Rebirth of a Lost Nation: Princess, Please Respect Yourself

Half an incense stick later, Ning Yunxiao and Jiang Lige were still standing outside Concubine Xian's courtyard.

The two of them were ready and finally entered the door after going through numerous formalities. However, they did not expect that this was the scene waiting for them inside.

There was a large round table in the spacious Zen room, with a charcoal-fired copper pot on the table. The virtuous concubine was wearing a casual dress with dark patterns and no gold or jade ornaments. She was seriously discussing with the kitchen maid whether to put the mushrooms or the vegetables in the pot first.

It was Concubine Dowager Xian who saw them first and waved at them with a smile on her face.

"Are you hungry? Come and sit down."

"Zhaohua pays his respects to the Queen Mother."

Jiang Lige realized it belatedly, and before he could even finish the half-salute, Concubine Xian held his hand.

"In this imperial city, everyone has their own difficulties. The majesty of the Concubine Dowager is for outsiders to see. Since you are Xiao'er's fiancée, you are not an outsider."

In one sentence, this explained the difference in Concubine Xian's attitude before and after, but Jiang Lige was still a little dazed and didn't know whether he should say something polite.

Ning Yunxiao's face flushed at the teasing, and he softly explained to Jiang Lige, "The Concubine Dowager is always spontaneous, so you don't have to be so restrained."

Jiang Lige then nodded and said, "Thank you, Queen Dowager."

Concubine Xian smiled with satisfaction and personally pulled Jiang Lige to sit at the round table.

"You've had a hard time traveling all this way, and I'm afraid you won't be able to handle a vegetarian meal. So I ordered some ancient soup. Although it doesn't contain much meat, it has more dishes and is more comfortable. Try it and see if you like it."

Jiang Lige was flattered and took the dish that Concubine Xian passed to him, behaving very well.

"Zhaohua will always remember the kindness of the Empress Dowager!"

The virtuous Concubine Dowager was amiable, Jiang Lige was well-behaved and sensible, and even the usually calm and reserved Ning Yunxiao showed a bit of gentleness today. The meal was a very heartwarming one.

The virtuous Concubine Dowager's temper was better than Jiang Lige had expected. She didn't really care about the rules of not talking while eating or sleeping, and she chatted while boiling the dishes.

Sometimes he was concerned about Ning Yunxiao's career, and sometimes he asked Jiang Lige what his hobbies were.

Just when Jiang Lige thought he had gotten used to Concubine Xian's way of communicating, he suddenly heard her speak again.

"Ai's Xiao'er has finally grown up."

In one sentence, there was a sense of relief, but also a hint of emotion, which made everyone present feel uncomfortable.

Ning Yunxiao continued, "In Wang Su's opinion, this is a happy event."

"Wangsu?" asked Concubine Dowager Xian, "Is that your name?"

"Indeed, it was bestowed upon us by His Majesty himself, to encourage us to strengthen ourselves and serve the country with all our might."

"Good word." The virtuous concubine nodded and reminded, "The emperor has high hopes for you. However, I have to say that while fame and fortune are important for young people, you should also not forget to take good care of your health. Good health is more important than anything else."

"The Queen Mother is right."

Jiang Lige thought that the topic should end here, but she saw Concubine Xian raise her eyes and glance at the two of them, and then said earnestly:

"Xiao'er has been very close to me since childhood. You could say he's like my own grandson. Now I'm already in my twilight years and have no other wishes. I just hope you two will work hard so I can have a great-grandson soon..."

"Ahem..." The topic changed without warning, and Jiang Lige was so scared that a spoonful of clear soup got stuck in his throat, choking and making his little face red.

Ning Yunxiao saw this and quickly patted his back to calm him down, then replied helplessly:

"Your Highness! The grand ceremony has not yet taken place, and the princess's reputation is paramount."

The virtuous concubine curled her lips and complained something in a low voice, but she didn't say anything shocking in the end.

The words of Concubine Xian were spoken in a very low voice, almost inaudible under the gurgling sound of the copper pot boiling.

But Jiang Lige, who was closest to her, still heard a vague idea of what was said. His heart, which had been beating fast, suddenly stopped, and then it skipped a beat. He could no longer calm down.

Concubine Xian said, "The Emperor is really something. He always procrastinates."

Ning Yunxiao, however, had not heard this and only said, "The Dragon Boat Festival is coming in a few days. If we leave early, we can still return to the capital to join in the fun."

"It's been a while since I've celebrated the Dragon Boat Festival in the capital, and I miss it terribly."

"Then why don't we ask Wang Su to tell everyone to prepare well and set off the day after tomorrow?"

"The day after tomorrow? I'm afraid it's too late." Concubine Xian shook her head. "I promised the abbot that I would distribute porridge in Fengle Village once every 20th of every month. I must finish the porridge before I leave."

Ning Yunxiao frowned slightly when he heard this, "But if we set off in twenty days, I'm afraid we won't be able to catch the Dragon Boat Festival."

"It's okay. It's a day that comes every year. We can spend it together next year." After saying this, Concubine Xian looked at Ning Yunxiao and asked with concern, "Why, Xiao'er, do you have something important to do when you return to the capital?"

Ning Yunxiao shook his head, his gaze falling indifferently on the teacup on the table.

"No."

Ning Yunxiao's denial was impeccable in both expression and tone, convincing enough to convince people.

But Jiang Lige always felt that things might not be so. Would someone like Ning Yunxiao really go to such lengths to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival?

She doesn't think so.

It’s a pity that Jiang Lige was the only one who thought so. Even the Concubine Xian, who was closest to Ning Yunxiao, didn’t notice anything wrong.

"In that case, it's settled." Concubine Xian happily finalized the decision, then turned to the two of them and said, "I'm old now, and my legs and feet are not so convenient. Why don't you two make this trip for me this time?"

Since Concubine Xian had spoken, Ning Yunxiao and Jiang Lige, as the younger generations, had no reason to refuse and nodded in agreement.

"Yes, Madam Dowager, please rest assured."

……

At dawn the next day, the two men, who had just rested for a night, hurried on their journey again.

The virtuous concubine always distributed porridge in the name of the local celebrities from the neighboring county, so this time the two of them traveled simply, with a carriage and several personal servants.

Ning Yunxiao did not ride a horse, but squeezed into a carriage with Jiang Lige.

After walking on the mountain road for nearly a day, Jiang Lige was really tired, but Ning Yunxiao opposite him was still sitting upright, which made Jiang Lige admire Ning Yunxiao from the bottom of his heart.

This person is so well-mannered!

Thinking of this, Jiang Lige, with dark circles under his eyes, forced himself to chat with Ning Yunxiao.

"Yesterday, the Concubine said she would come to distribute porridge every month. I thought Fengle Village was not far away."

"It's not close, but it's worth the journey." Ning Yunxiao replied.

"Oh?" Jiang Lige became interested. "What's so special about Fengle Village?"

"Fengle Village is populated by the relatives of soldiers who died on the battlefields of Shengling. From grandparents to children and grandchildren, all have been settled here by the Ministry of War, and this has been the case for generations. Fengle Village was named by the first emperor of Shengling, meaning abundance and joy. He hoped that the people of Shengling would have ample food and clothing, and live in peace and happiness. He also hoped that the world would remember that this prosperous and peaceful era was supported by broken families one after another."