Chapter 15: Dreams

◎You support my dream, I help you stand proudly by my side◎

The visit to the family home wasn’t entirely smooth, but the young couple felt quite content. Even though the lunch prepared at the mansion after their return wasn’t particularly lavish due to the sudden events, they both happily filled their stomachs.

Jun Shao put down her chopsticks, rinsed her mouth, and waited for the servants to clear the table and serve fragrant tea. Only then did she address Lan Shiwu seriously: “This prince will be taking up her post tomorrow.”

Her imperial elder sister had discussed this with her that day, but she hadn’t thought to inform Shiwu. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to; she had been alone for so many years that she simply wasn’t in the habit.

Lan Shiwu paused in the act of lifting his teacup, then carefully set it down and asked softly, “Where will Your Highness be stationed?”

Jun Shao answered casually, “The Imperial Guard in the capital, as a commander.”

Lan Shiwu didn’t understand these matters, but he smiled slightly, “Congratulations, Your Highness.”

Jun Shao turned her head, her gaze meeting Lan Shiwu’s. She was surprised to find his eyes full of joy, encouragement, and support.

She stopped drinking her tea.

“You… are happy for this prince?”

Lan Shiwu nodded.

“This is good news, naturally I’m happy.”

Jun Shao was puzzled: “But a commander only manages a thousand people, with many superiors above. Don’t you think this prince’s rank is too low?”

Lan Shiwu looked over with some surprise, still smiling, “But I see that Your Highness is happy. If Your Highness is happy, then I am happy.”

“Moreover, I’m glad that Your Highness can do what you want to do.”

After speaking, he seemed to feel he had been too bold and direct. His face flushed with embarrassment, and he lowered his head slightly to fiddle with the lid of his teacup.

Jun Shao was somewhat incredulous.

Judging by his expression, Shiwu truly meant what he said!

For all these years, she had only loved wielding swords and spears, and few people understood her. Suddenly, Lan Shiwu appeared, saying things that perfectly aligned with her heart. Jun Shao couldn’t help but want to confirm once more.

“Don’t you think that wearing brocade official robes and being cultured and refined is more enviable than wearing armor and being covered in sweat?”

Lan Shiwu was still a bit flushed, but he shook his head firmly: “I think that whether civil or military, both are pillars of the nation protecting the country, both are equally admirable.”

Seeing Jun Shao’s silence, he boldly added, “And Your Highness, no matter what you do, you will be a pillar of the nation.”

Jun Shao couldn’t describe the feeling in her heart.

The current dynasty valued civil affairs over military matters, and the borders were peaceful. So among young women who wanted to make a name for themselves, nine out of ten would choose to study for the imperial examinations. The remaining one would likely be unable to comprehend the books and either return home to farm or join the army to guard the borders.

Everyone thought that studying was the way to success, that brocade official robes were more glorious than rusty iron armor. Even her imperial elder sister had been pressuring her to study all these years.

Previously, when she spent her days chasing after Lan Qu, he had more than once shown his displeasure when she couldn’t complete a poem or match a couplet.

This was the first time someone had acknowledged her pursuits.

The first time someone had told her that both civil and military paths were equally important, that they supported whatever she liked.

Also the first time someone had respected her dream, supported her decision, and believed she wasn’t just an idle noble, but a pillar of the nation.

Jun Shao couldn’t help feeling a lump in her throat. She quickly turned away, discreetly wiping the corner of her eye with her sleeve before turning back.

Her heart surging with emotion, she grasped Lan Shiwu’s hand and solemnly promised him: “Rest assured, this prince will certainly be a good commander, and sooner or later, will become the Grand Marshal. By then, you will be the First Rank Titled Husband.”

Lan Shiwu was suddenly grasped by her hand, but having grown accustomed to it over the past few days, he didn’t pull away.

Those hands were so warm, that gaze so bright, he unconsciously nodded solemnly: “Your Highness, I believe in you.”

A warm current rose in Jun Shao’s heart.

It was only by accident that Shiwu had married her, and initially she had only thought of them living together peacefully and respectfully.

But unexpectedly, Shiwu understood her so well. Though they hadn’t yet developed deep feelings, he seemed to have touched her soul, being both insightful and gentle.

Whether it was due to being moved, or because those shining eyes had imprinted on her heart, Jun Shao felt a tingling in her chest.

She stuttered out a few words, carefully watching Lan Shiwu.

“Shiwu, this prince… I, can I hug you?”

As the words fell, Lan Shiwu looked over as if he had heard something unbelievable, then lowered his head again.

Jun Shao thought he was unwilling and hurriedly waved her hand: “Never mind then.”

But before she could finish speaking, she saw Lan Shiwu stand up, walk over to her, face her with a flushed complexion and wandering gaze, then gently bend down to embrace her.

Jun Shao’s nose was instantly enveloped by a faint fragrance, and she was stunned for several breaths before coming to her senses.

The embrace was light and shallow, making her heart flutter, but just as she was about to return the hug, Lan Shiwu had already straightened up shyly.

As the fragrance faded, Jun Shao sighed inwardly with disappointment.

But even this small intimacy was quite good for their current relationship.

The urgent matter at hand was to settle Shiwu properly before she went to take up her post.

Jun Shao was always one to act once she had made up her mind. She beckoned to Lan Shiwu to sit closer, then called out to Dong Ping outside the door.

“While this prince is still free today, gather the account books of the prince’s mansion, the shops, and the land deeds, and bring them for the prince consort to review. Also, call the managers of the farms and shops to come and be introduced.”

Dong Ping responded and left without any hesitation.

Lan Shiwu, however, turned to stare at Jun Shao in shock.

A few days ago, Her Highness had mentioned letting him manage the household, but he hadn’t taken it seriously at all. After all, he knew his own status well enough; how could he be worthy of managing the affairs of the prince’s mansion? Moreover, all that the Lan family had taught them were tricks and strategies to please women. He had never learned and knew nothing about managing a household.

As for etiquette, he had secretly learned quite a bit by hiding outside Lan Qu’s room, but managing accounts and shops was not something that could be learned by sneaking peeks!

Lan Shiwu instinctively grabbed Jun Shao’s sleeve: “Your Highness…”

Seeing his expression and recalling the attitude of the Lan family members towards him, Jun Shao immediately understood what Shiwu was worried about.

She felt a flash of anger in her heart, but she knew now was not the time to show it.

So she suppressed her anger, took the hand that was tugging at her sleeve into her own, and patted it gently.

“If you have any questions, just ask Dong Ping. Learn slowly, no one will dare to embarrass you. In this An Prince’s Mansion, this prince is number two, you are number one.”

Her words were so amusing that Lan Shiwu couldn’t help but smile, unconsciously becoming less nervous.

At this moment, Dong Ping had already brought the account books.

Shadows flickered outside the door as the managers of the shops and farms gradually arrived.

Jun Shao didn’t speak, but instead squeezed Lan Shiwu’s palm and raised an eyebrow at him.

Lan Shiwu’s palm was a bit sweaty, but Her Highness had been so considerate of him, he really couldn’t disappoint her.

Moreover, he himself wanted to be able to stand on his own feet as soon as possible, to be able to… stand side by side, confidently and naturally beside Her Highness.

He cleared his throat lightly, then steadied his voice and called out to those outside the door in a rather composed manner.

“You may all enter.”