The Hall of Purple Radiance.
"Has Gu Zheng truly taken a liking to some unknown young man?" Emperor Yuanyou was so shocked he nearly tugged his beard off. Given how protective Gu Zheng was of his daughter, would he really consent to marry her off to a man with neither power nor influence?
"Father, that Yu Fan possesses extraordinary strength and has vowed to take only First Miss Gu as his wife for life. How could the Gu family refuse such a heaven-sent match?" Song Yu explained carelessly.
Yet in the next moment, the emperor's ire turned toward him.
"And why is it that you have no heaven-sent match?"
Emperor Yuanyou glared at his unwed son, too exasperated to even look at him properly.
"Fine, then I won’t linger here and offend your eyes," Song Yu retorted, dusting off his robes as he stood to leave. "Gu Zheng will likely come tomorrow to request an imperial decree for the marriage. Ah Huan sparred with Yu Fan and said the boy is a rare talent. Just don’t give Gu Zheng a hard time when the time comes."
With that, Song Yu strode out of the hall without a backward glance.
Emperor Yuanyou trembled with rage, pointing at the door.
"Insolent brat!"
Since when could his own father not scold him a little?
Did he seem like the type to make things difficult for Gu Zheng?
......
Meanwhile, Yu Fan was arranged to stay temporarily at the Qin Prince's Mansion.
"My father has lived in the capital since birth and has never witnessed the grandeur and sorrow of the northern frontier. I’d like you to tell him what the true north is really like."
Yu Fan regarded Song Shihuan before him with deep respect.
Though he prided himself on his immense strength, he had only managed a draw when sparring with the princess. And she was merely eleven years old—truly terrifying.
Hearing her request, Yu Fan hesitated. "Even the days of starvation?"
"The more truthful, the better."
Song Shihuan’s expression was one of unwavering resolve. "If you wish to see change in the north, you must speak the truth."
As Yu Fan entered the study, she turned to leave but spotted Shen Qingping standing at the courtyard gate, clearly having overheard their conversation.
"Does the princess intend to advocate for the north?"
"The clothes Yu Fan wears are thin and tattered—proof of the north’s suffering." Song Shihuan smiled faintly. "My father is kind-hearted by nature. He simply doesn’t know the true state of the north. If he did, he would spare no effort to change it."
"And I believe he can change it."
Shen Qingping chuckled softly, awed yet again by the princess’s methods.
"The princess’s benevolence is a blessing to Great Qi."
An hour later.
Yu Fan, his throat dry from speaking, shifted uneasily under Song Yu’s grave expression. Had he said too much?
But Song Yu slowly rose and approached him, touching the fabric of Yu Fan’s clothes. "Do all the people in your village wear garments like these?"
Yu Fan nodded.
"As the Qin Prince of Great Qi, I vow to you this: I will ensure the people of the north live free from foreign invasion, with food and clothing in abundance. And this day will not be long in coming."
In that instant, Yu Fan finally understood the weight behind Gu Zheng’s repeated words:
"The Gu family is willing to serve the Qin Prince without hesitation."
Without a second thought, Yu Fan dropped to his knees. "Thank you, Your Highness. This humble man would gladly go through fire and water for you."
Outside the study, Shen Qingping heard Yu Fan’s fervent oath. He glanced up at the clear sky, then at Song Shihuan, whose almond-shaped eyes curved with quiet satisfaction.
Indeed.
Who wouldn’t give their all for a Qin Prince’s Mansion like this?
......
The next day, in the Hall of Purple Radiance.
"Shall the wedding be held in the capital or the northern frontier?"
Emperor Yuanyou studied the young man before him. Even in fresh clothes, Yu Fan still looked lean and unassuming—hardly the "extraordinary talent" Song Yu had described.
"His Majesty is speaking to you," Gu Zheng prompted when Yu Fan remained silent.
With another loud thud, Yu Fan knelt so forcefully the emperor’s heart skipped a beat. Watching Yu Fan’s unflinching expression, Emperor Yuanyou winced in sympathy for his own aging knees.
"Your Majesty, when I left my homeland, I swore to my people that I would not return until I had achieved glory on the battlefield—whether or not I succeeded in marrying First Miss Gu."
"Thus, I beg Your Majesty to decree that the wedding be held in the capital."
"Good!" Emperor Yuanyou smacked the table. "A man leaves his village with ambition, vowing not to return without fame—such determination will lead you to greatness!"
"This marriage has Our blessing. Select an auspicious date for the ceremony in the capital."
Once outside, Gu Zheng exhaled in relief and clapped Yu Fan’s shoulder. "I’ll have someone choose the earliest favorable date so you and Mingliu can marry quickly. After the wedding, you’ll report to the military camp."
"I will follow the general’s arrangements in all things."
After reviewing the calendar, the Gu family settled on the twenty-second day of the seventh month as the wedding date, and preparations began in earnest.
Meanwhile, at the Shen residence.
"Husband, the Miao family girl we previously selected for Kui'er has been approved by both Qinghui and Madam Lin. They’ve agreed to the match," Lady Shen said, handing Shen Mingwen a bowl of ginseng soup. "The next auspicious date is the twenty-second of the seventh month."
"Then let it be the twenty-second. The sooner it’s settled, the fewer complications will arise."
Shen Mingwen rubbed his temples at the mere mention of Shen Qinghui’s family. After so many days, Gu Zheng still refused to acknowledge him—what injustice!
"No!"
Shen Qingping’s voice rang out from the doorway, his usual composure replaced by urgency. "I came to inform you—General Gu has set First Miss Gu’s wedding for the twenty-second of the seventh month."
"Postpone Kui'er’s wedding," Shen Mingwen declared without hesitation.
A shiver of dread ran down his spine. Had the dates clashed, Gu Zheng would have devoured the Shen family whole.
"Third Son, what kind of man is this Yu Fan?" Shen Mingwen asked curiously.
"He’s... someone whose expressions change very easily." Remembering something, Shen Qingping laughed.
Change expressions?
Shen Mingwen scratched his head. What kind of description was that?
......
The Gu residence.
"Brother-in-law, why do you blush when you see my sister but not when you see me?"
Gu Mingzhu studied Yu Fan with innocent fascination.
Her words only deepened Yu Fan’s embarrassment until he wished the ground would swallow him.
"I... I bought these candied fruits specially for you. The general said you like them." Yu Fan held out the treats to Gu Mingliu, eyes fixed firmly on the ground. Even now, he could scarcely believe a fairy-like maiden like her would become his wife.
"I don’t like candied fruits. My sister does. I like pea-flour cakes."
Before Gu Mingzhu could finish, Gu Mingliu’s voice cut through the air:
"Gu Mingzhu—!"
Terrified, the younger girl scrambled away, tears already spilling.
"Elder Sister is mean to me!"
