Late Ming Dynasty: Starting with the overthrow of the county magistrate, a rebellion was launched to

On the way back to Zhang Da's temporary residence, Yang always lagged half a step behind him, her gait steady and silent. She neither initiated conversation nor appeared distant.

However, Zhang Da was unwilling to let this opportunity slip by.

I stopped and looked at her; she was still so beautiful, so irresistible.

"Lord Zhang..."

Yang was puzzled, so she called out to Zhang Da.

Zhang Da simply stared at her silently, and the two remained in this standoff for about three minutes. Zhang Da, feeling increasingly restless, extended his right hand, palm facing Yang Shi.

Upon seeing this, Yang lowered her head slightly and blushed, but then she also extended her right hand, and the two touched hands together.

The two of them walked hand in hand back to the warm pavilion in the west courtyard, where the floor heating system had been warmed by the servants.

Four maids were already waiting in the courtyard. Upon seeing the two return, they quickly stepped forward and curtsied, saying, "Greetings, Lord Zhang, greetings, Miss Yang."

Zhang Da suddenly felt a little awkward, because those four people had all served him before, so Zhang Da raised his hand and said, "You may all leave. There's no need for you to serve me."

The maids withdrew in response and gently closed the courtyard gate, leaving only him and Madam Yang inside the house.

The room was silent except for the crackling of the charcoal fire, creating a somewhat awkward atmosphere.

Zhang Da took his seat first, and looking at Madam Yang who was standing silently with her head down in the room, he spoke gently, "Miss, you must be tired from your journey. There's no need for formalities. Please sit down and let's talk."

Madam Yang responded softly with "Yes," and then slowly walked to the chair at the lower end of the table and sat down, still keeping her eyes down and maintaining a respectful posture.

"What's your name?"

"Reporting to Lord Zhang, it's Yang Qianqian."

Zhang nodded, a rather lewd smile creeping across his face at the thought of such a beauty becoming his.

"I'm sorry to have wronged you by betrothing you to me, but I already have a wife. You are only a concubine in my household. In the future, I will treat you with respect in the Shaoyang residence and will never let you suffer any grievances."

Upon hearing this, Madam Yang slowly raised her eyes and looked at Zhang Da. Her clear eyes held no resentment, but rather a sense of calm.

"Zhang... Husband, you flatter me. Yang is a relative of the Commander-in-Chief. Now that she has been betrothed to you, she is your woman and dares not have any thoughts of grievance. I only ask to be obedient and dutiful, to serve you, to assist the principal wife, and to live a peaceful life. I have no other desires."

What a wonderful woman!

Zhang sighed, noting that her voice was soft, yet she was surprisingly reasonable; of course, it was also possible she was faking it.

As the two were talking, a maid brought hot water and tea. Madam Yang rose, walked to the table, picked up the teapot, and poured tea for Zhang Da with gentle and skillful movements.

"My lord, please have some tea."

Zhang Da took the teacup, his fingertips "inadvertently" touching hers. He felt a soft, delicate touch, and Yang's cheeks flushed slightly. She quickly withdrew her hand, lowered her head, and stepped aside...

The two did not share a bed that night.

It wasn't that Yang refused; judging from her expression, she probably would have given it to Zhang Da if he really wanted it. But Zhang Da always showed more respect to women with official titles...

Yang naturally agreed without any objection, and even personally tidied Zhang Da's bedding before bedtime.

Since Zhang Da would be staying in Xiangyang for a few more days, he spent the next few days in the warm pavilion of the west wing with Madam Yang.

During the day, she would sit quietly by the window reading and embroidering. When Zhang Da and Yang Sichang discussed Baoqing's political affairs and the transfer of real power, she would never approach to listen in. She would just stay quietly in the room, making tea and preparing water, waiting for their return.

Late at night, they would quietly bring warm soup, never disturbing the guests. Occasionally, they would chat, but only about the local customs and livelihoods of the people in central Hunan...

After spending a few days together, the last remaining wariness and distance in Zhang Da's heart gradually dissipated.

So Zhang Da gradually started chatting with her about everyday things, talking about the mountains and rivers of Shaoyang, the training of the local militia, and the lives of the common people; Yang listened quietly, occasionally responding softly, her eyes full of admiration and tenderness.

On the fifth night, the charcoal fire burned brightly in the warm pavilion, creating a cozy atmosphere.

It seems like that time is approaching.

"My lord, it's late. Have some warm soup to warm yourself up."

Madam Yang personally ironed Zhang Da's wedding attire, then brought him a bowl of warm soup and whispered...

Zhang Da reached out and took the soup bowl, then naturally grasped her wrist.

Yang trembled slightly, her cheeks flushed instantly, and she looked up at Zhang Da, her eyes shimmering with tears, shy yet with a hint of submission.

"Mrs. Yang," Zhang Da said in a low voice, with a hint of warmth, "since we are husband and wife, there's no need for such formality."

Lady Yang lowered her head and softly replied, "Yes, my husband."

Zhang Da pulled her to sit down beside him, his hand casually resting on her shoulder, then slowly moving over her body, from her shoulder to her back… finally settling on the buttocks of the gentle, beautiful young woman before him…

Their faces flushed slightly, and the atmosphere grew increasingly intimate.

Yang lowered her head, her cheeks burning, her heart pounding, but she didn't struggle at all. Feeling the warmth of Zhang Da's palm, she obediently leaned against him, letting him caress her.

Looking at her shy and charming appearance, Zhang Da felt a surge of desire again. His heart stirred, so he leaned closer, the faint fragrance of her hair lingering around his nose.

Seeing this, Yang closed her eyes, her long eyelashes trembling slightly, and waited obediently.

They nestled together, their feelings deepening. Their hearts were now in perfect harmony; in just a few days, love had taken root. That night, they finally slept in the same bed, becoming one…

Yang was gentle and shy, utterly graceful and without a trace of arrogance, surrendering all her feminine tenderness to him. Zhang Da also treated her with gentleness and tenderness, unleashing all the essence and strength he had accumulated over time.

For the next five days, the two stayed together day and night, inseparable and deeply in love.

On the sixth day, which happened to be an auspicious day, a simple wedding was held as scheduled in a side courtyard of the governor's headquarters in Xiangyang.

The wedding was simple and without extravagance. Only Yang Sichang led the core civil and military officials of his headquarters to attend. Everything was kept to a minimum. However, since they were Yang Sichang's relatives, the most basic formalities still had to be observed.

At dawn, the maids helped Yang Shi change into her bright red wedding gown. The gown was exquisitely made, with phoenixes and luan birds embroidered on the bright red silk, and the hem was adorned with tiny pearls. The jade pendants jingled softly as she moved, making her both dignified and beautiful.

Wearing a red veil, she was helped out of the inner room by the matchmaker, her figure slender and graceful.

Zhang Da, dressed in a bright red brocade robe and with a jade belt around his waist, stood in the courtyard waiting, looking dashing and heroic.

When the auspicious time arrived, the ceremonial music began.

The two stood side by side, with red paper spread on the ground and incense burning. They bowed once to heaven and earth for favorable weather and abundant harvests, once to the nation for peace and prosperity, and once to husband and wife for mutual respect.

Afterwards, he paid his respects to Yang Sichang.

Yang Sichang sat upright in the main seat, accepting the two men's kneeling obeisance, his face full of gratified smiles.

After the ceremony, Yang Sichang personally bestowed a pair of Hetian jade pendants as tokens of their bond. The pendants were split in two, with each person holding one, symbolizing the close bond between blood relatives and their shared destiny.

"From this day forward, you two will be of one heart and mind, forever united, and never betray each other."

Yang Sichang's voice was loud and clear, echoing throughout the courtyard.

"Thank you, Commander Xie (Cousin Xie)!" the two replied in unison.

After the ceremony, the couple entered the bridal chamber and performed the nuptial wine ceremony. The matchmaker served them the wedding wine, and they drank it together, the wine rich and mellow, symbolizing their enduring affection.

Then, Zhang Da lifted the red veil, and Yang was still as beautiful as ever, her cheeks flushed and her eyes sparkling with spring.

After the maids left, only the two of them remained in the room.

Yang sat gracefully on the edge of the bed, her head bowed in shyness. Her figure was delicate and beautiful, and her wedding dress, as red as fire, made her appearance even more extraordinary.

Zhang Da walked up to her, gently took her hand, and said with a warm smile, "Ms. Yang, from now on, you belong to me, Zhang Da."

Lady Yang raised her eyes and looked at him, saying, "My husband, in this life, I will only follow you."

The flickering red candles filled the room with warmth.