RMACAUH Chapter 33
by VolareChapter 33 Chapter 33 That fellow called Feng Yue is actually you, you rascal!……
The wedding was arranged in a hurry. The day before yesterday, the Imperial Astronomical Observatory obtained Wei Xiaofeng’s birth date for good fortune.
The next day early in the morning, people from the Imperial Household Department came to discuss the betrothal gifts and wedding matters with the Wang House steward.
After some discussion, Feng Yue picked up the gift list and glanced at it. The memorandum was folded into several pages, “Everything must be prepared according to the highest standard.”
The chief steward of the Imperial Household Department smiled and said, “Your Highness, this is already the highest standard.”
“Then send those few baskets of fireworks over as well!”
“Yes, certainly.”
Before the auspicious hour, the servants loaded the betrothal gifts onto several large carriages.
Subsequently, the betrothal procession set off in a grand manner towards the Wei residence.
A Wang 可 marrying a *fu lang* was something that hadn’t been seen in a hundred years. Spectators crowded the official road to watch the spectacle. If the Golden Guard hadn’t cleared the way in advance, it would have been impossible to pass.
Su Qingzhi invited several good friends from the capital to have tea at the First Pavilion. Looking at the long betrothal procession on the official road below, she couldn’t help but feel jealous.
“I don’t know what kind of luck Wei Xiaofeng has! How could the Wang 可 have taken a fancy to him?”
“Someone as vulgar as him will soon be disliked by the Wang 可.”
“But I’m still very envious of him. He really has a good life!”
……
Su Qingzhi elegantly sipped her tea and said with a smile, “What’s there to envy? Do you really think the Wang House is such a good place? Besides, there’s never been a precedent of royalty marrying a *fu lang*. You know, Feng Yue lost his claim to the throne because of him.”
As soon as these words came out, the other *fu lang* felt a chill.
They couldn’t help but lower their voices and began to gossip.
“So, Wei Xiaofeng marrying into the Wang House is actually falling into a fire pit?”
“Logically speaking, the position of Crown Prince should have been inherited by the Guangling Prince. To lose the throne because of this, tsk… Wei Xiaofeng is in trouble!”
“My heavens! I was still envying him earlier. If Qingzhi hadn’t awakened me from my dream…”
“I don’t think there are many betrothal gifts either. The carriages are big, but there are only ten of them.”
“Should we follow and take a look?”
Su Qingzhi seemed to have already anticipated what would happen next, and said with a look of disinterest, “You guys go. I won’t join in on this excitement.”
“Then we’ll go first!”
“Mm.”
The entrance to the Wei residence’s alley had never been as lively as it was today. Seeing the betrothal procession, the steward had people light two strings of firecrackers to welcome them.
The Wei family head, along with his wife, dressed in brocade robes, had been waiting at the entrance early on.
The carriage slowly stopped at the entrance to the alley. Feng Yue was the first to step out of the carriage, stepped forward, made a bow to the Wei family elders, and said smoothly, “Father-in-law, Mother-in-law, today, I, the son-in-law, have come to present the betrothal gifts, sincerely welcoming Wei Xiaofeng into the family. This is the betrothal agreement. Please, Father-in-law and Mother-in-law, take a look.”
“Esteemed Son-in-law, you are too polite.” Wei Xinhe felt uneasy receiving his bow and quickly stepped forward to help him up.
Feng Yue instructed, “Have the betrothal gifts carried inside.”
The chief steward of the Imperial Household Department stepped forward with a smile, took out the gift list, and began to publicly count the gifts and items.
“Betrothal goose jade, a bundle of silk on horseback, a thousand bolts of colored satin.”
“Betrothal of a hundred acres of fertile land, a villa in the Northern Garden of Western Capital.”
“Betrothal of a pair each of century-old lingzhi mushrooms, ginseng, and deer antlers, four cans of Lion Peak Longjing tea.”
“Betrothal of a pair each of luminous pearls, jade ruyi scepters, jade pendants of flying celestial sheep fat, and jadeite cabbage.”
……
Among the large and small items, the Imperial Household Department steward read for two quarters of an hour. All were top-grade rarities. Taking out any single item would be enough for an ordinary person to live a lifetime without worry.
Finally, the Imperial Household Department steward paused and announced, “Betrothal of five hundred taels of gold.”
That Qin woman shuddered and couldn’t help but excitedly grabbed Wei Xinhe’s hand, “Husband, it’s five hundred taels of gold!”
“Tsk!” Wei Xinhe cleared his throat and quietly reminded her, “So many people are watching. Don’t lose your manners.”
Wei Xinhe’s breathing became a little faster. Five hundred taels of gold was indeed something he had never seen before!
Watching boxes of glittering gold being carried into the residence, the Wei couple gripped their hands tightly. This royal wedding was indeed magnificent.
“Your Highness, please come inside quickly. Tea, fruits, and pastries have already been prepared.” Wei Xinhe invited Feng Yue into the residence.
Qin gave tips to the stewards and servants who came to present the betrothal gifts one by one, smiling from ear to ear.
Feng Yue and Wei Xinhe were having tea in the front hall, while in the backyard, Wei Xiaofeng was as anxious as an ant on a hot pot, pacing back and forth in the room.
“Why aren’t Mother and Acai back yet? They’ve been at the front hall for so long!”
If it really didn’t work, he would go explore himself. Just as he opened the door, he saw his mother and Acai leading several servants carrying several baskets of things in. The baskets looked quite familiar.
The servants usually had indifferent faces when they saw Wei Xiaofeng and didn’t greet him much. Today, they were all smiles, acting obsequiously, respectfully bowing before leaving.
Sang Acai happily stepped forward and said, “Xiaofeng, can all these fireworks and firecrackers be lit? Were they sent specially for our courtyard?”
“I guess so?” He really sent them over!
Wan Lingxiu seemed to have not yet recovered from the shock. Although she came from a wealthy merchant family in Chu, she had never seen so much gold and treasure all at once!
“The royal family is truly generous, with a solid foundation. Although the number of betrothal gifts isn’t many, they are all priceless treasures,” Wan Lingxiu sighed again.
Wei Xiaofeng didn’t care much about these things, but he asked her vaguely, “Is he, is he happy?”
“How could he not be happy? I saw that his mouth was grinning from ear to ear! Who wouldn’t be happy marrying a wife?” Sang Acai took a look at the firecrackers in the basket.
Wei Xiaofeng finally felt his heart fall, “That’s good, good is good…”
If he wasn’t willing and was marrying him solely for the sake of reputation, then there was no need.
In the front hall, Feng Yue was sitting on the upper seat, as if he was sitting on pins and needles. Wei Xinhe finally noticed his impatience and didn’t try to engage him further.
Feng Yue stood up and said, “I have some private words I want to say to Xiaofeng. Father-in-law doesn’t need to prepare a meal. I’ll return to the Wang House after I’ve spoken with him.”
“Alright, alright, I’ll have the steward lead…” Wei Xinhe hadn’t finished speaking when Feng Yue had already walked towards the backyard.
“Hey, he…” Wei Xinhe stretched out his hand as if to hold him back, awkwardly held it in mid-air, and then dejectedly lowered it. “How does he know where Xiaofeng lives in my backyard?”
Qin was dumbfounded: “I don’t know either!”
According to etiquette, the new couple shouldn’t meet before the wedding, but their wedding customs were different from ordinary couples, so they didn’t adhere to this aspect.
Feng Yue arrived at the courtyard where Wei Xiaofeng was located with practiced ease. He happened to see Xiaofeng pacing back and forth under a banyan tree in the courtyard, as if hesitating about something and unable to make up his mind.
“Xiaofeng.”
Suddenly hearing Feng Yue’s voice, Wei Xiaofeng thought he was hallucinating. He looked up and actually saw him.
“Why did you come?”
“Today is the betrothal, so I naturally had to come.”
“No, I mean… why did you come to the backyard?”
Feng Yue looked at his uneasy appearance and felt a slight pain in his heart, “Let’s go for a walk together. I have some words I want to say to you. I’ll leave after I’ve finished speaking.”
“Okay.” Actually, he had also been hesitating whether to go find him and clear things up.
The two walked side by side in the courtyard corridor. Although the scenery in the courtyard was far inferior to the Wang House’s magnificence, it was still unique and delicate.
Wei Xiaofeng took a deep breath, mustered up his courage, and looked up at him: “Actually, if you’re not willing, we can think of other ways. I know, I know you’re being forced. I caused you to lose the position of Crown Prince. If you don’t have to marry me, you’ll still have a chance to stay in the capital, and there’s a good chance…”
“I want to marry you.”
“What?”
Feng Yue turned Wei Xiaofeng’s body around, looked into his eyes, and said with sincerity, “I’m marrying you voluntarily, not being forced. Actually, from the first time I saw you, I was fond of you.”
Wei Xiaofeng was so shocked that he couldn’t speak for a moment. Was he really not mistaken?
“This time, it can also be considered an opportunity that made me make many different decisions.” Feng Yue smiled in relief, “Before this, I had too many concerns, always thinking about waiting until everything was stable, seeing the current situation clearly, and having the confidence to control my own destiny, then I would marry you.”
“But, things never go as planned. Hiding, being apprehensive, yet still things went against my wishes.”
“Moreover, I lost the position of Crown Prince not because of you. Even if there wasn’t you, even if there wasn’t what happened a few days ago, that position wouldn’t have been given to me.”
“Not choosing you?” Wei Xiaofeng privately felt injustice for him.
Feng Yue naturally took his hand. Wei Xiaofeng only felt a heat in his palm, letting him hold it as they walked forward.
“According to the rules of passing it on to the legitimate son, not the illegitimate, and passing it on to the eldest, not the talented, this position should have fallen on my eldest brother. It’s not my turn, let alone my second brother!” Speaking of this, Feng Yue’s eyes darkened.
“Being in the midst of the game, one doesn’t know the game. By the time one knows, one is already an outsider.” Feng Yue sighed softly, “You and I have become husband and wife. After the New Year’s Festival, we will go to Guangling. Although it’s not as prosperous as the capital, it’s not a barren place either. I will treat you well. It’s not like we won’t ever return to the capital. If you miss your family, I will accompany you back. Is that alright?”
Wei Xiaofeng’s eyes welled up with a sour feeling. He nodded vigorously, “Alright.”
“Xiaofeng, don’t worry, don’t be afraid. In this life, I won’t let you suffer any grievances.”
“I believe you!”
Feng Yue couldn’t help but laugh and gently pinched his soft, smooth cheek, “From now on, we’ll be together, sharing life and death, honor and disgrace.”
Wei Xiaofeng felt a warm current surge through his body because of these words. This sense of reliability made him feel very at ease, as if the clouds had parted to reveal the moon. He leaped with joy and began to be full of anticipation for the future.
“Now that I’ve finished speaking, I should return to the Wang House.”
Wei Xiaofeng reluctantly squeezed his hand: “Do you have to go back?”
“Reluctant to part with me?”
Wei Xiaofeng’s handsome face turned red. He was a little embarrassed, but he generously admitted, “I just feel like I’m starting to like you…”
“Just starting to like me?” Feng Yue teased, “So you didn’t like me before?”
“Before, before I didn’t dare to like you,” Wei Xiaofeng said softly and aggrieved.
Feng Yue looked at his appearance and couldn’t bear to tease him any further. He pulled him into his arms and kissed the top of his head, “I have to return to the Wang House to prepare for our wedding. Be good, go back to the courtyard and set off firecrackers!”
Wei Xiaofeng didn’t want to appear so insensible, so clingy and annoying, so he pretended to be generous and gave him a *fu* bow: “Then, Wang 可, I’m going back to the courtyard.”
“Don’t sleep too soundly tonight.”
“Why?” This is too difficult for people!
“I want to come under the moonlight and knock on your window.”
“Ah?” Wei Xiaofeng didn’t understand for a moment. His figure had already quickly disappeared before his eyes. After turning around and walking a distance, he suddenly realized.
When he turned back, he was nowhere to be found.
Wei Xiaofeng felt a surge of frustration and blurted out, “That fellow called Feng Yue is actually you, you rascal!”
*
Just as Feng Yue got out of the carriage, Steward Zhao hurriedly greeted him and helped him, whispering, “Your Highness, Yunhua is back, and he brought back a young gentleman.”
Feng Yue was excited: “Where is he?”
“He’s waiting for you in the study.”
“Mm.” Feng Yue flew to the study, pushed open the door, and saw Mu Yunhua standing in the study with his arms folded, with a long sword, waiting for him to come over.
Hearing the sound of the door opening, Mu Yunhua turned his head sharply and made a respectful bow: “Lord.”
Feng Yue bolted the door and asked in a low voice, “Where is he?”
“He’s been brought back and is now placed in the villa. Does the Lord want to go see him?”
“It’s not too late to see him later.”
Feng Yue walked into the study and took out a scroll from the blue porcelain painting cylinder in the corner.
“Come forward.”
“Okay.”
Feng Yue unrolled the scroll. This was a map of the suburbs of Beijing, drawn in great detail. The topography could be clearly seen at a glance.
Feng Yue used chess pieces to mark the important locations and said succinctly, “We have two thousand soldiers stationed here in the suburbs of Beijing. Shanhaiguan is the only way to enter Beijing. This place is dangerous, easy to defend and difficult to attack. In about ten days, my maternal grandfather’s army returning to Beijing will definitely pass through here. We must meet them a few days in advance to help them pass the checkpoint safely and escort them back to Beijing.”
Mu Yunhua understood immediately: “Does the Lord mean that the old general will be ambushed on his return journey?”
Feng Yue: “The Chen family’s merits are too high, overshadowing the lord, and the Emperor has been wary of them for a long time. How could he easily let them return to Beijing safely?”
Mu Yunhua nodded thoughtfully with his chin in his hand, as if he had made some kind of decision, slapped his palms on the table and cursed angrily: “Son of a bitch, a bunch of ingrates! Dare to attack the old general, I’ll tear these bastards apart!”
Feng Yue gasped and stared at him silently for a long time.
Realizing that something was wrong, Mu Yunhua scratched the back of his neck with a smirk, “Didn’t, didn’t I have time to change? I won’t curse anymore! Really, I promise! Believe me, Lord!”
“Mm, I believe you, I believe your evil!”
Feng Yue rolled up the map and slammed it hard into Mu Yunhua’s chest, “I only have you available now. No one in the capital is trustworthy, but it’s only for this period of time before the New Year. After staying here for these days, we’ll have to leave here, so we don’t have to be restrained anymore.”
“Leaving Beijing?!” Mu Yunhua heard this great news, and he restrained himself from laughing. He didn’t like these noble people in the capital pretending to be powerful, and he was finally able to leave.
“Then we’ll return to Qingyang City?”
“No, we’re going to Guangling.”
Mu Yunhua made a bitter face: “I thought I could return to Qingyang City to see my mother and younger sister.”
“After we settle down in Guangling, we can bring them over.”
Mu Yunhua quickly made a bow to Feng Yue: “Thank you, Lord!”
“Mm, right now, there’s still one thing I need you to do.”
“Please tell me, Lord.”
“The eunuch Yuan, who was sent to my side by the Empress, is a spy.”
“His mother… probably isn’t someone I know.” Mu Yunhua cleared his throat and asked in a slow tone, “The Empress sent him to your side, how could he be a spy?”
“I’m not very clear about the reasons. Let’s discuss it after Grandfather returns to Beijing.”
Mu Yunhua nodded.
“Find the right opportunity tonight and tie him up.”
“Do you need to use torture?” Mu Yunhua clenched his fists, his eyes showing a fierce look.
“Not for the time being. Just tie him up. I haven’t decided how to deal with him yet.”
“Oh, right, when this subordinate returned, I saw the mansion decorated with lanterns and colorful banners, and full of red lanterns. What happy event are you celebrating?”
“Mm.” Feng Yue responded lightly, but couldn’t hide the pride between the lines, “I’m getting married.”
Mu Yunhua stared at him, his mind not turning, “Getting, getting married? You just returned to Beijing once, and the Emperor is arranging marriages for you?”
“It’s not an arranged marriage. I voluntarily want to get married.”
“If you’re handsome, you’ll attract romance quickly! Is it that Wei fifth brother?”
“How did you guess it was him?”
“This subordinate’s eyes aren’t blind.”
Feng Yue smiled and went to the villa to see the legendary tenon and mortise genius, Shang Mingyu.
At the small couch in front of the window, he saw a *fu lang* wearing an elegant blue shirt, with a thin fur shawl draped over his shoulders. He didn’t know what kind of fur it was, but it was sparse and coarse.
People from Jiangnan always have an unspeakable water town tenderness, delicate and elegant, sitting there is a landscape painting.
His ten fingers were slender and beautiful, and he was drawing something on the sketch with charcoal.
Even Feng Yue didn’t notice when he approached.
Feng Yue glanced at the drawing he was drawing, and at a glance he could see that this was a topographical map of the area near the Chu River basin.
There were also many scales and numbers marked on it, as well as some difficult to understand symbols.
After lying down for a long time, Shang Mingyu leaned back in his chair, and Feng Yue’s handsome face was reflected in his eyes, causing him to be stunned for a while.
This young man was really good-looking, with a face like jade, a tall figure, and a natural noble air and heroism that was unlike ordinary people.
Shang Mingyu couldn’t help but sigh secretly, quickly regained his mind, got up and made a bow, “Presumably this is the Guangling Prince! Mingyu has met the Guangling Prince.”
“There’s no need to be so polite, Young Master Shang.” Feng Yue looked at him for a while, then turned his eyes to the water conservancy drawings on the case, “Is this a water conservancy map related to water management in Chu?”
“That’s right.”
“Young Master Shang’s talent is truly admirable.”
“Your Highness, you praise me too much. A thousand-mile horse still needs a Bole. Mingyu can appear here, thanks to His Highness’s appreciation!”
“Are you willing to contribute to water management in Chu?”
“That’s natural! It’s just a pity that Mingyu was born a *fu lang*, and his words are weak and lightly regarded. I can’t enter an official career.”
This person is really good, generous, confident, and steady, and his pattern and vision are not ordinary.
“Since this Wang has let you come here, there will be a time for you to display your talent. Just relax and wait.”
Shang Mingyu gave a deep bow to Feng Yue, “Thank you, Your Highness!”
He turned his head and looked at the water conservancy map on the table that was about to be completed with deep and distant eyes, further strengthening the belief in his heart.
Fifteen years ago, a flood took away his home and family. Seeing the tragic situation of villagers displaced and starved to death, he vowed that one day he would save the people of the world from floods and enable them to settle down and live in peace.
Over the past ten years, he has not been afraid of severe cold and scorching heat to travel thousands of miles through mountains and rivers, and worship famous artisans as teachers to learn the art of building tenons and mortises, just to benefit the people.
Now he has finally come to the capital, and there is no difficulty that can make him shrink back.
“If you need anything, please tell the maids or the steward in the mansion, so I won’t delay Shang Gong’s map making.”
This sound of Shang Gong made Shang Mingyu’s eyes sour for some reason. He had suffered too much ridicule and contempt, and very few people would understand his seriousness and efforts.
Watching Feng Yue leave, Shang Mingyu couldn’t help but sigh in his heart that people still have to go to higher places. A summer insect cannot be talked to about ice, and a well frog cannot be talked to about the sea. Only by seeing the vastness of the world and the magnificence of the mountains and rivers can it be easier to find a confidant.
*
At midnight, everything was silent, and a treacherous figure sneaked into the courtyard where the servants lived without anyone noticing.
Mu Ronghua jumped nimbly from the window and entered Eunuch Yuan’s bedroom.
The person in the tent had already opened his eyes when he entered the courtyard. Knowing that he was approaching, he was still able to remain motionless, leisurely changing his position to continue sleeping.
Mu Ronghua turned the dagger in his hand, thinking, “Since he is a spy, he can’t be kept. Tonight, I’ll let this young master take care of you, you castrated dog! To eliminate future troubles!”
Mu Ronghua’s methods were crisp and neat. He raised his knife towards the person in the tent, and just as it was about to hit, he felt his wrist flicked away by a clever force. The knife was deflected and stabbed into the cotton of the pillow.
Just as he was about to see clearly, the old castrated dog’s quilt was thrown at his face, and everything in front of him was pitch black.
Mu Ronghua pulled out the saber from his side. The saber was as sharp as mud, and with a light stroke, the quilt in front of him was split in half and fell to the ground, the cotton scattering everywhere.
Eunuch Yuan unhurriedly put on his outer garment, a sneer on the corner of his mouth: “Boy, you’re too rude.”
“Heh, old dog, come and die!”
Eunuch Yuan lightly pulled the silver thread with his fingers, “You’re being pretentious. When Grandpa was killing all over the world and was invincible, you weren’t even born yet!”
“It’s a coincidence,” Mu Ronghua leaped up, and a knife struck Yuan Eunuch like a broken bamboo, “I’ve grown to be twenty years old, and I’ve never lost a fight! Die, Grandpa!!”
A trace of coldness flashed in Eunuch Yuan’s eyes, and the silver thread in his hand changed in thousands of ways. Mu Ronghua’s knife was only a few millimeters away from him, but he couldn’t control it and was imprisoned in mid-air.
Mu Ronghua smiled evilly, released the knife in his hand, and slid two short daggers from his sleeves. His figure was extremely fast. One knife went towards Yuan Eunuch’s neck, and the other went towards his waist.
Eunuch Yuan used the silver thread to leap into the air, his toes lightly touching the silver thread. In the eyes of unknowing people, it was like a demon, able to float in mid-air.
“Damn it, what kind of old monster are you?!”
Seeing him in a state of anxiety and exasperation, Eunuch Yuan was extremely comfortable. He liked to see him scolding and cursing, but unable to get rid of him.
“Boy, come again!”
Mu Ronghua is not only good at using long swords, but also an assassin’s trick that is difficult to defend against.
After Eunuch Yuan learned dozens of his moves, he admired him and said, “Boy, our family sees that you are a talent…”
“Shut up, you castrated dog, I won’t enter your East Factory!”
“You don’t appreciate kindness! Our family will kill you stupid bird today!”
After another fierce fight, Eunuch Yuan was more like walking the dog, and Mu Ronghua was teased to the point of losing his temper.
Eunuch Yuan didn’t want to play with him anymore. He slapped him unconscious with one palm, ready to carry him on his back and throw him into the yard.
Just as he grabbed one of his arms, he saw Mu Ronghua suddenly open his eyes. Eunuch Yuan was greatly alarmed. It was too late to dodge. Mu Ronghua blew a mouthful of gray smoke at his face, and Eunuch Yuan fell to the ground dejectedly.
“You brat…” Before he could finish speaking, he had fainted.
Mu Ronghua performed a carp jump, twisted his neck, and smiled slyly: “Deception is never too much. You’re old, can you young people be active in fighting?”
After speaking, he took out the rope and tied Eunuch Yuan up.
It’s no wonder that their lord was reluctant to kill him. If this person could be subdued for his own use, it would be really great!