Qin Yuchuan summoned several generals to privately discuss their upcoming battle tactics.
At that moment, in Ying City, Rong Sheng was openly strolling the streets with Murong Yan.
Murong Yan asked, "This is within Tianqi's borders, only a few hours' journey from the front lines. Aren't you worried about being discovered?"
"Qin Yuchuan has surely discovered us by now, so there's no need to hide anymore," Rong Sheng replied. "It won't be easy for him to capture us even if he wants to."
He knew the terrain of this area like the back of his hand. Even without passing through Nanwu City, they could successfully reach the southern border.
Murong Yan said, "In that case, let's depart early. This princess wishes to return to the Capital City as soon as possible. There are some matters that need to be dealt with urgently."
Rong Sheng responded, "It's already late today. We'll set out early tomorrow morning. I must return to the army afterward, so I won't be able to accompany Your Highness back to the capital. However, I've arranged for Li He to escort you, so you needn't worry."
Murong Yan nodded, "Mm, I trust your arrangements. Let's return to the inn for now."
In the General's Mansion in Shengjing, Xuanyuan Xi sat in the courtyard, eating fruit from the table.
"Princess, Miss Shen has arrived!" Bai Wei reported.
Xuanyuan Xi put down the grapes she was holding. "Why has she come again?"
"I'm not sure. She's already waiting outside the courtyard," Bai Wei replied.
Xuanyuan Xi said, "Well, invite her in then!"
In recent days, this young lady from the Shen Family had been visiting the mansion whenever she had free time. Because Qin Xu had some previous dealings with the Shen Family, she had agreed to meet with her.
But each day, she would only bring small gifts and engage in idle chatter.
Although the Shen Family couldn't be considered true nobility in Shengjing, they were still of some renown. Xuanyuan Xi couldn't quite understand the purpose behind these visits.
Shen Lanyan entered as usual, dressed elegantly and carrying a box. "This humble subject greets Princess Xuanhe!"
Xuanyuan Xi said, "Miss Shen, please sit. Bai Wei, bring some tea."
Shen Lanyan presented the box to Xuanyuan Xi. "Princess, I happened to acquire this pair of jade bracelets. I felt that only someone like the Princess could do justice to these Hotan jade bracelets, so I wanted to offer them to you."
Xuanyuan Xi looked at the open box. The jade bracelets were indeed exquisite, but she didn't lack such things.
She knew that offering such a gift must come with some ulterior motive. If she accepted it, wouldn't that be playing right into Shen Lanyan's hands? She was curious to see what the young lady's true intentions were.
"Miss Shen, please have some tea," Bai Wei said as she served the tea.
Seeing that Xuanyuan Xi showed no intention of accepting her gift, Shen Lanyan asked, "Princess, are these jade bracelets not to your liking?"
Xuanyuan Xi replied, "It's kind of you, Miss Shen, but please take these back. I don't lack such items. If you have a request, you can simply state it directly!"
After hesitating for a long while, Shen Lanyan finally spoke, "I... I have admired General Qin for a long time..."
Before Shen Lanyan could finish, Xuanyuan Xi had already grasped her meaning. She hadn't expected that Qin Yuchuan was the reason for these visits.
"Miss Shen, I can't help you with this matter even if you tell me. Yuchuan is currently on the battlefield, and I don't know if he will return safely. As for matters of marriage, that depends on his own opinion. Miss Shen, please take your leave."
Shen Lanyan persisted, "Princess, General Qin is skilled in martial arts and brilliant in military strategy. He will surely return victorious. I am willing to wait for him."
Xuanyuan Xi replied, "...Miss Shen, to be frank, Yuchuan already has someone he cares for. There's no need for you to waste your efforts on me. I can't help you. You'd be better off seeking another suitable match."
"Is the Princess referring to that Feng Qingyi? But with her family background, she can't possibly help General Qin," Shen Lanyan said, unwilling to give up.
Xuanyuan Xi stared at Shen Lanyan for a moment. "Does Miss Shen believe her family background is superior to Qingyi's? If we're talking about family status, wouldn't Miss Xu from the Grand Tutor's Mansion or Miss Yu from the Chancellor's Residence be more suitable?"
Shen Lanyan hurriedly explained, "Princess, that's not what I meant. It's just that Feng Qingyi is willful and ill-mannered. She's truly not a good match. She must have used some tricks to bewitch General Qin, making him unable to forget her!"
"If you disagree, Princess, General Qin respects you as his mother and surely wouldn't go against your wishes."
"Are you trying to teach me how to handle this?" Xuanyuan Xi's usually gentle tone had turned unfriendly.
Shen Lanyan stammered, "Princess, I didn't mean—"
"The matters between Qingyi and Yuchuan are not for an outsider like you to comment on," Xuanyuan Xi interrupted. "Bai Wei, see our guest out."
Bai Wei approached Shen Lanyan. "Miss Shen, please take your leave."
Seeing this, Shen Lanyan had no choice but to leave with her box, looking crestfallen.
"Bai Wei, how did this Miss Shen come to know Yuchuan?" Xuanyuan Xi asked.
Bai Wei rubbed her head, trying to recall. "I remember now. I think Young Master Shangguan introduced her to the General before."
Xuanyuan Xi appreciated that Shen Lanyan had the courage to express her intentions directly. However, she was displeased that Shen Lanyan had used her status to belittle Qingyi and speak ill of her.
She had seen such power struggles before, even in the royal harem. She had witnessed all sorts of unsavory affairs, and Shen Lanyan's tactics were far from impressive in comparison.
The Qin family didn't need a woman with status and background to boost their reputation. If Yuchuan had decided to be with Qingyi, it must have been after careful consideration.
Aside from the fact that she already liked Qingyi, even if she didn't, she wouldn't interfere with Yuchuan's choice. Rather than risk a rift between mother and son over this matter, it was better not to meddle from the start.
He was approaching his thirtieth year and was more than capable of making his own life decisions and bearing the consequences of his choices. Why should she involve herself in such troublesome affairs and create unnecessary worries?
Suddenly, Bai Wei remembered something. "Princess, I heard that at the Late Spring Poetry Meeting a while ago, Miss Qingyi was forced by Miss Shen to perform a piece, but unexpectedly won first place."
"And that Young Master Shangguan seems to be very displeased with Miss Qingyi, opposing her at every turn. He even slandered her, accusing her of having improper relations with other men."
Xuanyuan Xi frowned. "How outrageous! I'll write a letter and have someone deliver it to the Shangguan residence. How dare they bully someone from our General's Mansion! Have you seen Qingyi in the streets these past few days?"
Bai Wei shook her head. "No, I haven't. I haven't seen her at the Peng Lai Residence either since the Late Spring Poetry Meeting. But I did see Miss Xu, who told me about her interactions with Miss Qingyi."
"I think Miss Qingyi must be busy with her studies. I'm sure she'll visit the mansion when she has time."
Xuanyuan Xi nodded. "Mm, summer is approaching. Based on her previous measurements, prepare some summer clothes for her. She can wear them when she comes."
