Chapter 14

Half a month later, I hurried back from Liangzhou, and as soon as I entered the door, I heard of a major event.

Xie Yun had ruined Zhao Mingyue’s reputation!

“Father! You must stand up for Mingyue on this matter!” my mother cried, “Mingyue’s purity as a young lady has been destroyed. How can she face anyone in the future?”

I heard that the two of them were taking a walk under the moon, and Zhao Mingyue accidentally fell into the water. Xie Yun jumped in to save her.

When I entered, my grandfather immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

He said, “Yunshu, your marriage to Xie Yun is imminent. You should decide what to do about this.”

Xie Yun sat in the chair, looking up at me, his expression a bit weary.

I walked over and leaned in to ask him, “You fell into the water-did you catch a cold or get a fever?”

He held my hand and said softly, “My ears are uncomfortable, and I have a terrible headache. There’s no one trustworthy around me, so I couldn’t call for Mute Uncle.”

“Come, go rest. I’ll send someone to fetch Mute Uncle.” I pulled him up and started to lead him out.

My mother blocked my way, angrily saying, “Zhao Yunshu, you can’t just let this go!”

“Who said I’m letting it go?” I replied indifferently. “Since Zhao Mingyue is so eager to marry Xie Yun, let her be a concubine. After Xie Yun and I get married, we’ll bring her in with a small bridal sedan. As sisters, I won’t treat her harshly. But she’ll have to pay her respects to me, the mistress of the house, morning and evening, so outsiders won’t gossip about her.”

I left with Xie Yun, ignoring my mother’s angry scolding behind me.

Mute Uncle came to check Xie Yun’s pulse and prescribed medicine for him.

I stayed with him until he finished his medicine.

Xie Yun lay on the bed looking at me and sighed, “Zhao Yunshu, I gave you a hundred taels of silver when you left. Why did you come back looking so shabby again?”

I glanced at my worn, frayed clothes and said carelessly, “Clothes are just for wearing. As long as they keep me warm, it’s fine.”

There’s never enough silver. After running the Broker Army for so many years, there are many brothers who are injured or disabled, waiting for medicine to save their lives.

The hundred taels of silver hadn’t even warmed my pocket. I spent five coins on a candied hawthorn for myself, and the rest all went into the public account.

“You always dress so messily. Did you suffer grievances in the past?” Xie Yun raised his hand to trace my brows and eyes, asking in a low voice.

I quickly replied, “No, I just don’t bother to dress up. You should sleep. I brought some people to Qingzhou and need to settle them.”

The Broker Army is going to do business with the Treasure Pavilion, so we need people stationed in Qingzhou. I have a lot to do.

When I finally finished my tasks, I realized my wedding with Xie Yun was approaching.

The Commander’s Mansion was filled with wedding preparations, lanterns and red silk everywhere.

“Quite the spectacle,” Jiang Cheng said beside me. “Are you really sure you want to marry Xie Yun?”

Xie Yun once said I had a childhood friend who was a Deputy General-he was talking about Jiang Cheng.

He was a beggar as a child, nearly freezing to death on the streets.

I brought him back to the Mountain Stronghold.

He’s always opposed my marriage to Xie Yun, thinking we’re not a good match at all.

“Jiang Cheng, twenty thousand Broker Army soldiers have followed me through life and death. I need to find them a patron, a place to belong. I can’t let them be nameless bandits forever.” I patiently explained to him, “Why is my grandfather so eager for me to marry Xie Yun? For the same reason-he wants to find a place for the Northwest Army.”

Xie Yun is a noble of royal descent. As long as he raises his arm and calls for the revival of the royal family, many will flock to him.

No matter how chaotic the world gets, even rebels care about having a legitimate cause.

Only by joining Xie Yun can we clear our names and go legitimate.

Otherwise, if the court ever comes to its senses and wipes out the Broker Army, all our years of effort will be wasted.

I took Jiang Cheng to find Xie Yun.

When we reached the main hall, we saw it brightly lit inside.

From within came the voice of Xie Yun’s uncle.

“Crown Prince’s Grandson! Now the commanders of Yongzhou, Ningzhou, and Qingzhou are all gathered here! We’re just waiting for your command to announce to the world and avenge Crown Prince Xiaocheng!”

I looked up.

Xie Yun was dressed in a majestic Dragon Robe, his brows cold and indifferent as he said, “Tonight, we’ll write a Proclamation, announcing to the world the crimes of this foolish emperor-murdering my father and usurping the throne!”

Everyone in the hall was excited.

My grandfather was among them, his face glowing with pride.

Tonight, with Xie Yun’s Yellow Robe Enthronement, all present were heroes.

No wonder Zhao Mingyue was so desperate to marry Xie Yun.

He was actually the son of the late Crown Prince Xiaocheng.

My grandfather must have known about Xie Yun’s background long ago, which is why he was so anxious for Xie Yun to fulfill the marriage contract with me.

Jiang Cheng was shocked, “Good heavens… If you marry Xie Yun and he succeeds, won’t you become the Empress? Such overwhelming fortune, falling right into your lap!”

I looked at the red lanterns hanging from the eaves, patted my forehead, and whispered, “Jiang Cheng, honestly, I haven’t really decided whether to marry Xie Yun. I’ll think about it again when I get back.”