My wife wants a divorce; if she ruins my life, I'll leave.

Winter days are short, and the sun begins to set sharply in the west after noon.

Standing atop the hill, a gust of north wind howled, causing her hair to flutter wildly and making her squint.

Meng Ruohua pressed down the hem of her clothes that was being blown up by the wind and said to Yu Yan, "Brother Yu, I have to go back first, so that my mother won't look for me later."

"Hmm." Yu Yan swallowed hard, suppressing the slight agitation in his heart. After a pause, he said in a deep voice, "Let's go together. I'm going back too."

We've known each other since childhood, so walking together isn't considered inappropriate.

Meng Ruohua nodded and walked out first. Yu Ye looked left and right behind her, but still followed closely behind.

The two walked one after the other, without exchanging much conversation.

Upon arriving at the temple, they found that Meng's mother was indeed preparing to send someone to find Meng Ruohua.

It's time to go down the mountain!

Upon seeing Yu Yan, Meng's mother praised him with admiration, "He is a sensible child, good-looking and capable. Has he come to escort the princess back to the city?"

Yu Yan's lips twitched slightly, and he replied, "Yes."

He had something to do in the morning and couldn't bring his mother over, but he came over early in the afternoon after finishing his business. He didn't expect to run into them.

Remembering that he had run into Meng Ruohua three times recently, his eyes involuntarily turned to her.

This temple is dedicated to Guanyin Bodhisattva, and people come here to pray for marriage and children. His mother, Princess Yangcheng, came to pray for his marriage, but what about Meng Ruohua? Was she praying for a child?

Didn't she have a bad relationship with Song Chen'an?

Yu Yan thought to himself, but his expression remained unchanged as he humbly and politely responded to Mencius' mother's words.

After exchanging a few polite words, they went their separate ways, because Yu Yan really wasn't a good conversationalist.

Although he tried to keep his expression gentle, his overall demeanor was so imposing that even Meng's mother felt somewhat uncomfortable.

After he left, Meng's mother said to Meng Ruohua with admiration, "His imposing presence is no less than your father's."

“The commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, if his imposing manner is weak, he won’t be able to control those below him!” Meng Ruohua replied.

Actually, she didn't think it was anything special. Maybe it was because they had known each other since childhood, but even though they hadn't seen each other for several years, she still felt a sense of familiarity.

Before long, Granny Gong, who served Princess Yangcheng, came over and said with a smile, "The princess said that if you don't mind, you can go back to the city together, so you can look after each other."

Although the capital was peaceful and there were no bandits or robbers in the surrounding area, it was still a trip for women. Meng's mother was worried about encountering problems on the road, so she always took ten guards with her when she went out, and she still felt it was not safe enough!

Upon hearing Princess Yangcheng's suggestion, he readily nodded in agreement.

With Yu Yan around, no one dares to cause trouble. Just his title as the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard is enough to scare away anyone with bad intentions!

Mencius' mother pondered, "Then we'll wait for the princess at the foot of the mountain."

The princess came up in a sedan chair, she came up in a palanquin, and Meng Ruohua walked up. Now that they were going down the mountain, their speeds would definitely be different.

She took Meng Ruohua and Granny Gong with her and told them the truth: "My daughter climbed up by herself. In order not to delay the princess, we will go down the mountain first and wait."

Those young ladies from noble families are so delicate, they get out of breath after just a few steps, but I never expected that she could climb up all by herself!

It's still somewhat similar to when I was a child.

A dark glint flashed in Yu Yan's eyes, but his gaze involuntarily turned to that direction. To avoid being discovered, he quickly looked away, pretending to look out casually, but his eyes fell on the bare plum tree in the courtyard.

Why plant such a mundane thing as plum trees in this otherworldly place!

It's just a flower that blooms in winter, yet those literati praised it as a gentleman among flowers, saying it has a proud spirit that withstands frost. But it's just a flower.

Anyway, Yu Yan, being a boorish man, admitted that he didn't understand.

He withdrew his gaze in disgust, lowering his eyes to conceal his emotions.

Today, I saw that her eyes and brows were full of melancholy, completely lacking the joy of previous years.

Recalling the information she had gathered, she realized that the Song family hadn't treated her well either. Their concubine, who had entered the household in the same year as her, had already given birth to two illegitimate children!

The Song family was gradually declining, so she must not have been living a very happy life.

His well-defined lips were pressed tightly together, the sharp lines of his lips revealing a hint of sharpness.

Princess Yangcheng keenly noticed Yu Yan's unusual behavior and followed his gaze, but saw nothing. She said, "Alright, you go first. I still have a few things to pack."

Half an hour later, after everyone gathered at the foot of the mountain, the two groups set off together to return to the city.

The guards waved for Yu Yan to pass, much faster than when he left the city gate in the morning.

Meng Ruohua sighed inwardly, wondering whether it was the princess's name or the black-faced Imperial Guard's name that was more effective.

She lifted a corner of the carriage curtain and saw Yu Yan riding a horse on the right side of the princess's carriage. His arms were long and strong, and he was loosely pulling on the reins to control the black horse beneath him. He had broad shoulders and a straight back, and from a distance, he exuded a sense of inexplicable trust.

It's just like when she was little, watching her father's departing figure.

Yu Ye also came over to take a look and whispered, "The commander isn't as scary as the rumors say!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a man in black standing next to Yu Yan was looked at.

Yu Ye blushed instantly at the sharp gaze. Being caught gossiping on the spot was incredibly embarrassing.

She awkwardly lowered the carriage curtain, shrinking into the corner, too afraid to move.

Meng Ruohua smiled, pursing her lips, and said in a very low voice, "Their hearing is too good from practicing martial arts."

Yu Ye covered her mouth and nodded frantically, afraid that her words would be overheard.

When they reached the fork in the road, Mencius' mother sent someone to thank the princess, and the two groups prepared to go their separate ways.

Unexpectedly, the princess sent a tall, slender member of the Imperial Guard to escort Madam Meng.

Mencius' mother lifted the curtain and sighed inwardly at Yu Yan's thoughtfulness. She secretly sized him up and saw that he was somewhat thin and frail, with little flesh on his face, but his appearance was kind. He smiled broadly when he spoke, which made people feel much more relaxed.

"Please thank the commander for me. We've already entered the city, so there's no need for you to make another trip."

"Madam Meng, there's no need for such formalities." After saying that, he shut his mouth and stood aside, clearly waiting for the carriage to go first.

If you don't want the other person to refuse, then be firm and don't give them a chance to refuse!

Seeing that the princess's carriage had already left, Mencius' mother had no choice but to give up, saying, "Then I'll have to trouble you, sir."

“No need for that.” He paused, then explained with a smile, “This humble servant, Cui Min, has always admired General Meng’s bravery.”

Although he had a kind face, he was not a talkative person, especially when he was with a noblewoman.

Mencius' mother noticed his lack of eloquence, smiled and exchanged a few polite words before setting off.

Upon arriving at the gate of the Meng residence, Meng Ruohua got out of the carriage and bid farewell to her mother, saying, "It's getting late today, so I won't go in. I'll come back when I have time."

Knowing that her mother-in-law valued etiquette, she didn't keep her any longer. "Go back and take good care of Chen'an. Once you give birth to a son or daughter, you'll be settled."

Meng Ruohua took a deep breath and kept her mouth shut without saying a word.

Serve him? You'd be lucky if you didn't slap him!

Let whoever wants to serve me do it!

Mencius' mother knew that her daughter was stubborn and that no one could force her to do things she didn't want to do. She thought she would talk to her more in the future, because things couldn't continue like this forever!

Turning around, I saw Cui Min standing next to me and realized that I had completely forgotten about him.