In the capital.

The eldest daughter of the Duan family, Duan Linlang, had invited a few of her close friends for a small gathering at the Duan family's waterside pavilion.

Princess Jiaping and Duan Linlang had been friends since they were young and had a good relationship. Since Duan Linlang had invited her, she naturally came out of respect.

The current Emperor had seven sons and one daughter. Princess Jiaping was the Emperor's only daughter. This was the first time the Emperor had a delicate daughter, so he naturally had some thoughts about her. He often missed her, so this Princess Jiaping had been doted on since she was born.

Since she was young, she had been sought after and flattered by others. No one dared to make her suffer the slightest bit of grievance. Whenever she bumped into someone, the servants would tremble in fear. Fortunately, Jiaping had a good temperament and was a clever person. Although she lived a comfortable and carefree life, she did not develop an arrogant and extravagant temperament. She had a good sense of propriety when dealing with people.

She was a high and mighty person. Even if she was rude and unreasonable, no one would dare to argue with her. To have developed such a good temperament was quite impressive. When she was mentioned, people naturally praised her.

Princess Jiaping's appearance was similar to her mother's. She was even more outstanding. She was beautiful and moving. Surrounded by women, she was like the bright moon hanging high in the sky, bright and dazzling, making the stars dim in comparison.

At this moment, she seemed to be conversing with someone. Every frown and smile was more beautiful than one could imagine.

Duan Linlang sat leisurely to the side, eating pastries as she watched the commotion. She thought to herself that some people were really blessed by the heavens. They were born with the most honorable status in the world and were doted on by everyone. In addition, they were born with such beauty. Everyone else was like the mud at their feet.

No matter how long it was, it was impossible not to be envious.

Although she thought this, she did not have any feelings of jealousy or hatred. She had known Jiaping since she was young and was already used to seeing her like this. She just felt a little emotional.

Suddenly, Duan Linlang remembered the rumors she had heard. She frowned slightly and could not help but feel worried.

When the people around Jiaping dispersed, she couldn't help but pull Jiaping aside.

"Jiaping, did you hear that the Anxi General actually brought back a woman when he returned to the capital this time?" Duan Linlang hadn't expected the general, who had never been close to women, to be enlightened after a trip.

She knew that Princess Jiaping was interested in him, so she couldn't help but worry when she mentioned it.

"I heard that he treated that woman differently from ordinary people and was very protective of her."

"Oh?"

Jiaping didn't mind, but he was curious about the woman's background. "Do you know who that woman is?"

Duan Linlang shook his head, a little puzzled. "I heard she's just a commoner girl.

I don't know what kind of bewitching medicine this Anxi general has been fed. I've seen that woman by chance. Although she's pretty, she's nothing special. Why is he so interested in her? "

"Perhaps there's more to this than meets the eye. You and I don't know the details, so it's best if we don't make wild guesses," Jiaping said.

"You sure have a good temper. You don't even get angry when you know this."

Duan Linlang was also a little convinced by her. "If Xie Laosan dared to keep a woman by his side, I would've already caused a ruckus."

Jiaping knew that she had always been straightforward, so he couldn't help but laugh at her words.

Duan Linlang and the third son of the Xie family, Xie Yu, had been engaged since they were young. They had been quarrelsome since they were young, so the onlookers were envious.

"Enough, your family's young master Xie Yu is also afraid of you," Jiaping joked.

"Aiya, you're really something. You make it sound like I'm a tigress." Duan Linlang was a little embarrassed by her tone and rolled her eyes at her reproachfully.

He turned around, not wanting to pay attention to her.

"Okay, okay, okay, I was wrong. How could the Duan family's Linlang be a tigress?

Where can I find such a cute and smart tigress? "Jiaping pretended to beg for mercy.

Duan Linlang saw that she was speaking seriously, but her eyes were filled with a smile that could not be hidden. "You're always coaxing me like I'm a child. How annoying." She wanted to pretend to be angry, but as she spoke, she could not help but laugh.

The two of them laughed like this for a while, then Duan Linlang straightened his body. He still couldn't stop worrying and said to her, "I'm serious with you. Since you like that General Xiao, why don't you ask His Majesty to grant you a marriage?

It's been so many years. Aren't you afraid that your general will be snatched away? "

"If it's so easy to snatch him away, then I don't want him." Jiaping lifted his chin slightly, looking proud.

Duan Linlang said, "Can you bear to?" She didn't believe him. "You've liked him for so long, and you're just going to give him away?"

Although Jiaping said it easily, he still couldn't let it go. He spread his hands and said frankly, "Okay, I really can't bear to."

Although she had a good temper, she wasn't so magnanimous. After all, she was a spoiled princess, so it was inevitable that she was a bit domineering. Once she set her mind on something, she would use all kinds of methods to get it.

Usually, if she wanted something, there would always be someone who would obediently give it to her with a smile. If that didn't work, she would go beg Imperial Father. In the end, the thing would still be hers.

How could she say that she didn't want it? How could she give it away for no reason? It was just beautiful words for others to hear.

She relied on her beauty and high status. Although she liked Xiao Shijing, she couldn't put down her face to ask for this marriage.

She thought that since this person didn't have any close women by his side, and she had known him for so many years, sooner or later, Xiao Shijing would be moved by her and ask for her hand in marriage.

Duan Linlang and Jiaping had known each other for so many years. Others were deceived by Jiaping's dignified appearance, but she knew exactly what Jiaping was like.

Seeing Jiaping like this, she already knew. She sighed. "You …" Knowing that she wouldn't listen to him, Duan Linlang didn't say anything in the end.

Although Jiaping and Duan Linlang spoke casually, he still kept the rumor that Linlang mentioned in his heart.

On the way back to the fu, she couldn't help but think about it in the carriage. She really couldn't imagine that man who usually looked gentle, but was more indifferent than anyone else, loving someone with all his heart.

She had known him since she was in her teens. At that time, he had just made a name for himself in the army camp, and his eyes were full of youthful vigor.

He was handsome, and his eyebrows were tight. Perhaps he was afraid that his subordinates would look down on him, but when he spoke, he always had a cold and stern face, making him look fierce. After a long time, no one cared about his appearance.

He had a ruthlessness that didn't match his age, so the soldiers around him respected and feared him.

He was bathed in blood all year round on the battlefield. Normal people would feel a murderous aura when they got close to him and would want to avoid him.

However, she wasn't afraid of him. She often liked to sneak into his camp to look for him. He couldn't chase her away, so he could only turn a blind eye to her.

She had watched the young general from back then fight until he became what he was today.

Today, he looked much more restrained than when he was young. It was as if he had really become a gentle person. He often had a smile on his face, but the depths of his eyes were cold and deep. She couldn't see what he was thinking.

Everyone else thought that he had lost his sharpness. Only she knew that this person had hidden his sharpness.

The person she liked had the coldest blood. How could he truly love someone?

"It must be just a rumor spread by the commoners." She shook her head. She felt that it was laughable that she had thought that he had truly fallen in love.

Those people always liked to listen to the gossip of important people. Now that they had a chance, they used their imaginations to make up a story.

No one argued with them, and the listeners were satisfied. They were full of gossip, so why not?

She gradually convinced herself, and her heart settled down.

*

Si Yue was brought back to the capital by Xiao Shijing. They lived in Fuyun Ge in the General's Manor. Their days were comfortable and comfortable.

It was currently afternoon, and the sunlight that passed through the window was scattered mottled and fragmented. Outside the window, the summer insects would occasionally hiss endlessly, making the study quiet. Only the rustling of pages could be heard from time to time.

There was no one else in the study. Only Si Yue was sitting there, enjoying herself.

She had brought a small stool from somewhere and was sitting in front of the bookshelf. There was an open book on her knees. If one looked closely, they could faintly see that it was a travel book. The descriptions were detailed and the strokes were free and easy.

She was sitting sideways. It seemed that she was tired because she didn't have a place to lean against, so she unconsciously moved towards the bookshelf. When she finished reading the book, she was leaning against the bookshelf against the wall. She was like a carefree cat, obedient and lazy.

She had finished reading the book in her hands, so she put it back on the bookshelf behind her.

The bookshelves were arranged according to the category of books. The shelf her head was leaning against was for travel books. She didn't even raise her head. She reached out and smoothly took down a book from the shelf above her head from the third shelf from the left and placed it on her lap.

She seemed to confirm that she didn't take the wrong book. Her eyes curved slightly, and she looked reserved and proud.

When Xiao Shijing came in and saw her like this, his heart felt like it was being gently scratched.

She was sitting in the corner. When he looked up, he could see the side of her porcelain-white face. She was quiet and peaceful. Her slightly curved eyes revealed a faint smile. When he saw her, he couldn't help but feel happy. It was like a joy that gradually bloomed in his heart. Then, it suddenly filled his entire heart.

Just like that, she nestled peacefully in a corner like a small animal. She was soft and carried a little bit of obedient warmth, and her delicate appearance carried a bit of cuteness.

She waited quietly as if she was waiting for someone to come. She would tilt her head and size them up. When she confirmed that there was no mistake, she would run over happily.

Xiao Shijing put his fist to his mouth and coughed softly. Hearing the sound, Si Yue turned his head. Seeing that it was him, the smile hidden in his eyes seemed to be about to overflow from his eyes.

"Why don't you go out for a walk?

Don't you feel bored cooped up in this small study? "He laughed.

Si Yue shook her head. "I've already seen everything that I wanted to see."

"The capital is so big. There's bound to be places that you haven't seen. Don't you want to see more?"

"There will be opportunities in the future. There's no need to rush."

As she spoke, she pointed to the book in her hand and gestured to him. "Moreover, I can see what I want to see in the residence. I can read all the mountains and rivers in the world without leaving the residence." She said Ying Ying with a smile. She didn't look forced at all.

"You're always right." Xiao Shijing didn't know what to do with her. Seeing that she was happy, his heart softened.

He stopped in front of the bookshelf and looked at the books. "I remember that you've read most of the travel notes here, right?

Are there any books that you want? I'll bring a few more for you. "

She was a little embarrassed and said in a muffled voice, "I usually read all kinds of books. Sir, you can just pick a few."

Seeing her like this, Xiao Shijing couldn't help but laugh. "Okay, I got it."

"I'm sorry to trouble you, Sir," she said.

"You don't have to be so formal. I'm very happy that you're willing to trouble me."

Si Yue looked into his eyes. Those dark brown eyes were filled with her appearance and reflected her helpless face.

She couldn't contain the joy in her heart. Her expression didn't change as she replied, "… Mm."

However, her earlobes inadvertently turned slightly red.

***

Pei Ruan, you'd better grow up.