Chapter 27 (Second Update) A powerful lord promises forever...
A few days later, Ji and Jing returned from their morning exercise with the army.
Hua Wenhuai rushed to his residence, sweat beading on his brow.
Ji Yujing took off his shirt, revealing his well-defined muscles to the air.
He carried his clothes to the backyard, where there was an old well. Every day after training, he would draw water from the well to wash himself. He did this all year round.
"Uncle Huai, why are you in such a hurry?"
Hua Wenhuai followed closely behind him, "General, hurry up! People from the capital have arrived and are heading to the Ji family's old residence."
"The governor has also set off."
Ji Yujing's steps faltered, and he turned to look at Hua Wenhuai.
Who is coming?
“Chen Jian, the Vice Minister of Rites, along with the Fourth Prince and the eldest son of the Lin family.”
Ji Yujing: "..."
This is quite a grand affair.
"Get ready, we'll set off in the time it takes to drink a cup of tea."
"promise."
"Take Ye Xiao with you."
Upon hearing this, Hua Wenhuai smiled.
These two cousins really fought a lot, but their deep affection for each other was also real.
At important moments, you never want the other person to be absent.
At 1:45 AM, members of the Ji family, people from the capital, Ji Yujing and his entourage, and people from the prefectural governor's mansion gathered at the Ji family's old residence. The spacious courtyard appeared unusually crowded.
"Everyone's here, shall we begin?" Chen Jian, the Vice Minister of Rites, said with a smile. He was by nature a gentle person, and his smile made him appear even more approachable.
Seeing the high-ranking official in the capital being so polite, Ji Tongchuan couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
It wasn't that they were afraid of them, but rather that they always hoped for a peaceful and harmonious occasion. Since it was the wedding of the eldest son of the Ji family, the Ji family was even more cautious.
"Thank you for your trouble, sir."
Chen Jian smiled, took the imperial edict from the accompanying eunuch, and unfolded it in front of everyone.
"General Ji Yujing of the Ningdong Army receives the imperial decree..."
Ji and Jing, along with everyone else, knelt down.
Chen Jianlang read out the imperial decree, and the marriage between Ji Lin and Ji Lin was finally settled.
On May 26th, an auspicious day, the Silver Shield Army personally escorted the eldest daughter of the Lin family to Lingdong.
"Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty."
Ji and Jing received the imperial decree.
Chen Jian smiled and said, "Get up, everyone."
As he finished speaking, he turned to the Lord of Yuzhou and said, "His Majesty has decreed that a mansion be built for Dai Dai in Jingning City, to be built to the standards of a princess, and all the necessary funds will come from His Majesty's private treasury."
"Although there are people specifically in charge of this matter, they are not familiar with Lingdong. If necessary, could we trouble Lord Yu to provide some assistance?"
The prefect of Yuzhou quickly replied, "Lord Chen, please just say what you need, and I will do my utmost to help."
"OK."
Ji Tongchuan smiled broadly: "Since you have come from afar, I have prepared a feast with Lingdong flavors to welcome you and wash away the dust of your journey. I hope you will not find it offensive."
Lin Qingyu replied, "I've been wanting to come to Lingdong for a big meal for a long time."
"Is that right, Fourth Prince?"
Song Yunyan's eyes were bright, and he was clearly in a good mood. "Yes."
The two men's friendly and relaxed demeanor reminded Ye Xiao of the feeling he had when a group of younger generations gathered at the old man Yu Yong's earthen building. He didn't want to be formal anymore, so he took the initiative to approach Lin Qingyu and Song Yunyan, spreading his arms wide and placing them on their shoulders respectively.
"I'll go steal some wine for you."
"My brother's."
Ji Yujing spoke coldly: "Ye Xiao."
Hahahahahahahahaha.
"General Ji, you should bring the wine to the table yourself, or I'll tell Dai Dai about you when we get back."
What are they exposing?
It simply means that he used the scar as a disguise, and even though he knew she was his fiancée, he still pretended to be someone else.
Ji and Jing were not afraid at all.
But at that moment, he did not refute it.
He felt that since the people from the capital were willing to respect Lingdong and his family, and that his marriage with Lin Qingdai would begin in harmony and joy, it was no big deal for him to be teased a few times.
Not to mention the several jars of wine.
"Ye Xiao, go fetch the wine."
Ye Xiao: "Wow, great! Fourth Prince, would you like to come with me?"
"What about you, brother-in-law?"
Lin Qingyu corrected him somewhat casually: "I am your brother's brother-in-law."
Ye Xiao: "My brother's brother-in-law is my brother-in-law."
The unruly child amused everyone but also successfully angered his own mother, Cheng Ling.
"Ye Xiao, do you want to get slapped in public?"
Ye Xiao immediately quieted down, and to show his sincerity, he even made a gesture to seal his mouth.
It was an hour later when the lively meal was finally finished.
Under the guidance of Lord Yu, Lord Chen strolled around Jingning City, while Lin Qingyu and the others moved to the courtyard.
After we were seated, Hua Wenhuai brought over tea and cups.
Having just finished eating and drinking, no one was in a hurry to drink tea.
Ji Yujing looked at Lin Qingyu and Song Yunyan and asked, "Why are you and the Fourth Prince here?"
Lin Qingyu: "That's a good question."
Ji Yujing's lips twitched slightly.
Lin Qingyu spoke again, this time with a very serious tone.
"My dad sent me."
He said that since the two families lived far apart, it was not very convenient to exchange betrothal gifts and have the wedding ceremony. He suggested that we meet and discuss the matter to come up with a solution that would be acceptable to both families.
After listening, Ji Yujing sincerely said, "Thank you for your understanding, Lord Marquis."
At this moment, Song Yunyan spoke up, "What kind of betrothal gifts have you prepared? If they're too shabby, I won't agree to them."
“Dai Dai is a precious pearl that we have protected and raised. She can’t bear to eat even a little bit of this.”
Upon hearing this, Ji Yujing chuckled and said, "The Ji family is poor, and we have no way to offer a valuable betrothal gift."
That's the truth.
Given the wealth of the Lin and Zhuo families, even the dowry he prepared by spending all his savings wouldn't be enough to impress them.
"But Ji and Jing still wanted to do their best and didn't want my wife to suffer any injustice."
He first took out a jade bracelet from the inside pocket of his coat.
Behind him, Hua Wenhuai placed two envelopes on the table at the opportune moment.
Rough kraft paper used in the military.
Ji Yujing looked at Lin Qingyu with clear and firm eyes.
"This jade is an heirloom passed down from our ancestors. It may not be particularly valuable, but it has been passed down through generations of matriarchs of the Ji family to this day."
As he finished speaking, his finger landed on an envelope.
“This is my handwritten letter. I promise the Lin family and Dai Dai that I will never take a concubine.”
The powerful lord promised never to take a concubine and was willing to put it in writing as proof. Ji and Jing's sincerity needed no further confirmation.
Song Yunyan was very satisfied, and he couldn't help but pat Ji Yujing on the shoulder.
"That's fine."
"Since you're so sincere, we can still be friends."
Ji Yujing suppressed a laugh, "Thank you, Fourth Prince."
Song Yunyan withdrew his hand and glanced at another envelope.
"Then what is this?"
Ji Yujing: "This is a blank letter with my name on it. The Lin family can use this letter to ask me to do something in the future."
"I will do my duty to the best of my ability."
Although that's what he said, everyone present understood that this was actually leaving Lin Qingdai a way out.
If one day she becomes unhappy in Lingdong, she can choose to leave.
If she finds happiness, this blank letter will be a lifeline for both the Lin and Zhuo families.
"These are the limits that Ji can offer at this stage."
Lin Qingyu carefully put away the three "betrothal gifts," then smiled and said to Ji Yujing, "As the brother-in-law, I am satisfied."
"As for what my parents and Dai Dai think, we'll have to wait until I bring these things back to the capital."
"Understood, thank you for your hard work, brother."
Lin Qingyu: "You're quite sensible. You need to take good care of Dai Dai from now on. If she's not doing well, I'll definitely come after you."
Ji Yujing: "Of course."
"Hey, Ji Yujing," Song Yunyan suddenly called out.
Ji Yujing turned to look at him. "Fourth Prince, what is it?"
Song Yunyan: "I am also Dai Dai's brother, as everyone in the capital knows. Shouldn't you call me brother-in-law too?"
Ji Yujing: "..."
At that moment, he couldn't help but recall what Yu Yong had said.
Of the emperor's four sons, only the fourth prince was somewhat interesting.
This is more than just somewhat interesting.
He's got a crazy streak, just like Ye Xiao and Xu Xian.
Ye Xiao, always eager for drama, said, "I think it makes sense."
Upon hearing this, Lin Qingyu and Hua Wenhuai both burst into laughter.
Ji Yujing's gaze turned cold as he swept it over the two of them.
"Let's talk about it after the wedding is settled."
"Is there anything else? If not, I'll take you to see the military camp."
"Want to go?"
As expected, Song Yunyan's attention was diverted. "Of course I want to, I'll go now."
Just kidding, the Ningdong Army is known as the most powerful army in Xun Kingdom. If you don't go and see it, it's like you've wasted your trip to Lingdong.
"Could I exchange a few blows with one of your senior generals?"
"If Your Highness is not afraid of being beaten, then of course it is possible."
"Then hurry up."
Lin Qingyu scoffed at Song Yunyan's anxious, dog-like appearance.
After saying goodbye to Ji Tongchuan and the other elders in the family, Lin Qingyu and the others left the Ji family's old house together.
After they left, Cheng Zhi looked at Ji Tongchuan with a smile in her eyes, "Father, the Lin family is truly kind and generous."
"Oh, I can finally relax."
Ji Tongchuan hadn't expected things to go so smoothly. "This is probably the demeanor of a century-old family."
Logically, the discussion of betrothal gifts should be held between the elders of both families.
It's quite rare to see two juniors talking like this today.
But as Lin Qingyu said, the Lin and Ji families are too far apart, so the process should be simplified as much as possible.
Although Lin Qingyu and Ji Yujing are juniors, one is the eldest son of the Lin family and the future head of the family, and the other is a powerful local tyrant, so their influence is enormous.
It's not considered impolite for them to speak on behalf of the elders of both families.
I just didn't expect their way of talking to be so direct and open.
"Zhizhi, get ready to drink your daughter-in-law's tea."
Cheng Zhi's smile grew even wider. "I've prepared the gold jewelry and red bags. I'm just waiting for my daughter-in-law to come home."
Seeing her sister so happy, Cheng Ling couldn't help but feel a little envious.
"My silly son, when will I finally have a daughter-in-law?"
The elders all burst into laughter.
Afterwards, some played cards, some chatted, and they all had dinner together in the evening. The laughter lingered in the spacious courtyard for a long time.
After spending two days in Lingdong, Lin Qingyu and Song Yunyan, along with their guards, embarked on their return journey.
On the night before leaving, Ji Yujing invited Lin Qingyu to drink at the highest point in Jingning City.
A gentle night breeze carries a pure, refreshing coolness that soothes the soul.
"This is a great place to drink."
Lin Qingyu's gaze swept around, and she couldn't help but admire.
Ji Yujing opened a jar of wine and handed it to him.
As the aroma of wine wafted on the breeze, he said, "Come visit often when you have time."
Lin Qingyu looked at him, took the wine, and said, "You're quite different from the rumors."
Ji Yujing paused for a moment, "How are they different?"
Lin Qingyu: "I feel that you are a warm person at heart."
But in legend, you are an ambitious man.
Unruly and untamed, disregarding rules and laws.
Ji Yujing laughed upon hearing this: "Aren't you afraid of misjudging someone and losing your sister?"
Lin Qingyu: "I trust my own judgment and Dai Dai's ability to handle crises."
"She's just delicate, not weak."
"Come on, let's drink."
Lin Qingyu took the initiative to lift the jar and shook it at Ji Yujing.
Ji and Jing opened the altar again, raised their voices, and bumped into each other.
After taking a sip, Lin Qingyu asked him again, "So, what did you want to see me about?"
"Being Ji Yujing's brother-in-law is not an easy job."
Ji Yujing was amused by these words.
At the same time, I also felt that everyone in the Lin family had a sense of humor.
Lord Lin was like that, and so was Lin Qingdai.
After laughing, Ji Yujing said to Lin Qingyu, "Be sure to be careful on your way to Lingdong."
Lin Qingyu instantly understood what he meant.
"Are you worried that someone might attack Daisy on the street?"
Ji Yujing: "It's not that I'm worried, it's that I definitely will."
And it's not just one side.
After careful consideration, Lin Qingyu realized that Ji Yujing's concerns were not without merit.
The marriage between the Lin and Ji families greatly benefited Ji and Jing, whose influence was already unstoppable.
Regardless of how much dowry Dai Dai will bring to Lingdong, as the beloved daughter of the Lin and Zhuo families, she has access to a great deal of resources. In addition, her reputation for intelligence and beauty is already well-known throughout Xun Kingdom...
"If you're worried, why don't you go pick it up yourself?"
Ji Yujing: "During this special time, Dongshao Kingdom has to be on guard. They've been acting strangely quiet lately."
Lin Qingyu was easily persuaded and reached out to pat him on the shoulder.
"Don't worry, I'll make another trip then."
"Thank you for your hard work, brother-in-law."
"I am no match for you, General Ji."
Lin Qingyu sincerely admired Ji Yujing.
Without him, the eastern border would not be so peaceful today.
What's more, the 100,000 Ningdong Army under his control was created by him.
"If you need anything in the future, just ask. I, the eldest son of the Lin family, may not have much else, but I have plenty of money."
Ji Yujing couldn't help but laugh, "Then I'll thank you in advance, brother-in-law."
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