Quick Wear: The first person to love the host

Chapter 450 The Substitute Bride Becomes a Reality (51)

The brother and sister sat facing each other across a small table.

Su Ziyu carefully examined her younger sister and asked gently, "Are you getting used to everything here? How are you getting along with Mo Junxun?"

Su Miaomiao held the teacup, her fingertips gently stroking the warm rim, and said softly, "Thank you for your concern, brother. Junxun and I are both well. At the Prince's residence... although the Prince doesn't come often, he never lacks anything in terms of food, clothing, or daily necessities, and the servants are quite respectful."

Jun Xun... now holds a sinecure in the guards arranged by the Prince's mansion, and spends his days reading and practicing martial arts in the courtyard, which is quite peaceful."

She paused, then looked up at her brother, her eyes filled with concern, but also a hint of barely perceptible worry. "Brother, are you going to the capital for a long stay, or..."

Although she lives a secluded life, she is not completely unaware of the outside world.

From the snippets of conversation she overheard and the rumors she heard from her fellow guards, Mo Junxun roughly knew that the situation in the capital was not stable and that the prince was in a precarious position.

She couldn't help but worry when her brother suddenly returned to the capital.

Su Zi wanted to know that she was intelligent, so he didn't hide it from her completely. He simply said, "I will stay for the time being. Things are going smoothly in the northern frontier, and my grandfather is in good health, so I thought I'd come and take a look."

He paused, looked into his sister's clear eyes, and softened his voice, "Let me look at you too. I'm sorry you've had to go through all this, Miaomiao."

Su Miaomiao shook her head, a slight glint of tears in her eyes: "Brother, please don't say that. If it weren't for your and the Prince's planning back then, Junxun and I would probably..."

She still felt guilty when she recalled how she had stubbornly run away from her arranged marriage, which ultimately led to her brother being tricked by the Su family and forced to marry into the royal palace in her place.

"I am fortunate to be able to live a peaceful life now. The prince treats me with courtesy, and Junxun has a place to stay. I have no grievances."

She paused, her voice lower, "I know my brother and the prince... have a deep and abiding love. As long as my brother is well, I will be at ease."

That's a sincere statement.

After more than a year of living in the Prince's mansion amidst open and covert conflicts, her views on many things had already changed.

In her view, it was far more important for her brother to have someone who truly cared for him than for any empty fame or fortune. As for herself, being able to stay by Junxun's side and find a peaceful corner in this chaotic world was already a blessing.

Su Ziyu felt moved, yet also a little bittersweet.

His younger sister has finally grown up and become much more insightful.

"What are your plans for the future, you and Mo Junxun?" Su Ziyu asked. "If given the opportunity, would you like to leave the Prince's Mansion and go to Jiangnan or elsewhere to live a stable life under a different identity?"

He always felt that it was not a long-term solution to keep his sister trapped in this place with the title of "princess".

Su Miaomiao was silent for a moment, then gently shook her head: "Now... is not the time. My brother and the Prince are not entirely at ease in the capital. If we leave rashly now, it may arouse suspicion and become a burden. Besides..."

A faint blush rose on her face. "Jun Xun said he wanted to establish himself first before making any plans. He said... he couldn't always rely on his brother's protection."

Su Ziyu understood that Mo Junxun was a proud scholar who had given up fame and fortune to elope with his sister. Although he suffered misfortune later, his ambition was not diminished.

"That's fine too."

The brother and sister chatted for a while longer, with Su Miaomiao asking about the local customs of northern Xinjiang and her maternal grandfather's health, and the atmosphere gradually relaxed.

It wasn't until Liu Ye came in to refill her tea and reminded her that it was almost noon that Su Miaomiao got up to say goodbye.

"Brother, please rest well. I will come to see you another day," she said, bowing.

"Take care of yourself. If anything happens, just have someone come and tell me, or you can go directly to the Prince." Su Ziyu saw him to the door.

Watching his younger sister leave with her maid, Su Ziyu stood under the eaves, the winter sun falling on his shoulders. His sister's understanding and resilience brought him comfort, but also added a sense of responsibility.

Since he had decided to stay, he could not simply indulge in his world with Qi Jinyu.

He needed to stand shoulder to shoulder with Qi Jinyu to weather the storms in the capital; he also needed to do his best to take care of those around him.

Just as I was pondering this, I heard familiar footsteps outside the courtyard gate.

Su Zi was about to look up when she saw Qi Jinyu, dressed in court attire and wearing a black cloak, striding in.

Upon seeing him standing under the corridor, Qi Jinyu's cold and stern expression softened instantly, and he quickened his pace.

"Why are you standing in the wind?" Qi Jinyu approached and naturally took his slightly cool hand in her palm, then said to Liu Ye, "Go and serve lunch."

"It's not cold." Su Ziyu let him lead her, and the two walked into the house together. "Miaomiao came by earlier and we talked for a while."

“Yes, I know,” Qi Jinyu said. “I have already arranged for people to take good care of her. If Mo Junxun wants to take up an official post or do something else, arrangements can be made.”

He turned to look at Su Ziyu, "Are you at ease?"

He always seems to know what he's thinking.

Su Ziyu felt a warmth in her heart and nodded: "Thank you for your trouble."

"There's no need for thanks between us." Qi Jinyu pulled him down to sit, carefully examining his complexion. "Did you sleep well? Are you... still feeling unwell?"

The last question was asked in a lower voice, carrying a hint of apology and concern.

Su Ziyu's ears burned slightly, and she glared at him: "Why are you saying these things in broad daylight?"

Qi Jinyu chuckled softly, her mood exceptionally good as she put her arm around his shoulder: "Alright, I won't say anything. Let's have our meal first. I'm free this afternoon, so I'll keep you company."

Lunch was served in the small flower hall. The dishes were exquisite but not overly extravagant, mostly catering to Su Ziyu's tastes, with the addition of several nourishing soups.

Qi Jinyu personally served him food with chopsticks, ladling soup and serving dishes with practiced ease, as if the past separation had never existed.

During the meal, Qi Jinyu briefly mentioned the situation in the court.

"Today's court assembly was relatively peaceful. However, the Ministry of Revenue raised some minor issues regarding this year's financial and grain expenditures in the Northern Frontier. It was nothing more than repeating the same old tune, trying to take the opportunity to investigate the true income and expenditure of the Northern Frontier."

He spoke calmly, as if discussing a routine matter: "I have already had someone submit the 'accounts' we prepared in advance, and I don't think they will find anything wrong."

Su Zi listened carefully, aware of the hidden reefs beneath the calm surface. "Has the Emperor's attitude changed?" he asked directly.

Qi Jinyu put down her chopsticks and pondered for a moment: "Father Emperor claimed to be ill and did not attend court today. But according to the news from the palace, he is in good spirits, but he does not want to see anyone, especially... he does not want to see me."

A cold smile curled at the corner of his lips. "After yesterday's 'respectful invitation,' his resentment has deepened. However, right now he needs me to stabilize the court and clean up the mess left by the Second Prince, so he can't do anything to me for the time being."

This is a temporary balance, fragile and delicate.

Su Ziyu understood that this balance would not last. Once the emperor believed he had regained some control or found a new checkpoint, a counterattack would come.

"You need to make plans early," Su Ziyu said softly, not urging, but reminding him as a teammate.

"Hmm." Qi Jinyu grasped his hand on the table. "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. It's just that I'm afraid you won't be able to leave the manor freely for a while. Although the manor has been cleaned up several times, it's hard to guarantee that there aren't any strays."