Feng Qingyi flipped through these chat records, "This counts as our memories together. I didn't expect there would be so many. I noticed that in our chat history, I'm the one who sends more messages. Look at these past few days - every time you just reply with 'okay' or 'mm-hmm'. Isn't that too cold?"
Qin Yuchuan also looked at the chat records on the computer, "It's not that I'm cold, it's that you're too enthusiastic."
"...Are you saying I'm annoying?" Feng Qingyi looked directly into Qin Yuchuan's eyes.
Qin Yuchuan hurriedly explained, "How could that be? I really enjoy you telling me about the things that happen in your life."
"Really? Then why don't you share your things with me?" Feng Qingyi asked.
Qin Yuchuan: "As for my affairs, if there's anything you want to know, ask now. I'll certainly tell you everything without holding back."
Feng Qingyi thought for a moment, "It's getting late today. I'm planning to rest early. I'll ask another time."
On the return journey of the Tianqi army, several generals were inquiring about Qin Yuchuan's whereabouts.
It was the first time they had won a battle and the commander-in-chief was nowhere to be seen.
"Yan Chi, Yan Yang, you two are personally protecting the general. Do you know where he has gone now?"
Just as Yan Yang was about to speak, Yan Chi pulled him back, "The general said he had some matters to attend to. Once he's finished, he'll return on his own. There's no need for everyone to worry."
"Did the general say when he would be finished?"
Yan Chi shook his head, "That, this subordinate doesn't know."
Unable to get any news about Qin Yuchuan, everyone except Na Muqi dispersed.
After the other generals had left, Na Muqi turned to Yan Yang, "I saw you seemed to have something to say. Is it related to the general? Do you know where he went?"
"When the general left, he only said he had something to handle. He didn't tell us where he was going," Yan Yang said.
Na Muqi glanced at Yan Yang's hand behind his back, "What are you holding?"
"The general's belongings." Yan Yang showed no intention of taking it out.
Na Muqi pulled him a bit, and suddenly the doll in Yan Yang's hand fell into the mud puddle on the ground.
Yan Yang pointed at Na Muqi, "Na Mu, you did this, you have to take responsibility!"
Na Muqi stared at the thing in the mud puddle for a long time, not sure if it was a cat or a bear, "What is this?"
"This is what the general asked us to bring back to Shengjing for him. Now that you, Na Mu, have made it like this, you're responsible for cleaning it," Yan Yang picked up the doll and stuffed it into Na Muqi's arms.
Na Muqi stepped back in disgust, "Are you sure this is the general's?"
Yan Yang nodded, "This is indeed the general's. If you don't believe me, ask Yan Chi."
Yan Chi agreed, "What Yan Yang said is correct. This is indeed the general's. Before he left, he instructed us to bring this thing back to Shengjing intact. Now that it's in this state, Na Mu, you have to take full responsibility."
Seeing these two so adamant, Na Muqi believed that this thing belonged to Qin Yuchuan, but he was still puzzled, "Where did the general get this thing?"
Yan Chi thought for a moment, "I remember it seems to be a gift from Miss Qingyi. The general even sleeps hugging it!"
Na Muqi held up the doll by its ears and looked at it, "I will clean it thoroughly."
After Na Muqi left, Yan Chi patted Yan Yang's shoulder, "Thanks."
He had accidentally dirtied this thing earlier and was trying to figure out how to solve it. He didn't expect Na Mu to just walk right into it.
Yan Yang grinned, "What's there to thank? We're like brothers. That Na Mu is too easy to fool."
...
In the early morning, when Feng Qingyi woke up, she found that Qin Yuchuan was still there.
These past few days, he would send her to work every day, then pick her up in the evening to go home. During the day, he would occasionally send her messages, seeming very free.
Logically, it shouldn't be like this. Could it be that he was fired?
That didn't seem possible either. After all, he was a commander-in-chief. He shouldn't have been dismissed just as the war was about to end.
"Awake?" Qin Yuchuan sat up and looked at Feng Qingyi.
Feng Qingyi nodded, "Mm."
"Didn't you say yesterday that you have a day off today? Sleep a bit more." Qin Yuchuan tucked the blanket around her.
Feng Qingyi lay down, "How come you've been here these past few days? Aren't you busy?"
Qin Yuchuan: "Is it not good that I'm accompanying you?"
Feng Qingyi shook her head, "It's not that. Won't it delay your work? Actually, I can manage on my own."
"It seems I'll have to spend more time with you in the future, so you won't feel unaccustomed," Qin Yuchuan said.
Feng Qingyi asked in a small voice: "You haven't been dismissed, have you?"
Hearing Feng Qingyi's words, Qin Yuchuan found it a bit amusing. He stroked Feng Qingyi's head, "Why would Qingqing think that?"
"...It's just that you've been so free these past few days, it makes me feel something's not quite right," Feng Qingyi said.
Qin Yuchuan: "We've won the war. From now on, I can always be with you."
"You won? Why didn't you tell me earlier?" Feng Qingyi asked.
Qin Yuchuan: "I was originally planning to tell you after the army returned to the capital, but I didn't expect you would overthink like this."
Feng Qingyi scratched her head, "It's mainly because this change was so sudden, I couldn't react for a moment."
"Then I'll get up first to buy breakfast. Qingqing, sleep a bit more. I'll come wake you up later."
Feng Qingyi sat up and kissed him on the cheek, "Go on then!"
Qin Yuchuan tucked her in, "Sleep!"
With Qin Yuchuan around, Feng Qingyi found that she seemed to have turned into a big baby, waiting to be fed every day, not having to worry about anything.
If she could live like this forever, it would be quite nice.
......
On the day the Tianqi army returned to the capital, the sun shone brightly.
The civilians on the streets cheered, welcoming the returning heroes. Qin Yuchuan rode at the front on a tall horse.
According to custom, Qin Yuchuan needed to enter the palace first, but Xuanyuan Yan had already sent someone with a message, allowing him to return to his mansion first. He was to enter the palace to report tomorrow and attend the victory celebration banquet tomorrow evening.
The people of the General's Mansion were already waiting at the gate to welcome him.
"General, you're back. Come in quickly, the princess is waiting in the courtyard!" the elderly butler said.
Qin Yuchuan nodded, "I understand."
Just as Qin Yuchuan walked in, a woman's voice suddenly came from behind.
"Brother Qin, welcome back!"
Qin Yuchuan turned to look at the woman standing at the door, "You are?"
Shen Lanyan hadn't expected that when they met again, he wouldn't even know who she was, "Brother Qin, I'm Shen Lanyan. I heard that Brother Qin was returning to the capital today, so I came specially to congratulate you."
He remembered hearing Qingqing mention the name Shen Lanyan a long time ago. It seemed she had upset her.
"This general is not familiar with Miss Shen. Today, this general has just returned to the mansion and truly doesn't have the energy to entertain guests. Miss Shen, please return home!"
Seeing Qin Yuchuan speak thus, Shen Lanyan said, "Brother Qin, Lanyan has admired you since childhood. I came today out of necessity. My father wants to marry me off to the son of the Qi family. I've come to ask for Brother Qin's help."
Qin Yuchuan heard Shen Lanyan's words but showed no intention of paying attention to her.
He was inherently an indifferent person. She was just a childhood playmate who used to follow him around. He had no obligation to help her.
Moreover, she had once made Qingqing unhappy, so there was even less reason to care about her life or death.
"Butler, see the guest out!"
The butler quickly closed the main gate of the General's Mansion. Shen Lanyan looked at the closed door, feeling a bit lost.
When they were young, he had been very caring towards her. How could he now ignore her completely?
Qin Yuchuan returned to the mansion, changed into casual clothes, and went to see Xuanyuan Xi.
"Ah Chuan is back. Quickly, sit down! The journey must have been tiring. Lunch is already prepared. I'll have them serve the food. After eating, go back and rest early," Xuanyuan Xi said.
Qin Yuchuan sat down, "Alright."
Xuanyuan Xi suddenly asked: "I heard you just met Shen Lanyan at the gate. What do you think of her?"
"What does it matter to me how she is?" Qin Yuchuan didn't understand the meaning behind Xuanyuan Xi's question.
Seeing Qin Yuchuan respond this way, Xuanyuan Xi understood his thoughts, "That girl is said to have admired you since childhood. Her father even came to propose a marriage once."
"Oh." Qin Yuchuan responded with a sound.
Xuanyuan Xi: "Aren't you afraid I might agree?"
"If you agree, then you marry her. Our General's Mansion can afford to feed one more person," Qin Yuchuan said.
Xuanyuan Xi found that her son seemed to have changed a lot after not seeing him for a few years. He could even joke with her now.
"Alright, hurry up and eat. Now that you're back, you should spend more time with Feng Qingyi. Marrying her soon would be a major life event accomplished."
Qin Yuchuan nodded, "I understand."
"Good that you understand. First, go and discuss it with her, then I'll ask the master at Guanyuan Temple to choose an auspicious date for you," said Xuanyuan Xi.
Qin Yuchuan remembered the things Feng Qingyi had mentioned were necessary for a proposal. He needed to schedule that soon.
"We'll go to Guanyuan Temple ourselves, mother. You don't need to worry about it. I'll make the arrangements."
Xuanyuan Xi replied, "Fine, do as you wish. If you need anything, just let me know."
After having lunch in Xuanyuan Xi's courtyard, Qin Yuchuan returned to his own quarters.
As soon as he entered the courtyard, he sensed something unusual. "Who's there?"
From the begonia tree in the yard, an old man with white hair gracefully descended.
"As expected of General Qin, you discovered me so quickly."
Qin Yuchuan looked at the man before him, "Who are you?"
"Hasn't that girl told you about me?" Qian Jue asked.
Qin Yuchuan seemed to realize something, "Are you Qian Jue?"
"It seems that girl has mentioned me to you. Yes, I am Qian Jue."
"May I ask the purpose of your visit to the General's Mansion today?" Qin Yuchuan inquired.
Qian Jue sighed, "You think I want to be here? It's Guang'an who asked me to come help you. Otherwise, I wouldn't have bothered making this trip."
"Help me?" Qin Yuchuan looked at him suspiciously.
"Let's go inside. I'll explain the details once we're indoors." Qian Jue walked into the house first.
In the study, Qian Jue leaned back in a chair. "Guang'an has some urgent matters to attend to these days, so he specifically asked me to come find you."
"Although you can now freely travel between the two worlds, there are still some restrictions on you that cannot be broken for the time being."
