My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 469 What status qualifies one as noble?

The north wind howled, and heavy snow fell from the gloomy sky.

The wheels rolled slowly, and the convoy moved forward in a grand procession. As far as the eye could see, the majestic outline of a fortified city could be seen.

Outside Yecheng.

Gao Huan was accompanied by a small entourage, with Gao Cheng by his side.

Even though he was wearing a fur coat with fur trim, Gao Cheng's face and hands were red from the cold. He was born in Huai Shuo, but left Huai Shuo when he was very young.

On the contrary, it was Gao Huan.

Having grown up in the harsh and cold land of Huai Shuo since childhood, he had experienced all kinds of "white disasters," so this bit of cold was nothing to him.

"They're here! They're here! Mother's caravan has arrived!"

Gao Cheng pointed to the magnificent convoy with great joy.

Having grown up in an environment of favoritism, or even pampering, Gao Cheng has such deep feelings for his parents.

Gao Huan's eyes flickered.

Despite having a large harem, including Han Zhihui, his childhood sweetheart and unrequited love, and the Rouran princess, none of them can compare to Lou Zhaojun.

The words he spoke to Gao Yu despite his serious injuries came from the bottom of his heart.

Despite Gao Yu's superior strength, he was willing to risk fratricide to force things together, truly for the sake of Lou Zhaojun and Gao Cheng.

On the day Lou Zhaojun was born, there were unusual celestial phenomena. Duan Rong immediately predicted that "this girl will be of immeasurable nobility in the future." The powerful families around Huai Shuo flocked to propose marriage to her, almost wearing down their doorstep.

In the end, Lou Zhaojun fell in love with this poor boy who had nothing.

She even persuaded her family to spend all their wealth to raise an army for him, and gave him his first pot of gold to host banquets and make friends with famous people from all walks of life.

Men have a special affection for their wives who have shared hardships with them, who have stayed by their side and comforted them during their lowest moments.

"Yes, it's great to see you again."

Gao Huan nodded.

Gao Cheng couldn't contain himself, so he cracked his whip, spurred his horse forward, and galloped all the way to the largest carriage.

"Mother! Mother! It's me!"

The curtain was lifted, and Gao Cheng was taken aback. It was Gao Ying. She made a face and said, "Brother, you have no shame. You're such a grown man, yet you act like a child."

The adorable little girl from back then has now grown into a graceful young woman.

She also inherited the fine tradition of the Gao family. She and Gao Yang are twins, and it seems that the DNA that should have belonged to Gao Yang was taken away in the womb, which is why Gao Yang does not look like a member of the Gao family.

With bright eyes and white teeth, her gaze is lively and she exudes youthful energy.

"Go away, don't stop me from seeing my mother!"

Gao Cheng looked disgusted, dismounted and immediately boarded the carriage. Upon seeing Lou Zhaojun, he immediately laughed and shouted, "Mother!"

“Ah Hui.”

Lou Zhaojun looked at her eldest son with joy in her eyes. After looking him up and down, she nodded with satisfaction, "He has grown a lot taller and is much stronger. Good, good, good."

Gao Cheng was quite proud of himself. "Mother is still the best. She knows I'm all grown up now, unlike Father, who always treats me like a child and calls me 'brat' all the time."

Gao Huan was quite restrained. He slowly rode his horse to the carriage, exchanged a glance with Lou Zhaojun, and said softly, "Zhaojun."

"Husband."

"I'll go check on the others."

"Ah."

Gao Huan brought all his family members over, and Princess Ruru, Han Zhihui, and others were also at the rear of the convoy.

The carriage slowly drove into Ye City.

Upon learning of the arrival of "Sister-in-law," Hou Jing, Sima Ziru, Sun Teng, and other old brothers from Huai Shuo gathered at Gao Huan's residence for a lively banquet.

They didn't disperse until sunset.

Back in the inner courtyard.

Finally, they had some time alone together. Gao Huan embraced Lou Zhaojun and said with deep emotion, "It's so good to be alive. I thought I would never see you again."

Lou Zhaojun also leaned against him, feeling Gao Huan's broad chest.

After embracing for a moment, Gao Huan opened his mouth several times before finally speaking, "Zhaojun, I have already explained the current situation to you in the letter."

He sighed heavily, and after a long while, he said softly, "I have let you down."

"I'm not capable enough to compete with Erlang."

"Only Erlang can maintain the current situation, and everyone else respects him the most."

Lou Zhaojun covered his mouth with her hand.

She removed Gao Huan's shirt, revealing gruesome scars on his arms and chest, especially an arrow wound very close to his heart. Had it been a fraction of a second off, Gao Huan might have indeed perished on the battlefield.

Lou Zhaojun looked at Gao Huan with heartache and gently touched the scars on his body.

Every scar tells a story of the perilous circumstances Gao Huan endured that year.

"My husband is now the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, in charge of the Imperial Secretariat. Compared to before, his power is immense. What position is considered noble? I am already content. If anything were to happen to my husband... even if he were to seize the throne, what difference would it make?"

"My only wish now is that my husband, Ah Hui, and Ah Ying are all well..."

“Let Erlang take over the world. Erlang is a kind and righteous man. He will not mistreat his husband even if he gains the country.”

If you get a wife like this, what more can a husband ask for?
Gao Huan embraced her again, and the couple held each other tightly.

"Ahui and Aying's marriage..."

"Ah Hui and Ah Ying's lives were given to them by Erlang. They have loved being with Erlang since they were young, and Erlang will not treat them badly. Ah Hui married the emperor's sister, and Yang Yin became a minister at a young age. They are both good matches."

"It's good that you think that way. I'll invite Zunyan to my residence for a chat tomorrow."

………………

"My lady, my lady, let's go back."

The maidservant whispered her dissuasion. Gao Ying turned around and glared at her, "Hmph! What's the point of going back? I want to see who my uncle has betrothed me to!"

Gao Ying spent most of her time by Lou Zhaojun's side. Although she grew up in the Central Plains, her personality was more like that of a girl who grew up on the grasslands.

They were very open and natural, without any awkwardness.

She arrived outside Yang Yin's residence and sent a maid to knock on the door.

The gatekeeper was stunned when he saw that they were two young girls. Judging from their clothes, he knew they were rich and noble. The gatekeeper did have some discernment.

He asked with great respect.

"May I ask... whose young lady is she?"

"Go! Inform your Minister that the daughter of the Minister of State, the niece of the Prime Minister, wishes to see him!"

Gao Ying's self-introduction terrified the gatekeeper.

He immediately turned around and went to report.

Not a moment.

Yang Yin then personally went to the outer courtyard.

He spotted a beautiful young woman standing there from afar.

Skillful.

He has good eyesight.

He only caught a fleeting glimpse of her beauty, yet even this well-read man was at a loss for words to describe the girl's stunning appearance.

Incredibly beautiful.

The servants had already left. When Yang Yin approached, he cupped his hands in greeting and said, "Greetings, Miss Gao."

Gao Ying did not respond.

Instead, they looked him up and down, and even circled around him; his appearance was alright.

She's been used to seeing handsome men since she was a child.

The men of this world.

Could anyone be more handsome than her uncle? Her father? Her older brother?

Ok……

My second brother was a bit lacking.

"So, my uncle has betrothed me to you?"

"cough……"

Yang Yin didn't know how to respond to such remarks.

No wonder Gao Yu told him that Gao Ying was a bit shrewish, unlike the refined ladies from noble families.

Right.

Which noblewoman would take the initiative to come to the man's house after learning of the marriage?

He nodded, both amused and exasperated, and said, "It is indeed I. I was unaware of your arrival, young lady, and was unprepared..."

"That's alright. I just came to visit today. You seem like a decent person, and marrying you wouldn't be a bad idea."

"…………"

Yang Yin's expression was strange; he feared he might be in for a tough time in the future.

........................

Qingzhou, outside Dongyang City.

The first military academy established by Gao Yu was located here.

The military commanders who returned from Xiangzhou are giving a lecture.

If this were a tradition, regardless of victory or defeat, everyone would summarize and reflect upon their return at the military academy.

The military academy was filled with young boys with tender faces. They were all selected from the sons of the soldiers, and they had to go through a selection process.

After the general finished speaking.

The students listening to the lecture gathered in small groups.

Gao Yang was used to being alone.

He didn't use an alias, but with his appearance, it would be difficult for others to associate him with the handsome Gao Yu.

I overheard people around me talking about what happened in Ye City, and I even heard familiar names.

"Hmph, my brother is always so opportunistic, only thinking about showing off and currying favor with my uncle and father. He did such a rebellious thing and almost implicated Grand Master Cui. Only my uncle and father, with their high positions and power, were able to clean up his mess!"

Gao Yang was quite disdainful of Gao Cheng's behavior.

How did intrigue and treachery help my uncle seize the throne?

"In the end, this world must be conquered by soldiers!"

Despite it being a rest time, Gao Yang still came to the training ground. The weather was freezing cold, and his fingers were red from the cold, but that didn't stop him from picking up his bow and arrow and constantly improving his archery skills.

At this moment...

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
Every arrow hit the bullseye with perfect accuracy!
Seeing this, Gao Yang nodded in satisfaction. "Hmph, I despise such behavior as using the power of my uncle and father to enter the court as an official!"

A glint of shrewdness flashed in his eyes. "I'm strong enough! My uncle will be returning soon. I need to find a chance to slip away and make a name for myself on the battlefield. Only then will my father and mother know that I am far superior to my brother!"

PS: Actually, the main storyline has already changed at this point.

Ahem, I'll show you the original outline when the book is finished.

A large number of scenes featuring Lou Zhaojun and Gao Cheng were cut.

(End of this chapter)