novelraw Chapter 817 180: What Does It Have to Do with Me?
Chapter 817 180: What Does It Have to Do with Me?
"Achoo!"
Ji Chengjue, sitting in the carriage, couldn't help sneezing. Outside in the deep night, it was still a bit chilly.
Besides, he had obviously been indulging himself too much lately,
because the sight of the little lady from the He family getting up early to do her hair the day after consummating their marriage
deeply hurt Ji Chengjue's pride,
so he had to exert himself day and night to restore his dignity as a husband!
Finally,
after his relentless efforts,
the little lady from the He family learned to feign ecstasy.
"Master, you should get in the carriage to avoid the wind; it's cold outside," Master Zhang advised.
Ji Chengjue shook his head and nodded towards the front;
there,
stood a graceful lady,
that was his sister-in-law,
the daughter of the Barbarian King,
the pearl of the desert.
This group was actually waiting outside Yanjing City for the return of the Eldest Prince.
As a defeated general, even if he had taken actions to offset his failures, it was still impossible for him to receive a triumphant welcome.
He could only choose to return quietly at night,
hoping not to disturb anyone.
Meanwhile, with many women accompanying him, the speed of the Eldest Prince's group was not fast.
But,
in the end, they returned tonight.
When the carriage convoy appeared in sight,
the Barbarian Princess took out a wine pouch and knelt on the ground.
This was a tradition among Desert Barbarians,
when welcoming their husbands returning from battle,
the first thing the husband did upon arriving home was to drink a sip of the milk wine she brewed herself.
Ji Chengjue straightened up and wiped his slightly damp nose.
When the carriage stopped,
the Eldest Prince got off the carriage,
and Ji Chengjue bowed down:
"Brother, I welcome you back from the battle."
After speaking,
Master Zhang presented a small tray containing an egg, a piece of rice cake, and a bowl of rice wine.
This was the etiquette the people of the Yan region used to welcome their returning warriors.
Once, the Ji family also returned from expeditions with this ceremony.
The Eldest Prince bypassed his wife and first walked to his brother, helped him up, then picked up the rice wine, drank it all, took a big bite of the rice cake, and then a bite of the egg.
Afterwards,
he finally walked to his wife, took the milk wine from her hands, and took a large gulp.
The Barbarian Princess then stood up, her face showing a sweet smile.
She had no ulterior motives, pure as a clear spring in the desert.
She was a stark contrast to the other princess.
Perhaps even the Barbarian King knew,
that even if he sent a cunning daughter,
she wouldn't be able to outplay those in Yanjing, so he might as well send a simple one over.
The Royal Court of the Barbarians and the Ji family had a deep-seated feud,
and emperors and princes of the Ji family had died in the desert, the Barbarian Royal Court had the same fate, hadn't they?
But the Barbarian King believed that no matter how ruthless the men of the Ji family were, they would refuse to harm a truly pure and simple woman, even though she was a Barbarian.
"Husband, you've lost weight."
In front of his brother, the Eldest Prince was clearly not used to such intimacy and could only say:
"There are some women in the carriage."
"Pff…"
The Sixth Prince couldn't hold back, laughing until his stomach hurt.
The Barbarian Princess nodded with a smile and said:
"I will arrange for them, please don't worry, my husband."
"Alright."
Then,
the Barbarian Princess walked toward the back of the carriage, knowing her husband wanted to speak with the Sixth Prince.
Men like women who are simple, but simple doesn't mean stupid.
"Brother, let's talk in the carriage, we'll return to the city slowly."
The Eldest Prince and the Sixth Prince got into the carriage.
"Thinking back now, I somewhat regret not listening to you earlier and not employing Zheng Fan sooner."
"This time, brother, it's not a matter of combat failure."
"No need for pretty words between us brothers. This time when I return, I'm about to get married, let's save those pretty words for the wedding day."
"Brother, you are the most knowledgeable about military affairs among us brothers, how can you be so despondent?"
"I have to bear the mistakes I've made. In the dreams, I often see the lonely souls drifting in the Wang River—those were all great sons of our Yan, yet due to my mistakes, they met watery graves."
"On this point, brother could take comfort. Just yesterday it was reported, the most urgent delivery, Prince Jingnan slaughtered the Blue Luan Army from general to soldiers, and let their bodies drift down the Wang River."
Upon hearing this, the Eldest Prince's face first lit up, then he took a long breath and closed his eyes, savoring the news.
"The court is furious, and father appears furious too.
So, father decreed to strip Prince Jingnan of his princely title, reverting him back to Southern Marquis, and the eunuch who delivered the decree just left the capital today."
"Haha."
The Eldest Prince chuckled,
then,
clenched his fist,
and said:
"Those deserving to be killed!"
Those deserving to be killed naturally did not refer to Tian Wujing but rather to those Chu people.
Then,
the Eldest Prince looked at Ji Chengjue,
and said:
"Now, the second brother's marriage will have to be postponed."
"Indeed, after the slaughter of Chu captives, heaven knows how Chu State will react. But your marriage, brother, will probably need to be expedited."
The Yan is preparing to respond to threats from the East,
so it's necessary to pacify the desert early on.
An alliance through marriage,
must be hurried.
Moreover, as Ji Wujiang is a defeated general, this marriage can be quietly and simply arranged.
Unlike a crown prince's wedding, which requires grand arrangements, unsuitable for the current situation.
"When we stayed at the previous post, I heard you're now in charge of the Ministry of Revenue?"
"I've rested long enough, so it's time to find something to do. You know what our father has in mind, brother, but to achieve those great endeavors, a lack of funds and supplies won't do.