Chapter 107 If the world is at peace - Rong Dan Line (Part 3): All night
Rong Zhi was so dazed that he didn't even recognize the words "marriage proposal".
He stared at Rong Si for a long time.
Rong Si asked again, "Is that alright?"
"Is that alright?" Rong Zhi laughed angrily, and directly picked up the knife and stick next to him. "Sure, I think I can beat you up."
He strode forward.
Rong Si took a few steps back, "Father..."
“Marriage is not such a casual matter, you brat…” Rong Zhi raised his long stick, but before he could swing it down, a voice came from not far away, “Lord Rong.”
Rong Zhi's hand froze in mid-air as he turned to look.
Just then, Rong Zhi saw the officials sent by the imperial court to supervise them, so he had to stop and tap Rong Si on the back with his long stick. "Speak properly later, and don't mention that girl."
Just as Rong Si was about to ask the reason, Rong Zhi silenced him with a blow from his stick.
The inspector stepped forward, exchanged a few brief pleasantries with Rong Zhi, and then looked at Rong Si, saying, "This must be your young master."
Rong Zhi responded, "Yes."
The man sized Rong Si up and down. "Alright, come here."
"Tell me, how many times have you entered Shanshan? Have you found out what the border situation is like?"
Rong Si hesitated for a moment, then was pushed by Rong Zhi to catch up.
Briefly summarize the current situation in Shanshan.
They returned all the way to the Kakinawa residence.
The inspector listened to Rong Si's report and sat down. A servant brought him water and tea, and he remained silent for a long time.
This moment of silence was unsettling.
Rong Zhi quickly chimed in, "My son is ignorant, and we have troubled the inspectors to come all the way from the capital to investigate."
The inspector waved his hand, "These are all minor matters."
"I have a good understanding of the situation on your side after investigating it these past few days. The prefect and the military commander have been on the border for many years."
"The good relations between our two countries are largely thanks to you all. I suppose Major General Rong is also sharing the burdens of the country, which is why we have been visiting each other so frequently."
Rong Zhi responded repeatedly, and only then did he breathe a sigh of relief.
"However, to be honest, I did come here for some other reasons." The inspector's purpose in coming here was not to investigate why Rong Si left the country. "The Great Li Kingdom is prosperous, and the young emperor is ambitious and intends to forge closer relations with other countries. The annual tribute alone is far from enough."
Upon hearing this, everyone in the room sensed something was amiss.
Rong Zhi pondered for a moment, then asked, "What did the Tian family mean by..."
"Marriage alliance".
The room fell silent instantly.
Rong Si slowly tightened his grip on the armrest of the seat, his eyebrows lowered.
The inspector said, "Your side should receive and pay homage to the emperor every year, and make preparations to welcome Princess Shanshan into the pass."
"I'm here to oversee your deployment of troops at the border and ensure everything goes smoothly."
"The envoy is still on his way and will arrive at Yuanchuan later. Remember to cooperate and make sure nothing goes wrong."
The inspector looked at Rong Zhi, "Is it alright?"
Rong Zhi snapped out of his daze and said, "Okay."
He left after the supervisory briefing was completed.
Rong Zhi rose to see him off.
Rong Si stood behind, his expression growing increasingly somber.
Such marriage alliances have occurred before, but it has been nearly twenty years since then.
Last time, it was Yu Wanyin's mother who accompanied the princess as part of her dowry.
Princesses did not go to their marriages alone; they usually brought maids with them.
These women were not servants, but rather unmarried women of marriageable age selected from among the female relatives of court officials.
After entering the Central Plains, some would be betrothed to princes and ministers.
Thinking of this, Rong Si frowned even more deeply.
He immediately went back to his room and took out paper and pen for writing letters.
He quickly finished writing the letter and prepared to leave.
Just then, Rong Zhi came in from outside and stopped him, asking, "Where are you going?"
"Pass on a message."
Rong Zhi didn't need to ask to know who he wanted to send a message to. "What message? And what happens after you send the message?"
"If we don't want her to be married off, we need to have a suitable reason, not even a minor illness or injury."
"Unless it is..."
Rong Zhi was halfway through his sentence when he realized something was wrong, so he took the letter and opened it.
After glancing at it twice, he saw it was true. He patted the letter and asked, "When did I agree to go through the marriage negotiations on your behalf?"
Rong Si succinctly explained, "After the envoy arrives, eligible young women will be required to wait for selection and will not be allowed to arrange marriages. Therefore, we must finalize the arrangements before the envoy arrives in Shanshan."
Rong Zhi pointed to the letter and stammered, "This marriage proposal is no child's play..."
"Marriage alliances are no joke. One side relies on sending women to marry foreigners to secure its own position, while the other relies on binding women from other countries to control others. They are both useless."
Rong Zhi hurriedly pushed him into the house, and only breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that there were no surveillance personnel in the courtyard.
Rong Zhi folded his letter and hid it in his sleeve. "Let me think about this."
Rong Si observed his reaction and actions.
Rong Zhi felt a chill run down his spine. He had to admit that his son had grown up with him in the military camp since he was a child and had taken on military duties at a young age.
It had been showing signs of slipping out of his control for quite some time.
Sometimes, Rong Si's silent stare at him could make him feel uneasy.
Rong Zhi looked up to meet his gaze and tried to reassure him first, "There are so many people in Shanshan, so she might not necessarily be chosen."
"I know."
"Oh right, so you too..."
Just as Rong Zhi was about to praise him for his magnanimity, he heard Rong Si continue, "If I'm selected, I'll steal people from them when they enter the country at the end of the year."
Rong Zhi: "..."
"I've made up my mind," Rong Si said calmly. "I'll say that one of them died halfway through the journey because they couldn't adapt to the illness."
"If that doesn't work, just say that the neighboring Northern Chi tribe intercepted us and they snatched one of our members."
Rong Zhi's eyelids twitched as he listened, and he snapped, "Don't think nonsense!"
Rong Zhi, with his hands behind his back, immediately called for people to come over, "You guys keep an eye on him. Without my permission, he is not allowed to go out."
After saying that, the door to the house was closed.
Rong Si raised his eyebrows slightly, showing no impatience whatsoever despite being confined to his quarters.
After all, he didn't think these few guards could hold him back.
*
Distinguished guests have arrived at the residence of the General of Shanshan.
The entire mansion was busy entertaining guests.
Yu Wanyin stood in the backyard of the flower hall, listening to the conversation in the front yard.
Gu Hong was unsure of what to do. "General Rong, this is a bit sudden, isn't it?"
Although he could tell that the Rong family's son had feelings for Yu Wanyin, he didn't expect him to propose marriage so soon.
Rong Zhi smiled awkwardly.
Before the envoy arrived, the news of the marriage alliance could not be leaked. With so many people in the mansion, he couldn't directly tell Gu Hong the reason for the marriage alliance if he wasn't careful.
If this gets out, it would be a crime of deceiving superiors and concealing the truth.
Moreover, even if this reason is mentioned, it's still somewhat strange to ask someone's daughter for marriage because of this.
Shan Yun also said, "Regarding the marriage, no matter what, we have to nod our heads in agreement."
Gu Hong agreed, "Yes, it depends on what the child wants."
Rong Zhi nodded, "That's natural."
Yu Wanyin's lips tightened, and she turned back into the courtyard, wrapping the handkerchief in her hand.
When the servants in the courtyard saw her return, they all bowed.
Yu Wanyin returned to her room absentmindedly and closed the door.
The room fell silent for a moment. She casually locked the door and turned to look at the closed cabinet on the other side.
She walked to the wardrobe, squatted down, and opened it.
They saw the boy hiding inside.
Rong Si leaned against the wardrobe and saw her return. He glanced outside and asked, "Did my father really come to propose marriage?"
The little girl squatted down in front of him, head bowed, tugging at the handkerchief in her hand, and said, "Mmm."
Rong Si couldn't wait at home any longer, so he sneaked out to deliver the message to her.
His entry into Shanshan was not only unauthorized by Rong Zhi, but also without military permission; he had trespassed without authorization and was therefore shameful.
Yu Wanyin could only hide her here.
However, he did not expect to run into his own father who came to propose marriage.
Yu Wanyin hesitated for a moment, then looked up and asked him, "Is what you said true?"
"When have I ever lied to you?"
She remained silent for a long time.
The room fell silent for a moment. Rong Si couldn't figure out what she was thinking. "Do you want to go and be married off to a foreign ruler?"
Yu Wanyin said in a muffled voice, "I don't want to."
He paused for a moment, then asked, "Do you want to marry me?"
She hasn't thought about getting married yet; it's a bit too early for her.
Or perhaps it was because her aunts, uncles, and elder sisters had protected her so well over the years that she hadn't considered growing up and leaving that protection at a young age.
Rong Si didn't hear her reply. After a moment of silence, he said, "It's fine if you don't want to marry me."
“I’ve thought it all through.” Rong Si leaned out of the wardrobe. “If I really choose you, I’ll steal you out.”
"If you change your name and identity in the future, I will secretly send you home."
Yu Wanyin found it very difficult, "Is it feasible?"
"feasible."
Yu Wanyin shook her head, "This is too dangerous."
"If you are discovered, wouldn't you all be implicated because of me?"
Yu Wanyin pondered for a moment, then looked at him seriously, "Wouldn't the safest thing be to arrange the marriage before the envoys come to negotiate?"
Rong Si nodded. "Mm."
Yu Wanyin hesitated for a moment, then said, "If, I mean if, we get married, and things calm down after this storm has passed, we can still get a divorce, right? I won't hold you back."
Rong Si heard nothing else but the words "I will marry you".
His heart stirred with desire, his gaze lingering on her lips and eyes. "Okay."
Yu Wanyin pondered for a moment.
During the brief pause in her silence, Rong Si wanted to say something more.
Suddenly, Shan Yun's voice came from outside, asking the servants, "Is Yao Yao in her room?"
The servant at the door reported, "Yes, madam."
The two people inside the room were both startled.
Yu Wanyin hurriedly stuffed Rong Si back into her wardrobe, saying, "Don't make a sound."
After saying that, he closed the cabinet door.
If a soldier violates military orders and leaves the country, it will be a serious crime if discovered.
Furthermore, a man and a woman alone in a room with the door closed is something that cannot be seen by others.
Rong Si cooperated very well.
The wardrobe door was closed again, and he sat alone in the huge wardrobe.
It's clear that Gu Hong's family dotes on her, as her wardrobe is filled with all sorts of dresses.
Most of them were chosen for her by Shan Yun.
For a young and impetuous man like Rong Si, the only downside to staying here is that the scent emanating from her is too intense in this wardrobe.
Even if he tried to ignore it, it still managed to seep into his body in every possible way.
It was as if everyone was clinging to him.
Rong Si glanced sideways uncomfortably.
But based on his understanding of Yao Yao...
She won't pester you.
Thinking of this, the elusive, almost imperceptible scent of lily of the valley becomes even more alluring.
Shan Yun took Yu Wanyin to the main hall, where the family closed the door to discuss the matter.
They talked for a long time that day.
We chatted from sunset until nightfall.
Yu Wanyin returned home late at night.
She closed the door and was about to let Rong Si out of her wardrobe when she opened the door and found that he was already gone.
There was only a note left in the cabinet.
Yu Wanyin picked it up and unfolded it, and saw that he had written, "I need to get back before dawn tomorrow. I just wanted to tell you about the marriage alliance."
"Whether you marry me or not, I will help you, don't be afraid."
Yu Wanyin closed the cabinet door, stood up, and slowly strolled back, looking at the note.
*
Dawn is approaching outside the pass.
Rong Si rode back to Yuanchuan at full speed, and taking advantage of the shift change in the courtyard, he went straight to the back window and climbed in.
The series of movements were fluid and efficient, clean and crisp.
He had barely steadied himself when, in the pale gray of the morning light, he saw Rong Zhi sitting inside, coldly watching him.
Rong Si's body stiffened slightly.
After a brief exchange of glances, Rong Zhi coldly rebuked, "You're getting bolder and bolder."
"Do you think I can't control you anymore? You dare to disobey military orders and leave the pass!"
A powerful voice instantly resonated throughout the house.
Even though he's a veteran who's guarded the gate for decades, his anger still sends shivers down your spine.
Rong Si had no way to refute it, and he lowered his head to admit, "Please punish me, Father."
Rong Zhi took a deep breath and closed his eyes. "You, go to the ancestral hall and kneel for three days."
"You are not allowed to get up without my permission."
The room was silent for a moment.
Rong Si responded and left.
Just as he reached the door, Rong Zhi suddenly called out to him, "You brat, you'd better learn your lesson from this punishment."
"People who are about to get married should consider their family and wife when making decisions in the future."
Rong Si stopped in his tracks, as if he had sensed something. He turned back and asked, "The Cheng family?"
Rong Zhi really didn't want to give in to his wish so easily, and said with disdain, "I can't control you, so I have to find someone who can."
Rong Si understood his father's implication and quickly asked, "She agreed?"
"Shut up." Rong Zhi was annoyed by his delight and kicked him. "I'm warning you..."
“I know,” Rong Si replied, his smile unchanged. “I accept the punishment.”
"It's all up to you."
As Rong Si spoke, he quickly ran towards the ancestral hall.
Rong Zhi laughed in anger and muttered, "You little bastard."
After finishing his rant, he realized he had accidentally cursed himself and suddenly fell silent.
The wedding date is set for next spring.
The wedding of Yuanchuan Rong was quite a lively affair, and Yu Wanyin, sitting in the bridal chamber, still felt quite surprised.
Not long ago, she was avoiding him, afraid that he would take advantage of her.
Right now, I'm sitting on his wedding bed.
Yu Wanyin looked at the bedding beside her, her eyes filled with the red dates, longans and dried fruits scattered around her.
She had been taught the meaning of those things before she got married.
Including what to do on the wedding night.
Yu Wanyin tightened her bridal veil, and the tense atmosphere continued until he returned.
The sound of the door opening rang out, and she sat up even more properly.
But Rong Si wasn't a very disciplined person; he didn't even linger at the wedding banquet and came straight back.
He pulled her to the table. "I brought you some food. Are you hungry?"
Yu Wanyin looked at him nervously for a while, and just as she was about to ask something, Rong Si had already brought the pastry to her lips.
She opened her mouth and bit down.
Rong Si's expression relaxed a little. "I noticed you haven't eaten in a long time."
As he spoke, he added food to her bowl, often feeding her directly to her mouth.
Yu Wanyin is not good at saying no.
He accepted everything he fed him.
Rong Si had wanted to do this for a long time.
Every time I see her eating, or bring her food, she gets full after eating only a little bit.
Seeing this made him want to give her more.
Now I can finally do it myself.
It felt just as good as I had imagined.
Unfortunately, she has a small appetite.
Yu Wanyin was having trouble keeping up with his feeding pace.
It was a bit difficult to eat.
Seeing that she couldn't keep up, Rong Si had to slow down and wait for her to get used to it.
Yu Wanyin swallowed what he gave her, but when Rong Si offered her more, she instinctively refused.
She looked somewhat troubled and said softly, "I can't eat anymore."
Rong Si paused in his movements.
At the prime of life, just one word can send your blood rushing to your waist.
Yu Wanyin was completely unaware that there was anything wrong with her tone of voice.
After all, it was just an ordinary sentence.
Moreover, she always spoke to her older sister like this at home.
As long as she speaks like that, her older sister will always go along with her.
Sure enough, this approach worked on him.
Rong Si put down what he was holding and put away the food. "You've eaten, now it's time to rest."
He pretended to be very busy, trying to hide his unusual behavior.
Yu Wanyin was not unfamiliar with him. She got up and went to the bath room, saying, "Then I'll go wash up."
Rong Si listened to her leave, stood still, and then looked at the departing figure.
That tone of voice did work on him.
But they have different uses.
Yu Wanyin had only taken two steps when she heard footsteps behind her.
She turned her head and saw him follow her into the bathroom.
Rong Si closed the bathroom door and walked towards her. "I'll help you."
He was tall, and this was even more apparent at that moment.
"I can manage to wash and groom myself... um."
A slender and graceful woman was placed on the table, her softness as alluring as a newly blossoming flower bud, inviting one to pluck and touch her.
Her bright red wedding dress was a striking symbol of their now intimate relationship.
It made my eyes sting.
His voice was much lower and hoarse as he slowly repeated, "I'll help you."
The young wife, who couldn't even resist an overly fierce and direct kiss, experienced lovemaking for the first time.
The white porcelain toes were so taut they twitched slightly.
The sticky sound of bath water echoed through the newlyweds' bedroom.
The influence spread from the bathroom to the wedding bed.
Inside, red candles flickered, while outside, red lanterns burned all night long.
—Rong Dan Line Completed—
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