Today, after meeting her grandfather, Yin Ning did not tell Xu Yexian about the possibility that she might be Emperor Jingwu. She knew Xu Yexian's character of not seeking fame or wealth, and she also felt that the matter was not yet finalized, so there was no need to rush to tell him. However, what she didn't expect was that her marriage to Su Yu would cause Xu Yexian such worry.
"Grandfather, you really don't need to worry so much about my marriage. Even if Su Yu and I have no feelings for each other later, I will never let him bully me!"
Yin Ning currently had no intention of changing her marriage to Su Yu, because whether or not she was Emperor Jingwu, she needed the military power held by the Su family. Moreover, in her opinion, Su Yu was indeed the most suitable marriage partner for her. Unlike Emperor Jingming, who was wary of the Su family, Yin Ning, based on her past interactions with the Su family, did not think they were the kind of military officials with wild ambitions. The ruthlessness of the Su family seemed to be entirely devoted to warfare. Even Su Yu, the most aloof and unrestrained of the Su family, was nothing but a martial madman solely focused on warfare and battlefields. Yin Ning felt that with Su Yu's stubborn character, even if there were ten more of him, she could handle them all.
But upon hearing this response, Xu Yexian's face showed no joy, but instead became even more worried. Xu Yexian and his wife Kong Qiuxian had a deeply loving and harmonious relationship throughout their lives. They had supported each other as young couple growing old together, truly living a life of being devoted to one another. It was precisely because Xu Yexian knew what a happy marriage looked like that he hoped his children could also have such a wonderful life. And after his daughter Xu Canjun was betrothed to Emperor Jingming by the previous emperor, Xu Yexian knew that her marriage would likely be tied to the word 'endurance.' As the empress, the mother of the nation, every word and action must be dignified and proper, conforming to the judgment of etiquette. Xu Yexian had been unable to change his daughter's fate back then, so now he hoped even more that Yin Ning could have a satisfying marriage in the future. But now, before Yin Ning had even married Su Yu, her words and actions already revealed a cold attitude toward this betrothal. Naturally, Xu Yexian couldn't help feeling pained and sympathetic for Yin Ning. At the same time, he couldn't help cursing Emperor Jingming bitterly in his heart again, feeling that his son-in-law was still the same deadbeat he had known.
Naturally, Xuan Le observed the expressions of both Xu Yexian and Yin Ning at this moment. Seeing the completely different emotions revealed by the grandfather and granddaughter, a hint of a smile appeared on Xuan Le's kind brows. He looked at Xu Yexian with a gentle gaze and comforted him: "Benefactor Xu, do not worry. The matters you just worried about will never come true. In this humble monk's observation, Her Highness's destiny is supremely noble and blessed, and she will enjoy the highest fortune under heaven in the future."
Xu Yexian did not know about the relationship between Yin Ning and Emperor Jingwu, so upon hearing Xuan Le's answer, he only thought that Xuan Le was saying Yin Ning's future marriage would be happy and blissful. His expression instantly relaxed, and he couldn't help lifting the corners of his mouth: "Thank you, Master, for guiding me. I feel much more at ease now. I only hope that Heaven will cooperate and make all your auspicious words come true!"
Upon hearing this, Xuan Le turned his prayer beads, bowed slightly, and replied with a Buddhist chant with a smile. Yin Ning looked at Xuan Le's kind and benevolent appearance, marveling to herself, feeling that this eminent monk indeed had many supernatural qualities. "Supremely noble, supreme under heaven." If not for Liu Sanqi's spoiler on the Sky Canopy, Yin Ning would not have associated much with Xuan Le's prophecy. But if she really was Emperor Jingwu, then her destiny indeed perfectly matched what Xuan Le had just said.
"Master, I also have a question I'd like to ask you. I wonder if you would be willing to offer some guidance?"
Hearing this, a faint smile appeared on Xuan Le's lips: "When the time comes, heaven and earth will align. If Your Highness harbors the utmost sincerity and virtue, then your wishes will be fulfilled, and all things in the universe will assist you."
Yin Ning: "...Master, actually, I haven't even thought of what to ask you yet!"
Seeing Yin Ning's slightly awkward expression, Xuan Le let out a hearty laugh: "No matter what Your Highness wishes to ask, this humble monk only has this answer to give."
This answer sounded like a typical charlatan's spiel, but looking at Xuan Le's clear and serene eyes, Yin Ning suddenly had a strong premonition that what he said was indeed true. She pressed her palms together and bowed slightly to Xuan Le: "Thank you, Master, for clarifying my doubts. I apologize for my rash behavior earlier; I was presumptuous."
"Your Highness need not worry. This humble monk does not find any fault in your actions. You consider it rash, but I would rather call it straightforward and candid." Xuan Le said with a smile in his eyes. "Rather than dealing with those who are cunning and profit-seeking, I would prefer to associate with a person as open and sincere as Your Highness."
Xu Yexian stood by, listening to the conversation between Xuan Le and Yin Ning, feeling greatly relieved because all of Xuan Le's prophecies about Yin Ning seemed auspicious. Just as Xu Yexian was about to speak, Yin Ning and Xuan Le both suddenly turned to look at the plum forest behind them. Xu Yexian was puzzled and looked up, then immediately noticed the figures of the Su uncle and nephew. Xu Yexian hadn't expected that just after mentioning the Su family, he would run into them so soon.
Su Zheng was forty-two years old, looking scholarly and refined, not at all like a military man. But the first thing everyone noticed about him was not his appearance but his empty right sleeve. Su Zheng's right hand had been cut off by the enemy ten years ago during a battle while breaking out of an enemy encirclement. After that, Su Zheng returned to Jingshi with his two nephews, Su Yu and Su An. Four years ago, after Su Yu turned fifteen, he was called to the northwestern border by his father, Su Lei, to go to war. Now, only Su Zheng and Su An, a mere twelve-year-old youth, remained in Jingshi from the Su family.
Su Zheng hadn't expected that while he was bringing Su An to pray for the border soldiers, they would run into Yin Ning and Xu Yexian at Huguo Temple. He led Su An to stand before Yin Ning and the others and greeted everyone with a smile. Although Xu Yexian was quite dissatisfied with Su Yu, his future grandson-in-law, he was full of respect for the Su family, who had defended the country for generations. Therefore, although his expression was cold, he still nodded politely to Su Zheng.
Yin Ning's attitude toward Su Zheng was noticeably warmer than Xu Yexian's. The moment she saw Su Zheng, a smile involuntarily appeared on her face. After Su Zheng had greeted everyone, she immediately said to him, "Teacher Su, it's been a long time. How have you been lately? Are you well?"
After Su Zheng returned to Jingshi, Yin Ning learned that he had the nickname 'Jade-faced Asura' on the battlefield. She couldn't help begging Emperor Jingming to allow her to sit in when he summoned Su Zheng. She wanted to see what kind of person Su Zheng was. Emperor Jingming was always indulgent with his youngest daughter Yin Ning in such small matters, so he agreed to her request. The reason Yin Ning called Su Zheng 'Teacher' was because during that meeting, she formally acknowledged Su Zheng as her martial arts teacher. At that time, Su Zheng had returned to the capital due to injury, feeling disheartened and thinking his future life was already set. Thus, Yin Ning's attitude of admiration and expectation toward him as a teacher gave him great support, making him feel that he still had something to offer. After that, Su Zheng entered the palace once a week to teach martial arts to the young Yin Ning. Until three years ago, Empress Xu, feeling that Yin Ning was already fifteen and worried about her reputation, stopped Su Zheng from coming to the palace to teach. However, due to their seven-year master-student bond, even though Su Zheng no longer entered the palace regularly, Yin Ning remained very close to him as her teacher.
Originally, Su Zheng felt a bit embarrassed when he saw Yin Ning, but seeing that she still earnestly cared about his health, he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. He relaxed his brows and said warmly, "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. Your humble servant is in good health, everything as usual."
"That's good!" Yin Ning said with a smile. Then she turned to look at Su An, who was standing obediently beside Su Zheng. "I haven't seen you for over half a year; you've grown a lot, kid!"
Yin Ning also had a good relationship with Su An. Although he now looked like a tall guy nearly 1.8 meters, a few years ago when he was still a little munchkin, he would always chase after Yin Ning, calling her 'big sister, big sister.' Hearing Yin Ning's praise about his height, Su An's still boyish face couldn't help but break into a shy but happy smile. "My uncle says I'm now taller than my brother..." Mentioning Su Yu, Su An suddenly seemed to realize he had misspoken and fell silent awkwardly. The reason for his reaction was that after receiving the imperial edict for the marriage, his brother Su Yu had only submitted a memorial thanking Emperor Jingming, expressing his loyalty and intention to repay the emperor's favor, but had made no other gestures toward Yin Ning. Yin Ning didn't care about this, since she had no extra expectations of Su Yu anyway. However, Su An, Su Zheng, and Xu Yexian all noticed Su Yu's attitude toward Yin Ning and felt that Yin Ning was being slighted by Su Yu. That's why Xu Yexian worried about Yin Ning's marriage and was greatly dissatisfied with Su Yu. When Su An and Su Zheng saw Yin Ning earlier, they felt apologetic and somewhat uncertain about how to face her.
"Oh, you just wanted to say you're taller than your brother at the same age, right? What's there to be embarrassed about?" Yin Ning spoke up, finishing Su An's unfinished sentence. She smiled at Su An and said, "Your brother is far away in the northwest. Are you afraid he'll hear this? Besides, you're not lying. I remember when he was your age, he really wasn't as tall as you!"
When Yin Ning was little and learning martial arts from Su Zheng, she sometimes would leave the palace with him and go play at the Su Mansion. Both Su Yu and Su An had learned their martial arts from their uncle Su Zheng. Thus, Yin Ning had even argued with Su Yu over who should be senior disciple and who should be junior, and in the end, neither would concede to the other. Seeing that Yin Ning didn't seem angry when he brought up his brother Su Yu, Su An felt slightly relieved. He also thought his brother's attitude toward Yin Ning was wrong, so when his uncle Su Zheng wrote to the border recently, he also wrote a letter to his brother, sternly criticizing him, saying that even if he was dissatisfied with the marriage, he shouldn't vent his anger on the innocent Yin Ning. However, Su An hadn't yet received a reply from his brother and wasn't sure if his brother would listen to his advice.
In fact, Yin Ning didn't pay much attention to Su Yu afterwards. Since it was rare to meet her long-unseen teacher Su Zheng, she naturally wanted to chat with him about pleasant things. After parting with Su Zheng and his nephew, Yin Ning naturally wouldn't still dwell on Su Yu, that ice cube. However, although Yin Ning didn't care, there was someone who paid even more attention to her and Su Yu's marriage.
Since the founding of Great Jing, every emperor held a grand banquet in the palace on the twenty-eighth day of the twelfth month, known as Little New Year's Eve, to feast civil and military officials and members of the imperial family. This year was no exception. Since Empress Xu would enter with Emperor Jingming at the very end, Yin Ning, as a princess, naturally couldn't wait until then to appear. However, just as Yin Ning was about to enter the hall with her personal maid, she happened to run into Sixth Princess Yin Dan at the entrance. It was known to everyone in the palace that Yin Ning and her sixth sister Yin Dan had always been at odds. Thus, even when she saw Yin Dan, Yin Ning pretended not to see her and walked straight past.
"3, 2, 1..." Yin Ning had just counted down three seconds in her mind when, the next moment, she indeed heard Yin Dan's sharp voice from behind: "Eighth Sister, what a pity. From now on, we sisters will see each other less and less!"
Yin Ning stopped, turned around smilingly, and looked at Yin Dan. "What's wrong, Sixth Sister? Have you contracted some serious illness and are about to depart this world?"
Yin Dan had intended to mock Yin Ning but didn't expect to receive such 'concern' about her health. She glared at Yin Ning in anger and snapped, "Can't you talk properly? You're the one who's about to depart this world! I'm perfectly healthy!"
Yin Ning raised an eyebrow with a smile. "Who's the one who can't talk properly? If you hadn't said that just now, how could I have misunderstood?"
Yin Dan had suffered too many defeats at Yin Ning's hands before, and she knew she was no match for Yin Ning in a verbal spar. So she decided not to argue further with Yin Ning. Instead, she lifted her chin and said with a forced smile: "The reason I said that was because I thought of you, Eighth Sister, soon having to marry far away to the bitter cold land of the northwest, so I couldn't help but feel sympathy for you!"
Yin Dan had previously thought that Yin Ning would stay in the capital in her own princess residence after marriage, just like herself. But two days ago, she heard from her husband that Emperor Jingming seemed to be planning to build a separate princess residence for Yin Ning in the northwestern border region. Ever since learning this, Yin Dan couldn't help gloating, because the northwest was notoriously harsh and difficult to live in. And once Yin Ning married there, she would not easily be able to return to the capital. Every time Yin Dan thought about this over the past two days, she couldn't help laughing out loud. Now, her gaze at Yin Ning was naturally full of undisguised pride and mockery.