In the sixth year of Tai’an, an army of one hundred thousand from the Yuwen Tribe invaded the border. King Dingbei He Runsheng was ordered by the Emperor to set out on a campaign.
After six months of fierce fighting, the enemy forces were crushed. On King Dingbei’s triumphant return to the capital, the Emperor passed away.
“Your Highness, when the late Emperor passed, he entrusted the young heir to the Imperial Uncle. The new Emperor is young, and the Imperial Uncle acts as Regent. Your return with a massive army stationed outside the city is an intimidating display of power; you will surely achieve your heart’s desire,” Luo Hu said, barely suppressing his excitement.
His lord was enamored with Lady Fu Liu, yet the late Emperor had bestowed a marriage between the King and the Lady of the Gu Family.
That Lady of the Gu Family possessed the title of the number one beauty, yet she was nothing but an empty-headed simpleton. How could such a vulgar creature be worthy of his wise and martial lord?
Now that the late Emperor was dead and the new Emperor was a mere child, the King had performed a great service by driving out the Yuwen Tribe. It was merely a matter of breaking off an engagement—surely the Imperial Uncle wouldn’t make things difficult for such a distinguished hero?
King Dingbei sat atop his crimson steed, gazing toward the city of Huikang. His handsome yet fierce features flickered with a faint smile.
Seeing this, Luo Hu knew his words had aligned with the King’s thoughts. His eyes shifted as he added, “Your Highness, why not send a letter to the Imperial Uncle in advance to explain the situation? I believe he will surely be understanding.”
The marriage had been bestowed by the late Emperor. If it were to be annulled, the young Emperor would have to give his nod of approval.
But what could a small child understand? Ultimately, it was the Imperial Uncle who had to agree.
If they could secure the Imperial Uncle’s consent beforehand, the matter would be settled.
King Dingbei raised an eyebrow slightly. Looking at Luo Hu, he let out a sudden cold sneer, though it was unclear what he had remembered. “Then you shall make the trip.”
Luo Hu was overjoyed. It was done.
In this way, they would also have an explanation for Lady Fu Liu.
The Northern Expedition army returned to Huikang in a grand procession, greeted by crowds lining the streets. On the second floor of a wine shop, several young ladies dressed in brocade stood by the window, chirping with excitement. From time to time, they threw scented handkerchiefs and sachets toward King Dingbei.
Among them, a woman in green narrowed her eyes. The sachet in her hand flew with unerring accuracy, landing right on He Runsheng.
He Runsheng caught the sachet and turned back. Across the vast sea of people, his gaze met the woman in green with deep affection, and a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.
“Lady Fu Liu, King Dingbei caught your sachet! He’s looking at you!”
“Lady Fu Liu truly has wonderful luck. Sadly, my sachet missed.”
“Oh, did King Dingbei just smile at Lady Fu Liu?”
On the second floor of a tea house opposite the wine shop, Gu Qingyi clicked her tongue after watching this scene. They truly were a pair of “sincerely” loving scoundrels; to be able to catch a sachet and lock eyes like that was impressive.
She had watched so many television shows and read so many novels before her transmigration, yet none were as spectacular as the scene before her.
Was this the law of “true love”?
Gu Yishu’s face was already livid. He was about to charge down and knock that posturing hypocrite He Runsheng off his horse with a single punch.
“Brother.” Gu Qingyi reached out her slender, fair hand and pressed down on her brother’s sleeve. Her eyes, clear as moonlight, gazed at him. “You know this marriage isn’t something I want.”
“Even so, he cannot humiliate you like this,” Gu Yishu hissed, his voice low with rage, mindful that they were not at home.
“If it weren’t for their secret trysts and mutual affection, how could I successfully free myself from this marriage?” Gu Qingyi sneered. “Our private retainers have already gathered information. He Runsheng wrote a letter to the Imperial Uncle, likely for the sake of annulling the engagement.”
“Even if that is the case, we cannot let this fellow off easy. It was only by leaning on the Gu family’s foundation that he was able to rise so smoothly in the military. Now that he wants to climb onto another branch, he’ll have to answer to the Gu family first,” Gu Yishu said grimly, suppressing his fury as he looked at his sister.
“Naturally,” Gu Qingyi nodded slightly. “It’s just that the Imperial Uncle has an eccentric temperament and is difficult to predict. Regarding this annulment, we should wait and see how the Imperial Uncle handles it before we make our move.”
The green hat He Runsheng had personally placed on her head, Gu Qingyi would make him remove with his own hands.
If something as miraculous as transmigration could happen to her, what else was impossible?
The Fu family was not like the Gu family. Their daughters were always traded like commodities in marriage negotiations. Even if King Dingbei had achieved military merit, in the eyes of the Fu family, he was nothing more than a boorish man of humble origins, unworthy of mention.
Marrying Fu Liu would not be that easy.