Empress, please lay down your armor, for I will save the world with a single sword!

Today, the Prince of Beiyong's mansion is so lively it's as if the entire city of Beiyong is on fire.

Before dawn, the main gate of the Prince's Mansion was already bustling with carriages and horses.

Horse-drawn carriages lined both sides of the long street, their curtains draped low, their shafts adorned with carved ornaments, and their servants all bowing respectfully, speaking in hushed tones.

Almost all the prominent figures in Beiyongdao came.

Military officers, local officials, heads of powerful families, renowned figures in the martial arts world, and the civil officials and strategists recruited by Pei Xiao to the Northern Yong camp all changed into presentable clothes and entered the mansion for the banquet with joyful expressions.

Red silk ribbons hung high in front of the Prince's Mansion.

Large red lanterns were hung from the gatehouse all the way to the main hall.

The drum and music band played their instruments, and the festive sounds could be heard for several streets.

The servants never touched the ground; some served wine, some greeted guests, and some chanted ceremonies.

Yan Hai was so busy that sweat beaded on his forehead. He was instructing his servants while personally watching over the distinguished guests as they took their seats.

The entire Beiyong Prince's Mansion was like a giant beast that had been sleeping for many years, finally opening its eyes on this day.

Everyone knows that today's wedding is more than just a wedding.

Pei Chang'an, the heir apparent of the Northern Yong Kingdom, married Jiang Qingluan, the ninth princess of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

What does this mean?

This means that the Northern Yong Prince's Mansion has finally obtained the banner of legitimacy of the Great Zhou royal family.

This means that Pei Xiao's southward journey to defend the emperor will no longer be just a rebellion by a vassal king, but rather an act in the name of the Ninth Princess to punish the rebels and purge the court of corrupt officials!

Prince Qing forced the emperor to abdicate.

Emperor Chengping was forced to abdicate.

Luo'an is in turmoil.

The world is about to descend into chaos.

In times of chaos, whoever can save the collapsing edifice will be able to seize power.

Everyone present understood this principle.

Therefore, beneath the joyous atmosphere today, there lies not the typical happiness of a wedding banquet.

It is something deeper, hotter, and more akin to fanaticism.

Ambition.

look forward to.

From the Dragon's Hope!

A chubby local official, holding a wine cup, lowered his voice and chuckled to the person next to him, "After today, it seems His Highness will have to prepare to head south."

The short-bearded civil official beside him had a gleam in his eyes and said softly, "Be careful what you say, be careful what you say."

He said he would be careful with his words, but he couldn't suppress the smile on his face.

Another person whispered, "Prince Qing's ascension to the throne was illegitimate, and the people are not convinced. With 300,000 Northern Yong cavalry under his command, and now with the Ninth Princess as his righteous leader, this southward march is truly a matter of destiny!"

"good!"

"How many years has it been since those imperial guards have seen blood? How can they possibly stop my Northern Yong's Xuanjia Iron Cavalry?"

"When the Prince's army arrives at Luo'an, that brat Prince Qing will probably be so frightened that he won't be able to sleep at night!"

As they talked, their eyes became warm.

If the King of Beiyong can truly conquer the world, wouldn't all those who have pledged allegiance to Beiyong early on have contributed to the rise of the new dynasty?

Today, as they stand here, what they are attending is far more than just a wedding.

This is clearly the beginning of a new dynasty!

On the other side, the military leaders were even more full of pride.

Hebalie stood among a group of military officers, arms crossed, grinning so wide his face was bulging with menacing fat.

"Prince Qing is nothing!"

"He schemed and plotted in Luo'an, forcing the emperor to abdicate. Did he really think the world was his?"

Niu Dazhuang chuckled and said, "When our Northern Yong cavalry marches south, I, Old Niu, will be the first to charge into Luo'an City!"

Someone laughed loudly: "General Niu, don't just think about charging into battle. The fine wine and beautiful women of Luo'an City, won't you be the first to snatch them all?"

Niu Dazhuang's eyes widened.

"Nonsense! Do you think I'm that kind of person?"

Everyone burst into laughter.

The laughter was filled with barely suppressed excitement.

These people had followed Pei Xiao for many years, fighting bloody battles in the north, suppressing rebellions, and guarding the border.

Who would willingly spend their entire life guarding this bitterly cold land of Beiyong?

The current internal strife in the Great Zhou Dynasty presents a golden opportunity.

If Pei Xiao raises an army and marches south, these people will be the founding heroes!

He was granted titles and honors.

To divide the land and establish a territory.

Who wouldn't feel their heart warm upon hearing these words?

Among the Thirteen Protectors, Pei Hongye stood a little further away.

Unlike Hebalie and the others, she didn't laugh and talk loudly; she simply watched quietly as the hall was filled with red silk and the guests filled the mansion.

She knew what everyone was excited about.

They also knew that after today, Bei Yong would likely take that step.

But for some reason, she felt a vague unease in her heart.

It's so lively!

Everything went too smoothly.

It was as if everyone had already witnessed the day when the gates of Luo'an City opened, Prince Qing knelt down and begged for mercy, and Pei Xiao ascended to the throne.

But is the overall situation in the world really that simple?

In the main hall, Pei Xiao sat in the host's seat.

Today he was wearing a red python robe, with broad shoulders and a steady, mountain-like aura.

He didn't say much.

But as long as he sat there, the excitement and fervor of the guests seemed to have found a pillar of support.

The way people looked at him no longer reflected more than just awe for a vassal king.

There is also a kind of expectation that is almost like that of a subject looking at a monarch.

Pei Xiao could naturally see it.

I also know what these people are thinking.

The merit of following the dragon.

To conquer the world.

The Great Zhou Dynasty.

Over the years, Bei Yong has been building up its military strength, waiting for a legitimate opportunity.

Now, the opportunity has finally arrived.

Jiang Qingluan was the key to this opportunity.

Two women sat not far from Pei Xiao.

She was dressed elegantly, with a gentle and refined appearance, and possessed a composed and noble air that came with being raised by a noble family.

She was Pei Xiao's second wife, Xiao Guanyin.

Xiao Guanyin was born into a Duke's family. After Pei Xiao's wife, Xu Lanyue, died, Emperor Jiang Yan of the Great Zhou Dynasty personally bestowed upon her a marriage to the Prince of Beiyong.

To put it nicely, it's the emperor's favor.

To put it bluntly, it was a pair of eyes planted beside Pei Xiao's pillow.

Over the years, Xiao Guanyin never competed, never fought, and never spoke much in the Prince's Mansion. She was as dignified as a jade Guanyin statue placed in the main hall.

But the more this is the case, the less people dare to truly regard her as a harmless woman.

Today, she sat at the table with a perfectly timed smile on her face.

But those eyes kept glancing outside the main hall.

Jiang Qingluan is going to marry into Beiyong.

The Ninth Princess of the Great Zhou Dynasty is to become the Crown Prince's consort of the Northern Yong Dynasty.

For Pei Xiao, this was a banner of righteousness.

What about Luo An?

Xiao Guanyin's eyes flickered slightly, and she gently pressed her fingertips against her cuffs.

She was sent to Jiang Yan by marriage.

Regardless of how she has lived in the Northern Yong Prince's Mansion all these years, she bears the emperor's mark.

She couldn't ignore today's wedding, nor could she take it too lightly.

The other woman was completely different from Xiao Guanyin.

Ashina Yan.

She was Pei Xiao's concubine, and came from a tribe on the northern grasslands.

Although she was wearing the formal attire befitting a lady of the royal household today, her back was ramrod straight, and her eyes and brows were strikingly heroic, showing none of the gentle grace of a noblewoman from the Central Plains.

She prefers military uniforms to red dresses.

If it weren't for Pei Chang'an's wedding today, she probably would rather be wearing armor and sitting in the training ground than listen to these civil and military officials' convoluted arguments.

She looked at the excited crowd and a slight smile appeared on her lips.

These people from the Central Plains speak politely, but deep down they're no different from wolves on the grasslands.

They all get so excited by the smell of blood that their eyes turn red.

But before the prairie wolves could pounce and bite, they needed to find a legitimate reason for themselves.

Next to Ashina Yan sat a thirteen-year-old girl.

The little girl was wearing a pale yellow dress, had a round face and big eyes, and looked innocent and carefree.

She is Pei Xiaoman.

Ashina Yan's daughter.

Pei Xiao's youngest daughter.

Pei Xiaoman held a plate of fruit in her hands, her mouth almost never stopping.

He would eat fruit for a while, look around, and then huddle up to talk to Pei Changge.

"Big sister."

Pei Xiaoman blinked her big eyes and asked softly, "Didn't you sleep well last night?"

Pei Changge was lazily waving a round fan.

Upon hearing this, his eyelids twitched almost imperceptibly.

Today she wore a dark red long dress with a thin veil over it, her hair was styled in an exquisite updo, and she was wearing makeup.

Logically speaking, you shouldn't be able to tell anything.

But Pei Xiaoman has a very sharp eye.

Pei Changge gently waved her fan, covering half of her face.

"Why are you asking this, you little kid?"

Pei Xiaoman blinked.

"You have dark circles under your eyes."

Pei Changge: "..."

Pei Xiaoman looked down again and saw that her sleeve had slipped open slightly, revealing a section of her snow-white wrist.

There was a small, faint bruise on his wrist.

Pei Xiaoman's eyes immediately lit up even more.

"Hey? Big sister, why are your hands blue?"

Pei Changge paused, then immediately pulled his sleeve down.

"It was from a collision."

Pei Xiaoman looked incredulous.

"Where could you have hit it to cause this damage?"

Pei Changge glanced at her.

Why are you talking so much today?

Pei Xiaoman said with a grin, "Mother said today is my eldest brother's big day, so I have to behave and not run around. But I'm bored sitting here."

As she spoke, she leaned closer and lowered her voice.

"Big sister, did you get into a fight last night?"

Pei Changge almost laughed at her question.

fight?

I guess so.

And they fought quite fiercely.

She gently tapped Pei Xiaoman's forehead with her fan.

"Shut up and observe the ceremony."

Pei Xiaoman covered her forehead and gave a pitiful "Oh," but her eyes were still darting around.

It's obvious he didn't really shut up.

Among the younger generation, there was another very conspicuous person.

Pei Pozhen.

The son born to Xiao Guanyin.

Sixteen years old.

But his figure didn't resemble that of a sixteen-year-old boy at all.

He was nine feet tall, with shoulders as broad as a door, and a body full of flesh; when he sat there, he looked like an iron tower.

He was wearing festive clothes today, but the clothes were so tight on his body that they looked like they would burst at any moment from being stretched by his muscles.

Pei Pozhen isn't very quick-witted, but he has extremely high talent in martial arts.

At the age of sixteen, he was already a second-rank minor master.

He sat at the table, watching the guests come and go, his face full of impatience.

There are too many wedding rituals.

They worship here and wait there.

It's much more fun to go to the training ground and swing a hammer.

But my elder brother is getting married today.

With Pei Chang'an around, he dared not make any rash moves.

He can defy anyone.

He held Pei Chang'an, his elder brother, in awe to the core.

Even if his elder brother asked him to fight a Grandmaster of the first rank one-on-one, Pei Pozhen would never ask a question and would just swing his hammer and charge in.

Whoever his older brother tells him to smash, he smashes.

As for why it was smashed?

That's something the eldest brother should think about.

Pei Pozhen's job was simply to smash things.

Meanwhile, the Zuo family members also arrived.

Zuo Gongming, the military commissioner of Beiyong Road, sat in the front row of the civil officials' seats.

This man had a lean and refined appearance, and a calm and composed demeanor. Although he was a civil official, he possessed the dignity of someone who had long held a high position.

The Zuo family held immense influence in Beiyongdao.

Back then, Pei Xiao married his eldest daughter, Pei Changge, into the Zuo family in order to win over Zuo Gongming.

Now, the Zuo family and the Northern Yong Prince's Mansion are essentially tied together.

Not far behind Zuo Gongming sat a man with a fair complexion and a gentle demeanor.

Zuo Huaiyu.

The eldest son of Zuo Gongming.

Pei Changge's husband in name only.

He was dressed very well, and his features were quite handsome, but his effeminate air made people feel uncomfortable no matter how they looked at him.

When Pei Changge took her seat, she didn't even glance at him.

It was as if they didn't know this person at all.

Zuo Huaiyu looked at her.

His gaze lingered on her brows and eyes for a moment, then fell on her wrist, which was covered by her sleeve, and his eyes darkened slightly.

After a while, taking advantage of the guests' commotion, he whispered, "When does Madam plan to go home?"

Pei Changge didn't even turn his head.

"What are you going back for?"

Zuo Huaiyu's expression was rather unpleasant.

"You are the young mistress of the Zuo family; you can't stay in the Prince's mansion forever."

Pei Changge finally turned her face to look at him, her smile both beautiful and sarcastic.

"Going back to see you become a rabbit god?"

Zuo Huaiyu's expression changed drastically.

Pei Changge gently waved his fan, his voice low, yet every word was like a knife.

"I'm afraid I'll feel so nauseous that I won't be able to eat."

A venomous glint flashed in Zuo Huaiyu's eyes.

He gritted his teeth and squeezed out two words.

"You bitch."

Pei Changge heard it.

Her smile faltered slightly.

In that instant, a hint of coldness flashed across her eyes, along with an indescribable weariness.

The Zuo family.

Zuo Huaiyu.

This marriage, like a rotten rope, has bound her for so many years.

She loathed it.

Yet there's no way to completely break free.

Not at least not now.

But who is Pei Changge?

Even if she feels hurt, she will never lose an argument.

She slowly moved closer, her smile becoming even more radiant.

"I am despicable."

Zuo Huaiyu was taken aback.

Pei Changge stared at him, her voice so soft that only the two of them could hear it.

Anyone can make me happy.

"You're the only one who can't."

Zuo Huaiyu's face instantly turned ashen.

The wine glass in his hand was almost crushed.

Pei Changge had already withdrawn his gaze, lazily waving his fan as if nothing had happened.

Pei Xiaoman stared wide-eyed at her.

She looked at Zuo Huaiyu, then at Pei Changge, and suddenly whispered, "Big sister, you're amazing!"

Pei Changge: "..."

She reached out and tapped Pei Xiaoman again.

"Eat your fruit."

Pei Xiaoman held the fruit platter, smiling sweetly.

But those eyes were bright and sparkling.

Clearly, she was finding today's wedding increasingly interesting.

Just then, the music outside suddenly rose in volume.

Someone shouted:

"The bride has arrived!"

The room fell silent instantly.

Everyone looked out of the hall.

Jiang Qingluan, supported by her maid, walked in step by step.

Phoenix coronet and embroidered robe.

A red veil covers her face.

Her wedding dress was an extremely vibrant red, embroidered with golden phoenixes and auspicious clouds. The hem of her dress spread out gently with her steps, like a flowing flame.

Even without seeing his face, his posture and demeanor alone were enough to make many people in the hall hold their breath.

This is the Ninth Princess of the Great Zhou Dynasty, a stunning beauty who appeared in two issues of the "Chronicles of Jiangshan Fenghua".

It is also the most important flag in today's grand scheme.

The guests' eyes burned even brighter.

Many civil officials were so excited that their fingers trembled.

The Ninth Princess entered the Northern Yong.

Bei Yong then had a great cause.

After today's wedding ceremony, the world will change!

But beneath the red veil, Jiang Qingluan's face was as cold as a feather.

She heard joy filling the room.

I overheard the guests' barely suppressed chatter.

I could hear the excitement in their voices.

To serve the emperor.

Heading south.

To conquer the world.

The merit of following the dragon.

Every word felt like a needle piercing her heart.

What do these people take her for?

Flag.

Used as chips.

When Pei Xiao went south to claim the throne.

Nobody cares whether she wants to or not.

No one cares about her father's current situation.

They only saw the iron cavalry of Beiyong marching south, the fall of Luo'an City, and the future promotions, titles, and appointments to high positions.

The room was filled with joy and jubilation.

She was all alone, like a sacrifice pushed onto the altar.

A bunch of treacherous officials, their hearts are deserving of condemnation, they all deserve to die!

Jiang Qingluan's hand tightened little by little inside her sleeve.

She thought of Wu Liang.

He didn't come the night before.

He didn't come last night either.

She had been waiting for two nights.

Wait until your heart grows cold.

Wait until you no longer want to wait.

If he doesn't come today, then she will marry him.

Alive.

Endure.

Look for an opportunity.

She will not die.

She can't die either.

My father is still in Luo'an.

The Great Zhou Dynasty is not yet at its final moment.

The maid helped her to the center of the main hall.

Pei Chang'an, sitting in his wheelchair, glanced at her.

His voice was very soft.

"Princess."

Jiang Qingluan responded faintly through her veil.

"Your Highness."

Both of them remained calm.

They were so calm, unlike a couple about to get married.

Pei Chang'an was neither ashamed nor angry.

He knew that Jiang Qingluan did not want to marry.

But so what?

He didn't marry her because he liked her.

This marriage was a major strategic move by Bei Yong.

Although Pei Chang'an was disabled, he still had his own pride.

If it weren't for his father's greater needs, he wouldn't have bothered to force a woman whose heart wasn't with him.

The emcee stood to one side, beads of sweat on his forehead.

He certainly sensed the eerie atmosphere as well.

But all the guests in the room were watching.

The prince was also watching.

He had no choice but to bite the bullet and shout:

"The auspicious time has arrived—"

"The newlyweds' wedding ceremony—"

The sound of drums and music then rose loudly.

All the guests sat up straight.

Some people had burning eyes.

Some people couldn't help but raise their glasses, as if they could offer a toast to the future new dynasty of Beiyong once this bow was completed.

Pei Xiao sat in the main seat, his gaze deep as he looked at the newlyweds in the center of the hall.

As long as this worship continues.

Jiang Qingluan is the Crown Prince's wife of Bei Yong.

When Bei Yong moved south, he gained a legitimate reason for doing so.

The emcee took a deep breath and raised his voice.

"Bowing to Heaven and Earth—"

Just as this fervor was reaching its peak.

A lazy voice suddenly came from outside the hall.

"I can't worship."

The two words were uttered.

The drumming and music suddenly stopped.

The room was deathly silent.

Everyone was stunned at the same time.

Then, they all turned to look outside the hall.

A young figure swaggered in from outside the crowd.

Blue robe.

A faint smile.

hansome.

Elegant.

His eyebrows and eyes were clear and bright, and his expression was nonchalant.

If it's not Wu Liang, then who is it?

In that instant, Jiang Qingluan's body beneath the veil trembled violently.

Almost instinctively, she raised her hand and lifted the veil.

The red veil was lifted.

She saw Wu Liang.

That bastard, standing amidst the gazes of the guests, the generals of Beiyong, Pei Xiao, and Pei Chang'an, still wore that familiar, infuriating smile.

Jiang Qingluan's eyes immediately reddened.

Two nights of waiting.

Two nights of disappointment.

I was filled with anxiety and uncertainty for two nights.

All of it at that moment transformed into a burning, aching sensation in my chest.

he came.

He finally came.

Wu Liang also looked at her.

Eyes facing each other.

He smiled.

Then he turned to face the hall full of suddenly cold and enthusiastic dignitaries, officers, civil officials, and Pei Xiao, who sat high in the main seat.

The voice was not loud, but it was firm and resounding.

"I said that."

"You are not fit to be the Crown Prince's consort."

……