aircannonsinc Chapter 13: On the Eve of the Mission's Departure
Chapter 13: On the Eve of the Mission's Departure
Ye Chengfeng was in an exceptionally good mood after sending Fan Ruoruo back to the Fan residence.
As it stands, Fan Ruoruo doesn't seem to dislike him, and the more he gets to know her, the more attracted he becomes to her.
Ye Chengfeng hummed a little tune as he returned to the post station. His swordsman stepped forward to report, "Young Master, Senior Brother has arrived."
"Senior Brother? Yun Zhilan? What's he doing in Kyoto?"
"They say the Grandmaster has made arrangements; is the young master going?"
Si Gu Jian had made it very clear that the eight sword servants would follow Ye Chengfeng after...
They only need to obey Ye Chengfeng's orders, and everything must be based on Ye Chengfeng's authority.
Therefore, even though Si Gu Jian personally sent people this time, they reported to Ye Chengfeng without reservation.
At the same time, Ye Chengfeng's wishes are taken into account.
"Then let's go see him. I wonder what he's planned for me this time!"
Yun Zhilan had been waiting for Ye Chengfeng at the post station for half a day.
Upon seeing Ye Chengfeng enter the room, he immediately got up and went forward.
"Chengfeng, you're finally back! I heard you've found someone you like?"
Of all the people in Dongyi City, Yun Zhilan was definitely the one who treated Ye Chengfeng the best.
He had watched Ye Chengfeng grow up, and Yun Zhilan was like a father or older brother to Ye Chengfeng.
"Who told you that?"
Yun Zhilan glanced at the ninth-rank official who was feeding the horse.
The meaning is simple: everything Ye Chengfeng did in the capital of Qing Kingdom has been reported back to Dongyi City.
"It's more accurate to say they have mutual feelings for each other. Whether they can be together depends on how they get along in the future. Why are you asking this?"
Ye Chengfeng rarely hides his feelings from Yun Zhilan, so he naturally tells her the truth.
Yun Zhilan was helpless. He knew that, based on his understanding of Ye Chengfeng, he was not the kind of person who would fall in love with a woman at first sight.
"Look at you, you brought this mess on yourself, now you have to deal with it."
Yun Zhilan tossed Emperor Qing's imperial edict to Ye Chengfeng.
"Is Emperor Qing so free? He even issued me an imperial edict. This thing looks valuable."
Ye Chengfeng accepted the imperial edict without a care, but after reading its contents, he could no longer remain calm.
"What?! Emperor Qing has granted us a marriage? What was he thinking?"
"Didn't you ask for this yourself at the banquet? Why are you bringing it up now?"
Yun Zhilan looked at Ye Chengfeng with amusement, just as he had said at the beginning.
You can't blame others for the trouble you caused.
Ye Chengfeng really wanted to slap himself.
"Why is your mouth so foul?"
"Stop complaining. Your teacher also instructed you to accompany the Qing Kingdom delegation to Northern Qi. As for how to deal with Northern Qi, your teacher said it's entirely up to you."
"What was he thinking? Isn't he putting me in a very difficult position?"
Ye Chengfeng rolled his eyes. They had just formed a marriage alliance with Nanqing, and now he was being sent to Beiqi.
Under such circumstances, would the people of Northern Qi treat him well?
"How would I know what the teacher is thinking?"
As Yun Zhilan was about to leave, she hesitated in the end.
"Should I come with you to Northern Qi?"
Ye Chengfeng quickly came to his senses and mentioned that Fan Xian was the leader of the delegation sent by Nanqing to Beiqi.
"No need, I roughly know what the old man is thinking."
Ye Chengfeng stroked his chin, lost in thought.
Perhaps most people in Northern Qi would target Ye Chengfeng, but there is one person who would not.
Moreover, if he knew Fan Xian's identity, he would be even less likely to target Ye Chengfeng.
Even Si Gu Jian's thoughts might change!
"Alright, be careful. I'm leaving."
Yun Zhilan disappeared into the post station in a few flashes, truly coming and going in a hurry.
"This is getting more and more interesting. I didn't want to have too much contact with Fan Xian, but his sister is just too alluring."
In the world of Joy of Life, Ye Chengfeng was never afraid of Grandmasters from the very beginning.
Especially after Si Gu Jian started to dote on him.
Of the four grandmasters, the only one who was a bit crazy still doted on him so much.
The other three, excluding Emperor Qing, were all quite easy to talk to.
Since she has fallen for Fan Xian's sister, she is now essentially tied to Fan Xian's side.
In this way, he is on the same side as the person he fears most, so what is there to worry about?
Ye Chengfeng was even wondering whether he should reveal his identity as a "time traveler" to Fan Xian.
"Forget about that. Fan Xian and I are ultimately different."
The thought only crossed his mind for a moment before he dismissed it.
Like Ye Chengfeng, Fan Ruoruo was summoned to Fan Jian's study for a private talk as soon as she returned to the Fan residence.
"Ruoruo, let me ask you, do you truly love Ye Chengfeng?"
When asked so bluntly by her own father, Fan Ruoruo's pretty face instantly turned bright red.
"Father, why are you asking this?"
"Sigh, judging from Ruoruo's current behavior, even if they haven't confessed their feelings to each other yet, they're probably not far off."
Fan Jian had no choice but to hand the imperial decree of marriage to Fan Ruoruo.
"Look, this is the imperial decree that His Majesty personally sent to deliver at noon."
"His Majesty's decree? Is it to reward my brother?"
In her view, her brother was now a poetic genius, so it was only right that he was rewarded by Emperor Qing.
"This is not an order for Fan Xian, but for you."
"For me?"
Fan Ruoruo picked up the imperial edict and, after reading its contents, reacted exactly as Ye Chengfeng had when he first read it.
"Ah! His Majesty has really granted the marriage?"
Ye Chengfeng and Fan Xian both told her about what happened at the banquet that day.
Although their accounts differed slightly, the main difference lay in their mutual denigration of each other.
The descriptions of other things are basically the same.
Ye Chengfeng recounted to Fan Ruoruo in great detail how he had "taken revenge" on Fan Xian for being "disgusting."
Ye Chengfeng naturally told her about the marriage proposal at the banquet.
"Brother Ye was just joking, why did Your Majesty take it seriously?"
Fan Ruoruo pouted and complained.
"You really think that's the reason?"
"Isn't that right?"
"Wait until your brother comes back, then let him explain it to you."
Fan Jian was also somewhat helpless. The only good news was that the two young people had feelings for each other.
From the current perspective, Ye Chengfeng seems to be a good match.
"Fine, for Ruoruo's sake, I have no choice but to swallow my pride and have Chen Pingping investigate that Ye Chengfeng."
"You should go back and rest. I'll have Fan Xian explain the reason at dinner."
"Yes, Father. I will take my leave now."
Fan Ruoruo's slender hands were still tightly gripping the imperial edict, her thoughts unknown.
When it was time for dinner, the five members of the Fan family remained silent.
It wasn't just about Fan Ruoruo, but also about Fan Xian.
The mission to Northern Qi was not an easy task.
If he returns safely, Fan Xian can naturally soar to great heights, but what if he doesn't come back?
Fan Jian did not want to see such a risky pursuit of advancement.
However, things took a new turn.
If Fan Xian agrees to the marriage with Fan Ruoruo, he will undoubtedly gain a powerful ally on his journey.
With Ye Chengfeng accompanying him, there was virtually no chance that Fan Xian's life would be in danger on this trip.
"Sis, could that little swordsman really be my future brother-in-law?"
Of the five family members, only Fan Sizhe remained so carefree at this moment.
"Fan Sizhe, shut up."
Fan Ruoruo blushed and glared at him fiercely.
"What?! Did I say something wrong?"
Fan Sizhe muttered to himself.
"Sizhe, you go out first, I have something to tell you."
In the end, it was Fan Jian who spoke up and kicked Fan Sizhe out.