Su Ze did not intend to hide anything from them and told them the truth:
"His Majesty has ordered me to garrison the Western Frontier."
Although Su Xiaoqi was a woman, Shen Yun told her everything after returning home.
The couple not only exchanged feelings about their bodies but also discussed court affairs.
She remembered telling him before that she had seen Qin Jianzhi and others secretly entering Prince Ping's residence at the palace gate.
After he went to investigate, he said Prince Ping had been a bit restless lately.
On the surface, he was well-behaved and did not come out of his place of confinement.
But in reality, as soon as he was out of sight of those watching him, he caused trouble everywhere.
He was nowhere near as well-behaved as they had imagined.
Therefore, Shen Yun also reported his situation to Emperor Yongxing.
The Imperial Guards had recently heightened their vigilance towards him.
However, for the sake of safety, they did not completely seal off the prince's residence. Instead, they maintained a relaxed exterior and a tight interior.
This was to prevent Prince Ping from feeling that he was being watched.
As a result, his actions became even more pronounced.
Not only did he contact the minor officials who had been close to him before, but he now dared to contact those remnants, attempting to have them deal with the Western Frontier army for him.
This showed that his ambition for the throne was unquenched.
Su Xiaoqi felt a headache coming on.
But after drinking a cup of tea, she quickly regained her composure.
She had known from the beginning that coming to the capital would not be as leisurely and comfortable as it was in Mianzhou City.
However, to achieve a higher status, one naturally had to pay a price.
"Because you have been to the Western Frontier before and have a certain prestige in the army, His Majesty chose you," Su Xiaoqi said.
Su Ze nodded, quite surprised by Su Xiaoqi's perceptiveness and intelligence.
After all, the Su Xiaoqi he was with before could never have thought of these things.
But he quickly understood.
The current Su Xiaoqi was completely different from the past Su Xiaoqi.
They were like two different people.
Except for looking exactly the same and having the same birthmark behind their ears.
But their personalities, their insights, their ways of handling matters, and their interactions with others were completely different.
Fairly speaking, the current Su Xiaoqi was much better than the past Su Xiaoqi.
She was intelligent, wise, gentle, kind, and understanding.
Moreover, she had foresight and could consider many things that even men could not.
She accomplished many things that others wouldn't even dare to think about.
For her, no matter who she was, he admired her from the bottom of his heart.
As his admiration deepened, the budding feelings he had for her seemed to naturally fade away.
"Brother Aze, you're not getting any younger. My grandmother saw you that day and said you should get married," Liang Xi'er interrupted their conversation.
She didn't want to, but she saw the affection in Su Ze's eyes for Su Xiaoqi.
She was worried that he might not be able to control himself at the last moment.
The Xiaoqi sister now was not the same as before.
Now she had a brother-in-law like Shen Yun protecting her, and she felt that was very good.
Although Brother Aze was also very good, he had come too late.
Liang Xi'er didn't think she was being biased.
She just hoped that Sister Xiaoqi would live well.
Because no one knew better than her how deeply Sister Xiaoqi loved her brother-in-law.
What Sister Xiaoqi liked was what she liked!
This was something that could not be argued even with Brother Aze.
"You, you, even after entering the prince's residence and becoming a county princess, you are still so uninhibited. If it weren't for your sister Xiaoqi protecting you, I wouldn't be at ease about you." Su Ze reached out to ruffle Liang Xi'er's hair as he used to.
But seeing her wearing a beautiful double-bun hairstyle today, adorned with pearl butterfly hairpins and tied with pink silk, she looked exquisite and lovely.
He clenched his fingers and withdrew his hand somewhat dejectedly.
Uh, they were no longer who they were before, and they couldn't interact as carelessly as they used to.
Liang Xi'er, however, seemed to see through his thoughts. She deliberately leaned closer, took his hand, and placed it on her hair, patting it.
She didn't say anything, just smiled playfully.
Her slightly curved eyes and upturned lips seemed to tell him that she was still the same as before.
Even if her status and name had changed, they were still good siblings.
"You still care about my affairs. I... I, I invited you here today precisely to tell you that my superior in the Western Frontier, General Northwest..."
Despite his usual decisive actions, Su Ze was momentarily speechless when it came to his own affairs.
Seeing his hesitant demeanor, Su Xiaoqi smiled and said, "Does your superior have a daughter who has taken a liking to you?"
Su Ze had thick eyebrows and big, bright eyes, with sharp facial features.
Coupled with his experience on the battlefield, he exuded an aura like a drawn sword.
Given his appearance, there should be many women who fancied him.
Especially women who had interacted with him in the Western Frontier.
Su Ze did not deny it.
He had not intended to mention this matter.
But now, it seemed that not saying it would not put their minds at ease.
So he told them.
At the same time, he was prepared to marry his superior's eldest daughter.
This way, everyone would be reassured.
And he could also choose to end this relationship that was destined to be fruitless.
He was never one to force things.
As long as everyone was living well, then he was very well!
Su Xiaoqi looked at his expression and understood his intentions.
She sighed softly, thinking that this was also good.
With Su Ze's sense of responsibility and capabilities, marrying his superior's daughter would not be considered a degradation!
"However, you must be careful this time." Su Ze's burden in going to the Western Frontier was truly immense.
They knew that he was going to cut off Prince Ping's escape route.
And others, though unaware at first, would likely guess something as time went on.
At that time, he, who was sent to the Western Frontier by the Emperor, would undoubtedly become their primary target.
"It's fine. The more than two years I spent in the Western Frontier were not in vain."
It wasn't a long time, but he was known for his recklessness.
Let alone people in the same camp, even the Western Barbarians and Northern Di heard of his reputation and turned tail and fled.
Not many dared to provoke him!
After speaking, Su Xiaoqi asked Su Ze when he would leave.
Su Ze smiled and looked at her, "You want to come and see me off?"
Su Xiaoqi nodded, then quickly shook her head, "It's not necessary to see you off. You're not going on vacation, and a big show would be inappropriate.
However, I have prepared some things that might be useful to you."
Su Ze told her that he would leave early the day after tomorrow.
Indeed, she did not need to see him off, to avoid causing any trouble.
In fact, although they had talked so much, and even discussed him marrying another woman, Su Ze's heart still could not forget Su Xiaoqi.
The feelings of youth were the most true and pure, and not so easily forgotten.
"Alright, come to my residence tomorrow, and I'll have the things ready for you."
With that, Su Li left.
Her other siblings stayed to play with Su Ze, while she, along with Liang Xi'er, escorted her back to the prince's residence.
She had been living in Prince Xiang's residence with her mother for the past two days.
"Brother Aze is also getting married. Should we prepare some wedding gifts?" Liang Xi'er said.
Su Xiaoqi nodded and took out a bank note for ten thousand taels, "If I give it to him directly, he definitely won't accept it. Tomorrow, I'll pack a bundle and stuff it inside."
Liang Xi'er covered her mouth and laughed, "That's a great idea." Liang Xi'er suddenly thought of something and asked Su Xiaoqi what exactly she was going to prepare for Brother Aze.
"Things that can help him fight." Su Xiaoqi knew the strength of the Western Frontier army, and she believed that Su Ze would need the things she prepared.