CHAPTER 95: MOVE ON

After the party had ended, the courtyard immediately became quiet again.

"Take that all into the kitchen. Tomorrow we’ll clear all the decorations," Yan Mei instructed the maids as they carried the leftovers back into the kitchen.

The kids were dead tired as the maids took them to their rooms to freshen them up.

Yiling now had her own room while the boys shared.

Collapsing on the chair beside Zu Shi, Lin Xu sighed as she took a sip of wine.

Seeing her all gloomy, Zu Shi muttered, "Looks like someone didn’t want the party to end? What’s wrong with you, girl? You were all rainbows and sunshine this morning. Why so gloomy all of a sudden?"

She took a bite of a small white sweet.

Facing Zu Shi, Lin Xu said slowly, "Zu Shi... Su Feng... asked me to marry him."

Immediately she said that, the sweet in Zu Shi’s mouth fell on the ground.

Zu Shi froze, staring at her wide-eyed. "Wait—what?!" she blurted out, nearly choking on air. "Su Feng as in that Su Feng? The calm, polite, businesslike one who barely even smiles in public?"

Lin Xu gave a small nod, swirling the wine in her cup. "That very same one."

Zu Shi blinked several times, still trying to process it. "He proposed to you? Out of nowhere? Just like that?"

"Mm," Lin Xu murmured, setting her cup down. "By the lake. Right after the lanterns were lit."

"Oh heavens..." Zu Shi groaned, slapping a hand over her chest dramatically. "And what did you say?"

Lin Xu sighed and leaned back. "I told him I wasn’t sure. That I needed time."

Zu Shi threw her hands up. "Time? Girl, you might as well have tossed a bucket of cold water on the man!"

"I didn’t ask for his confession," Lin Xu said, rubbing her temples. "He just said it. Out of nowhere. I didn’t even see it coming."

Zu Shi leaned closer, narrowing her eyes. "And don’t tell me you didn’t feel anything when he said it. That’s Su Feng, rich, loyal, annoyingly good-looking."

Lin Xu groaned. "You sound exactly like Susu."

"Who’s Susu?"

Sighing, Lin Xu waved her hand. "Never mind. All I need from you is advice. What should I do? Su Feng asked me to marry him out of nowhere. I refused in some kind of way, but he still says he’s waiting and expecting an answer. What the heck am I supposed to tell him?"

"He asked you to marry him?" Suddenly Yan Mei appeared, her mouth opened wide.

Quickly grabbing a chair and sitting next to Lin Xu and Zu Shi, she grabbed Lin Xu by the shoulders, shaking her excitedly.

"Did you say yes?" she asked happily.

"You’re asking the wrong person that question," Zu Shi folded her hands.

"It’s Lin Xu. Obviously, she rejected him on the spot."

"Hey! I didn’t reject him harshly though, and it wasn’t even an obvious rejection. I said I needed time to think about his proposal."

"You don’t need time to think about anything," Yan Mei shook her head. "You two are perfect for each other. He has kids and you have kids too. He’s handsome and you’re pretty. Not to forget you are a rich businesswoman and he’s rich too. What else do you need to be thinking about?"

"You tell her," Zu Shi supported.

"You guys aren’t even helping. I don’t want to jump into any marriage nonsense. Just being with my kids is enough for me!" Lin Xu sighed.

Exchanging glances, Zu Shi and Yan Mei pouted as they both took hold of Lin Xu’s hands.

"Oh honey, we know it hasn’t been easy with that idiot and everything over the years, but you have to move on someday, Lin Xu. You’re just 26; you still have a long life ahead of you," Zu Shi reassured.

"Exactly. Mo Ying has found his own life. He has his wife...uh, I mean wives....and a child. Though he’s currently fighting in war, he’ll probably return soon to his family. Though it won’t be that bad if he dies or something, hahaha."

"Pffts!" His words made Lin Xu and Zu Shi burst into laughter, and Yan Mei joined them as well.

Smiling, Lin Xu caressed both their faces. "Maybe the both of you are right. I do need to move on and find my own happiness."

"So you’ll marry him?"

"I’m still thinking about it, but I’ll give him a reply when I’m ready... Anyway, I’m so tired. You two can finish up. I’ll head inside for now."

"Hmm... alright, sleep well," Yan Mei smiled.

After Lin Xu left, Zu Shi and Yan Mei just relaxed on their chairs.

"Lin Xu still thinks about Mo Ying, I know it," Zu Shi broke the silence.

"One night I saw her praying quietly in her room. I quickly left so she wouldn’t see me. I think she was praying for his safety," Yan Mei muttered.

"Well, it has been two years since he left for the war, yet he still hasn’t returned... He’s either dead or dying."

"I hope he’s not, though... otherwise, I wonder how Lin Xu will feel."

---

Meanwhile, in the Imperial Palace,

Inside the great hall, the emperor sat high upon his golden throne, dressed in a dark crimson robe embroidered with golden dragons. Around him stood his ministers and advisors, each waiting silently for the next command.

The emperor tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest. "What is the next matter to discuss?" he asked in a calm but firm tone.

One of the ministers stepped forward, bowing deeply. "Your Majesty, the matter concerning the northern borders. We have yet to receive the final report from General Mo Shen’s army—"

"Sigh! I wonder if that boy truly has it in him. He staked his life on this war, and yet no news after two years..."

Before he could finish, the heavy doors of the hall burst open.

A royal messenger hurried inside, dropping to his knees immediately. "Your Majesty!" he shouted, voice filled with excitement. "Urgent report from the northern front!"

The emperor straightened. "Speak."

The messenger lifted his head, eyes shining. "General Mo Shen has returned victorious! The enemy has surrendered, and the northern border is secured once more! The rebels have also been defeated, Your Majesty."

The hall fell silent for a heartbeat. Then, murmurs of astonishment filled the room.

"The general... has returned?" one advisor whispered.

"After two years..." another added in disbelief.

The emperor’s stern expression finally softened into a faint smile. "Good," he said, voice low but clear. "Prepare the capital for his return. General Mo Shen shall be welcomed with the honor he deserves."

The ministers all bowed deeply. "Yes, Your Majesty!"

The messenger, still kneeling, added quickly, "General Mo Shen is already on his way back to the capital. He will arrive within three days."

The emperor nodded. "Very well. Dismissed."

As the messenger left, the emperor leaned back slightly, his gaze distant. "Mo Shen... I never knew you had it in you."