Cao Peizhi could recall the first time that he had encountered war, he was terribly injured on the battlefield when he was surrounded by enemies all around. No one survived that bloody battle, he had no one until a horse had managed to come out of its way to save him from death’s door. “I would not be here today if it weren’t for him.” Petting his horse’s head, he held a light smile. Telling his story to Lin Ning, she listened as it was quite fascinating that a horse would make its way to save him in such a bloody battle when most would choose to run.

“Wow, that is truly amazing. I would have never thought that this horse was so brave.” Lin Ning petted Cao Peizhi’s horse, loving how this horse had managed to save him from death. “I’m glad that he saved you.” Lin Ning said slowly, but Cao Peizhi had managed to hear it very clearly as it made his heart skip another beat.

“Young miss! Young miss! The master and madam are looking for you!”

It was until her two guards had to take Lin Ning home, remaining at the hunting ground would not be good if they continued to stay.

“Brother Pei, I hope that we can have more time with each other in the future. Do not think that you are bothersome to me.” Lin Ning waved goodbye as she followed her guards back to the carriage that she was riding back home in.

There was a funeral that was going to be held for the fifth princess as the empress was in mourning with the emperor. Cao Peizhi watched Lin Ning leave as he felt that her life would be a little more steady for now. Since there was going to be a mourning period, then the emperor would surely not be able to have another woman brought into his harem until the mourning period was over. Thinking again, he still needed to think about his final decision if he wanted to marry Lin Ning. ‘Can I really make her happy?’

***

Lin Ning had been resting easily for days, it felt like her life was slowly coming back together which she felt really happy about in the very least. She finally asked Hun Cuifen about the arm, which Lin Ning was surely happy about. She had been happy for days, knowing that all she needed now was for Cao Peizhi to approve of it. ‘I do not know if he will approve of such a thing though!’ Not knowing for sure, Lin Ning sighed heavily in her heart since it was still hard to get a good response from him at some point. Lin Ning had to say though, her father and mother had been in quite a bit of a tough spot ever since the fifth princess had died. Her father had been struggling with the emperor who barely managed to get the court meetings through the day while her mother worried about her father all the time while he was away. It was hard to truly be helpful around the entire place when things were still a struggle. Humming a song, it felt like another inspiration had come in mind which she knew that she may not be able to do much, but bringing the smiles back to her parents face was enough.

“Where is Ning’er?” Lin Ning’s mother did not know where her daughter had gone, hoping that she was fine.

“I’ve been so busy with the emperor that I have not gotten the time to spend with you all.” Viscount Lin had been busy with the court affairs that he had not gained any time for his family. ‘The good thing is that the emperor has been mourning so much that he has forgotten about my daughter. As long as my daughter can be safe, then I do not have to worry about a thing. I need to speak to Cao Peizhi if I can.’ He knew that he could cancel the offer, but then again he debated since he wanted his daughter to be happy at the same time. He knew about Cao Peizhi’s background, but he preferred his daughter to be happy if she could get along with this man. Coming up to them was Xia Ling, being sent by her young miss to get her parents.

“Madam Meng, young miss wishes for you both to come to the courtyard.” Xia Ling had led them both inside to see the petals falling yet again at a good time. Hearing their daughter playing the zither again, it was soothing, calm, and peaceful. All together, it made it all ease their mind as if everything that they had to worry about had vanished.

Lin Ning had hoped that her song was able to make everyone feel at ease when life right now was not in the best situation. Listening for some time, Cao Peizhi was there to see that she had set up the place for them to feel at ease and relax. Once she finished, she looked to see his relaxed her parents were by her song. “Mother. Father. It hasn’t been easy for quite some time. I hope that we will still spend time together like this. This song I had written about a father who is forced to leave his family while they wait every day for his return. Even though they do not always get the chance to see each other, they always manage to find a way to come back together.”

Her mother and father had gone up to her, taking her into their arms with joy. “En, we will still be together for a long time.” Her mother was obviously moved with tears since she fully understood the song.

“You cannot make this old man cry. He will lose his dignity.” Hearing her father after, it made her smile to see that he was still the same old man even though he had been busy with court affairs that he had been so serious about.

“Father. Mother. I love you both the most in the entire world.” Lin Ning hugged them both tightly, hoping that they would still be able to remain the same happy family after everything settled down.

***

“Master, were you going to visit Miss Lin again?” Xia Ling had gone up to the rooftop, not knowing if he wanted to come see the Young miss.

“No, just keep an eye out on them. I will come another time to see her when I can.”

“Master, you will be going out to the border again. I know that the Ma State is starting to rebel back. You will be going back into the battlefield. How will you be able to meet Miss Lin again?” Xia Ling did not want to pressure her master, but if he were to miss this chance now then he would likely not be able to meet her again. Cao Peizh knew as well that if he were to have this chance then there was no other. He was going to set out to the border to find the Emperor of Ma State’s men who had been lingering into the Zhao State with secret messages.