My brothers are all warriors capable of taking on ten thousand men; I'll roam freely in the Thr

Lu Bu's wedding was scheduled for the second day of the second lunar month, the day the dragon raises its head, an auspicious day personally calculated by Guo Jia.

The betrothal gifts have been prepared, and Cai Yong has sent back auspicious invitations; everything is proceeding smoothly.

This fierce general, who once struck fear into the hearts of the barbarians, has been acting like a young boy these days, spending his days tidying his clothes in front of a bronze mirror, which has made Zhang Fei and others laugh and scold him for being "useless".

Ji Xuanyuan looked at the bustling scene in the mansion, but his mind was on something else.

In the stillness of the night, the candlelight flickered in the study.

He sat alone at his desk, with two letters spread out in front of him.

The paper was old and worn; it was a last letter that Zhen Yi had entrusted to someone to deliver four years ago before his death.

The other letter arrived yesterday, written by Zhen Yan himself, and written with utmost respect: "...My younger sister, Mi'er, will have her coming-of-age ceremony on the 26th of the first month. If you have the time, I earnestly request that you grace Wuji with your presence, to fulfill Father's wish and to comfort my sister's heart..."

Ji Xuanyuan's fingers traced the yellowed letter paper, and the image of that winter day seven years ago surfaced in his mind.

At that time, he had just established himself in Youzhou and was cooperating with the Zhen family in the refined salt business to raise military funds.

Later, Zhen Mi secretly followed the returning northward procession all the way to Zhuojun.

Helpless, Zhen Yi had no choice but to go along with it and leave her by Ji Xuanyuan's side.

For those two years, the young girl always loved to follow behind him, quietly watching him handle government affairs and discuss matters with his brothers.

When his cough flared up, she would quietly hand him warm water; when he stayed up late studying, she would quietly add oil to the lamp.

Later, she returned to Wuji, and that separation lasted for six years.

Now, she is almost fifteen years old.

Ji Xuanyuan closed his eyes and lightly tapped the table with his knuckles.

Given his current status, although the Zhen family is extremely wealthy in Jizhou, they are ultimately just a merchant family.

From the perspective of social standing, this marriage is a step up for the Zhen family.

But he could not forget the earnestness in Zhen Yi's dying letter entrusting his son to him, nor could he forget the look in the little girl's eyes when she gave him the jade pendant upon returning to Wuji.

"My lord." Guo Jia's voice rang out from outside the door.

"Enter."

Guo Jia pushed open the door and entered. Seeing the two letters on the table, he understood immediately: "Is my lord considering the Zhen family's matter?"

Ji Xuanyuan nodded: "What does Fengxiao think?"

Guo Jia pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "For your sake, our lord is already twenty-two years old. He should have settled down, married, and had children long ago. This would have helped to pacify the army and establish a solid foundation. Although the Zhen family is not a high-ranking family, they are the wealthiest in Hebei and control the trade routes. This would be of great help to our finances and military resources. Moreover, if our lord marries a woman from the Zhen family, it would show the world that we value talent above all else, regardless of social status, which would be in line with the recruitment order."

He paused for a moment: "Personally...Mi'er is deeply devoted to her lord..."

Guo Jia was also Zhen Mi's mentor, so he hoped that his "little apprentice" could find a good match...

Ji Xuanyuan remained silent for a long time before finally saying, "Prepare the carriage. I will go to Wuji in two days."

On the twentieth day of the first month, the imperial carriage departed from Ji.

Ji Xuanyuan traveled light, accompanied only by Xiang Yu, Dian Wei, and Zhao Yun as bodyguards, and also summoned Zhen Tuo to accompany him.

After five days of driving, the snow on the road gradually melted, and the spring chill lingered.

Inside the car, Zhen Tuo hesitated several times before speaking.

She is twenty-three years old this year, has been married to Zhao Yun for several years, and is now six months pregnant. She has a gentle and graceful face.

Seeing her expression, Ji Xuanyuan said gently, "Sister-in-law, please speak freely."

Zhen Tuo bit her lip and whispered, "My lord... my little sister has been thinking of you day and night all these years. After Father passed away, she observed three years of mourning, staying at home and burying herself in reading and calligraphy. Whenever my lord sends her new poems, she copies them by hand and recites them repeatedly. Last time I saw a poem hanging in her room, it was yours, Marquis Ji..."

She paused, tears welling in her eyes: "Does Your Excellency know that over the years, the Yuan, Yang, and Chen families, so many noble families have come to propose marriage, but my brother has always refused them all, because I said... I will marry no one but Your Excellency in this life."

As Ji Xuanyuan gazed at the withered branches flashing past the car window, a soft spot in his heart softened.

I will marry no one but you.

These four words are too heavy.

On the 25th day of the first lunar month, in Wuji County.

At the city gate, Zhen Yan led all the county officials, gentry elders, and others, kneeling on the ground in a dense, dark mass.

What is Ji Xuanyuan's current status?

The Grand Marshal of the current dynasty, a key minister assisting in the government, commands hundreds of thousands of troops and is relied upon by the emperor as a pillar of support.

If you neglect him, not only will the magistrate of Wuji County have to be extremely careful, but even if Han Fu, the governor of Ji Province, were to come in person, he would have to be extremely cautious.

"We, your humble servants, respectfully welcome the Grand Marshal!" the crowd shouted in unison.

Ji Xuanyuan alighted from the carriage and helped Zhen Yan up: "Brother Zhen, there's no need for such formalities. I'm here today on a private visit, solely for Miss Mi's coming-of-age ceremony."

That being said, who would dare take it seriously?

The crowd escorted the carriage into the city and arrived at the Zhen residence.

The mansion has not changed much since seven years ago.

The paint on the lintel was a bit old, and the old tree in the courtyard had grown more rings.

The old house and hall were empty, and another elder from the clan had passed away.

As Ji Xuanyuan walked through the corridor, he vaguely remembered that Zhen Yi had held a banquet here that year.

Things are wrong.

After dismissing all other people, only Ji Xuanyuan and Zhen Yan remained in the study.

Zhen Yan was nearly thirty years old and resembled his father, but his brows showed more of a businessman's shrewdness and caution.

He personally served tea, bowed, and said, "The presence of Lord Ji is an honor to the Zhen family. However... I really dare not trouble Lord Ji with my sister's marriage. If it is inconvenient for you, Lord Ji, then let this matter rest, and I will certainly persuade my sister..."

He spoke tactfully, but inwardly he was filled with unease.

Four years ago, when her father entrusted his younger sister to Ji Xuanyuan, Ji Xuanyuan was just a border prefect and a general who quelled the enemy.

Although there is a power disparity between the two sides, it is still within an acceptable range.

But now, Ji Xuanyuan is a figure above the clouds. If this marriage is successful, it will be a great honor for the Zhen family. If it fails, the Zhen family will not dare to utter a single complaint.

He even suspected that Ji Xuanyuan's trip was to annul the engagement, since it was indeed inappropriate for him, given his current status, to marry a merchant's daughter.

Ji Xuanyuan shook his head: "Brother Zhen, you misunderstand. I have come here to fulfill the promise I made to Lord Zhen back then, but..."

He looked directly at Zhen Yan and said, "Marriage is a major life event, and one should ask one's own heart. If Miss Mi'er is willing, I will marry her and treat her with the respect due to a principal wife. I will never treat her lightly. If she is not willing, or if she has another suitable match, I will never force her. Moreover, I will protect her as an elder brother and ensure her lifelong peace."

These words were spoken so frankly that Zhen Yan was first taken aback, then overjoyed!

"I'm willing! How could I not be!" His voice trembled with excitement.

"To be honest, Lord Ji, over the years, there have been countless suitors, including prominent families such as the Yuan family of Runan and the Yang family of Hongnong, but my sister has rejected them all. She said... she said that she will only recognize Lord Ji in this life!"

He calmed himself down and continued, "My younger sister has been intelligent since childhood, but she is truly devoted to the Marquis Ji. Over the years, she has been studying behind closed doors, mastering all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. I often think that her hard work is probably because she wants to be worthy of the Marquis Ji."

Ji Xuanyuan listened silently, his heart filled with turmoil.

After a long silence, he said, "I'd like to... see Mi'er first."

In the backyard of the Zhen family mansion, there is a clear pond.

The ice had not yet melted, the pond water was clear and cold, and a few red carp swam between the ice crevices.

The plum trees by the pond are just beginning to bloom, their subtle fragrance wafting in the air.

Zhen Mi leaned against the railing, dressed in a plain white winter coat with a light blue cloak over it.

She was no longer the little girl she was seven years ago. She had grown taller and had a beautiful and refined appearance with exquisite features. However, there was always a faint loneliness in her eyes that seemed out of place for her age.

She gazed at the fish swimming in the pond, her thoughts drifting far away.

When I first saw that sickly, pale boy with a warm smile when I was eight years old, I thought he must be an immortal descended from heaven.

Later, she stubbornly followed him to Youzhou, and her father had no choice but to leave her behind.

Back then, she was like a little shadow, always following Guo Jia around, asking him about every little thing.

She watched his focus when handling government affairs, his hearty laughter when chatting with his brothers, and his stubbornness in enduring the pain when he coughed up blood during an attack of his illness...

Later, she returned to Wuji, and before leaving, she gave the jade pendant that her mother had left her to Ji Xuanyuan.

After her father passed away, she observed three years of mourning, staying indoors and keeping herself company only with poetry and books.

Whenever she heard news of him, she couldn't sleep all night.

She copied down every one of his poems and recited them repeatedly, as if in doing so, she could get closer to him.

Just then, a clear and gentle voice suddenly rang out from behind.

Zhen Mi was startled!

She turned around abruptly.

Beneath the plum tree, the man stood in a moon-white robe with a silver fox fur coat over it. His face was even more handsome than he remembered, and his brows held a calm and dignified air honed by years of power.

It was Ji Xuanyuan!

He was reciting slowly: "The years are fleeting, and it is pitiful to look back on them."

On a past spring day, when flowers bloomed in abundance, the sky seemed to be filled with blossoms.

Heartbroken at parting, years have passed in the blink of an eye.

A faint blush of red silk, veiled in mist after a sudden rain.

New green shoots entwine, twilight is enchanting.

Born in the same world, like twin branches on the same stem.

We gaze at each other from two different places; how can we express our sorrow?

I long for him, but we cannot be together.

Spring blossoms are silent, for whom do they bloom?

The River Drum is easy to visit, but the Weaver Girl is hard to reach.

May we, amidst the vast expanse of the Milky Way, join hands and forget poverty.

After finishing the poem, he looked up, his eyes smiling yet also showing a hint of solemnity.

Zhen Mi stood there, stunned, her mind blank.

That poem...

"Born of the same era, twin branches on the same stem..."

"One life, one love, one partner"—this was the most beautiful sentence she had ever heard, and the most secret longing in her heart.

She snapped out of her daze and hurriedly tried to curtsy, only to find that the man before her was now the Grand Marshal of the court, a world apart in status.

But Ji Xuanyuan bowed first, his voice gentle and clear: "Forgive my lack of talent, but I have long admired you, Miss. I am making this presumptuous marriage proposal today, and I hope you will forgive me."

After saying that, he turned to leave.

"etc!"

Zhen Mi, not knowing where she got the courage, stepped forward and grabbed his sleeve.

Ji Xuanyuan stopped and turned around.

Eyes facing each other.

Zhen Mi's cheeks flushed, her eyes glistening with tears, yet she mustered the greatest courage of her life and softly murmured, "Green are your robes... Longingly I think of you."

The voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz, yet every word was clear.

Ji Xuanyuan was stunned.

He looked at the girl in front of him, her face flushed but stubbornly clinging to his sleeve, and at the deep affection in her eyes that had been hidden for many years and was now finally emerging.

He slowly raised his hand and gently grasped her hand that was gripping his sleeve.

Fingertips were icy cold, yet a warm shiver ran through them the instant they touched.

"Mi'er".

"I have come here to marry you."

Zhen Mi's tears finally welled up and spilled out.

The fragrance of plum blossoms lingers, and the ice on the pond gradually melts.

Their hands were clasped tightly together, as if they were trying to grasp the rare warmth in this chaotic world, to hold onto the fate that spanned seven years, and to hold onto the vow of "born together, in the same world, like twin branches on the same stem".

In the distance, along the corridor, Zhen Yan quietly retreated, tears welling in her eyes, but her face was full of a relieved smile.

Zhao Yun helped the heavily pregnant Zhen Tuo, and they smiled at each other.

Xiang Yu stood with his arms crossed at the moon gate, a hint of gentleness flashing in his double pupils.

Dian Wei scratched his head and chuckled sheepishly.

The warm spring sun pierced through the last gloom of winter and shone on their clasped hands.

Ji Xuanyuan knew that from this moment on, he had an additional responsibility on his shoulders.

In the midst of chaos, what he had to protect was not only the country and its people, nor only his brothers and comrades.

And then there's this girl who waited for him for seven years, missed him for seven years, and entrusted her entire life's happiness to him.

The Milky Way is brilliant; may we sail together on this journey.

In this life, we will hold hands and never forget each other.