The three of them looked up and saw Yun Canglan approaching.
Yun Canglan had returned to the palace that day not wearing his military attire, but had changed into a moon-white brocade robe embroidered with cloud and dragon patterns, with a piece of mutton-fat jade hanging from his waist, accentuating his tall and imposing figure.
Looking at his attire, Yun Chaorong suddenly thought of Su Jingyuan, whom she had seen at dusk that day.
Moon-white would probably suit him too, but he would likely wear it with a different charm.
Thinking about it, he probably looked good in anything… well, that meant he would look good even without clothes.
If he didn’t wear clothes, hehe…
“Are you arguing again?”
Yun Canglan’s voice pulled Yun Chaorong’s wandering thoughts back from the brink of impropriety.
Shen Qingzhi visibly restrained himself in front of Yun Canglan, bowing respectfully. “Greetings, Your Highness Prince Rui.”
“Yazhi pays her respects to Your Highness Prince Rui.” Shen Yazhi lowered her head to hide the blush on her face and fell silent after speaking.
Yun Chaorong said, “Imperial Brother, the three of us just met and chatted for a bit. It’s been a long time since I’ve been to the Hall of Thoughtful Learning, and they must miss me.”
Shen Qingzhi: …I didn’t say that earlier.
“Rong’er has indeed encountered many things recently and has fallen behind in her studies.” Yun Canglan turned his gaze to Shen Yazhi. “I must ask Miss Shen to take good care of her.”
Shen Yazhi’s face flushed even redder. Though usually eloquent when discussing principles, she could only manage a single word now:
“Yes.”
Yun Chaorong’s eyes darted around: I think I’ve discovered a secret.
Shen Qingzhi leaned closer to Yun Canglan. “Your Highness, why don’t you give me instructions? I can also help… Yazhi, what are you doing!”
“Yazhi and my brother still need to hurry to see Master Sun, so we won’t disturb the princess and Your Highness any longer.”
Shen Qingzhi was halfway through his sentence when Shen Yazhi forcibly dragged him away.
“Hey, I’m not in a hurry, you go first… ah, why are you pulling me…”
“Rong’er, see you in a couple of days…”
Shen Qingzhi was pulled farther away but still turned back to wave.
Shen Yazhi wished she could drag her foolish brother underground with her, pulling him along as fast as she could.
After the two siblings left, Yun Chaorong asked Michun to take the palace attendants and move the things back to the Morning Sun Palace first.
Yingxia followed at a distance behind Yun Chaorong, watching her and Prince Rui as they talked.
“The Young Master Su you saved last time returned to the Duke of Yu’s residence yesterday.”
“Is his injury better?”
“It’s not an injury; it’s an old illness that flared up. Imperial Physician Li is already treating him.”
“An old illness… isn’t that even more troublesome? He’ll need an imperial physician to monitor him long-term.” Yun Chaorong murmured thoughtfully.
Yun Canglan observed her reaction. “Why are you so concerned about him?”
When Su Jingyuan came to thank him and bid farewell, he noticed that Su Jingyuan indeed had an ethereal demeanor, but his constitution seemed rather weak.
Yun Chaorong said matter-of-factly, “Because he’s good-looking.”
Then, feeling a bit guilty, she quickly added, “But he’s still a bit less handsome than you, Imperial Brother.”
“You are the legitimate princess; your marriage cannot be taken lightly…”
“Imperial Brother, I know, I know. I was just saying, why bring up marriage?”
Yun Chaorong immediately changed the subject. “How are things with you leading the troops? Has Father changed his mind?”
“Father agreed today.” Prince Rui’s expression remained calm, but his voice betrayed some emotion.
Yun Chaorong stopped in her tracks. “Father is willing to let you go on the expedition?”
“News came the day before yesterday that the Northern Qiang stopped their advance after reaching Binshui City and even claimed they could temporarily ease the reparations conditions in the peace talks.”
Prince Rui looked at Yun Chaorong, his gaze probing. “Father said this aligns with what you told him. Rong’er, how did you come to know this?”
Yun Chaorong: “Um, didn’t Father tell you that Empress Mother appeared to me in a dream?”
Prince Rui continued to watch her.
Yun Chaorong: …Alright, not everyone is as easily fooled as Father Emperor.
Then she would change her approach to deceive him.
“Imperial Brother, a while ago, I threw a tantrum and went on a hunger strike. On the brink of death, it felt as though I had walked through the gates of the underworld. In my delirium, I saw many strange and unfamiliar scenes.
I witnessed two nations locked in battle, corpses strewn across the fields, and wandering souls everywhere. The spirits wailed mournfully, whispering in my ears of their unwillingness to die. The Northern Qiang royal family was in chaos, the overall situation was settled, yet they had marched out unprepared and became souls beneath the enemy’s blade…”
As Yun Chaorong spoke, her face grew paler, as if the memory alone filled her with fear.
Yun Canglan was half-convinced, but seeing his sister’s expression, he said, “Rong’er, you’ve been frightened. Imperial Brother will carefully consider this matter.”
If Northern Qiang truly was embroiled in internal strife within the royal family, then there would be more than one opportunity for them to act.
This matter was worth investigating.
“When will Imperial Brother depart?”
“Father has already issued the decree. The day after tomorrow.”
“Have capable generals been assigned to assist you?”
“Wei Yang and Qi Kuai will rendezvous with me along the way.”
Qi Kuai was a seasoned general in command of the Northwest Army, while Wei Yang was younger and led the Southwest Army. Both had their own strengths.
Yun Chaorong felt somewhat reassured. “Imperial Brother need not worry about provisions and military supplies. While you fight on the front lines, Father and I will support you from the rear.”
“Rong’er, you’ve grown up,” Yun Canglan said, his eyes filled with affection. “It is Imperial Brother’s incompetence that has made you shoulder such burdens.”
In a way, Yun Canglan and Yun Ji were surprisingly alike.
They both wished for Yun Chaorong to live carefree, far removed from political affairs and scheming, with a life of nothing but prosperity and ease.
Yun Chaorong suddenly understood why the original owner of this body had been such an innocent flower.
It was precisely because the Emperor and her elder brother had protected and doted on her so thoroughly in the early years that she lacked vigilance and easily trusted malicious people. Imperial Consort Li took advantage of her, yet she paid no mind, acting solely on momentary whims.
She was unaware of the evils of human nature; the dangers of going to Northern Qiang lay entirely beyond her understanding. That was why she had clamored to go as a bride for peace, believing it to be a desperate act undertaken for love.
“Imperial Brother, that is not the case.”
Yun Chaorong shook her head, her gaze resolute.
“Even if thousands in this world love and protect me, the ways of the world are unpredictable.
Contributing my modest efforts for Da Yu and for Imperial Brother is what I ought to do.”