The Dreamer in the Spring Boudoir

Chapter 202: A pleasant surprise

Ning Mingjie had brought up the request without thinking because it wouldn't be too inconvenient. Since Yuxuan wasn't willing to deliver the gift, he would just order a servant to do so instead. But, Yuxuan's mood seemed kind of strange today. One moment he was gloomy, and the next moment he was fine.

The topic was changed to something else, and Ning Yuxuan invited his cousin to stay for lunch. Ning Mingjie agreed.

---

On the other side, Wen Wan continued to be apprehensive. Coupled with her innocent appearance, she looked very pitiful. Kneading her handkerchief, she quietly asked Tanxiang, "What do you think will happen if I go to the palace?"

Tanxiang closed the doors and thought for a long time before answering, "This servant thinks that perhaps the marquis is suspicious of you and wants to take you to the palace to test you. But, there isn't any big event happening in the palace tomorrow. There's only Kangyuan Junzhu's birthday."

Kangyuan Junzhu was being mentioned again.

Wen Wan lowered her gaze. Her eyes were dark and unclear. A while later, she finally said, "I understand."

---

After lunch was finished, Ning Yuxuan went with Ning Mingjie to the Ministry of War. On the way there, he behaved like a kind-hearted younger brother that was concerned about his older brother's marital relationship. "Kangyuan Junzhu is the emperor's most beloved cousin. Her marriage to you symbolized how much the emperor values you. How could you overlook her birthday because of a trifle work matter? She's probably only going to the palace on her birthday because she's angry with you."

Hearing these words, Ning Mingjie pursed his lips. "You want me to go to the palace to accompany her?"

"Not just that, I want you to bring Kangyuan Junzhu back to your estate and for the two of you to work on your relationship," Ning Yuxuan said, "She's your wife. You should take good care of her. I once had a person like that, but I didn't treasure her, and now it's too late for regrets."

Ning Mingjie glanced at him. "You also know?"

"Of course." Ning Yuxuan chuckled. "That's the reason why I'm advising you to cherish the person in front of you."

Ning Mingjie slightly furrowed his brow. He had been married to Kangyuan for a while now. They each minded their own businesses. Other than their quarrel when she had sent Ji Man away while they were in Jing Province, the two of them rarely interacted with each other.

He understood the emperor's intentions in bestowing this marriage. Zhao Li had wanted help in stabilizing his reign, and he had done so. Now that the country was in a stable state, he didn't have any other ideas. Zhao Li had given him an opportunity to accomplish a commendable deed, so he naturally had to repay him by being loyal to him for a lifetime.

As for Kangyuan, now that he thought about it, it was true that he could have treated her better.

"Alright, if you can make the arrangements for the Ministry of War, I won't let Kangyuan enter the palace tomorrow," said Ning Mingjie.

"The emperor has already prepared a banquet in the palace. How can you tell the junzhu to not go to the palace now?" Ning Yuxuan looked at him in askance. Shaking his head, he said, "Have you lost some intelligence from fighting those battles? You should come to the palace after the banquet is over and personally escort the junzhu home. Wouldn't that be a pleasant surprise for her?"

"A pleasant surprise..." Ning Mingjie thought it over. He had randomly bought her birthday present and didn't know if she would like it. He sighed and said, "Fine. Aren't you going to the palace to see your heir tomorrow? Once the banquet is over, send someone over to the west entrance to tell me."