Compatibility is the most important.

The two respect each other like honored guests, each managing the household, taking care of parents, and attending to children, thus relieving him of any worries so he can wholeheartedly pursue his ideals and ambitions.

If he had married the Commandery Princess, he would likely have to devote a considerable amount of energy to family matters, and even then, it might not be enough, eventually leading to discord and growing resentment, with constant disputes.

Watching her brother like this, Xie Wanqing thought she seemed to understand Lu Ziyuan’s thoughts from her previous life a bit more.

During those two years in her dream, he was always busy, preoccupied with pursuing his ideals and ambitions. It seemed that men all have such aspirations and are unwilling to be ordinary, turning their hands to create clouds and rain, manipulating political tactics, so busy that he couldn’t see the torment she endured in the rear courtyard.

Because he was very confident, confidently believing that he arranged everything well and that she wouldn’t be mistreated.

In fact, he wasn’t wrong in his thinking. Out of guilt for his favor towards a concubine, several wives of the Lu Family indeed treated her with more leniency.

And Liu Manrou and Er Xia were wives and concubines of the second house, so as long as she was unwilling, they wouldn’t cause trouble for her, the main wife of the first house.

Her Shaoguang Courtyard was indeed quite peaceful.

As for taking concubines? Perhaps he thought that all men took concubines, and in the situation of the Lu Family, he only enjoyed the company of two women more, assuming she wouldn’t mind.

But he overlooked one thing, she was not an object; she could feel sorrow and give up hope.

He never considered that her love might gradually disappear; in his plans, she only needed to wait for him quietly in Shaoguang Courtyard.

He probably thought, like Xie YanYu, that romantic feelings were not that important.

Indeed, once something is already possessed, how would one feel its importance?

So, just like he said, until he was gravely injured and on the brink of death, he instantaneously realized what he had overlooked; it wasn’t the war, not the political adversaries of the court, not the scheming plots, but only her.

It’s only when loss is imminent that one realizes what truly matters.

Such a grievous mistake.

Xie Wanqing laughed bitterly and firmly looked at her brother in front of her, "Since it’s not important, please, brother, remember these words well, dedicate your life wholeheartedly to the nation and the people, and don’t linger on romantic affairs."

One can only wonder what Pei Yuxuan thought upon hearing his marriage settled, to a girl from the Li Family who wasn’t as good-looking or born as well as herself, especially when they hadn’t even met before the engagement was discussed.

She might think, if you can marry a girl who isn’t as good as me in every aspect and have no feelings for her, yet repeatedly refuse my advances.

Any proud girl would feel this was a great humiliation, wouldn’t she?

How much must one dislike himself to do something like this?

In any case, these two are now beyond redemption, and it’s impossible to go back.

Now, Xie Wanqing only hopes that her brother would never ever regret today’s decision.

Even if one day he finds himself moved, it absolutely shouldn’t be by Pei Yuxuan.

He has already offended her beyond reconciliation.

......

As Xie YanYu left the Capital, the last trace of intense summer heat faded away, gradually giving way to deep autumn, and the weather has become cooler.

The battle at the Northern Border was fiercely waged, with urgent military reports arriving every few days.

The Jin Dynasty, being nomadic, survives in harsh cold, eating raw meat and drinking blood. As autumn and winter arrive, the weather turns cold, they lack food and clothing, not knowing how many might starve to death.

In recent years, the waning national strength of the Great Han has been an open secret, so every year as the end of the year approaches, the iron cavalry of Jin Dynasty would become restless at the borders, all too commonly engaging in raids and plundering.

When a country weakens, its people suffer.

Women, cattle, sheep, and food are main targets of their plunder; the people of the border suffer great humiliation and are truly miserable.

But this year, let alone harassing our borders, the Jin Dynasty’s army is being decisively defeated by Lu Ziyuan, without having any chance to retaliate.

The reports reaching the Capital are more and more uplifting.

The common people share the news in excitement, everyone knowing that Prince Zhenbei has subjugated the foreign enemies, forcing them to retreat to their prairie, not daring to invade.

The Holy Emperor, in court, repeatedly praises with three "good", mentioning a huge reward for the triumphant army.

The court’s civil and military officials are extremely excited.

The Jin Dynasty at the Northern Border is considered the biggest enemy of the Great Han. Over the years, they have eyed the Great Han hungrily, no doubt biting into the Great Han’s flesh and blood for their nourishment, and now their arrogance has been dashed, which indeed counts as a great luck.

Yet, such a great news doesn’t make everyone rejoice.

For instance, the few other Princes and their consort mothers.