Autumn
Once the festive atmosphere of the Qixi Festival is over, the autumn chill deepens.
The night before Xuan Gui set off for the Northern Border, he made a special trip to the Yu residence.
"Xue'er, wait for me to come back." He held Yu Xue'er's hand. "I asked the Imperial Observatory today, and they said that after New Year's Eve, it will be an auspicious day. Then we will get married, and you will be the rightful Princess Consort of Prince Chen."
Yu Xue'er's eyes were filled with tears, but she held them back: "Your Highness, please be careful on your journey. I will often visit the palace to accompany the Imperial Concubine and wait for your return."
Before she could finish speaking, tears welled up in her eyes. Hyun-kyu reached out and gently brushed her cheek with his fingertips, then pulled her tightly into his arms: "Don't worry, it will be quick."
Meanwhile, the study in Prime Minister Cui's residence was brightly lit by candlelight.
"Is Prince Chen setting off tomorrow?" Cui Chong asked slowly.
The aide bowed and replied, "Yes. Our men also discovered that Prince Duan had been seen at the northern military camp."
Cui Chong tapped his fingers lightly on the table: "Once we reach the northern border, carefully investigate why Prince Duan went to the military camp. Send word to Chen Li and the army to be cautious lately."
---
The weather in Xiayun City is cool and pleasant in autumn.
"Your Highness, Your Highness, come and try some grapes!" A-Yun called out from the courtyard, holding a plate of juicy purple grapes. "These are a local specialty, and they're so sweet!"
Yan Shu came out of the house, picked up a fruit and tasted it. Her eyes lit up: "So sweet!" She then picked another fruit and naturally offered it to Ling Yuan's lips.
Ling Yuan ate from her hand and nodded, "Mmm, sweet."
His gaze fell on Yan Shu's smiling eyes, and he suddenly added in a low voice, "Shu'er, so sweet."
Yan Shu was taken aback, then smiled. This prince was getting better and better at sweet talk these days. She felt a sweet warmth in her heart, sweeter than honey.
Time flies, and a month has passed in the blink of an eye. The weather is gradually getting cooler.
There was a commotion outside the door that day. Lingyuan opened the door and saw Xuan Gui and Qingfeng, who looked travel-worn.
"Royal Uncle!"
"Your Highness!" "Your Highness!"
Ling Ying came out upon hearing the sound, and Qing Feng immediately smiled and waved to him.
"Come in quickly." Ling Yuan stepped aside to let the two into the room.
Xuan Gui sat down and asked, "Where is my aunt?"
“I went out to town,” Lingyuan replied.
Xuan Gui nodded, his expression turning serious: "Uncle, I suspect that someone deliberately lured me to the Northern Border this time."
“My uncle and I share this view,” Lingyuan said. “Trading with the Western Regions is a common practice, so why the sudden need to discuss it again? You must be careful on this trip.”
“There’s one more thing,” Xuan Gui said in a low voice, “Chen Li, whom you asked me to investigate, should be one of the Crown Prince’s men. He is a cousin of the Crown Princess.”
Ling Yuan's eyes darkened: "As expected. I've been waiting here to obtain the ledger with you."
"If we find out the truth soon, my uncle and aunt can return to the capital with me."
Just then, the sound of Yan Shu and A Yun laughing and talking came from outside the door. Ling Yuan immediately gave Xuan Gui a wink: "Shu'er doesn't know these things, don't reveal them."
Before he could finish speaking, Yan Shu and A Yun had already lifted the curtain and entered.
"Royal Aunt!"
"princess!"
Ayun exclaimed in surprise, "Little Xuan Gui?" Then realizing her mistake, she quickly corrected herself, "Your Highness."
Hyun-kyu smiled and called out, "Sister A-Yun."
Yan Shu was quite surprised to see Xuan Gui and Qing Feng: "What brings you here?"
Xuan Gui smiled and said, "My father ordered me to come and discuss the details of trade with the Western Regions."
Yan Shu suddenly remembered that historical records did indeed show that trade with the Western Regions reached its peak nineteen years after the Yongye era, but it was also the last year of the Yongye reign. She couldn't help but ask, "About your marriage to Miss Yu..."
Xuan Gui's expression immediately darkened: "The Imperial Observatory says this year is not auspicious for marriage; we'll have to wait until next year."
Yan Shu gently comforted her, "Good things come to those who wait; things will eventually turn out well."
Xuan Gui roused himself and said with a smile, "By the way, my maternal grandfather sent someone early this morning to tell us to come over for dinner tonight, saying that it's a rare opportunity for the family to reunite."
Ling Yuan looked at Yan Shu, and seeing her nod, he replied, "Okay."
---
Upon arriving at the Lin residence that evening, Xuan Gui rushed to Lin Kong and hugged him tightly, exclaiming, "Grandfather! I've missed you so much!"
Lin Kong laughed loudly and patted his back forcefully: "Good lad! You're already the Prince Chen!"
Yan Shu stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Uncle."
"Good, good, good!" Lin Kong smiled kindly. "This must be Shu'er. Now that you've arrived in the Northern Territory, it's like coming home. No need for formalities."
Ling Yuan introduced Yan Shu: "This is Uncle Ling."
Yan Shu obediently called out, "Uncle Ling."
Ling Yu quickly returned the greeting: "Your Highness."
Yan Shu then realized that this was Ling Ying's father.
Lin Kong saw A-Yun behind him and waved with a smile: "A-Yun, you're here too? Come over here!"
Yan Shu whispered to Ling Yuan, "How does Uncle know A-Yun?"
Ling Yuan explained in a low voice, "Ayun's parents, like Uncle Ling, were once generals under my uncle. After her parents died in battle, my uncle took care of her."
Yan Shuxin suddenly realized why Ayun never mentioned her family, yet was so close to Lingying.
Lin Kong warmly invited everyone to take their seats. After several rounds of drinks, Ling Yu raised his cup to Ling Yuan and said, "Your Highness, I have a favor to ask."
"Uncle Ling, please go ahead."
“Ling Ying is twenty-six this year and should have settled down long ago. This humble general would like to ask Your Highness for permission to bring A Yun back to the capital with him. These two children grew up together and have waited for each other for eight years, which is truly remarkable.”
Ling Yuan nodded: "Alright. After returning to the capital, I will arrange a residence for them as a congratulatory gift."
Upon hearing this, Ling Ying and A Yun both knelt down to express their gratitude: "Thank you, Your Highness and Your Highness!"
The atmosphere at the table grew increasingly harmonious. Yan Shu and A Yun chatted happily. They had originally agreed to only drink fruit wine, but as they got into the conversation, Yan Shu and A Yun picked up Ling Yuan and the others' wine jugs and started drinking by themselves.
Lingyuan and the others were discussing important matters and didn't notice anything amiss. By the time they realized what was happening, the two young ladies were already drowsy and drunk.
"Ah Yun, congratulations!" Yan Shu raised her wine glass, her cheeks flushed. "That's wonderful! You're finally marrying Ling Ying!"
"Yes, Your Highness!" Ah Yun was also quite drunk. "I've been looking forward to this day ever since I knew you were coming!"
"Don't call me Princess," Yan Shu waved her hand, "You're older than me, just call me Yan Shu. I'll call you Sister Yun!"
"Okay! Yan Shu!"
"Sister Ayun!"
The two men staggered to their feet, clinked glasses, and drank them down in one gulp.
The commotion finally alerted the others. Ling Yuan looked at Yan Shu in surprise and quickly said goodbye to Lin Kong: "Uncle, they are drunk, we need to take them back first."
Lin Kong smiled and instructed, "Be careful on the road, and take good care of yourself."
On the carriage ride back, Yan Shu leaned softly against Ling Yuan's chest, rambling incoherently: "Your Highness, do you know... the first time I met you, you grabbed my neck and said I was your princess... how could I have known then that I was Cui Yan Shu..."
Ling Yuan was completely confused—when had he ever choked her?
Yan Shu continued muttering, "In modern times, I just didn't understand... why I always felt so sad... Later, when I was about to time travel, I realized... I am Cui Yan Shu... I brought this love from a thousand years in the future to a thousand years in the past..."
Ling Yuan became increasingly confused as he listened, simply dismissing it as drunken ramblings. Seeing that she had fallen asleep while talking, he didn't think much of it anymore.
On the other side, A-Yun leaned on Ling Ying's shoulder, smiling dreamily, "Brother Ying, is it really you? I still can't believe it... I'm so happy today, we're getting married..."
---
That night, Yan Shu had a very long dream.
In her dream, she returned to the modern world, back to that familiar rented room. Half a jade pendant with dragon patterns lay quietly in front of the computer. She walked over and picked it up, when suddenly Ling Yuan's deep voice rang in her ears:
"The secret of that jade pendant caused the deaths of the entire Gumu clan!"
"Shu'er... Shu'er..."
Yan Shu slowly opened her eyes, meeting Ling Yuan's concerned gaze. The scene from her dream hadn't completely faded, and she felt somewhat disoriented.
"Shu'er, you've been sleeping for too long; it's past Shen Shi (3-5 PM)."
Yan Shu slowly came to her senses, her gaze falling on the jade pendant at Ling Yuan's waist. The words from her dream echoed in her ears, and she finally remembered the key information—this jade pendant was the key to solving all the mysteries.
"Shu'er?" Ling Yuan called again, handing over a cup of warm water.
Yan Shu took the water cup and said softly, "Thank you, Your Highness."
She lowered her eyes to drink water, her mind already made up: no matter what, she must find out the truth behind the jade pendant.
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