Chapter 44: Turmoil |
At the camp entrance, when the six bodyguards saw Niu You Dao and Yuan Gang and moved to approach them, their path was blocked.
Two figures stepped out, and Niu You Dao waved them over: “Bring the carriage here!”
The bodyguards immediately pulled the carriage forward. Yuan Gang placed a heavy crate inside, then looked at Niu You Dao and asked:
“Is it safe for you to stay here?”
Niu You Dao: “As long as you succeed, I’ll be fine.”
One bodyguard curiously asked: “Lord Dao, are you not coming?”
Yuan Gang turned his head and shouted: “Don’t talk nonsense, let’s go!” He then leaped onto his horse.
Niu You Dao, looking at him, said: “Make a commotion quickly!”
Yuan Gang nodded, understanding. He waved his hand, and several people immediately departed.
Niu You Dao turned, saw her, and offered a slight smile before walking past her and entering the camp.
Chu watched him, then set off after Yuan Gang.
Yuan Gang, without having gone far, immediately turned a corner. Around the bend, he ordered some bodyguards to climb into the carriage, while the other two stood guard outside.
Inside the carriage, Yuan Gang opened the crate, and the copper coins within immediately dazzled him with their gleam. The bodyguards stared wide-eyed. So much money, they’d managed to take it out of the camp? Lord Dao was truly a capable man!
Yuan Gang divided the money into bags and gave them to four bodyguards. He instructed them to go to certain locations and purchase items. He and Niu You Dao had already ascertained the places and prices. After purchasing the goods, he indicated a meeting point where they were to rendezvous.
He told them not only to complete the task but also to do it swiftly.
Dividing the four men into two pairs, they went their separate ways, unaware of the full purpose behind their actions.
Yuan Gang, with the two remaining bodyguards and the greater half of the money, continued onward.
Chu, following behind them, saw that the group had split into three and decided to follow Yuan Gang. After all, he seemed to be their leader.
However, she didn’t let the other two groups go. Spotting several warriors in a shop, she ordered them to follow Shang Chao Zong’s bodyguards. Knowing Chu’s standing, they immediately obeyed.
Yuan Gang entered the very first shop and purchased silk of the highest quality. After paying for the silk, he demanded that the vendor deliver the goods to a specified location at a certain time. The vendor was greatly pleased and dared not disappoint Yuan Gang. He assured him there could be no mistake, he would fulfill everything. Only then did Yuan Gang relax.
As soon as he exited the shop, he immediately stopped at a second one and bought excellent jewelry under the same conditions.
Along the entire way, Yuan Gang spent money as if it were flowing water.
Chu followed him, unable to grasp what he intended to achieve. Eventually, Yuan Gang entered a theatrical troupe and emerged to the chanting of the performers. They followed him. It was unknown where they were headed.
When they reached the city center, Chu noticed it was extremely lively. Carriages, livestock—sheep, cows, birds—were everywhere. The three separated groups of people had converged on Yuan Gang. The shop owners also sent people with goods. Silks, precious ornaments—all of it was loaded into the carriage. Shop assistants helped to load the purchases into the carriage. Furthermore, everything was adorned with beautiful red silk. Yuan Gang gave a command, and the bodyguards also began decorating everything.
The people on the street, however, didn’t understand what was happening. They crowded around, staring at the carriage. Many admired it and said: “Whose bride is getting married?”
Everyone was puzzled, and Chu herself was astonished. It looked as if a bride was being given away, or perhaps, on the contrary, a bride was being welcomed?
The bodyguards also couldn’t fathom what was happening. What were Lord Dao and Yuan Gang up to?
Everyone watched as the six bodyguards began to surround the carriage. The rider at the front called back to the theatrical troupe: “Liven up the atmosphere!”
A clamor of drums erupted, causing many people on both sides of the carriage to turn their attention towards them.
Yuan Gang waved his hand and rode straight ahead on his horse, leading the carriage. A crowd of people followed him. Everyone was curious to know which family was so fortunate.
Bodyguard Chu was also among the crowd. And when the carriage arrived at the specified address, she froze. For it was the county ruler’s palace!
Around the county ruler’s palace stood a wasteland, and anti-cavalry palisades were set up. Guards stood all around. And as soon as the guards heard the noise, they immediately drew their weapons, ready for anything. However, as soon as they saw the celebratory carriage, they froze in place. They didn’t know what was happening.
A group of guards came out beyond the palisade and blocked the wedding procession’s path. At their head, one guard shouted: “Who are you?!”
Sitting upright, Yuan Gang clearly stated:
“The simple prince, Shang Chao Zong, has arrived to welcome the bride, the county ruler Feng Ru Nan’s daughter!”
“Simple” is Shang Chao Zong’s unofficial title. Since his imprisonment, he had been stripped of his grand prince title and demoted to a granted prince. The addition of the word “simple” conveyed the imperial court’s attitude towards him.
As soon as he uttered this, a commotion instantly arose all around.
“They’re welcoming the general’s bride?!”
The six bodyguards were dumbfounded. A prince taking a general as his wife?
The entire crowd was astonished. Some were bewildered, others shouted “Bravo!” in amazement. Perhaps for some, the title of “simple prince” wasn’t so appealing, but for common folk who didn’t truly know who Shang Chao Zong was, the mere mention of “prince” was enough to fill them with excitement. What prince would take General Feng as his wife!
The guards blocking the path also froze. They exchanged glances. What was happening? Why had they not heard of this? Such a grand affair, yet the county ruler had kept it hidden and made no preparations?
The chief guard’s eyes bulged, and Yuan Gang dismounted his horse. Cupping his hands, he politely said: “I request you inform the ruler about the bride’s arrival!”
The chief guard understood that such a monumental matter was not for him to decide. Therefore, he asked Yuan Gang to wait a moment and left to report.
Yuan Gang unhurriedly looked at the surrounding crowd and politely thanked them for their congratulations and shouts of “Bravo!”
There was nothing to be done. Shang Chao Zong had received little glory from his father, Ning Wang, so it was possible that Feng Lin Bo hadn’t even seen him. Thus, it was unlikely Feng Lin Bo would bother to grant him his attention.
Inside the ruler’s palace, a commotion began. Some rushed to the doors, peeking at the delegation presenting wedding gifts. Others climbed the walls, also peering at the carriage.
Not long after, the guard returned and invited Yuan Gang inside. However, the other bodyguards were not allowed to enter the residence.
Chu also emerged from the crowd and followed them. Others couldn’t enter, but she had no issue with entry. And she needed to find out what was happening regarding the General.
Outside the ruler’s palace, a considerable crowd had gathered, both women and men. Everyone was constantly chattering among themselves.
Inside the main hall, there were only a few people. A thin, tall man with a short beard paced back and forth. One could immediately tell from his demeanor that he was an extraordinary, powerful, and influential individual. Only now, he appeared bewildered. Another tall woman in a colorful robe sat slightly elevated. In her hands, she held a list of wedding gifts. This was none other than Feng Lin Bo’s wife, Peng Yu Lan.
“The list contains many fine items, worth no less than ten thousand gold. Truly worthy of a prince. He threw out ten thousand in one go!” Peng Yu Lan sneered.
As soon as Yuan Gang entered, he was immediately seized from both sides. However, he did not resist.
Yuan Gang, with his hands bound behind his back, was led into the main hall, yet he showed no worry or fear.
It was immediately clear that he was no ordinary person. At first glance, Feng Lin Bo inwardly approved of his courage and spirit, but he spoke in a cold tone:
“Who are you to dare impersonate a simple prince?”
Yuan Gang calmly replied: “This subordinate, Yuan Gang, truly arrived to welcome the bride on behalf of the prince. I am not impersonating anyone!”
Yuan Gang? Feng Lin Bo looked at him. According to the information received, Shang Chao Zong indeed had a man named Yuan Gang.
“Even if you are Shang Chao Zong’s man, why would this Feng give his daughter in marriage to him? Does the high-ranking imperial family not even know proper wedding etiquette?”
Yuan Gang: “These are the consequences of the circumstances and the situation. However, the prince’s gifts are sincere!”
“A joke!” Peng Yu Lan threw the list of gifts at Yuan Gang’s face and angrily said: “And for these items, you wish to take my daughter as a wife?!”
Yuan Gang replied:
“Madam, this is merely a portion of the gifts, intended to delight the common folk. There is another gift, hidden within my robes. Regarding that gift, both the county ruler and madam will surely be overjoyed!”
The couple exchanged glances, and Feng Lin Bo signaled the guards. One guard approached Yuan Gang and untied his hands. Yuan Gang immediately reached into his robes and handed Feng Lin Bo a list of other gifts.
As soon as he opened the list, he was instantly astonished. His eyelids seemed to jump. He closed the list and handed it to his wife.
Peng Yu Lan wondered what kind of gift it was that had so surprised her husband. She reached out and took the list. Then, opening it, she too looked at the contents. Her eyes immediately narrowed. She instantly closed the list, fearing that someone else might see it.
Next, they looked at Yuan Gang with suspicion. Feng Lin Bo shouted:
“What’s all this commotion? Drive them away!”
Outside the gates, the guards immediately dispersed the common folk, which made the palace quieter.
Feng Lin Bo, looking at Yuan Gang, asked: “Is this true?”
Yuan Gang: “I am not the chief envoy and have not seen the contents of the gift, nor do I understand its meaning. The chief envoy should know.”
Feng Lin Bo narrowed his eyes: “Since you are here to welcome the bride, why has even the chief envoy not arrived? Have you decided to so blatantly disregard etiquette?”
Yuan Gang: “It’s not that the chief envoy didn’t want to come. It’s simply that he is currently being held at Feng Ru Nan’s camp due to financial difficulties. I fear if the money is not returned in time, he might even lose his life.”