Lu Wanning had settled He Chan's matter without telling anyone else.
Lu Hongxi was extremely busy. Occasionally, when he came home to talk to his daughter, he found that she seemed to be growing more and more serene, completely different from her former lively and unrestrained nature.
Lu Wanning occasionally practiced calligraphy. Most of the time, she stayed by Tangbao's side, watching her grow day by day. Or she would count the days on her fingers and ask Lu Hongxi about the situation of the Battle of the Northern Desert.
In the book, the Battle of the Northern Desert lasted for a full twenty months, and it was also the time when the Lu family fell. Now that there was no need to worry about the family's downfall, Lu Wanning whole - heartedly hoped that this war would end soon.
In the blink of an eye, it was spring of the next year. Lu Wanning calculated the time. The war had only been going on for ten months, and there were still ten months to go. So, did she still have to wait for ten more months to see him again?
She held the jade pendant and waved it in front of Tangbao's head. Tangbao was already over three months old. She grabbed the jade pendant and tried to put it into her mouth. Lu Wanning quickly pulled it out and tapped Tangbao's nose.
"Little glutton. You're just a baby now. You can only drink milk and can't eat anything else. The toys your aunt made for you can be bitten. They're all clean, but this one can't. It hasn't been disinfected."
Lu Wanning held the jade pendant and said with a smile, "This is something your aunt has been wearing every day. I can't give it to you. If you like it, when you grow a bit older, your aunt will give you something better. Okay?"
Tangbao could only grunt and couldn't speak. She blew bubbles as a sign of protest.
Lu Wanning was so amused that she couldn't help but pick up Tangbao and kiss her on the face.
The wet - nurse was used to Lu Wanning's behavior. She shook her head and went to tidy up Tangbao's small bed.
In the main hall, the princess, having received the message from the guard, went out in surprise. Seeing the man in front of her, she was a bit dazed. She looked around but only saw the man alone.
The man asked in a deep voice, "Where is Zhaoyang?"
The princess was a bit confused and didn't react at first. Then she pointed to Wei's courtyard and said, "She's in her sister - in - law's place... playing with the baby."
The man bowed and strode in the direction the princess had pointed.
When he entered the courtyard, he saw at a glance Lu Wanning holding a little one and cooing and playing with her. He couldn't help but smile. She looked really beautiful like this.
Wei had been basking in the sun by the side. Suddenly seeing someone come in, she stood up in surprise and said, "Hey, it's..."
Lu Wanning lifted Tangbao up high and spun around. When she turned around, through the edge of the swaddle, she saw the magnificent man behind.
She put Tangbao down and stared blankly at the man. He had tanned and lost weight. His cheeks looked more resolute. His beard didn't seem to be completely shaved off, and the hat on his head also looked a bit strange.
But his celestial charm still couldn't be concealed.
Lu Wanning couldn't help but be stunned.
He strode over and reached out to pull Lu Wanning into his arms.
Wei was shocked. There were so many servants coming and going in the courtyard. It was improper to watch. Fortunately, the servants were sensible. Seeing this situation, they all scattered like birds and beasts.
Only the wet - nurse had her back turned and didn't know what to do. There was also a little maid peeping from the corner, covering her mouth and smiling stupidly.
The wet - nurse went up and grabbed her, scolding in a low voice, "Hurry up and leave!"
Only then did Lu Wanning react. She struggled out of his embrace, but her eyes couldn't bear to leave him. "You... When did you come back?"
Sheng Jinyu frowned and smiled, then took the baby from her arms. "Just now."
Tangbao wasn't afraid of strangers. Her big black and shiny eyes sized up Sheng Jinyu. Seeing his sharp gaze, she suddenly smiled.
How could Sheng Jinyu resist? He couldn't help but smile too. He reached out his hand wanting to poke her cheek but was afraid of hurting this tender baby. So he just chuckled and said, "This child looks like you."
Lu Wanning felt a bit awkward. This was her elder brother's child. Their behavior made it seem as if they were the child's parents.
Sheng Jinyu added, "However, if it were our child, she would surely be even more beautiful."
Lu Wanning blushed and scolded, "Nonsense..."
Sheng Jinyu just stared at her steadily. "I'm not talking nonsense. Ning'er, would you like to enter the palace with me?"
When Lu Hongxi got the news, he rushed over immediately. He saw the two of them standing face to face, looking like a long - separated couple, as if they were the only two people in the world.
They were a perfect match.
Lu Hongxi didn't step forward, and neither did the princess. Seeing the two of them looking at each other affectionately, they couldn't bear to disturb them.
But little Tangbao wasn't as cautious as the adults. She burped, wet herself, and then cried out "waa".
The wet - nurse hesitated for a moment but still stepped forward to carefully take Tangbao away and quickly went into the house to change Tangbao's diaper.
Sheng Jinyu and Lu Wanning were thus separated.
Lu Hongxi quickly stepped forward, bowed his hands and said, "Your Highness, Prince Yu, have you returned to the capital ahead of schedule? We haven't received any news."
Sheng Jinyu laughed. "The Northern Desert has surrendered and voluntarily ceded five cities. I held back the battle report. I wanted to give Father Emperor and you all a surprise."
Lu Hongxi was stunned. "So, Han Chi and the others have also come back?"
Sheng Jinyu nodded. "Yes, they've already entered the palace."
The first thing for a military general to do when returning to the capital was to enter the palace to pay respects to the emperor. Only the main general needed to pay respects to the emperor. The deputy generals didn't have to. Lu Hanchi was the main general, and Lu Hannian was the deputy general. But this battle was too important, so the two of them entered the palace together.
Lu Hongxi looked at Sheng Jinyu in surprise. "Your Highness, Prince Yu, then you..."
He was asking why Sheng Jinyu didn't enter the palace first, or even go to his own mansion, but came directly to the Lu family.
Sheng Jinyu didn't mind. He just said, "I'm here to pick up Ning'er and go to the palace with me to receive the reward."
Lu Wanning's heart was pounding. Reward? Right, Sheng Jinyu had won the battle, so he should surely be rewarded. But did he want her to go with him to receive the reward?
She lowered her head. Was he proposing?
Sheng Jinyu continued, "Ning'er, would you like to enter the palace with me and... spend the rest of our lives together?"
Lu Wanning raised her head and looked at him with shining eyes, but didn't know how to respond.
Sheng Jinyu reached out his hand. Lu Wanning gently placed her hand on it.
From outside the door came Lu Cheng's shouting. "Daddy, is Daddy back? Daddy!"
He ran very fast. He only saw the tall and mighty man in armor with his back to him. His father wore armor, so this must be his father.
Lu Cheng rushed over in a flash and tightly hugged his leg. "Daddy, I missed you so much."
The princess quickly stepped forward to pull Lu Cheng. "Chengcheng, don't be naughty. This is His Highness, Prince Yu. He's not your father."
Lu Cheng looked up blankly. When he saw Sheng Jinyu turn his head to look at him, he realized that it really wasn't his father. His mouth twitched and he started to cry. "Where's my father? What are you here for?"
No wonder he thought wrongly. Although he was young, he also knew that if there was a defeat on the battlefield and lives were in danger, officials would come to offer condolences.
The princess's face turned pale. She wanted to comfort him well and tell him not to be so rude, but Sheng Jinyu had already squatted down.
"Don't cry. Your father is fine, and so is your uncle. They've entered the palace."