He chuckled and said, "It is indeed because Yan'er wished that I wanted to stay in Fucheng with her, but it is because I decided to be with you, follow you, and cherish you. Rather than saying it's for you, it's more for myself. I am only at ease when I am with you."
Su Wanyan wasn't used to his blunt words.
She pulled her hand away from Yu Nanqing's grasp and looked away: "You only came with me because of Shuxin?"
In fact, Su Wanyan never intended to say this; she just blurted it out without thinking.
Yu Nanqing reached out and turned her face to face, forcing her to look at him, and smiled gently yet unrestrainedly: "Yan'er knows perfectly well that it isn't true."
Su Wanyan blushed slightly and brushed his hand away: "Okay, okay, don't get so close."
Yu Nanqing didn't mind and asked with a smile, "Want to stroll around the city?"
Su Wanyan became interested: "Okay."
On New Year's Eve, a banquet was held in the palace, which was opened by the young emperor, and all the major families in the capital made an appearance.
Xia Yunshang was still nowhere to be seen at the palace banquet.
To the outside world, Xia Yunshang was said to be staying in the palace to recuperate due to her health problems caused by the Empress Dowager's long-term confinement. However, Su Wanyan learned the truth from Yu Nanqing.
Xia Yunshang wanted to emulate the Empress Dowager and seize control of the court, but the young emperor ordered her to be confined to the palace.
Su Wanyan couldn't help but sigh. After being imprisoned by the Empress Dowager, she was then imprisoned by her own son.
However, she also couldn't understand why she was so eager to seize power after her son had just escaped the control of the Empress Dowager. Not only would the young emperor disagree, but the entire court would also disagree.
If she hadn't been so impatient, perhaps in two or three years, the young emperor would have sought her help.
Of course, this was just her own speculation.
The Spring Festival is just after Lunar New Year's Eve.
As the old year gave way to the new, everyone seemed to have forgotten the previous turmoil. A grand court ceremony was held, and each official received their share of blessings.
The people of the capital were even more excited. From the morning, there were acrobatic troupes performing in the city, in the afternoon there was a dragon parade, and in the evening there was a New Year lantern festival.
The smoke from the palace could be clearly seen by the people of the capital.
The city was bustling with activity and a dazzling array of goods. Although the palace was filled with singing and dancing, Su Wanyan still preferred the lively atmosphere and strolled around the city with Yu Nanqing in her hand.
The departure date from the capital was decided. Thinking that Su Wanyan, Xu Yixuan, and Dai Zhiwan could spend more time together, the departure date, originally scheduled for February, was postponed to March 3.
When Dai Zhiwan came to see her off, her belly was already very round, and because she was pregnant, she was prone to emotional outbursts, and tears kept falling.
Su Wanyan tried to coax her again and again, and it took a lot of effort to finally make her laugh.
Xu Yixuan handed Su Wanyan two food boxes: "Keep these for the journey. They are all pastries that suit your taste."
After saying that, she took a large bag from the maid and handed it to her: "I was in such a hurry that I didn't prepare anything nice. These were all made according to your preferences. Some of them are wrapped in a complicated way. You can take them out when you get to Fucheng."
"Okay." Su Wanyan happily accepted it.
At this point, Dai Zhiwan started crying again: "That's it, I didn't prepare anything, I came empty-handed."
The handkerchief that had just been put away was taken out again.
Su Wanyan chuckled: "It's good that they're here, why would I hold a grudge against you over this?"
As they were speaking, a figure stepped forward: "Sister."
Su Chien was dressed in casual black clothes, and the difference in their sizes forced Su Wanyan to look up at him.
Xu Yixuan and Dai Zhiwan stepped aside, leaving room for the siblings to talk.
In truth, Su Chien didn't know what to say. She frowned and pursed her lips reluctantly. Should she say goodbye in the future? Or should she say that she would visit her in Fucheng if she had the chance?
But serving in the military, he knew better than anyone that there were hardly any days off in a year.
Even if he did, there's no way he'd have time to go to Fucheng.
Seeing his expression, Su Wanyan broke the ice by laughing and saying, "You're in the capital, so you'd better make me proud."
Su Chien's eyes flickered slightly, and then Su Wanyan took a step closer and said in a low voice, "You know that I come from the Marquis of Yuanning's mansion, but I took you in and you are included in the genealogy of Prince Gong's mansion. The Su family has always looked down on you and my brother and me. In the capital, you must not be outdone by them. You must bring glory to my family!"
Su Chien was granted the title of General of Chariots and Cavalry and was given a mansion, meaning there would be two Su mansions in the capital from then on.
"You've made something of yourself. With you and the Prince as my backers, who would dare to mess with us? We're too far away in Fucheng, but our development in the capital depends on you."
Su Chien immediately became motivated and straightened his posture: "Yes!"
"If you meet a girl you like, don't hesitate. If you really can't make up your mind, write to me and I'll give you my opinion."
Su Chien blushed, choking back tears: "Sister, nothing like that!"
Su Wanyan smiled upon hearing this and said nothing more.
On the other side, Yu Jing'an and Yu Nanqing were sitting in the huge imperial carriage. When Yu Nanqing saw that Su Wanyan had not finished talking, he turned around and took another sip of tea.
In a short time, the palace maids serving him tea poured him countless cups.
Yu Jing'an looked at the tall Yu Nanqing in front of him, and then at Su Wanyan who was still saying goodbye to everyone in the distance. After hesitating for a long time, he finally asked, "Is Your Majesty really not staying in the capital?"
Yu Nanqing snapped out of her daze and looked at Yu Jing'an.
Yu Jing'an said, "If my elder brother were to become regent, I..."
Everyone said that he was only eight years old and could not hold power, but Yu Jing'an himself knew this all too well.
How could someone so young possibly outmaneuver those cunning and scheming court officials?
"Your Majesty need not worry." Yu Nanqing picked up his cup and sipped leisurely. "Even if I am far away in Fuzhou, Your Majesty, I will be at your service if needed."
Yu Jing'an sighed helplessly, his youthful voice sounding incredibly steady at this moment: "I am worried that once my brother leaves, the court will be thrown into turmoil again."
There is no one in the palace who can completely control the situation, not even his mother.
"Grand Tutor Yan will do his utmost to assist the Emperor, and the Duke of Changguo's Mansion and the Duke of Shunguo's Mansion will also provide their full support."
The Changguo Duke's Mansion and the Shunguo Duke's Mansion are also connected to the Ding'an Marquis's Mansion and the Scholar's Mansion, etc., and Su Chi'en has become a direct subordinate of the palace and is under the direct jurisdiction of Yu Jing'an. If Yu Jing'an still cannot control the court situation with these assistance, then he can only blame his incompetence.
Seeing Yu Nanqing's insistence, Yu Jing'an smiled helplessly: "I understand."
At the moment his father passed away and he was forced to ascend the throne, he didn't even understand what that meant.
His mother's sudden madness and his grandmother's sudden domineering nature left him at a loss.
He didn't cry or make a fuss, not because he was particularly calm, but because he hadn't even figured out the situation. By the time he realized what was happening, he had already lost the right to cry and was placed on the dragon throne without any freedom.
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