I'm marrying Feng Ruonan?

After she left, Feng Lingbo, who had been pacing and thinking in the room, called out, "Someone!"

A servant entered. He pointed to the secret letter on the desk and said, "Deliver this to Niu Youdao!"

"Yes!" The servant took the secret letter and left.

Niu Youdao was temporarily staying in the guest courtyard of the Prefect's Mansion, under guard.

Under the lamplight, Niu Youdao read the secret letter over and over. Wang Heng? He didn't know who Wang Heng was, nor had he heard the name. However, judging from the content about being escorted to the Capital City, he knew that besides the Song family, there was no one else in the Capital City he had offended. It wasn't hard to guess who wanted to harm him.

This was nothing. He had already mentally prepared for the Song family's revenge, so it wasn't strange. What he found interesting was Feng Lingbo showing him this secret letter. It held many implications, naturally including an attempt to scare him.

"The Song family probably already knows. It seems Tang Susu didn't manage to fool them. Old Lady Tang might have lifted a rock only to drop it on her own feet!" Niu Youdao handed the secret letter to Yuan Gang beside him.

After reading it repeatedly, Yuan Gang asked, "Who is Wang Heng?"

Niu Youdao shook his head slightly. "I don't know. He's definitely related to the Song family. Someone who can speak with Feng Lingbo in that tone must have a high status. A casual inquiry should be enough to find out who he is."

Yuan Gang was silent for a moment, then tentatively asked, "If the Song family retaliates against the Shangqing Sect, will Tang Yi be implicated?"

Niu Youdao's eyelids drooped slightly. "Does that matter?"

Yuan Gang fell silent and said no more. He brought the paper in his hand to the candlelight and burned it...

The night in the mountains was exceptionally bleak. The white banners on the bamboo poles swayed gently in the wind. Beside the new graves, a bonfire crackled. Shang Shuqing sat on the ground, playing the zither. The melody was mournful and evoked sadness.

The departed were honored and remembered with the sound of the zither.

Shang Chaozong stood nearby, hands behind his back, gazing at the blurry figures under the moonlight. His mind was filled with a thousand thoughts. He recalled the boundless glory of his family in the past, and in the blink of an eye, they had fallen so low, like stray dogs, living in constant fear. The years spent in the dark prison were etched into his memory, sometimes feeling like a nightmare.

All the sudden changes and misfortunes had passed. He didn't resent anyone. If he had to blame anyone, it would only be himself for his incompetence. More than anything, he felt lost, a sense of uncertainty about his future.

Looking at his sister playing the zither before him, she was incredibly intelligent, gentle, virtuous, and accomplished in everything from calligraphy and painting to poetry and music. Yet, life had forced her to become strong and brave. She was originally a young lady from a distinguished family, often holding books and ink treasures in her hands. Now, she carried a precious sword at her waist, enduring hardships on horseback with a group of men, without fear or complaint. Instead, she often comforted and encouraged him, her elder brother. Setting aside the blemish on her face, in every other aspect, his sister was truly a woman hard to find among men. But because he, as her brother, was incompetent and couldn't bear the heavy responsibility, he had ruined her life, failing his deceased parents.

He then looked at the personal guards hidden in the surrounding woods, who were all veteran soldiers from the battlefield. Even without seeing a clear future or hope, they had abandoned their families and followed him, following him in pursuit of an unknown future. He knew deeply that this was thanks to his father's legacy, but it made him even more uneasy, fearing he would let them down and not knowing where he could lead them. He could only keep telling himself, forward, forward!

However, the future was bleak. Faking it here, following Niu Youdao's instructions, didn't bring him peace. Niu Youdao's ambiguous actions made him feel uncertain.

The night was long. Gazing at the night sky, every night, he eagerly awaited the arrival of dawn...

A night passed, and dawn broke. Inside the simple thatched hut beside the graves, Shang Chaozong leaned against the wall, still dressed, dozing. A sound of hurried footsteps startled him awake. He instinctively reached for the saber beside him and looked up, only to see it was one of his own men.

A personal guard cupped his hands and reported, "Your Highness, several people have arrived outside the temple. They say they are from the Prefect's Mansion of Guangyi Commandery, and that the pháp sư arranged for them."

Did Niu Youdao invite them? Shang Chaozong's spirits lifted. Niu Youdao had previously asked them to stall for a few days, but he didn't expect news to arrive so soon, after only one day.

He stood up abruptly, but one leg had gone numb from sitting for too long, making him unsteady. He stomped his feet a few times to unblock the meridians before striding out.

A moment later, Shang Chaozong, Lan Ruoting, and Shang Shuqing led a group of people up the mountain.

They had all camped beside the graves at the foot of the mountain because they were following Niu Youdao's instructions to mourn the deceased, and Niu Youdao's words were merely a desperate measure.

Shou Nian, leading four people, waited outside the gate of Nanshan Temple. Seeing Shang Chaozong and the others ascend the mountain, he was puzzled. Why would they choose to live in the mountains instead of staying in houses?

Shang Shuqing, due to her gender and having spent most of her youth in her chambers, did not recognize Shou Nian. Shang Chaozong and Lan Ruoting exchanged glances; they both recognized Shou Nian. When Prince Ning was still alive and in charge of the Yan Kingdom's military affairs, Guangyi Commandery would send people to deliver gifts during festivals. The person who came most often representing Feng Lingbo was Shou Nian, the Feng family's steward, who was the person before them.

They were a little surprised that Feng Lingbo's steward had come in person.

Seeing them approach, Shou Nian smiled, clasped his sword, and cupped his hands. "This old servant greets Your Highness and Mr. Lan. This must be the County Princess. This servant pays his respects."

Shang Shuqing returned the gesture with clasped hands. Shang Chaozong and Lan Ruoting simply cupped their fists in greeting. Lan Ruoting, putting down his hands, smiled and said, "Brother Shou, it's been many years. You look as distinguished as ever."

Shou Nian bowed his head and smiled gently. "Mr. Lan flatters me."

Lan Ruoting: "Brother Shou, did Niu Youdao invite you?"

Shou Nian nodded. "I was ordered to come and protect Your Highness..." He paused with slight confusion. "Wasn't Niu Youdao sent by Your Highness to see the Prefect?"

"Uh... precisely, precisely. Where is Niu Youdao now?" Lan Ruoting chuckled and nodded, being somewhat evasive. Niu Youdao's style of doing things was truly frustrating; he never explained anything clearly. They didn't know what Niu Youdao had discussed with Feng Lingbo, how they had discussed it, or what the outcome was. They were afraid of saying the wrong thing and ruining the plan.

They found it hard to believe that Feng Lingbo would lend troops to Shang Chaozong. But judging by Shou Nian's demeanor, it seemed to have worked out. Was it possible? Did Feng Lingbo really dare to intervene in this matter? Strangely, Niu Youdao hadn't returned, nor had he sent anyone to relay information, leaving them unable to ask anything.

"Niu Youdao is temporarily staying at the Prefect's Mansion, awaiting Your Highness. Your Highness, this desolate place might be dangerous, and it's not advisable to stay long. Please return to the commandery city with this old servant. The reinforcements sent by the Prefect are already on their way, and you will surely meet them on the road," Shou Nian said, making a gesture to invite them.

They were in a difficult position, unsure whether to leave or stay. Lan Ruoting, after a moment of thought, was about to probe further when someone ran up from the foot of the mountain. It was the personal guard Niu Youdao had sent back with a message. Lan Ruoting and the others felt their spirits lift upon seeing him.

They asked Shou Nian to wait a moment, pulled the dust-covered personal guard aside, and Lan Ruoting eagerly asked, "Does the pháp sư have any news?"

The personal guard nodded repeatedly. "The pháp sư said great things are expected, and it's almost certain. He told Your Highness to wait and return with the people from Guangyi Commandery. He himself finds it inconvenient to come over for now and will await Your Highness's arrival in the commandery city!"

Almost certain? The three of them were elated upon hearing this. Had they really borrowed troops? It was truly unbelievable. Good heavens, they had no idea how Niu Youdao managed it!

Shang Shuqing's bright eyes sparkled from beneath her veil. Shang Chaozong excitedly punched his palm, like seeing a ray of light in the darkness.

Lan Ruoting, greatly encouraged, asked with concern, "Is the pháp sư alright? Did anything unexpected happen?"

The personal guard said, "The pháp sư is well, and the marriage proposal went smoothly!"

"Uh..." Lan Ruoting froze, blinking his eyes as if he had misheard.

"Marriage proposal?" Shang Chaozong asked suspiciously. "What marriage proposal?"

Shang Shuqing's expression beneath her veil was also one of astonishment. Did he say marriage proposal?

"Didn't Your Highness want to marry the Prefect of Guangyi Commandery's daughter?" the personal guard asked blankly. He thought Niu Youdao's actions were arranged by Your Highness. But seeing the reactions of Your Highness and the others now, it didn't seem like it?

Shang Chaozong pointed to himself, looking incredulous, and asked, "I am to marry Feng Lingbo's daughter?"

The personal guard nodded, looking a bit stunned, his eyes seeming to ask, "Wasn't it?"

Shang Chaozong asked again, "Is that what the Pháp sư said?"

The personal guard replied, "The Pháp sư has already done so. The betrothal gifts have been sent to the Feng family, and it was announced publicly that the Prince intends to marry Feng Lingbo's daughter."

Shang Shuqing and Lan Ruoting exchanged bewildered glances. How did this situation get so messy?

Shang Chaozong incredulously confirmed again, "I am to marry Feng Lingbo's daughter? Which daughter of Feng Lingbo?"

The personal guard realized the gravity of the situation and said with surprise and uncertainty, "Your Highness, does Feng Lingbo have several daughters? Of course... of course, it's..." He recalled the scene when they were guarding the betrothal gifts outside the Prefect's Mansion. Feng Ruonan had arrived in a fury, and after seeing Feng Ruonan's appearance, they had all sighed for the Prince.

"Feng Ruonan? I'm to marry Feng Ruonan?" Shang Chaozong's eyes widened. How did borrowing troops turn into marrying Feng Ruonan? He stammered, "How is this possible? When you said the matter was within reach and a sure thing, you meant this?"

"..." The personal guard was speechless and slowly nodded in affirmation.

Shang Shuqing and Lan Ruoting were also a bit stunned. Marry Feng Ruonan? This seemed even less reliable than borrowing troops from Feng Lingbo. How could Feng Lingbo possibly marry off her own daughter, one of the main generals of Guangyi Commandery, to Shang Chaozong?

Lan Ruoting pointed at the personal guard and said, "What exactly happened? Quickly tell us the detailed process from beginning to end."

"After we arrived in Guangyi Commandery, we settled in an inn, and the Pháp sư immediately ordered us to find out where Feng Lingbo and Feng Ruonan were..." The personal guard recounted the situation in Guangyi Commandery in detail: how they gathered information, how Niu Youdao went to the barracks, how he obtained a chest of gold coins from the barracks, how they purchased a large quantity of betrothal gifts, how they were delivered to the Prefect's Mansion, how Yuan Gang publicly announced the good news, and how Yuan Gang and Niu Youdao sent messages outside after entering the Prefect's Mansion, and so on.

After listening, the three were utterly speechless. This wasn't an attempt to borrow troops at all; judging by the pace of their actions upon arriving in the commandery city, it was clearly a direct move to propose marriage.

"This is utter nonsense!" Shang Chaozong was furious, his face flushing and paling alternately.