Weirui was unaware of her aunt's concerns and continued whispering to her, "It's not just the Regent. The eldest prince is here too. I used to think he was Young Master Zhu, but I never expected..."
Shen Yuning turned to look at her. "You've met the eldest prince?"
Weirui blushed slightly and recounted the incident when she met the eldest prince and Yin Zidu while buying books for her. "I vaguely thought at that time that if he were Young Master Zhu, he shouldn't have called Young Master Zidu 'uncle'. But I didn't think much about it. Now I understand that he's actually the eldest prince."
Shen Yuning remembered that back then, she had just discovered that Zidu was Xuanzhi. She was hesitant, thinking it might be her imagination, and was in a daze at home all day. Her family tried all kinds of ways to cheer her up.
Thinking of this, Shen Yuning couldn't help grinding her teeth. She found Yin Zidu truly hateful. No matter how many reasons he had, she couldn't understand. She just wanted to tug on his ears and teach him not to do such things again.
Although Yin Zidu managed to get some free time and was allowed by his elder brother to bring Yin Yunhan to attend Zhu Bin's wedding banquet, it was just a stolen moment of leisure. Once he was free, his mind was occupied with something. His eyes constantly glanced at the people going to fetch the bride.
Finally, he spotted the person he had been longing for in the crowd. But that person was lowering her head, talking to Yuanbao. When she looked up and saw him, she gave him a fierce glare.
Yin Zidu instinctively touched his nose. What had he done to make her angry?
He quickened his steps, trying to go forward, but was blocked by an enthusiastic guest who came to pay respects. By the time he impatiently got rid of the person and looked towards Shen Yuning, he saw Chen Wenwei standing with her.
Yin Zidu frowned tightly, feeling as if he had fallen into an ice cave.
Didn't Yuning dislike Chen Wenwei? He knew she always avoided him. Why were they together today and looking so familiar?
He couldn't help recalling the information he had obtained. Lady Chen was interested in proposing marriage to Shen Yuning and had already sent a message to the Xue family, just waiting for Shen Yuning's consent.
At this moment, Shen Yuning should have been at the female guests' seating area after seeing off the bride. But Chen Wenwei walked over and said he wanted to talk to her.
Actually, Shen Yuning didn't want to talk to Chen Wenwei. She was still hesitant herself. She thought, just like what her mother and sister - in - law had said, if she missed Chen Wenwei, she might not meet a better man. But if she agreed, she wasn't really willing in her heart.
Firstly, he wasn't the one in her heart. Secondly, it would be unfair to him.
Chen Wenwei stared intently at Shen Yuning's changing expression with a solemn look in his eyes. He bowed and said, "Sister Yuning, I've received the emperor's order and will go to Wuyun as a military commissioner."
Shen Yuning was stunned for a while. A military commissioner? A military commissioner was a second - rank official with real power, equivalent to a local overlord. In the previous dynasty, military commissioners had too much power and restricted the imperial power, so this dynasty didn't appoint them. Now, not only was the position to be established, but such a young Chen Wenwei was to take the post?
Seeing her confusion, Chen Wenwei explained, "The situation in Wuyun is too complicated. In the past few years, such a great change happened to the Zhu family. The emperor and the Regent have found out that it wasn't just the cruelty of the battlefield but man - made disasters."
This meant a thorough investigation and cleansing. But why was Chen Wenwei sent? Although he was capable, he might not be up to the task. Since the situation in Wuyun was so severe, it couldn't be solved by just a military commissioner. If things went wrong, he might even lose his life.
She then realized that due to the palace coup at the end of last year, there were not many capable people left in the court. Many urgent matters had to be dealt with, and Chen Wenwei probably volunteered to go.
Chen Wenwei didn't explain much. He just pursed his lips and asked, "Sister Yuning, would you like to go with me?"
Shen Yuning was stunned. Did this mean a proposal? If she agreed, she would probably get married in the capital and then go to Wuyun with Chen Wenwei after the wedding.
As the wife of a military commissioner, she could probably fulfill her ambitions again in Wuyun, a place thousands of miles away from the imperial city.
But why did she still feel so reluctant in her heart?
Chen Wenwei didn't urge her. He just bowed and said, "It's my fault. I shouldn't have been so hasty. But the date of my departure is approaching. I want... to hear your definite answer, or I won't be at ease even when I leave."
He had always been gentle and had always taken good care of her.
She trusted and even relied on him, but it was the kind of reliance a younger sister had on an elder brother, not romantic love.
What was romantic love? Perhaps it was always caring about the person in her heart, wondering if he was doing well, if he had enough to eat and wear, and if he was happy recently. Even just thinking of that person would make her heart flutter, changing with his every move.
Shen Yuning's heart started pounding. There was such a person in her heart, but... that person was her younger brother.
Her mind went blank. She seemed to hear herself say, "Fourth Brother Chen... I'm sorry..."
She saw disappointment flash across Chen Wenwei's eyes. He bowed and left.
Shen Yuning's heart was still pounding. At this moment, she seemed to understand her own feelings.
That day, her elder sister had asked, "Do you already have someone you like in your heart?"
It turned out that without realizing it, she had fallen in love with her younger brother. For so many days and nights, in her dreams, she was sitting under a tree embroidering, and he was leaning against the tree trunk beside her, with a foxtail grass in his mouth, smiling at her.
From childhood to now, from the somewhat naughty Xuanzhi to the steady Zidu, and now to the sharp - witted Regent.
But they were siblings. They weren't suitable.
Shen Yuning was in a daze. She tried to calm herself down. Today was her elder sister's big wedding day. She couldn't act recklessly. She should go to the back hall and be with the other ladies and young girls.
As she walked towards the back hall, after only a few steps, she saw the young man standing under a tree. The peach blossoms on the tree fell with the gentle breeze and fluttered on his shoulders, looking like a moving painting.
She had fallen in love with her younger brother.
However, this wasn't an illusion. The young man walked forward slowly, reached out and took her hand. His low and hoarse voice was gentle and pleasant. "Yuning."
Shen Yuning was startled. She tried to pull back her hand immediately, but he held it tightly and she couldn't break free for a moment.
Helpless, she had no choice but to let him hold her hand. She lowered her head and called out, "Your Highness."
With just a gentle tug, Yin Zidu pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly as if he wanted to crush her.
Shen Yuning's mind went blank. What did this mean?
No, this must be a dream. It was because she had realized her love for Xuanzhi that she was having such a strange dream. How could Xuanzhi hug her? They were siblings.
But why couldn't she wake up from this dream?
The breath Yin Zidu exhaled hit her ear, making her heart flutter even more. She felt distracted and couldn't react. His arm was around her waist, holding her slender waist tightly so that she couldn't move at all.
Shen Yuning's heart was beating faster and faster. She felt as if her heart was about to jump out of her throat. She couldn't help whispering softly, as if she wanted to say something, but when she opened her mouth, nothing came out.
Hearing her soft murmur, Yin Zidu loosened his hold slightly. "Shen Yuning, I won't allow you to marry Chen Wenwei."
Shen Yuning was stunned. What did he say? Chen Wenwei? She didn't plan to marry Chen Wenwei. Did he dislike Chen Wenwei and not want Chen Wenwei to be his brother - in - law, so he came to warn her?
But... if so, why did he hug her?
The confusion in her mind cleared a little. She reluctantly reached out and pushed him hard. Perhaps he wasn't on guard, and she managed to push him away.
Her cheeks were burning red. She reached out to cover her face and it took her a long time to speak. "What are you doing?"
Although Yin Zidu didn't hug her anymore, his hand still rested on her waist. It seemed as if he was afraid she would run away, or there was some other kind of affection in it.
"Yuning, I have feelings for you."
Shen Yuning thought she must be dreaming too vaguely. Otherwise, how could she, how could she hear these words from Xuanzhi's mouth? He liked her? That was impossible.
Yin Zidu continued in a low voice, "Yuning, I'm the Regent now. I have the ability to protect you for the rest of your life. I have feelings for you. Yuning... would you like to marry me?"
Shen Yuning's heart was really about to jump out. How could this happen?
Not long ago, when she was talking to Weirui in the front hall, she still wanted to tug on Xuanzhi's ears and scold him severely.
Her eyes fell on his ears. They were red, looking pink and attractive. She actually wanted to kiss them.
Shen Yuning was startled and quickly shook her head, driving these wild thoughts out of her mind. "But... I'm your elder sister."
She heard Yin Zidu laugh. She also heard his nice voice whispering in her ear, making her ear itch. She wanted to dodge but was reluctant to.
"Then I'll be my elder sister's little husband. How about that?"
Shen Yuning's breathing was all in a mess. She felt as if she couldn't even stand steadily. She stammered, "I... I'm the daughter of a merchant. You... you're the Regent... I just want to make money. Yes, make money."
Yin Zidu stepped forward and pulled her into his arms again. "With me here, no matter how much money you want, I'll give it to you."
He bent down slightly, face to face with her. His thin lips, which were originally pursed, were now extremely red. Even, he got closer and closer to her.
Shen Yuning dodged, still in a daze. "No no no, Xuanzhi, I still have a lot of things to do. Yes, I haven't finished my business yet. I've made an agreement with Wanyan that we'll travel around the Great Zhou. We not only want to spread the laws and regulations, but also..."
"Everything you want, I'll fulfill for you. When Wanyan comes back, we'll go with him. Moreover, I proposed yesterday that female officials should be appointed in the Great Zhou. Yuning, you can enter the Ministry of Punishment. If there are any unreasonable parts in the Great Zhou's code that you're not satisfied with, just change them."
Shen Yuning's mouth hung open. Female officials? No, if the code was unreasonable, it should be gradually made reasonable. How could it be changed just like that? How could it be changed just because she was not satisfied?
Moreover, he was the Regent. The emperor was in poor health, and there were countless affairs in the court for him to handle. Where did he have the time to travel with her?
Just as she was about to say something else, Yin Zidu's lips landed on hers.