After learning about the possibility of being pregnant, Jiang Ning was worried all day. However, as she always kept her emotions hidden and maintained her usual demeanor, Liu Ming'an didn't notice anything unusual.
After lunch and a brief rest, Liu Ming'an brought up his earlier suggestion to visit the Wishing Tree, and Jiang Ning naturally agreed.
It was September, with pleasant weather and gentle breezes - perfect for an outing.
As one of Jinzhi City's major attractions, the ancient tree was crowded with visitors during the day. Countless young men and women came to tie red silk ribbons to its branches, making lifetime vows and praying to meet again in their next lives.
When Liu Ming'an led Jiang Ning there, he was startled by the crowd: "Why are there so many people?"
He had hoped to tie the ribbon and then hold her in his arms for some intimate moments, but that wouldn't be possible with so many onlookers.
Unaware of Liu Ming'an's private thoughts, Jiang Ning had no interest in staying long in crowded places. She urged him as if completing a task: "Take out your ribbon and tie it up. Then we can head back to the inn."
At the mention of "back to the inn," Liu Ming'an's mind flashed to certain intimate scenes, and he nodded eagerly: "Alright, wait here, Ning."
Liu Ming'an walked over excitedly, took out the ribbon from his sleeve, and tied it to a higher branch. Instead of leaving immediately, he muttered under his breath: "I want to grow old with Ning, and I wish we'll never be apart in all our lifetimes..."
His voice was so soft that only he could hear it, the words dispersing in the wind.
Standing at a distance, Jiang Ning could only see Liu Ming'an's smiling face, his lips moving slightly as he gazed longingly at the ribbon bearing their names.
"Ah! It hurts!"
A sudden cry of pain came from behind. Jiang Ning turned to see a woman in green clothes who had fallen by the roadside, clutching her ankle, her face contorted in pain.
Several people nearby moved to help her, and a man hurriedly ran over from beneath the tree, his face full of concern and distress: "Shuangshuang, what happened? How did you fall?"
"Husband," the woman looked at her spouse with slight tears in her eyes, "I wasn't watching where I was going and twisted my ankle on a stone."
"It's alright, I'll carry you home," the man comforted her while crouching down, waiting for her to climb onto his back before steadily carrying her toward the city.
"Ah, what a loving couple!" someone sighed as they watched them leave.
"Is there anyone who comes here who isn't in love?" another person added.
"That's true..."
While Jiang Ning was still watching the departing couple, a familiar hand took hers, and a warm, familiar voice spoke near her ear: "Ning."
"Back to the inn?" Jiang Ning softly asked the man beside her.
Liu Ming'an nodded but didn't move. Instead, he reached out to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear, his gaze tender and loving, making Jiang Ning's heart flutter.
"Ning, let me carry you back?"
Liu Ming'an gently poked her cheek, making the serious suggestion.
"Hmm?" Jiang Ning raised an eyebrow, knowing he was inspired by what they'd just witnessed, and couldn't help but laugh: "I haven't twisted my ankle, why would you need to carry me?"
"Because I've never carried my wife before. Ning, please indulge me."
Seeing the earnest expectation in Liu Ming'an's dark eyes, Jiang Ning's heart softened, unable to refuse.
As the gentle breeze blew, Jiang Ning rested comfortably against Liu Ming'an's broad back, closing her eyes.
"Liu Ming'an, am I heavy?"
From behind came her question, making Liu Ming'an chuckle as he adjusted her position: "Not at all, you're light as a feather."
Jiang Ning made a soft sound of acknowledgment and fell silent, nuzzling his back slightly and tightening her hold on him, making Liu Ming'an feel as though he was carrying a cat.
As they walked further, Jiang Ning heard children's voices nearby.
"Hee hee... Look, look! Such a grown-up being carried, how embarrassing!"
"Maybe the sister is hurt..."
"Wang Xiaohu, you don't understand, he's carrying his wife, hee hee... carrying his wife..."
Jiang Ning opened her eyes and looked toward the voices. Several children were watching them curiously from the street side, chattering non-stop.
"Ning, don't mind the children," Liu Ming'an's voice came at the right moment.
"I'm not that petty," Jiang Ning muttered, but looking at the children brought back her earlier worries.
"Sigh..." Jiang Ning let out a soft sigh, feeling as if a stone was weighing on her heart.
Hearing her sigh, Liu Ming'an's heart tightened, and he quickly asked, "Ning, why are you sighing? What's wrong?"
Jiang Ning didn't want to mention the possibility of her pregnancy - it was all speculation without any evidence, and would sound like needless worry. But hearing Liu Ming'an's question, she couldn't help wanting to say something.
After thinking for a moment, she asked quietly, "Do you prefer boys or girls?"
"I prefer you," Liu Ming'an replied without hesitation.
"Stop joking!" Jiang Ning gave his shoulder a light punch. "I'm being serious!"
"I am serious too," Liu Ming'an turned his head to look at her, appearing completely sincere: "I don't particularly like children, but I love you. As long as it's your child, our child, just thinking about it being the continuation of our lives together - how could I care whether it's a boy or girl?"
"Continuation of life..." Jiang Ning repeated these words thoughtfully.
"Yes, isn't that what children are - the continuation of their parents' lives?" Liu Ming'an looked back at the road, his tone broad and transcendent: "Everyone must die eventually, becoming nothing but dust, with no more ties to this world."
"But having children is different. They are their parents' flesh and blood. When we die, our children remain in this world. They will remember us, miss us, and continue to witness the world's beauty in our place."
"It's natural instinct, not just for humans but for all animals. It flows in our blood - the continuation of life, generation after generation."
Jiang Ning remained silent for a long while. Seeing the confused look in her eyes and thinking about yesterday's timing and today's talk about children, Liu Ming'an could guess what was on her mind.
"Ning, don't be afraid."
Liu Ming'an's voice was gentle, but his eyes were determined: "I'll always be by your side. We'll face everything together."
Jiang Ning gazed at him steadily, feeling a bit more confident.
"I know you're not ready to be a mother, and that's fine. If you are pregnant this time, I'll take the baby whenever it cries so it won't disturb you. You won't have to stay up all night feeding and changing diapers - we'll hire wet nurses and nannies. I'll handle discipline if the child misbehaves, and never let it upset you... Don't be afraid."
Liu Ming'an's words undoubtedly lifted a weight from Jiang Ning's heart. She curved her lips in a smile and changed the subject casually: "When did you become such a smooth talker? Has being an official for a few months corrupted you?"
Following her lead in changing the topic, Liu Ming'an teased back: "Well, I am a top scholar after all. How could I not have some skill with words?"
Though meant as a joke, his words made Jiang Ning lower her eyes, her tone notably sadder: "Liu Ming'an, do you resent me? Resent that I cut short your official career, that after achieving top honors in the imperial examinations, you're now stuck in an insignificant position?"
"Ning, what are you saying?" Liu Ming'an frowned, completely puzzled.
"Because I became a princess, and you married me, it practically ended your career as an official. I know you have a heart for serving the country and its people, but—"
"Ning!"
Liu Ming'an, now just steps away from the inn, turned his head with unusual firmness: "Be good, let's talk about this when we're in our room."
Jiang Ning obediently fell silent, letting Liu Ming'an carry her to their room and set her down on the bed.
Liu Ming'an sat beside her on the bed, seeing the guilt in her eyes, and felt remorseful that he hadn't addressed this misunderstanding earlier.
"Ning, listen to me!"
Liu Ming'an caressed Jiang Ning's face, his voice urgent: "That's not true. Don't overthink it. Marrying you is my greatest fortune in three lifetimes. I've never regretted it for a moment."
"There must be some regrets, right?"
Jiang Ning believed Liu Ming'an's words, but she often thought back to that day in Qushui City, when he had earnestly vowed to abolish Great Liang's laws on human trafficking.
Back then, his eyes had sparkled with the innocence of a child, as brilliant as the rising sun.
"No regrets. I'm very content with everything now."
Liu Ming'an continued to deny it, pulling her into his embrace as he confessed: "Ning, I actually changed long ago..."
Jiang Ning's head rested against Liu Ming'an's chest, hearing both his steady heartbeat and his calm voice above.
"When you went to Qushui City to find Mother, I spent every day traveling between the Imperial Academy and the Lou Family. The three members of the Lou Family taught me a lot, not just the knowledge needed for the imperial examinations, but also their years of experience as officials."
"I used to think being an official was too simple. I thought it was just about following the law, being fair, not flattering superiors or bullying subordinates, and honestly doing my duty. But the Lou Family told me that the most important thing in officialdom is to be diplomatic - knowing how to speak appropriately to different people, reading superiors' intentions, maintaining authority over subordinates, being flexible, and staying clear of trouble while gaining advantages..."
"That's when I realized I wasn't suited for the political machinations of the court."
This was the first time Jiang Ning had heard Liu Ming'an explain his change in thinking, and she was quite surprised.
"On the day of the palace coup, I thought I was going to die. The other candidates were crying, and honestly, I wanted to cry too, because I would never see you again..."
"Then you came, and I watched you from beneath Taiji Hall. I realized that in this life, I only wanted to spend my days peacefully with you, without getting involved in any more conflicts..."
Liu Ming'an held her tighter, nuzzling the top of her head affectionately with his chin: "Ning, so you really don't need to worry. I'm very satisfied with my current position."
"Really? How satisfied?" There was a hint of amusement in Jiang Ning's voice.
Hearing that her tone was no longer gloomy, Liu Ming'an felt relieved. He lifted her delicate chin and placed a kiss on her lips.
"The Hanlin Academy is mostly filled with unambitious old men. Every day, besides drinking tea, playing chess, keeping birds, and writing poetry, their favorite thing to do is open history books and comment on historical figures from various dynasties, discussing imperial secrets and palace gossip. Working there often makes me feel like I'm listening to storytellers in a teahouse."
Jiang Ning finally felt at ease, her face brightening with a smile. Liu Ming'an found her irresistible and kissed her directly.
After spending another night in Jinzhi City, they set out for Qushui City.
Chen Hao was very thorough in his arrangements, carefully selecting their carriage. While ordinary-looking on the outside, the interior was elegant and fragrant, with soft animal fur on the seats and long-haired rugs hanging on the walls. Worried that the master and mistress might get bored during the journey, there was a small table inside, with drawers containing a chess set and some leisure books.
"This is much more comfortable than coming to the capital."
After boarding the carriage, Liu Ming'an commented while setting up the chess board on the small table.
Jiang Ning was still looking outside through the curtains when she suddenly heard him say: "Ning, come play chess with me."
"Alright, but I'm terrible at it. You'll have to go easy on me."
Jiang Ning took the white pieces Liu Ming'an handed her, warning him in advance.
In modern times, Nangong Muyan had taught her various games - Go, Chinese chess, Five-in-a-Row, Military Chess, international chess... She had learned them all to some extent, but she had little natural talent and learned rather rigidly.
Liu Ming'an didn't mind: "Don't worry, Ning. My chess is awful too. My father only taught me a bit when I was young, and this year I played a few games with those old men in the Hanlin Academy. They all looked down on me, especially Attendant Reader Liu, who said my chess was worse than his five-year-old grandson's..."
Liu Ming'an spoke casually, but Jiang Ning couldn't help but laugh at the thought of him being out of place among his colleagues due to his poor chess skills.
Pleased to have made her laugh, Liu Ming'an continued sharing embarrassing stories: "I was stubborn about it at the time, and Attendant Reader Liu was quite serious too. A few days later, he actually brought his grandson to the Hanlin Academy and had me play against the child..."
Aliali: 6744813cc4f3f33ac44271f6"What happened then?" Jiang Ning asked with a bright smile.
"Then I was completely destroyed, and the story spread throughout the Hanlin Academy."
Jiang Ning's eyes crinkled with laughter, never having imagined Liu Ming'an would have such amusing experiences in the Hanlin Academy.
Liu Ming'an wasn't embarrassed at all, instead poking the dimple on Jiang Ning's cheek and pleading playfully: "Ning, maybe you'll be the one who needs to go easy on me."
"Fine, I'll give you a three-piece handicap!" Jiang Ning promised generously.
After all, she had been taught by Nangong Muyan herself - surely she couldn't be worse than Liu Ming'an?
Soon Jiang Ning couldn't smile anymore. As Liu Ming'an's black pieces surrounded and pursued hers, forcing her into retreat, she suddenly realized something.
When Liu Ming'an said he was bad at chess, he was comparing himself to people who spent their days studying arts and culture. She, who had only learned the basics, was truly terrible.
After the game, Liu Ming'an was shocked: "Ning, were you feeling sorry for how much I lose at chess and deliberately letting me win?"
"Shut up! I don't want to talk! Let's play again!"