It turned out to be Hua Cha and the others. Hearing that Da Jun was about to return, they happily came to greet him at Jinse's urging. Because of the incident with the Dog Meat, they had been on the road for three days before finally arriving.
A long-awaited reunion is naturally a joyous occasion.
That is --
Nobody cares about Qu Nian anymore.
Although Qu Nian was upset, he was also relieved.
With them around, even if a tragedy were to occur, Ren Yingying wouldn't be facing it alone.
Sigh, didn't he act a bit impulsively and expose his own weaknesses?
He then discovered that after these people arrived, his status plummeted, and he almost never had a chance to be alone with Ren Yingying anymore.
The Dog Meat wasn't much better; a man and a dog lay in the carriage, disliking each other, listening to the cheerful laughter from the carriage next door.
Why.
Ren Yingying asked Hua Cha, "How is Madam Deng?"
When Lady Deng fell ill, Hua Cha took care of her tirelessly, and she lost a lot of weight.
"We've managed to pull through, thankfully thanks to Her Highness the Princess's prescription," said Hua Cha. "But we still need to take good care of ourselves."
With Jinjin, she said, "Madam Deng thought she wouldn't make it through this ordeal, so she gave all her dowry and subsequent fortune to Sister Hua Cha!"
Hua Cha's face flushed slightly.
"Your relationship with Xue Lie is a done deal, so who else would I give it to if not you?" Ren Yingying said.
Hua Cha's face flushed even more, "... It wasn't said to be a done deal..."
Her relationship with Xue Lie was more like that of pen pals.
Although they had already decided in their hearts that they were meant to be, how could she say it was a done deal before they were even married?
"Hahahaha," Ren Yingying laughed loudly, "Don't explain, explaining is just covering up, and covering up is dishonesty."
"Dishonesty deserves a beating," Jinse added, and everyone laughed.
Hua Cha's face turned even redder, and she dared not speak again.
"Looks like the first dowry is finally going to be sent out," Ren Yingying said. "You all need to work hard too."
Qu Nian: The Crown Princess is right.
These wretched things should be married off quickly, so they don't keep taking Ren Yingying away.
He decided to give them an extra portion, just so they could get rid of everyone quickly!
Jinse remained expressionless, Yuanyang smiled gently, while Jinjin pretended to look outside.
Something's up!
"Jinjin..." Ren Yingying said slyly, "Is it you...?"
"No, it wasn't me," Jinjin denied repeatedly.
It's her.
"It's her."
The others all laughed.
Ren Yingying: "Come on, who is it that dares to poach our little sister!"
Qu Nian: Good, good, another one is taken care of.
Jinse... forget it, she's a real problem. She could stay by Ren Yingying's side to protect her; but Yuanyang looks so Jingjing, why is she so hard to marry?
He needs to think about who to marry her to.
Everyone urged Ren Yingying to guess who the man was, saying it was someone she knew.
Ren Yingying thought for a moment, then said, "Holy crap, don't tell me it's Wu Zhenhai!"
Of all the people she knew in the border town, Wu Zhenhai was definitely out of the question; she absolutely didn't want to fall into that trap.
That's someone from Mingzhu.
Unexpectedly, Jinjin's face turned even redder.
Everyone laughed.
Ren Yingying: Oh no, oh no, it really is Wu Zhenhai!
However, the others quickly cleared up her doubts.
It turns out that what Jinjin likes is Xiyou.
Jinjin loves experimenting with all sorts of delicious food, and she has an innocent and carefree personality who loves to share. Almost everyone in the household has tasted her cooking.
Great Confucian Scholar Kong was particularly fond of the food she made.
Jinjin also liked this kind-looking old man and often brought him soft, easily digestible food. Over time, Xiyou started to take a liking to him.
Great Confucian Scholar Kong was delighted with this and encouraged his grandson to pursue Jinjin as soon as possible, as he also wanted to have four generations living under one roof in his lifetime.
Xiyou had little experience with this, and she was too embarrassed to ask others for help, mainly because she wasn't familiar with them.
Then he tentatively approached Mingzhu, subtly revealing his feelings and asking her to inquire about Jinjin's feelings for him.
Mingzhu readily agreed.
Unexpectedly, due to a series of misunderstandings, Wu Zhenhai misunderstood, thinking that Xiyou was pursuing Mingzhu, which led to many comical situations.
Ren Yingying spat and said, "This Wu Zhenhai has really fallen into a vat of jealousy. Does he think every man is his rival in love?"
Qu Nian felt that he might be more seriously ill.
He felt that every woman was his rival in love.
Amidst laughter and conversation, the group quickly returned to the border town.
Ren Yingying was naturally delighted to see Xiu'er and Mingzhu again. Together with the children, they gathered around the table for a lively meal and conversation.
Qu Nian was accompanied by Song Jingyang and Wu Zhenhai, and they sat together in the outer room for a meal.
During the meal, Qu Nian casually asked Wu Zhenhai, "Have you found out who leaked Mingzhu's identity?"
When this matter was brought up, Wu Zhenhai's expression changed somewhat.
"Not yet, but I'm still investigating." His gaze was deep and menacing.
They actually dared to set their sights on Mingzhu!
Even if they were descendants of emperors or nobles, he wouldn't be afraid.
Prince of Ding, wash his neck clean and wait.
Qu Nian said casually, "No rush, investigate slowly. With my wife here, it's all a small matter."
Song Jingyang almost choked on the peanut.
--Is this kind of self-aggrandizement all the rage now?
It's alright, he doesn't say anything; his Xiu'er is hidden!
Although Qu Nian's words were a blatant attempt to claim credit, Wu Zhenhai, a man adept at reading between the lines and genuinely grateful, raised his cup and said, "This time, I must thank the Crown Prince and Crown Princess."
Qu Nian picked up his wine glass, beaming with pride, and said, "Of course, of course."
Being a kept man is so delicious; no wonder that Prince of Jin couldn't get enough of it.
Then Wu Zhenhai said, "The Crown Prince and Princess are busy traveling to the capital, so I'm afraid they won't be able to attend my and Mingzhu's wedding."
Song Jingyang: You people are really something else.
Qu Nian: "You two are getting married? When?"
Wu Zhenhai said, "The exact date hasn't been set yet, but it will definitely be within the year."
Qu Nian: Jealousy, deep jealousy.
Those two went through so much trouble, yet they still managed to get married. What about him?
Bitter.
No, we're going to consummate our marriage tonight!
But at night, Ren Yingying and her four concubines crowded into the room, filling the kang (heated brick bed), the bed, and the couch, leaving no room for Qu Nian.
Qu Nian: "..."
Unable to sleep, I wandered around the outer courtyard and unexpectedly ran into Wu Zhenhai.
The two looked at each other in silence, silently passing by.
We are both people with nowhere to go, why are we so eager to harm each other?
Sigh!
Because she was thinking about Tang Zhuyun in the capital, three days later, Ren Yingying, along with Jinse and Yuanyang, embarked on the journey back to the capital with Qu Nian.
The reluctance to part and the tearful farewells before leaving go without saying a word.
More than half a month later, Ren Yingying looked at the huge words "Capital City" on the city gate and burst into laughter with her hands on her hips.
"Tangbao, hahahaha, I, Hu Hansan, am back!"
At this moment, Tang Zhuyun was in a fierce standoff with someone.
"Are you sure it was Yanran who pushed you?" Tang Zhuyun looked at the woman in front of her with a cold smile.
(I'm so sorry, I'm taking a day off today. I'll make up for it with two more chapters tomorrow and the day after.)