The daily life of a cold and aloof general raising his wife

The Grand Princess hadn't spent New Year's Eve in the capital for several years. Marquis Dongping wanted to spend New Year's Eve at the Grand Princess's residence to ease the tension between mother and son, but the Grand Princess refused. So, this year, Jiang Shuwan and her granddaughter spent New Year's Eve together again.

Grandmother and grandson continued their lives as usual, unaffected by others. The Grand Princess even gave bonuses to the servants in the mansion, and the whole mansion was filled with joy.

After Jiang Shuwan finished observing the New Year's Eve vigil, she went back to her room to rest. When she got up again, she put on the red belted long dress that the Grand Princess had prepared for her.

Feiyun exclaimed in admiration, "This color suits you so well, it makes your complexion look even more beautiful."

Feiyun would say that every time Jiang Shuwan wore new clothes, so she was already used to it.

"Let's go, don't keep Grandma waiting."

When Jiang Shuwan arrived, the Marquis of Dongping and his wife, along with Jiang Shurou, had already arrived.

Everyone was stunned when they saw Jiang Shuwan.

Jiang Shuwan usually wears more elegant and mature colors to maintain a composed demeanor, so wearing bright colors makes her stand out.

Jiang Shuwan bowed, "Grandmother, Father, Mother."

The Grand Princess's previously calm face broke into a smile, "Wan'er looks beautiful and festive in this color."

Jiang Shuwan went to the Grand Princess's side and said, "You have excellent taste."

The Marquis of Dongping and his wife wanted to speak to Jiang Shuwan, but they didn't know what to say, so they just moved their mouths without making a sound.

Jiang Shurou watched from the side with a smile on her face, but no one knew what she was thinking.

"Alright, let's begin the meal."

The Grand Princess pulled Jiang Shuwan into the hall.

The meal was relatively peaceful; Madam Gu tried to speak several times but remained silent.

After finishing her meal, the Grand Princess wanted to rest, and the Marquis of Dongping knew this and did not disturb her. The group then left Cuihua Courtyard.

Jiang Shuwan was about to return to her own courtyard when Marquis Dongping called her back.

“Your mother wants to apologize to you. She acted impulsively and hit you last time. I have already spoken to her about it.”

Madam Gu felt ashamed that she, as an elder, had to apologize to her daughter, which she refused to do.

Jiang Shuwan looked at Madam Gu quietly.

“I was wrong last time; I shouldn’t have hit you, but…”

Knowing that what she was about to say would ruin things, Marquis Dongping interrupted her in time, "Alright, let's put this behind us. Don't bring it up again. Our family is still doing well."

Jiang Shuwan found this somewhat amusing. Family? When did they ever consider themselves family?

After hesitating for a moment, Marquis Dongping finally spoke up: "Wan'er, come and stay at the Marquis's residence for a few days. Your mother, your sister, and I miss you very much."

"I'm doing well at the Grand Princess's residence. If there's nothing else, I'll head back now."

After saying that, Jiang Shuwan turned and left without any hesitation.

Marquis Dongping frowned as he watched his eldest daughter's retreating figure.

Madam Gu was already unhappy, and now her face fell completely.

"She's just asking for trouble. She was unwilling to go to the Marquis's mansion before, but the Emperor made her a princess. Now she looks down on the Marquis's mansion even more."

"Say less."

After speaking, Marquis Dongping snorted coldly and walked outside.

Madam Gu stomped her foot angrily, thinking how kind of her intentions had been taken for granted!

Jiang Shurou stepped forward and grabbed Madam Gu's arm. "Mother, don't be angry. My sister is not a vain person. She just returned to the capital and is not familiar with the Marquis's mansion. She will want to live here again soon. If it doesn't work, I will invite her a few more times."

A smile finally appeared on Gu Shi's face when she saw Jiang Shurou.

"She can come or not, it doesn't matter. Anyway, we don't get along. You're still the best, my good daughter."

Jiang Shurou advised, "Mother, please don't say such things. Father and Grandmother will be unhappy if they hear it."

"Rou'er, you're just too kind."

In Gu's heart, Jiang Shurou was the best.

***

From New Year's Day to the seventh day, there was no need to attend the morning court session. People from all walks of life exchanged invitations and visited each other's homes. There were quite a few people who came to visit the Grand Princess's residence, but the Grand Princess turned them all down except for those she was familiar with.

Jiang Shuwan lived a very peaceful life every day as long as the Gu and He families didn't bother her.

February arrived in the blink of an eye. The palace sent out invitations, and Jiang Shuwan and the Grand Princess packed their things and traveled to the palace by carriage.

Both the grandfather and grandson were aware of the implications of this trip to the palace.

The Grand Princess couldn't help but instruct, "If the other party doesn't agree, just refuse them directly. Don't wrong yourself. Your grandmother will support you in everything."

Jiang Shuwan raised the corners of her mouth and said in a relaxed tone, "I know, Grandmother. Don't worry, for your sake, the Emperor will never bestow a husband with a defect on me."

"That's true. Even if we disregard my feelings, he can't go too far for your grandfather's sake. If he dares to assign you to any random people, I'll tell your grandfather to go find him!"

That'll scare him to death!

Hearing this, Jiang Shuwan chuckled, easing the tense atmosphere in the carriage considerably.

***

Royal Garden

Emperor Mingde looked at Xie Huai'an, who had a long black beard, and fell into deep thought.

"Why is Xie Qing, who is so young, growing a beard?"

The last time I saw Xie Huai'an, he was clearly a handsome and dashing young man!

Xie Huai'an was stunned. Emperor Mingde had summoned him from so far away just to care about his beard?

Before he could speak, Emperor Mingde said, "It's still early. Go and shave off your beard. Why are you growing a beard at such a young age?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Emperor Mingde saw the Empress and the Grand Princess walking towards them.

Emperor Mingde thought to himself, "Too late. Oh well, let it be."

Xie Huai'an was puzzled, but since the emperor had spoken, he had no choice but to obey. Just as he was about to leave, Emperor Mingde stopped him.

"I've heard that you wield your spear with unparalleled skill. Today, I'll see if it's true."

Today's Emperor Mingde left Xie Huai'an completely baffled.

Xie Huai'an clasped his hands in a salute and said, "Yes."

The spear was already prepared, with two eunuchs carrying it to the side.

When Jiang Shuwan and the others arrived, Xie Huai'an was practicing with his spear.

Xie Huai'an put away his spear, and Emperor Mingde nodded and clapped in satisfaction.

"With a single throw of the dragon, heaven and earth are shattered; with nine consecutive strikes of the lone spear, none can be surpassed now. Xie Qing's spear technique is indeed worthy of its reputation."

Xie Huai'an handed the spear to the eunuch beside him and clasped his hands in a salute, saying, "Your Majesty is too kind; I dare not accept such praise."

The Empress and the others first bowed to the Emperor.

"I, my concubine, see you, Your Majesty."

"See the Emperor."

The emperor's maids bowed to the empress.

"See the Queen."

The Emperor spoke, "You may all dispense with the formalities."

The Empress looked at Xie Huai'an and said, "This must be General Xie. He is a true young hero. I have never seen anyone wield a spear so well."

"Your Majesty flatters me. I am but a novice with superficial skills."

The Empress smiled and said, "General Xie is too modest." Then she said to Emperor Mingde, "The weather is nice today, so I invited my aunt and Shu Wan to stroll in the Imperial Garden. I didn't expect to run into Your Majesty and General Xie here. I won't disturb you any longer."

Emperor Mingde nodded, "You must take good care of your aunt, who doesn't come to the palace often."

Then he said to the Grand Princess, "Aunt, I have something to do right now and cannot accompany you. We will have a meal together in the Empress's palace later."

The Grand Princess smiled and said, "Important matters must be attended to first, Your Majesty."

As Xie Huai'an watched the Empress and her entourage leave, a bad feeling suddenly welled up in his heart.