Along with the imperial decree came a personal letter from the emperor, instructing Rong Ning to check on her elder sister's well-being in Dajing.
Rong Ning read the letter once and then put it aside.
She could actually see that the longer her elder sister was away on her marriage alliance, the deeper her father's regret would be. But belated regret, like belated affection, was utterly worthless.
After receiving the imperial decree, Rong Ning returned to Kangye City from the army at the end of April to await the arrival of the envoy delegation.
The mansion was as deserted as ever. Xie Chong was still standing in front of the vermilion gate waiting for her, having arranged everything so that she could have a good night's sleep.
Before the first month of the lunar calendar was over, Rong Ning left. Roughly calculated, it had been more than three months since the two of them had a proper meeting.
Rong Ning's trip to Da Jing will take at least two months, so A Ying and You Jiang stayed in the army and didn't return, making the mansion seem even more deserted.
Although she and Xie Chong had been married for a long time, they had spent far fewer days alone together than they could count on their fingers, so they were still a little uncomfortable eating face-to-face.
But now there are only two proper mistresses in the manor, and it wouldn't be right for them to eat separately. If word got out, it wouldn't be good for Xie Chong either, so she just endured it.
Entering Nanyang City in May, the heat might already be unbearable, but the weather in the northern border was unusually comfortable. Xie Chong placed two rocking chairs for her under the grape trellis in the courtyard. In the following days, Rong Ning mostly lay down to sleep, while Xie Chong sometimes read books beside her and sometimes played the zither for her.
When Rong Ning is in a good mood, they will also play chess together.
Life was indescribably pleasant; it was a kind of peaceful and serene existence!
A few days into May, the Southern Dynasty's envoys arrived. They rested in Nanyang for a day before continuing their journey north.
Rong Ning's main task in accompanying the envoy delegation this time was to lead the elite border troops and the imperial guards of Luochuan to escort the delegation north.
Seeing Rong Ning again after so long, Luo Chuan was still a little surprised. He felt that the girl was darker, stronger, and had a sharper look in her eyes.
Luo Chuan was one of the few people Rong Ning had a good relationship with in Nanyang City, so after the delegation settled in, they invited Luo Chuan to visit their residence.
Luo Chuan did not refuse and went with her.
When they saw Rong Ning's residence in Kangye City, which was only a three-courtyard house, they couldn't accept it. "Your Highness, even if you don't act like a princess in the Northern Territory, you are still a military governor. Isn't this residence a bit too simple?"
Rong Ning waved her hand, "I'm not here often. Buying a house that's too big would just make it look like a haunted house, which is pointless."
Uh... okay...
Xie Chong was handling some matters outside when he heard that Rong Ning had brought Luo Chuan back to the mansion, and he was taken aback.
He knew that Rong Ning and Luo Chuan had some connection, but when did this connection develop to the point that Rong Ning could invite him to her residence?
Come to think of it, no man has ever received this kind of treatment.
Xie Chong quickly put down what he was doing and rushed back to his residence.
He hadn't gone far, and it wouldn't have taken him long to get back. When he arrived, Rong Ning and Luo Chuan hadn't even finished a cup of tea.
Luo Chuan was always very polite, and he had been warned by Rong Ning before, so upon seeing the person, he immediately stood up, bowed, and greeted him, "This humble subject greets Your Highness, the Imperial Son-in-Law!"
Xie Chong raised his eyelids almost imperceptibly, walked over, gently lifted Luo's arm, and said politely, "Commander Luo is His Highness's friend, there's no need to stand on ceremony."
After that, he looked at Rong Ning and continued, "A Ning, you and Commander Luo can continue your conversation. I'll go down now!"
Rong Ning paused in her tea-drinking, looked up at Xie Chong with some confusion, because this was the first time Xie Chong had called her that. Although he had told her before that she could call him that, he had never called her that before, perhaps because he wasn't used to it or for some other reason.
Why does it sound so natural to say it today?
Xie Chong felt flustered under her gaze, as if she could see right through his little schemes. His eyes darted around nervously, and he prepared to run away.
Before he could even take a step, Rong Ning grabbed him, pulled his arm and made him sit down, saying, "Luo Chuan and I are just chatting casually. You've been away from Nanyang City for quite some time now, so why not sit down and listen to some interesting things that have happened during this time? Just for fun!"
"oh......"
Xie Chong obediently sat down without uttering a single unnecessary word.
He sat next to them, not saying much, occasionally interjecting a few words, but mostly just listening to them talk.
Luo Chuan stayed at the mansion for a long time and had dinner before leaving. The three of them drank some wine together. Xie Chong had the lowest alcohol tolerance and was already a little dizzy when the party ended. Rong Ning asked someone to help him to rest, and she went to see Luo Chuan off.
"It's only a few steps, Your Highness, there's no need to see me off!"
"It's just a few steps, it won't make a difference..." Rong Ning didn't seem to care much.
Luo Chuan looked back and saw Xie Chong, who should have been helped to rest, standing under the corridor looking this way. His figure looked at her from afar, with a strange sense of resentment.
"The prince consort seems to have changed a lot..." Luo Chuan found it somewhat amusing, "He seems more interesting than before."
Rong Ning didn't turn around, and asked casually, "It can't be that bad... I didn't feel anything. Why don't you tell me in detail?"
"Hmm... how should I put it... he seems to have become more like an adult, and he's much more composed now!"
"It doesn't sound like a compliment. A perfectly normal young man has turned into an adult. It just doesn't sound right!"
Luo Chuan stopped and said seriously, "But I have never treated you like a little girl. Dealing with you is more troublesome than dealing with those old hands in the court."
"ha..."
Rong Ning smiled...
"Your words don't sound like a compliment to me, Luo Chuan. Are you trying to insult both me and the prince consort today?"
Well...
Luo Chuan was embarrassed. "That's not what I meant, I..."
"Alright...I understand..." Rong Ning told him to stop talking. "I understand what you're saying, no need to say more."
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