Mother and daughter reunited after a long absence, and they had endless things to say. Mrs. Shangguan listened to what her daughter had seen and heard outside in the past six months, and lovingly arranged her long hair.
She used to think that girls should stay in the boudoir and keep to themselves, but she found that her daughter seemed to prefer the vast sea and sky outside.
"It's getting late. I asked the maid and grandma to prepare hot water for you to bathe and change clothes. You rest for a while. When your father comes back in the evening, we will have a meal together."
"OK."
Shangguan Wan Ning tried her best to conceal her inner anxiety. After sending her mother away, her smile immediately solidified on her face.
"Lutong, go to Mu Mansion to find Jing Yan immediately and ask her what happened. You must find out the whereabouts of Jing Rui."
"Yes, slave, go right away." Lutong accepted the order and hurried out the door.
When it was time to hold the lantern, Shangguan Yue came back from outside.
Shangguan Wan Ning took the initiative to greet her father and when he walked around the corner, she rushed over and covered his eyes.
"Guess who I am?" Shangguan Wan Ning deliberately thickened her voice.
Shangguan Yue stopped, grabbed his daughter's hands, turned to glare at her, and was about to speak, but his precious daughter beat him to it.
"Dad, I'm sorry, I know I was wrong, and I will never dare to do it again." Shangguan Wan Ning grabbed her father's sleeve, lowered her head and admitted her mistake pitifully.
All Shangguan Yue's temper was suppressed in an instant.
He couldn't bear to scold, let alone punish, so he had no choice but to poke Shangguan Wan Ning's forehead with his hand.
"You are just spoiled. How many people have I sent to pick you up in the past six months? How about you?"
"Well, I'm studying medicine outside. It's a good thing to be diligent and studious, dad, don't you think? Besides, if you have a skill, you will definitely use it in the future."
Shangguan Yue disagrees. In his heart, when his daughter comes out of the palace, the husband she marries must be either rich or noble, so why bother...
Thinking of this, Shangguan Yue couldn't help but frown.
He knew in his heart that a large part of the reason why Shangguan Wan Ning stayed in the northwest region for more than half a year was because of Mu Jingrui.
"Sir, if you have anything to say, let's chat while we eat." Mrs. Shangguan also came out to welcome her, "The food is almost cold."
The three of them walked into the main hall. Shangguan Wan Ning saw Aunt Zhao standing at the table and walked to Shangguan Yue's side diligently.
"Master, today I specially asked the kitchen to prepare the dishes that the eldest lady likes to eat. Look, how good it is."
Shangguan Yue responded lightly, and Shangguan Wan Ning saw Aunt Zhao sitting on her father's right hand naturally.
In the past, Aunt Zhao was not qualified to eat with them.
Mrs. Shangguan seemed to have noticed Shangguan Wan Ning's doubts, she pulled her hand calmly, and said with a soft smile: "We are all one family, we don't have to pay much attention. Ning'er, sit down and eat."
Shangguan Wan Ning frowned secretly. She didn't know if it was an illusion, but she saw a trace of provocative pride suppressed in the corners of Aunt Zhao's eyes.
"Master, the second prince has returned with the second young lady."
Shangguan Yue was slightly startled, then he stood up with his wife and concubines and prepared to go out.
"I can smell the aroma of rice from far away. Father-in-law, please excuse me."
Xiao Zhenting walked into the hall with a hearty laugh, followed by Shangguan Xiaoxiao with a smile on his face.
As soon as he entered the door, his eyes were fixed on Shangguan Wan Ning.
After not seeing her for half a year, she seemed to have become a little thinner, but she still could not hide her stunning appearance.
"Don't bother me. If the Second Prince doesn't mind, let's have a simple meal together." Shangguan's wife calmly stood in front of Shangguan Wan Ning, "Ning'er, go to the kitchen and tell the servants to cook more good dishes.
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Shangguan Wan Ning understood, bowed and bowed before retreating.
She passed Shangguan Xiaoxiao and saw Shangguan Xiaoxiao's obvious hostility from the corner of her eye.
After leaving the hall, Shangguan Wan Ning let out a long sigh of relief. She casually took the passing servants to the kitchen to deliver a message, and stood in the garden with deep thoughts.
"Miss..." Lutong came back, panting from running.
Shangguan Wan Ning asked anxiously: "How is it? Have you heard about it?"
"My servant met Miss Mu, and she said the same thing as Master Ciao. However, she said that she didn't know where General Mu was recuperating. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince said that General Mu had offended the Minister of War, and be careful that someone would take advantage of him to recuperate.
There is always a time to plot, so his whereabouts must be kept secret."
"You don't even know Jing Yan?"
Shangguan Wan Ning felt that things were not that simple.
Maybe Xiao Yujue is lying.
Her thoughts were a little confused, and the uneasiness in her heart became more intense.
"Miss, are you okay?" Lu Tong saw Shangguan Wan Ning's pale face and asked worriedly while supporting her.
Shangguan Wan Ning took a deep breath and shook her head slightly. "I'm fine. You've worked very hard too. You don't have to serve me tonight. Go and rest."
"Yes." Lutong said and then retreated obediently.
Shangguan Wan Ning lowered her eyelids and thought secretly, it seemed that she had to find a way to see Xiao Yujue.
She stood alone in the garden, the breeze blew by, gently raising her long hair and gently brushing her cheeks.
There seemed to be a vague chill. Shangguan Wan Ning shivered and was about to turn around and go back to her room. Suddenly her shoulders sank and a long gown was draped around her body.
She turned around and saw Xiao Zhenting standing behind her.
Shangguan Wan Ning immediately returned the gown to Xiao Zhenting and took a few steps back to keep her distance from him.
"I appreciate His Highness's kindness, but...it's easy for people to criticize you."
"Ning'er, do you really not miss me at all?"
Xiao Zhenting grabbed Shangguan Wanning's wrist, with a burning desire in his eyes. He lowered his voice and said, "How do you feel about me? You don't understand, do you?"
Shangguan Wan Ning struggled a few times, but couldn't pull her hand away, and she couldn't help but become angry with embarrassment.
"Your Highness must have had a few too many drinks and admitted the wrong person. If you don't let go, I will call him."
Shangguan Wan Ning's face was gloomy, and Xiao Zhenting had no doubt that she would really do this.
"Half a year ago, you were suddenly very cold towards me, was it because of Mu Jingrui?" Xiao Zhenting asked in a low voice.
Shangguan Wan Ning sneered, raised her eyes and looked at Xiao Zhenting.
"Have you forgotten, Your Highness, that I was originally Mu Jingrui's fiancée? Now that you have married a young lady from the Prime Minister's Palace as you wished, you should be content."
"She is a concubine, how can she compare with you?"
Xiao Zhenting almost shouted this sentence forcefully from his throat.
Shangguan Xiaoxiao, who was hiding aside and watching them secretly, was deeply hurt by these words. She was so angry that her whole body trembled and her teeth chattered.
"You are also a commoner." Shangguan Wanning took advantage of Xiao Zhenting's daze, pulled her hand back with force, and walked away.