I've announced that I'm destined to have many children, and my father has bestowed upon me

The suona horn was high-pitched, and the gongs and drums were deafening.

The grand procession, like a long crimson dragon, began to slowly move along the main road of the imperial city.

The streets were already packed with people who had come after hearing the news.

Children frolic and play among the crowd, chasing after the flower petals and lucky money scattered by the procession, their laughter ringing out.

The adults, meanwhile, craned their necks, discussing amongst themselves the figure at the very front of the line.

"This spectacle... my god, even when the Second Prince married his principal wife, it wasn't this extravagant!"

"Who can argue with that! The Sixteenth Prince only married a concubine, yet he used the imperial regalia, with the Imperial Guards clearing the way! This favor is simply boundless!"

An old, scholarly-looking monk shook his head, full of suspicion.

"I don't understand, I really don't understand anymore. First it was the tribal saintess, and now it's the only daughter of the chariot general. This sixteenth prince is clearly a useless person who can't cultivate, how come he has such good fortune with women one after another?"

"Shh! Keep your voice down! Are you out of your mind?"

A businessman next to him lowered his voice, his face showing a hint of mystery.

"I've heard that someone saw the Princess Consort a few days ago. Her complexion and demeanor were completely transformed! It's said that the Sixteenth Prince has some kind of... special constitution that brings good fortune to his wife!"

"Really? Is that even possible?"

"It's almost certainly true! Otherwise, do you think General Li is a fool? Would he push his precious daughter into a fire pit?"

These whispers, carried by the wind, drifted sporadically into Zhao Chen'an's ears.

He sat astride a magnificent dragon horse, his posture upright, his bright red wedding robe highlighting his handsome face and exuding heroic spirit.

He simply laughed off the comments.

A wife who brings good fortune?

That's an interesting point.

However, it turned out to be a lucky accident.

His gaze swept past the throng of people, looking toward the end of the long street, where the imposing silhouette of the General of Chariots and Cavalry's mansion was already in sight.

Before long, the procession stopped in front of the general's mansion.

The mansion gates were wide open, and the entire place was decorated in a festive red.

The servants and maids of the Li family were already lined up and waiting, but each of them had a complex and indescribable expression on their face.

Zhao Chen'an dismounted swiftly and decisively.

He looked up and met the imposing figure standing in the center of the mansion gate.

General of Chariots and Cavalry, Li Qingcang.

He had also changed out of his cold armor and was wearing a dark red brocade robe, but the fierce and bloodthirsty aura of someone who had been through many battles still emanated from him.

Li Qingcang's gaze lingered on Zhao Chen'an for a long time.

This is the young man.

This is the young man whom the entire capital city thought was a good-for-nothing wastrel.

His Majesty's words and that unpredictable finger strike from last night still echoed in his mind.

The Great Dao Heavenly Evolution Scripture!

The Heavenly Rank cultivation technique was passed on to him, an outsider!

His motive was actually for his son-in-law!

Everyone says His Majesty dotes on the sixteenth prince, but isn't this going too far?

An absurd yet seemingly the only reasonable thought once again grew wildly in Li Qingcang's heart.

Yes!

It must be!

It must be the sixteenth prince's mysterious birth mother!

Legend has it that the concubine's origins are shrouded in mystery. She left quietly not long after entering the palace, leaving behind only the sixteenth prince, who was still an infant.

His Majesty's unusual favor and indulgence towards the Sixteenth Prince may not be solely due to pity for his inability to cultivate.

Perhaps the mysterious birth mother is also involved!

That's why he had to marry off his daughter to ensure that the Li family would always stand behind the Sixteenth Prince!

He looked at Zhao Chen'an, and the complex emotions that were originally scrutinizing and somewhat unwilling instantly transformed into a deep sense of emotion.

"cough."

Li Qingcang cleared his throat, stepped forward, and stood in front of Zhao Chen'an.

He looked Zhao Chen'an up and down, deliberately putting on a stern face.

"Your Highness."

Zhao Chen'an smiled and cupped his hands in greeting: "Father-in-law."

The word "father-in-law" sent a shiver down Li Qingcang's spine.

His carefully cultivated authority vanished instantly.

Enough, enough. My daughter has figured it out herself. Why am I, as her father, still arguing about it?

But he still stuck his neck out and put on an air of authority as an elder.

"Qingluan was spoiled by me since she was a child, and her personality is a bit... arrogant."

"If she does anything wrong in the future, you...you should be more tolerant of her."

Even he himself felt unsure of his own words.

He paused, then raised his voice.

"Although my Li family is not a prestigious family, we still prepare a sufficient dowry for our daughters."

"Ten thousand taels of gold, a thousand bolts of silk, and thirty-six loads of rare and precious treasures."

"In addition, I also assigned her three hundred personal guards, all of whom were female soldiers selected from the best in my Li family army, each of whom could take on ten men."

At this point, Li Qingcang leaned closer, almost touching Zhao Chen'an's ear.

"They only obey Qingluan's orders. Your Highness, do you understand what I mean?"

This seemingly harmless threat carried a strong implication of "My daughter is not to be trifled with, you better watch out."

Zhao Chen'an almost burst out laughing.

This general is truly endearing in his straightforwardness.

He suppressed his smile and nodded solemnly.

"Don't worry, Father-in-law."

"If Qingluan marries me, I will use everything I have to protect her for the rest of my life and never let her suffer the slightest grievance."

His words were sincere, without a trace of falsehood.

Li Qingcang was taken aback. In those clear eyes, he saw a calm and composed expression.

This boy seems to have really changed.

"...That would be best."

Li Qingcang muttered something and stepped aside to make way.

According to custom, the groom must personally carry the bride out of her boudoir and onto the bridal sedan chair.

Zhao Chen'an strode into the general's mansion.

The mansion was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, filled with a joyous atmosphere.

Led by the matchmaker, he soon arrived at Li Qingluan's boudoir.

As I pushed open the door, a faint, pleasant fragrance wafted into my nostrils.

Inside the room, Li Qingluan, dressed in a phoenix coronet and embroidered robe, with a red veil on her head, sat upright on the edge of the bed.

Two personal maids stood to the side, their faces also showing tension and excitement.

"Your Highness..."

Zhao Chen'an waved his hand, signaling them to leave.

He walked to the bedside and looked at the slender figure in front of him.

"Qingluan, I've come to pick you up."

Under the veil, Li Qingluan's body trembled slightly.

She didn't speak, but simply nodded slightly.

Zhao Chen'an no longer hesitated. He half-squatted down and turned his back to her.

"Come on up."

After a moment's hesitation, a pair of soft arms gently encircled his neck.

Zhao Chen'an stood up easily and carried her on his back.

It's very light.

This was his first impression.

The sweet fragrance emanating from her body lingered around my nose, and her soft body pressed against my back, a wonderful feeling welled up in my heart.

He carried her on his back, step by step, out of her boudoir, through the courtyard, and back to the gate of the mansion.

Li Qingcang watched as the young man steadily carried his daughter on his back, walking step by step towards the magnificent bridal sedan chair, and felt a mix of emotions.

My precious daughter, whom I've raised for over a decade, has now become someone else's child.

He sighed deeply, like an ordinary old father, his eyes even slightly warm.

Zhao Chen'an carefully helped Li Qingluan into the sedan chair and lowered the curtain.

"Father-in-law, we're leaving."

"Go, go."

Li Qingcang waved his hand, as if to shoo away a fly.

"Let's go home!"

The master of ceremonies shouted again.

The sounds of gongs, drums, and suonas rang out again, and the grand procession turned around and headed towards the residence of the Sixteenth Prince.

Li Qingcang stood alone in front of the mansion gate, watching the crimson dragon gradually disappear into the distance, vanishing at the end of the long street.

The feigned authority on his face finally crumbled completely.

He raised his rough, calloused hand and rubbed his sore eyes.

"well……"

A long sigh filled the air with the melancholy and reluctance of an old father marrying off his daughter.