Xiao Changyi finally relaxed his expression and clasped her hand in his own, holding it tightly.
"Let’s go and see what he wants from you today," An Jing said as she pulled Xiao Changyi to his feet and walked towards the kitchen door.
Xiao Changyi’s face returned to its expressionless state.
With a sidelong glance, An Jing caught sight of his demeanor; she found it both amusing and incredibly sweet. Her husband truly treated her in a uniquely special way, like no other could compare.
As soon as An Jing opened the door to the courtyard, Meng Zhuqing greeted them with a bow: "This subordinate pays respects to Master and Madam."
It wasn’t until Meng Zhuqing followed them into the hall that An Jing asked, "What is it?"
Meng Zhuqing unloaded a bundle from his back, taking out two letters and two exquisitely crafted small wooden boxes, he reported respectfully: "These are letters to Master from the Emperor and the Crown Prince, along with birthday gifts for Master."
Xiao Changyi didn’t take the two small wooden boxes but took the letters and looked at them together with An Jing.
As for Meng Zhuqing, he still held the two small wooden boxes aloft, respectfully waiting for Xiao Changyi to take them.
Xiao Changyi first opened the letter from Su Chengyu. As always, Su Chengyu’s letter was thick, and both Xiao Changyi and An Jing merely skimmed through it.
After all, Su Chengyu was always verbose; they only needed to focus on the important points.
Halfway through, Xiao Changyi and An Jing finally came across an important point. In the letter, Su Chengyu mentioned that Princess Linghe had left a note at home and came to find Xiao Changyi, accompanied by Prime Minister Li’s daughter, Li Wuyu.
An Jing, puzzled, asked, "Who is Linghe?"
Xiao Changyi shook his head: "I don’t know."
Upon hearing this, Meng Zhuqing remained silent for a moment before respectfully clarifying for Xiao Changyi and An Jing: "Princess Linghe is the youngest daughter of the Prince of Pingjun. The Emperor once intended to betroth Princess Linghe to Master."
So, she was a Commandery Princess.
And one who was almost betrothed to her husband, no less.
An Jing understood, laughed, and looking at Xiao Changyi, said, "Someone who was almost betrothed to you, and you claim to not know?"
Xiao Changyi didn’t bother to explain to An Jing but instead looked at Meng Zhuqing and asked quite calmly, "Meng Zhuqing, do you wish to die?"
Meng Zhuqing was terrified and immediately explained to An Jing: "Master truly didn’t know! Each time the Emperor considered marrying off Master, the Emperor would barely start speaking before Master would defy the order. Since the Emperor never finished speaking, Master naturally wouldn’t know who the Emperor had in mind."
"Is that so..." An Jing chuckled softly, "With so many princesses, commandery princesses, and daughters of ministers, there truly wasn’t anyone who caught your master’s eye?"
Meng Zhuqing said: "This subordinate doesn’t know, this subordinate only knows that whenever they came to seek an audience with Master, he never agreed."
A broader smile spread across An Jing’s face.
Her husband had told her before that he had no intention of marrying or having children before he met her.
Combined with her husband’s cold and aloof nature of not wanting to deal with people, it was natural he would not agree.
Not asking further about those facts she could guess, An Jing instead inquired: "So, how are Princess Linghe’s martial skills?"
Normally, shouldn’t one ask about her personality? Why was their Madam...
Even though he didn’t quite understand, Meng Zhuqing immediately answered: "Princess Linghe has not learned martial arts."
"Good," An Jing said with a smile and a nod. If she was someone unreasonable, she’d deal with her directly!
Meng Zhuqing inexplicably felt a shiver down his spine. Just like his master, there was something terrifying about her...
How could Xiao Changyi not see through An Jing’s intentions? His cold eyes were filled with indulgence and leniency, and even the cool corners of his lips imperceptibly curled up.