Chapter 325: Plump or Slim, Each Has Its Charm

Mu Yuanzhi sat down with her head drooping and spirits low. She of course knew she had gained weight; it would be strange if she didn't notice after looking in the mirror every day.

But being pointed out still made her especially disheartened; indeed, not going out was the right choice.

"Besides, it doesn't affect beauty at all—plump or slim, each has its own charm," Qi Shihuai added.

Gu Rongjin thought, "You little brat, you actually know how to speak!"

Mu Yuanzhi listened, her eyes lighting up again: "Really? General Qi, you're not lying to me?"

Qi Shihuai lifted his teacup, saying, "As General, I always speak straight."

Mu Yuanzhi was happy now; thank goodness, as long as she didn't become ugly.

"Shihuai, what brings you here?" Gu Rongjin hurried to get to the point to stop Qi Shihuai from spouting nonsense.

Qi Shihuai took a sip of tea and said, "What else could it be? It's just that lately the Emperor has been inscrutable about this matter, and Xiao Di's mental state is visibly poor—I'm even a bit worried about him."

"So you actually care about your cheap apprentice?" Gu Rongjin found it strange, thinking, "I thought you were heartless."

"That choice wasn't what I wanted in my heart; it was the correct choice after weighing pros and cons," Qi Shihuai said.

"Pah, no matter what, I'd always choose my wife," Gu Rongjin scoffed.

"You keep saying she's your wife, but she's also my wife."

""

This person really makes one's teeth itch with hatred!

Gu Rongjin decided not to continue this blood-pressure-raising topic, and went on: "We still think the Emperor is waiting for the fish to bite."

"Hopefully," Qi Shihuai said, taking another sip of tea.

"How come, you also lack confidence in the person you chose?" Gu Rongjin teased.

"The ruler's heart is hard to fathom," Qi Shihuai replied noncommittally.

"That's true; all we can do is wait."

Of course, he had no intention of sitting idle; he had secretly arranged everything, and if anyone really dared to move against Xiao Yuanzhi, he would not let it go.

Qi Shihuai said, "With such nice weather, why don't you go out for a stroll? Mid-Autumn Festival is coming soon; it should be lively outside."

He switched the topic to a lighter direction.

Mu Yuanzhi's heart stirred for a moment, then she gave up: "Forget it, what's there to see? Just those two streets."

Qi Shihuai couldn't help but laugh; he of course understood what Mu Yuanzhi meant—she felt her figure had changed and didn't want to go out.

"But not going out to clear your mind, staying cooped up at home all day, isn't good for adults or children."

Qi Shihuai said.

Gu Rongjin thought the same, but he didn't say it, mainly because his wife really disliked going out, and he didn't want to force her.

If Qi Shihuai could persuade her, that would be great.

After hearing that, Mu Yuanzhi felt it made sense; indeed, even if the princess's mansion were huge, it couldn't compare to the openness outside, the view wasn't good, and staying like this every day would worsen her spirits.

"General Qi is right; we should indeed go outside to relax a bit."

Having said it, they did it; Mu Yuanzhi rose, stretched, and said to Gu Rongjin, "Let's go, Rongjin, let's hit the streets!"

Qi Shihuai said, "That's more like it—I heard there are fireworks to watch tonight; tonight is the Little Lantern Festival, you two as a couple should go out and celebrate."

"Yeah, if you hadn't mentioned it, I would have forgotten tonight is the Little Lantern Festival."

It's a folk holiday that's become popular in recent years—the Little Lantern Festival before the Lantern Festival, whether as a warm-up or an early celebration, it's quite lively.

In previous years she would always go out to have fun.

Of course, those memories of going out to play are now anything but pleasant.

Forget it, I don't want to think about it—how annoying!

"Will General Qi join us?" Mu Yuanzhi asked politely.

"Although I know you're just being polite, but if I, the General, agreed, what would happen?" Qi Shihuai said, looking at Gu Rongjin.

Gu Rongjin was speechless: "You're just being funny."

"As the General, I'm a lone bachelor—can you really bear to do that to me?"

"Who made you a lone bachelor? You're already this old and still haven't taken a wife—don't you know everyone outside is saying you're into men?" Gu Rongjin mocked.

Qi Shihuai curled his lips: "Who knows?"

"Then stay away from me!" Gu Rongjin immediately stepped back a few paces.

"Don't flatter yourself—you're just not that good," Qi Shihuai said with disdain.

"Seriously, do you like men or not?" Gu Rongjin smirked: "If so, I'll have to keep Xiao Di away from you."

Qi Shihuai also smirked: "Guess."

Gu Rongjin took Mu Yuanzhi's hand and said, "Little Yuanzhi, do you see this? This person really deserves a beating; let's quickly send a memorial to the Emperor to impeach him!"

"Go ahead, impeach however you like," Qi Shihuai said indifferently.

He glanced at the sky and said, "It's getting late; you should go out shopping, and as the General I should head back."

Gu Rongjin: "You came to my place just to chat a bit?"

"Yeah, anyway, being idle is being idle."

"Don't you have to go to the barracks?" Gu Rongjin asked, "drill and such."

"Today's a day off, the Little Lantern Festival."

"Still on leave? You little brat, you gave yourself the day off, huh?"

"Anyway, the Emperor doesn't care—I'm leaving."

"Go on, then."

Gu Rongjin, Mu Yuanzhi, and Qi Shihuai saw them off at the door, then they themselves went out to the streets.

Today is the Little Lantern Festival; outside it's very lively—before dusk even arrives, the streets are already hung with colorful lanterns, and they'll look even better after dark.

Gu Rongjin bought a really big carp lantern for Mu Yuanzhi, "Do you like it?"

"Nice!" Mu Yuanzhi took the huge carp lantern, her eyes lighting up.

When she was little, she especially liked these big lanterns, but the Pei brothers who gave her flower lanterns always said such big ones were awkward to carry, so they specially picked small rabbit lanterns, monkey lanterns, and the like to give her.

Of course, she was very happy back then.

Actually, the lanterns are cute; it's just the people who are bad.

Mu Yuanzhi shook her head, shaking off the annoying memories, and strolled through the market holding her beloved carp lantern together with her beloved person.

They wandered and ate along the way, and before they knew it, night had fallen.

Having learned from the last lantern festival, Gu Rongjin tightly gripped Mu Yuanzhi's hand, to prevent her from being shoved away or bumped into her belly.

"Little Yuanzhi, shall we go to the Old Matchmaker's Temple?" Gu Rongjin asked.

Whether it's a big or small lantern festival, the Old Matchmaker's Temple is always the liveliest spot, everywhere filled with young men and women making wishes and couples coming to fulfill their vows.

"I already have you, so why would I still go to the Old Matchmaker's Temple?" Mu Yuanzhi asked with a laugh.

"Let's go just for fun, to join the lively crowd—want to go?"

We've pretty much explored this street; if we don't go to the Old Matchmaker's Temple, there's really nowhere left to go—could it be that we're heading home already?

It was no easy feat to persuade her to come out for a stroll.

Moreover, I don't know if it's because of the lively atmosphere on the street, but the wife has no appearance anxiety and has been having a great time.

Mu Yuanzhi thought for a moment, felt that the Old Matchmaker's Temple was indeed quite lively, could go for a stroll, and besides, she hadn't been there in a long time, so she nodded and agreed.