Chapter 64 General Pei, I have already married someone else…
Yan Yunzhang and the Yan family acted quickly, setting the wedding date for seven days later. Time was tight, but fortunately it wasn't a formal wedding, so there weren't too many complicated rules to follow.
Yan Yunzhang took the initiative to handle everything, and Huiyue felt at ease. The next day, she moved from the Yan residence to her newly acquired courtyard, a quiet place in the middle of the bustling city, with a simple and elegant style of house.
Located at the intersection of two alleys, the entrance has a small doorway paved with blue bricks, and a half-person-high candlestick is stacked against the wall on the right. Behind the door is a simple wooden screen covered with blackout gauze, blocking the prying eyes of passersby.
Behind the screen is the courtyard. The courtyard is not large, and the ground is made of rammed earth, which is flat and solid. In the corner of the courtyard is a tall locust tree with branches and leaves that form a canopy, providing shade for the small courtyard.
Huiyin loves this place. During the day, sitting in the courtyard, she can hear the hustle and bustle of the market, the shouts of vendors, and the lively atmosphere.
During this period, the Song family frequently visited to persuade her, and even acted as matchmakers, bringing many young men to Huiyin's door to try to dissuade her from marrying Yan Yunzhang.
Huiyin was both amused and exasperated for a moment, and then she actually began to seriously examine the men they had brought. She propped her head up and looked them over one by one, shaking her head and saying, "This one won't do, he's not tall enough."
"This one won't do either, it doesn't have my cousin Junxiu."
"This person has an accent, and I can't understand what they're saying."
She thought she had been very tactful and hadn't hurt anyone too much, but the men were still extremely ashamed and indignant. They glared at her fiercely and stormed off.
Yan Niang shook her head, "What was the Song family thinking? The person they found is inferior to Yan Langjun in every way, and he has quite a temper. This is hardly the behavior of a live-in son-in-law."
Huiyin ate the white sugar cake that Yan Yunzhang had sent early in the morning, her fingers merrily playing with the fresh flower buds beside her. She nodded affirmatively; the more anxious the Song family was, the happier she became.
After lunch, Huiyin was about to take a nap when the Yan family steward arrived with several women, carrying several lacquered wooden boxes.
The steward said with a fawning smile, "Miss Song, these are a few ready-made wedding dresses that my husband picked out in the city. We've brought them here for you to try on."
In the past, wealthy families would hire embroiderers to make their wedding dresses, which would take about six months. However, her wedding date with Yan Yunzhang was too tight, and the wedding dresses could not be made in time, so she had to buy ready-made clothes.
For Huiyin, this marriage was just a transaction. She didn't care much about it and led the people into the house, letting them fiddle with her and try on clothes one by one.
After the embroiderer reminded her again to tighten her abdomen, Huiyin lowered her head in shame, her cheeks flushed. She had been living too leisurely these days, and her waist had become a little plump, making her original dresses a bit too tight around her waist.
After trying on all the clothes, the embroiderer asked her which one she liked best so they could adjust it to fit Huiyin's figure. Huiyin paused for a moment, then chose the most loose and comfortable wedding dress.
After seeing the embroiderer off, Huiyin had no desire to sleep. She drew a portrait of Jingchuan and had someone take it to the street to make copies. Now that she was wealthy, she thought she would ask people to draw more portraits and have them taken to search for him all the way north of Chang'an, hoping to find out some information.
Leisurely days always pass quickly, and in the blink of an eye, seven days had passed—the wedding day. Huiyin's small courtyard was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, and red silk fluttered in the wind. Unlike the wedding ceremony, the wedding hall was set up in the bride's house.
Yan Yunzhang is indeed very capable. He personally handled all the wedding arrangements without disturbing Huiyin at all. Even the guests present today were entertained by the Yan family.
Song Xiuwu and Song Qiao did not show up. They even demanded that no member of the Song family be present, hoping to embarrass Huiyin.
If she were truly an orphan, with no clansmen present to support her on her wedding day, she would have naturally succumbed to the pressure and submitted to the Song family long ago. Unfortunately, she wasn't. Song Xiuwu's tricks were insignificant to her, and she didn't care about her reputation or face whatsoever.
Huiyin sat leisurely in the bridal chamber, letting Yan Niang do her makeup and dress her. The little maid she had bought was lively and clever, and was vividly describing the scene in the front yard. Her voice was clear and crisp, "The county magistrate has also come. This is the first time I have seen the county magistrate. He looks so majestic that people dare not look him in the eye."
Upon hearing this, Huiyin turned her head, the gold hairpin in her hair clinking together. "County Lieutenant!"
The little maid blinked, her cheeks flushed, and looked at Huiyin, her voice barely audible, "Yes."
Huiyin got up and dressed. She rarely wore such a bright color. The wide sleeves and curved hem of the bright red dress fit her figure perfectly. Her exposed neck was slender and long, and her skin was as white as snow.
She wore heavy makeup, which replaced her originally delicate features with a seductive and alluring look. Her eyes were slightly upturned, and when she looked at people, it was as if she was unintentionally hooking them. Her eyes were captivating and her beautiful gaze was alluring.
This wedding dress was quite complicated to wear. Huiyin lowered her head to adjust the hem of her skirt. She had only heard that this county magistrate was not very familiar with the Song family, but she had never seen him.
His arrival today, is it related to the Song family? What do they want to do?
Wang Huan and Feng Cheng's guards hadn't left Wan County yet, so Huiyin arranged for them to stay at an inn. With them there, she wasn't afraid of the county magistrate. However, given the distance and the fact that the emperor was far away, and the magistrate wielded considerable power in the area, she didn't really know what excuse he could use to deal with the Yan family.
Thinking this, Yan Niang had already helped her get ready. Huiyin stood in front of the bronze mirror, looking at the graceful figure in the mirror. Looking at the familiar yet unfamiliar face, her heart was filled with ripples. She originally thought she would never wear a wedding dress in this lifetime.
A maid from the Yan household stopped at the door to announce, "The auspicious time has arrived. Please move to the wedding hall, bride."
Huiyin took the wedding fan handed to her by the matchmaker, held it up in front of her, and slowly stepped out of the house. Yanniang and the matchmaker supported her on either side as they walked towards the front hall.
The wedding was scheduled for dusk. In the early autumn night, darkness fell early, and the corridor was already dim. To prevent the bride from falling, ceramic lanterns were lit one by one, and the front yard was brightly lit.
Yan Yunzhang, dressed in wedding attire, stood in the courtyard, flanked by relatives and friends who had come to witness the ceremony.
The only difference is that the right side of the main seat, where Yan's parents should have been seated, is now occupied by a strange man with solemn eyes and a condescending air when he looks at people.
Yan Yunzhang's expression was somewhat unpleasant. He glanced coldly at the uninvited County Magistrate Zhang, suppressed his discomfort, and turned to look at the corridor.
Huiyin was slowly helped out by two people, the orange light shining on her from above, making her look like a beautiful woman.
His breathing quickened, and he subconsciously took a step forward, staring intently at Huiyin's figure, his heart pounding.
Holding a ceremonial fan in front of her, and with the dim light and her intricate skirt, Huiyin focused all her attention on her feet to avoid accidentally stepping on the hem of her skirt, failing to notice the undercurrents in the courtyard.
She walked up to Yan Yunzhang and stood face to face with him. Huiyin could only see the hem of Yan Yunzhang's red robe through the fan. She heard a gentle voice above her head, "Are you tired?"
Huiyin shook her head slightly and said in a voice only the two of them could hear, "I heard the county magistrate is here too. What's he doing here?"
Yan Yunzhang's expression was somewhat solemn. He glanced at Zhang County Lieutenant, who was sitting in the main seat, and when he saw the disdainful smile in Zhang's eyes, his unease reached its peak.
Not wanting Huiyin to worry, he remained calm and didn't show it. "County Commandant Zhang has a history with the Yan family. He's here to offer his congratulations. Don't worry."
Huiyin frowned almost imperceptibly, and through the gap in the fan, she used her peripheral vision to look for County Magistrate Zhang, only to find that he was actually sitting in the main seat.
This is extremely rude. Today is a celebratory banquet, and officials who come to offer their congratulations, regardless of their rank, should be seated below the main seat. Yet he sits blatantly in the high seat. Is he simply lacking in manners or does he have other plans?
Those who can rise to the rank of county magistrate usually have some family wealth. Besides, she saw that Lord Zhang's manners and etiquette were very good that day, so it was unreasonable for his son, who was an official, to be so ill-mannered.
Her heart sank slightly, but she didn't have time to think it through. The master of ceremonies had already started shouting, and the wedding attendant helped her stand with Yan Yunzhang before stepping down.
The master of ceremonies announced, "The time has come; pay respects to the elders."
Huiyin waited quietly. Yan Yunzhang beside her did not move. She heard the discussions of the guests around her. The county magistrate was sitting in the main seat and showed no intention of giving up his seat.
The Yan couple stood to the side, their faces grim, and asked in a low voice, "Lord Zhang, the auspicious time has arrived and we cannot delay, what do you think..."
The hall fell silent for a moment. The county magistrate picked up the wine cup on the table and slowly drank, without saying a word.
Yan Yunzhang could no longer contain himself and questioned, "What does Lord Zhang mean by this?"
Huiyin frowned and remained silent. It seemed that the marriage would not go through today. This county magistrate had clearly come with trouble, but he had not made any move yet. Instead, he had been provoking the Yan family.
She turned the fan down and said coldly, "We are just ordinary people. If you have something to say, just say it. Why humiliate us like this?"
Upon hearing her speak, County Magistrate Zhang put down his wine cup, slowly raised his eyes to look at Huiyin, his mustache slanted downwards, and his eyes revealed an undisguised determination. "Miss Song, it's not that I've come here specifically to cause trouble, but I don't know how to begin."
His triangular eyes held an ambiguous smile as he looked Huiyin up and down, finally settling on her face.
Yan Yunzhang stepped forward to block Huiyin's view, his face showing disgust. This county magistrate was really disgusting. He was old enough to be Huiyin's father, yet he acted like a young girl at his age, shameless.
Huiyin tugged at Yan Yunzhang's sleeve, shook her head slightly, and gestured for him to step back. No matter how outstanding and talented Yan Yunzhang was, he ultimately had little experience dealing with these bureaucrats.
A higher-ranking official can have absolute power; the Yan family are commoners, while the county magistrate is the local official in charge. It would be easy for him to harm the Yan family. Besides, today, he was clearly targeting her.
Huiyin did not loosen her grip on Yan Yunzhang's sleeve, but stood beside him, clearly telling County Magistrate Zhang her stance.
She glanced around at the guests who had come to offer their congratulations, all of whom dared not speak out intimidation by the imposing presence of County Magistrate Zhang. Huiyin said softly, "County Magistrate Zhang, just speak frankly. There's no need to beat around the bush."
County Magistrate Zhang, his beard twitching, finally rose from his seat and went into the courtyard. He made no attempt to conceal his covetousness for Huiyin. "Miss Song, your marriage is off. I just received the news."
He looked around with his hands behind his back, his gaze shifting from Yan Xiao's grim face to Yan Yunzhang's furious expression, and finally to Huiyin, feigning regret. "I have just received news that the Yan family is concealing people and evading taxes. Their crimes are heinous. They are to be arrested and imprisoned for investigation immediately."
Yan Yunzhang roared, "This is a frame-up! As the county magistrate, how dare you abuse your power for personal gain!"
County Commandant Zhang snorted coldly, and the men he brought immediately surrounded Yan Yunzhang and seized him.
He said to Huiyin with a regretful expression, "Miss Song, I am truly sorry to have ruined your wedding banquet. However, since you cannot perform the ceremony, I will take your fiancé with me."
He deliberately emphasized the word "fiancé" and ordered his men to arrest and take the Yan family members away. Huiyin spread her arms to block Yan Yunzhang, and the Wang family guards who had escorted her to Wan County also drew their swords and stood in front of the two of them.
A moment of silence fell over the wedding hall, the gleaming blade reflecting the varied expressions on faces. Huiyin extended her hand, her brow furrowed, and said calmly, "Although you are a county constable, you cannot arrest people arbitrarily. Do you have any official documents from the county government to prove it?"
County Magistrate Zhang shook his head and chuckled, raising his hand to touch Huiyin's face, his tone ambiguous, "Miss Song, is this Chang'an? Here, I am the only one in power. Whoever I want to die, dies; whoever I want to live, lives. The Yan family has committed a capital offense punishable by the execution of the entire family."
Huiyin frowned and avoided his hand. Zhang, the county magistrate, was about forty years old. Unlike others who had long beards, he had a sparse beard that hung loosely on his lips, trembling with the sound of his voice. Coupled with his smug expression, it was truly disgusting.
She frowned in thought. Even if she could get the Wang family's guards to protect her and the Yan family and rush out, Wan County was so big that County Commandant Zhang had absolute power. If she pushed him too far, he could kill her to cover up the crime and leave no trace.
Yan Yunzhang anxiously grabbed Huiyin. He knew exactly what this county magistrate was up to. The Song family must have promised him some benefits, and he was lustful upon seeing Huiyin. He wanted to use the Yan family to threaten Huiyin into committing a crime.
Yan Xiao also broke free from the hands holding him down and shouted, "Huiyin, don't worry about us! I don't believe this corrupt official can cover up everything!"
County Magistrate Zhang chuckled twice, raised his chin slightly, and looked down at people with his nose in his mouth. "Insulting a county magistrate is an even more serious offense."
He glanced at Huiyin, extremely satisfied. He never expected that there would be such a beauty in Wan County. Fortunately, the Song family informed him in time, otherwise, he would have missed her.
Huiyin remained silent with a sullen face, but she did not leave Yan Yunzhang's side, nor did she order the guards protecting her to put down their knives.
For a moment, the courtyard was silent as the two groups faced off.
"What's that sound?" County Commandant Zhang was interrupted by a commotion outside the courtyard, and he lifted his eyelids in displeasure.
Huiyin looked towards the door, but the vermilion gate was tightly closed, and only faint sounds could be heard from outside.
Those in the courtyard involuntarily held their breath, listening intently to the sounds outside.
Tap tap—
The sound was deep and rhythmic, faintly transmitted through the ground, and Huiyin could even feel the ground beneath her feet trembling slightly.
Someone whispered, "That sound sounds like iron cavalry."
Huiyin's mind went blank, her hands clenched tightly under her sleeves, and she stared intently at the door, her heart pounding.
Magistrate Zhang looked suspicious and beckoned a servant to go out and investigate. He knew everything about Wan County; the commotion outside was huge—who was playing tricks?
The man had just reached the door and reached out to open it when suddenly a powerful force came from outside. The two vermilion doors were slammed open, and he was sent flying, crashing heavily at the feet of Huiyin and Yan Yunzhang, blood dripping from his mouth as he howled in pain.
As the noise and dust subsided after the two doors were smashed open, a tall, black horse with glossy mane trotted closer. On its back sat a young man dressed in black armor, a crimson cloak billowing behind him.
Following his waistline upwards, there is a hard and resolute face, with a high and straight nose, tightly closed lips, a taut jawline, and sharp, tangible eyes that carry a murderous aura and vigilance.
Behind him, a dark mass of armored soldiers filled the entire street, their solemn and imposing gazes fixed on the small courtyard, their right hands resting on the long swords at their waists.
They would swarm in and reduce the small courtyard to ruins in an instant, just as the young general gave the order.
Huiyin stared at that face for a moment, then staggered back two steps, only to be gently supported by Yan Yunzhang beside her. She stared intently at the person who had intruded, every sound around her amplified infinitely.
County Commandant Zhang stepped out from behind the two men, glared at Pei Yu, and pointed at him, cursing, "Who are you to dare to be so bold as to wage war in my Wan County? Don't you have a death wish!"
Pei Yu stared intently at the hand resting on Huiyin's shoulder, giving Zhang County Lieutenant a dismissive look as if it were an inanimate object, before announcing his name, "General Pei Yu, here to inspect the prefectures and counties by imperial decree."
County Magistrate Zhang walked up to Pei Yu's horse, looking displeased. "I have not received any imperial decree. Do you have any official documents or orders to prove it?"
Pei Yu glanced at him lightly and said casually, "I don't need those things. My presence here is proof enough."
County Lieutenant Zhang was speechless for a moment. Why did he feel that this sentence sounded so familiar?
Before he could think it through, another person walked out from behind Pei Yu. The newcomer rushed forward in a fluster, his official robe was wrinkled and his official hat was crooked. It was none other than his superior, Prefect Yao Qing!
Yao Qing raised his hand and slapped the dumbfounded County Lieutenant Zhang, shouting, "Fool! How dare you offend General Pei?"
County Magistrate Zhang's legs involuntarily went weak. Ignoring the crowd of onlookers behind him, he knelt on the ground without hesitation, kowtowing and begging for forgiveness, tears streaming down his face, saying, "This humble official was blind to your greatness, please forgive me, General! Please forgive me, General!"
Pei Yu gave Yao Qing a look, and Yao Qing immediately said, twisting Zhang County Lieutenant's ear and gagging him out.
County Magistrate Zhang was dealt with in a few words and glances by the man in front of him. The others in the courtyard looked terrified, not understanding why such a big shot would appear in such a small place as Wan County.
Pei Yu didn't care about these people. He drew his sword from his waist with one hand, and the sharp sound of the blade rang out. His eyes were fixed on the annoying hand, and he said coldly, "I'll count to three, and those who stay won't have to leave."
The sharp whistling of swords startled everyone awake. Someone took the first step and left, and the others followed suit, rushing towards the door, but all of them avoided the menacing figure standing there.
Huiyin stood quietly in place, surrounded by a chaotic crowd surging outwards. Yan Yunzhang, worried that she would be bumped into, reached out and pulled her into his arms, while his other hand encircled Huiyin to protect her.
From the moment Pei Yu appeared, Huiyin's gaze had never left him. Now, in the flickering firelight, she met Pei Yu's eyes through the chaotic crowd and saw the fierce look in his eyes.
After everyone dispersed, Pei Yu raised an eyebrow and looked at the people around Huiyin, his laughter like that of a demon from hell, "Kill anyone who didn't leave."
Unlike his usual leisurely demeanor, Chi Yan slowly approached the other people in the courtyard, carrying a long sword. The sword slashed across the bluestone slabs, as if slashing into Huiyin's heart.
"Wait," Huiyin called out, stopping him. "General Pei, why is this?"
Pei Yu stared at Huiyin, who was dressed in a bright red wedding gown, with radiant makeup and a pearl hairpin in her hair, and the man beside her who was dressed in the same style and color. The crimson color stung his eyes, making him unable to control the murderous urge rising in his heart.
Pei Yu stared at her. "I have something to say to you."
She accepted the request and persuaded Mr. and Mrs. Yan and Yan Niang to leave, leaving only Yan Yunzhang by her side.
Pei Yu dismounted and came to the two of them. Ignoring Yan Yunzhang beside him, he looked down at Huiyin and said, "I want to talk to you alone."
Huiyin grabbed Yan Yunzhang's hand and held it up in front of Pei Yu, saying calmly, "General Pei, I am already married to someone else. Please forgive me for not being able to accept your unreasonable request."
Pei Yu's dark eyes flickered slightly as he stared at the two people's intertwined hands. Through their clasped hands, he focused his gaze on the man beside Huiyin for the first time, and the slight rise and fall of his chest betrayed his turbulent inner state.
He shifted his gaze back and spoke again, "You and he haven't gone through the wedding ceremony yet, so you can't be considered a real couple."
Huiyin replied calmly, "If it weren't for your interference, we would have already completed the ceremony."
Upon hearing this, Pei Yu remained silent for a long time.
Yan Yunzhang finally understood that this important figure knew Huiyin and had come to Wan County for her sake. He was extremely familiar with the way this man looked at Huiyin.
He calmly observed the person in front of him and sadly realized that he was inferior to him in every way—power, status, appearance, and temperament. He had lost completely.
However, there was one thing he had won. Yan Yunzhang looked down at his and Huiyin's clasped hands, comforting himself inwardly. Regardless of Huiyin's past with this man, her return to Wanxian and her agreement to marry him meant that she had severed ties with the past.
He gripped Huiyin's arm tightly, stepped forward to shield her behind him, and asked, "May I ask who you are?"
Huiyin obediently retreated behind Yan Yunzhang, letting out a slight sigh of relief. She really didn't know how to face Pei Yu.
As Pei Yu gazed at the beautiful couple before him, his blood slowly froze, as if a fine needle were piercing his heart—not a sharp, intense pain, but a long, dull, persistent ache.
He had imagined many scenarios of meeting Huiyin. She might be happy to see him and hug him. Or she might be sad and scold him, getting angry with him like before.
But I never imagined that when I saw her again, it would be at her wedding hall with someone else. She stood in front of the other person with a cold expression and said, "General Pei, I have married someone else."
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Author's Note: Sorry for the late update. I've been a little busy lately. Updates will continue as usual at 8 AM. [roses][roses]
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