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"Father went too?" Xie Jin looked surprised.

"Ah, yes."

Father was still the one who "played" the most enthusiastically and had the most fun.

Seeing the smile on the woman's lips beside her, Xie Jin felt a slight sense of loss. The whole family had gone, but she was the only one who hadn't, which was unfilial. But then she thought that since her father had gone, it meant that Lan Tang got along well with her parents. Thinking of this, she felt a little more at ease.

"You played very well."

"My older brother often took me to play when I was little."

"The Hanke tribeswoman are indeed tall."

"..."

The two walked halfway around the lake, then ran out of things to say. Just then, someone called Xie Jin, Xie Jin lowered her head and said softly, "I'll be leaving for a moment."

Shen Lantang had almost run out of things to say, and if they continued walking, she would be digging out all the latest hair accessories. Hearing this, she breathed a sigh of relief and quickly said, "My lord, you should go ahead and do your work."

Xie Jin left with someone, and not long after he left, Shen Lantang had just met up with her two maids when a voice rang out from the side.

"Don't be so smug. Don't think that just because you married a good man, you'll be able to rise above your station!"

Shen Lantang didn't even need to turn her head; she just glanced to the side and saw her. It really was her, Liu Mingyue.

The Liu Family was not particularly prominent among the many powerful and wealthy families in the capital. It was only after a daughter of the Liu Family was favored by the late emperor and became the Empress princess and then the empress that they suddenly rose to become one of the top powerful families. If that's the case, then your family must have had your aunt marry a good husband, otherwise they wouldn't be so arrogant in front of the Princess.

Shen Lantang glanced at her and then looked away, deciding not to argue.

Seeing that she was being ignored, Liu Mingyue became even angrier.

"It's only because Xie Family's status as a second wife can't be too high that you got the advantage. Otherwise, you wouldn't stand a chance among the noble ladies of Zhaojing. And let me tell you, don't be too smug. Xie Jin has someone she likes!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Shen Lantang indeed turned to her. Liu Mingyue felt a surge of pride. Sure enough, a woman from a humble family like her cared most about her husband's affection.

Shen Lantang wondered, "Xie Jin actually has someone he likes? Does he even have such sophisticated tastes?"

With a hint of curiosity, Shen Lantang asked, "Oh, who is that person?"

Liu Mingyue opened her mouth, then closed it again. "I won't tell you, guess for yourself!"

Wow, this little guy even knows how to make guesses agonizing! He's got some skills!

Provoked by her like that, Shen Lantang got into the act, and she put on a virtuous demeanor, lowering her eyes and saying:

"Being able to marry Lan Tang is already the greatest blessing of my life. Lan Tang don't care who you have in your heart. I just need to know that from now on, I will be the one who lives in perfect harmony with you."

"You--"

Shen Lantang smiled sweetly and comforted her, "Don't be envious, little sister. You'll find your Mr. Right someday too."

"... Who's envious!"

"I'm not envious at all!!"

Seeing that she couldn't win the argument, Liu Mingyue stomped her feet in anger, turned around, and stormed off.

Shen Lantang clicked her tongue and shook her head; their fighting strength was too weak.

However, she did start to wonder who Xie Jin's sweetheart would be. What kind of person would someone with Xie Jin's personality like—gentle, lively, or willful?

But then again, does he really have that kind of sophisticated taste?

Seeing Shen Lantang deep in thought with her head down, Lan Xin assumed she was truly worried and offered words of comfort:

"Young Master Xie is a responsible man. Now that Miss has married him, even if he has someone else in his heart, he will not let Miss down."

Shen Lantang smiled, "I know."

As they were talking, Shen Lantang suddenly stopped. Lan Xin followed her gaze and looked over. "What's wrong, Miss?"

Beneath two willow trees, Xie Jin and his sworn brother Song Qi stood on the side closest to the lake. Opposite them was a beautiful young woman and her maid. Under the shimmering light of the lake, the young woman's face was full of joyful smiles.

Shen Lantang recognized her; she was Commandery Princess Hexi, the younger sister of the Prince Liang from earlier.

Shen Lantang stroked her chin. This Commandery Princess He Xi was seventeen years old, and Xie Jin was twenty-four. Given the precocious nature of people in ancient times, perhaps the two of them could be called...

childhood sweethearts

?

Before Shen Lantang could come up with a solution, Xie Jin saw her and exchanged a few words with Commandery Princess He Xi. Commandery Princess He Xi pouted, a look of displeasure on her face, glanced at Shen Lantang, and then left.

Xie Jin walked towards her.

"The Inner City Office personnel are back; we'll be changing shifts soon."

"However, the Autumn Sacrifice is coming up soon, so I'll be staying in the city to train these days."

The Jing Dynasty held an Autumn Sacrifice every three years, jointly presided over by the Ministry of Rites and the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. After the emperor offered sacrifices to Heaven, there were military drills and troop inspections, autumn planting, autumn hunting, and many other activities, which lasted for about twenty days.

Hearing his words, Shen Lantang wondered if...

"Then you might live at home?" she asked happily.

Looking into his wife's watery eyes, Xie Jin said apologetically, "I have to follow military regulations and live in the barracks with everyone else."

So she's sleeping alone? That's great, she still prefers having a big bed all to herself.

Shen Lantang, understanding the bigger picture, said, "Military discipline is still the most important thing."

"I'm glad you can understand."

The two talked for a while longer, then Song Qi came to call him. Xie Jin could only say goodbye to her. Shen Lantang and Xie Jin explained the reason to Madam Xie together, and then watched Xie Jin lead the team away.

Not long after he left, Shen Lantang wandered around for a while, then got tired.

No, how come these seemingly delicate and pampered ladies have even more energy than her?

Shen Lantang apologized to Madam Xie and went home. When she arrived at her doorstep, she happened to run into Zhang You, one of Xie Heng's trusted servants.

After their interactions some time ago, she and Zhang You had become somewhat acquainted. She greeted him and was about to return to her own courtyard.