The stay in Nanzhao only lasted a few days, yet it stirred up much trouble. Whether it was Lu Zhao, Shen Qingyao, or Shen Yushu, none of them wanted to stay any longer. After Shen Qingyao recuperated for two or three days, and Kong Lin nodded in assurance that she was fine, everyone decided to set off back to Great Liang.
Due to Shen Qingyao’s health, Kong Lin and Tu Lan were asked by Lu Zhao to accompany them on their return to Lingnan. Rebuilding the mountain stronghold after the disaster would take some time anyway, so neither of them objected. As soon as Lu Zhao proposed it, they quickly agreed.
However, Shen Qingyao noticed that her Eldest Brother had been acting unusually of late. Whenever Tu Lan accompanied Kong Lin to check on her condition, he became particularly attentive, speaking more and often glancing towards Tu Lan. While Tu Lan seemed oblivious, Shen Qingyao couldn’t help but widen her eyes in disbelief.
Watching Shen Yushu enter her room again, Shen Qingyao turned her head away with a smile. Quietly in her heart, she whispered to the system in her mind, “Look at him, look at him! With that look in his eyes, he must like Tu Lan! Tsk tsk, young men can’t hide their feelings! Looks like I’ll have a sister-in-law soon!”
She was delighted. Honestly, she really liked Tu Lan.
After the previous incident, the system had crashed for a long time. It was only later that it timidly approached Shen Qingyao again, carefully explaining that they actually didn’t know she had transmigrated once before, but her compatibility had pulled her into the storyline.
Although this happening was absurd, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Shen Qingyao was supposed to return to her own body naturally several years later, but now she could prevent Lu Zhao from turning evil, which was a good thing.
Seeing that Shen Qingyao didn’t blame it, the system finally relaxed and began days of gossiping and banter with her again. At this moment, the system suddenly exclaimed cautiously, [Is it possible? Tu Lan is a girl from Nanzhao and even came from a bandit’s den. Will your parents approve?]
Shen Qingyao was taken aback for a moment and hesitated, “They should approve, right? Aren’t my parents the most open-minded in the capital?”
As they spoke, Shen Yushu clumsily approached Tu Lan, who was tidying the medicine box, wanting to help but clumsily knocked over the silver needles that Tu Lan had just put away.
Tu Lan : = =
Shen Yushu : -0-!
Shen Qingyao : …
Shen Qingyao couldn’t bear to look straight at them, turned her head away, wiped the nonexistent sweat from her forehead, sighed, and said, “Forget it. Instead of worrying about our parents, let’s get my straight-man Eldest Brother to successfully pursue her first… right…”
Since Tu Lan didn’t poke Shen Yushu with a needle, she was already showing her good temper.
Just as Shen Qingyao and the system were watching the drama, Lu Zhao returned. Seeing that Shen Qingyao looked well, he also smiled, naturally walking over to sit beside her. Lu Zhao raised an eyebrow and asked, “Why are you so happy?”
Shen Qingyao smiled mysteriously, mimicking his expression by raising her eyebrows, gesturing for him to look at Shen Yushu who was following behind Kong Lin and Tu Lan as they left. She pursed her lips and sighed, saying, “After meeting Tu Lan, my elder brother didn’t even bother to say goodbye to me when he left! Tsk! He’s forgotten his sister because of the beauty!”
“Ha.” Lu Zhao was amused by the phrase ‘forgotten his sister because of the beauty’ and chuckled, reaching out to rub the little girl’s head affectionately, saying gently, “Everything’s almost ready. We’ll set off for Lingnan tomorrow.”
“So soon?” Shen Qingyao leaned on the table. She knew they would leave in a few days, but didn’t expect that it would be tomorrow, then became happy, “Great, we can finally go back!”
They had only stayed in Lingnan for just over a month, but somehow, after a few days in Nanzhao, even the unfamiliar mansion in Lingnan gave her a sense of belonging. Mentioning it now, she actually felt a bit nostalgic.
The more Shen Qingyao thought about it, the more excited she became. Immediately, she jumped up from her chair, joyfully saying, “Then I’ll go pack right away!”
Lu Zhao smiled faintly. In reality, there was nothing she needed to pack. The things she needed to bring had already been prepared early by Cui Qiao and the others. Seeing her eagerly engaged, Lu Zhao didn’t stop her. He sat at the table, poured a cup of tea, and smiled as he watched the busy figure of the little girl. It carried a sense of peacefulness and contentment.
The next day, perhaps due to anticipation or because she had slept too much recently, Shen Qingyao woke up early without delay. With Cui Qiao’s help, she quickly finished washing up and went out. The entire envoy from Great Liang that came to Nanzhao was already bustling with activity. Shen Qingyao looked around but didn’t see Lu Zhao. Instead, she spotted Shen Yushu discussing matters with his assistant in the crowd. After a moment’s thought, she walked over.
“Eldest Brother,” Shen Qingyao called out. Seeing Shen Yushu raise his hand to dismiss his assistant, she asked again, “Eldest Brother, have you seen Lu Zhao?”
Shen Yushu glared at her and said sarcastically, “Tsk, Lu Zhao, Lu Zhao. You only think of your Lu Zhao. Your Eldest Brother is standing right here, but you didn’t even greet me! Truly, ‘girls won’t stay at home when they grow up’!”
Shen Qingyao suppressed a smile, thinking that she had already left home; she was married after all! She added to herself, Eldest Brother, you’re just the same. When you see Sister Tu Lan, you forget who your own sister is. We’re even!
But she didn’t dare say these words, as her Eldest Brother would scold her. Instead, she leaned over and hugged Shen Yushu’s arm, acting cute. “Eldest Brother, Eldest Brother! My dear Eldest Brother! Didn’t I come to find you first? Why are you being jealous?”
Shen Yushu snorted softly but his expression softened. Patting Shen Qingyao’s hand, he casually glanced not far away. Suddenly, with a meaningful smile, he lowered his voice and said to her, “Whether I’m jealous or not doesn’t matter. What matters is, someone might really get jealous soon!”
“What?” Shen Qingyao looked puzzled. Following his gaze, she turned her head and saw a tall figure standing in the distance. It seemed the other party also saw Shen Qingyao, hesitated for a moment, then walked towards her.
“Guard Wu Nan? Are you fully recovered?” Shen Qingyao was somewhat surprised but still greeted him with a smile. She remembered that if Wu Nan hadn’t given her that sachet earlier, the Gu might have stayed in her body for a while longer. Later, she heard that because of this, Wu Nan was also poisoned by Princess Anyu and nearly wasn’t rescued from the dungeon. Now seeing him standing well in front of her, Shen Qingyao breathed a sigh of relief.
“Mm,” Wu Nan nodded, flicking his fingers awkwardly. After hesitating for a while, he said, “I’m sorry…”
Shen Qingyao was puzzled for a moment before realizing what he meant. He was actually blaming himself for her poisoning incident? “Why apologize? It’s not your fault! You were injured too, weren’t you?”
Shen Qingyao smiled, but Wu Nan froze.
In his view, he was sent by the King of Nanzhao to supervise Princess Any’u, and it was his negligence that allowed her to use Gu to harm others. Faced with such negligence, these nobles might rightly scold and punish him. Yet here she was, smiling at him?
Shen Yushu, with his narrow eyes, looked from one to another. He had to admit, the Shen family’s habit of gossiping and enjoying scandals was truly passed down through the generations, just like Shen Qingyao’s usual self. Sharp-eyed, he caught sight of a certain Lu approaching with a dark expression. This was too exciting. Before Shen Qingyao could react, Shen Yushu found an excuse and slipped away.
What to do when your own sister is so popular? Naturally, let her husband handle it himself!
Meanwhile, Shen Qingyao, unaware that Lu Zhao had already noticed this side, after finishing her words, added thoughtfully, “Actually, I should thank you! Thank you for the sachet.”
“No, no need…” Wu Nan blamed himself even more. Knowing that the princess might use Gu, he didn’t directly warn her and only gave a useless sachet. How could he deserve her thanks? He wanted to say something else, but being not good with words in the first place and now even more nervous, he waved his hand helplessly, unable to say another word.
“Thanks for what?” Lu Zhao approached. His unfriendly gaze fixed on Wu Nan; facing his love rival made every hair on his body stand on end, and he immediately turned away.
Shen Qingyao joyfully turned around and upon seeing the person who just came, rushed over happily, calling out, “Elder Brother Lu Zhao! Where have you been? I’ve been looking for you for so long!”
Lu Zhao’s expression softened a bit as he took Shen Qingyao’s hand and asked, “What was Yaoyao just talking about?” Without waiting for her reply, he pointed in another direction with his finger and said gently, “Your Second Sister is here, over there looking for you. Why don’t you go and see her?”
“Really?” Shen Qingyao’s attention was indeed diverted. She smiled apologetically at Wu Nan and hurried off to find her Second Sister.
Once she was far away, Lu Zhao turned around, saying calmly, “I seem to recall mentioning that this is the inn of Great Liang. Officials from Nanzhao are required to announce themselves upon entry. I hope this gentleman learns some manners.”
Wu Nan’s face darkened. Without the tension of facing Shen Qingyao, he silently stared at Lu Zhao. A hint of hostility flashed in his eyes, but he ultimately clenched his fist and restrained himself, saying, “Yes.”
“Hey hey hey! My Yao! What’s going on over there!”
Meanwhile, Shen Qinglin saw Shen Qingyao and without discussing any serious matters, pulled Shen Qingyao over with a mischievous look, eyeing the two men.
Shen Qingyao could only laugh and sigh again at how they were all family. She pulled her over and rolled her eyes, “What’s going on? Stop messing around, Second Sister!” Then she whispered, “You should tell me what’s going on with that person!”
Not far behind Shen Qinglin, in the shadows, stood a man dressed in black. He was the guard of the King of Nanzhao and the prime suspect of being Shen Qingyao’s Second Brother-in-law. Shen Qingyao blinked and leaned in close, asking, “Second Sister, is that the person you’re looking for?”
Shen Qinglin paused for a moment, then smiled and said, “Of course he is.”
“And why does he…” Shen Qingyao was shocked. Could it be that Second Sister had spent so many years away from home chasing love and still hadn’t caught him?
Shen Qinglin, however, seemed unconcerned and smiled strangely, “I’m competing with him! It’s not that simple!”
With that, she winked.
Shen Qingyao didn’t quite understand. Competing? Competing in what? Whoever speaks to someone first loses? What kind of childish behavior was this!
“Alright! Don’t worry about adult matters! I won’t be going back with you this time when you return to Great Liang, but Lingnan isn’t far. Remember to find me if you need anything!” Shen Qinglin patted Shen Qingyao on the back and said casually, “Strictly speaking, we’re not real sisters, but I am your older sister, right? If you need anything, your Second Sister is here for you!”
Shen Qingyao felt warm inside. She was a soul returning to her own body, but Shen Qinglin had genuinely traveled through time. What she said was not wrong. She smiled and nodded, “I know, Second Sister.”
“Let’s go!”
After the loud shout, Shen Qingyao’s carriage slowly moved along with the rest of the group. She leaned against the window and looked outside. Lu Zhao and Shen Yushu were riding side by side in front, while her Second Sister and Wu Nan waved to her from afar. Shen Qingyao sighed, feeling that this trip to Nanzhao had been eventful beyond belief, exhausting all the strength of a lazy bum.
Cui Qiao smiled and leaned over, covering Shen Qingyao with a blanket, and whispered, “Miss, rest for a while. Sleep, and we’ll be home soon.”
Yes, home. Shen Qingyao thought of the courtyard she hadn’t fully arranged yet, and her mood improved.
The return journey always seemed swift; within a few days, they arrived at Lingnan. However, home was not as tranquil as Shen Qingyao had imagined. As Lu Zhao helped her out of the carriage, before they even reached the courtyard gate, a robust and carefree voice could be heard from inside, someone shouting in high spirits to greet them.
“Alright! Where have you been for so long? This Young Master rushed here from afar, and not a soul was around! Making me wait for days!”
This voice belonged to…
Shen Qingyao glanced at Lu Zhao, who remained composed; evidently, he had received news earlier.
The steward of the Lu residence hurried out nervously, sweat breaking out upon hearing the commotion behind him. It wasn’t that he wanted to easily let people into the mansion, but he simply couldn’t stop this young tyrant!
The young tyrant approached noisily, revealing his true appearance. Gu Ziyan looked at the two who had finally returned, tossed aside the branch in his hand, and rushed over like the wind, eyes widened as he said, “I thought they were teasing me with fake news! Turns out you really did come back!”
Then he looked at the bewildered Shen Qingyao and added, “You actually knew to come back!”
Shen Qingyao : Huh? So whose house is this, exactly?