Princess Changhuan? So she's a princess of Yanyun?
The Princess Consort of Ning frowned even more tightly.
Previously, she always thought that among all the women in the capital, no matter who became the wife of the heir apparent, their family background and status would be a bit lacking. Unexpectedly, now Ji Lingchuan was going to marry a princess of Yanyun, the younger sister of the ruler of Yanyun.
This status was undoubtedly appropriate. However, since the other party was a princess, how could she, as the mother - in - law, casually control her?
Nanny Chen said, "I heard that this Princess of Yanyun is extremely favored by the ruler of Yanyun. Although she was sent to Yu State for a marriage alliance, she requested a princess mansion to be set up for her in the capital. For the sake of friendship between the two countries, His Majesty agreed."
"Now, the palace should be starting to prepare a princess mansion for that Princess Changhuan of Yanyun in order to hold a grand wedding for the heir apparent and her."
At this point, Nanny Chen also felt a bit melancholy. "Princess Consort, do you think our heir apparent is getting a wife or becoming a son - in - law to that Princess Changhuan?"
The Princess Consort of Ning sighed. "No matter what the situation is, as long as Chuan'er is willing himself, that's better than anything else."
This remark made Nanny Chen and Nanny Hu can't help but look at her a few more times.
The Princess Consort only had this one son, the heir apparent. And the heir apparent was often away from home and couldn't accompany the Princess Consort. The Princess Consort missed her son so much that she fell ill. She used to like to control the heir apparent in other aspects. Unexpectedly, after learning that the heir apparent was in danger, the Princess Consort had become much more open - minded.
This was good. There always had to be one person to compromise between mother and son. If both could take a step back, naturally their relationship would be harmonious.
After the war ended, the armistice agreement signed by the four countries was sent back to the palace. The palace had indeed started to prepare a princess mansion for Princess Changhuan of Yanyun.
Meanwhile, suddenly many people started to visit the former Marquis Mansion of Ding'an. After the turmoil four years ago, the plaque of the Marquis Mansion of Ding'an was removed, and the emperor bestowed it to the heir apparent of the Prince of Ning as a spoils of war. However, Ji Lingchuan soon led his troops back to the border to defend against the enemy, and the mansion was left empty again.
Four years had passed, and the mansion had fallen into disrepair. Weeds were everywhere. In the eyes of others, it was no different from a dilapidated house.
Now that there was suddenly activity inside the mansion, it naturally attracted attention.
On the day when the new plaque was hung up, many commoners gathered outside the mansion, whispering to each other while pointing at the newly - renovated mansion.
The Marquis Mansion of Ding'an no longer existed. Now, this mansion had transformed into the Earl Mansion of Yong'an!
"Who is this Earl of Yong'an? Why have I never heard of this title before?"
"You don't know this. I heard from others that this Earl of Yong'an was originally just an ordinary commoner. He made great contributions in this war by helping General Ji successfully recapture Liaocheng. That's why His Majesty conferred the title of Earl of Yong'an on him!"
"This is simply rising to the top in one step!" Others were envious. "If I had known this, I should have joined the army when the war broke out at the border. If I had made military achievements, wouldn't I be prosperous now?"
"You? Come on. I'm afraid you would have surrendered directly out of fear once you got to the battlefield!"
Everyone burst into laughter. They were very curious about this Earl of Yong'an who had made military achievements and were even more looking forward to the day when the army returned in triumph.
Since the day when the good news came from the border, the capital city had become even more bustling than before. In the streets and alleys, what people talked about the most was the last battle to recapture the city, as well as the marriage between the heir apparent of the Prince of Ning, the great general who protected the country, Ji Lingchuan, and Princess Changhuan of Yanyun.
From time to time, people also mentioned that mysterious "Earl of Yong'an". It was said that the Earl of Yong'an's wife had died many years ago, and he only had a son and a daughter. Many people were eager to take action.
In the Prince Mansion of Ning, the Princess Consort of Ning leaned on the imperial concubine's couch and sighed. "His Majesty has already returned to the capital. Why haven't I seen any trace of the heir apparent? I don't know when he will return to the capital."
Nanny Chen was fiddling with the incense burner in her hand. She looked up and replied with a smile. "Princess Consort, don't be anxious. The heir apparent has to escort the wedding procession of the Princess of Yanyun, so he is walking a bit slower. Good things always take time."
...
In a small town seventy miles outside the capital, several unremarkable carriages drove into the town and stopped in front of the posthouse.
Ji Lingchuan, wearing a dark - blue coarse - cloth shirt, got out of the front carriage first. Then he turned around and reached out his hand to Song Yihuan behind him. Song Yihuan was holding Xiangxiang's hand. She was wearing a veil hat on her head, which covered her face so that people couldn't see her appearance clearly. She was also wearing a coarse - cloth skirt. Together with the child, they looked like an ordinary family.
Although others were a bit surprised by Ji Lingchuan and Xiangxiang's good looks, they only took a few more glances and then shifted their gazes, not paying too much attention.
From the carriage behind, Song Yixuan helped Qi Lei come forward. After meeting up with Ji Lingchuan and Song Yihuan, they entered the inn together.
They ordered several upper - class rooms, asked the waiter to arrange their luggage, and then went upstairs.
This town was called "Yingning Town". The only official road leading to the capital was on the edge of the town. They didn't travel with the wedding procession of Yanyun and the Xuanjia Army that escorted it. Instead, they found some carriages and walked and stopped along the way, enjoying the journey.
Even so, they walked faster than the wedding procession.
Yingning Town was only seventy miles away from the capital. If the horses walked fast, they could reach the capital in half a day. They would rest here temporarily, wait for the wedding procession to arrive, and then go to the capital together.
It was true that Song Yihuan wasn't completely calm at the thought of returning to the capital city after so many years.
Standing by the window and looking far in the direction of the capital city, she could feel her heart pounding. Many worries welled up in her heart.
A figure leaned against her from behind. Ji Lingchuan wrapped his arms around her from behind and rubbed his chin on the top of her head. "Are you scared?"
Song Yihuan leaned against Ji Lingchuan. In this position, they could feel each other's heartbeats.
She sighed softly. "Naturally, I'm a bit scared. I left so resolutely back then. Now, although I'm coming back with a different identity... I'm still afraid of strange looks from others and their private discussions."
"I'm also afraid that the Princess Consort still doesn't like me. After all, I hid Xiangxiang from her for so many years and lied to her that Xuan'er was dead."
Back then, since she never expected that she could return to the capital and stand beside Ji Lingchuan in a proper way, she had acted very resolutely, leaving no way out for herself or others.
Holding her hand, Ji Lingchuan said, "Don't be afraid. I know her best. Mother is tough - mouthed but soft - hearted. If she knows that Xuan'er is still alive and that you gave birth to Xiangxiang, making her a grandmother, she will only be happy."
Song Yihuan smiled. She turned around, stood on tiptoe, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed his lips.
"It doesn't matter even if she still doesn't like me. Anyway, it's something I have to face. As a wife, getting along with the mother - in - law is a lifelong knowledge. I don't believe that I'm so smart but can't win her over."
Looking into her bright and charming deer - like eyes, Ji Lingchuan's lips curled up slightly. "I'll be waiting to see."