Er Ya gazed at the stunning carriage, its colored glass shimmering beneath the sun, adorned with a jade hood. Silk curtains draped around it, and delicate golden bells hung from the corners, chiming softly as the wind brushed past. The carriage exuded a soft, elegant fragrance, evoking the feeling of wandering through a celestial garden.
Seeing this lavish display stirred both longing and a hint of envy in Er Ya's heart.
The two processions fell silent, the atmosphere growing heavy. Only the sound of fluttering flags and the tinkling bells broke the quiet.
"Princess, this general will take his leave," Duan Xinghui said, tugging on the reins. Ning Shu merely replied with a disinterested "en," her focus still on the little gray ball in her hands.
Duan Xinghui felt a twinge of embarrassment from being ignored and chose not to say anything further as he rode away.
From beginning to end, Ning Shu didn't spare Duan Xinghui a glance. Beside her, Yuan Dong looked troubled but held her tongue. Once Duan Xinghui's troops entered the city, she finally couldn't contain herself. "Princess, who is that woman in General Duan's arms?"
"How could General Duan treat you this way?" Yuan Dong continued, indignation in her voice. "How could he let a woman join the army's march?"
Ning Shu stayed quiet, lost in thought. Now that the main players had returned, what was her next move? How could she get revenge on Duan Xinghui and Er Ya and force them apart? But then again, people often react oppositely to restrictions. The more she tried to prevent something, the more likely they would want to do it.
She frowned, annoyance bubbling up. When she first saw Duan Xinghui, a whirlwind of emotions had hit her—resentment, hatred, yet a lingering affection. Seeing Er Ya flooded her with envy and animosity; she felt an overwhelming urge to scratch Er Ya's face off.
It was overwhelming. The original host's emotions were too intense, and Ning Shu had to struggle to keep them in check.
But the priority was to win favor with Li Wen. Most importantly, she needed to avoid an unwanted marriage.
Not long after returning to the Princess Residence, Ning Shu received an imperial decree from Li Wen, summoning her to the palace.
She tidied herself up and headed to the palace. Each time she had to see Li Wen, she gave herself a silent pep talk—she always felt uneasy facing his expressionless demeanor.
Once in the Imperial Study, Ning Shu curtsied. "This subject-sister respectfully greets Imperial Older Brother."
Li Wen set down his cinnabar brush and looked at her. After a moment, he said, "Duan Xinghui has returned."
"En. I saw him at the city gates," Ning Shu replied mildly.
Li Wen scrutinized her expression, then continued, "We discovered Duan Xinghui was alive a few days ago and sent for him. We intended to inform you, but you weren't in the residence."
Ning Shu raised her brows and walked over to pat Li Wen on the shoulder. "Bro, I'm not criticizing you, but this Duan Xinghui is just a defeated general. Why go through the trouble to bring him back so grandly?"
Li Wen glanced at her hand, and she quickly withdrew it, lowering her head. "This subject-sister overstepped."
"If you still wish to continue your engagement with Duan Xinghui," Li Wen said, his expression unreadable, "we can issue an imperial decree."
"No need, no need at all." Ning Shu waved her hand dismissively. "Imperial Older Brother, please don't involve me with Duan Xinghui. Besides, he already has a woman by his side."
A spark of amusement flickered in Li Wen's eyes, and a rare smile broke through. "You are our Imperial Younger Sister, the noble princess of the Great Yong dynasty. What need do you have to cling to Duan Xinghui? He's just a general who was defeated the first time he went to battle."
Ning Shu couldn't help but laugh internally.
So this was how Li Wen viewed Duan Xinghui. In the storyline, the fact that Princess Jiahui was trying to win Duan Xinghui away from a village girl was practically a slap in the face to Li Wen.