You're the one who wants to marry a mistress, and I'm marrying someone else, yet you still

With Xie Wanru's divorce settled, Xie Yanting should return to the border.

“Wanwan, the Princess’s mansion may not be as comfortable as home. Don’t care what others say. You were born and raised in this mansion. This is your home forever. If anyone bullies you, just write to me. I’ll rush back to support you.”

Xie Yanting gave instructions.

He glanced at the other people in the mansion out of the corner of his eye. He had called a few people over last night and given them some instructions.

He had to find a way to tell him about any news, as he was extremely worried about Wanwan being left alone in Xuancheng.

But Wanwan is not young anymore, and he can't keep her around in the army all the time. Otherwise, he wouldn't be willing to leave her behind.

"Third brother, I'm not a child. Besides, you've already asked the Empress and the Crown Prince for help. Do you think anyone in Xuancheng would dare to mess with me?"

Xie Wanru said with a smile, she was reluctant to part with him, but she also knew that her third brother was going to protect the country and that there were no cowards in the Xie family.

She wanted to stay in Xuancheng to help the Crown Prince prevent Xiao Yan from causing trouble again. Only after the Crown Prince ascended the throne would he continue to rely on the Xie family, ensuring that the Xie family would not be framed.

"Whether those fearless people dare to do it or not is anyone's guess. In short, don't let yourself be wronged. Even if the sky falls, your brother will hold it up for you."

Xie Yanting was very worried and gave him many instructions before mounting his horse and leaving.

As Xie Wanru watched Xie Yanting's departing figure, tears streamed down her face uncontrollably. It seemed that as she grew up, she was always facing farewells.

When Xie Yanting arrived at the city gate, he saw Shen Cong'an and Shen Mo, who seemed to have been waiting for a long time.

When Shen Cong'an saw him arrive, he said to Shen Mo, "Mo'er, go and talk to General Xie, but remember not to talk for too long. Keep it short and don't delay General Xie's schedule."

After saying that, Shen Cong'an stepped aside.

Shen Mo was carrying a bundle, which was actually quite large for him.

"Third uncle."

Shen Mo bowed respectfully.

Xie Yanting didn't know why Xie Wanru liked this child so much, but there's a saying that goes, "You can't hit someone who's smiling at you," so Xie Yanting didn't want to make things difficult for a child.

So he dismounted and walked up to Shen Mo. "It's so cold outside. How long have you been waiting here?"

As he spoke, he subconsciously reached out and brushed the snow off Shen Mo's shoulders, hat, and other parts of his body. His movements were not exactly gentle, but it was rare to see such a tender side on a general who had fought countless battles.

“Reporting to Third Uncle, it’s only been a short while. Mo’er has come to deliver knee pads to Third Uncle. Father said that the Northern Border is a cold place. Mo’er doesn’t have much money saved up, but it’s just enough to buy a set of knee pads for each of the three uncles and… Grandfather. Please don’t find it too expensive, Third Uncle.”

Shen Mo raised her small face, which was flushed from the cold.

They were clearly shivering from the cold, but they pretended they hadn't been waiting long.

The bundle was handed over, and Xie Yanting reached out to take it. He felt a strange mix of emotions; he had only met this child once, yet he already had this kind of feeling for him.

“There are no such things at the border, so I don’t mind. You should go back with your father; it’s cold outside.”

Xie Yanting couldn't bring himself to say anything too intimate, so he put his bundle on the horse's back.

Shen Mo was also satisfied. He bowed to Xie Yanting again before walking towards Shen Cong'an. As a member of the Shen family, it was already quite difficult for him not to be disliked by Xie Yanting, so he naturally dared not hope that Xie Yanting would be intimate with him.

Shen Cong'an, who was not far away, nodded and smiled, and bowed slightly. He did not hold an official position in the court, so it was only proper for him to bow to Xie Yanting.

Xie Yanting nodded in return, then looked down and saw Shen Mo wearing the jade pendant he had given her, holding it carefully in her hand as if afraid of losing it.

But those little hands were clearly red from the cold.

"Shen Mo, wait."

Xie Yanting called out to Shen Mo, who hadn't gone far, and took two steps to stand in front of him.

Before Shen Mo could react, Xie Yanting slipped his hand into his sleeve.

“Wanwan said your hand was injured. It’s so cold, and you’re not even taking care of yourself. If you ruin your hand again for a jade pendant, do you think your Aunt Wan will let me off the hook? Remember, objects are not as important as people, understand?”

Xie Yanting's tone was stern, but every word he spoke was a word of advice.

The child's injuries touched him; he was willing to risk his life for a book.

"Mo'er understands."

Shen Mo nodded, his eyes brimming with tears, but he held them back.

"Good to know. If I can come back next year, I'll personally test your skills. Don't embarrass your Aunt Wan. When she was your age, she could take down three or five adults. I'm leaving now. Study hard."

Xie Yanting couldn't resist and also patted Shen Mo's head, just like Xie Wanru. However, Shen Mo was wearing a hat today, so it wasn't as comfortable as Xie Wanru's pat.

"Yes, Mo'er will definitely try her best."

His silent gaze revealed a resolute determination.

It's a state that's hard for a child to perceive.

Xie Yanting mounted his horse, and the group left the city gate, heading north. Who knew when they would meet again?

Two days after they set off, Xie Wanru finally had someone send out the knee pads and other warm items that she had specially prepared for the Xie family.

Actually, she had prepared them, but she had forgotten about them until Dongzhu mentioned that Mo'er had gone to someone to buy a few sets, which reminded her of them, so she delivered them at different times.

Xie Yanting glanced at the bundle containing the knee pads several times along the way, and finally couldn't resist taking out a set to put on. He immediately felt much warmer.

"She's young, but she has a good eye for choosing things."

Someone sighed with a sweet feeling in their heart and headed towards the North.

The matter between Shen Nian'an and Xie Wanru was finally understood, and at Shen Nian'an's urging, Old Madam Shen went with him to beg Shen Zhan.

"You've been named by the Emperor, and you'll never be able to serve as an official in the court again in this lifetime. I won't care what you do in the future, but your elder brother, if you dare to touch him again from now on, you will be pushing the entire Shen family into the abyss. Do you understand?"

Shen Zhan stared intently at Shen Nian'an.

He used to be indifferent to fame and fortune, after all, although his official position was not high, he was still considered an official in the court, and with the status of a marquis, he had some face in front of others.

Now that he has resigned from his official post and is staying at home, and Shen Nian'an is disliked by the emperor, he can only rely on Shen Cong'an to have any chance of turning his life around.

"My son understands."

Shen Nian'an responded meekly.

He knew his father very well; he seemed to have no desires, but in reality, he was quite cunning.

"You will all be living in the Plum Garden in the west from now on. The East Garden will need some time to be renovated, so we'll move back there later depending on the circumstances."

Plum Garden.

Xie Wanru's former residence.

Shen Nian'an didn't want to agree, but it was clear that Old Madam Shen had given him the nod.

"Yes."