A new round of ebullient warfare played out its delightful tunes, the cool moonlight bashfully hid behind the clouds, while a few sparse stars mischievously blinked, and the night was serene and beautiful.
The day after Long Xuanmo left, Shao Mingyi and Chu Dieyi arrived at the Prince Mansion. The General Mansion that the Emperor had bestowed upon Shao Mingyi was undergoing repairs, and Grand Prince had arranged for the couple to stay in one of his other courtyards. Given the close relationship between Grand Prince and Shao Mingyi, there was naturally no cause for gossip.
Yang Mengchen first performed acupuncture on Chu Dieyi, and while she was asleep, he then took Shao Mingyi’s pulse.
Shao Mingyi didn’t have any serious illnesses, but after years of battling, not to mention the numerous scars crisscrossing his body, there were certainly some deficiencies in his health. Although he was young and had a strong constitution, if he didn’t take care of his body now, he would be plagued with ailments in his old age. Ah Lan was his dearest sister, and he didn’t want her to suffer and toil for his sake later on.
So, Yang Mengchen strictly ordered Shao Mingyi to cooperate with the treatment for the next few months and also listed some precautions, insisting that Shao Mingyi keep them firmly in mind.
Shao Mingyi nodded, indicating he would remember well. This was his beloved wife’s sister, and she was looking out for his health, so of course, he would fully cooperate.
Leaving Lv Luo and Shao Mingyi to take care of the awakening Chu Dieyi (who still needed a medicinal bath for a quarter of an hour), Yang Mengchen, accompanied by Hai Tang and others, went to the apothecary to make pills. Long Xuanmo had specifically cleared out a few rooms in the backyard as an apothecary, where Yang Mengchen often worked on developing new medicines.
Long Xuanmo returned to the Prince Mansion from the court and told his wife and Shao Mingyi that the Emperor had agreed for Yang Chengning and Shao Mingyi to return to the border to take up their posts after spring. As for Chu Dieyi, she would stay in The Capital for now, and he would find a way to let her follow them to the border later.
The trio of Yang Mengchen understood that previously, Chu Dieyi was unacknowledged. But now that Shao Mingyi was taking over the military seal of the border, and Chu Dieyi had received her imperial authorization, she had to stay in The Capital, according to the regulations. They didn’t mind—it would be possible to find an opportunity to follow the military in time. ƒreewebɳovel.com
"Oh right, Ah Jiu, Father originally wanted to arrange a marriage for Second Brother, but I immediately stopped it," Long Xuanmo said to Yang Mengchen. "Ask Second Brother if he has someone in mind. If he does, we’ll pick a date for the wedding. If not, he should take this time to choose someone who suits his heart. First, it will fulfill our uncle and aunt’s wishes, and second, it will prevent Father from choosing someone Second Brother doesn’t like."
"I’ll have someone invite Second Brother over in a moment," Yang Mengchen nodded in agreement.
Second Brother was valiant and had a promising future; there had already been many who wished to form a marital alliance with the Yang family. Now that Second Brother was a Great General of the first rank (with Qi Ying promoted to Sixth Rank Second Lieutenant, still serving under Yang Chengning’s command), there would surely be even more interested parties. But all would depend on Second Brother’s preference.
Upon receiving his sister’s message, Yang Chengning swiftly made his way to the Prince Mansion.
At the lunch table.
Shao Mingyi picked up his wine cup, "My sister and brother-in-law got married, and Dieyi and I were far at the border, unable to come and congratulate. Today, here, I wish my sister and brother-in-law a loving and harmonious life together, a union of a hundred years. Brother-in-law, please." Having said that, he finished the wine in his cup in one gulp.
"Accepting brother-in-law’s auspicious words, Ah Jiu and I also wish for my sister and brother-in-law to be forever united in heart," Long Xuanmo said with a smile, drinking the wine that Shao Mingyi toasted, obviously perturbed by having an unexpected brother-in-law who was clearly harboring ulterior motives. Hence, he emphasized the word ’brother-in-law’ with particular heaviness.
Noticing the displeasure in Long Xuanmo’s tone, Shao Mingyi’s lips quirked. Just beginning, and brother-in-law, you’d better brace yourself.
Yang Chengning raised his cup, "Jiu is the treasure of our hearts. I hope brother-in-law treats Jiu well and never lets her suffer the slightest grievance. Second Brother will drink to that first."
"Ah Jiu is my only wife," Long Xuanmo said while drinking his wine and casting a glance at Yang Chengning, their meanings abundantly clear—my wife, I will protect her thoroughly.
"Chengning is right," Shao Mingyi grabbed the wine pitcher and filled the wine cups of Long Xuanmo and Yang Chengning to the brim, and poured himself full of fruit wine. "Dieyi and I are far at the border, and Jiu is entrusted to brother-in-law. As long as Jiu is safe and happy, we will be at peace at the border. Isn’t that right, brother-in-law?"
He was an orphan, and his beloved wife also had no family. Now having an agreeable sister, given his already protective nature, he naturally would defend his sister.
Understanding the deeper meaning in Shao Mingyi’s words, Long Xuanmo was not angered, but rather felt comforted.
The three men engaged in a drinking bout, or more precisely, Shao Mingyi and Yang Chengning seemed to have a tacit understanding as they continuously poured drinks for Long Xuanmo, with the apparent intention of getting him drunk.
Watching the three of them guzzle cup after cup, Yang Mengchen and Chu Dieyi didn’t intervene; Shao Mingyi was recuperating, and Yang Mengchen had specially prepared fruit wine for him, while Long Xuanmo and Yang Chengning could hold their liquor well. Even if they got drunk, taking a Hangover Pill and sleeping it off would fix everything. The three men were rarely together, so let them be happy.
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