Chapter 560: Bolt from the Blue

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

At the Prime Minister’s residence.

Rong Shiyu and the Prime Minister returned to the Prime Minister’s residence one after another. When the Prime Minister heard that his beloved daughter had returned home, he immediately went to see her.

After returning home, Rong Shiyu went to her mother’s courtyard to pay her respects. “Mother, I’m back.”

In the courtyard, an elegant woman in her fifties was sitting there reading a book. When she heard this, she looked up and a smile appeared on her face. “Shiyu, you’re back?”

Rong Shiyu ran over and gave her mother a hug. “Mother, did you miss me?”

Her mother gently patted Rong Shiyu’s back and said with a smile, “You’ve never left my side since you were young. When you said you wanted to go out this day, I almost wanted to go with you.”

“Should 1 take you with me the next time I go out?” Rong Shiyu asked jokingly as she let go of her mother and sat beside her.

Iler mother also joked, “I don’t mind, but your father would probably lose even more sleep.”

Rong Shiyu was surprised, “My leaving home caused my father to lose sleep?” In her heart, the Prime Minister was always very serious, so this seemed unlikely.

Before her mother could say more, a slightly urgent voice came, “Finally deigned to return?” followed by the appearance of the Prime Minister.

“Father, I’ve just returned. Do you have to reproach me like that?” Rong Shiyu immediately stood upright, showing very proper behavior, but her voice was soft and full of coquettishness.

The Prime Minister snorted, with a stern father’s face but with a loving father’s tone, “Why are you standing? People might think 1 mistreat you.”

Rong Shiyu snickered and immediately sat down beside him. “Father, don’t be angry. I’m back now, aren’t I? And look at me. I’m living so well. Everyone’s praising me.”

The Prime Minister tapped his finger on the table and frowned. “The daughter of the Prime Minister doesn’t need anyone to praise her. Just stay at home and accompany your mother.”

“Father, why are you being so unreasonable?” Rong Shiyu grumbled. “Women and men can do the same thing. If you lock me up in the backyard, what’s the difference between me and a bird?”

The Prime Minister was about to get angry, but his wife gently held his arm, “Shiyu, why would you think like that?”

“Look at Qingzhi, though she’s from a farming family, she’s been involved in business, medicine, went to the Northern Border with General Tang to make contributions, solved cases in the capital with Tang Jinghong, organized a food festival. In all these, she’s no less than a man. Look at her, she even struck the princess, and the Emperor didn’t hold her accountable…”

Rong Shiyu said a lot and used Chu Qingzhi as an example. The Prime Minister was almost convinced.

Seeing himself almost convinced, the Prime Minister quickly interrupted, “Such a woman is one in a million in Daling. Shiyu, I’m not discouraging you, but you don’t have her abilities. Doing things beyond your capability will lead to trouble.”

Rong Shiyu lowered her head, fiddling with her handkerchief, “I only do what I’m capable of.”

The Prime Minister still disagreed, “But as the Prime Minister’s daughter, how can you be so publicly exposed?”

Rong Shiyu immediately said, “Then what about the Empress going to the battlefield?”

She continued, “Father, it’s not about being outside, but what you do outside. Look, I did charity work. Who would dare to criticize me for doing that?”

There was indeed none, the Prime Minister said nothing.

“Father, stop pulling a long face. Your daughter is becoming famous. You should be happy.”

The Prime Minister’s wife squeezed the Prime Minister’s arm forcefully, prompting him to quickly say, “Yes, yes, I’m happy. But you’re already fifteen and of marriageable age. You should not go out anymore.”

Shirong Rong still wanted to continue her charity work, so these words were like a bolt from the blue, “Father…”

The Prime Minister directly interrupted her, “No matter what you say, I won’t agree.”

He turned to his wife, “Let Shiyu pick a suitable young talent from the capital and stop wasting time.”

The Prime Minister’s wife nodded, “1 understand.”

The Prime Minister stood up and left the courtyard.

Rong Shiyu looked reluctant. She grabbed her mother’s hand and shook it. She was so anxious that she was about to cry. “Mother, 1 won’t marry. 1 won’t marry…”

Her mother patted Rong Shiyu’s hand, speaking with a heavy heart, “Men and women must get married when they reach the right age, Shiyu. You can’t be capricious; otherwise, you’re the one who will suffer.”

Rong Shiyu ran back to her courtyard in tears.

In the capital.

General Fan’s Residence.

“Father, let’s spar a bit.” Upon returning home, Fan Yuru headed straight to the family’s training ground, drew her precious sword, and flew towards General Fan, who was already there.

General Fan was very muscular. He had a beard and looked strong. He had a valiant aura.

“You’re finally willing to come back?” General Fan drew his long spear to meet her challenge.

“Clang, clang, clang…” The sound of the sword and spear clashing echoed around, creating an exciting scene.

Hearing that Fan Yuru was back, everyone in the residence hurried to the training ground.

General Fan’s wife, seeing her daughter and husband sparring, was extremely anxious. How could Yuru get married if she was so fond of wielding swords and spears?

Fan Jingxu sat aside, legs crossed, “Second Sister, your martial arts have improved a lot, haven’t they?”

When it came to martial arts, Fan Yuru had never slacked off. “I practice every day and strive to beat my father one day.”

“You still have a long way to go.” Fan Jingxu watched the sparring pair.

General Fan’s wife slapped Fan Jingxu on the back, feigning anger, “Don’t encourage your sister to fight and kill. If she can’t get married and stays in the residence, let’s see how you handle it.”

Fan Jingxu was unconcerned, “I’ll support my sister; it’s not like 1 can’t afford it.”

Fan Yuru laughed, “Given your words, I need to improve my skills even more.”

“Second Sister, whoever wants to marry you should defeat you first; otherwise, no chance.”

This comment immediately earned Fan Jingxu another hit from his mother, “Which young talent in the capital can surpass your sister in martial arts? You really don’t want your sister to get married.”

Fan Jingxu protected his head, looking grievously at his mother, “Mother, I was just saying. But you know, Yuan Zhongjun could definitely beat my sister.”

The general’s wife’s heart stirred at the mention of this name, “Yuan Zhongjun? The young divine doctor?”

Fan Jingxu played matchmaker while hinting to his mother, “Yes, I think Sister and Young Divine Doctor would be quite a good match.”

Fan Yuru kicked a short spear flying towards Fan Jingxu’s face, “Don’t randomly matchmake. 1 think someone like General Tang would be better.”

Fan Jingxu spread his hands, “Then you really might not get married for the rest of your life. Besides General Tang, anyone else in the capital who meets your criteria is already married.”

He suddenly thought of someone, “Oh, Second Sister, the prince from the Mobei Kingdom might meet your requirements.”

The general’s wife grabbed Fan Jingxu’s ear, “What are you thinking, sending your sister to the Mobei Kingdom?”

Fan Jingxu quickly covered his ears, “Mother, I was just saying. I didn’t mean it..”