Jiuxi

Chapter 835 [Afterglow]

The 26th day of the sixth month, the 2nd year of Dingzheng in the Great Qi Dynasty.

There are no taboos and everything is permitted.

At three quarters past the hour of Wei, an eye-catching wedding procession set out from the Duke of Qin's Mansion, with music and dance, and headed towards Jiqingfang, which was also in the south city, in a lively and bustling manner.

The most unique thing about this team is the entourage. In addition to the normal concierge and other things that are required for a wedding, there are also three hundred heroic knights following them.

Even though they deliberately changed into festive clothes, the fierceness honed on the battlefield could not be concealed, which made the spectators feel very novel.

The people of the capital naturally knew that today was the wedding day of the daughter of Duke Qin and Duke Wei. Although the various districts in the south city were all residences of the powerful and wealthy, there were still many brave people who came to watch this extraordinary wedding ceremony.

When they saw the three hundred brave warriors who had followed Lu Chen in his campaigns, cheers immediately echoed on both sides of the long street, with even the clear voices of women among them - the atmosphere in the capital was always more open than elsewhere, and besides, the men and women were used to seeing dignitaries and would not be so frightened as to remain silent.

The three hundred Tiger Guards held their heads high, fearing that they would lose face for Lu Chen.

Qin Zilong was wearing a bright red robe today, looking full of righteousness.

"Brother Qin, there is a young lady in front of you on the right, smiling at you."

Someone next to him whispered a reminder.

Qin Zilong tried hard to control his facial expression. He finally managed to suppress the corners of his mouth and tried to move his eyes as inconspicuously as possible. He only took a glance and then immediately retracted it, saying through his teeth: "A young lady in her forties? Tong Wei, just wait for me."

There was a sudden burst of restrained laughter around.

The cheers of the people in the capital suddenly increased because they saw Lu Chen in the middle of the team.

This was considered an unexpected surprise. According to the customs of that era, the groom did not need to come to greet the bride in person on the wedding day. The crowd of onlookers had never expected that Lu Chen would show up in person.

Lu Chen rode on a tall horse and waved to both sides of the street, winning a burst of cheers and applause that went straight to the sky.

Fortunately, Yonghuafang is not too far from Jiqingfang, otherwise, even if the wedding procession could withstand the enthusiasm of the people in the capital, the officials of Yongjia Prefecture who were responsible for maintaining order would definitely complain bitterly.

About two quarters of an hour later, the wedding procession arrived at the Duke of Wei's Mansion.

But the middle door was wide open, and Li Liangyu, the former Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, dressed in auspicious clothes, was standing at the steps waiting in person.

Lu Chen turned over and dismounted, stepped forward, bowed and said, "Hello, brother-in-law."

According to court etiquette, Li Liangyu should of course salute him first, but on this special day today, Lu Chen knew what to do, which was to show respect to Li Bingxue.

Li Liangyu looked at his heroic brother-in-law and was filled with emotion.

He couldn't help but think of their first meeting in Jianghua City six years ago. Even though he knew at the time that this young man was no ordinary person, he could not have imagined that he would have such amazing achievements.

How many dukes throughout history have there been who have real power at the age of 25?
"Guokun invites you to meet me."

Li Liangyu collected his thoughts, returned the greeting respectfully, and then smiled and said, "My father is waiting for you in the main hall."

The two walked side by side. The Li family had their own people to entertain the wedding procession, and no complicated ceremonies would be arranged. Everything was kept as simple as possible.

"I knew you would come today."

Li Tianrun sat in the main seat with a warm smile on his face.

Lu Chen walked closer, pushed the golden mountain and overturned the jade pillar, and paid homage with great ceremony, meticulously and meticulously.

This scene surprised Li Liangyu quite a bit.

Li Tianrun seemed to have expected this. His thin face was full of relief, and he whispered, "Get up quickly."

Lu Chen stood up and sat down, and Li Liangyu tactfully withdrew.

After a brief silence, Li Tianrun said gently: "Today is a good day for you and Bingxue, so I won't nag you any more."

Lu Chen shook his head and said, "No, Uncle Li, please say a few more words. I want to listen."

Li Tianrun looked at his sincere expression and said slowly, "I shouldn't say such discouraging words when I am so happy, but even if I don't say it, you know that I have been just holding on for more than a year. This body is no longer the one that commanded thousands of troops. It has been ravaged by injuries and illnesses and is riddled with holes. When the late emperor passed away, I even thought about following him, because every day I live means one more day of pain, but I can't stop worrying about Bingxue and you."

This time he included Lu Chen's name.

Of course Lu Chen knew about Li Tianrun's physical condition. He had previously insisted on asking Xue Huaiyi to come to his home for treatment, but the answer he finally got was that he would only have about half a year at most to live.

Li Tianrun's expression remained calm, and he said thoughtfully: "Although I did not interfere with your relationship at the beginning, I did not think of marrying Bingxue to you. It's not that you are not good enough, but that you are too good."

"I know."

Lu Chen nodded, and then said: "So I never took the initiative to propose marriage, but I just felt very sorry for Miss Li."

"You don't have to feel guilty. Bingxue has a lot of things to consider, but it certainly doesn't include whether I support or oppose it."

Li Tianrun smiled carefreely, and then said: "You were born in Huaizhou and raised in Huaizhou. You had never been to the capital before you were nineteen years old. You had no connection with the late emperor and the court, and you were completely ignorant of the officialdom. Therefore, you are different from our older generation. You may not have deep feelings for Da Qi, which is a very normal situation. Putting aside the late emperor's respect and trust in you, you naturally don't trust those in power in the court. This is a point that the current emperor and the Jiangnan clans have always overlooked."

Lu Chen did not deny it.

Li Tianrun continued, "The reason why I hesitated in the past few years was because of the uncertainty about you. Brother Xiao is different from me. He is a military hero promoted and trained by Marshal Yang. He has always been wary of the court, so he handed over the Huaizhou Army to you without any reservation. At that time, I was thinking, if I hand over the foundation of the Jingzhou Army to you, you will become the most powerful minister in Da Qi in more than a hundred years. Is this a good thing or a bad thing?"

Lu Chen understood. Although the Feiyu Army had been transferred to the Dingzhou Governor's Office, and the three generals Huo Zhen, Xu Gui and Huangfu Yu had also joined Lu Chen's army, he knew that this was definitely not the entire force that Li Tianrun had been managing for more than ten years.

The real handover did not begin until Li Tianrun agreed to the marriage.

Only if Li Bingxue becomes Lu Chen's wife, will the thousands of elite warriors in Jingzhou truly recognize Lu Chen.

With this in mind, Lu Chen said sincerely: "Whether it is good or bad, the decision is not in my hands."

“A very honest answer.”

Li Tianrun smiled, looked into his eyes and said, "But it's also a very cunning answer."

Lu Chen nodded and said, "It's a bit cunning indeed, but Uncle Li should know that this is my true heart."

"I really can't ask too much of you."

Li Tianrun seemed slightly touched, and asked again: "Do you know why I agreed to your marriage?"

Lu Chen had obviously thought about this question a long time ago, and replied calmly: "Because of the defeat in Kaocheng."

At this moment, a trace of sadness floated in Li Tianrun's eyes, and he slowly said: "Yes, this is what I want to say to you the most today."

Lu Chen said solemnly: "Uncle Li, please give me your instructions."

Li Tianrun coughed lightly and said word by word, "Human power will eventually be exhausted. I have dedicated my life to Da Qi. I no longer have the energy or ability to maintain my ideals. I also know that each generation has its own mission and no one can decide what happens after death. Lu Chen, today I will marry Bingxue to you. I hope that no matter where you are in the future, you can take care of the people of Da Qi. Don't let them face the cruel knives of foreign races again, and don't let the tragedy of the past happen again."

Lu Chen stood up, bowed his head slightly and said: "Uncle Li, please rest assured, I will remember these words firmly."

Li Tianrun looked up at him and said with relief and sadness: "Okay, I believe you."

After a while, Lu Chen finally saw his new wife.

Li Bingxue, supported by several well-off ladies, slowly walked into his sight.

Since they met outside Guangling City six years ago, Li Bingxue has never shown her delicate side in front of Lu Chen. Even when she is far away from the battlefield, she always has a heroic style. No matter her clothes or appearance, she tries her best to downplay her beautiful appearance and replace it with a cold and straightforward temperament.

Until this moment——

She was wearing a bright red wedding gown inlaid with pearls, jade and painted in gold, with precious colorful pearl hairpins in her hair. She looked extremely noble and bright.

It can be said to be extremely graceful.

Their eyes met, and Lu Chen's fiery gaze made Li Bingxue curl the corners of her mouth slightly.

As the praises began, the two men came to Li Tianrun, knelt side by side, and performed the ceremony as required.

After the ceremony, Li Bingxue bowed again.

When she stood up, looking at her father's haggard face and thinking that she was about to leave, Li Bingxue's joy at seeing Lu Chen faded away quietly, and her sadness grew.

Li Tianrun took a deep breath and suddenly the scene of Li Bingxue, who was only fifteen years old at that time, pestering him to join Feiyu Camp emerged in his mind.

Nearly eight years have passed in a flash.

"Don't worry about the family, your brother will take care of it."

Li Tianrun spoke slowly, looking at Li Bingxue's slightly red eyes, and said gently: "The Li family has been loyal for generations. Although you are a girl, you are no less capable than a man. You have suffered a lot over the years and have never told anyone, but I know it in my heart and why you insist on doing it. Bingxue, you are my pride, and even more so the pride of the Li family."

"Daddy..."

Li Bingxue's tone trembled and tears finally fell.

"Don't cry."

Li Tianrun bowed slightly, held her hand and said, "Today is a good day, don't be sad, get married happily."

Li Bingxue held his skinny hand in hers. The sadness in her heart grew stronger and stronger, and she could only hold back her sobs.

Li Tianrun looked at Lu Chen again, took his hand, put the palms of the newlyweds together, and said softly: "May you live happily together for a hundred years and grow old together."

Lu Chen said seriously: "Please rest assured, Taishan, Lu Chen will not let her down."

"Okay, let's go."

Li Tianrun pulled his hand away, looked at them and said, "As a military hero, you should be more free and easy."

The two could only bow again and then walk out surrounded by a large group of people.

Li Tianrun watched quietly as the crowd gradually moved away until they disappeared from his sight.

This famous general, who had defeated the Jing army countless times, slowly leaned back in his chair, with a very complicated expression on his face, showing both reluctance and relief.

A gentle breeze blew through the courtyard. He looked at the scene outside which was gradually becoming quieter. He clasped his hands in front of him and muttered to himself.

"Your Majesty, how wonderful would it be if time stopped at this moment?"

(End of this chapter)