89: Chapter 89 Living Better Than You: The General Male Supporting Character 7

However, the people who walked into the main hall were not Meng Zhu and Nan Jin.

Instead, it was Personal Guard Mo Yu from the Generals Mansion and Nan Jin's personal maid, Xiao Cui.

Prime Minister Nan Ling's rage shot straight to the top of his head.

"Where are your General and his wife?"

Seeing that the Prime Minister of a nation was about to lose his temper, Personal Guard Mo Yu remained unfazed.

He bowed with cupped hands, neither servile nor overbearing, his voice clear and resonant.

"Please forgive us, Prime Minister. My General specifically ordered me to come and offer an apology. Since this marriage was bestowed by His Majesty, and his imperial grace is vast, His Majesty can be considered half of the bride's family."

"Therefore, early this morning, the General and his wife went to the palace to see the Emperor and thank him for his great kindness. Of all things under heaven, imperial grace is the greatest. As for the matter of returning to the Prime Ministers Manor for a visit... that will have to wait for another day."

"You..."

"Fine, fine, fine! Very good!"

Prime Minister Nan Ling stood up and then sat back down, ultimately failing to slam his hand on the table.

The insults he had prepared were choked off in his throat.

No matter how much power Prime Minister Nan Ling wielded at court, could he possibly be greater than the Emperor?

Could he really express dissatisfaction because a newlywed couple went to thank the Emperor?

Obviously not.

Prime Minister Nan Ling was so stifled his face turned ghastly, his chest heaving violently, yet he couldn't utter a single word of rebuttal.

Xuanyuan Zhan also frowned deeply. Because his wife was a daughter of a concubine, he had originally intended to give her plenty of face today.

He had brought generous return gifts, intending to mock the Generals Mansion and boost Nan Li's favorability.

Who would have thought his fist would hit cotton; they weren't playing along, which left him feeling quite frustrated.

At this moment, Xiao Cui stepped forward.

She walked straight past the grim-faced Prime Minister Nan Ling and the others of the Liu family, heading directly to The Old Matriarch in the seat of honor, respectfully handing over a red sandalwood brocade box.

"The Old Matriarch, this was specifically entrusted to me by my mistress to bring to you."

Xiao Cui gave a sweet smile and opened the brocade box in front of everyone.

Inside the box lay a blue jade bracelet, exceptionally clear and lustrous, flawless.

"My mistress said she misses you, Grandmother, the most. Once she is feeling better in a few days, she will certainly come back often to visit you."

Xiao Cui spoke in a crisp voice, not forgetting to glance at the expressions of the others.

In just a few short days, the first thing the servants at the Generals Mansion taught the eldest young lady was arrogance.

Considering how The Old Emperor had suppressed him for years, yet Meng Zhu still attained the rank of a third-rank General Pingxi, one could see the extent of his ability.

Looking at the bracelet, The Old Matriarch showed a kindly smile and nodded repeatedly.

"Good, good! Nan Jin is a filial girl; this old woman accepts it."

At this, Prime Minister Nan Ling trembled with rage.

What was this? Only bringing a return gift for the grandmother?

[I traveled thousands of miles to switch over just to see Prime Minister Nan Ling's face; it's truly spectacular!]

[Forget spectacular, this plot has deviated so drastically.]

[In the original work's bridal gift face-slapping scene, Nan Jin didn't participate at all. Now, in the return visit face-slapping scene, Nan Jin still hasn't participated.]

[The male lead is dying of anxiety; he wants to show off but has no place to perform.]

[Nan Jin has become too bold now, and it's very sudden.]

[Not at all. I am The Analyst; everyone, listen to me.]

[Actually, the supporting female character Nan Jin was always a very bold person who loved and hated fiercely; she even dared to kill.]

[Think about it, everyone. In the original, she wasn't acting out of true character. She married Meng Zhu, but he said they were only a married couple in name and that he had someone else in his heart. Out of anger, grievances, and sadness, she wanted to compensate in other ways. Discovering the mansion was wealthy, she brought heavy gifts for her return visit, intending to spite Nan Li.]

[That's right, but she didn't expect that because the woman in Prince Yu's heart is the female lead, he was more attentive than in the previous life, and the return gifts were even heavier, causing her to be face-slapped by the female lead again.]

[It's different now. Nan Jin has felt love, so her true nature is released. She has become bold and willful, unwilling to hide her dissatisfaction with Prime Minister Nan Ling anymore. Having the chance to anger Prime Minister Nan Ling to death and disgust Nan Li is truly killing two birds with one stone.]

[Indeed, sometimes being ignored is even more infuriating.]

[Alright, I've had my fun; I'm switching back. I find Meng Zhu is better to look at; the male and female leads aren't very appealing. I wonder if it's because they lack the interaction with the supporting characters.]

Compared to Nan Jin guessing Prime Minister Nan Ling's expression, Meng Zhu had the barrage broadcast.

After only a quick glance, he also felt his mood improve.

The idea of not returning for the visit was proposed by Nan Jin; to be honest, Meng Zhu hadn't expected it.

Thus, he couldn't help but look at the person beside him, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"Why is my husband looking at me and smiling?"

Nan Jin didn't understand why and stared with wide eyes.

At this moment, the two had just left the palace and were in the carriage returning to the Generals Mansion.

Inside the spacious carriage, there were only Meng Zhu and Nan Jin.

"It's nothing. I was just thinking of Prime Minister Nan Ling's expression, and I wanted to marvel at my wife's true nature."

"Husband, please don't make fun of me."

Hearing this, Nan Jin was immediately embarrassed and annoyed, wondering if her husband was teasing her on purpose.

She quickly came up with an idea and hurried to change the subject.

Thinking of her husband's calm and composed manner in the main hall, she felt admiration in her heart.

"Husband, His Majesty said today that the merit of pacifying Western Liang was not sufficiently recognized by the marriage bestowal and wanted to confer a title. Why did you refuse and ask for gold instead?"

She wasn't dissatisfied with Meng Zhu refusing the title, but was genuinely curious.

Entering the palace today, The Old Emperor appeared amiable, but his words were filled with probing and warnings everywhere.

Although she didn't understand court affairs, she could still feel that atmosphere.

That was why she wanted to understand Meng Zhu's pressure better.

"My wife, you don't know. It's not that I don't want it, but it's too early. The Old Emperor dares not give me any more real power. However, once titles and peerages begin, the next time he would have to upgrade the title. If I were made a Marquis this time, wouldn't the next time be conferring the title of a Prince of a different surname? When that time comes, he would be the first to regret it."

"I am still young. Even if I wanted to be a King, I can wait until the new monarch ascends the throne."

He spoke lightly, but Nan Jin felt immense pressure, her brows furrowed tightly.

"Husband, His Majesty, he..."

Nan Jin bit her lip; she wanted to ask how much time the Emperor had left and whether he would act against her husband before he died.

But before she could speak, Meng Zhu laughed.

Looking at Nan Jin's slightly furrowed brows, it was as if he could see through her thoughts at a glance.

He took her hand, wrapping her cold fingertips in his palm.

"Is my wife worried about me?"

"Yes!"

Nan Jin was indeed different from the average ancient woman; she had always been brave in expressing herself.

Meng Zhu shook his head.

"The Old Emperor has been wary of me for more than a day or two. He fears that because I have been on the border for so long, my prestige is growing daily. So he found the excuse of a marriage—first, to keep me in the capital, and second, to find me a tie that binds, a weakness."

"But military power is military power, and strength is strength. This only further proves that he cannot touch me; my wife need not worry."

In just a few words, he dissected the complex game of monarch and subject.

Nan Jin understood, but her heart tightened.

"A tie that binds..."

She murmured to herself, suddenly realizing that the weakness was none other than herself.

"Then I... am I not a burden to my husband?"

Her eyes reddened, and she felt somewhat distressed.

Seeing her on the verge of tears, Meng Zhu laughed, reaching out to pull her into his arms, his chin resting gently on the top of her head, his warm breath brushing against her ear.

"Without you, he would have found another weakness. Would my wife have the heart to let me marry someone else?"

"I actually have to thank The Old Emperor."

He laughed in a low voice.

"If it weren't for this, how could I have married such a gentle and beautiful wife?"

These words made Nan Jin want to cry and laugh at the same time, her face instantly flushing red.

She buried her face in his broad chest, feeling his steady and strong heartbeat.

Her husband was right about one thing: she was lucky enough to be reborn, and having married Meng Zhu, she did not wish for him to marry anyone else.