Chaos Ensues

Outside the barracks, the six personal guards waiting outside the fence saw Niu Youdao and Yuan Gang emerge. They wanted to approach the entrance to greet them but were stopped by the guards.

As the two came out, Niu Youdao waved his hand, "The carriage!"

A carriage was immediately brought over. Yuan Gang placed the heavy boxes onto the carriage and asked Niu Youdao, "Will you be in any danger staying here?"

Niu Youdao replied, "As long as you're quick and clean on your end, I'll be fine."

One of the personal guards asked curiously, "Daoist Master, aren't you leaving?"

Yuan Gang turned and barked, "Stop the nonsense, let's go!" He then mounted his horse.

Niu Youdao, standing nearby, instructed, "Make a big scene!"

Yuan Gang nodded, indicating he understood. He turned and called to a few people, and they quickly departed.

Ju, who had arrived at the fence, stared at the scene unfolding before her. Seeing that even a carriage had been prepared, she realized they were confident they could borrow money from the General.

Niu Youdao turned around and saw her. He nodded slightly, smiled, and walked past her, returning to the barracks.

Ju glanced back at him, then quickly left the barracks, following Yuan Gang's direction.

Yuan Gang didn't go far. As soon as they reached the street corner, he immediately summoned six personal guards. Some got into the carriage, while others gathered around the outside, watching.

Inside the carriage, Yuan Gang opened the box. The gold coins inside shone brilliantly, causing a stir among the onlookers. They exchanged glances, surprised at how much money had been acquired so quickly. It was obvious it came from the barracks, and that Daoist Master was truly capable!

Yuan Gang began distributing the money, filling a bag for each of four men. He ordered them to go in pairs to purchase supplies. The locations and prices were already listed on a prepared manifest, instructing them to buy directly from the designated places and then meet at a specified location with their purchases. There was only one requirement: the task must be completed well and quickly.

The two groups took the money and dispersed. No one knew what Yuan Gang's plan was, but they followed his orders.

Yuan Gang, taking the remaining two men and most of the money, left.

Ju, following behind, saw the group split into three directions and didn't know which one to follow. In the end, she followed Yuan Gang, as he clearly appeared to be the leader. However, she didn't let the other two groups go unnoticed. She quickly recruited a few shop assistants from a nearby store. Once she revealed her identity, the assistants dared not disobey and followed her instructions to monitor the movements of the other two groups.

Yuan Gang's first stop was a silk shop. After entering, he purchased a batch of the finest silks and brocades, paying a deposit and requesting that the shop deliver the goods to the designated location within the specified time. The shopkeeper was overjoyed to have such a generous customer and assured Yuan Gang repeatedly that there would be no mistakes.

Leaving the silk shop, his second stop was the best jewelry store in the city. As before, he paid a large deposit and ordered a pile of exquisite jewelry.

Money was being spent like water along the way.

Ju followed behind, somewhat confused about what Yuan Gang was planning. Finally, she saw Yuan Gang go to a theater troupe and bring out a group of musicians and singers, unsure of where they were going.

Upon arriving in the city center, Ju found the area to be extremely lively. There were carts and horses laden with goods, followed by herds of cattle and sheep, and baskets of chickens, ducks, geese, and swans. The people from the three groups had already met Yuan Gang here. The staff from the jewelry store arrived with trays of jewelry, and the shopkeeper from the silk shop, along with his assistants, delivered their goods. As per the prior arrangements, they provided attentive service, helping to load the carts, and tying festive red ribbons onto the baskets and carts of other items.

Yuan Gang directed everyone to wear red sashes and ribbons, and the group busied themselves.

Crowds gathered along the streets to watch the spectacle, many looking on with envy. They were heard discussing, "Whose wedding is this? What a grand display!"

Ju, among the onlookers, was also curious. It certainly looked like a wedding. Was it a send-off, or a procession to welcome the bride?

The personal guards who had come to assist were also a bit bewildered. What was Master Yuan up to?

Seeing that everyone was adorned with red sashes and ribbons and ready, Yuan Gang signaled the six guards to position themselves fore and aft, left and right, to provide escort. He then took the lead, shouting to the troupe of musicians behind him, "Get lively and follow me!"

The sounds of gongs, drums, and wind instruments immediately became boisterous and lively, drawing cheers from many in the crowds on both sides.

Yuan Gang waved his hand, riding a tall horse at the front, leading the grand procession. Many people followed along, wanting to see whose wedding it was. Ju was also among them, filled with curiosity.

The final destination of the grand procession left Ju somewhat stunned: the Prefect's Mansion of the commandery city!

The Prefect's Mansion was heavily guarded. A cleared space was in front, with barricades set up around the perimeter, manned by a squad of soldiers. Upon seeing the approaching procession, the guards became highly vigilant, and weapons were instantly bristled. However, the guards were also taken aback by the festive and lively wedding procession, unsure of what was happening.

A detachment of soldiers emerged from behind the barricades and blocked the approaching wedding procession. The general leading them shouted, "Who goes there?"

Yuan Gang, seated on his horse, announced loudly, "Commandery King Yongping, Shang Chaozong, has come to welcome Feng Ruonan, daughter of the Prefect of Guangyi Commandery!"

'Yongping' was Shang Chaozong's enfeoffment title. After Shang Chaozong's incident and imprisonment in the Capital City, his hereditary princely title of 'Ning' had been revoked, and he was demoted from Prince to Commandery King. The enfeoffment title of 'Yongping' clearly indicated the Imperial Court's attitude towards Shang Chaozong.

Upon hearing this, Ju, who was observing, was a bit confused. Welcoming a General? So, all this was to welcome a General?

The six personal guards were also dumbfounded. The Prince is getting married?

Some of the surrounding citizens were astonished, while others cheered. For some, Commandery King Yongping, Shang Chaozong, was famous. But for the people in this region far from the Capital City, many had no idea who Shang Chaozong was. Hearing the title 'Commandery King,' they knew he was a person of high status. Which Prince was marrying General Feng?

The people who had come to block the way were also bewildered. Those behind the barricades exchanged glances. Was this really happening? How could they not have heard any news? For such a significant event, why was there no commotion from the Prefect's Mansion?

The young general who had asked the question was dumbfounded. Yuan Gang dismounted and presented a large red gift list with both hands, saying, "This is the wedding gift list. Please present it to the Prefect, General!"

"..." The young general hesitated, unable to make such a decision. He asked Yuan Gang to wait and then ran into the Prefect's Mansion to report.

Yuan Gang, unhurriedly, cupped his hands towards the cheering crowd, thanking them for witnessing the event.

The reason for this surprise approach was that Shang Chaozong's reputation was severely tarnished due to his association with Prince Ning. If he had visited directly, he probably wouldn't even have been able to meet Feng Lingbo's people. Feng Lingbo would most likely not want to get involved in such trouble.

As soon as the commotion reached the Prefect's Mansion, it caused chaos. Some people rushed to the entrance to see what was happening outside, while others climbed onto the walls to look. It was indeed a long string of wedding gifts, with countless carts loaded with them.

Shortly after, the young general returned and invited Yuan Gang into the Prefect's Mansion. No one else was allowed inside.

Ju also emerged from the crowd. While others couldn't enter, she had no problem entering the Prefect's Mansion. She was still a bit confused and needed to go in to figure out what was going on so she could report to Feng Ruonan.

Outside the main hall of the Prefect's Mansion, many people gathered, whispering among themselves, both men and women.

Inside the main hall, there were only a few people. A tall, thin man with a short beard, dressed in a brocade robe, paced back and forth with an imposing demeanor, exuding authority. However, his expression was rather displeased. He was Guangyi Commandery's Prefect, Feng Lingbo. Beside him sat a tall, elegantly dressed woman, holding the gift list and examining it. She was Feng Lingbo's wife, Peng Yulan.

"The items on this gift list are worth no less than ten thousand gold. As expected of a Commandery King, he throws around ten thousand gold for amusement!" Peng Yulan let out a cold laugh.

As soon as Yuan Gang entered the Prefect's Mansion, he was immediately seized by axemen who swarmed from both sides. He was also struck a few times, but Yuan Gang did not resist, allowing himself to be captured and bound.

Tied up with ropes, Yuan Gang was pushed into the main hall. He stood rigidly, showing neither worry nor fear, his composure undisturbed by honor or disgrace.

It was clear this wasn't a fabricated display. Feng Lingbo's eyes flickered as he silently praised, What a man! But outwardly, he let out a cold snort, "Who are you? How dare you impersonate the Commandery King Yongping to claim the bride?"

Yuan Gang calmly replied, "I am Yuan Gang, a humble soldier under the Prince. I am indeed here on the Prince's orders to claim the bride, and I have not impersonated anyone!"

"Yuan Gang?" Feng Lingbo sized him up. According to the information he had, Shang Chaozong did indeed have someone named Yuan Gang under him. "Even if you are Shang Chaozong's man, when did I ever agree to marry my daughter to him? Does the noble Imperial family not understand basic etiquette?"

Yuan Gang said, "Some shortcomings are unavoidable in such haste, but the betrothal gifts presented by the Prince are filled with sincerity!"

"Ridiculous!" Peng Yulan slammed the table and threw the gift list at Yuan Gang's face. "You think this meager offering is enough to marry my daughter?"

Yuan Gang replied, "Madam, the gift list you just saw was merely for show, to maintain appearances for others. The truly significant gifts have not been presented. The other gift list is with me, containing substantial gifts that are guaranteed to please both the Prefect and Madam!"

The couple exchanged a look. Feng Lingbo nodded in assent, and immediately someone stepped forward, reached into Yuan Gang's embrace, and after a struggle, forcibly retrieved another gift list. It was then handed over to Feng Lingbo.

Feng Lingbo opened the gift list. After just a glance, his eyelids twitched. With a snap, he quickly closed the list and looked at Yuan Gang with a mixture of shock and uncertainty.

Peng Yulan was surprised. What kind of gift could make her husband lose his composure like this? She reached out and snatched the gift list from Feng Lingbo's hand. With a touch of curiosity, she opened it. To her astonishment, after just one look, her pupils suddenly constricted. With a snap, she too quickly closed the list, as if afraid of being seen.

Suppressing his inner surprise, Feng Lingbo pointed at the people peeking from outside the door and barked, "What are you gawking at? Get lost!"

The men and women outside immediately scattered and ran off, quickly restoring quiet to the courtyard.

Feng Lingbo scrutinized Yuan Gang and said gravely, "Are the items on the gift list genuine?"

Yuan Gang replied, "I am not the chief envoy for the bride-claiming. I also have not seen the gift list and am unaware of its contents. I am merely acting under orders. The chief envoy is someone else, and he should be aware of this."

Feng Lingbo narrowed his eyes. "Since you are here to claim the bride, why is the chief envoy absent? Isn't that discourteous? Is this how one claims a bride?"

Yuan Gang said, "It's not that the chief envoy is unwilling to come, but rather that he cannot come even if he wanted to. The chief envoy is currently being held captive in the barracks by your daughter, Feng Ruonan, and his life is likely in danger at any moment."