthful shyness.
She said, "General Xiao, please have a seat."
Xiao Yeming sat down as instructed, his posture as upright as a child entering school for the first time, even the hem of his clothes was carefully straightened.
Lu Zhaoruo rested her chin on her hand, half of her snow-white wrist slipping down her sleeve, and smiled radiantly: "With your looks and character, General, has your family arranged a marriage for you?"
Xiao Yeming suddenly looked up, then hurriedly lowered his eyes, his fingertips rubbing the inside of the cup.
Gu Xian's words echoed in her mind: "Auntie also asked me to pass on a message, saying that Lady Yunxiu has been waiting for you to return. Last month, the Princess personally visited with imperial wine bestowed by the Emperor, saying that she wanted to discuss the wedding date with your mother. Fortunately, Auntie helped you decline."
His Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and his voice was deep and hoarse: "No."
"oh?"
Lu Zhaoruo pressed on, "Then... what about the General himself? Has he ever met a woman who has captured your heart?"
Clang
Xiao Yeming dropped the teacup in his hand, and the tea spilled onto the table, leaving a dark stain.
He hurriedly tried to help, his ears turning as red as if they were soaked in rouge, and even the back of his neck showing a faint blush.
"He naturally has someone he admires."
A laughing voice suddenly came from outside the door.
Lu Zhaoruo looked up and saw Gu Xian push the door open and enter, leaning against the door frame. His crimson brocade robe was loose and baggy, with the collar slightly open, revealing half an inch of his snow-white inner garment.
He unfolded his folding fan with a "whoosh," half-covering his face, revealing a pair of smiling peach blossom eyes that were particularly clear.
"Ouch……"
He glanced around the room. "Did I arrive too early and disturb your enjoyment?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yeming's ears turned even redder, and his gaze involuntarily drifted towards Lu Zhaoruo.
Lu Zhaoruo stood up and smiled gently: "Master Gu, you've come at just the right time."
She glanced behind him for a moment. "Didn't Abao come with you?"
"I sent Fei Liu and Zhi Xia to buy candied peas. They'll be there shortly."
Gu Xian walked to the recliner by the window, leaned back lazily, and gently waved her fan. "Isn't Madam Lu curious about which lady is General Xiao's sweetheart?"
Xiao Yeming suddenly coughed.
Lu Zhaoruo thought he had caught a cold, so she turned around and closed the window, shutting out the sound of the pattering rain outside.
She smiled and said, "A woman who can win General Xiao's heart must be a beauty with both talent and looks."
She didn't have much interaction with Xiao Yeming in her past life, only vaguely remembering that he later brought back a fisherwoman from overseas...
Fisherwoman?
Her lips curved slightly, and she bore a striking resemblance to Shen Rongzhi.
Gu Xian snapped her folding fan shut, glancing at Xiao Yeming out of the corner of her eye: "Not only is she talented and beautiful, she's practically a rare and extraordinary woman. What a pity..."
He sighed, feigning remorse, "That woman is not only unaware of the situation, but she also harbors some old grudges against our general and hates him to the core."
Lu Zhaoruo was slightly taken aback, and couldn't help but feel pity: "General Xiao is loyal and honest, kind and upright. How could that lady hate him to the bone? There must be some misunderstanding."
"It's a misunderstanding."
Gu Xian agreed readily.
Xiao Yeming remained silent with his head down, his fingers clenched tightly.
The door was kicked open with a loud bang.
Ban Ling blocked the doorway, his loud voice making the window paper rustle: "Commander! Why did you come here by yourself? Didn't you wait for me?"
He walked in, then suddenly his eyes widened as he stared at Xiao Yeming's clothes. "My goodness! You...you're dressed like a scholar from a play!"
Gu Xian burst out laughing.
Xiao Yeming looked slightly embarrassed...
Ban Ling leaned closer for a closer look, pointing to the blue-green cuffs: "This material is so slippery, it's not convenient for fighting! I still think you look more imposing in armor..."
Xiao Yeming lowered his voice, his eyes sweeping over Ban Ling with a sharp, piercing gaze: "Since when did Deputy General Ban start questioning even my attire?"
Ban Ling shrank back, provoked by the cold tone, and muttered softly, "I knew the armor was better..."
As the host, Lu Zhaoruo naturally had to break the awkward silence and smiled as she smoothed things over: "I think General Xiao's attire suits his demeanor perfectly, even more so than his armor... it makes him look elegant."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yeming's previously tense lips relaxed almost imperceptibly, and he lowered his head to hide a hint of a smile in his eyes.
She then turned to Ban Ling and said in a friendly tone, "Vice General Ban, please take your seat. Today's dishes are all the specialties of Anlelou Restaurant, and you can drink as much as you like."
As the group took their seats, a nimble waiter filed in carrying red lacquered wooden platters, quietly placing dishes such as roasted venison, crab-stuffed oranges, and boiled mutton on the table...
Gu Xian smiled and took out the precious liquor he had kept for ten years, personally filling everyone's cups: "Today, thanks to Madam Lu, everyone can try this treasured stuff of mine."
As the atmosphere warmed up, and after a few rounds of drinks, even Ban Ling began to speak more freely, vividly recounting amusing anecdotes from his time in the army.
Gu Xian teased, waving his fan.
Although Xiao Yeming didn't talk much, he occasionally nodded in agreement, and his expression softened considerably.
Lu Zhaoruo poured more wine into the pot. Looking at the scene before her, she couldn't help but feel a little dazed. She never thought that she would have a day in this life where she could sit and drink with Xiao Yeming, laughing and talking happily.
However, she was inexplicably curious about who exactly the woman Xiao Yeming admired was.
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