Chapter 485: The Blink of an Eye 01

Chapter 485

Ten years later.

Danzhou, Chen Manor.

On a winter afternoon, the sun shone gently as Madam Chen and Rongyue sat in the courtyard, embroidering knee pads for their respective husbands.

Madam Chen chuckled as she said, "Yesterday, my husband mentioned that once the military training ends, we'll have a month of leisure. We can travel around with Jing Yan and enjoy ourselves. It's been a while since we've had a chance to relax."

Rongyue smiled in agreement, "Danzhou doesn't see snow, and Nian Wan has been eager to see what it's like. With this extended break, coinciding with the New Year's Eve, it's perfect timing to take Nian Wan back to the capital city."

Nian Wan, mentioned by Rongyue, is the adopted daughter of her and Xiao Jingyan.

Five years ago, Lady Jing passed away, and at that time, Zhao Hua needed a trusted person to train her personal guards. Xiao Jingyan volunteered for the task, and Rongyue accompanied him to Danzhou.

At that time, Prince An of the Qi Dynasty had 'died', and as a concubine of the former emperor, Rongyue couldn't openly establish a residence outside. Fortunately, the Chen couple, Cheng Yu's foster parents, were in Danzhou.

So Zhao Hua arranged for them to live together in a large mansion, creating a lively atmosphere.

Every New Year's Eve, when Xiao Jingyan returned to the capital to report on his duties, he would spend some time with Rongyue in the capital.

Nian Wan is the abandoned baby adopted by Xiao Jingyan and Rongyue after they arrived in Danzhou by chance.

The small knee pad by Rongyue's side is meant for her precious daughter.

Madam Chen took the knee pad and joked, "Rongyue, you're so skilled. If it were me, I'd never be able to handle such delicate work."

Rongyue chuckled, "Sister is being too modest. When you took care of Cheng Yu, you paid attention to every detail. You wouldn't have any trouble with these small tasks of taking care of children."

Mentioning Cheng Yu, Madam Chen's eyes softened even more.

Though they hadn't seen each other for over a decade, they exchanged letters every year.

In his letters, Cheng Yu addressed Zhao Hua as 'mother', and Madam Chen as 'mother', all of which were approved by Zhao Hua.

"Speaking of Cheng Yu, now he's become the General of the Valiant Cavalry, achieving great military feats for the Qi Dynasty at a young age. His prestige intimidates even the southern barbarians, surpassing even the achievements of the former General Ning."

As Madam Chen spoke, pride filled her tone, yet Rongyue knew there was also regret in her heart.

So she gently patted Madam Chen's hand and comforted, "Last New Year's Eve, Zhao Er mentioned to me that if given the chance, he would personally come to thank you both for raising him."

Madam Chen's eyes welled up with tears, but she waved it off, saying nonchalantly, "Why bring this up? Being able to take care of Zhao Er is already a blessing for us."

Madam Chen gently stroked Nian Wan's fair cheek and asked her,

"What do you want to be when you grow up, little Nian Wan?"

Nian Wan said earnestly, "When I grow up, I want to be the best painter in Qi Dynasty, just like Master Nalan."

The Master Nalan she mentioned was Nalan Ruo, the most prestigious immortal brush master in the Ruyi Gallery of the Qi Dynasty.

She was the most famous painter in Qi Dynasty, also known as a remarkable woman.

Madam Chen encouraged Nian Wan,

"Then work hard, my dear. Aunt believes you will fulfill your wish sooner or later."

After Nian Wan went off to play, Madam Chen whispered to Rongyue again,

"I heard that Nalan Ruo used to be the cherished concubine in the former palace, Nalan Ruguo. But the Nalan family denies it, insisting that she is their second daughter. Didn't your younger sister enter the palace during last year's New Year's Eve banquet? You had a brief encounter with Concubine Zhen, so you shouldn't fail to recognize her."

Rongyue shook her head with a smile, "Concubine Zhen was deeply devoted to the late Emperor. After his passing, she followed suit. How could she enjoy such prosperity today? Moreover, Lord Nalan is already married and has a harmonious relationship with her husband, and they have two sons. If she were truly the late Emperor's concubine, who would dare to marry her? I believe His Majesty would not allow her to remain in the palace."

"You're right," Madam Chen sighed with a smile, picking up her needlework to continue sewing knee pads.

"After all, this is not something we should worry about. We should focus on living our own lives well, and that would be excellent."

As they spoke, they heard laughter and chatter coming from the entrance.

Looking up, they saw the door being pushed open, with Xiao Jingyan and Chen Ge entering side by side.

Rongyue noticed that Xiao Jingyan was carrying a lot of fresh meat, eggs, and fish, while Chen Ge was carrying two jugs of wine.

Both men were facing backward, engaged in conversation with someone out of sight.

Thinking that guests had arrived, Rongyue was about to get up to greet them when Xiao Jingyan suddenly looked at her and exclaimed, "Rong'er, guess who's here?"

Only after the two men entered did Rongyue see a man in military attire, leading a black horse, slowly stepping across the threshold...

The young man was tall and slender, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist, handsome and imposing.

At this moment, he was looking at Rongyue and Madam Chen from a distance, showing a confident smile.

Madam Chen, upon seeing the newcomer, seemed even more excited than Rongyue. Her hand, which had been tightly gripping the needle, now trembled so much that she accidentally pricked her finger.

Looking at her, flustered and staring at the newcomer, it took her a moment before she tremulously called out, "Yuyan... Yuyan?"