My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 283 Marriage?

The first day of October.

The north wind howled, and the gloomy sky seemed poised to unleash the first snowfall of the first year of the Jianyi era.

People in the suburbs of Luoyang are racing against time to plant winter wheat.

Previously, when the Southern Liang and Northern Expeditionary Allied Forces besieged Luoyang, Gao Yu implemented a scorched-earth policy in the surrounding areas, resulting in the loss of the autumn harvest and the absence of surplus grain for the people.

Fortunately, Yuan Ziyou ordered the granaries to be opened and relief grain to be distributed, thus re-establishing his reputation as a "benevolent and righteous ruler" and ensuring that the people could get through the winter.

However, we will have to rely on ourselves next spring and must rush to sow the winter wheat before the last minute.

Rumble.

The wheels rolled by, and the convoy moved forward in a grand procession, attracting the attention of the farmers who were sowing seeds.

Erzhu Yuechan lifted the curtain and looked outside. There were endless fields, and she couldn't help but mutter, "Why haven't we arrived in Luoyang yet?"

Inside the carriage were two women and a little girl. Compared to the young Erzhu Yuechan, the two women were clearly married and had lived a life of luxury and elegance. The little girl, though young, had fair skin and particularly bright, lively eyes, clearly a future beauty.

"We've been through this for months, why are you in such a hurry?"

Lou Zhaojun held Gao Ying and said with a light laugh.

"Sister-in-law! I haven't seen Erlang since March! It's been more than half a year!!"

Gao Loujin and Lou Zhaojun exchanged a glance, their eyes full of smiles, but Erzhu Yuechan didn't care and asked in return, "Don't you miss your brother, sister-in-law?"

"Of course I want to, but my husband holds an important position and is burdened with many political affairs. Both of them are men who are destined for great things. How can they be burdened by matters of the heart?"

Lou Zhaojun looked at Erzhu Yuechan and saw how much she resembled her original self.

Gao Huan had also told Lou Zhaojun about the situation in Luoyang in his letters, so Lou Zhaojun was well aware of it.

The relationship between Gao Yu and Erzhu Rong is not what it used to be. Erzhu Rong no longer treats Gao Yu the same way he used to. This marriage can mend the rift between Gao Yu and Erzhu Rong.

The Gao brothers' foundation was still shallow, and they could not completely break with the Erzhu clan.

"Yuechan, Erlang is currently favored by the Emperor and the Prime Minister and holds an important position. He must be very busy with many official duties. You should be prepared for this if you want to marry him."

Erzhu Yuechan remained silent for a moment, then said, "Sister-in-law, I know everything..."

“My mother also told me that my father had many concubines. My father also told me that the emperor had given a princess to Erlang. I knew all that.”

Although Lou Zhaojun smiled, she couldn't help but sigh inwardly. She was no concubine at all.

But she still tried to comfort Erzhu Yuechan first.

"Yuechan, although it's too early to tell you all this now, I still have to tell you that if you marry someone as outstanding as Erlang, you need to have the magnanimity to tolerate other women. What we women should do is to keep the household stable so that our husbands don't have to worry about things at home."

"Men are all like this. The more you argue with him, the more annoyed he gets, and the more he dislikes you. But if you're always magnanimous, he'll feel guilty and start trying to please you..."

Erzhu Yuechan nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite.

The carriage suddenly stopped.

A rapid sound of hooves approached from afar and stopped outside the three people's carriage.

Lou Zhaojun reacted quickly, chuckling as she nudged Erzhu Yuechan, "Go, lift the curtain, there's a surprise."

Erzhu Yuechan was clearly a beat slow to react. She lifted the curtain and found that the person she had been longing for was riding in front of her.

Her small, rosy lips parted slightly, and she seemed to be momentarily stunned, her joy making her forget everything else. She jumped off the carriage, but fortunately, Gao Yu's horse was well-trained and was not startled.

Otherwise, the surprise of meeting might turn into a shock.

A delicate fragrance, unique to young girls, wafted over.

Ok.

It seems like it's developed a little bit more?

I always feel a bulging sensation in my chest.

"Erlang!"

Erzhu Yuechan buried her face in his chest, greedily inhaling his scent.

According to the Han Dynasty's ritual system.

Gao Yu and Erzhu Yuechan should not have met before their marriage.

but……

Erzhu Yuechan, a woman from the grasslands, didn't care about any of that. She dared to go to Gao Yu's bed before they were even engaged, and she didn't care about any etiquette.

"Come down first, there are so many people watching."

The passion and uninhibitedness of grassland women are evident here; they don't care at all about being watched by so many people.

Gao Yu also dismounted and came to the carriage.

"Greetings, elder sister and sister-in-law."

"Erlang."

Gao Loujin was overjoyed to see Erzhu Yuechan clinging tightly to Gao Yu.

She raised her two younger brothers to adulthood, and now that Gao Yu is finally about to start a family, she feels a sense of happiness that her mission is finally accomplished. Even if she dies now, she will have the face to meet her deceased mother and father in the afterlife.
"uncle!"

At first, Gao Ying hid behind Lou Zhaojun, curiously observing him with her big eyes. After a long time apart, she finally confirmed his identity.

She then greeted him sweetly.

"Ah Ying, come... see what your uncle brought you?"

As if by magic, Gao Yu suddenly produced a rag doll and handed it to Gao Ying. The little girl loved these kinds of things and played with it with great affection.

"Brother! Brother!" "Uncle!"

Follow the sound.

As expected of someone of the Gao family bloodline, Gao Yue, the leader, was dignified, handsome, and tall.

Gao Cheng was no less impressive, perfectly inheriting the excellent genes of Gao Huan and Lou Zhaojun.

Duan Shao was also a handsome and talented man.

Two teenagers ran ahead, while only one boy followed behind. Compared to the three handsome young men in front, he didn't seem to be from the same family. If you didn't know better, you would think that someone else's child had sneaked in.

His skin wasn't particularly dark, but it wasn't very fair either, and his appearance was extremely ordinary.

"Uncle... Uncle!"

Gao Yang ran towards Gao Yu with great joy, but suddenly felt someone bump into him. He lost his balance and fell to the ground with a thud, covered in dirt and seemingly with a cut on his hand. He couldn't help but burst into tears.

"How can Ah Yang be so stupid? He's so old and he still falls down."

Gao Cheng stood beside Gao Yu with a smug look on his face and began to scold him, "Always so stupid, yet you still dare to dream of fighting alongside your uncle?"

Upon hearing this, Lou Zhaojun peeked out, but remained unmoved. Instead, she frowned and said coldly, "Ayang, get up!"

Gao Yang stood up, looking aggrieved. He brushed the dust off his clothes and sobbed as he answered, "Yes, Mother..."

Seeing this, Gao Yu couldn't bear it in the end. He reached out and patted Gao Yue and the others on the head one by one, then walked to Gao Yang's side, bent down and picked him up. "A-Yang has grown a lot taller. He will definitely become a fierce general in the future, but a fierce general can't cry easily."

Upon hearing this, Gao Yang still felt wronged, but he held back his tears and said, "Uncle, do you really mean it?"

"When has your uncle ever lied to you?"

Gao Yang then stopped crying and started laughing. Not far away, Gao Cheng looked at Gao Yu with dissatisfaction in his eyes. He walked over to Gao Yu's side and grabbed his arm, "Uncle, hug me too!"

Gao Yu treated them both equally; the two boys weren't heavy, so carrying them was no effort at all.

After being picked up by Gao Yu, Gao Cheng gave Gao Yang a smug look.

Upon seeing Gao Yue and Duan Shao, Gao Yu immediately felt a headache coming on. "You two are still growing up, don't follow in the footsteps of Ahui and Ayang."

at this time.

Erzhu Yuechan has 'exploded'!

"Hey! You two little devils! This is my future husband! Get down here right now!!"

"You promised me when we ate the honey!"

Everyone was taken aback at first, then burst into laughter.

………………

Inside the Tai Chi Hall.

After listening to the ministers' report on the progress of the construction of houses in the suburbs of Luoyang, Yuan Ziyou turned his gaze to Gao Yu.

At present, Gao Yu is already standing shoulder to shoulder with Erzhu Rong in the imperial court.

"I have heard that General Gao is engaged to the daughter of the General of the Central Army?"

Yuan Ziyou's sudden words immediately drew everyone's attention. The emperor, who had been quiet for a while, was about to start his open and covert struggle with the prime minister again.
Erzhu Zhao quickly cupped his hands in greeting and said, "Indeed, my daughter is engaged to General Tian Ce."

"If that is indeed the case... then it was my oversight."

Yuan Ziyou looked remorseful and said, "Since I am to marry General Tian Ce, how can I not have a noble title?"

"By imperial decree, the daughter of the General of the Central Army is hereby granted the title of Lady Xiurong."

The term "诰命" (gaoming) did not exist in the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties or even earlier dynasties, but titles were indeed bestowed upon the wives and mothers of prominent officials.

This is a very normal behavior.

This can be seen as an attempt to win over Gao Yu, but it can also be seen as a gesture of goodwill towards Erzhu Rong.

After all, judging from his previous actions, Yuan Ziyou would have preferred that Gao Yu have as little contact with the Erzhu clan as possible.

But now they've taken the initiative to bestow a title upon Erzhu Yuechan?
Is this because their relationship with Erzhu Rong had become too strained before, so they wanted to take the initiative to ease the tension?
Everyone was speculating.

Erzhu Zhao quickly spoke up, "This humble general thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness on behalf of my daughter!"

but……

Then Yuan Ziyou spoke up again, "General Tian Ce is my benefactor, and the benefactor of all the people of Luoyang. How can his marriage be taken lightly?"

He looked at Erzhu Rong and said, "Prime Minister, I intend to issue an edict to personally bestow a marriage upon you. What is your opinion, Prime Minister?"

"Your Majesty's favor is so great, how could I refuse? However, Yuechan is the daughter of the General of the Central Army, so Your Majesty should inquire with the General of the Central Army about his opinion."

"Speak," Erzhu Rong secretly winked at Erzhu Zhao.

However, Erzhu Zhao did not understand his meaning. Instead, he said quite frankly, "What an honor it is for the emperor to bestow a marriage upon us! I have no objection."

idiot!

Erzhu Rong's face darkened, but he no longer had a chance to speak.

Yuan Ziyou was overjoyed upon hearing this.

"I want all the people of Luoyang to come and personally offer their blessings!"

"However, with the invasion of the island barbarians, Luoyang currently lacks the resources to hold a wedding. Next year, after everything has returned to normal, I will personally hold the wedding ceremony for General Tian Ce!"

Erzhu Zhao's smile froze.

So, they're digging a pit for him to fall into here too?

(End of this chapter)