Spring arrives and the land smiles

From afar, a lone rider in tight-fitting clothes came galloping by. The rider's face was not visible, but he appeared to be very thin.

But by this time, Qingyan was already longing for him.

"You've lost weight." Was there not enough food for the march? Why did you have to get yourself like this? Qingyan scolded her with concern.

Ning Yuan just smiled and didn't say anything.

The two embraced as soon as they met and stayed together for a long time. If Qing Huan hadn't been there, they probably would have hugged each other forever, oblivious to everyone else.

"My little sister is so enthusiastic, Ning Yuan, can you handle it?" Qing Huan couldn't help but tease.

"Brother—" Qingyan blushed and took Qinghuan's hand from Xiaoshunzi, continuing to support him.

"Alright, if we delay any longer, General Ning will probably arrive early." Qing Huan patted Qing Yan's hand, and Qing Yan helped him into the carriage. He and Ning Yuan rode together on one horse.

The others followed behind.

Along the way, Qingyan clung tightly to Ningyuan's chest, as if she could only feel his real presence through his body temperature. Even though she was suffering from lovesickness, she was speechless and choked with emotion, not because she couldn't express it, but because she couldn't speak of it.

"Yan'er, uh, you're hugging too tightly." Ning Yuan smiled and gently patted Qing Yan's back.

"Hmm." Qingyan shook her head willfully, remaining unchanged, and even pressed herself even closer.

"Hiss." Qingyan, who was nestled in Ningyuan's arms, heard a short gasp that quickly disappeared.

Could it be——

Qingyan looked up at Ning Yuan, but appeared completely unconcerned.

Looking down, I pressed hard on Ning Yuan's left chest and heard another short gasp.

“You’re injured.” Qingyan stared into his eyes.

Ning Yuan smiled and nodded helplessly.

"Let me see." Qingyan pretended to pull off his clothes.

"She's fine now." Ning Yuan blushed, grabbed Qing Yan's anxious little hand, and held it in his palm.

"Is it a nautical chart?" The question was phrased as a question, but the tone was one of certainty.

Ning Yuan shook his head.

No?! Qingyan was taken aback.

"Prince Jin?"

Ning Yuan shook his head again.

"Who is that?" Qingyan was at a loss for words.

“I’m not sure either. Judging from their attire and style of doing things, they seem to be Haitu’s men, but their fighting style is different from the Black Hawk Riders I’ve fought before. In particular, the swords that some of them carry look very familiar, but I can’t remember where I’ve seen them before.” Ning Yuan expressed his doubts one by one.

"How badly are you injured?" Qingyan asked, her heart aching with worry.

"It's just a superficial wound, and it's mostly healed." Ning Yuan smiled gently, his warmth spreading, and Qing Yan stopped dwelling on it.

Why do people always target Ning Yuan? Qing Yan nestled in Ning Yuan's arms, frowning.

This time it won't be the map. Since he has already agreed to submit, he wouldn't do something so foolish as to sabotage it. Besides, the wedding and the letter of state are tied together, so he has even less reason to attack Ningyuan.

Perhaps it was Prince Jin who, by framing me, was also trying to sow discord between Daqi and Qiurong. The stronger my power as the eldest princess, the greater the threat to him. But if it was a frame-up, why not do it more thoroughly, making it easy for Ning Yuan to see through it? Prince Jin is meticulous; he wouldn't make such a basic mistake. Furthermore, Lan Zhen once mentioned that Prince Jin mistakenly thought Yun Xuan was my favorite. Yun Xuan's trip out of the capital to gather supplies should have been a perfect opportunity to strike, so why was it Ning Yuan who was injured, while there was no news of anything amiss from Yun Xuan's side? This way, Prince Jin seems to be less suspicious.

So, who is it?

Confused, Qingyan shook her head.

When she met Ning Yuan's clear, doting eyes, which reflected her own image, Qingyan's emotions surged.

"Ning Yuan, I miss you, I miss you so much."

"Me too." Ning Yuan ruffled her hair and placed a kiss on her forehead.

The two walked forward, embracing each other tightly. Ning Yuan wrapped Qing Yan up completely in his large military cloak, making Qing Yan, dressed in eunuch's clothes, look less out of place in his arms.

The group stopped at a gatehouse outside the city to wait for the escort of General Ning. The eldest prince, Prince Rui, Qing Huan, supported by Qing Yan disguised as a eunuch, personally lined up to greet them.

Upon entering the capital region, the marching speed slowed considerably due to the recurrence of General Ning's old illness. It took about fifteen minutes for the main force to finally appear and join the welcoming party.

Under the personal welcome of Prince Rui, General Ning insisted on getting out of the carriage to greet Qing Huan despite his old ailment, so Ning Yuan had no choice but to help him down.

This is the first time Qingyan, who has traveled through time, has met the legendary War God of the Great Qi.

At thirteen, he donned armor and went into battle; at eighteen, he swept through armies; at twenty, he was appointed a general. Thereafter, he was invincible in every battle, achieving victory after victory, until the Battle of Qingxia Pass ten years ago. Had it not been for an unexpected turn of events, he would not have been defeated and captured. When Emperor Longqing recognized General Ning's sacrifice for the country, the entire nation mourned, and thus bestowed upon him the title of Duke of Ning, a hereditary title. He also brought General Ning's only son, Ningyuan, into the palace to raise him, a testament to the emperor's boundless grace.

Now that the God of War has returned, although he is a prisoner, he is greeted with the highest honor by the Crown Prince. General Ning was immediately moved to tears and wanted to kneel down to pay his respects, but Qing Yan, who was standing to the side, reached out and helped him up in a moment of urgency.

"General, this is unacceptable."

When Qingyan spoke, the other three were stunned.

Ning Yuan stared at his father in a panic, and Qing Huan, quick-witted, shouted, "Get out of here!"

General Ning appeared much calmer, cupping his hands in a respectful bow to Qingyan: "How fortunate I am today! Not only Prince Rui, but even the Princess herself has come to greet me. I am overwhelmed with gratitude."

Upon hearing General Ning's words, Ning Yuan, Qing Huan, and Qing Yan were all astonished. His ability to judge character was truly exceptional.

Seeing that she had been seen through, Qingyan readily admitted, "Please forgive me, General, there is a reason why I cannot personally greet you." She even deliberately used the titles used for family roles.

"Your Highness, you flatter me." Seeing this, General Ning glanced at Ning Yuan but did not ask any further questions.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Qing Huan led the welcoming party ahead, marching in a grand procession towards the palace.

To Ling Qingyan's surprise, Emperor Longqing personally greeted General Ning at the palace gate. Everyone immediately dismounted and got out of their carriages. General Ning was overwhelmed with gratitude. Finally, at Emperor Longqing's repeated request, he helped General Ning to the Tianyu Palace, which had been prepared in advance, so that General Ning could rest well. The emperor also summoned the imperial physician to treat General Ning.

For the Ning family to have a foreign official reside in the palace was an immense honor.

That evening, out of consideration for General Ning's health, the Longqing Emperor did not hold a welcome-back banquet, but instead sent him generous gifts.

Before the curfew, He Shou, the head of the Imperial Medical Academy, personally delivered the medicine, which Ning Yuan served to General Ning.

"Yuan'er, what brings the Princess here today?" General Ning asked, referring to Qingyan's unspeakable secret.

“The other day, the Princess had just suffered a miscarriage and it was inconvenient for her to come out to greet us, but she missed her child so much that she did so…” Ning Yuan was pondering whether or not to tell his father the truth when the eunuch outside the door came in to announce that the Princess was requesting an audience.

"Please come in quickly." General Ning was shocked and tried to get out of bed to greet him.

“Father, the Princess doesn’t like these formalities. You should lie down,” Ning Yuan said, trying to stop her.

“Yuan’er, although you are kind to us, we must not neglect our proper etiquette.” The old general insisted on welcoming him, and Ning Yuan had no choice but to comply.

While the two were locked in a tug-of-war, Qingyan strode in. Seeing General Ning get out of bed to greet her, she quickly stopped him.

"General, you may rise." Qingyan could not refuse and had to help him up herself.

“Absolutely not,” General Ning said, still concerned about Ning Yuan’s recent miscarriage. “The Princess is unwell; how can she trouble herself for a sinner like me? Please, have a seat.”

Qingyan glanced at Ningyuan, knowing that he must not have explained things clearly. So, while helping the old general onto the bed, she smiled and said, "Father-in-law, may I tell you a story?"

The word "daughter-in-law" is indeed useful; General Ning obediently went to bed to listen to Qingyan tell stories.

Qingyan's story begins with the disaster victims in the south and ends with her miscarriage. Rather than a story, it is more like she tells the old general about the situation in the court.

Now that the old general has returned to his country, he can no longer remain uninvolved. He understands the principle of knowing oneself and one's enemy better than you do, so listen carefully.

"I see." The story had been going on for a long time, and General Ning seemed to be deep in thought.

Just then, the sound of the night watchman's drum came from outside the window.

It's past midnight.

After thinking for a moment, Qingyan took her leave of the old general.

"Yuan'er, escort Her Highness the Princess back." General Ning paused, then added, "You should rest too."

The two agreed and left the Heavenly Language Palace.

"Ning Yuan, I missed you so much." Qing Yan playfully hugged Ning Yuan tightly and gave him a big kiss on the cheek.

Perhaps the commotion was a bit too loud, attracting the attention of the curfew patrol.

"Hurry up." Ning Yuan picked up Qing Yan and leaped up the tree.

Giggle, giggle, Qingyan nestled in Ningyuan's arms, laughing so hard she was shaking.

"Naughty." After the patrol guards left, Ning Yuan tapped Qing Yan's nose, then picked her up and secretly slipped into Caiyi Palace.

Because it was publicly stated that the eldest princess needed to rest, even the palace maids on night duty at Caiyi Palace were dismissed after nightfall, allowing the two to enter and leave at will without making a sound.

"Don't let go." Qingyan pressed herself against Ningyuan.

"Okay, I won't let go." Ning Yuan smiled and hugged Qing Yan even tighter.

"Mmm." Qingyan pressed her face against Ningyuan's chest, only feeling relieved when she heard his strong heartbeat.

"Ning Yuan, stay tonight." Qing Yan blushed.

"I won't leave tonight, even if you try to kick me out." Ning Yuan gently lifted her chin, a hint of a smile on his face, and tenderly kissed her lips.

Night, therefore, becomes ambiguous.

ten years.

It's been ten years!

From the timid boy he first met to the spirited man he is today, he has been by his side for ten whole years. Why did he fall in love? When did he fall in love? It seems unimportant now. The only thing that remains in his memory is Ning Yuan's repeated tolerance and smiling face. He had thought countless times that he, as a princess, would one day lament that their love was deep but their fate was shallow. But thinking about how things turned out today, he is already very fortunate.

Qingyan lay half-lying in Ningyuan's arms, her body tired and aching, but she couldn't fall asleep. Ningyuan's eyelashes trembled from time to time, indicating that he was pretending to be asleep.

"Now you know how to be shy? Why were you so brave just now?" Qingyan chuckled to herself. She was always the one bullying Ning Yuan; this was probably the only time she had ever been bullied by him, if it could even be called bullying.

Qingyan's soft little hands made light circles on Ningyuan's chest, and the gentle touch made Ningyuan's eyelashes tremble more frequently.

"Ning Yuan, tell me, did I do a good job?"

The deliberately seductive voice, coupled with such a shocking question, startled Ning Yuan, causing him to abruptly open his eyes.

He was indeed pretending to be asleep.

"Did I perform poorly? You look so dissatisfied." Qingyan feigned grievance.

"It's the first time, so it's forgivable." She even pouted.

what?

Ning Yuan patted Qing Yan gently in his arms, seemingly at a loss for words: "No, no, it's very good, very good." As he spoke, Ning Yuan frowned, feeling that the question was strange and the answer was even stranger.

"Really?" Qingyan blinked her big eyes.

"Mmm." Ning Yuan nodded blankly but with great certainty.

He is indeed a fool.