The School Affairs Bureau's core members were now: Cheng Yu, Guo Jia, Ju Shou, Xu Shu, Zhou Yu, Sima Yi, and Yang Xiu... a total of seven individuals.
Zhou Yu's inclusion surprised everyone.
In their opinion, if someone was to be chosen from the talented individuals of Jiangdong to join the School Affairs Bureau, Lu Yu should have prioritized Lu Xun from his maternal clan, the Lu family.
Why Zhou Yu?
Sensing their doubtful gazes, Lu Yu guessed their thoughts and explained with a smile, "In our newly established policies, there's a clause stating that maternal relatives are forbidden from interfering in governance! As the Crown Prince of Wei, if I cannot lead by example, then... who else in the entirety of Great Wei would support this new policy?"
Upon hearing this...
The group clasped their hands in salutation.
"Alright..." Lu Yu waved his hand and said to the seven before him, "Let's not discuss these matters today. For tomorrow's wedding, we will rely on all of you!"
...
...
At an inn in Xuchang City.
Sun Shangxiang pouted, a troubled expression on her face...
She had been strong-willed since childhood, always striving to be first... even in martial arts competitions, she was no less capable than any man in the army.
But...
When it came to the grand wedding, she was the last to be wed, the last to enter the bridal chamber. This...
Being the last to be wed was one thing; as long as it was an auspicious date and time, but the bridal chamber... did she have to wait for her husband for most of the night? Or after others had already enjoyed his company?
Hmph...
The thought alone made Sun Shangxiang seethe with anger!
Even if she didn't voice her displeasure, how could she reconcile with this in her heart?
"Little sister, the wedding is tomorrow, you mustn't be wilful..."
Sun Quan appeased her from the side...
Taishi Ci appeared full of remorse, "It is my fault for not winning the competition for the County Princess..."
Sun Quan's emerald green eyes rolled, "Facing the peerless warrior Lu Bu on one side and the Brocade of Xiliang Ma Chao on the other, it was truly difficult for you..."
After offering these consolations, he gently waved his hand...
Sun Quan's intention was understood, and Taishi Ci, along with the female soldiers in the room, withdrew.
For a moment, only Sun Shangxiang and Sun Quan remained in the inn...
"It's normal for men to have three wives and four concubines, aren't you and your third brother the same?" Sun Quan continued to persuade.
Ultimately, Sun Shangxiang could afford to be wilful, but Sun Quan dared not be.
Although... Jiangdong was still nominally dominated by the Sun clan, in reality, the military and financial power of Jiangdong had fallen into the hands of the Lu family, and the Lu family... was the Crown Prince's maternal clan!
Coupled with Zhang Wenyuan's miracle of eight hundred defeating ten thousand... the Jiangdong land was under constant threat.
To put it bluntly, Jiangdong was already territory of Great Wei, and in this entirely new situation, the Sun family's self-preservation and Sun Shangxiang's marriage to the Crown Prince of Wei were crucial.
To put it even more harshly, it was as if a knife was in the hand of the butcher, and they were the fish.
Therefore...
Let alone being the third to be wed, the third to enter the bridal chamber.
Heh heh... even if it meant being more humble, Sun Quan still had to guide and appease his sister.
"Brother, I'm not saying three wives and four concubines..." Sun Shangxiang pursed her lips. "I understand the current situation of the Han Dynasty, and the situation of Great Wei. I also know the Crown Prince's status is of utmost importance, and his future will undoubtedly have many consorts, right? It's just... it's just that I'm upset that I have to be inferior to Lu Lingqi and Ma Yunlu... My martial skills are not inferior to theirs, so why should they be ahead of me!" She was still upset...
Of course, Sun Quan was also helpless about this.
He also felt that the Crown Prince marrying three wives in one night was quite outrageous, but there seemed to be no other solution.
However...
"Little sister, in my brother's opinion... there might be some commotion during the bridal chamber tonight," Sun Quan said, resting his chin...
Mm...
Sun Shangxiang blinked her large eyes, "Does second brother mean? The Crown Prince will consider my feelings?"
Sun Quan slowly stood up, walked to the window, and shook his head... "The Crown Prince is likely overwhelmed with worries right now, how could he possibly consider these things, but..."
"But what?"
"But... besides the Crown Prince, there is a remarkable woman in the Eastern Palace. I think... with her wisdom, she will likely consider these matters." Sun Quan wasn't entirely confident.
However, based on his years of experience in balancing the various officials,
He could acutely and boldly judge that things would not proceed as originally planned!
That talented woman would surely find a way!
...
...
The next day, the grand wedding!
Gongs and drums sounded, a scene of lively festivity.
Unlike the previous wedding to Princess Wannian and the noble lady of the Xiahou clan, where the matchmakers were mostly generals from the Dragon Valor Battalion.
This time... in addition to the generals of the Dragon Valor Battalion, there were more nobility from Qiao and Pei.
Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, Cao Ren, and Cao Hong, riding tall horses, led the way. The grand procession filled five streets, immediately showcasing the prestige of the wedding party.
Lu Lingqi, Ma Yunlu, and Sun Shangxiang were at different inns...
The locations were excellent, and the roads were cleared... all to save as much time as possible, after all... marrying three in one morning was even more pressing than last time.
Of course...
For Lu Yu, he was accustomed to it!
Although he had only experienced such grand ceremonies twice, Lu Yu felt... he seemed to be getting married every day!
The Han rituals were not overly complicated... but not easy either. Over a hundred items, and each one could not afford a single mistake.
Lu Yu was quite familiar with the process... saving the previous rehearsals!
However, whether it was Lu Lingqi, Sun Shangxiang, or Ma Yunlu... these customs and rituals were not easy for them. Unlike Liu Xue and Xiahou Juan, who were learned, sensible, and well-versed in etiquette...
These three... their minds seemed not to be very sharp! They likely had all their points allocated to "Valor."
However, there is an old saying...
Women getting married are often at their most foolish!
The wedding with Lu Lingqi was the liveliest, as Lu Bu was considered a formidable general in the Dragon Valor Battalion, thus... the soldiers of the Dragon Valor Battalion who came were the most numerous.
They were all comrades who had fought on the battlefield together, so their revelry was naturally more unrestrained.
Cao Cao and Madam Ding, dressed in their ceremonial robes today, sat in the elder's seats for Lu Yu and Lu Lingqi, looking at the scene with satisfaction.
Some soldiers from the Dragon Valor Battalion pushed Lu Yu to the ceremony of bowing...
Lu Yu, clad in official robes, wore a prominent red flower on his chest. His expression was neither overly joyful nor sad, but rather calm. Marriage... for him, had truly become a routine!
"A good son and a good daughter-in-law!"
Cao Cao presented his congratulatory gift to his son.
Madam Ding, standing beside him, murmured with emotion, "Wealth changes wives, nobility changes friends. Zi Yu has suddenly attained such a high position, you must treat Lingqi well in the future..." Cao Cao gently pulled Madam Ding's hand, "It's a joyous occasion, why speak of such things, Madam!"
Indeed, Madam Ding's words were the truth. The saying goes that wealth changes wives; once a person has money, they will not lack wives... Of course, these words were also somewhat inappropriate.
After a series of rituals, Lu Lingqi was sent into the bridal chamber. Lu Yu roused himself again; he still had two more to attend!
A full four hours...
These three grand weddings were finally concluded...
Getting married was indeed physically demanding...
After completing all the customary rites, Lu Yu was already drenched in sweat. However, when he bowed to Sun Shangxiang, out of breath, through the red silk... Sun Shangxiang asked with a meaningful look—"Can you still... do it!"
Can I do it?
Those few words...
Rekindled Lu Yu's unyielding spirit and fighting will.
Although he desperately wanted to say "No," as a man, how could he admit defeat like this?
Cao Cao and Madam Ding had attended all three weddings respectively...
Cao Cao's words of "A good son and a good daughter-in-law" were repeated three times!
This was to account for Lu Bu, Ma Teng, and Sun Quan and Sun Yi.
After Lu Lingqi was sent into the bridal chamber, Madam Ding looked at Lu Yu's panting appearance with some concern... She nudged Cao Cao's hand. "The Crown Prince is so tired, if he goes to the bridal chamber again, won't something happen?"
Cao Cao paused, looked at Lu Yu meaningfully, and finally raised his hand. "If my son cannot handle three women, how can he conquer the world?"
The historian beside them silently recorded Cao Cao's words—
—
King Wei said: If one cannot conquer women, how can one conquer the world!
...
...
This was Lu Yu's wedding night.
The bridal chamber was decorated festively. Lu Lingqi awkwardly held a silk fan. Dressed in grand robes, she sat restlessly by the bed, her long red skirt trailing on the floor, as if she had been waiting for a long time.
Finally, accompanied by the music from the front hall...
Under the flickering lamplight, Lu Yu slowly walked in.
He appeared somewhat... exhausted.
Men, they all understand... when extremely tired, they are usually not thinking about other things.
But due to it being their wedding night, a routine gesture was still required.
His steps unsteady, he walked to the doorway, removed his ceremonial crown, clearly carrying a hint of wine. He approached Lu Lingqi... and skillfully lifted her veil.
Lu Lingqi also saw Lu Yu's fair face, etched with weariness and intoxication.
"It's just a wedding, why are you so... disheveled as if you've been fighting on the battlefield all day and are so exhausted?"
Heh heh...
Lu Lingqi's words made Lu Yu chuckle, "I would rather go to the battlefield and fight... these rituals are far more tiring than deploying troops! And much more difficult!"
With a "pfft," Lu Lingqi laughed.
"I never imagined that the Crown Prince Lu Yu, who shakes the world, would be so disheveled on his wedding night. If outsiders saw this, they would think... I had bullied you!"
Heh... Lu Yu really wanted to say, who bullied whom is yet to be determined?
Then... to vigorously seize it! To prove himself!
But... now, he truly lacked the strength.
In fact, it has always been like this, from ancient times to the present.
Especially in later generations...
No matter how passionate and energetic the groom and bride appear during the wedding ceremony, once the marriage is completed, it's another story. They'd definitely fall asleep soundly, and no amount of effort could wake them. Those matters of interest... they simply wouldn't have the energy for.
What's more...
Lu Yu was thrice as tired!
Lu Lingqi picked up the wine gourd, "It's time to drink the nuptial wine..."
Looking at the red string in the middle of the gourd... Lu Yu cooperated, and they drank the nuptial wine together in the ambiguous light.
The nuptial wine contained certain ingredients that could cause intense heat...
For a moment, he felt that he might not get through this hurdle today.
Who would have thought...
Just then.
A "bang bang" sound came from the window, "Your Highness, the Crown Prince..."
It was a woman's voice.
Lu Lingqi bit her lip and looked at Lu Yu, appearing somewhat wronged.
She knew that when the window sounded, it meant time was up. But it was too soon... They had just had wine, and it was already time?
Immediately, Lu Lingqi complained, "Why are they knocking so early?"
The woman's voice lowered, "Your Highness, it's not good. Miss Zhao Ji's stomach is not feeling well. I think she's already nine months pregnant, I fear..."
Upon hearing this...
Lu Yu seemed to suddenly understand something. He adopted a serious demeanor.
"Quick, lead me there!"
Saying this, he opened the door... still in his wedding attire, and headed towards Miss Zhao Ji's chambers in the Eastern Palace.
This...
Watching Lu Yu's retreating figure, Lu Lingqi was stunned. She bit her lip, wanting to call Lu Yu back...
But... because it was Miss Zhao Ji, and Miss Zhao Ji who was nine months pregnant, she swallowed the words.
Miss Zhao Ji's situation... was indeed more important.
Turning to look at the empty bed, she pouted... It seemed that today... she was destined to sleep alone!
...
...
Hurriedly following the maid into Cai Zhao Ji's pavilion, Lu Yu saw the lights from afar. Some maids saw Lu Yu and immediately paid their respects.
Lu Yu entered and saw Zhao Ji on the bed. He quickly leaned forward and held her hand.
"Sister Zhao Ji... how are you feeling?"
"My stomach hurts a little!" Cai Zhao Ji's voice was extremely gentle...
Lu Yu became serious...
But inexplicably, the maids in the room all withdrew.
"Let me take a look..."
Saying this, Lu Yu intended to lift Cai Zhao Ji's bedding...
Unexpectedly, Cai Zhao Ji softly said, "Actually, I'm fine..."
Lu Yu's hand trembled, "Then..."
He had already guessed some things... but he still wanted to hear it from Miss Zhao Ji herself.
They were very close... even though no one else was in the room, they still spoke in hushed tones!
Cai Zhao Ji frowned, "When you married Juan'er and Wannian before, the bridal chamber was divided into two parts, which was a bit of a joke. But in the end, that was a temporary measure due to exigency. But this time, Lingqi, Yunlu, and Shangxiang... their identities are vastly different, and they even concern the stability of Great Wei's surroundings! We cannot have a first-come, first-served approach to the bridal chamber. If word gets out, it will cause gossip and make Yunlu and Shangxiang feel uncomfortable!"
As expected...
Her urgent words confirmed Lu Yu's guess.
"So, Sister Zhao Ji intended for me to come here?" Cai Zhao Ji nodded. "If you come to me, at most... I will be branded as ignorant, but at least... it will make Lu Lingqi, Ma Yunlu, and Sun Shangxiang feel much better. Besides, I know your small frame... Sister knows your condition. You were so busy during the day, and then at night... *cough*..."
Cai Zhao Ji coughed lightly, "In short, you rest well here today, go to Lingqi's place tomorrow night, then Yunlu's the night after, and then Shangxiang's. This compensation, if spread, will be good for everyone, and no one will become a laughingstock or feel unhappy!"
Cai Zhao Ji's words moved Lu Yu.
Sister truly considered things... more thoughtfully.
...
...
On the other side, in Ma Yunlu's bridal chamber.
Upon hearing that Cai Zhao Ji had stomach discomfort... Ma Yunlu's maids were indignant. However, Ma Yunlu appeared calm and collected. She removed her veil herself...
And slowly walked to the window...
"Why the panic?"
"Father said... King Wei told him that when the Crown Prince married Princess Wannian and Lady Xiahou, that night... didn't he also sleep in Miss Zhao Ji's pavilion?"
Her eyes twinkled...
Ma Yunlu seemed to see through everything.
...
...
Outside the Wei King's palace, at the inn of the Sun family from Jiangdong, Sun Quan, Lu Xun, and Zhou Yu, who were initially in high spirits,
Suddenly... their expressions changed drastically.
Because...
An urgent dispatch from Jiangdong had arrived!
And the content of the urgent dispatch made the three of them look aghast, astonished, and even unable to breathe!
Something had happened!
Something big had happened!
...
...
.
.
Niu Nai Tang Tang Tang reminds you: Remember to bookmark after reading.