Chapter 52 The Emperor's Bestowal of a Marriage: What an Honor!
One of the burly, dark-faced men laughed and cursed.
"Liu San, do you think you, a mere soldier, can order the landlady around? If the general finds out, he'll make you run laps around the camp."
Liu San stared wide-eyed and said, "I'm here to support Yu Niang's business. This is also the general's idea. How could the general blame me?"
Ji Qingwu stared at it intently.
The men were dressed as soldiers, wearing black cross-collar robes, narrow trousers, leg wraps, and ankle boots.
Although he wasn't wearing leather armor, his sturdy build clearly indicated that he was a soldier.
Which general are they talking about?
It seems that the general and the proprietress have a close relationship.
Yu Niang was not annoyed by their teasing, and said with a smile, "It's been a long time since I've seen you gentlemen. I'm so grateful that you've come to support my business."
Liu San winked and said, "General Yuchi has been busy with military affairs and training troops lately, so we only came over when we had some free time."
General Yuchi? There's only one general in the army with that surname...
Ji Qingwu raised an eyebrow.
She looked closely at Yu Niang; she was beautiful with delicate skin and a charming smile, the kind of girl that men would find attractive.
Ji Qingwu threw a string of coins on the table, then got up and left.
Upon returning home, after much deliberation, he wrote a letter to the eldest princess, reminding her to be careful.
After all, the eldest princess had asked her today about ways to get pregnant quickly; if she only found out about this after she was already pregnant...
Wouldn't that break your heart?
*
After several busy days and several sleepless nights, Yuchi Lianping finally found some time to return to the princess's residence.
As soon as I entered, I saw Princess Huachang sitting in front of her dressing table, her eyebrows like emerald feathers and her skin like white snow, still looking ethereal and otherworldly.
Immediately, much of my fatigue dissipated.
However, Princess Huachang held a letter in her hand, as if she were frozen in place.
He walked up to her, but she didn't even lift her head, let alone look at him.
Lost in thought, so focused, Yu Chi Lianping reached out and lifted her chin.
He was slapped hard and mercilessly.
Princess Huachang glanced at him.
This glance left Yuchi Lianping stunned on the spot.
She hadn't shown this look of disgust in a long time.
So long that he had forgotten the fact that Zhao Tianhua, who came from a noble family, looked down on him, a rough and uncouth man.
Princess Huachang's voice was icy: "Don't touch me with your filthy hands."
Yu Chi Lianping curled his lip and retorted, "Which part of your body haven't I touched? Now you think it's dirty? Isn't it a bit too late?"
"Stay away from me."
Princess Huachang took a deep breath with composure, not wanting to speak to him.
Yuchi Lianping subconsciously grabbed the front of his military uniform and sniffed it.
He hadn't noticed any odor while in the army camp, which was full of grown men, but as soon as he entered the fragrant room of the princess's residence, he felt a bit of body odor.
"Yes, yes, Your Highness is very clean. I will go and wash up right away."
Yuchi Lianping thought that Princess Huachang was unhappy about this matter, so he took off his dark red outer robe and went to the bathing room to take a bath.
The eldest princess spoke again in a cold voice: "You are not allowed to go."
"Then I won't wash?"
Yu Chi Lianping stepped back and asked her with a smile.
Princess Huachang raised her eyes and stared at him, saying, "You are not allowed to enter my room from now on."
Yu Chi Lianping's thick eyebrows furrowed, and he said incredulously, "Why can't I go into my wife's room?"
Princess Huachang crumpled the letter in her hand and said firmly, "Because I am unwilling and do not want to be in the same room with you."
Yu Chi Lianping clenched his fists. What husband could tolerate being spoken to like that by his wife?
Their marriage was out of necessity.
Back then, she was the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Yong'an's household, while he was just a cavalry captain; it was he who was climbing the social ladder.
But given his current military achievements, isn't he good enough for her?!
Even if it's just a block of ice, it should have melted by now after six years.
Yuchi Lianping was so angry that his chest heaved and his face turned ashen, as if he was about to explode at any moment.
Princess Huachang felt a pang of regret upon seeing his expression. She shouldn't have sent all the maids away earlier; she should have kept a few to help her.
But how could a few thin, frail women stop the furious general?
With her other hand, Princess Huachang gently picked up the gold hairpin from the dressing table.
Yuchi Lianping was lost in thought, and gradually calmed down.
He left with the words, "Never mind, I'll go wash in the bathroom outside."
Then, she lifted the curtain and went out.
As his tall figure disappeared, Princess Huachang released her grip on the letter, which was now damp with sweat.
She folded the letter and put it back in the vanity case.
In the adjacent washroom, Yuchi Lianping was sitting with his legs spread apart, vigorously washing his body. One of his strengths was his ability to console himself.
He is now a general of the first rank, while the eldest princess is of the first rank.
In terms of rank, he was indeed one level below her, and he was not worthy of her. Her attitude was understandable.
Let's see how he restores his husbandly authority when he becomes a Grand Commander of the highest rank.
Besides, I've kept those sparkling ice cubes in my heart for so many years, I don't mind keeping them for a little longer.
He's warm-bodied and not afraid of the cold, so keep him warm!
*
A few days later.
Ji Mansion, Wutong Garden.
Previously, the Qiao family had ordered people to find many medicinal herbs. Some of the fast-growing ones had already produced seeds. Lanzhi was at home with Ji Qingwu, drying the medicinal herbs.
Chunhua walked into the courtyard with small steps and said, "Fifth Miss, the First Madam requests your presence in the front courtyard."
Ji Qingwu put down the basket in her hand, and Lanzhi brought over a basin of clean water. She washed her hands while asking questions.
"My mother knows I'm drying herbs, but is there something important?"
Chunhua said, "The eldest young master has returned home from court, and it seems he brought some news with him."
What news from the court could possibly be related to her?
Ji Qingwu felt strange. She dried her hands and went to Anju Garden. Ji Changlin was sitting in the house, talking to Qiao Shi.
"Big brother."
Ji Qingwu hadn't seen his elder brother for a while. He had recently gone on a mission to Southern Chu and had just returned at night when he went to the morning court to report back.
Ji Changlin tossed something to her, and she quickly reached out to catch it; it felt quite heavy.
Mrs. Qiao asked, "What is this?"
Ji Changlin smiled and said, "These are some new gadgets I brought for my fifth sister to make her happy."
Even when he wasn't at home, he learned about Li Chengxun's situation and just now blamed his maternal grandmother and Qiao for misjudging people.
Qiao said, "You went to Southern Chu for national affairs, and you still have time to collect little trinkets for Xiao Wu."
Ji Qingwu opened the floral cloth bag, which contained glass balls of various colors. The colors were clear and beautiful, and they looked lovely in the light.
"Thank you, brother."
Seeing her holding it in her hands, clearly delighted with it, Ji Changlin's smile deepened.
Qiao continued, "Changlin, tell Xiaowu about what's happening in the court."
Ji Changlin stopped laughing and said calmly, "The palace examination was held this morning, and Li Chengxun was selected as the top scholar."
Ji Qingwu was not surprised.
Her maternal grandfather and uncle both said that Li Chengxun was a man of great learning and had the talent to be the top scholar in the imperial examination, which shows that they were right.
Looking at his fifth sister's expression, Ji Changlin frowned and continued, "His Majesty also issued an imperial decree, bestowing marriage upon Princess Qingyun and the newly appointed top scholar."
To be granted a marriage by the emperor is an immense honor.
He came from a humble background, but by marrying a princess, he became a member of the royal family.
The glass ball in Ji Qingwu's hand fell to the ground and rolled to the doorway.
Ji Changlin said, "Tomorrow, after the top three scholars pay their respects to the emperor, they will parade through the streets. Afterwards, the palace will hold a banquet to entertain the officials, and the women of each family will also be invited."
Mrs. Qiao offered her worried advice.
"Xiao Wu, why don't you pretend to be sick tomorrow and not go?"
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