Mistakenly Connected to the Jade Flower Branch

Nanfei said casually, "Practicing martial arts is good for strengthening the body. I didn't put in much effort, I just casually learned and became an expert. Sigh, I'm just naturally gifted and have an extraordinary physique, there's nothing I can do about it..."

Arrogant yet endearing. Yuan Feng kissed his neck.

Nanfei's neck went numb, and he scared her, saying, "Don't be silly, the effects of the medicine haven't worn off yet."

Yuan Feng was indeed very honest.

Nan Fei analyzed, "The Nan family is a prominent family in Youzhou. And in our family, my father is a second-rank official, my elder brother is a fourth-rank official, and putting your rank aside, your general's prestige is something even the emperor would fear. Nan Hua is also associated with the Crown Prince; if I were to interfere, I'd be asking for trouble..."

You are a military general; if I were to become a civil prime minister, it would be inappropriate for me to be both a skilled military and civil official with absolute power. If Nan Hua were to become the Crown Princess, my father and elder brother would surely rise in rank. My family cannot afford another idle and wasteful person; would Your Majesty be at ease?

When Nanfei became serious, he was clear-headed and rational: "Our dates are not set, the Crown Prince is dragging Nanhua along. My teacher registered me for the imperial examination... I didn't leave entirely because of you, I really had no choice... Once you become an official, there are many things you can't do. Serving a ruler is like serving a tiger, wealth and honor are easy to give, but taking them away will result in rivers of blood."

A prince consort is no match for the Crown Princess. If I were to choose a prince consort, Nanhua could marry anyone without a problem. Nanhua is so stubborn. I've told her the Crown Prince isn't a good match, but she won't listen and will just stay with him and waste her life as an old maid…”

Yuan Feng pondered Nan Fei's words: "I didn't think that much about it."

Nanfei slowly said, "You are a general, and you don't need so many tricks on the battlefield. Unless the situation forces you to, such as when we need to fight for him, the monarch must balance the power in the court and not allow any one family to become too powerful. The crown prince is even more cunning than the emperor. I'll talk to my father another day and ask him to resign and return to his hometown as soon as possible."

Yuan Feng said, "I made a pledge to the Crown Prince in exchange for terms."

Nanfei said, "Don't tell me, let me guess... is it you who resigned from your post?"

Yuan Feng was utterly impressed: "I'm tired of being a general. I'll resign and let you take office. I'll stay home and let you support me."

Nanfei shook his head: "...If Dongyang wins this battle, you'll be dispensable. If Dongyang wins, Nanyue won't dare to launch an attack. Once Batu is dead, they can march north, pacify the northern deserts, establish a governor's office, and then march south in no time. The Crown Prince is ambitious; he doesn't trust you but trusts me more. It's only a matter of time before he strips you of your military power."

My entry into officialdom was entirely due to his needs; I don't need you to exchange it. Nanhua is in his hands—it brings both wealth and power, but also a constraint. Right now, I just hope she gives birth to a son; a son's birth will solidify her position. You'd be better off exchanging some gold and silver with him; that's something I can keep for myself…”

Yuan Feng said, "You money-grubber... It doesn't matter. As long as you eat the king's food, you must be loyal to the king. Do you think we can win?"

Nanfei answered readily: "Yes."

Yuan Feng asked, "Why?"

Nanfei said, "I can't afford to lose. If Dongyang wins, it's not a complete victory; if it loses, it's a complete defeat. I can't let Nanhua become the empress of a unified empire and go down in history; I will never let her become the crown princess of a fallen kingdom and suffer eternal infamy."

Yuan Feng struggled to get down: "Nanfei, you are really...good...good son, good brother, good husband..."

Nanfei stopped and looked at her: "You're already moved?"

Yuan Feng nodded: "Yes, luckily I snatched the bride in advance, otherwise you would be someone else's now."

Nanfei said, "Every time I receive something from you, I look for the divorce papers first. I'm quite surprised that you, who are so proud, have been able to stick to it for so many years."

Yuan Feng said, "...I did write it. I didn't send it to you."

Nanfei was quite interested: "Go back and show it to me. My divorce papers must be precisely worded, beautifully written, and appropriately allusive, otherwise..."

Yuan Fengyu said threateningly, "Or what?"

Nan Fei said, "Otherwise, if you're not good enough for me, I won't leave..."

Yuan Feng smiled and said, "We've arrived."

The two knelt before the grave, and Yuan Feng said, "Father, Mother, I went to Chongming Island and brought Nanfei back..."

Yuan Feng recounted everything from Chongming Island, the negotiations with Nan Yue, the attack on her return journey, the amusing incident at the city gate, Nan Fei's broken leg, to just now when she fell down the mountain and Nan Fei carried her up the mountain... She slowly reported on everything, big and small...

Nanfei was dumbfounded: Who would have thought that the general, who was not talkative in public, was a super chatterbox in front of his parents?

Nan Fei knelt until his legs went numb, regretting that he hadn't brought water or wine. He was so thirsty from listening that Yuan Feng's throat must be parched.

Yuan Feng finished telling her story. Nan Fei was about to breathe a sigh of relief when he heard Yuan Feng's voice choked with sobs. "Why are you still crying after you've finished telling your story?" Nan Fei turned to look at her.

Yuan Feng said, "Father, you insisted that the Nan family marry me back then. You said Nan Fei was a good man, but too young, and that I should wait for him to grow up. Father, he's grown up now, and he's really good to me. I'm so happy and content, and I have no regrets!"

Yuan Feng kowtowed, tears falling into the grave soil with each bow: "Father, thank you!"

Is this the reason why the divorce papers weren't sent to him? Is this the reason why Yuan Feng persisted for so many years?

Nanfei kowtowed: "Father, Mother, please rest assured that you will take care of Afeng in my care."

Nanfei took out half of the Tai Chi white jade phoenix pendant, pinned it to her waist, and then picked up the phoenix pendant from his own waist to make a circle: "Ah Feng, let's fly wing to wing."

Yuan Feng looked at him, tears streaming down her face. After years of waiting, her boy had grown up and returned.

Nanfei pulled her into his arms: "Cry..."

Every time she broke down in tears, it was in Nanfei's arms. Nanfei was her longing and obsession, her reliance and her refuge.

Nanfei pushed Yuan Feng down the mountain in a wheelchair. At the foot of the mountain, they asked someone for water and rested. Yuan Feng gave the host a few taels of silver.

The host family, seeing that the young couple were good-looking, wealthy, and polite, took a liking to them: "Young lady, how come you're in a wheelchair at such a young age? Prolonged illness tests filial piety; you need to find a good doctor to examine you, lest your illness become chronic."

Nanfei smiled and said, "Old lady, having a virtuous husband is enough."

Seeing the gentle spring breeze blowing across Nanfei, the host exclaimed, "Young lady, you are truly blessed. Your husband is handsome, has a good temper, and speaks so sweetly. If my daughter could find someone like him, I would be happy even if I died."

"Mother, are you talking bad about me again?" The daughter came in carrying a bundle of firewood. She turned around and saw Nanfei, and froze.

Yuan Feng placed the bowl on the table, her movements very gentle and her voice crisp: "When..."

The girl snapped out of her daze and bowed, saying, "Greetings, young master."

Nan Fei immediately stood up, thanked the host, and pushed Yuan Feng out.

Then she heard her daughter say from behind, "Even a cripple can marry such a good husband..."

Yuan Feng was very unconvinced: "I'm so envious of you guys."

As the sun sets, the streets become lively, and sky lanterns can be faintly seen in the air.

Nanfei stood at the entrance of the avenue: "Push me then."

Yuan Feng pushed Nanfei up Zhuque Street. Nanfei felt a constant nagging sensation in his back. He had felt it on the way there, and the feeling was even more pronounced now that the cushion had been flattened.

Nanfei said, "Ah Feng, don't you think there's something there?"

Yuan Feng nodded: "A little."

Nanfei twisted and turned, picked up the lumbar pillow, squeezed it a couple of times, and reached inside to pull out a money pouch.

Nanfei counted the money, overjoyed: "Ah Feng, silver! I'm rich... 198 taels... Young Master is so good to me..."

Whose money? This idiot!