The temperamental white moonlight is back, and the entire Marquis's family obediently calls him

Meanwhile, Zhou Ming'an returned to the table with a basket of peach blossoms and started brewing wine with Lin Shuhui.

First, soak the peach blossoms in salt water for half an hour, then wash them carefully, put them in a bottle, add rock sugar, and finally pour in the best daughter's red wine, then seal the bottle.

Lin Shuhui finished making one bottle, turned around and saw that the other woman was still making one, and couldn't help but ask curiously, "Why did you make another one?"

Zhou Ming'an: "I wanted to compensate that young master; he didn't look well."

Lin Shuhui pouted: "Is he not very bright? I think so too."

Zhou Ming'an was amused, then shook his head with a smile, his tone becoming slightly serious: "I think he must have encountered something."

Because she had experienced a similar situation.

During the period when she was living in fear because she suspected her mother was trying to harm her, she was always in tears and would cry at the drop of a hat.

Even something as small as dropping a pastry on the ground would make her cry.

"After all, if there really were such a bizarre man who cries at the drop of a hat, it would have been widely known by now. How could we not have heard of him?"

Lin Shuhui nodded: "You're right."

"So whose family does he belong to?"

Zhou Ming'an paused.

Oh no, she didn't get the question out.

If she doesn't know whose son the other party is, how is she going to compensate him for the wine later?

We can only try our luck.

After finishing the two bottles of wine, Zhou Ming'an first put one away and had the maid deliver it to his mother. Then, carrying the other bottle, he and Lin Shuhui searched for people everywhere.

Unfortunately, even after the poetry appreciation event had ended and the banquet was nearing its end, they still couldn't find that person.

She had no choice but to give up for the time being.

If we have the chance to meet again in the future, I'll compensate them then.

In the carriage on their way home with his mother, Zhou Ming'an enthusiastically shared the details of brewing peach blossom wine that day, while Lu Mingzhao listened with a smile, occasionally asking a few questions.

Just as I was about to arrive home, I heard the sound of rapid hoofbeats rushing past me.

Lu Mingzhao subconsciously sensed something was wrong. He lifted the curtain and saw Zhou Ningchuan riding a horse past the carriage.

And the direction he went... was the imperial palace.

"Is that Father? Why is he in such a hurry?"

Zhou Ming'an was puzzled.

Lu Mingzhao smiled but didn't say anything, though he was inwardly puzzled.

Zhou Ningchuan knew that he and his daughter had gone out to a banquet, so upon seeing this carriage, he would surely know who was inside.

Knowing Zhou Ningchuan's personality, he would definitely stop and say a few words to her and his daughter before continuing with his business.

Right now... he doesn't know what kind of emergency situation is causing him to not dare to stop even for a moment.

She remained worried until she sent her daughter back to the yard and prepared dinner.

She sat at the dining table, watching the dishes being reheated twice, before Zhou Ningchuan, who was never late, finally arrived, looking travel-worn.

His face was dark and his expression serious, but fearing he might frighten his wife, he still managed to force an awkward smile.

Lu Mingzhao didn't say anything, but silently handed him a damp handkerchief.

Zhou Ningchuan always paid great attention to his image in front of her. No matter how busy he was, he would always take a bath in the front yard and change into clothes with a scented fragrance before coming to see her.

This is the first time.

Zhou Ningchuan came to her, smelling of dust from outside.

Zhou Ningchuan took the handkerchief, wiped his face to clear his head, and then said in a hoarse voice, "Zhaozhao..."

"Speak, what news is it that I dare not hear?" Lu Mingzhao smirked.

Zhou Ningchuan took a deep breath, knowing his wife would find out sooner or later, so he decided to get straight to the point:

"There is unrest in the Northwest, and the Emperor has ordered me to lead troops to battle early tomorrow morning."

"..."

Lu Mingzhao had prepared herself mentally, but she still couldn't come to her senses for a long time after hearing these words.

After a long pause, she asked in a strained voice, "...Why did things suddenly turn out like this?"

Zhou Ningchuan: "The neighboring country didn't have a good winter last year, so they took advantage of my absence and started attacking Saranghae early."

Zhou Ningchuan didn't know how to face his wife.

Just a few days ago, with He Ling's help, he had the opportunity to stay in the capital. He hadn't even had time to tell his wife before he was called away by the war.

He had only recently reunited with his family.

"Can't we send someone else?" Lu Mingzhao asked, biting her lip.

"...Right now, no one is better able to keep those traitorous countries in check than I am."

Over the years, he has been the pillar of strength in the Northwest. Whenever he appears, even if he does nothing, the other side will be thrown into disarray.

Therefore, even if there were more suitable candidates or more outstanding generals than him, the emperor would still only send him.

This is a safer approach.

Seeing his wife's dazed expression, Zhou Ningchuan could no longer hold back. He pulled her into his arms, wrapped his arms tightly around her waist, and murmured, "I'm not going, Zhaozhao."

"I want to stay by your side forever. Zhaozhao, I don't want to go anywhere. At worst, we can give up this title, take the child and leave for the south. It's peaceful there, without all this mess..."

These were Zhou Ningchuan's true feelings, feelings he would never have wanted his wife to know before.

He didn't care about the lives of those common people. He had been a general for more than ten years, saved so many lives, and protected the Northwest for so long. Wasn't that enough?

He wanted to be with his wife and children forever; he wanted to be with his family.

Even if he had to give up the title, even if he would be hunted down by the emperor for disobeying the imperial decree, even if the consequences were severe... he would be willing to do anything as long as he could be with his Zhaozhao and his family.

But Lu Mingzhao gently pushed his chest.

"Zhou Ningchuan, don't talk nonsense."

"I know you don't want to leave me and the children, but the Emperor is right. It's safest for you to go, and I only trust you."

"If someone else had failed to defend the Northwest, we would have suffered sooner or later, wouldn't we?"

"When you go to protect the Northwest, you are also protecting me and the children."

This is different.

Zhou Ningchuan gazed silently at Lu Mingzhao.

Although Lu Mingzhao's soul is only in her twenties, her heart is broader than many others.

She cared about the country, the people, and their livelihood.

But she didn't know that Zhou Ningchuan didn't care about any of that.

He only cares about her.

However, Zhou Ningchuan knew he couldn't say these things. He didn't want his image in Zhaozhao's eyes to completely collapse, and he couldn't bear or imagine the consequences.

Zhou Ningchuan then slowly nodded.

"Okay, I'll go."

Lu Mingzhao rubbed his sore nose and forced a smile: "Don't make it sound like a life-or-death separation. You'll be back after the war, won't you?"

"How about I go with you?"

Zhou Ningchuan smiled.

He knew that if he begged, his soft-hearted wife would agree.

Zhao Zhao is really too easily swayed by emotions.

She would understand his suffering after waiting for fourteen years and couldn't bear to let him continue to suffer alone in the Northwest, so Zhaozhao would stay with him.

But he also knew that his wife would definitely miss their children who were far away in Beijing.

Zhao Zhao has a lot of love; she loves Zhou Ningchuan and her three children, and her love is genuine.

When she's with Zhou Ningchuan, she worries about their three children; when she's with the three children, she worries about Zhou Ningchuan.

Zhou Ningchuan is selfish; he doesn't really care whether his three children have someone to accompany them.

But he didn't want his wife to be concerned about three people at the same time; that would be too cruel for her.

His selfishness would always uncontrollably give way to his righteousness.

"I'll be back soon."

Zhou Ningchuan planted a deep kiss on his wife's forehead.

The kiss lasted a long time.

Zhou Ningchuan wished this moment could be frozen in time forever.

He and Zhaozhao will never be separated.