Su Han advised him, âSister also knows youâre unwilling, but once youâve accepted something, you eventually have to face it.â
Su Han, mature and composed, patted Su Haoâs arm.
Su Hao nodded as if in compromise, âI understand, sister.â
After Su Han delivered her message, she didnât rush to leave. Su Hao, after much hesitation, finally spoke to her, âMay I ask you a favor, sister?â
Su Han covered her mouth, chuckling softly, âI havenât left yet because I was wondering how long Iâd have to wait for you to ask me for a favor!â
Su Haoâs tense expression suddenly eased.
He was somewhat embarrassed, âSister, youâre already so busy with your business on normal days, you donât even have time for marriage, but Yanâer⦠sheâs due to give birth in a month, and I canât be by her side. I hope you can look after her more and ensure the safety of both mother and child.â
âThat, even if you hadnât asked, I would have done it. Jinyan might not have become my sister-in-law, but she is still the best friend of Yingxue and me. If I hadnât seen in her the brilliance of an independent lady from a noble family, I wouldnât have achieved what I have today, nor would I have thought about pursuing my own happiness. So rest assured, when Jinyan is giving birth, I will be by her side every step of the way, doing everything I can to keep her safe.â
âIn that case, Su Hao thanks you very much, sister!â
Su Hao said this and was about to kneel down to her in a gesture of gratitude.
Su Han quickly lifted him up, âHow can this be appropriate? Though you are my brother, and it would be no harm to show respect to your sister, you are also the commander of this great army. Thereâs something I would like to ask of you too!â
âIs it about General Song Chengyi that sister would like to ask?â Su Hao asked with a tender smile, âI appointed General Song to join me in the campaign. Are you going to spend the days in worry, possibly blaming me?â
âWhen did you learn to be so smooth-talking from Yingxue? You know that taking him with you is a great opportunity for him to earn his merit. How could I blame you!â
Su Han playfully scolded him.
Su Hao smiled lightly, âRest assured, sister. General Song is a rising talent, brave and resolute. He will surely earn his merits. Like General Lin, he is one of the people I rely upon.â
Su Han nodded, relieved.
Su Hao and she went back to their own affairs since they both still had tasks to attend to.
Su Han was to prepare Song Chengyiâs travel equipment while Su Hao headed to Lu Yingâs courtyard.
The separate residence that Qin Wan had arranged for her, the He Feng Yuan, was in the Marquisâs Manor, boasting the most beautiful scenery, but, it was a great distance from Su Haoâs courtyardâone to the south, the other to the north.
It took quite some time for Su Hao to walk there.
The young girl who came with Lu Ying as part of her dowry was another one of her personal secret guards, Xuan Ye.
Xuan Ye had been waiting outside for a long time, seeing not a single soul, and was about to go back and suggest to Lu Ying to rest early when she saw a tall figure approaching from afar.
As he drew near, she recognized him and greeted him with a smile, âMy respects to the young general! The madam has been waiting for a while!â
Su Haoâs face was cold as frost, paying her no heed as he stepped into the bridal chamber.
Though this bridal chamber was arranged temporarily, it did not fall short of the Marquisâs Manorâs standardsâgrand and luxurious with all the necessary amenities, including a pair of dragon and phoenix candles as thick as arms, already burned halfway.
Lu Ying sat with her veil covering her head, yet she sensed Su Haoâs presence.
His aloof and abstinent demeanor, so attractive to her!
Her heart beat rapidly as she whispered softly, âSu Hao, youâve come, I just knew⦠you would definitely comeâ¦â
Su Hao approached the front of Lu Yingâs bed, his boots visible in her line of sight. Overwhelmed with joy and excitement, Lu Ying called out to him, âHusband⦠husband! Youâve come, you can⦠you can lift the veil now.â