As the New Year approached, the court had already begun its half-month holiday.
This was Gong Xiaohua's first time spending the New Year in Daye, the capital. This year, the whole family had agreed to accompany Grandpa back to their hometown for the festivities.
According to Grandpa, even though Xiaohua had become a general, she still had to return to their ancestral home to pay respects to their ancestors. Xiaohua wasn't keen on the idea, but ancient traditions held significance, so she reluctantly agreed to make the trip.
Moreover, they planned to bring Auntie and the others to the capital this time. It would provide a sense of security for the family to be together when conflicts arose in the future.
All the gifts for various acquaintances in the capital had been prepared in advance and entrusted to the Li Family for delivery. When the time came, they would rely on the Li Family to deliver them one by one.
With everything prepared, most of the Gong family had already set off days ago, leaving Gong Xiaohua and Gong Xiaonan to depart later. This was because there were still some final preparations for the special training, as well as the need to review some duty arrangements for the New Year in both armies.
As Gong Xiaohua and Gong Xiaonan left the capital, heavy snow began to fall. They rode out of the city, but they were soon caught up by Qin Chuyuan and his men.
Gong Xiaonan and Qin Chuyuan's men instinctively gave them space.
Qin Chuyuan rode up to Gong Xiaohua and stopped in front of her. "Are you heading back to your hometown today?" He had heard from his men that Xiaohua and Xiaonan had left the capital on horseback and immediately rushed over.
"Yes," Xiaohua replied. She had always known that Qin Chuyuan had someone keeping an eye on her, but she didn't expect him to find out so quickly.
"When will you be back?"
"Not sure yet."
"Take Qin Shi'er with you. It'll be safer on the road." He wanted Qin Shi'er to keep an eye on her, but continuing like this wouldn't be good for either of them.
Gong Xiaohua looked at Qin Chuyuan and said coldly, "No need. Both Xiaonan and I are skilled in martial arts. We'll take the official road, and no one dares to cause trouble. And please, stop sending people to watch over me. Since we've parted ways, let's just move on peacefully."
With that said, without waiting for his response, she rode off.
Seeing this, Gong Xiaonan followed suit.
Qin Chuyuan watched Xiaohua's retreating figure with deep, unfathomable eyes. "Want me to let go, Xiaohua? How could that be possible?"
Qin Shi'er hesitated for a moment before coming over and asking, "Young Master, should I follow them?"
Qin Chuyuan said softly, "Yes, but don't let her notice."
"Understood." With that, he followed after Gong Xiaohua.
It wasn't until her figure disappeared completely that Qin Chuyuan turned his horse around and said, "Let's go."
It took Gong Xiaohua until the sixth day to catch up with her family. By then, they had already arrived at the county town of their hometown. It shouldn't have taken this long, but they encountered Nangong Jue, who was severely injured, on the way.
They didn't know who had hurt him. He had several wounds, the most serious being the arrow lodged in his chest. They had spent a day tending to his injuries, and they had switched to a carriage halfway through the journey, which delayed their arrival.
Throughout the journey, Nangong Jue had been unconscious. Gong Xiaohua personally brewed medicine and changed his bandages, and it wasn't until they were close to home that he finally woke up.
"Who hurt you?" Xiaohua asked.
Nangong Jue, pale from blood loss and extremely weak, replied weakly, "Who else but the people from Daye? I'm at the top of their wanted list."
"You can go back to Wei Country."
"There are still some matters to be dealt with."
Gong Xiaohua looked at him with a deep gaze.
He understood her implication, "Don't worry, it's not about assassinating officials of our Ye Kingdom."
"I can accommodate you in the palace to recuperate during this period. After your injuries heal, you must leave immediately. During this time, you cannot show yourself to avoid trouble for the palace."
"Thank you."
Nangong Jue spent the entire New Year period recuperating in the palace.
The people of the palace knew that Xiaohua had brought someone to recuperate at home, and it was not allowed to be known by others, so they placed him in the cellar.
The palace was very lively this year. Whether in the county capital, county town, or villages, people came to visit Gong Xiaohua every day.
Sometimes Xiaohua got impatient with the socializing and would hide in the cellar to avoid idleness.
One day, Nangong Jue suddenly said, "Do you want me to help you kill the Princess of Liang Country?"
"What?"
"I've heard some of your affairs. To thank you for saving my life, I can help you kill the Princess of Liang Country."
"And then what? Both Wei and Liang countries attack Ye Kingdom simultaneously? Your ultimate goal shouldn't be this, otherwise, I will kill you in advance."
"How could that be? It's just because of some personal matters of my own." After saying that, he stole a glance at Gong Xiaohua and blushed in a place where no one could see.
Xiaohua was unaware of all this, and the matter of her sheltering Nangong Jue was informed by Qin Shi'er's letter to Qin Chuyuan in the capital.
When Qin Chuyuan received Qin Shi'er's letter on the third day of the New Year, he opened it and read: Nangong Jue was seriously injured and saved by the mistress, now recuperating in the palace. The mistress personally boils medicine every day, changes the dressing, and has very secretive contact with him.
With just a few simple sentences, Qin Chuyuan, who had been waiting in the capital, felt an unprecedented sense of crisis.
"Bring my horse."
"Young master."
"Prepare the horse."
"Are you not going to the mistress's hometown?"
"Go to the Moon Viewing Tower and send someone to bring Lin Young Master here."
"Yes."
When Lin Zhiyuan arrived at the Moon Viewing Tower, Qin Chuyuan was drinking alone in the room, pouring himself a cup of wine.
"Why the sudden interest in inviting me out for a drink today?"
"Is your family considering marriage for you?"
"Don't mention that, I'm nearly fed up with it."
"Are you sure there's no lady you fancy?"
"No, why, are you going to introduce me to someone? Let me tell you, I'm not the type to settle for just anyone."
"Princess of Liang Country."
"What?"
"I'm saying I'll introduce you to the Princess of Liang Country."
As soon as the words were out, Lin Zhiyuan sprayed all the wine in his mouth, shocked, "Are you out of your mind, or is there something wrong with my ears?"
Qin Chuyuan took out a handkerchief from his sleeve, wiping the wine off his face very disdainfully, and said coldly, "I'm not out of my mind, and there's nothing wrong with your ears."
"Akira, this joke isn't funny at all."
"Do I look like I'm joking?"
"No, but isn't the Princess of Liang Country coming to marry you? Do you want me to go and steal the bride? Akira, if you want to reconcile with Xiaohua, you don't need to harm your brother like this."
"I didn't ask you to snatch a bride; I wanted you to get close to her. As the saying goes, seduce her."
*Cough, cough...* This time, Lin Zhiyuan wasn't spraying wine but choking directly.
Pointing at himself and then at Qin Chuyuan, he said, "Look at me, then look at you. As long as the princess isn't blind, she'll choose you."
"I haven't interacted with her. If you take the initiative to approach her and spend some time with her, maybe she'll change her mind."
"No, no."
"After the New Year, the Emperor will send envoys to the border to welcome the Princess of Liang Country. I will recommend you to the Emperor then. Seize the opportunity. If you refuse, I'll tell Madam Lin that you have a penchant for same-sex love. I believe Madam Lin will promptly arrange a marriage for you."
Lin Zhiyuan stared with wide eyes, almost unbelieving. He started stuttering, "You, you, Qin Chuyuan, I've seen your true colors now, using your brother without hesitation."
"If you and the princess are not interested in each other, I won't force you."
"That's more like it. Fine, this time I'll help you, but let's be clear: if it doesn't work out, it's your responsibility to marry her or not. Don't pin it on me."
"Agreed."
After Lin Zhiyuan left, Qin turned to Qin Chuyuan with a puzzled expression, "What if Lin Zhiyuan and the princess don't hit it off? Should we send someone to take care of her on the way?" He made a cutting motion across his neck.
"We'll send someone, but it's just to create a heroic rescue scene for them. Make it look realistic, though, so no one detects any flaws."
"Young Master, your foresight is remarkable."
