Palace maid Shuoning

(One)

The night was still dark, and the bright moon hung like a plate.

Jiang Shuoning had just finished bathing; his long, dark hair, still slightly damp, hung loosely over his shoulders.

She sat alone at her desk, dressed in a moon-white nightgown, her eyes lowered and her brows furrowed, her fingertips delicately threading the needle.

Zhou Zhengyin tiptoed and quietly entered the house.

Just as Bai Ling was about to step forward to greet him, his gaze was already fixed on Jiang Shuoning, and he simply raised his hand in a gesture of respect.

Immediately, Bai Ling bowed and quietly withdrew outside the door.

Zhou Zhengyin slowly approached her. The candlelight in the room flickered gently, and the warm, soft light enveloped her beautiful cheeks, making her look gentle and charming.

"What are you embroidering?" He slowly sat down beside her, his gaze falling on the nascent "平" character on the embroidery frame, his brows furrowing slightly.

Jiang Shuoning smiled gently, her eyes crinkling: "You will be leaving the capital for your campaign the day after tomorrow, so I've embroidered a sachet for you. With my prayers, I hope your journey will be safe and your return peaceful."

Zhou Zhengyin's heart skipped a beat. He raised his hand and gently covered her delicate hand holding the needle, his eyes surging with intense emotion: "This... was embroidered especially for me?"

Jiang Shuoning looked up at him, her voice soft and gentle: "Yes. May your future be bright and your wishes fulfilled."

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhou Zhengyin gently guided her hand to his burning chest, his voice low and tender: "Auntie, listen, my heart is beating so fast."

Jiang Shuo Ning smiled gently, withdrew her hand, lowered her head again to continue embroidering, and casually changed the subject: "Have people all left?"

Zhou Zhengyin nodded slightly and explained gently, "Zhou Xiao is always outspoken; he was just joking. Don't take it to heart. I already addressed him earlier. Baozhong said he'll send Yaya back to the manor in a few days."

"Also, Gao Shuran is pregnant. After I go to war, you will have to take care of all the affairs of the Prince's mansion. The road ahead is unknown, and the outcome is uncertain. If..."

He lowered his eyes, a dull ache throbbing in his heart.

"If I do not return, you should ask your father to remove the imperial decree that you be made a concubine. You will not have to be confined to this desolate palace. Just find another good match and live a peaceful life."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Shuoning smiled slightly and said, "I've remembered. If you really don't come back, I'll find someone to marry on the day of your funeral."

"What?" Zhou Zhengyin suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with astonishment and panic, his voice tinged with a hint of panic. "How can you talk like that? Aren't you afraid I'll die with my eyes wide open in disbelief?"

Jiang Shuoning slowly put down the embroidery frame in her hand, raised her eyes and gazed at him quietly, her expression firm and calm, and said, word by word:

"Don't worry, you will be safe and sound and return in triumph."

Their eyes met, and they gazed at each other in silence.

Zhou Zhengyin's eyes were filled with tender affection, and his Adam's apple bobbed slightly.

His gaze fell on her fair, slender neck, still damp from the shower, and he couldn't help but slowly lean closer, his heart pounding wildly, his thoughts entirely focused on her.

Jiang Shuoning rose slightly, turning away from his lingering, burning gaze, and gently advised:

"Rest early. I will take good care of everything in the manor."

"Aunt." Zhou Zhengyin stood up, walked around to stand in front of her, lowered his eyes and gazed deeply at her, his voice low and tender, "I've been wondering, are you... starting to try to love me?"

Jiang Shuoning raised her eyes, meeting his burning gaze with composure, her tone clear and calm:

"Ah Yin, my feelings for you are complicated and hard to describe; pure romantic love is too shallow. I just want to treat you well, because..."

He was interrupted softly by Zhou Zhengyin midway through his sentence. He forced a smile, concealing the disappointment and unease that betrayed him in his eyes:

"I was just joking, Auntie, you don't need to take it seriously. I've already said that I will wait for you to come to me on your own initiative, and I will never force you in the slightest."

His eyes were sincere and earnest: "Now I ask for nothing more than your peace and happiness year after year. Rest assured, I, Zhou Zhengyin, will repay you a hundredfold, a thousandfold, for all the suffering Ye Wan inflicted on you in the past."

Jiang Shuoning smiled gently and softly, correcting him, "No, it's us."

Their eyes met, and they smiled at each other, their unspoken feelings conveyed without a word.

(two)

The auspicious time for departure had arrived, and the heavy city gates of the capital city suddenly swung open to both sides.

Zhou Zhengyin was clad in heavy, cold armor, each piece of which gleamed with a chilling sharpness under the blazing sun.

He sat upright on his magnificent warhorse, his posture as tall and straight as a green peak, his expression solemn and dignified, his gaze fixed on the distant journey ahead.

Deputy General Shan Hengzhe, clad in armor and carrying a sword, rode alongside him on horseback, his military attire impeccable and his bearing dignified and extraordinary.

Behind the two, thousands of elite armored soldiers stood in formation, stretching for thousands of miles as far as the eye could see.

Swords and spears stood in a forest, their cold blades gleaming in the sunlight, creating a chilling and menacing atmosphere. Rows of crimson banners of the Great Zhou Dynasty were raised high.

A long wind howled through the area, causing the flags to flutter wildly, their clattering echoing through the heavens and earth, drowning out all other sounds.

The entire army stood at attention, holding their breath. The sound of their armor clashing was uniform and rhythmic. A powerful and solemn aura enveloped the entire city gate. The 100,000-strong army was poised to attack, its imposing presence awe-inspiring and awe-inspiring.

On the city tower, Jiang Shuoning, dressed in plain clothes, stood quietly by the crenellations.

On the eve of their parting, she personally gave him the sachet embroidered with the words "peace and good fortune".

At this moment, the sachet that carried her heartfelt wishes was carefully hidden inside Zhou Zhengyin's armor, pressed tightly against his burning heart.

Her gaze pierced through layers of flags and banners, and the rows of soldiers, fixing firmly on that tall and heroic figure in military uniform.

A long wind stirred the black hair at her temples, and her clothes fluttered gently. She stood quietly without saying a word, hiding all her worries and wishes in her distant gaze.

As if telepathically connected, Zhou Zhengyin suddenly raised his eyes. His gaze pierced through the thousands of soldiers and armor, the howling wind, and landed precisely on the figure in plain clothes on the city wall.

He slowly raised his hand and, across the sea of ​​people, gently pressed it against the sachet on his chest.

His thin lips parted and closed, silently conveying the two words to her: Wait for me.

Jiang Shuoning's eyes instantly welled up with warm tears. She suppressed the surging soreness in her eyes, gazed at him, and slowly and solemnly nodded.

Zhou Zhengyin gazed at her one last time, concealing all tenderness and affection in his eyes, and once again adopting the solemn demeanor of a general.

He gripped the reins tightly and issued the order to march into battle in a deep voice.

A powerful bugle call suddenly resounded throughout the heavens and earth, its deep and majestic sound shaking the entire capital city.

His warhorse kicked up dust, and he turned his horse around, never looking back, leading 100,000 elite troops of the Great Zhou Dynasty on a grand march into the vast journey ahead.

Banners rolled forward, armored vehicles surged endlessly, and the thunderous sound of horses and men pounding the ground never ceased.

Along the official road, the crimson banner fluttered in the wind, moving forward and gradually disappearing into the distance.

"My lady, it's windy and cold up on the city wall. Let's go back." Bai Ling stepped forward lightly and carefully helped her up.

Jiang Shuoning did not respond. He only glanced one last time at the horizon where the army had gone before letting Bai Ling help him down the towering city wall, step by step.

Upon returning to the gates of the Prince's Mansion, Huo Xiao had already been waiting quietly at the foot of the steps for quite some time.

Seeing her return, he slowly stepped forward and gently comforted her:

"Your Highness is blessed with good fortune and good luck. He will surely turn misfortune into good fortune and return victorious from this expedition. Consort, there is no need to worry too much. Just wait for the good news from the front."

Jiang Shuoning simply nodded slightly, remaining silent, and slowly stepped onto the stone steps of the Prince's Mansion, lifting her skirt.

Huo Xiao gazed at her lonely and serene back, pondering for a long time. Words lingered in his throat before he finally spoke softly:

"Your concubine will be busy managing the household in the future. If needed, I am willing to share the burden of the many trivial matters in the household and ease your worries."

Jiang Shuoning suddenly stopped, slowly turned around, his brows furrowed slightly, his gaze clear and cold:

"Lord Huo has a heavy responsibility and there are more important matters for you to handle."