It hurts.
She was killed by a knife, of course it hurts.
Miss Jun looked at him.
"Do you know how I died?" she asked.
In any case, it wasn't from an illness as rumored outside.
Zhu Zan looked at her.
"I investigated it," he said, shifting his gaze and exhaling.
Investigating this was hard and not a pleasant task, like watching her die in front of him, dying over and over again.
Whether it's a knife cut, sword stab, poisoned wine, or white silk, death is always painful.
The question is really pointless.
Why is he asking this?
"I, I'm leaving now," Zhu Zan said, turning to go.
"It hurt a lot," Miss Jun said, "especially the second cut. The first cut hadn't fully registered, and then the rapid succession didn't allow the pain to catch up. Later...."
"Okay, stop talking," Zhu Zan couldn't help but interrupt her.
Miss Jun paused and smiled.
"Did I scare you?" she said.
"What am I afraid of? What's there to be scared of?" Zhu Zan said angrily, "I only feel sorry for you."
As soon as he spoke, he nearly bit his tongue off.
What nonsense was he saying!
What was he talking about!
Mother!
Gonna die here!
He covered his mouth with his hand and rushed out, almost tripping over the threshold, stumbling out in his haste.
Miss Jun was stunned and then burst into laughter, the more she laughed, the more she wanted to laugh until she laughed out loud.
Hearing the laughter, Zhu Zan, who had already rushed to the door of his room, slapped his forehead and gritted his teeth.
She could still laugh.
What woman could hear those words and still laugh?
The thought flashed by, and he found himself laughing too.
What woman, who else but Miss Jun.
Zhu Zan slapped the door panel, exhaling.
Miss Jun is Chu Jiuling; she has always been herself.
She has always been a non-serious....
Zhu Zan felt a bit dazed, turning his head to look at Miss Jun's room.
Is she really back?
Is she really not dead?
It should be her. Back in Runan, she called out his name, and only she would look at him with such eyes.
The joy of reuniting with an old friend.
Old friend.
So she remembered him too, recognized him back then.
Zhu Zan scratched the door panel, feeling restless, then twisted his waist, stomped his foot, pushed the door open, and ran inside.
"My mother!" Seventh Chen said in the Yangcheng dialect, standing under the corridor, "I'm blind. I actually saw the Lord Heir twisting like a woman."
..........
.......
The Duke of Chengguo didn't know the storm raging in his son's heart at this time. He remained as calm as ever, and after discussing with his staff all night, the memorial requesting commendation for Miss Jun was finished.
"Have you thought it over?"
As Madam Yu helped the Duke of Chengguo into his court robe, she asked.
"If you submit this, I'm afraid you won't keep your military power."
The Duke of Chengguo smiled.
"Even if I don't submit this memorial, I can't keep my military power," he said, "It's better to seize the chance for benefits while I still can."
Madam Yu laughed, patting the Duke on the back.
"I knew the Duke wouldn't let himself suffer losses," she said with a smile, "And Miss Jun is the same."
The Duke of Chengguo glanced at her.
"Do you mean to say that birds of a feather flock together?" he said with a gentle smile, "It'd be a shame if they're not family once they step outside the door?"
Madam Yu laughed.
"No pity at all. I brought this daughter-in-law in. I won't let that kid enjoy an easy ride," she said, "Things not earned by oneself are not cherished. Just look at him. Let him regret it in the future and find his own way."
The Duke of Chengguo laughed.
"Miss Jun is indeed very good," he said, pausing for a moment, "But Zan'er might not necessarily think so."
Madam Yu also frowned, seeming to think of something troubling, opening her mouth but stopping.
"Forget it, marriage is a lifelong matter. If it's not to one's liking, it'll be difficult for a lifetime. Let him be," she said.
The Duke of Chengguo nodded.
"Yes, not everyone is as fortunate as I am to find someone to spend a lifetime with in mutual love," he said.
Madam Yu laughed heartily, raising her hand to punch the Duke on the shoulder.
"Indeed," she said.
A cough came from outside the door, and the couple saw Zhu Zan approaching.
"Why are you back so early?" Madam Yu asked.
Zhu Zan made a sound of acknowledgment.
"Isn't today the day father goes to court? I came back to see," he said, then looked at the Duke, "Father, did you write the memorial?"
"Why wouldn't it be real?" the Duke said.
"Not going to reconsider or deliberate a bit more?" Zhu Zan asked.
"A man's words should hit the ground with sound," the Duke said, "Don't be indecisive."
With that, he stepped out.
Zhu Zan responded with a sound and said no more.
"Isn't this what you wanted?" Madam Yu said with a half-smile, scrutinizing Zhu Zan, "Why do you not look happy?"
"Reputation is a small matter. Why should it matter if I'm happy or not?" Zhu Zan said seriously, "I'm concerned about Father and Miss Jun's safety."
Madam Yu looked at him with a ghostly expression.
"Did you take the wrong medicine?" she asked.
"Mother," Zhu Zan called.
The Duke of Chengguo laughed, stopping their words.
"Alright, don't tease him," he said, looking at Zhu Zan, "Don't worry. It's inevitable sooner or later; better to face it head-on instead of waiting for others to act."
Zhu Zan responded with acknowledgment and nodded, walking Madam Yu out the door together.
Outside, the guards were already lined up. The Duke of Chengguo took the reins and mounted his horse, leaving with the morning light.
"Mother, I'm leaving," Zhu Zan said.
"Where to?" Madam Yu asked, a bit puzzled.
"To Jiuling Hall, of course," Zhu Zan replied, also feeling puzzled, "Is that even a question?"
"Weren't you avoiding it? Unwillingly?" Madam Yu scrutinized him, "What's with you today?"
Zhu Zan composed himself, frowning.
"What's wrong with me, Mother? Am I someone who can't distinguish priorities? There are many important things now," he said.
Madam Yu spat dismissively.
"Nonsense," she said, "Don't think I don't know you."
Saying this, she looked at Zhu Zan in sudden realization.
"Why are you so happy today?"
Zhu Zan blinked.
"Am I happy?" he said.
"You're smiling so wide your mouth can't close," Madam Yu frowned at him, "I kept wondering why you seemed so strange."
Zhu Zan reached up to touch his face.
"No way, Mother, don't say such things," he said, "There's nothing to be happy about right now."
With that, he didn't wait for Madam Yu to speak further and bowed.
"I have to get busy now."
Madam Yu called out a couple of times as she watched Zhu Zan walk away with quick steps.
A smile so wide he can't close his mouth?
How so?
Zhu Zan rubbed his mouth, the smile dispersing, the corners of his mouth rising. He coughed lightly to suppress it, but in the next moment, he couldn't help but grin again, finally showing a wide, toothy smile as he walked down the street.
......
........
Watching the Duke of Chengguo present the memorial, the emperor's mood was also very good.
The contents of the memorial had already been read aloud in public by the Duke, and the hall was filled with buzzing murmurs, with officials showing varied expressions.
"So, you're saying it's all a matter of expediency," the emperor raised his hand for silence, speaking gently, "The rescue and escorting of refugees from the northern lands were actually Miss Jun's idea, merely borrowing your name for convenience?"
The Duke of Chengguo bowed.
"Exactly," he said, "She also came to the Jurchen Territory to rescue me from encirclement, not at my prior arrangement."
"So, the merits in the northern lands are all Miss Jun's? Did Your Majesty commend the wrong person?" an official said with a half-smile.
The Duke of Chengguo turned to look at him.
"Of course not," he said, "Without me guarding the northern lands and training strong troops and valiant officers, Miss Jun wouldn't have the opportunity either."
Many officials in attendance were astonished.
To praise himself so straightforwardly and smoothly.
Shameless!
**********
(Yunni has a new book out, "Reaching Prosperity," and it's already entered the VIP section with lots of updates. Those interested can check it out.)