Chapter 147

Chapter 147

Ling Zhaoping looked behind her and saw a carriage waiting not far away, with Fang Shuyan’s handmaiden Ji Qiu standing beside it.

He tentatively asked, "Are you... here for seeing me off?"

Fang Shuyan shook her head.

Ling Zhaoping gripped the reins tighter. "Then why are you here?"

Fang Shuyan smiled without answering, turned her horse around, gave the reins a flick, and galloped north.

Ling Zhaoping paused briefly before kicking his horse forward to chase after her.

Seeing this, Ji Qiu hurriedly climbed into the carriage and told the driver, "Quick, quick, catch up with the mistress!"

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Ning Manor.

Liang Quan was seated on a floor cushion while Ling Yuqiu lovingly combed his hair. Zhu Fuying sat nearby, watching with a smile and occasionally passing combs and hairpins.

Soon, Ling Yuqiu finished and patted her son’s head. "There, all done."

Liang Quan turned around and shook his head. "Mother, does it look good?"

Ling Yuqiu chided him, "Yes, yes. A married man now, yet still acting like a child. Be careful, or your wife might grow tired of you."

Zhu Fuying laughed aloud.

Liang Quan then turned to Zhu Fuying. "A-Ying, would you ever grow tired of me?"

Zhu Fuying held back a laugh and shook her head. "Never. I love my husband as he is."

Liang Quan grinned widely. "I knew it."

Watching the young couple’s affectionate exchange, Ling Yuqiu beamed, though she eventually sighed. "Sigh, I wonder if your elder brother will ever marry in this lifetime. Speaking of which, where is he? Why hasn’t he come back for dinner yet?"

Liang Quan and Zhu Fuying exchanged glances, their smiles fading.

Liang Quan said, "Brother went to the military camp."

Ling Yuqiu thought for a moment and nodded. "Ah, my memory fails me. I think he did mention it. Did he say when he’d return?"

Liang Quan took her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "It’s uncertain for now. Brother is exceptionally skilled in martial arts and is in His Majesty's good graces. He’s been made a general and is very busy—he might not have free time anytime soon."

Ling Yuqiu’s expression turned serious. "Then he must follow military rules and not ruin his prospects. Later, write him a letter and tell him to do his duty well and not disappoint His Majesty’s trust."

Liang Quan nodded obediently. "Yes, I’ll write it right away."

Ling Yuqiu gave him a push. "Go write it now and send it off as soon as it’s done."

Then, glancing at Zhu Fuying, she added with a smile, "You don’t have to join me for dinner tonight. You and your wife can eat in your own courtyard."

Zhu Fuying understood the hint and blushed slightly. "Mother, we’d still like to accompany you."

Ling Yuqiu took her daughter-in-law’s hand and placed it in her son’s. "Quick, take An Er back to your courtyard. You’ve been bothering me all day—I’d like some peace and quiet."

Liang Quan put on a fake pout and whined. "Mom, don’t you love me anymore?" Ling Yuqiu waved him off, feigning annoyance. "A-Ying, get him out of here."

The Eastern Palace.

Shen Zhinuo was shocked: "Pup, did you just say Uncle Zhaoping left the capital alone? But wasn’t he already made a prince? Why would he leave all by himself?"

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System: "Emperor Chengwu gave him the guards and attendants befitting a prince, but he refused them all."

Shen Zhinuo: "Why refuse? Didn’t he already accept the title of Prince Dun?"

System: "Ling Zhaoping didn’t explain in detail, only telling Emperor Chengwu that he wasn’t used to being surrounded by attendants and preferred to go solo."

Shen Zhinuo: "Then he probably still doesn’t want to accept Grandfather Emperor as his dad."

System: "That’s likely part of it. After all, the suffering he and his mother and brother endured can’t be erased."

Shen Zhinuo: "What about the men who used to serve under him? Didn’t they earn merit last time?"

System: "They were all assigned to the army. Emperor Chengwu wanted to reassign them to Ling Zhaoping, but he declined."

Shen Zhinuo: "Well, as long as he’s happy."

Recently, the court had been stable, and the palace peaceful. Shen Weiqing, who had been enjoying a carefree life for some time, was ordered by the Crown Prince to get back to daily lessons and weapons practice, forced to become diligent again.

Princess Wen'an and Princess Huayue also resumed their former studies—music, chess, calligraphy, and painting—with their daily schedules jam-packed. Additionally, Princess Wen'an took the initiative to learn martial arts from Princess Huayue.

With all her older siblings attending lessons and the Little General still visiting his mother's grave, Shen Zhinuo’s days got more boring by the day.

After being taken by her mother to pay respects to the Empress Dowager each morning, she would swing by to say hi to the Old Emperor. If she was in a good mood, she’d stay and play with him for a while; if not, she’d leave right after the greeting.

But returning to the Eastern Palace meant she had no one to play with, so she could only talk to her system.

After running out of things to talk about and finding nothing new to discuss, she got even antsier.

One day, while snacking on melon with the Crown Princess in a pavilion, a steward arrived, saying there was a matter requiring her decision. The Crown Princess went to handle it, leaving Coral and others to accompany Nuo Er.

Coral held a plate of melon chunks and asked with a smile, "Princess, would you like more melon?"

Shen Zhinuo shook her head, pushing the plate toward Coral. "No, Coral, you eat it."

Coral smiled gratefully. "Thank you for your kindness, Princess."

Shen Zhinuo slid off the stool and lay down on a nearby lounge chair, lifting one short leg and swinging her little foot. "Pup, isn’t the Little General coming back today? I miss him."

The system checked. "Young Master, you're in luck today. The Little General and his elder brother just entered the palace and are on their way to Chongzheng Hall."

Shen Zhinuo’s eyes lit up, and she immediately sat up. "Let's go catch him!"

Seeing the Princess take off from the lounge chair, Coral and the others hurried after her. "Princess, where are you going?"

Shen Zhinuo: "I’m going to find my father!"

Coral told a young maid to inform the Crown Princess before quickly chasing after the already distant Princess.

Shen Zhinuo ran all the way to Chongzheng Hall, where she saw the Little General walking together holding hands with his brother. She immediately barreled toward the little boy.

Di Guihong had been tightly holding his brother’s hand, but upon seeing the little girl barreling toward him, he dropped his brother's hand and rushed ahead to meet her.

Di Guiya watched the little figure running off without a second thought, then recalled how his younger brother had clung to his neck, crying with reddened eyes when they left home earlier. He shook his head with a mix of amusement and exasperation. *This little rascal, burning bridges so fast.*

Yet seeing Hong and the little princess getting along so well put his heart at ease. It was for the best—Hong wouldn’t feel lonely in the palace.

The two children ran toward each other, clasped hands, and smiled.

Shen Zhinuo beamed. "Little General, you're back!"

Di Guihong grinned, his eyes crinkling. "Yeah."

Noticing his reddened eyes and lingering tear stains, Shen Zhinuo reached up to wipe his cheek. "Why were you crying?"

Di Guihong flushed slightly, embarrassed. "I wasn’t. Just got sand in my eyes earlier."

Shen Zhinuo stood on her tiptoes, trying to inspect his eyes more closely.

Di Guihong gently pressed her back down with a hand on her shoulder, then pulled out a handkerchief to wiped her sweaty forehead. "It’s so hot out—don’t run around like that, or you’ll get heatstroke."

Shen Zhinuo nodded obediently. "Alright."

While the two chatted, Di Guiya approached and bowed respectfully to Princess Baoning, who only came up to his knees.

Shen Zhinuo returned the gesture with a practiced curtsy. "Brother Aya."

Di Guiya gave Hong's hair a playful ruffle. "Let’s go inside to greet the Crown Prince."

Hand in hand with Hong, Shen Zhinuo dashed through the palace doors. "Father! The Little General is back!"

The Crown Prince rose from his seat and scooped up his chubby daughter. "Good, I know now."

The Di brothers bowed to the Crown Prince, who smiled and gestured for them to rise, offering them seats.

The Crown Prince inquired about the memorial rites at their estate, and Di Guiya answered in detail. Both brothers wore somber expressions.

Satisfied that all had gone well, the Crown Prince reassured them before finally saying, "Aya, don’t rush back to the northern frontier just yet. I have a task for you."

Your servant awaits Your Highness’s command."

Carrying his daughter, the Crown Prince approached a map on the wall and pointed to the Huguang region. "Consort Xue has discovered a gold mine in this area. The Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Revenue have already dispatched inspectors, and mining will begin soon."

"The gold mine operation is crucial. In his report, the Consort mentioned suspicious individuals near the site—likely bandits—and requested the court send a reliable officer with troops to assist. Both His Majesty and I thought of you. What do you say? Are you willing?"

I'm honored by His Majesty and Your Highness’s trust. I accept."

Pleased by his decisive sense of duty, the Crown Prince nodded. "Time is of the essence. Return and prepare—tomorrow morning, lead troops from the Fifth Regiment and depart at once."

As Your Highness commands. Rest assured, I will do my utmost in assisting Consort Xue."

After giving his brother’s hair a playful ruffle and giving his shoulder a squeeze, Di Guiya bowed to the Crown Prince and strode away.

Not wanting to bother her father further, Shen Zhinuo tugged the Little General along as they ran off.

Back in the East Palace, the two first greeted the Crown Princess before heading to the Little General’s quarters.

Inside, they found Zi Xuan and Ying Chun unpacking belongings brought from home. Shen Zhinuo spotted the pink blanket she'd given Hong being taken out of a black chest by Zi Xuan and asked curiously, "You took the blanket home?"

Di Guihong nodded, looking embarrassed, retrieving the blanket from Zi Xuan and placing it back on the bed. He then led Shen Zhinuo to sit on the divan, instructing Zi Xuan to lay out the pastries and preserved fruits brought from home. "Our family’s cook made these. Try them."

Though the palace offered endless delicacies—and Xue Wan, a pastry expert, often sent them treats—Shen Zhinuo had grown tired of sweets. But seeing Hong’s hopeful expression, she tried each one and dutifully praised them all.

The little boy’s eyes crinkled happily.

As they munched on treats and chattered away, noon arrived. Shen Zhinuo stayed for lunch with the Little General before they lay down together on the divan for a nap.

In the middle of her nap, Shen Zhinuo was roused by quiet sniffles.

Rubbing her eyes, she sat up to find the Little General still asleep—but his brows were tightly furrowed, and tears were quietly rolling down his cheeks.