ebookland Chapter 301 Eldest Sister
Chapter 301 Eldest Sister
Although Luo An was reluctant, Nian Yao still decided to return to Nan Yue to attend the wedding.
Nianyao said to Luo An, "Qi Yang is Xue Yunting's brother. He is always very respectful to me. Since we have been invited, we should give him face."
I'll take Chenxi back to show my uncle and his family while I'm at it; after all, she's Xue Yunting's child, the first grandchild of the Xue family.
What Nianyao didn't tell Luo An was that Luo An argued with An Liangchen about the ceasefire, proving that he truly cared. Nianyao went to Nan Yue to find Xu Sheng and the Nan Yue Emperor, seeking the possibility of peace talks.
Nan Hua's condition did not improve, and Luo An, unable to leave, escorted her all the way to the city gate.
Nianyao, who was usually indifferent to romantic feelings, was actually a little sad at this moment. She took Luo An's hand and said, "Go back, I'll be back soon."
Luo An patted her hair: "Remember to write to me when you arrive and let me know you're safe. If you haven't returned by the time the Crown Princess recovers, I'll come find you. We'll take Chenxi on a trip together."
Nianyao nodded emphatically: "Mm."
As Nianyao looked back after leaving the city gate, she met Luo An's pursuing gaze. Her eyes welled up with tears.
In that moment, Nianyao felt that all her past arguments, impulsiveness, and feelings of inferiority were meaningless. Being together happily was more important than anything else.
If she can achieve a reconciliation with South Vietnam this time, the two of them can live freely and without any grudges. Nianyao felt excited just thinking about it.
The return journey went smoothly. Xuesong and his men met them at the dock in Wudong County and took them directly to the Xue residence. Xue Longpan, Madam Xue, Lexi, Xu Sheng, and Hailuo were all standing at the door to greet them.
Nianyao was flattered: "People of the martial world don't stand on ceremony, there's no need for everyone to be so polite."
Madam Xue first took the child and then said to Nianyao, "Stay at home for a few more days this time."
When Nianyao was a child, she drifted with a boat and always felt that she had no home. Now that she has grown up, she feels that home is everywhere.
She was very curious: "Didn't they say that the prince occupied Wudong County? The journey here has been quite peaceful, with no trace of anything."
Xu Sheng said, "Sister-in-law, your information is outdated. Prince Ming is in the Nan Yue prison. They imprison Qin Jiu, we imprison Prince Ming, so it's even."
Xu Sheng always sounds like he's frivolous and unserious, but the reality is quite different:
Qi Yang was transferred to Wudong County to join Magistrate Jiang in seizing Chongming Island. Sun Chi died in battle, Prince Ming was captured, and Chongming Island officially came under the control of Nanyue.
Zhao Sheng led his troops to attack Xiangzhou, but Jin Hu deserted and disappeared. Now the Xiang River is occupied by Dongyang, and the area west of Jiangxinzhou is very dangerous.
As for the brothers who stayed on Chongming Island to farm, they continued to cultivate the land peacefully, as if the wars of the world had nothing to do with them. Nianyao didn't think much of it, considering it a matter of face for Luo An.
A group of people who should have been extremely busy were actually sitting and chatting with her. Everyone was laughing and joking, and the atmosphere was quite harmonious.
In a daze, Nianyao felt like she was a member of this big family, and she really felt like she was coming home.
When Madam Xue heard that Luo An was doing well, she said, "You've suffered so much these past years, but now you're finally better. Your parents can rest in peace in heaven, and we can live with peace of mind."
Xue Longpan nodded: "When your father was seriously ill, your aunt kept urging me to go and bring you back. Your father had good foresight and foresight."
Both Meng Dong and Madam Xue cared about her, but Nian Yao felt differently. She always felt there was something between her and Meng Dong, but she sensed Madam Xue's genuine affection.
Nianyao felt a pang of sadness: "Don't worry, Auntie, I'm doing just fine wherever I am."
Lexi said, "Sister, it's not right for a young woman like you to wander the rivers with a bunch of men. Now that you're with your brother-in-law and have a daughter, it's better for the whole family to live in harmony."
Xu Sheng laughed and said, "Your sister is different. If she really wanders the rivers and lakes, she can keep male concubines as she pleases."
Xu Sheng spoke without restraint, which displeased Xue Longpan and Madam Xue, but they couldn't very well refute him.
The conch shell asked in a low voice, "What is a male concubine?"
Nianyao pointed at Xu Sheng and said, "It's about supporting a man like him. He'll massage my shoulders, rub my back, wash my feet, warm my bed, and do anything for me."
Hailuo immediately understood and said to Xu Sheng, "The person who warms the bed is a male concubine, then I am your male concubine, no, you are my male concubine, we are each other's male concubines."
Everyone laughed, but Nianyao laughed especially loudly, giving Hailuo a thumbs up: "Yes, you're really smart."
Xu Sheng said, "I'll take you to the palace to see the Emperor tomorrow morning. I'm leaving now."
Xu Sheng left without hesitation, and the conch shell followed him like a little shadow.
Le Xi led Nian Yao to see the room: "Sister, you won't be staying in the guest room anymore. Dad will clear out Big Brother's house for you to live in. From now on, you'll be our eldest sister."
Nianyao was slightly taken aback: "What does Aunt mean?"
Le Xi said, "At first, Mother wouldn't let anyone touch Yun Ting's room. She would come over every day to clean it herself, and she would start crying as she looked at it. Her hair turned a lot whiter."
Father said that the dead cannot be brought back to life, and if things continued like this, Mother's health would not be able to withstand it, so he had someone collect all of Yunting's things, and he personally sealed them and put them in the storeroom.
Just then, Wuming mentioned you were coming, so Dad decided to let you stay in this courtyard. Seeing you and the children every day might help Mom's mood and health improve gradually.”
Nianyao sighed.
Le Xi spoke as if asking a question, or perhaps talking to herself: "Brother Yunting was such a good person, with such a bright future, how could he just leave like this?"
Nianyao could only remain silent.
After a while, Lexi asked again, "What's so good about that girl?"
There was a hint of resentment in his words.
"Feelings have nothing to do with whether they're good or bad; it's... fate, it's all fate." Nianyao could only offer this consolation before changing the subject: "What about Yunfan and Yunyao?"
Le Xi said, "They've gone to war. The prince sent them to lead troops to reinforce General Zhou, and ordered them to defend the western section of Jingjiang and Jiangxin Island to the death, so as not to let Dongyang cross the Xiang River."
Nianyao exclaimed, "How old are they? How come... doesn't their uncle care about them?"
Le Xi casually picked a sprig of osmanthus and rubbed it between her fingertips: "The war is all decided by the Prince. Whoever he says to send, he sends. The Xue family has been generals for generations, and no one can stop the Xue family from going to the battlefield."
I heard Qi Yang was injured. I wonder if he'll be able to come back on his wedding day, or even if he'll survive.
Nianyao was puzzled: "Then why didn't you wait until the war was over to get married? What if Qi Yang..."
Le Xi continued, "What if he dies in battle? If he dies, I'll be a widow. Anyway, apart from Brother Yun Ting, I never thought I'd marry anyone else."
For years I've called them uncle and aunt. I've always dreamed that one day when I marry Brother Yunting, this will be my husband's family home, and I can openly call them father and mother.
Now that Brother Yunting is gone, I'll act as their daughter. This is my former husband's family home, and now it's my own family home. I'll take care of them in Brother Yunting's place, and see them off in their old age.
Nianyao held her breath, and her tone became harsh: "So, do you hope he comes back, or do you hope he doesn't come back?"