NOVPUBLi Anning looked at the woman across from her; she had certainly heard the name Song Jiaren before.
It wasn’t because of Li Nuo.
Originally, she wanted to learn the Martial Path but was told she had no talent for it, and later, out of helplessness, she switched to studying Legalism.
During that time, she often heard others speak of this exceptionally talented Martial Path prodigy and felt unjustly treated for quite some time, secretly resenting the unfairness of the heavens.
For a long period, she harbored a sense of jealousy toward this talented woman.
It wasn’t until after she switched to Legalism and her cultivation progressed rapidly that she gradually let go of these feelings.
Unexpectedly, there came a time when the two of them would share a ride in the same carriage.
They had seen each other on a few occasions but had not formally met.
Li Anning’s hands were folded across her lower belly as she nodded slightly and said, "Li Anning."
Song Jiaren, holding her sword, returned the gesture and softly said, "Song Jiaren."
After exchanging names, neither of them engaged in any further conversation.
Song Jiaren leaned back in the carriage, closing her eyes to rest.
Li Anning looked out the carriage window, her gaze wandering.
The carriage fell into a long silence.
Li Nuo glanced at his wife and then at the princess.
His wife was always a woman of few words, but Princess Anning, known for her chattiness, was uncharacteristically quiet and pretending to be aloof.
It was known that when it was just Li Nuo and her, she wouldn’t even give Li Nuo a chance to interject.
On the surface, the two women were polite, but beneath that civility was a deliberate and distant coldness.
Li Nuo found nothing unusual about it.
A single mountain cannot harbor two tigers, let alone two tigresses.
At eighteen years of age, one had reached the Fourth Realm of the Martial Path, the other the Fourth Realm of Legalism.
Both among the finest of women, they each carried the pride of a genius, and neither would concede to the other.
Li Nuo regretted having climbed into the carriage.
If he had known, he would have chosen to sit outside and enjoy the scenery rather than sitting here, daydreaming.
Fortunately, King Chun Mansion was not far from the Ministry of Justice. In less than a quarter of an hour, the carriage slowed to a halt and Housekeeper Wu announced from outside, "Young Master, Young Mistress, we’ve arrived at King Chun Mansion."
Li Nuo was sitting on the inside of the carriage, and after the princess and his wife had alighted, he jumped out.
He often jumped out like that before.
But today, as he jumped down, his legs involuntarily softened, and he nearly knelt on the ground.
Both Song Jiaren and Li Anning, one on each side, supported him.
Li Anning, seeing him steadied, slowly let go of her hold.
Song Jiaren still held his arm.
Li Nuo lowered his head to look at his legs. Housekeeper Wu had said that his body was severely overdrawn and needed time to recuperate.
He hadn’t felt anything yesterday, but this jump made him realize just how much he had overexerted himself.
Li Nuo looked up and was immediately impressed by the grand entrance gate of the King Mansion.
Both Li Mansion and the Song Family were indeed prestigious, but compared to the grandeur of King Mansion’s entrance, they paled significantly.
As soon as he entered King Chun Mansion, a middle-aged man in brocade came forward to greet them.
The middle-aged man was tall and slightly overweight, with a very friendly smile on his face.
Though chubbier, it was clear that when he was younger, he must have been a handsome man.
Perhaps it was because the rotund tend to look approachable, but although it was their first meeting, Li Nuo felt an instant kinship with the middle-aged man.
The man walked briskly up to Li Nuo, sizing him up and exclaiming ceaselessly, "The resemblance is striking, so much like Xuanjing in his youth... it’s as if they were cast from the same mold..."
This was not the first time Li Nuo had heard such a comment. Clearly, the amiable middle-aged man before him was King Chun.
Li Nuo was deeply grateful for King Chun’s involvement in this matter. Standing still, he bowed and greeted, "Li Nuo pays respects to King Chun."
King Chun waved his hand and said, "What ’King Chun’? That sounds so formal. Have you forgotten? You used to call me ’Uncle.’ When I held you as a child, you even wet yourself in my arms..."
Being reminded of such an embarrassing childhood incident in front of his wife made Li Nuo flush with embarrassment.
That was a different Li Nuo from his childhood; it had nothing to do with him.
After King Chun said a few words, his gaze turned to Song Jiaren, admiringly saying, "Look at the two of you together, such a perfect match, simply made for each other. I had thoughts of arranging your grand wedding myself, but your father disagreed. It is such a pity, a man has only one such wedding in his life, and you had none, it’s just not proper..."
As he spoke, a look of disdain appeared on King Chun’s face as he continued, "Xuanjing, he is commendable in many ways, but just too rigid, not a bit of romantic spirit..."
He patted Li Nuo’s shoulder and said, "Later on, I’ll arrange a beautiful ceremony for you both, one that all of Chang’an will envy..."
Faced with King Chun’s enthusiastic offer, Li Nuo could only say, "Thank you, King Chun... Uncle."
A smile appeared on King Chun’s face as he said, "That’s more like it. You and your wife should feel at home here; don’t be reserved!"
He took Li Nuo by the hand and added, "Don’t just stand here, come inside. The feast is ready..."
Standing by Li Nuo’s side, Li Anning bowed to King Chun, saying, "Greetings, elder brother."
Having turned away, King Chun looked back upon hearing her voice, surprised, "Anning, when did you arrive?"
The princess’s beautiful brows furrowed into a "川" shape, as she had been standing there all along; however, King Chun’s gaze had not rested on her even for a moment.
King Chun chuckled and said, "Since Anning is here, come on in as well..."
