He arrived quickly, spent the night with his wife, and then quietly left when it was time to request an imperial decree. The emperor only asked him if he was sure, and Shen Qichuan's attitude was affirmative. He was a meritorious official, and the emperor had previously promised him a condition, which he would fulfill with this.

Qi's father hadn't expected him to be so fast.

The imperial edict arrived at the Minister's residence on the third day.

All the young ladies and gentlemen in the manor were stunned. Apart from the second and eldest young masters, some of the young ladies were thinking that since Bu Yi was familiar with General Shen, they might be able to play matchmaker and help him marry into the family.

Who would have thought…

Now that the emperor has bestowed this marriage upon him, Qi's father cannot disobey the decree for the sake of his head. The imperial edict clearly states that Qi Ziming will marry as the principal wife, and Shen Qichuan cannot take any concubines. This was his own request, which he gave his father as a guarantee and also severed all ties with other women.

Qi's mother hadn't expected that she would have to prepare a dowry just like she was marrying off her daughter.

After all, it's a general's mansion, and there's a possibility of inheriting the title in the future. Besides, she doesn't doubt that a man is infertile and that if the dowry is too small, he will be bullied after marriage. Fortunately, her biological mother is the legal mother and has prepared a lot.

The original owner had people in his backyard, but he never touched them. Nan Yu gave them a sum of money and dismissed them all.

Yu Chen has gone mad, how could he marry her?

But he couldn't bring himself to go to the general's mansion. In terms of military merit, he was no match for Shen Qichuan. Besides, the emperor had issued an edict, and no one could change it. Even the emperor himself couldn't go back on his word.

He had assumed that Shen Qichuan wouldn't dare to abandon Wan Ziqianhong for Qi Zimo alone, but he never expected that Shen Qichuan would not only do it, but do it so quickly, catching him completely off guard.

The two parties made the agreement privately, and there is still a possibility of them backing out.

The imperial edict was issued.

Undoubtedness will never belong to him.

Yu Chen shook his head. He couldn't go to the Qi residence or the General's mansion, so he could only go to a brothel to drown his sorrows. Haitang was sick from anger and was recuperating at home, but when she heard that Yu Chen was at a brothel, she dragged her sick body to go there.

As a result, the two had a big fight in the brothel. He didn't know how to cherish what he had, perhaps because Haitang was the one who took the initiative.

Two years ago, Qi Ziming hadn't really grown up yet; he was just a teenager. Now that he's an adult, not only have his features matured, but he's also grown much taller. The young master was raised in the capital; he's delicate-skinned and incredibly handsome. Yu Chen regrets it now.

It's hard to accept not getting what you want.

You once had someone, but you didn't want them. Then that person got together with someone else, and you fell in love with them. It's even more heartbreaking.

The entire time from the imperial decree to the wedding was only two months. Both were men, and they didn't ride in a sedan chair. The two rode horses side by side. Nan Yu was wearing a wedding dress and a jade crown. She was happy to be married, and her little mouth was all smiles the whole way.

Shen Xichuan's parents came from Bianzhou.

With the emperor's special permission, the capital city was bustling from morning till night. Sugar and silver were scattered everywhere, and the people cheered and grabbed a lot of things. Every time Shen Qichuan got married, it was a novel experience.

This time is no exception.

Everyone was immersed in the joyous atmosphere, except for Yu Chen. Before the auspicious hour, the horse carried the newlyweds through Chang'an Street, and Yu Chen sat in the spot where Nan Yu had watched them return to the capital.

But today the roles have changed.

When General Shen got married, the emperor was the officiant.

It was really lively.

Yu Chen tilted his head back and gulped down another mouthful of wine. The spicy liquid burned down his throat and into his stomach, but he couldn't suppress the bitterness surging in his heart. His eyes were bloodshot, and his consciousness was pulled into a vortex of time, returning to two years ago.

Bu Yi's cheeks flushed a captivating blush, his eyes lowered, and he twisted the hem of his clothes, looking as if he wanted to say something but hesitated. But in the end, he uttered the words he would never forget for the rest of his life: "Yong Hwa, I like you."

like……

Yes, I have no doubt that I liked myself.

How did she end up marrying someone else?

If he had agreed back then and cherished it, tonight would be his and Bu Yi's wedding night, wouldn't it?

Wine doesn't intoxicate people; people intoxicate themselves.

He didn't want to think about it anymore.

I wish I could go back to two years ago.

He agrees, he definitely agrees.

It's undoubtedly mine...

On the third day after their marriage, when Nan Yu returned to her parents' home, Yu Chen stood conspicuously at the crossroads. When Nan Yu saw him, she frowned slightly. The man had a stubble beard, his clothes were wrinkled, and he was unkempt, carrying a pot of wine in his hand.

After dismounting, Shen Qichuan took Nan Yu's hand and accompanied him through the gate. Behind them, servants carried gifts, and firecrackers crackled and popped in the Minister's mansion.

Yu Chen stared intently at their clasped hands.

It was extremely glaring.

My heart aches so much I can't breathe.

He could only numb himself by drinking. After the two figures disappeared, he sat on the steps of the Minister's Mansion. The main gate was not open 24 hours a day. Once Nan Yu and the others went in, the gate was closed, and they didn't know he was outside.

Yu Chen drank while waiting.

My mind is filled with memories of the innocent childhood days with Bu Yi.

Back home, Nan Yu wasn't a girl, so she didn't have much to say to her mother. She went shopping with Shen Qichuan, and they went out through a side gate. They played for most of the day and didn't even go back for lunch. In the evening, the Qi family sent someone to look for them.

The young master had a lot of snacks in his hands.

He wanted to buy everything he saw.

Shen Qichuan would give him whatever he wanted, since he wouldn't be able to eat many pieces anyway, as long as they were fresh.

They chatted all the way home, the young master still chewing on peanut candy, grinning happily, until he saw the man sitting in front of the Minister's mansion, staggering drunk and muttering:

"No doubt...no doubt it's mine..."

Shen Qichuan's eyes darkened instantly.

She pulled the young master back to the manor and had someone prepare a basin of water, which she then splashed all over Yu Chen's face, instantly sobering him up. The person who splashed the water was someone close to Shen Qichuan, and their tone was naturally not very friendly.

"Today is the General and his wife's homecoming; let's not invite bad luck here!"

Yu Chen's eyes were bloodshot. He wanted to retort, but he could only stagger away with the wine jug in his hand. Haitang came looking for him after receiving the news, but was brushed aside by the man, who was drunk and rambling on.

"Don't touch me! Get away from me!"

Then he muttered to himself, "No doubt...no doubt..."

Haitang, unable to bear it any longer, grabbed the man's arm and cried out, "Yu Chen! When are you going to stop being so crazy? Didn't you love me? Why are you thinking about Qi Ziming now?! Who do you really like! Do you even have me in your heart? Yu Chen!"

Yu Chen wouldn't listen; he just wanted to have no doubts.

I wish I could go back two years and wake myself up.

Why did I lose what I could have had?

The setting sun, like blood, dyed the horizon a crimson red.

The man, his clothes dripping wet, staggered toward the end of the street. The setting sun lengthened his shadow, making his back look lonely, desolate, and desperate.

...

...

Shen Qichuan persuaded the emperor to transfer Yu Chen to the frontier.

They won't be able to come back within ten years.

Haitang went along too.

The young master is much more at ease in the capital.

At least no one bothers us anymore.

Yu Chen is just despicable; what he can't have is always the best. Even if he agrees to be with him, he'll get tired of him in less than two years.

Nan Yu didn't want to have anything to do with him either.

He was very happy in the general's mansion. Shen Qichuan would give him whatever he wanted. Except for some discomfort in the bedroom, everything else was perfect.

The parents and brother treated Shen Qichuan with great courtesy.

Those sisters dared not even think about it anymore. The Emperor had decreed that Shen Qichuan could only have Nan Yu. Even if she gave him money, it would be a waste of time and money, and her father would not allow it.

The young master is happy in this life.

Despite having many children in the family, the parents couldn't give them much attention.

But Shen Qichuan's heart and eyes were filled with him.

...

(over)