lcionline Chapter 234 Tenderness
Chapter 234 Tenderness
Nianyao sat down opposite him: "Because the Shangri-La is just a figment of our imagination; it simply cannot exist. Chongming Island has vast fertile lands, and the men of Chongming Island are all skilled warriors on the battlefield. No matter who becomes the ruler, they would never give it up."
Luo An explained, "Crown Prince An told me that the four kingdoms have not paid any attention to Chongming Island in recent years, and everyone has gotten used to it. It can continue like this in the future."
Nianyao scoffed: "The reason the four kingdoms didn't interfere was because the Great River Gang maintained the balance among them. Now that the balance has been broken, everyone will want to get involved. No one can count how many informants the Great River Gang has in the four kingdoms, both openly and secretly."
Luo An also asked seriously, "If Dongyang and Nanyue go to war, will you side with Nanyue?"
Although her father was from Dongyang, Nianyao had no feelings for Dongyang whatsoever. After all, she had received treatment at the Southern Yue Imperial Hospital, studied at the Imperial Academy, and lived in both the palace and the general's mansion...
Nianyao countered, "What about you? It's come to this, you don't need to run away, just tell the truth."
Luo Andao said, "What Prince An means is that, according to General Yuan's original idea, the Jingjiang and Xiangshui rivers should be used as the boundary to govern separately."
If this is the case, Chongming Island can still maintain the balance between the two countries, and it will not be much different from before.
Nianyao said, "Actually, you don't want Dongyang and Nanyue to go to war, do you?"
Luo An replied indifferently, "It doesn't matter."
The two sides in Dongyang fought against each other, suffering heavy losses and even facing food shortages. Xu Sheng, on the other hand, fought his way to Furong City, paving the way with money and deploying many surprise attacks, so his casualties were not too great.
In comparison, it's hard to say who would win if Dongyang and Nanyue were to face off head-on. An Liangchen's choice to recuperate is undoubtedly an excellent one, but the question remains: what is Xu Sheng's attitude?
Nianyao stared at the doorway, lost in thought. Through the door, she could see the gardenias in the yard in full bloom, pure white and delicate, with a delightful fragrance.
Duan Mingzhu bent down and picked a flower, then slowly walked in: "Sister, isn't this a twin gardenia beautiful?"
The flower has a double structure, with two flowers growing side by side, their hearts intertwined.
Nianyao praised, "Mingzhu is so observant. I've seen these flowers every year, and I've never noticed that gardenias can grow in pairs."
Duan Mingzhu twirled the flower between her fingers: "Sister, do you think Yunting will come back after I give birth?"
Nianyao said, "Yes, I will. I will rest tomorrow and go to see him the day after tomorrow."
Duan Mingzhu lowered her eyes and said softly, "Thank you, sister."
Nianyao watched the door close and whispered to Luo An, "Compared to Eighth Sister, she looks really bad."
Luo An didn't seem to have much to say: "You're going to see Xue Yunting the day after tomorrow?"
Nianyao nodded: "Yes, I'll go see Xu Sheng while I'm at it and sound him out."
Luo An frowned: "Why didn't you discuss such a big matter with me?"
Nianyao said, "What's the use of discussing it? Does discussing it mean we don't have to go? Besides, what have you ever discussed with me?"
Luo An looked at Nian Yao, then suddenly stood up and walked out. Nian Yao called out to him and tried to pull him back, but Luo An flicked his wrist, pulling the hem of his clothes away from Nian Yao's grasp, and went out the door.
Nianyao watched Luo An's retreating figure, stomped her foot, and said resentfully, "Only officials are allowed to set fires, while common people are not allowed to light lamps."
They always seem to be like this: when they're apart, they miss each other; when they're together, they always argue.
Nianyao pouted, when she suddenly heard sobbing coming from the room.
Was Duan Mingzhu crying? Nian Yao quietly walked to the door and listened intently. The crying inside grew louder and more continuous.
Nianyao gently pushed open the door and peeked in, seeing Duan Mingzhu's tears falling drop by drop onto the gardenia flowers.
Duan Mingzhu lowered her head and just kept crying, seemingly unable to stop anytime soon.
Nianyao watched for a while, then walked over slowly and gently. She sat down next to Duan Mingzhu and wiped away her tears: "Are you feeling unwell?"
Duan Mingzhu shook her head, crying, "No, I just want to cry."
It is truly a sorrow that arises from within and cannot be stopped.
Nianyao gently comforted her, "Are you missing Yunting?"
Duan Mingzhu nodded and then shook her head, leaving Nian Yao unsure of what to do. She didn't quite understand the complex thoughts of girls.
Duan Mingzhu wiped away her tears with her sleeve, stared at the flowers in her hand, and said in a low voice, "When I came in and saw you and your brother-in-law sitting across from each other at the table, I felt that this was how life should be lived, unlike Yunting and me."
Nianyao immediately said, "No, it's not what you think... Sigh, we always argue when we're together. Other men give in to their wives. Like Yunting, he's so good to you, he spoils you and goes along with you."
Your brother-in-law never goes along with me; he's always giving me the cold shoulder. He never discusses things with me, taking it all for granted. If I don't consult him, it's like I've committed a terrible crime—he has no magnanimity whatsoever.
Duan Mingzhu looked up at Nian Yao. Her face was pale, her eyes were red, and her eyes were watery. She looked so pitiful.
Nianyao nodded emphatically, and blurted out, "It's true, you have to believe me. Just now, I told him I was going to see Yunting the day after tomorrow and also to patrol the river, and he got upset. He's really no match for Yunting."
Duan Mingzhu burst into laughter through her tears: "Sister, Yunting would be so happy if he heard you praising him like that."
Nianyao said, "I'm not praising you, I'm just telling the truth. I was shocked when I saw him braiding your hair. Yunting is a general, and your brother-in-law is a doctor. They are not the same."
"The general can't be home with his wife and children every day, I understand. Once he finishes the war and the country is at peace, he'll definitely be with you every day. Yun Ting doesn't talk much, but his character is impeccable, so don't worry."
Duan Mingzhu sighed softly, "I'm not worried about his character, it's just that I won't be able to see him finish the war. But... if he could be with me every day, I would be really happy, just thinking about it makes me happy."
Nianyao comforted her, "Your brother-in-law has developed a new medicine these days, saying it's some kind of miracle drug that's very effective. With him around, you'll definitely be fine."
In Duan Mingzhu's mind, Nianyao had always been the carefree and unrefined type, so she was very grateful for her comfort. However, she was also well aware of Duan Mingzhu's physical condition.
Nianyao turned her head to look at the bed, and was about to ask Duan Mingzhu if she wanted to take a nap first.
Duan Mingzhu asked, "Are there three siblings in his family?"
Nianyao didn't hear clearly: "What did you just say?"
Duan Mingzhu asked, "He has a younger brother, right?"
Nianyao nodded: "Yes, his name is Xue Yunfan. He also has a younger sister named Xue Yunyao. They are a very sentimental family, and the name Yunyao must be in memory of my mother."
Just like her name is Nianyao. Duan Mingzhu said "Oh," as if she was thinking about something.
Nianyao said, "What's wrong? Didn't you want to go to Qinzhou and wait for Xue Yunting to come back so you could go?"
“I’m not going.” Duan Mingzhu refused decisively: “I just think that although he is the eldest brother, if he has a younger brother in the family, he will still have descendants, so it doesn’t matter.”
What does that mean? What do you mean it doesn't matter?
Duan Mingzhu rolled onto the bed and pulled the blanket over herself casually: "Sister, I'm tired."
Nianyao was full of questions, but Duan Mingzhu had finished talking, so she tidied up the lid and said softly, "Sleep well, call your sister if you need anything."
Duan Mingzhu appeared very well-behaved and smiled, saying, "Sister, you are so gentle."
Gentle? This is the first time anyone has ever described her like that.