Flowers Bloom from Battlefield

The morning of the third day, Jun Hua woke up rather early. She had to visit her grandfather today according to the usual procedure. She applied light makeup and dressed up finely before looking for Soujin.

Soujin had woken up even earlier than her and started his morning practice. Looking at the intense practice Soujin had, she wondered if he was currently preparing for war again or just to warm up. The amount of training he had had surpassed the norm by far.

"You've prepared yourself?" Soujin asked as he put his sword down.

Jun Hua nodded her head, "My grandfather must be waiting for me. I don't want to make him wait for too long."

"I see," Soujin assessed Jun Hua's appearance before moving his gaze away. He changed his clothes and prepared himself before taking her into a carriage. As a prince, his carriage was far grander compared with when he was only a general from Nanglong Family.

Sitting in the carriage, he sighed. "You shouldn't dress up too much just to meet your grandpa."

"Even if he's that shameless," Jun Hua put a wry smile, "He's still my grandfather that I love."

"Compared with me?"

Jun Hua tilted her head in confusion. "You two cannot be compared. You're my husband, the one who will accompany me through lifetime while he's my grandfather, who had helped me grow up. You two are important, but you're different."

Soujin's lips curled up when he heard the word lifetime. She's right. They still have a long time onward and he will spend his entire lifetime with her on his side. He didn't know how long it will be, but he knew that he will stay by her side for that long too.

Previously, he sulked a little from seeing how finely she dressed up to see her grandfather. After hearing her words, he no longer thought about it anymore. After all, she won't be seeing her grandfather for a long time anymore while she will stay by his side for a long time.

Jun Hua can sense that this man's mood had just changed. She wondered if a man was also similar with women who could change their emotion so easily, not knowing that she was the reason for his changed mood.

Upon their arrival, they could see that Jun Zhenxian already waiting for them. His face was flushed red, obviously excited and happy.

"Grandpa," Jun Hua greeted politely. "How are you these days?"

"This old man didn't have many things to do, you lass," Jun Zhenxian smiled kindly. He really wanted to hug Jun Hua, but he didn't dare to do that or someone will be ready to chop his one hand off.

"Should I recommend the emperor to give you more tasked, Grandpa?" Jun Hua asked mischievously.

"You brat," Jun Zhenxian chided. "How's your day in your new place? Does he hurt you?"

Seeing her grandfather preparing to beat up Soujin the moment she complained, Jun Hua's mouth twitched a little. If he really dared to hurt her, he would need to face off the angry her first rather than her grandfather. Besides, there was no way he would want to hurt her after they have waited so long for this day.

"He didn't hurt me, Grandpa. Don't think too much about it," Jun Hua said in helpless tone. She wondered if her grandfather knew that he was not a match for Soujin. From the way he said it, it seemed that he would do anything to get revenge for her if someone mistreated her.

"Your uncle is not here, so there are no other people aside from me. Let's just talk together," Jun Zhenxian allowed them to come in.

Jun Hua and Soujin followed after Jun Zhenxian led. She took the chances to look around the place. It has been some time since she stepped inside this place again because of many things. When she returned to Ming City, she didn't return here too because she had to prepare for her marriage in her residence.

Jun Zhenxian brought them to the living room and asked the servant to prepare pastries and drinks for them. He looked towards Soujin with inquiring eyes.

"Is there anything you want to talk about, General Jun Zhenxian?" Soujin asked politely.

"Don't call me general anymore. I hadn't touched my sword for years anymore," Jun Zhenxian said. "Living peacefully is better, and I'm content with my life just as Jun Zhenxian."

"Didn't the Emperor ask you to hold the position as minister, Grandpa?"

"…I reject it."

Jun Hua didn't know what to say. The position of a minister was an honor and normally many people would do their best to get that position. In the entire land, probably only a handful of people would be like her grandfather, rejecting the position.

"Let's just play chess, Grandpa. We hadn't played for a long time already," Jun Hua tried to change the conversation.

Jun Zhenxian nodded his head, but Soujin speak up, "This prince asked for permission to challenge General Jun Zhenxian in chess."

"You should just call me 'grandfather'," Jun Zhenxian frowned.

Jun Hua's mouth twitched when she heard the notion from her grandfather. Didn't he know that Soujin had weird relationship with his own grandfather despite the two actually cared with each other to the point that he didn't want to call him 'grandfather'? Why her grandfather suddenly asked for something like that?

"It would be inappropriate, General Jun Zhenxian."

"Fine, let's just play. You wait on the side, Hua'er. Grandfather won't lose."

Jun Hua just nodded her head as she took the book on the side, preparing to read throughout the day. During her time reading, she could hear the sound of her grandfather cursing and asking for another rematch over and over again.

"This is only a coincidence! One more time!"

"You won't be getting away like that. I won't lose!"

"The result is draw for six times, General Jun Zhenxian. Have you grown tired?"

"I haven't tired yet, youngster! Don't misjudge this old bone!"

In the end, Jun Hua was the one stopping them from playing. Somehow the two of them would always end up in draw. Even after ten times playing, no winner can be seen.

"Hua'er, don't stop us! This is a challenge as a dignity of man!" Jun Zhenxian roared.

"It will be noon soon, Grandpa and the two of us had to return before the sun set or it will break the tradition," Jun Hua said helplessly. If they went any longer than this, it would be said that she loved her family too much and other. She was tired of facing those useless rumors about women.

Jun Zhenxian was reluctant, but he couldn't do anything as he let them go. The two men promised to have another rematch on other day.

On the carriage, Jun Hua looked towards Soujin with a grin. "You and my grandfather are similar in a sense."

"Don't compare me with your grandfather," Soujin pulled her into his embrace. "I bet your grandpa would not do something like this."

Jun Hua was truly speechless by this man way of changing the direction of a topic. She looked upwards. "What I mean is, the two of you really hate to lose."

"Of course."

Jun Hua secretly thought to herself. 'I should have added one more thing… shameless.'