172: Discussing returning to the northern frontier

Mei Shuang remained as cold as ever, but her eyes seemed to flicker with an imperceptible evasion when they met those of Embroiderer and Lan Yanliu. The tips of her ears also turned slightly red, like early autumn frost flowers that had just landed.

Jiang Ya followed behind timidly, her small face still somewhat pale. When she saw Shen Xingwan, she revealed a shy and friendly smile, looking like a cute rabbit.

"Everyone, please take a seat."

Embroiderer greeted them and repeated Situ Jun's assessment of the situation in the Southern Border, as well as his proposal for everyone to temporarily return to the Northern Border.

After listening, Mei Shuang's cold brows furrowed slightly as she asked directly:

"When will Husband leave for the Southern Border?"

A hint of imperceptible tension was hidden in her voice.

After the tenderness of the afternoon, the emotional ties in her heart seemed to be wound tighter, and her worries grew heavier.

"I didn't ask about that, but it should be soon," Embroiderer replied. "Husband's intention is to arrange for us to leave immediately once the situation worsens."

"I'm not going!"

Lan Yanliu was the first to state her position, continuing with a coquettish tone:

"I want to stay in East Lin and accompany Husband! Besides, our Rain Embroidery Courtyard has the Formation set up by Husband, and we have City Lord Wang Cheng's protection. What is there to fear?"

Mei Shuang was silent for a moment before also saying:

"I want to stay. I'm used to it here."

Her words were brief yet firm.

Ever since Situ Jun rescued her from the Bei Batian, she felt that the connection between her and this man could no longer be severed. Staying by his side was also what her heart desired.

Jiang Ya looked at one and then the other, saying in a thin voice:

"I... I will follow the sisters."

She was timid and simple-minded, but if Embroiderer and the others stayed, she would feel as if she had found her pillar of support and would dare to set her heart at ease.

Embroiderer looked at the women, her heart feeling both warm and worried.

How could she not want to stay by Situ Jun's side? But as the eldest sister among them, she had to weigh the pros and cons clearly.

She turned her gaze toward Shen Xingwan, who had been listening quietly:

"Sister Xingwan, what about you? You've just arrived at the manor; perhaps returning to the Northern Border would be more stable."

Instantly, everyone's eyes focused on Shen Xingwan.

Shen Xingwan's mind raced with calculations.

Return to the Northern Border?

That would mean being completely away from Situ Jun, away from the center of power and the storm. The resolution she had made this afternoon would vanish like bubbles!

Stay in East Lin? Although there were risks, it was the only chance to get close to Situ Jun, understand him, and even... become someone by his side!

She raised her head to meet Embroiderer's concerned gaze, a somewhat weak yet exceptionally firm smile appearing on her face. Her voice sounded soft but clear:

"If the sisters are not afraid, how can Xingwan shrink back alone? Although Xingwan does not have Sister Mei Shuang's intelligence or Sister Lan's cleverness, since I have entered the doors of the Rain Embroidery Courtyard, I am a person of the Manor Lord and the sisters. The Manor Lord guards East Lin, and the sisters guard our home. Xingwan... also wants to contribute her effort. Even if it is just serving tea, pouring water, sewing, or washing, it is better than being alone in the Northern Border City, living in fear and worry day and night."

Her words not only expressed a sense of belonging to Situ Jun and the Rain Embroidery Courtyard but also lowered her posture, positioning herself as someone who needed to depend on others and contribute, appearing exceptionally sincere and sensible.

Upon hearing this, a flicker of emotion flashed in Embroiderer's eyes.

Lan Yanliu raised her eyebrows, seemingly re-evaluating this seemingly weak new sister. Mei Shuang's gaze lingered on Shen Xingwan's face for a moment, an inquisitive look flitting through her cold eyes.

"Good."

Embroiderer finally nodded, taking Shen Xingwan's hand and looking around at everyone:

"Since everyone is willing to stay and advance or retreat with Husband, then we shall guard the Rain Embroidery Courtyard well, guard this home! Only then can Husband be out there without any worries!"

After saying this, she looked at the quiet Liu Xuaner.

If one were to say who among them knew Situ Jun best, it would be Liu Xuaner.

In the early years, Situ Jun was a manager she had personally promoted. It was only later, when his Cultivation surged and he even took the Bei Batian as a subordinate, that they were freed from their suffering.

At this moment, Liu Xuaner did not speak up in opposition, likely agreeing to stay as well.

As the twilight deepened, the lights of the Rain Embroidery Courtyard were lit one by one like stars scattered across the mortal world, reflecting off the crystal lamps hanging under the corridors and casting fragmented, warm light.

Situ Jun stood up and walked out of the study.

By the time he entered the main hall, the dining table was already filled with exquisite dishes.

He had just finished handling official business, and his brow still carried a bit of cold sternness, but when his gaze swept over the few people in the hall who were smiling and chatting, that trace of chill quietly melted away a little.

"Husband is here."

Embroiderer rose to greet him, naturally taking the outer robe he had removed. Her fingertips inadvertently brushed against his slightly cool wrist as she said softly:

"You've been tired all day today. Drink a bowl of hot soup first to nourish your body."

After saying this, she covered her mouth and chuckled. Seeing this, the other women also blushed and smiled at Situ Jun.

Situ Jun feigned anger and gave them a glare, but in return, he received even more silver-bell-like laughter.

Situ Jun was helpless and could only shake his head with a smile, saying:

"Everyone sit down and start eating!"

Only then did everyone stop laughing and sit down, continuing the issue they had just been discussing.

A maidservant had already served a bowl of milky-white crucian carp soup. Situ Jun took it, his gaze circling around the faces of the several people at the table.

Lan Yanliu was animatedly saying something to Jiang Ya, Mei Shuang lowered her head to pick out lotus seeds from her bowl with a silver hairpin, and Shen Xingwan sat at the very end. Seeing him look over, she rose slightly, her eyes rippling with a well-measured shyness.

"Have you all finished discussing the matter of returning to the Northern Border?" Situ Jun asked.

Embroiderer picked up some food for him and nodded:

"We've discussed it. The sisters all want to stay in East Lin City. I wonder..."

Situ Jun's hand picking up food paused, and he looked up at Lan Yanliu:

"You want to stay in East Lin City too?"

Lan Yanliu immediately leaned over, almost pressing against his arm, her eyes as alluring as silk:

"With Husband here, even the greatest risks become a form of pleasure. Besides, I still want to watch how Husband guards East Lin City."

"Nonsense."

Situ Jun tapped her forehead with his finger, but there was no real reproach in his tone.

Ever since this woman started following him, the contrast was truly too great; her personality had completely changed. From the appearance of a gentle woman from a good family, she had transformed into a charming and seductive vixen.

He then turned to look at Liu Xuaner:

"Xuaner, I originally came this time specifically to take you back to the Northern Border. Yun Niang, Cui Zhu, and the others all miss you. Now that something has happened in the Southern Border, the matter of taking you back will have to be delayed."

Liu Xuaner raised her eyes, a touch of charm rippling through them:

"Mhm."

He then looked at Jiang Ya. She was already in her twenties, yet she was still like a young girl, her face turning red the moment he looked at her.

She gripped her chopsticks and said in a small voice:

"I... I would be bored going back alone. I'd rather stay in East Lin with the sisters."

Finally, his gaze fell upon Shen Xingwan, Mei Shuang, and Chen Yufei.

Mei Shuang gave him a disgruntled look:

"I'm staying in East Lin City, no reason!"

Seeing this, Chen Yufei's beautiful eyes darted as she said:

"If Sister Mei Shuang has no reason, then I don't need a reason to stay either."

Hearing this, the women let out a round of suppressed giggles.

Shen Xingwan put down her chopsticks, her back held straight, her tone even firmer than it had been in the afternoon:

"Manor Lord, please rest assured. Although Xingwan has no great skills, I am proficient in laundry, cooking, and cleaning the courtyard. I will certainly stay in the manor with the sisters and not let the Manor Lord be distracted."

Situ Jun looked at her. When this woman first arrived, her eyes held hidden panic, but now they had gained a bit of resilience, like a new willow branch that had been dampened by rain but refused to bend.

He nodded slightly:

"Since you have made your decision, then stay with peace of mind. I have already instructed Wang Cheng. Tomorrow, have your maidservant bring your things over."

Shen Xingwan was delighted and hurried to stand and perform a formal bow:

"Thank you, Manor Lord."