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

"Let's go, Minister Xie, come with me to the Imperial Study."

Xie Huai'an's spear dance had just made Emperor Mingde very proud, and he was so pleased that his steps became much lighter.

Xie Huai'an followed behind Emperor Mingde, his unease growing ever stronger.

**

Back to Kunning Palace

"What does Aunt think of General Xie?"

The Empress needed to ascertain the Grand Princess's intentions before reporting back to the Emperor.

The Grand Princess had been secretly observing Xie Huai'an. His gaze was open and honest, and his demeanor and speech were proper. So far, it seemed that there was nothing wrong with him.

"Good skills."

Although the Grand Princess only said four words, there was no dissatisfaction in her tone, and the Empress felt that the matter was settled.

"What do you think, Wan'er?"

After all, it was Jiang Shuwan who was getting married, and the Empress had watched her grow up since she was a child, so she still had some affection for her and naturally hoped that she could marry her ideal husband.

Before Jiang Shuwan could speak, Li Shuxin blurted out, "I think it's just so-so. What kind of person grows a beard when they're only twenty? Their face is so big and the black beard takes up half of it."

The Empress glared at her, "What do you know, child?"

Xie Huai'an was one of the tallest men in Daqing. His physique was neither as slender as a weak scholar nor as burly as a brute. He looked imposing and eye-catching, although his thick black beard looked a bit...

"General Xie's gaze is open and honest; he must be a good person."

When Jiang Shuwan mentioned character, it was a subtle way of telling the Empress that she valued the other person's moral character.

The Empress assured her, "His Majesty would never arrange a marriage for you with someone of questionable character."

The Empress had also inquired about Xie Huai'an privately, and found that apart from his poor family background, he was otherwise quite good.

Jiang Shuwan said, "I will always remember your and the Emperor's kindness to me."

Li Shu quickly said, "Mother, there is still some time before your meal. I'll go and talk to Sister Wan for a while."

The Empress never restrained Li Shu. "Go, but don't forget the time."

"Yes."

Jiang Shuwan and Li Shu bowed to the Empress and the Grand Princess and then left the room.

Li Shu took Jiang Shuwan to the Imperial Garden, only to find that Emperor Mingde and his entourage had already left.

***

When the conversation turned to serious matters, Emperor Mingde regained his composure and inquired in detail about border affairs. Although they had maintained correspondence over the years, there were still some things that could not be written down.

It was an hour later when they finished discussing business. It was lunchtime, and Emperor Mingde said that they would have lunch at the Empress's palace. Xie Huai'an was not a man and it was not appropriate for him to stay, but thinking that important matters had not yet been dealt with, he could not let him leave. So he gave him a meal and hurriedly went to Kunning Palace.

Along the way, Emperor Mingde thought more and more about how he was a good emperor and a good uncle. If it were any other emperor, he would have just granted the marriage with a word, regardless of whether the other person wanted it or not.

Emperor Mingde was caught up in self-congratulation, forgetting that when he previously bestowed marriages upon others, he had never asked the individuals involved whether they wished for it.

Xie Huai'an was alone in his room, deep in thought. From Emperor Mingde's questioning and the incident in the Imperial Garden, he was certain that Emperor Mingde had another purpose in calling him back this time. At this moment, he was thinking about how to refuse Emperor Mingde later.

***

When the Emperor arrived at Kunning Palace, he spoke with the Grand Princess, and no one else knew the content of their conversation.

After finishing his meal, the Emperor left Kunning Palace in a good mood.

The Empress left the Grand Princess to rest in the palace, while Li Shu took Jiang Shuwan back to her own palace.

After dismissing the maids, only the two of them remained in the room.

"It seems that Father and Great-Aunt have made a plan."

Li Shu cared for Jiang Shuwan so much because she regarded her as her own older sister.

"Actually, His Majesty has already given Grandmother a lot of face this time. Both his thunder and rain are expressions of imperial favor."

From the moment she learned that the Emperor was going to bestow a marriage upon her until now, Jiang Shuwan has accepted this fact.

Li Shu was somewhat dejected. "Yes, Father Emperor's casual remark has decided the life and death of countless people."

Jiang Shuwan knew why she was feeling down, so she took her hand to comfort her.

"Sister Wan, why don't we go and meet your future husband?"

Li Shu simply couldn't calm down.

Jiang Shuwan hesitated, "Isn't that a bad idea?"

“What’s wrong with that? It’s just a chance encounter.” Li Shu blinked a few times after she finished speaking.

Jiang Shuwan had no way to deal with her, so the two of them, along with several maids, went to "accidentally" meet her.

Before leaving, Li Shu whispered a few words in her maid's ear, and the maid responded and left.

As expected, Jiang Shuwan and Li Shu "bumped into" Xie Huai'an.

The eunuch who was leading Xie Huai'an to change clothes greeted the two of them.

"This servant greets Princess Yong'an and Princess Yongning."

Xie Huai'an clasped his hands in greeting and said, "Your subject greets Princess Yong'an and Princess Yongning."

Li Shu asked in surprise, "Isn't this General Xie? What are you doing here?"

Xie Huai'an answered truthfully, "I accidentally got my clothes wet and came here to change."

"That's it."

Xie Huai'an thought he could leave after paying his respects, but who knew that this little princess would talk so much, asking about his place of origin and such. Compared to the talkative little princess, this Princess Yongning was quiet and reserved. She was like a beautiful painting when she stood there.

"Your Majesty has other matters to discuss with me, so I shall take my leave now."

Xie Huai'an was neither good at nor fond of interacting with people, let alone women.

After this conversation, Li Shu's impression of Xie Huai'an improved somewhat; at least he wasn't obsequious or servile when facing her.

***

imperial study room

Emperor Mingde knew about Li Shu's actions, but since his daughter hadn't done anything out of line, he turned a blind eye.

Xie Huai'an bowed and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty."

Emperor Mingde said, "Get up."

"Xie Qing must be twenty-five this year."

"Yes."

After pretending to think, Emperor Mingde said, "I remember you are not married."

Xie Huai'an's heart skipped a beat. "I am not married."

Upon hearing the satisfactory answer, Emperor Mingde chuckled and said, "How about I arrange a marriage for you?"

"I am still young and have never considered marriage. I urge Your Majesty to reconsider."

Xie Huai'an refused without even thinking.

Emperor Mingde's expression immediately darkened. He hadn't expected Xie Huai'an to refuse him; what an honor it was for the emperor to arrange a marriage.

"It's good that you're so devoted to the country, but you still need to consider your marriage. I've found you a girl from a good family."

"I have never thought of getting married."

Emperor Mingde was surprised that he had rejected him again. He had just mentioned a girl from a good family to him. Did he not want to climb the social ladder at all?

"Thank you for bestowing this marriage upon me."

Emperor Mingde lowered his voice, and his expression was not good.

Xie Huai'an knelt down, "Your Majesty, I beg you to rescind the decree."

Emperor Mingde angrily said, "Princess Yongning is such a wonderful girl. I watched her grow up since she was a child. Her family background, talent, and appearance are among the best in the capital. How come you have rejected her time and time again?!"

He thought this marriage wouldn't go well, and that the obstacle would be his aunt. But he didn't expect that there was no problem with his aunt; the problem was with this guy!

Princess Yongning?

It was not Princess Yong'an.