Chapter 151: A Day of Great Joy
Chapter 151: Chapter 151: A Day of Great Joy
Not only had he saved Prince Guangping at a critical juncture, but he had also received the Emperor’s reward for it. Right now, Cui Hao was riding high.
Ignoring the gaze fixed upon her, Liang Wan followed Lu Xiu over the threshold.
If not for the Emperor bestowing the marriage, the Cao Residence—having just concluded a funeral—would reasonably not be allowed to hold a joyous event so soon. Therefore, the Cao Residence did not host a grand affair, and all the guests had come to the Zhou Residence instead.
As Liang Wan followed Lu Xiu further inside, people frequently stopped to bow respectfully to him. She deliberately lagged half a step behind, maintaining nothing more than a proper, polite smile.
Zhou Situ was busy welcoming guests and was currently conversing with Lu Xu, Lu Huai, and a few others. Not wanting to interrupt, Lu Xiu merely glanced around. At this hour, Zhou Yun should be out for the morning bridal procession.
He took another look at the woman beside him. Her dark eyes were darting about, and he had no idea what mischief she was brewing this time. He leaned close to her ear, his brows slightly knotted. "This is the Zhou Residence."
Startled, Liang Wan looked over and met a pair of pitch-black eyes.
Was that a reminder? Or a warning?
She smiled and nodded obediently, the very picture of compliance.
She wasn’t stupid. This was Zhou Yun’s wedding; how could she possibly cause a scene?
Even if she really wanted to.
At most, she would just catch up with an old acquaintance. After all, whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad. The little that Cui Hao currently possessed was far from enough. He needed to reach the absolute zenith of glory and prosperity first.
"What couldn’t be said enough indoors that you two must whisper sweet nothings out here?"
In the blink of an eye, Lu Huai had stepped before them. Impeccably dressed, his handsome and resolute face bore the mature smile of a man who exuded the confidence and decisiveness of a battle-hardened veteran.
Perhaps due to the age gap, his demeanor was entirely different from the elder-like airs of Lu Xu and the others. Whenever Lu Huai spoke to them, he acted more like a true older brother. This warmth and friendliness felt genuine and gave off a strong sense of security. Even when the streets gossiped terribly about her, Lu Huai had never uttered a single word of blame. He had even spoken up in her defense when Lu Xu reprimanded her.
Liang Wan told the truth. "He was just reminding me not to cause him any trouble."
Lu Huai couldn’t help but laugh out loud. "How could you?"
Compared to shrewd politicians like Lu Xu who masterfully maneuvered the royal court, Liang Wan had far more admiration for generals like Lu Huai and Cao Jun—men who relied on their hot-blooded passion and flesh and blood to fight enemies with real spears and blades on the battlefield.
However, the tragedy of such generals was not dying on the battlefield, but dying in...
Liang Wan set aside her joking and humbly asked, "Lu Huai, the other day in your East Pavilion, I saw a book. It said that in the past, Gao Jun held Gaoping, and Emperor Guangwu of Han, Liu Xiu, intended to recruit him. Yet the envoy he sent, Kou Xun, ignored everyone’s objections and executed Gao Jun’s Think Tank, Huangfu Wen. Why did he do that? Wasn’t he afraid of enraging Gao Jun, bringing fatal disaster upon himself, and failing the recruitment?"
Lu Huai cast an amused look at Lu Xiu before his gaze fell back on Liang Wan. "You didn’t finish reading that story, did you?
"That Huangfu Wen was not only Gao Jun’s confidant but also opposed surrendering. Killing him accomplished two things: first, it completely deprived Gao Jun of the person who provided him with ideas; second, such a hardline stance made Gao Jun believe the Han Army didn’t actually care whether he surrendered or not. This overpowered him in momentum, rendering him too afraid to act rashly, which ultimately made the recruitment much easier."
"Oh, so that’s how it is," Liang Wan said, blinking her large eyes at Lu Huai and drawing out her words in feigned realization.
The smile gradually vanished from Lu Huai’s face. He stared intently at Liang Wan, deep in thought.
Liang Wan lowered her head and averted her eyes.
That Think Tank of the Prince of Bozhou County was full of schemes and had used tricks to drive a wedge between Gao Qian and Lu Huai. He deserved to die. Otherwise, once they returned to Jinye, there would be endless trouble, and the one to die would be Lu Huai.
Lu Xiu’s lips curved slightly into a meaningful smile. "I’ve never seen you so studious and inquisitive before."
Liang Wan lifted her eyes and secretly glared at him.
Just as their conversation ended, the sound of firecrackers—POP POP CRACKLE—rang out from the entrance.
Liang Wan put her smile back on. "The newlyweds are here!" she said, craning her neck toward the main gates.
Lu Huai frowned, his expression turning serious.
He wondered how she knew they were recently discussing recruitment strategies. And then there was the medical prescription she had sent via eight-hundred-mile express courier. At first, he hadn’t understood its purpose at all, but to his surprise, it had actually come in handy later...
Lu Huai silently shifted his gaze to Lu Xiu, who was watching her. Was keeping such a woman by his side a good thing, or a bad thing?
The clamor and laughter that accompanied the arriving newlyweds temporarily drowned out the doubts in Lu Huai’s heart.
Liang Wan focused all her attention on the bridal couple.
She watched as Zhou Yun led Cao Danqing toward them. He wore his usual smile, looking no different from his everyday self. If anything, he appeared even more dashing and carefree.
His personality truly was completely different from Lu Xiu’s.
Cao Danqing had her hair combed into a high bun adorned with a floral crown, her face partially hidden behind a pearl and lotus fan. Dressed in white wedding robes, her beautiful eyes overflowed with affection, and the rosy blush on her cheeks was particularly intoxicating. She made for a stunning, enchanting bride.
Scanning the crowd, Liang Wan did not see Cao Luyun anywhere. It wasn’t entirely surprising; she had likely stayed behind at the Prime Minister’s Mansion to accompany Chancellor Cao.
Because of her own interventions, certain people and events had already begun to change. From now on, she feared they would deviate further and further from their original trajectories, which meant many things would gradually slip out of her control...
As Liang Wan watched the couple slowly approach, the smile faded from her eyes, quickly replaced by a trace of worry.
The crowd noisily swarmed around the newlyweds.
Liang Wan felt a warmth on her hand as someone grasped it beneath her sleeve. She turned her head to see Lu Xiu quietly looking at her.
Since it was still too early for the formal ceremony, Zhou Yun escorted his new bride to the Qinglu before joining his father, Zhou Situ, to greet the guests.
Liang Wan stayed close to Lu Xiu the entire time, a sight the crowd had long grown accustomed to.
However, she found the endless flattery so nauseating that she eventually seized an opportunity when Lu Xiu wasn’t looking to slip out for some fresh air.
"Awan—"
She had barely stepped out of the main hall when she ran into the impeccably dressed Cui Hao.
He wore a pale blue robe the color of a clearing sky after the rain. His delicate face featured bright, piercing eyes, and his fair complexion made him look even more handsome. He truly cut a dashingly handsome figure with an air of refined elegance.
She honestly hadn’t expected to be catching up with him this soon.
Liang Wan caught sight of her surroundings from the corner of her eye. There weren’t many people around, but she still took a step back to maintain her distance. Her dark eyes darkened further as she smiled at him. "Please watch your words and actions, Mr. Cui."
He was now a secretary in the Secretariat, responsible for compiling national history and managing ancient books and records.
Cui Hao refused to listen. He quickly glanced both ways, and seeing that no one was paying attention, he grabbed her and dragged her toward the back of the building like a possessed man.
Liang Wan stared at the hand gripping her arm. Even through the fabric of her sleeve, goosebumps erupted all over her body. It was incredibly sickening.
Filthy!
Absolutely filthy!
Suppressing the urge to vomit, Liang Wan tried to forcefully yank herself free. Yet, for a frail scholar, he possessed an inexplicable amount of strength. Unable to break loose and fearing that struggling would only draw unwanted attention, she simply let him drag her.
It wasn’t until they reached a secluded corner that he finally let go.
Panting slightly, Cui Hao looked deeply agitated. "I know it was you!"
Liang Wan took a step back, tugging at her sleeve in utter disgust. This dress was newly made and she had only worn it once; what a pity it was now soiled. She lowered her gaze and replied in a slow, languid tone. "I have no idea what you are talking about, Mr. Cui."