Chapter 35: Rain Clouds Gather

 

Shen Tengfeng left, clutching the five taels of silver, his steps lighter than the last time.

 

“All the things that Fifth Brother collected should be sent to me.” Shen Yian turned his gaze to the shopkeeper.

 

“I understand.”

 

The shopkeeper bowed and said respectfully.

 

“Go back early, it’s about to rain.” Shen Yian could clearly feel the increasing humidity in the air and the lowering atmospheric pressure, signaling an impending downpour.

 

As expected of the National Master, the old man is truly formidable.

 

“Yes, Your Highness! This subordinate takes his leave!”

 

“Hmm.”

 

Duke of State Manor.

 

“It’s going to rain, Jinxiu and Jinlian, let’s put away the clothes and things that are hung out to dry.”

 

Ye Liyan tilted her head back, her snow-white swan neck gracefully elongated, her azure blue eyes fixed on the sky, with occasional flashes of bright white light dancing within them.

 

“Yes, Miss, we’ll go inform everyone right away.” Jinxiu took Jinlian’s hand and they scurried out of the room.

 

Without the presence of the two maids, the room suddenly seemed vast and empty. Ye Liyan stood alone by the door, her back casting a lonely yet melancholic beauty.

 

The prince probably won’t be coming today, will he?

 

She lowered her gaze and untied the jade flute from her waist. A blissful smile bloomed on her exquisite face, her thoughts drifting to something that made her cheeks flush with a rosy hue.

 

“Miss! Miss!”

 

Jinlian ran over quickly with her face flushed.

 

“What’s wrong? Why are you so flustered?”

 

“Miss, another imperial decree has arrived from the palace.” Jinlian panted, her voice slightly breathless.

 

Ye Liyan was startled, she didn’t dare delay, and quickly led Jinlian towards the front courtyard.

 

“Duke of State Ye Tiance!”

 

Eunuch Xu raised his voice and shouted.

 

“Your Majesty! We receive the decree and express our gratitude!”

 

Ye Tiance took the imperial decree with both hands, his heart filled with mixed emotions of anticipation and reluctance. Time flew, and his granddaughter was about to be married.

 

“Duke Ye, prepare early, this old servant is eagerly awaiting a share of the wedding festivities.” Eunuch Xu chuckled.

 

Ye Tiance stood up and smiled, “Then Eunuch Xu, don’t forget to attend the festivities.”

 

“Of course, of course, this servant wouldn’t forget.”

 

During their pleasantries, Ye Tiance called for Afu to bring tea and money, which he handed to Eunuch Xu.

 

Eunuch Xu’s eyes crinkled into a smile, “Duke Ye, this servant shall take his leave.”

 

“Eunuch Xu, please take care.” Ye Tiance watched as Eunuch Xu and his entourage departed, then turned back with a practiced spit and muttered, “Old eunuch dog.”

 

“It’s a shame your father can’t make it.”

 

Ye Tiance turned to Ye Liyan, his face etched with sorrow.

 

Ye Feng, as the commander of the Northern Garrison, was stationed at the northern border, defending against barbarian incursions. He could not return without an imperial decree.

 

Even if Emperor Wu sent a decree now, the time it would take to travel back and forth would be too late.

 

“But don’t worry, the message has been sent to your father. It shouldn’t be long before we receive a reply.” Ye Tiance’s voice softened.

 

Ye Liyan nodded obediently, her eyes betraying her disappointment. She hadn’t seen her father in a long time.

 

Naturally, she longed for her father and grandfather to be together as a family on her wedding day.

 

Northernmost Frontier – Sebei City.

 

This was the northernmost city of the Great Qing Dynasty, the first line of defense against barbarian incursions into the Great Qing territory.

 

It was situated on a vast plain, flanked by continuous mountain ranges. Sebei City, built into the mountains, resembled a giant hand firmly gripping the barbarians’ throat.

 

General’s Mansion.

 

“Hahahaha, time flies so fast, my daughter is about to get married.” A middle-aged man with a roguish face raised his wine cup and drank it in one gulp, his laughter tinged with bitterness.

 

“Bang!”

 

Ye Feng slammed his cup on the table and cursed, “Damn it, it’s a shame I can’t go back. You damn barbarians!”

 

His tone shifted, and Ye Feng erupted with a violent aura, “Shen Family brat, you better not bully Liyan, or I’ll come back and beat you to a pulp even if it costs me my head!”

 

He shook an empty wine jug, slightly drunk, and cursed again, “Damn it, no more wine! Bring me another jug!”

 

His deputy, standing beside him, chuckled helplessly, “General, you’ve already had two jugs of strong liquor today, you shouldn’t drink anymore.”

 

“Damn it, my daughter is getting married soon, I’m happy, what’s wrong with drinking a little more?”

 

“General, the barbarians might attack again tonight, you still need to command the army.” The deputy reminded him helplessly.

 

At this, Ye Feng’s eyes cleared instantly, his killing intent surging out, “Damn it, not even drinking can be enjoyable.”

 

“General, another barbarian spy was found among the merchants entering the city!”

 

Several armored soldiers led a golden-haired, blue-eyed barbarian into the courtyard.

 

The barbarian tried to struggle, but was knocked down by a soldier’s punch.

 

“Didn’t I tell you to send captured spies directly to the Martial Guard Division? Those freaks in the Department of Justice will get him to talk.” Ye Feng waved his hand helplessly.

 

“Yes, General!” The soldiers led the barbarian spy away again.

 

Ye Feng turned to his deputy and asked, “Can I have another bowl?”

 

“I can’t make that decision, sir.” The deputy lowered his head.

 

“You can make that decision.”

 

“I can’t, sir.” The deputy’s head dipped even lower.

 

“Then you damn well better go get me some wine!”

 

Deputy: o(?д?；)

 

――――――

 

Dark clouds rolled in, covering the sky endlessly. A torrential downpour began without warning.

 

King of Chu Manor.

 

Shen Yian was going through the items needed for the wedding with Mendu, many things had to be purchased in advance.

 

As he was counting, Shen Yian suddenly raised his head, his brow furrowed, startling Mendu.

 

“What’s wrong, Your Highness?” Mendu asked, a little confused.

 

“This prince forgot about his father-in-law…” Shen Yian said gravely.

 

Ye Feng was stationed at the northern border, and could not return without an imperial decree.

 

The foolish girl hadn’t seen her father in at least eight or nine years.

 

The last time Ye Feng returned to Tianwu was because he had made a great achievement, returning to receive a promotion and raise in salary. He stayed for only a few days before leaving again.

 

He vaguely remembered the foolish girl crying her eyes out, it was heartbreaking to see.

 

How could he let the silly girl get married without her father present?

 

“Mendu, prepare the carriage, this prince is going to the palace.” Shen Yian looked up and said seriously.

 

Mendu nodded and got up, “This subordinate will prepare it right away.”

 

Calculating the time, if the old man could issue a decree, he could personally deliver it. The journey there and back would take a day, and the remaining time would be enough for Ye Feng to arrange everything and rush back from the northern border.

 

Martial Marquis Manor.

 

Gu Qing tried to persuade him, “Your Highness, it’s raining heavily outside, why don’t you rest for a while in the mansion?”

 

Shen Jingyu looked at Gu Ruoyi, who was standing there, and apologized, “Then this prince will intrude upon General Gu.”

 

He had come today to apologize on behalf of the Zhao siblings. He hadn’t expected it to suddenly start raining.

 

“Your Highness, please don’t be so polite.” Gu Qing waved his hand cheerfully.

 

As a father, he was happy that his daughter had made some good friends. He was worried that his daughter wouldn’t be able to adapt to the environment of Tianwu City.

 

Gu Qing wasn’t very fond of these noble princes. He didn’t care whether they had contact with him or not.

 

But now, compared to the Fifth Prince, the King of Song in front of him had a reputation that was much better.

 

Moreover, the two had met before and knew each other to some extent.

 

Now that the other party not only helped his daughter out of trouble, but also came to apologize on behalf of the Zhao siblings, it showed his noble character. Gu Qing’s impression of Shen Jingyu increased greatly, and his impression of the Zhao family almost dropped to freezing point.

 

“General Gu, Miss Gu, it must have been hard for you two to be separated from each other for so long?” Shen Jingyu looked at Gu Ruoyi, their eyes met, and then they quickly looked away as if struck by electricity.

 

(Shen Tengfeng: ?)

 

“Alas… it’s my fault that they suffered so much…” Gu Qing sighed, as if he had opened a floodgate, and began to talk about the past.

 

Shen Jingyu listened very attentively, empathizing and even sighing with regret.

 

The rain fell relentlessly, as if carrying untold sorrow.