The wedding banquet at the White Horse Marquis's estate lasted from morning till evening. As twilight descended, the guests departed.
Lu Yu watched the red sun in the west and felt an unusual weariness.
Getting married was truly a physically demanding endeavor!
As servants cleared away the remains of the feast, Cai Zhaoji specifically called Lu Yu into the study. They say an elder sister is like a mother, and as Lu Yu's only elder sister, Cai Zhaoji felt it was her responsibility to offer some final advice before her brother’s wedding.
Cai Zhaoji had drunk a little that day, and at this moment, she seemed to be forcing her eyes open, her cheeks flushed, like the shell of an egg stained with two flying crimson hues.
She beckoned Lu Yu to come before her.
She instructed, "From now on, Brother Yu is a married man. Things are different from before. In the past... you were just my Brother Yu, the Censor-in-Chief of the Han Dynasty, the left and right hand of your brother. Of course, you played these roles well, but from now on, you must also learn to be a husband, the husband of two wives, and the pillar of this household. This role is not easy!"
Speaking to this point, Cai Zhaoji seemed somewhat sentimental.
She paused, feeling a sense of loss in her heart.
After composing herself, she softly murmured, "Fortunately, the Princess and Juan'er are not unreasonable women. The Princess had a difficult childhood, losing her father before she came of age and wandering with her two younger brothers. She grew up enduring hardship."
"As for Juan'er, everyone in Xuchang knows she is a noble lady of the Xiahou clan, yet she has always personally gone to pick firewood from Mount Rang. She manages the entire Xiahou household. They will not cause trouble. I only worry that if Brother Yu cannot handle this household with two wives well, I fear..."
Hearing this, Lu Yu took Cai Zhaoji's hand. "Sister Zhaoji, rest assured, I will treat them well."
"Besides, our White Horse Marquis's estate has Sister Zhaoji. If I do poorly, Sister Zhaoji can teach me, just like when I was little."
Suddenly having her hands held by Lu Yu, Cai Zhaoji’s already flushed cheeks deepened in redness.
She hurriedly withdrew her hands.
"You are about to enter the bridal chamber, and you are still holding onto your sister. What will people think if they see this? Go, Juan'er and the Princess are both waiting in the bridal chamber. You'll be busy tonight."
Ha...
Hearing this, Lu Yu teased with a shallow smile.
"How about I stay here with you tonight?"
This...
Cai Zhaoji's face flushed red again.
"Nonsense."
She tried to put on a fierce demeanor. With a stern face, she said, "Hurry up and go, or I’ll get angry."
"Alright, alright, alright."
Lu Yu gave Sister Zhaoji a final smile and turned to head for the bridal chamber.
"Wait..."
Just then, Cai Zhaoji's voice rose again.
"Sister?"
Lu Yu uttered.
Before he could finish his sentence, Cai Zhaoji had already stood up and extended her delicate hands to help Lu Yu straighten his clothes.
"You were toasting earlier, and your clothes are all disheveled. We don't have time to change them. Sister will tidy you up a bit."
As she spoke...
Cai Zhaoji meticulously tidied Lu Yu from his coronet to his collar, to his cuffs. After finishing, she took two steps back, her lips curving into a look of relieved satisfaction.
"There, now you can go to the bridal chamber."
With that, Cai Zhaoji gave Lu Yu a push.
Lu Yu wanted to say something, but the crucial point was that Sister Zhaoji gave him no opportunity.
He could only walk across the bluestone steps and enter the dimly lit bridal chamber.
...
That night, at the White Horse Marquis's estate, red candles flickered, filling the air with festivity.
In the bridal chamber, Lu Yu took Xiahou Juan's hand. It was cool and clammy. Even through the red veil, Lu Yu could sense her nervousness.
Hoo...
He let out a soft sigh.
"Don't be afraid! It's me."
He comforted her gently and lifted the veil. Strictly speaking, this was the first time Lu Yu was seeing Xiahou Juan.
Of course, this was not unusual.
Weddings in ancient times were matters between families. Especially for prominent families, boys and girls rarely met before the veil was lifted.
It was a typical arranged marriage.
However, for Lu Yu, there had been a portrait of Xiahou Juan sent over. Of course, the skill of ancient painters was far from that of modern "photographs."
In the portrait, Lu Yu felt she was of average to above-average appearance. But now... seeing Xiahou Juan's true countenance, Lu Yu instinctively swallowed.
Under the flickering red candles, Xiahou Juan, dressed in a red robe, was very shy.
While her beauty might not have matched Da Qiao or Xiao Qiao, she could still be considered a rare beauty. Her gently smiling face exuded a fresh and ethereal aura. This unique temperament greatly enhanced Xiahou Juan's charm.
As it was their first encounter, Lu Yu examined his bride from head to toe.
Finally...
His gaze settled on her willow waist, bound by a red sash.
Looking at her slender waist, which was barely enough to be clasped by a hand, Lu Yu's eyes flashed with admiration.
Among the women Lu Yu had known, Xiao Qiao had the slimmest waist, and Da Qiao had the most impeccable figure. Now, Xiahou Juan's beauty seemed to be a perfect fusion of figure, ethereality, and cuteness.
Slender, delicate, and shy – these were Lu Yu's most direct impressions.
As Lu Yu was looking at Xiahou Juan...
Xiahou Juan was also looking at Lu Yu...
With shyness and curiosity, her large eyes darted up and down, as if... her future husband was more handsome than she had imagined.
But why wasn't he speaking?
At such a time, should the girl speak first?
Hoo...
Exhaling lightly, Xiahou Juan appeared very inexperienced.
She felt somewhat flustered.
"Bang."
At this moment, Lu Yu reached out and playfully tickled her little nose, then curiously pinched her waist with both hands...
Good heavens, this waist... Xiao Qiao would probably be defeated here.
Seeing Xiahou Juan still nervous, Lu Yu said jokingly,
"Don't be so stiff, smile a little."
"I..." Xiahou Juan bit her lip and hesitated for a long time before uttering three words. "I dare not..."
"You don't even dare to smile? How will you be the lady of the Marquis's estate in the future?" Lu Yu reached out and tickled her nose again.
This time...
Xiahou Juan managed a reluctant smile.
"Young... Master..."
She spoke softly, but before she could finish, Lu Yu shook his head directly. "Your address is wrong."
This...
Xiahou Juan lowered her head, pondered for a few breaths, and when she looked up again, she mustered her courage and called out.
"Hus... Husband!"
"That's more like it!" Lu Yu smiled slightly. "From now on, you are the lady of our Marquis's estate. Besides Sister Zhaoji, everyone must listen to you. Be confident! Show the courage and confidence you had when you achieved merit on Mount Rang!"
Hoo...
Listening to Lu Yu's words, Xiahou Juan exhaled. The teeth biting her lips loosened a little. She was an obedient girl, obeying her father at home and her husband after marriage. Now, in the bridal chamber, she would do as her husband asked.
However...
"I'm afraid I can't be the lady of this Marquis's estate well," Xiahou Juan said, counting on her fingers with her head down.
"It's not difficult, actually," Lu Yu said with a smile. "But, with the current atmosphere, this is not the time to teach you these things!"
Having said that, Lu Yu asked curiously, "By the way? What should we do next? Does my wife know?"
Xiahou Juan nodded. She had memorized the wedding rituals and steps for three days and knew them by heart.
"It's time to drink the cross-cupped wine."
As she finished speaking, Lu Yu fetched the cross-cupped wine placed on the table. They crossed cups... Lu Yu drank it all in one go, while Xiahou Juan took a small sip, trying to finish it, but it was too strong, and she couldn't swallow it.
"My alcohol tolerance isn't very good!"
Xiahou Juan's voice was very soft, with a hint of apology.
"Then don't drink it," Lu Yu said, taking her wine cup and draining the remaining half cup... "Next..."
Lu Yu intended to continue the process.
After all... at this time, he had to guide her!
He had experience, but a maiden virgin, what would she know about these things?
Unexpectedly, before Lu Yu could speak, Xiahou Juan deliberately lowered her head and replied softly, "Next, I... I know. The Xiahou family specifically invited a court lady to teach us, saying that we should... do that!"
"Do what?"
Lu Yu instinctively asked.
He was very confused. Noble ladies were indeed particular. Guidance from a court lady was convenient and effortless, a one-stop service!
Men in ancient times were truly men!
Hearing Lu Yu's question, Xiahou Juan exclaimed "Ah!" She pursed her lips, unsure what to say.
"Haha..."
Lu Yu burst into laughter. It was getting late, and they couldn't delay.
After all... he was very busy, and this night had to be divided in half!
Immediately, the red candles were extinguished, and they slept together under the large quilt!
...
...
On the northern bank of the Yellow River, in Liyang City.
Due to the internal strife between the Yuan brothers, without the need for scaling ladders or battering rams, Zang Ba led the Taishan Army directly into Liyang City.
Seeing the enemy, Zang Ba and his personal guards shouted in unison.
"The Dragon Roar Battalion is here, you shall die!"
In the darkness, the Yuan soldiers, who were already engaged in fierce fighting, heard the name "Dragon Roar Battalion" and almost lost their souls.
Before they could react.
They heard thunderous shouts of killing.
— "Kill, leave none alive!"
In the pitch-black night, countless Taishan soldiers let out roars of fury. In the narrow city wall passageways and on the blood-stained imperial roads, they cut down anyone they encountered. They overthrew the fighting Yuan soldiers and charged madly forward.
As one fell, the Taishan soldiers behind him rushed to fill the gap, engaging in combat with the Yuan army...
This battle was the Taishan Army's declaration of allegiance!
This battle was crucial for the Taishan Army to "stand tall" within the Dragon Roar Battalion!
And at this moment...
Whether it was Yuan Tan or Yuan Shang, they were both stunned. The sudden appearance of a third wave of troops, moreover, claiming to be the "Dragon Roar Battalion," undoubtedly crushed the last glimmer of hope for both sides, who were already at their wit's end!
Countless long spears, curved sabers, and cudgels danced wildly in the darkness!
At this moment...
No one could distinguish between cries for help and screams of agony, nor could they tell whose troops were falling.
The three armies were in a mêlée!
Countless soldiers fell, and even the Taishan Army suffered heavy casualties. Although their combat strength was strong, they were forced to the city gate by the Yuan army, who had regained their composure and formed battle formations, preventing them from breaking through quickly.
In fact...
As time went on, the sheer numbers of the Yuan army and their familiarity with the terrain allowed them to stabilize the situation. It seemed that breaking through the city this time would be extremely difficult.
"General... we can't get in!"
Sun Li, a deputy general of the Taishan Army, shouted at Zang Ba with a frown.
"If you can't get in, you'll still attack! I promised Commander Lu that this city of Liyang... this gap in the north must be broken through by my brave Taishan soldiers!"
Zang Ba's voice resounded.
"Everyone, charge in with me!"
With that, he was the first to charge towards the Yuan army in the streets and alleys.
Just then.
"Dada dada..."
"Dada dada..."
The sound of urgent horse hooves echoed.
Zang Ba instinctively looked in the direction of the horse hooves.
He saw that on the imperial road, in the darkness, countless torches were lit, like a strong beam of light instantly illuminating the darkness.
It was cavalry...
Tens of thousands of cavalry!
And the leading cavalry waved banners, illuminated by the torchlight. Huge "Cao" banners, against the biting cold wind, were rapidly approaching from afar.
"General... it's the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry..."
Sun Li immediately recognized this cavalry corps.
"Haha..."
"Hahahaha!" Zang Ba burst into laughter. "Good, good, good..."
He, who was about to charge at the enemy, suddenly stopped.
"Hold the city gate and welcome the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry into the city!"
"Yes..."
The earth-shattering reply was exceptionally firm at this moment!
Under the bright moon, countless battle axes sliced through the air, forming arcs of moonlight, whistling through the sharp wind!
The battle for Liyang City had officially entered its climax!
...
...
In Xuchang City, at the White Horse Marquis's estate, the moon was high. Lu Yu and Xiahou Juan were sleeping soundly.
"Knock knock."
A faint knock on the door sounded. Lu Yu rubbed his sleepy eyes and looked at the sky. It was already "Chou Shi" (around 1-3 AM). According to etiquette, it was time for the latter half of the night.
Lu Yu glanced at Xiahou Juan sleeping beside him and quickly put on his clothes.
He tiptoed to the door.
The "knock knock" on the door had turned into knocking on the window.
"Don't rush, I'm coming."
Lu Yu opened the door. The person outside was the old wet nurse from the palace... Lu Yu suspected she was a professional!
"Cough cough..."
The old wet nurse coughed lightly. "White Horse Marquis, please forgive me, but the Princess of Wannian is of noble birth, so it's best not to keep her waiting for too long. If the Marquis of White Horse doesn't leave, this old woman will be uneasy and unable to explain to Her Majesty the Empress when I return to the palace."
Heh heh...
Hearing this, Lu Yu let out a "heh heh." He glanced back at the sleeping Xiahou Juan. Seeing that she was not disturbed, he closed the door.
"Let's go!"
The words contained so much helplessness.
With light footsteps fading away, Xiahou Juan, who was in the bridal chamber, sat up with a "whoosh."
She hadn't dared to move just now, fearing that because of her, her husband's trip to the Princess's mansion would be affected. Moreover... outsiders were present, and if word got out, she would gain a reputation for jealousy.
However...
As soon as Lu Yu left, the large bridal chamber suddenly became quiet.
Xiahou Juan gently walked to the door and looked at her husband's receding back through the window. After he left the mansion, she softly lit the oil lamp.
"As expected..."
"Only when my husband is here is this a bridal chamber!"
She murmured to herself...
It seemed there was a hint of loneliness on Xiahou Juan's lips, but this trace of loneliness was cut short. Looking up at the bright moon and the retreating figure of her husband, she softly sighed.
"To be able to meet you during the bridal chamber candlelit night is perhaps my greatest happiness in this life, Juan'er."
As the words left her lips.
Xiahou Juan's face turned red!
As if recalling something shy.
...
...
At the White Horse Marquis's estate, in a dimly lit ancestral hall, row upon row of spirit tablets were displayed, with Cai Yong's spirit tablet placed in the center.
In front of each ancestor's spirit tablet, a lamp was placed.
Cai Zhaoji, slightly tipsy, stood before her father's spirit tablet.
She had changed out of her vibrant clothes and was wearing a plain robe. Holding an oil can, she was refilling the oil lamps.
"Father, Brother Yu has truly come of age today. He is married, and he has married a daughter of the Xiahou family and the Princess of Wannian..."
"That's right, the Princess of Wannian is the younger sister from the royal family whom Father held as a child."
Cai Zhaoji spoke as she refilled the oil...
After saying these two sentences, she knelt before her father's spirit tablet.
"Father, when Brother Yu went south to find his biological father, he specifically asked you to accompany him, but Father couldn't bear to leave the court. He only sent household servants to protect him along the way. Who would have thought... that parting then would be the last time your daughter saw you!"
Drip, drip...
As if recalling her childhood, Cai Zhaoji's eyes welled up uncontrollably.
"Father always said Brother Yu was intelligent and lively... a promising talent who would surely achieve something in the future and be admired by the world!"
"Today, Brother Yu has become the Censor-in-Chief, the Head of the Imperial Academy, the Commander of the Dragon Roar Battalion, and the Marquis of White Horse Pavilion. Scholars, artisans, and physicians throughout the land respect him. He has grown into the person Father predicted!"
Drip...
Drip, drip, drip!
A few more tears streamed down her cheeks. Cai Zhaoji wiped away her tears. "Father, if you were still here, if you could have witnessed Brother Yu's wedding... how wonderful that would be."
"Father, daughter, daughter misses you!"
As she spoke, Cai Zhaoji bit her lip...
She forced herself to hold back the tears that wanted to fall.
After a few breaths, she calmed her agitated heart.
She raised her head again.
"Father, daughter... daughter has something in her heart that she cannot tell anyone else. She can only... only tell it to Father."
"Father, please don't laugh at your daughter!"
After hesitating for a long time, Cai Zhaoji raised her head. She wanted to speak her heart's desire.
"Father, why is it that when Brother Yu gets married, daughter... daughter feels a sense of loss, a hollowness in her heart?"
"This feeling actually appeared much earlier, when Brother Yu took a concubine..."
"I always feel... feel..."
Even though she was the most talented woman in the world, Cai Zhaoji was unable to describe this feeling in words.
It was very strange; she wished Brother Yu well, yet her heart felt hollow.
She paused, biting her lip.
"Father, daughter won't... won't fall in love with Brother Yu, will she? But... but we are siblings, aren't we? Is it wrong for an elder sister to like her younger brother? Is it not tolerated by the world?"
As soon as these words were spoken...
Suddenly, a gust of wind blew in from outside the door, causing the lamps in the ancestral hall to flicker. Cai Zhaoji quickly shielded her father's lamp with her hand.
She turned her head to look...
At this moment, a beautiful figure appeared at the door.
Unexpectedly, on the night of Brother Yu's wedding, she had come this late!
...
...