Lan Murou often went to Beigong. Ye Luan noticed her staring at children with a dazed expression and chatted with her a few times.
Later, she also came to terms with it. She went to a temple with Tantai Ye to pray for the unborn child, and gradually let go of her inner turmoil.
During this period, people from the old house frequently sent her wedding gifts, and even invited the Grand Princess to help her prepare.
She didn't want to dwell on past grievances, so she accepted them all.
“That’s right, anyway, that dog Tantai Ye won’t let you go. Whatever you can take, take it all.”
Lan Murou listened to Wei Qingge’s words and couldn’t help but let out a chuckle.
The two walked on the street, one cool and gentle, the other charming and bright, attracting many glances.
Wei Qingge linked her arm and said with a smile, “After we send the things to Ah Luan later, let’s go play in the General’s Mansion’s Hundred Beasts Garden.”
“Gone, all dismantled.”
“Ah—why? I still wanted to hunt that white lion.”
Lan Murou said softly, “Too ferocious, so it was dismantled.”
Wei Qingge tutted, “Is this Tantai Ye so well-behaved now?”
Lan Murou thought for a moment and said seriously, “He’s quite well-behaved.”
“Hahaha—”
Her laughter on the street made Lan Murou’s face blush slightly, and she pulled her along.
“What are you laughing at?”
“I really can’t imagine how Tantai Ye could be so well-behaved,” Wei Qingge said, tilting her head and chuckling, “He’s just putting on an act for you.”
Lan Murou had been very busy and fulfilled recently. She learned a lot from the palace mamas and even went to a manor outside the city to oversee rent collection. However, she couldn’t resist Tantai Ye’s urging, and he personally came to pick her up.
As a result, she stayed at the manor for one night and returned to the capital.
Lan Murou couldn’t be bothered with his clinginess and often locked him out after returning to the capital.
But his martial arts were high, and he could pry open the window.
She stopped struggling and let him come and go as he pleased.
“Why are you so clingy every day?”
Tantai Ye watched her arranging flowers, embraced her waist from behind, and whispered into her ear.
“For the few months you were unconscious, I kept thinking that if you woke up, I would pester you every day.”
Lan Murou paused, glancing sideways at his head of white hair, her eyes dimming slightly.
“Do you want to use the method the imperial physicians mentioned to dye your hair black?”
“The imperial physicians said it was caused by a sudden surge of anger. If the heart ailment is gone, it might recover,” he said, gently kissing her face. “If you promise to marry me, maybe I’ll recover.”
Lan Murou rolled her eyes at him and said nothing.
Although the Tantai Mansion had been busy with wedding preparations, she hadn’t agreed yet, and Tantai Ye didn’t dare to set a date, so they kept delaying.
“Rou’er, I won’t let the people from the old house interfere in our affairs anymore. After we’re married, we’ll live in the General’s Mansion.”
Lan Murou’s hand paused, and she lowered her small face, not speaking.
Tantai Ye didn’t mind. He tightened his embrace around her waist and murmured sweet words into her ear.
The days passed by peacefully and lively, but on the eighteenth, when the Liu family was getting married, the bride eloped publicly, and the entire mansion was almost thrown into chaos.
Just as Lan Murou was about to get into the carriage to attend the wedding banquet, she heard the news from the butler.
She was extremely surprised and didn’t go to the Liu residence, staying at home to wait.
It wasn’t until nightfall that Tantai Ye returned, carrying a chill in the air, his brows and eyes cold.
“Did Chiyou elope?”
Seeing him enter the room, she quickly got up to ask.
Tantai Ye had been busy all day because of the sudden intrusion of people from Nanjiang into Shangjing.
Seeing her curious little face, he couldn’t help but pinch it, embraced her, and lay down beside the couch.
“Mm.”
He suppressed his ferocity, and his gaze towards her softened.
Lan Murou gasped slightly, sat by the couch, and asked him, “Then Prime Minister Liu?”
“He was so angry he almost overturned the Ministry of War,” Tantai Ye said, lying sideways on the couch, a sinister smile on his face. “Nanjiang has guts, they’re courting death.”
After speaking, he hugged her tightly and planted a heavy kiss on her lips.
Lan Murou frowned, “I’m talking to you, let go.”
Tantai Ye didn’t let go, holding her even tighter.
She was practically sprawled on him, pressed tightly against him.
Lan Murou was too lazy to struggle anymore and raised her beautiful eyes to look at him.
“Chiyou doesn’t like Prime Minister Liu, so she eloped? But back at the imperial palace, I didn’t see any dislike from her.”
Tantai Ye stroked her hair and explained in a low voice.
“Their relationship is quite complicated.”
Lan Murou only knew that Chiyou was from Nanjiang, but she didn’t know what had happened between them. However, her mind was meticulous, and she could naturally guess some things.
Recently, the matter of the elopement had caused a stir in the court, and troops began to be deployed to the border between the two countries.
Soon after, Nanjiang suddenly attacked Longcheng, and war was imminent.
Tantai Ye, who had been stationed on the battlefield for many years and was a brave and skilled general, was to personally lead troops to Nanjiang due to Liu Rongruo’s relationship. However, this time, he did not intend to take Lan Murou with him.
Ever since she had been by his side, she had accompanied him to the battlefield.
This was the first time he hadn’t taken her along.
On the night before his departure, Lan Murou felt a slight worry in her heart.
On the battlefield, smoke billowed, and dangers were everywhere; it was a matter of life and death.
In the room, candlelight flickered, casting a warm glow on her gentle profile.
After Tantai Ye finished washing up, he saw her wearing only a white inner skirt, sitting on the couch, with a hint of sadness in her eyes.
He walked over with a gentle smile and embraced her, “What are you thinking about?”
Lan Murou suddenly turned around, grabbed his lapel, and said softly.
“Tantai Ye, after you come back this time, can you not go to the battlefield anymore?”
She knew her words were willful, but she couldn’t help it.
Tantai Ye raised an eyebrow. He picked her up and sat down with her on his lap.
“Worried about me?”
Lan Murou pursed her lips, remaining silent.
“Don’t worry, I’ve reached my current position, so I don’t need to lead troops personally. But Liu Rongruo insists on going to Nanjiang, and they are not good at fighting, so I have to accompany him,” Tantai Ye said, lifting her chin and biting her lip.
“I’ll be back soon. You wait for me obediently at home.”
Ever since she fell into the Forgetfulness River from the Holy Tower, her health had not been good, and he didn’t want to take her to endure the hardships of the battlefield.
“If you have nothing to do, you can go find Ye Luan to play. Qingge will also stay in the capital. When you get tired of playing, you can go hunting outside, or participate in poetry and tea gatherings. I’ve also spoken to Muyan, and he’ll come back to stay with you during this time.”
Lan Murou didn’t speak, her eyes constantly downcast.
Tantai Ye held her and chattered with many instructions.
“However, you are not allowed to speak to other men. If I find out, when I return, I’ll make it so you can’t get out of bed.”
As soon as he finished speaking, she suddenly raised her eyes and looked at him seriously.
“When you return, let’s get married.”
The air suddenly fell silent.
Tantai Ye’s words stopped abruptly, and the tremor in his heart made him unable to react for a moment.
Lan Murou felt the hand around her waist tighten, hurting her lips until they trembled.
“Can’t—can’t we?”
Her soft words echoed in his ear.
Tantai Ye suddenly hugged her and stood up. She was startled by his sudden movement and instinctively wrapped her arms around his waist.
“Really?”
Lan Murou smiled suddenly as she looked at his excited brows and eyes.
“Mm.”