Xie Wanqing also found it novel. Although the Great Khan doesn’t place much emphasis on the separation between men and women, it was her first time seeing so many men coming and going in the courtyard.

The pampered girl raised in the inner chambers found her eyes sparkling upon seeing new people and things.

Lu Ziyuan took her into a courtyard, saw her expression, and smiled, "So happy?"

Xie Wanqing gave a snort and ignored him.

Lu Ziyuan wasn’t upset. He looked around and introduced, "This is our living courtyard. The front is the reception hall and study. Some of my Deputy Generals have brought their families’ women here. If you’re bored, you can call them for a chat. Tell me if you need anything. If I’m not here, I’ll leave either Ming Feng or Ming Jian at home, so don’t let yourself feel wronged."

He paused and said, "As long as you want, you can go anywhere in this General Mansion."

Xie Wanqing was slightly taken aback.

In the residence of a military leader, there were secrets that many outsiders wanted to spy on, yet the place was unguarded against her like this.

But these words reminded her of the scene from her past life when she broke into his study.

As if knowing what she was thinking, Lu Ziyuan lightly coughed and said cautiously, "I really fainted that time, and it was by no means intentional to keep you out."

Before they were married, she could go in and out of his study at will. As for the rules of the Lu Family, he never took them seriously.

...She also didn’t think about it. If he didn’t fully trust her, how could he have allowed her to go in and out of the heavily guarded study before they were married?

Did she think his territory was open to anyone?

Thinking this way, Lu Ziyuan felt a bit aggrieved, but more so he felt heartache.

He had seen with his own eyes the day this girl silently shed tears. How could he not feel pained?

Xie Wanqing remained silent.

The study incident indeed dealt her a heavy blow, almost destroying all her expectations of him.

But she couldn’t bring herself to voice any resentment.

The grievances one can express are expectations for the other to explain, console, and coax.

But now, she could no longer open her wounds to tell him about her feelings from that day.

The two stayed silent for a while, and aside from the two soldiers standing at the courtyard entrance, there was no one else in the courtyard.

Lu Ziyuan said, "I asked Ming Jian to find a group of maidservants for you. Let him bring them over later for you to take a look and choose a couple of clever ones to attend to you closely."

A well-bred young lady can’t manage without attendants around her.

Clothing, jewelry, cosmetics, and other things girls need must also be arranged properly.

She was taken away with nothing, not even a hairpin. Hastening back on this journey, there was no time to shop.

Fortunately, although it’s the border, the Northern Border is still a city, so everything that should be available is there.

With just a command, things are handled.

Lu Ziyuan reached out and patted her little head, asking, "Does it feel too harsh?"

The wind and sand sweep across the Northern Land, especially in winter, where the biting wind feels like a knife cutting one’s face. At this moment, Xie Wanqing, dressed in fox fur with a large hat, her fluffy collar tightly wrapping half her face, shook her head and said, "No, I find it quite interesting."

Although the living conditions aren’t as refined as in the Capital City, the freedom here is palpable. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

’Freedom’ was a word very unfamiliar to her in this life and the past.

Raised in a Marquis Mansion and married into a high-ranking family, surrounded by servants and living in a decorated life, it couldn’t be called freedom.

Even though she was truly cherished by her father and brothers, even though the Great Khan’s customs were relatively open.

If it were in the previous dynasty...

Xie Wanqing’s eyes curved in a smile, "Can I go out for a walk?"

Lu Ziyuan was taken aback, then nodded, "Of course you can, just remember to take the guard with you."

Under his command, there was no habit of raising incompetents. Needless to say, Ming Feng and Ming Jian, and the other Deputy Generals were all incredibly brave; even the ordinary personal soldiers could fight ten men.

Receiving his permission, and confirming he had no intention of confining her, Xie Wanqing smiled more genuinely, waved her hand at him, and said, "You are, after all, the commander-in-chief of an army. Suddenly leaving for so long, there must be a lot of army affairs waiting to be handled, so there’s no need to keep me company."

She had heard that a few days ago he ordered an attack on the Jin Dynasty, changing the passive defensive stance of recent years to taking the initiative to strike.

As soon as the battle started, he had gone to Zhe State, leaving Ming Jian here to oversee things. Now that he’s back, how could he not be the least bit anxious, accompanying her and talking about these minor matters?

Lu Ziyuan, understanding her concern for the nation and people, smiled and said, "Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing. With Jin Wuji’s death reported, the Jin Army will definitely be uneasy and panicked. There’s no rush to attack them now; they will fall into chaos themselves. I need to avenge you first. The Great Khan has many corrupt officials; let’s straighten things out before discussing anything else."