After the commotion, and after sending off the guests, Xie Yunxuan finally saw the portrait of the twins.

He held it in his hands and looked closely for a long time, concluding, "They both look like Mingzhu."

Mrs. Guan said, "I think they look like Ah Zhen. Look at Zimu’s mouth, it’s just like Ah Zhen’s. The Commandery Princess was very fond of it, saying that seeing Zimu is like seeing Ah Zhen when he was a child."

The old madam favored boys over girls, and she preferred Zishan.

But for Princess An He, as long as they were Xie Yunzhen’s offspring, she liked them both boys and girls.

Xie Yunxuan knew full well what kind of temper his aunt had.

He rubbed his thumb over the drawing paper, lightly touching the child’s round face.

Even though he hadn’t seen them in person, just seeing the portrait warmed his heart with joy.

"Such beautiful children, it’s no wonder my aunt is fond of them."

Mrs. Guan agreed.

The siblings looked like children from New Year’s paintings, so festive that even the old madam, who favored boys over girls, praised Zimu’s looks.

How could such dragon and phoenix twins not be precious gems?

After gazing at the portrait for some time, Xie Yunxuan rolled the scroll up and returned it to Mrs. Guan.

He teased, "Keep it well. Children change every day. By the time they return to the capital, they’ll have grown and changed. We’ll only have the portrait to remember what they looked like when they were little."

Mrs. Guan chuckled, "They’re still little tots. There’s no need to talk of remembering."

But still, she carefully put the scroll away herself.

Perhaps when she gets older with grandchildren and children aplenty, she could take the portrait out and reminisce about the past.

Her son had finally returned to the capital, and Mrs. Guan wanted him to rest well.

But she couldn’t help but start talking about marriage again.

"Your elder brother and Mingzhu have kids, Yun Ling is engaged and will be married by the end of the year. What about you? Still planning to stay single?"

Xie Yunxuan never spoke of wanting to remain single.

He had long acknowledged reality and saw no reason to unsettle everyone.

When he first went to Shu, he thought he wouldn’t be back for three to five years.

Unexpectedly, he was called back to the capital so soon.

Xie Yunxuan knew his elder brother had paved the way for him. If he continued to be difficult, it would not only harm brotherly ties.

Even Mingzhu... would be implicated.

She might be scolded by the elders, accused of being a femme fatale that sowed discord among brothers.

In his youthful heart, she had been a girl he genuinely liked, and Xie Yunxuan only wished her well.

He discreetly let out a sigh, "Marriage has always been a matter for parents to decide, with the matchmaker’s word. Mother, you and father can make the decision for me."

The more agreeable he was, the more conflicted Mrs. Guan felt.

Thinking back, Xuan’er was a carefree and unrestrained youth, who once traveled widely, seeing the world.

Having tasted freedom, how could he willingly entrust such a major life decision to his parents?

Mrs. Guan, with a heartache for her son, also felt that if he let go of Mingzhu and was willing to marry and have children, it was a good sign.

Her feelings were extremely conflicted.

She said, "Once the list is settled, you can have a look first. If there’s a girl you’re not fond of, your father and I won’t force you to agree."

Even if they couldn’t be in love, mutual respect would still be a fine thing.

Xie Yunxuan nodded, "I’ll listen to you."

Mrs. Guan said no more, "You’ve been traveling so long, you must be tired. Go back to your yard and rest, and pay respects to the old madam tomorrow."

"Alright, you should rest early too, Mother. Busy with Yun Ling’s affairs and also worrying about your son, you haven’t had much rest, I suppose."

Seeing Xie Yunxuan off to a thousand miles away from the capital, Mrs. Guan had been uneasy.

Especially during the quiet of the night, constantly worried if her son was in danger or if he was well.

Now that he had safely returned to the capital, albeit tanned and thinner,

Mrs. Guan could finally lower her worried heart.

"Go on, I’m just fine, no need to worry about me."

It was getting late, and Xie Yunxuan was indeed tired, thinking to rest well for a night so he could be with the elders in the mansion tomorrow.

And meet with Lan Ci the day after tomorrow.

This was his future brother-in-law, and he wanted to understand the man’s character more.

If something was amiss, he would have Yun Ling stop herself before it was too late.

Although Xie Yunxuan had not shown early prominence like Xie Yunzhen, who wielded power at a young age.

He was still genuinely talented and learned.

Even without Xie Yunzhen in the capital, he could manage and handle everything in the mansion.

Compared to some noble families where the younger generation couldn’t shoulder responsibilities, the Duke Mansion’s situation was much better.

Lan Ci had already sent the betrothal gifts, and Xie Yunling was preparing for marriage, either doing needlework or learning the rules for married life every day.

She genuinely liked Lan Ci, hence she was very earnest in her studies.

She hoped that in the future, she could get along with Lan Ci, loving each other until old age.

Everything was proceeding in an orderly manner.

Xie Yunling felt a tad regretful that Sister Mingzhu and the two nephews and nieces wouldn’t be able to attend her wedding.

She heard that after the wedding, Liu Xu was going to the frontier to do business, and Xie Yunling was extremely envious.

She wished to go along.

Liu Xu visited the Duke Mansion, bringing new offerings from Ruyi Residence.

And saw Xie Yunling in passing.

Upon hearing her words, Liu Xu jested, stirring trouble without concern, "As long as you convince Lan Ci, I’ll take you with me."

Xie Yunling really considered it.

After all, once married, they would have plenty of time together.

But going to the frontier might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Zimu and Zishan had been born for so long, and she hadn’t seen them even once — wouldn’t it be such a pity?

"Sister-in-law, I want to go with you!"

Xie Yunling, with a resolute expression, seemed to have made up her mind.

Liu Xu, caught mid-sip of tea, almost choked on her tea stem, "Are you serious?"

"Why not?"

Xie Yunling said earnestly, "Sister Mingzhu is very important to me, I want to see if they are doing well."

Liu Xu felt somewhat complicated.

She had dealt with many noble ladies, but had seen few with a heart as genuine as Yun Ling’s.

Would such a girl not suffer in the future?

She said, "Your Sister Mingzhu is doing very well. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have the energy to do business with me. If I take you away right after your wedding to Lan Ci, wouldn’t I become the culprit?"

Knowing Lan Ci’s sly ways, Liu Xu thought that if he knew Yun Ling wanted to go as far as the frontier with her, he might send her off early.

Liu Xu gave a teasing look, and the yet-to-come-of-age girl, Xie Yunling, blushed.

She murmured, "Then I’ll discuss it with him first. If it really doesn’t work, after your business is settled, I can go to see what it’s like inside and outside the pass, and how people do business on both sides."

Though the capital is vast, to Xie Yunling, she had grown weary of staying there.

If possible, she wanted to see more of the outside world.

At that moment, she envied Liu Xu immensely.

Although she had no lifetime companion, her freedom to come and go, wasn’t that happiness in itself?