Chapter 784: Truly Charming
Ning Shu pressed her lips together without saying anything. Based on what the empress dowager said, it seemed the empress dowager believed that An You was purposefully enticing Princess Mingzhu in order to climb socially.
The old madame’s forehead became covered with even more cold sweat and the back of her clothes were soaked through. Ning Shu only spoke once the empress dowager finished speaking. “Your Highness Empress Dowager, please forgive us. Ever since Princess Mingzhu came to the residence, this subject has been treating her like this subject’s own daughter and this subject’s husband treated Princess Mingzhu with even more due respect. Perhaps it’s because Princess Mingzhu had just lost her relatives and An You was the one that rescued her which made her become a bit reliant on An You. We certainly did not have any thoughts of doing such an audacious thing.”
The empress dowager was also only infuriated by Princess Mingzhu’s constant weeping. Now that she had vented her anger, when she saw the old madame kneeling on the floor with her forehead pressed to the ground, it seemed very pitiful. Moreover, An You went on many campaigns for the nation, so she couldn’t lose the subject’s faith, hence she said, “I hope that’s the case. Once Princess Mingzhu is out of the mourning period, I’ll arrange a marriage for her.”
“Many thanks for your forgiveness, Your Highness Empress Dowager.” Ning Shu kowtowed.
The empress dowager rubbed her forehead as she waved Ning Shu and the old madame off. Ning Shu then helped the old madame out of the imperial palace.
When they were getting on the carriage, the old madame staggered. Fortunately, Ning Shu reacted fast enough and supported her, otherwise she would’ve fallen off the carriage.
The moment they returned to the residence, the old madame went to rest, then grandiosely fell sick. She was so severely ill that it seemed like she wouldn’t ever be able to get up again. It was like An You had just recalled his mother’s existence since he ran to kneel in front of the old madame and cried in repentance.
The old madame straightforwardly said, “The empress dowager won’t agree to allow you two to be together. After Princess Mingzhu gets out of her mourning period, the empress dowager will be arranging a marriage for her. Furthermore, the empress dowager already feels like you have enticed Princess Mingzhu and was almost about to punish the entire residence.”
“No, Princess Mingzhu and I are truly in love! She’s going to marry someone else?” An You’s eyes widened.
The old madame’s face was ashen and her pallor got even worse. “Even if I die, I won’t agree to your relationship. So unless I die!”
An You’s expression was filled with unbearable pain and his eyes were scarlet red. He took several heavy breaths, then finally asked, “Mingzhu, is Mingzhu doing well?”
“Of course she’s doing well. She’s a princess who belongs to a life of luxury after all,” said the old madame, barely holding back her anger.
Ning Shu just stood at the side like an outsider as she watched her own husband cry in helpless pain over another woman he could never obtain.
Oh my, seeing you suffer makes my heart feel so light.
An You knelt in front of the old madame and said, “I’ll give up on Princess Mingzhu.”
The old madame’s facial color relaxed and she seemed conspicuously relieved. She closed her eyes and soon fell deep asleep.
Ning Shu and An You left the room. An You who was walking ahead suddenly stopped and turned around to look at her as he said, “You satisfied now?”
Ning Shu almost burst out laughing, but she managed to reply in a composed manner, “Husband, this wife doesn’t understand what you’re saying. There’s nothing I’m unsatisfied with. All this wife wishes for are steady days. This wife wishes for the general’s residence to be stable, for our children to be safe, and for a place to call home.”
An You gave a cold humph without saying anything. He turned and left, never to enter Ning Shu’s courtyard again.
Ning Shu went to check on An Lingyun. She was still very out of it, but when she saw Ning Shu, she softly greeted her. Ning Shu just told her to rest properly.
The next day, An You said that he was going on a campaign. The old madame sighed but didn’t say anything, which indicated approval.
Meanwhile, Ning Shu just rolled her eyes. Going on a campaign in this sort of time was clearly an act of running from his feelings. He was going to fight even though he was emotionally unstable on a battlefield where things could completely change in an instant. How did An You have any right to go on a campaign with how irrational he was right now?
This was being irresponsible towards the solders and the nation. Ning Shu had fought in battles before and knew how much a commander-in-chief influenced the entire battlefield. It was no wonder that An You ended up being defeated.
An You just briefly told his family, then set out on a campaign the next day like he was flying. Ning Shu went to send An You off and saw that he was riding on horseback with a stern expression and in shining armor. It was truly an outstandingly valiant sight.
It was no wonder Princess Mingzhu kept calling him god and lord. Like this, An You truly was charming.
Want more? Support on Patreon for early access to advanced chapters~