Thirteenth Lady's Comback: Her Everyday Life as a Bystander-Chapter 202 - 2: Joyous Reunion (Part 1)

Hong Sheng rode on a tall horse, feeling a burning passion in his heart despite the bitter cold wind around him.

The last time he came to the Capital was as an escort for the Yangwei Escort Agency. The leader took a liking to him and introduced him to Prince Ke, inspiring the saying "a soldier will sacrifice for a confidante," which led him to join the military in the Northwest.

At that time, he had nothing to his name, his hands empty, possessing only his own strength. Back then, he didn’t even dare to dream of the future.

Now, in less than two short years, he is about to become a Fourth Rank miscellaneous general, achieving significant victories and gaining a fair amount of wealth, not to mention quite a bit from the Hetian jade mine. The most exciting thing for him is that he’s about to get married to his long-dreamed-of sweetheart.

Hong Sheng touched the sachet in his pocket and the exquisite small wine pouch, longing to see his little bride at this moment!

Among the Northwest Soldiers entering the Capital this time, those coming for their merits and honors were selected first. Other spots were hotly contested back in the Northwest. Even with the freezing hardships of marching, people were still willing to come. After all, it’s the Capital.

Garrison recruitment usually follows local principles, with the Northwest being thousands of miles away from the Capital. Many in the Northwest borderlands have never traveled beyond a hundred miles, let alone to the Capital.

Merely entering the Capital is not for everyone. Hong Sheng earned the privilege by capturing the Sixth Prince of Tartar alive, gaining favor in front of General Qin. He has fifteen spots. Two were taken by Shangguan, two given to friendly colleagues, leaving ten spots he naturally distributed as benefits to those under him.

As for how they were distributed depends on one’s strength. Among the ten men following Hong Sheng, nine are brawny fellows, with the remaining one a tall, slim youth resembling a scholar. This is a strategist invited by the other nine.

These few individuals were feeling overwhelmed by the Capital’s citizens’ enthusiasm. Besides receiving food and drinks, young maidens and newlyweds also threw handkerchiefs and sachets. Even a few fresh flowers were tossed from half-open windows of nearby restaurants and inns, thrown by the affluent families’ women.

A dark-faced man, grinning, tucked several sachets into his arms and said to the surrounding brothers in a low voice, "Oh my! How do I feel that women in the Capital are even more open than our Northwest? The households warned us to tone it down, afraid to frighten the flowers of the Capital."

The others also knowingly stashed away the handkerchiefs and sachets they received. Hearing this, the tall, slim youth gave him a glare and said, "What nonsense, Hu Qin? The Capital’s citizens are welcoming war heroes, and we’re benefiting from Boss Hong’s glory!"

The "Boss Hong" in the tall, slim youth’s mouth naturally referred to Hong Sheng, who at the time was riding on a tall horse, keeping a straight gaze, letting the handkerchiefs, sachets, and even flowers tossed from high fall onto him, expressionless in face but with some impatience in his eyes.

He wasn’t troubled by the enthusiastic citizens of the Capital but was annoyed at how slow the procession was moving. General Qin had already informed him that once in the Capital, he needed to follow the general to the royal court to meet the emperor. All this commotion made him wonder if he’d even have time today to leave the city for Tong County? He just wanted to see his little bride with his own eyes and say a few words to her; otherwise, he’d think he was in a dream.

In Jinyinman Tang, the three sisters of the Ruan family had already finished crying. Ruan Qiniang had water brought, and without needing anyone to serve them, they each tidied themselves up and sat together.

Ruan Shiniang said, "Though I wish to sit with the sisters longer, since Big Cat is alone at the residence, even with maids and wet nurses, I’m very uneasy!" Being a concubine as well, she had no freedom, and leaving the residence this time required secretly pleading with Prince Ke, but she had to return before lunch.

Only Ruan Shiniang, compelled by her strength, could not say this even to her sisters.

"Today, I asked Sister Seven to invite Sister Ten over. We sisters need not say empty words, let me be brief. Sister Ten may not know, but Sister Seven, you should be aware. In her lifetime, my Aunt had some research in the Fragrance Dao."

Hearing Susu say this, Ruan Qiniang nodded without hesitation. Susu was being too modest; Aunt Su was not just somewhat researched in the Fragrance Dao but was very proficient.

"Since young, I’ve been learning fragrance formulas following Aunt, and I’ve recently thought of a formula that might be beneficial to Big Cat’s health."

Ruan Qiniang and Ruan Shiniang both were filled with pleasant surprise upon hearing this.