Records of Mysterious Things in the Southern Dynasties

Chapter 539 The Greatest Joy is the Return of an Old Friend
"Ah Yuan, is it really you?!" Xiao Yuhuan's voice was full of surprise and disbelief.

Ren Yuan smiled and nodded, bowing slightly as he said, "I've kept you waiting, Your Highness."

Xiao Yuhuan could no longer control her emotions. She turned around and threw herself into Ren Yuan's arms, crying uncontrollably, her tears soaking his clothes.

Ren Yuan stiffened, awkwardly touching his nose: "I'm sorry, Your Highness, I only perform, not sell my body."

"Dream on, it's just a friendly hug." Xiao Yuhuan clenched her fist and playfully punched him, finally bursting into laughter through her tears. She released his hand and asked, "How did you get here?"

"This isn't the place to talk. Let my older brother and the others tell you." Ren Yuan noticed someone had arrived outside, waved his hand to open a teleportation portal, and sent the princess away. Without the restrictions of the Jinling Grand Array, this was child's play for him.

He then transformed into Xiao Yuhuan's appearance. This wasn't the first time; practice makes perfect, and he was skilled enough to fool even the most inhuman impersonator.

Once he was seated back in front of the mirror, he snapped his fingers. The palace servants, who had been frozen in place, finally regained their mobility and resumed their work as usual.

At that moment, the palace doors were pushed open.

Xiao Gang, dressed in a dragon robe, walked in. He looked much older than he had twenty years ago, and all traces of his former vigor were gone, replaced by deep weariness and helplessness.

"Sister," Xiao Gang looked at Xiao Yuhuan apologetically and said sadly, "I've wronged you because of me."

"..." Ren Yuan didn't know how to answer, so he simply remained silent.

Xiao Gang, however, thought that Xiao Yuhuan did not forgive him, and said with tears in his eyes, "I am not doing this for myself, but for the sake of our family's country and people. We cannot let our beautiful land be lost in vain."

"Is it interesting to talk about this?" Ren Yuan had no choice but to use his experience from twenty years ago to deal with him.

“Yes, no matter what I say, it won’t change the fact that my sister is going to marry that troublemaker.” Xiao Gang sighed and looked at his third sister with concern. “That scoundrel is extremely rude. He won’t even come to greet you personally. He insists that I send you over.”

“Alright, I’m not that particular.” Ren Yuan stood up abruptly without needing any help: “Lead the way.”

“Sister…” Xiao Gang wondered why she had taken the initiative. Could it be that she had come to a realization?

Fearing that his third sister might change her mind again, he quickly replied, "Yes, I will escort my third sister there."

~~
Ren Yuan, disguised as Xiao Yuhuan, was dressed in a plain gauze robe with a white silk overcoat, and tied at the waist with a love knot made of five-colored silk rope. He sat in a vermilion-wheeled carriage with white gauze curtains hanging down.

Xiao Gang rode in the imperial carriage in front, and the two siblings, guided by thirty-six ever-burning lotus lanterns, slowly walked out of Laiyi Palace.

It was already dark, but the road was lined with palace servants holding lanterns, illuminating the path to the Taiji Hall.

The carriage arrived in front of the Taiji Hall and passed over a wooden saddle covered with red cloth. Through the plain gauze curtain, Ren Yuan saw the ancient god Hou Jing standing on the red steps.

He wore a white gauze crown, a white hemp robe, and a black sable-collared cloak. He had white bone prayer beads around his neck, a dragon-headed sword at his waist, and black leather boots with iron teeth. He was not particularly tall or frightening in appearance, yet he was a character even more terrifying than Zhu Rong.

The imperial carriage and the palanquin stopped in front of the steps. Xiao Gang got off the carriage first, then came over to lift the curtain and help his third sister out of the carriage.

A palace maid nearby used a gold-threaded fan to cover the princess's face. This was a custom at the time, and it is also the origin of the bridal veil in later generations...

Throughout the entire process, Hou Jing remained unmoved, looking down at the emperor as he brought Princess Yongkang before him.

The area in front of the palace was as bright as day, with all kinds of ceremonial guards in full swing.

On the central incense table were three scrolls of white hemp paper documents: the "Letter of Betrothal," the "Letter of Gifts," and the "Letter of Welcome," all written in gold powder.

A folding chair was placed across the table, draped with a blue curtain. The master of ceremonies invited Hou Jing and the princess to sit side by side on it. A palace maid knelt before the chair, presenting a golden basin filled with flower petals and dew, and invited Hou Jing and the princess to perform the ablution ritual. After the two had washed their hands, the master of ceremonies unfolded the "Welcoming Letter" and began to recite: "With a vow of lifelong commitment, we write this on fine paper; may our pledge of love be recorded in the marriage register..."

According to the etiquette of the time, no music was played during the wedding ceremony, and the entire ceremony was completed in a solemn atmosphere.

Afterwards, the princess returned to the phoenix sedan chair and went back to the Laiyi Palace to await the final nuptial ceremony.

Hou Jing then entered the Taiji Hall and drank heartily with the Liang emperor and his ministers... at least he and his men had a good time.

Just a year ago today, they were still suffering under Gao Cheng's attacks, like stray dogs, living in constant fear. Who would have thought that in less than a year, they would actually occupy Jiankang and possess the prosperous Southern Dynasty.

The most wonderful thing is that the rulers, officials, and common people of the Southern Dynasties were as docile as quails. They could take whatever they wanted and trample on them at will. Wasn't that delightful?!
Currently, each of the military leaders possesses over a dozen noble ladies. Each one was once an unattainable dream for them! Now they've become their playthings—how delightful!
The best part is that ruling such a country requires absolutely no technology; all you need to do is herd sheep, and you can rule forever. Wouldn't that be wonderful?!

"This is all thanks to the King!" The military leaders, holding golden goblets, took turns toasting Hou Jing.

"Hahaha, our good days are yet to come!" Hou Jing simply sat on Xiao Gang's desk, drinking and laughing with his subordinates. Xiao Gang knelt behind the desk, looking at Hou Jing's backside, feeling extremely annoyed.

"What's wrong, Your Majesty? Are you unhappy?" Hou Jing suddenly turned around and glanced at Xiao Gang.

"Happy, of course I'm happy," Xiao Gang quickly forced a smile.

“Then, brother-in-law, let’s have a drink too.” Hou Jing raised his wine cup to him.

"Alright, alright." Xiao Gang quickly raised his cup to drink.

"Wait a minute, what's the point of drinking straight?" Hou Jing raised his hand and laughed, "I've heard that Your Majesty is a great poet, especially fond of writing erotic poems. Why don't you compose one to liven things up?"

Xiao Gang's face flushed red as he said, "Those were all foolish things done when I was young and inexperienced. General, please don't mention them again."

"What, you won't even give me this much face?" Hou Jing's face darkened, and his eyes flashed with a fierce light.

"Don't blame your brother-in-law for getting angry."

The soldiers, looking fierce and menacing, shouted, "Stand up and sit down for the King!"

Xiao Gang felt his blood rush to his head, his mind reeling. He looked pleadingly at his ministers, but they all lowered their heads, none daring to meet the emperor's gaze.

“If you refuse to stand up, then lie down on your stomach in the hall.” Hou Jing squinted, looking like he had him cornered.

Xiao Gang ultimately couldn't withstand Hou Jing's pressure. He slowly stood up and recited with difficulty:

"A beautiful woman leans against a fragrant bush, gazing intently at a painting. Her eyebrows are like willow branches budding with green, and her cheeks are like newly blooming red."

Her sleeves concealed her slender, youthful fingers; her skirt swayed gently in the breeze. To know the depths of her heart, her gentle smile held endless charm…

"Hahaha, come on, let's drink!" Hou Jing and his henchmen continued to shout and drink wildly, indulging in the emperor's erotic poems.

"This life is so good, I wouldn't trade it for anything!" the military leaders exclaimed.

Xiao Gang looked up at the waning moon in the sky, his heart filled with regret. If he could do it all over again, he would never have fought for the position of crown prince.

Wouldn't it be better to be like my brothers, commanding troops in the field, ruling over a region, and not having to suffer this humiliation?

(End of this chapter)