The temperamental white moonlight is back, and the entire Marquis's family obediently calls him

Upon his triumphant return from pacifying the Northwest, Zhou Ningchuan handed over half of his military power to the emperor, in exchange for remaining in the capital.

With the advice of He Ling and Prince Wei, the emperor did not refuse and even granted Zhou Ningchuan a noble title, bestowing upon him the title of Duke Zhongjing.

It just so happens that Zhou Shixu's birthday will be coming up soon.

On that day, most of the imperial relatives and nobles in the capital came to offer their congratulations, making the Zhou residence exceptionally lively.

Lu Mingzhao instantly became a highly sought-after figure in the entire capital.

"Mrs. Lu!"

Dong Heqing saw Lu Mingzhao from afar and happily came to greet her, taking her arm and saying affectionately, "It's been a long time! Mrs. Lu is still as beautiful as ever."

She then lowered her voice slightly and said with a smile, "My family's matter was thanks to the help of the Duke and the young masters who spoke up for us. Not long ago, I was promoted to the position of Supervisor. Our two families will need to visit each other more often in the future."

Lu Mingzhao nodded with a smile.

At the beginning of the year, in order to ensure Zhou Shili's safe return home, she made a deal with Dong Heqing: if Dong Heqing could help her buy grain at a low price, she would have the men in her family help Lord Xu obtain the position of Supervisor in the imperial court.

After Zhou Ningchuan returned, the Zhou family's status rose accordingly.

For Dong Heqing, the Zhou family could offer her more than just the position of supervisor.

If the two families can maintain frequent contact in the future, there will naturally be more benefits.

Lu Mingzhao naturally understood this principle as well.

She knew all too well that in the capital, there were no permanent friends, only permanent interests.

Although Dong Heqing helped her for personal gain, Dong Heqing handled the matter well and kept her promise.

Lu Mingzhao is also willing to cooperate with such a person.

Dong Heqing smiled and said a few more words to her. When she saw Princess Wenyu walking towards her, she wisely made an excuse and left.

Princess Wenyu wore a thick layer of powder on her face today, and only by getting close could one see the slight dark circles under her eyes.

Lu Mingzhao had a guess in her mind, and asked softly, "His Highness Prince Wei... is he alright?"

Princess Wenyu gave a pale, forced smile: "It's still the same. He hasn't stopped taking his medicine for a single day, but he's getting thinner and thinner... I've tried the folk remedy that you had Duke Zhongjing find in the Northwest, but it still doesn't help."

Lu Mingzhao remained silent, unsure how to comfort him.

Princess Wenyu suddenly reached out and gently placed her hand on the back of hers: "Mingzhao, how about we go to Yunding Manor to see him in a few days?"

"Xuanzhou knew he had this condition from a very young age, so he didn't like to have much contact with people. You are a rare friend to him."

"Although he said he didn't want you to see him in such a disheveled state, I know he still considers you a friend."

"If you could see him during his time of need, he would surely be happy."

Lu Mingzhao felt a pang of pain in his heart, but nodded gently: "Okay."

A few days later, just as Lu Mingzhao was about to go out, Zhou Ming'an happened to come looking for him.

Hearing that her mother was going out, she insisted on going with her.

Lu Mingzhao thought to herself that she wasn't in a very good mood on this trip, so she might as well bring her daughter along. The two of them could chat and laugh on the way, and perhaps she would be happier when she saw Li Xuanzhou.

Lu Mingzhao led Zhou Mingan to Yunding Manor.

After more than half a year of training, Zhou Ming'an had developed the ability to protect herself, and Lu Mingzhao felt much more at ease with her. So he let his daughter wander around the manor while he went to find Li Xuanzhou.

Despite having mentally prepared herself for the journey, she still couldn't help but be stunned when she saw Li Xuanzhou's sickly state.

If Li Xuanzhou was like a dashing and romantic young man from a storybook when they first met, then his current appearance makes him seem to be "returning" to that storybook.

Seeing her expression, Li Xuanzhou couldn't help but chuckle: "What? You almost don't recognize me?"

"Have I gotten uglier? Or am I just frighteningly thin?"

Lu Mingzhao forced a not-so-good smile, sat on the stool by the bed, and hesitated to speak.

"You pity me?" Li Xuanzhou narrowed his eyes, feigning seriousness. "If you really pity me, why not do me a favor?"

Lu Mingzhao immediately asked, "What is it?"

Li Xuanzhou slowly lowered his eyes, took a deep breath, as if he were about to tell the other party something extremely important.

"Divorce Zhou Ningchuan and marry me."

Lu Mingzhao: "..."

Seeing Lu Mingzhao's familiar speechless expression, Li Xuanzhou finally couldn't help but burst into laughter. The laughter was so loud that it aggravated his lungs, causing him to cough for a while.

Lu Mingzhao sighed, poured a cup of tea, and handed it over: "Serves you right."

Li Xuanzhou still had a smile on his face: "That's right, I still prefer you when you're being rude."

"You came here only so I could see you one last time. If you maintain that pitying expression, how can I truly see the real you?"

Lu Mingzhao pursed her lips, reverting to her previous aggressive demeanor: "I just can't believe it."

People say that evil deeds live for a thousand years, so someone like you should live to be a hundred.

Li Xuanzhou pouted dramatically, "You're just feeling sorry for me."

"I told you long ago, you should divorce Zhou Ningchuan and then marry me."

Lu Mingzhao: "It's a good thing I didn't listen to you, otherwise I'd be worried about being a widow now."

Li Xuanzhou retorted, "Maybe if you marry into our family, it will bring me good luck and I'll be cured? We'll grow old together in the blink of an eye."

The two stared at each other for a long time before Lu Mingzhao finally couldn't help but burst out laughing.

After laughing, a faint sadness welled up in her heart.

Li Xuanzhou has always enjoyed being witty and eloquent, but in the year since they met, he has not done anything out of line, nor has he tarnished her reputation in the capital.

Instead, he helped her repeatedly, even knowing that she had no life-saving medicine, he was always willing to lend a helping hand.

And her attitude gradually changed from being impatient with Li Xuanzhou at the beginning to treating him as a friend.

In fact, Lu Mingzhao has a very strong personality.

He had done this before, and he didn't change much after returning.

Aside from those allies gathered for mutual benefit, she has very few people who can truly be called friends.

Li Xuanzhou is one of them.

"I've found her," Lu Mingzhao said softly.

"I will do everything I can to find out her true identity, and I hope she really does have the ability to save lives."

Li Xuanzhou was slightly taken aback, then smiled and said, "I'm happy that you have this idea, regardless of whether it succeeds or not."

Lu Mingzhao stood up, hesitated for a long time before leaving, took out a folded piece of paper from his pocket, and handed it to Li Xuanzhou.

"Take good care of yourself, I'll come see you again in a few days."

After saying this, she turned and left in a hurry.

Li Xuanzhou opened the letter with a blank expression, then smiled.

Above are three characters with somewhat awkward handwriting:

"Li Xuanzhou".