I did it all for the Han Dynasty!

Chapter 75 The changing situation
"Today is a joyous occasion for me, Liu Miao!"

Liu Miao did not expect Yuan Shu to send the Yuan family over so quickly. In order not to offend Yuan Shu, he finally decided to take a break during the war to complete the marriage!

Wedding, also known as the twilight ceremony.

The wedding ceremony is the foundation of all rites.

As Liu Miao's principal wife, Lady Yuan could not be treated casually; rather, she had to be treated with strict adherence to etiquette.

The five pre-wedding rituals—betrothal, name inquiry, auspicious date selection, gift presentation, and wedding date setting—have already been completed before the wedding.

What Liu Miao had to do was personally welcome the bride, share a meal with her, and tie their hair together.

Sitting in front of the bronze mirror, Madam Lu and Madam Lü helped Liu Miao put on a dark crimson robe. Looking at himself in the mirror, Liu Miao stroked his beard with a hint of pride: "What a handsome face! It's such a waste that Yuan family's daughter is so lucky."

Madam Lu and Madam Lü exchanged a smile, neither willing to argue with Liu Miao. Madam Lu added, however, "That Yuan girl is inexperienced in such matters, so husband should be careful."

Madam Lü nodded in agreement, then involuntarily touched her abdomen, feeling a slight ache there.

Liu Miao rolled his eyes at the two of them: "I've only ever heard of oxen that are worn out from exhaustion, but I've never heard of fields that are ruined from plowing. Instead of getting some tonics, why are you feeling sorry for that Yuan family?"

Seeing that Madam Lu and Madam Lü were really about to turn around and make soup, Liu Miao touched their waists and said, "Forget it, there's no need. We should pack our things and cross the river as soon as possible!"

The Lu family were originally from Wu County, and now they were simply returning home in glory, so they were naturally not afraid.

Although Lady Lü was somewhat worried, she stopped being anxious and let things take their course, thinking that she was now Liu Miao's woman.

Just as Liu Miao was about to go out to welcome his bride, Lu Yi, who was usually mature beyond his years, gently knocked on the door. After politely greeting the adults, he turned to Liu Miao and said something: "Father, news has come from the north that Governor Chen Yu did not open the gates of Shouchun after Yuan Shu crossed the river, but instead led his troops to refuse him entry."

Chen Yu, who was appointed governor of Yangzhou by Yuan Shu, ended up turning Yuan Shu away.

Liu Miao's eyes widened: "How could someone as spineless as Gong Wei do something so tough?"

Lu Yi pursed his lips. It was only then that Liu Miao realized that Lu Yi cared so much about Chen Yu, an outsider, so he beckoned Lu Yi over.

Why are you telling me this?

“I just feel that my father should know.”

"So tell me, if I find out, should I go and save him?"

Lu Yi lowered his head...

"Just say what you mean, do you think I'd blame you?"

Lu Yi slowly raised his head and saw the dark crimson pattern on Liu Miao's sleeve. After a moment's hesitation, he finally voiced his opinion.

"Father, you are about to marry Lady Yuan as your principal wife. This will surely make the General trust you more, buy you time in Jiangdong, and prevent the General from disliking you."

“If we go to rescue Governor Chen after this, it will surely make the General of the Rear feel disgusted... Therefore, from the perspective of Father’s great cause, the rescue of the governor will actually do more harm than good.”

If Liu Miao were to rescue Chen Yu now, all the good impression he had of Yuan Shu would be gone!

Now everyone has witnessed Yuan Shu's strength. Before even reaching Huainan, he had already killed a governor of Yangzhou remotely, and then easily defeated Yuan Yi... On the other hand, although Liu Miao had crossed the Yangtze River and had the momentum to swallow up Jiangdong, he was ultimately no match for Yuan Shu.

If Liu Miao were to offend Yuan Shu at this time, it would be a complete disaster for Liu Miao and his forces!
Liu Miao nodded, expressing his approval of Lu Yi.

"So, Boyan thinks I shouldn't have gone to save Gongwei?" "Exactly."

"Then why are you telling me this?"

Lu Yi looked at Liu Miao seriously: "Because I think Father will still go to save the governor."

Liu Miao chuckled: "If saving Gongwei, who willingly left me, has so many downsides, why would I save him? Does Boyan think I'm a fool?"

Lu Yi shook his head.

"But I have always believed that my father is not a materialistic person."

"In this world, there are things that are more important than calculating interests!"

Liu Miao chuckled and reached out to give Lu Yi's head a good rub.

"Boyan, you are destined for greatness!"

"It's just a pity you guessed wrong this time. I will absolutely not save Chen Gongwei!"

Liu Miao looked outside and, seeing that it was getting late, stepped out the door: "A beautiful bride is arriving right now, and tonight will be our wedding night. How can I have time to worry about Chen Yu?"

"Besides, he abandoned me that day, and we agreed to sever all ties. Why should I go and save him now?"

Liu Miao spoke resolutely and acted swiftly, heading east of the city to complete the wedding ceremony.

Riding in a four-spoked, vermilion-lacquered carriage with a red yoke, followed by eight red-clad servants and a retinue of musicians and drummers, the matchmaker led the way with a vermilion-lacquered gift box. The sounds of sheng, xiao, and jian drums filled the air, drawing crowds of women and children from the neighborhood to peer out of their windows.

Upon arriving at the woman's house, two young boys presented her with a plate of dates and chestnuts. Liu Miao alighted from his carriage and bowed three times to invite her in, according to custom. However, although his movements were proper, Liu Miao's expression remained absent-minded, as if he were lost in thought.

The vermilion gate slowly opened, and Liu Miao glanced inside, seeing Yuan Shi.

With her face made up and her eyebrows painted like distant mountains, wearing a gold-threaded hair ornament and a crimson-edged deep robe, one could tell from her appearance and demeanor that she was a noblewoman!
However, when Liu Miao's gaze swept over his chest, his brows furrowed slightly, and he even showed some disdain.

A flat plain!
According to the law of conservation, this woman surnamed Yuan must have an extremely bad temper!
Liu Miao shook his head in disdain, becoming increasingly uninterested in the Yuan family, his gaze continuing to wander and drift off into thought...

Meanwhile, Yuan Shi stared at Liu Miao as the vermilion gate opened.

The lustful and greedy look that one might expect did not appear in Liu Miao's eyes. Instead, Yuan Shi keenly caught the hint of disdain, and her eyebrows immediately furrowed!

Upon seeing Liu Miao, she became even more distracted. Yuan Shi suddenly resembled a cat with its fur standing on end, unconsciously clenching her fists in her sleeves...

At this moment, a musician played "Peach Blossom," and Liu Miao stepped forward to hand Yuan half of a red silk cloth, inviting her to get into the carriage.

After boarding the carriage, Madam Yuan assumed that, given the rumors of Liu Miao's lecherous nature, he would surely engage in lewd behavior, such as rubbing his thigh against her through her clothes, or even reaching under her skirt to caress her, or teasing her with his feet... If Liu Miao dared to do such a thing, she would definitely make him realize his power! She would humiliate him in front of everyone and show him what a noble lady like Madam Yuan truly was!

Even after entering the mansion, Liu Miao maintained a distance from Yuan Shi, with enough space between them for another person to stand, let alone any frivolous behavior!
"no……"

Yuan touched the silk padding her chest, puzzled.

"Could it be that the things Aunt gave me were a lie?"

(End of this chapter)