"Alright."
When Xiao Jin Yu arrived at the wharf, a boat was moored there, and Xiao Jue was waiting on the dock, slumped loosely in a wheelchair. Beside him stood a tall, spirited woman.
She stood in the direction of the wind, shielding Xiao Jue from most of the cold breeze.
He remembered her figure—there weren't many women in the capital with such a spirited demeanor, and most of them bore the surname Leng.
Xiao Jin Yu was startled for a moment, then felt a warmth in his heart.
He had known a thing or two about Xiao Jue's feelings for this woman back in the day. If it weren't for what happened three years ago... Seeing this scene now, it was as if a heavy stone weighing on his heart had suddenly turned to dust and vanished in an instant, leaving him with a sense of relief.
The closer he got, the more he felt that compared to their last meeting, Xiao Jue now seemed to have found his soul again. Though he was still pale and thin, there was a clear spark of life in his eyes.
"Seventh Uncle..."
"Your humble servant, Leng Yan, pays respects to Prince An."
Xiao Jin Yu nodded slightly, and the woman tactfully retreated about ten steps away. Before leaving, she quickly adjusted the blanket that had slipped from Xiao Jue's waist.
Xiao Jin Yu noticed a flexible strap wrapped around Xiao Jue's waist, securing his limp, weakened body to the wheelchair. The blanket draped over his waist not only shielded him from the wind and kept him warm but also concealed the strap, preserving what little pride he had left.
Xiao Jue bowed his head slightly with a hint of apology. "The situation was unclear before, and my words were disrespectful to you, Seventh Uncle. I hope you won't hold it against me."
"It's fine... Where are you planning to go?"
Xiao Jue gave a faint, bitter smile. "I’ve been tasked with an errand for the Emperor... I don’t know how it ended up falling to me, but I’ll do my best."
"Doing your best is enough."
Xiao Jue fumbled for an envelope on his person, his hand trembling slightly as he handed it to Xiao Jin Yu. He smiled lightly and said, "For your wedding, Seventh Uncle, consider this my gift... I hope you won’t find it beneath you."
Xiao Jin Yu opened the envelope and glanced inside, then froze.
It was clearly a deed to a property.
Xiao Jue added, "After causing so much trouble, I doubt I’ll ever return to Zizhu County. Yan'er has already tidied up the house, and leaving it empty would be a waste... It’s better to give it to you. When you visit your father-in-law, you’ll have a place of your own to stay."
"Alright... I’ll accept it, then."
"I also want to thank you, Seventh Uncle, for bringing the legendary physician, Mr. Gu, to treat me..."
"It was a small effort. Listen to Mr. Gu and focus on recovering."
"Well... take care, Seventh Uncle."
"Mm."
The woman came over and lifted Xiao Jue and his wheelchair onto the boat. It wasn’t until the boat had drifted into the distance that Jing Yi lightly dropped down from a tree, crossing his arms as he looked at Xiao Jin Yu’s calm expression. "With that lukewarm attitude of yours, are you planning to never see him again in this lifetime?"
Xiao Jin Yu furrowed his brow slightly and pursed his lips. "It’s better if we don’t meet."
"Aren’t you curious what task the Emperor assigned him?"
Xiao Jin Yu turned and gave him a quiet glance. "What kind of serious task could it be, when it was you who requested it for him?"
He asked nothing and said nothing—not because he didn’t care, but because he had already guessed everything.
Jing Yi nearly jumped into the river in shock. "How did you know?!"
Xiao Jin Yu didn’t answer and instead changed the subject. "Just before leaving, I received a confidential letter from the capital. There’s some trouble in the northern borderlands, and I need to go... You’re coming with me."Jing Yi leaped backward as if his backside were on fire. "No way! This... this Northern Frontier is all about leading troops into battle, something I know nothing about. What would you have me do there? Find Wu Jiang... let Wu Jiang go!"
Xiao Jin Yu raised an eyebrow slightly. "Are you afraid of seeing battle, or afraid of seeing your father-in-law?"
Jing Yi retreated three steps. "Don't talk about me - you're not much better! When Grandpa Chu speaks, don't you also dare not even breathe loudly?"
Xiao Jin Yu's face darkened. Just how much had this guy secretly overheard...
"Either you come with me to the Northern Frontier... or I'll send a letter to your father to clarify things..."
Before Xiao Jin Yu could finish speaking, Jing Yi hurriedly said, "No, no, no... I'll go with you, I'll go with you!"
"If you really don't want to go..."
Jing Yi forced an ingratiating smile. "I want to, I want to, nothing would please me more... The northern desert - I've never been there in all my grown years. I hear this season it's very... very... very cool there!"
"That's good then... Pack your things, we depart at nightfall."
"Alright, alright, alright..."
When Xiao Jin Yu returned to the Chu residence, he immediately ordered the guards to pack his belongings. Chu Chu watched bewildered as Xiao Jin Yu packed his things one by one. "Wang Ye... what are you doing?"
"Chu Chu, I need to handle some official business..." After packing his clothes, Xiao Jin Yu took Chu Chu's hand. "Stay at home for a while longer, keep your grandparents company... I'll come pick you up and return to the capital once I'm done."
Hearing this, Chu Chu grew anxious and hurriedly pressed down on the chest containing Xiao Jin Yu's clothes. "No! I have to go with you!"
Xiao Jin Yu gently stroked her head. "Be good... I'm going to the northern desert military camp. They're fighting battles there, it's very dangerous. Women aren't allowed in."
The mere thought of being separated so soon after they'd just gotten together made Chu Chu feel as if a hundred claws were scratching at her heart. In her panic, an idea flashed through her mind. "Then I'll disguise myself as a man!"
Xiao Jin Yu didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Don't be ridiculous..."
Where did she come up with such ideas...
"Anyway, I have to be with you!"
"I'll be back soon..."
"That won't do either!" Chu Chu tightly wrapped her arms around Xiao Jin Yu's neck. "Not even for one day!"
Remembering the day and night she had spent without him before, Chu Chu never wanted to experience that feeling again.
"Wang Ye, I'll listen to you, I'll listen to everything you say. I promise not to cause you trouble, not to embarrass you! Don't leave me behind..."
Xiao Jin Yu sighed silently. His usual firmness had never worked with her. "Alright, I'll take you with me... But you must absolutely obey everything I say."
"I'll definitely obey!"
"And remember, once we reach the northern desert military camp, don't trust anyone except me and Jing Yi."
OpenNovel