As night fell, the silver moon shone like a plate, its soft light spilling into the tranquil courtyard, adding a touch of mystery and poetry to the peaceful night.
Xia Sen and Xu Yuehuai walked side by side on the cobblestone path, their footsteps echoing clearly in the quiet night.
They had now reached a small pavilion in the center of the courtyard. Inside the pavilion was a stone table and several stone benches. On the table was a pot of tea that had not yet been finished. The aroma of the tea mingled with the night breeze, creating a refreshing and pleasant atmosphere.
Xu Yuehuai looked up at the moonlight on the horizon, a faint worry in her eyes.
Her beloved, that brave and fearless soldier, had been away from the capital for many days, his fate unknown. Although her heart was filled with worry, she tried her best to remain strong in front of Xia Sen.
Seeing Xu Yuehuai's distressed state, Xia Sen felt a pang of heartache. He knew his sister was worried about her husband's safety, but he also knew that he couldn't fight in his brother's place at this moment; he could only try his best to comfort his sister.
So he said softly, "Brother-in-law will definitely come back safely! Sister, don't worry!"
Xu Yuehuai felt the warmth in Xia Sen's words, and a warm current surged in her heart.
"Yes, I believe he will definitely come back!"
She turned around, looked into Xia Sen's eyes, and asked seriously, "What is your attitude towards A-Xuan?"
The little princess's full name is Bei Xuan, and Xia Sen likes her, something Xu Yuehuai had already noticed. However, she never intended to interfere with her brother's feelings; she only hoped that he could honestly face his own feelings.
Xia Sen remained silent for a moment after hearing this. He knew that his older sister was testing him, trying to get him to reveal his secret.
He took a deep breath, looked into Xu Yuehuai's eyes, and said frankly, "To be honest, I like her."
Looking at Xia Sen's serious expression, Xu Yuehuai felt a surge of relief. She already knew about this, but she still wanted Xia Sen to say it himself.
Because she knew that only by being honest with her own feelings could she truly find happiness.
She smiled and patted Xia Sen's hand, saying softly, "Ah Xuan is a kind and beautiful girl, and I believe she will see your sincerity. However, you must remember that matters of the heart cannot be forced; they must be allowed to take their natural course. Whatever the outcome, you must maintain a peaceful heart."
As Xia Sen listened to Xu Yuehuai's words, he knew that his older sister cared about him and was also teaching him how to deal with relationships. He was deeply moved.
He gripped Xu Yuehuai's hand tightly, his eyes shining with determination: "Sister, thank you. I will remember your words. No matter the outcome, I will remain calm."
The night was hazy, casting a silvery white hue over every inch of the land.
Xu Yuehuai's eyes were deep, as if they held endless stories. She suddenly spoke, her voice low and firm: "The situation in A-Xuan's country is too complicated. Now, she is the only member of the royal bloodline left in the Mingyue Kingdom. She may have to go back to the Mingyue Kingdom to face endless risks."
Xia Sen stood beside him, his hand that had been tightly holding A Xuan's instantly loosened, his face filled with shock and confusion.
His eyes widened, and his voice trembled slightly: "Sister, you mean...?"
Xu Yuehuai turned around, her gaze meeting Xia Sen's. Her eyes revealed a complex and indescribable emotion, as if she were struggling between reluctance and determination.
She took a deep breath and said slowly, "Right now, I can protect her for the time being, but she will eventually leave my side to pursue her own path. And I want you to be by her side then and protect her well."
Xia Sen did not answer immediately; his gaze lingered on Xu Yuehuai. He saw the determination and expectation in Xu Yuehuai's eyes, and the trust and entrustment on her face.
A strong sense of responsibility welled up in his heart, and he nodded, his voice firm: "I will, I will never let anyone hurt her."
A hint of relief appeared in Xu Yuehuai's eyes. She knew that with Xia Sen protecting her, Axuan's future would be much more secure.
The two talked for a long time under the moonlight until they returned to their room when the night was deep and quiet.
Although Qi Guze's safety still worried them, they found solace and support in the quiet night. They knew that whatever the future held, they would work together to overcome any dangers and difficulties.
As time passed, the situation on the border grew increasingly tense. The Great Zhou Kingdom and the Eastern Sang Kingdom had yet to reach a consensus on cooperation, and relations between the two sides became increasingly strained.
Xu Yuehuai kept a close eye on news from the border, and couldn't help but worry about Qi Guze's safety. She knew the importance of this cooperation to the Great Zhou Kingdom, but she also understood the enormous risks involved.
But she was powerless to do anything about it and could only do what she could.
During this period, Xu Yuehuai went to the kitchen of Tianxianglou to teach the veteran chefs the new dishes they had developed.
Under Xu Yuehuai's guidance, Tianxianglou has been revitalized. She not only inherited traditional cooking techniques but also incorporated her own innovative ideas, making every dish full of surprises.
On this day, Lu Mu accompanied her to Tianxiang Tower. He admired Xu Yuehuai's talent to the point of prostration, so he specially accompanied her today, wanting to witness Xu Yuehuai's magical creation with his own eyes.
The moment Xu Yuehuai entered the kitchen, she seemed like a completely different person. Her eyes became focused and bright, and her hands flew across the cutting board, each knife strike precise and accurate.
She skillfully cut various ingredients into evenly sized pieces, then mixed them together in a certain proportion and marinated them in a special sauce.
Lu Mu watched intently from the side, and couldn't help but exclaim, "Master, you're amazing! To be able to design such a delicious recipe, if you opened a restaurant in a place without Tianxianglou, wouldn't you monopolize the entire catering industry!"
Xu Yuehua chuckled upon hearing this, then gently shook her head and said, "Lu Mu, you flatter me. I don't think my abilities are that exaggerated. Cooking is an art, and every chef has their own unique flavor and style. I've simply found my own path through continuous learning and experimentation."
Although Xu Yuehuai was humble and low-key, Lu Mu's admiration for her only deepened.
He couldn't help but move closer, carefully observing Xu Yuehuai's every move. He saw Xu Yuehuai's fingers dancing lightly on the cutting board, as if playing a beautiful melody.
Her face radiated confidence and focus, as if the whole world consisted only of her and her dishes.
The veteran chefs around were also impressed by Xu Yuehuai's skills. They gathered around, their eyes filled with admiration and curiosity.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com