"That was because I had no one I wanted to cling to, but now I have someone." Lu Tingchen held onto her finger and looked at her with his dark eyes. "Let's go out and have some fun, Jiu."

Chu Jiu did not really want to go out with him and sat where she was without moving. "I don't want to go out with you."

Lu Tingchen was slightly upset when she rejected him outright. "Why did you go out with my mother so willingly yesterday? And when it's my turn, you didn't even hesitate when rejecting me. Jiu, I'm your future husband, and yet, you're treating me so coldly."

Chu Jiu was taken aback and her ears quietly turned red. She pursed her red lips and turned away. "No, you're not."

"You've already gone out shopping with your future mother-in-law and have accepted her gifts. Do you think you can claim I'm not your future husband just like that?" Lu Tingchen was not giving up as he raised an eyebrow.

"Can you not be so annoying?" Chu Jiu was a little bothered.

"We aren't even married yet and you're already finding me annoying?" Lu Tingchen looked thunderstruck.

Chu Jiu, ".."

It was difficult to handle him when he was staring at her innocently.

No one would be able to handle it when a man who was usually enthusiastic and vigorous in spirit suddenly gave that look.

"Where are we going?" Chu Jiu could only stand up when she could not do anything with him.

"I'm taking you to a place." Lu Tingchen took the opportunity to hold her hand. He looked quite happy.

Chu Jiu was led out of the tent by hand.

"Stop taking advantage of me, Lu Tingchen!" Chu Jiu was not used to him being affectionate and quickly pulled her hand out of his.

"Alright. I'll hold your hand when no one is around," Lu Tingchen said happily.

"That's not what I meant.." Chu Jiu frowned, feeling slightly exasperated.

Lu Tingchen ignored her words and brought her out of the army camp on a horse.

Ling Lihua saw them from afar and could not help complaining to the man next to her. "Your son is really impatient!"

Lu Hetian said helplessly, "You can't blame him for that. He is already twenty and he hasn't even had a woman before. We were already parents when we were his age."

Ling Lihua nodded. "You're right. He's still pretty much a nestling. If he doesn't buck up, Chu Jiu would end up running away."

Lu Hetian's lips twitched. Lucky his son was not around to hear his mother's words. Otherwise, he might end up coughing up blood in anger.

"Let's not talk about him. Are you really planning to return to the imperial capital with Tingchen the day after tomorrow?" He asked while frowning.

"Of course. There is nothing here to handle anymore. It only makes sense for me to return. I'm missing all three of my grandchildren and I want to return quickly to see them. Otherwise, what if they end up not liking me?" Ling Lihua was worried. It was fine before when she had no time to think about this. Now that she had more free time, she wished she could hurry up and return immediately.

Zhao Qian had talked about them before. They were beautiful children and quite well-behaved.

She really wanted to hurry back to carry them.

Lu Hetian started to feel a little anxious when he heard her words. He wanted to convince her to stay back to accompany him, but now, he changed his mind. "It's just as well. You should return with Tingchen first. Once I hand over defense duty over here, I can return in glory."

"Yes. Actually, I'm returning to handle Chen and Jiu's wedding as well," said Ling Lihua. "Mother is getting up there in years and Weiwei had three children to take care of. It would be best if I returned to help out."

"Alright." Lu Hetian nodded with understanding.

They returned to their tent and spotted Ji Lingxiu standing outside her tent from afar.

She did not look well as she had soaked in the ice bathtub for a long time the day before.

Her face was ghostly pale and there was no color on her lips.

When they saw this girl, mixed emotions appeared on their faces.historical