Chapter Twenty-Five Was Too Small

  The sea breeze gently caresses, the blue water and sky, the flying swallow boat slowly raises its huge sail, and slowly departs from Shanghai Port.

  Standing on the deck, looking at Shanghai City which was gradually becoming a black dot, Ye Zhao let out a soft sigh. Before the dance party held by several consuls to see him off last night, Su Hongniang had left Shanghai after leaving a note, and it happened that Old Su had contacted a ship that could transport firearms to Hong Kong Island, and then send them to Guangdong, Guilin and other places from Hong Kong Island.

  In fact, according to the standards of this world, I can be said to be a useless and incompetent person. If Su Hongniang were to marry me, I don't know if she would feel humiliated or not. Fortunately, divorce is not popular in this world, so with Su Hongniang's personality, she will eventually settle down with me.

  Near the ship's side, Ba Ke Shi was carefully wiping the revolver in his hand, witnessing the sharpness of Western firearms with his own eyes. Ba Ke Shi and other bodyguards were overjoyed with the short guns that Ye Zhao had equipped them with, and they couldn't wait to show off when they returned home.

  Ye Zhaosheng smiled slightly, at least he was changing the way people around him viewed this world.

  ……

  The Zheng Prince's mansion was decorated with lanterns and streamers, and after the boat arrived at Jigu (Tianjin), Ye Zhao had already sent someone back to the mansion to deliver a message. Meanwhile, the prince's consort was anxiously waiting, counting down the days, which should be today.

  The winding path leads to a secluded garden, where strange rocks stand in rows, pavilions and towers are half-hidden, flowers and trees are luxuriant. Sitting in the cool pavilion, sipping tea and chatting, there is a waterfall nearby, over ten feet high, its sound is especially wonderful.

  The imperial concubine held Ye Zhao and cried until she couldn't speak, making Ye Zhao feel quite embarrassed. Originally, this trip out made him feel like he had changed, that he was no longer the idle rich son who just drifted through life. But now that he's back in the capital, it seems that in his parents' eyes, he is still a delicate flower that can't withstand even the slightest wind or rain.

  "Master, you didn't have a hard time, did you? I heard that the Xiao Dao people are fighting again, and you still went? It scared me to death." The mistress's eyes were red, and she wiped away tears with her embroidered handkerchief. She looked elegant and refined, appearing to be only in her thirties.

  "It's all right, Mother. I'm fine, aren't I? This trip was a success, and the Emperor even praised me." Ye Zhao hastily comforted Fu Jin.

  The king smiled and said: "Yes, in the blink of an eye, you've become a family and set up a home. You say you're crying with all your might, but isn't that what you wanted?"

  Ye Zhao asked in puzzlement: "Get married and set up a home?"

  The king smiled and pinched Ye Zhao's shoulder: "Young man, you must make us proud. I and your mother are waiting for you to have a big fat grandson as soon as possible."

  "Didn't you know? The Emperor has already betrothed the young lady from the Hui Zheng family to you. Since it's someone you've taken a liking to, and the Prince has also made inquiries, her given name is Rong Er, she's turning 14 this year, she's pretty, has a good temperament, her sister is a noblewoman, and their family is respectable. Her ancestors were scholars, so marrying into our royal household wouldn't be a loss of face for you either. I think this marriage arrangement is quite good."

  Although Ye Zhaohad long known that the marriage was not something she could control, when it came to the point, she still sighed in her heart, but could only nod and say: "Yes, Ama E Niang can rest assured, I understand." This marriage was first proposed by herself, and before Cai Xiu Nu participated in the selection, she had already been granted a special favor, which was an honor that only the Zheng Qin Wang Fu and other noble and wealthy households could have.

  "The auspicious day for the grand wedding has been chosen as the third day of next month, and this is the only good day in the coming half year." The king said with a smile.

  Ye Zhaowas at a loss, there were only a few days left? To think that Rong'er was thirteen years old in nominal age, but actually she was just an eleven-year-old little girl. Eleven years old? In her previous life's world, she seemed to be still in elementary school, around fifth or sixth grade.

  But anyway, that's how it is now. You can't say the other person is too young, since they've already set a wedding date, it's basically settled. All you can do is accept it.

  Back at the Chrysanthemum Phoenix Building, Ye Zhaoyu ordered Rui Si'er and several servants to bring over all the foreign trinkets they had bought in Shanghai and arrange them properly. Thinking about marrying an eleven-year-old girl made him laugh and cry at the same time.

  "Congratulations to Master on his grand wedding!" But Rui Si'er happened to mention the wrong thing and was kicked lightly by Ye Zhao.

  Su Hongniang did not return to the capital, and Rui Sier naturally did not dare to ask, even in her heart, she was afraid to make any whispers.

  ……

  The second floor of Xisi Pailou's Zengsheng Building, a elegant room. Da Chun is hosting a banquet to welcome Ye Zhao back, on the carved dragon purple sandalwood round table, a sumptuous feast is laid out in full array.

  Inside the house, there were only two of them. Ye Zhao's first question was about what had happened before he left Beijing. But surprisingly, Da Chun seemed to have forgotten everything. Holding his wine cup, he looked confused and said: "The relatives of the Hengzhou militia, who are they?"

  Ye Zhao helplessly shook his head and raised his wine cup: "Let's drink."

  "Brother, you're getting married, I'm still not feeling quite right about it."

  Ye Zhao was startled and stared at Da Chun: "What do you mean?"

  "This person, once married, has no more ambitions. Day after day, they just count the days, and when there are little rabbits at their knees, they have to put all their thoughts on them. As for us, we're old, wrinkled, and not radiant anymore."

  Ye Zhaoshao scolded with a smile: "When did you learn to be so sentimental? This doesn't seem like you." As he spoke, he patted Da Chun's shoulder and said with a laugh: "Don't always think about these things, how old are you, why have you become so muddle-headed?"

  Who knew that when Ye Zhao reached out to pat Da Chun's shoulder, Da Chun suddenly opened his mouth, took a breath, and his arm also reflexively shrunk back.

  "What's going on?" Ye Zhaohui asked in surprise.

  "It's nothing, it's nothing." Da Chun chuckled and picked up the wine jug to help Ye Zhao pour wine.

  But he couldn't fool Ye Zhao with his painful expression, Ye Zhao furrowed her brow and said: "Lao Liu, you're treating me like an outsider, huh? Fine, I'll leave then."

  Yeshao stood up and was stopped by Dachun, who smiled apologetically: "Brother, you're teasing me, sit down, please."

  Ye Zhaoxuan sat down immediately and said seriously: "Speak up, what's going on."

  Da Chun smiled wryly and said, "It's nothing serious. A few days ago, I had a falling out with Gui Lao San and his gang. They outnumbered me, so I took a loss. Don't worry about it, brother. This debt, Liu Zi will settle himself."

  Gui Lao San? Ye Zhaowu's eyebrows furrowed, Gui Rong is also a well-known figure in the yellow belt, he is the thirteenth grandson of Emperor Yongzheng, Prince Yi Xiang, and the nephew of the current Prince Yi, Zaiyuan. Gui Rong was reduced to the rank of Viscount of Fusshan due to his father's death in childhood.

  "Gui Bei's prestige is getting bigger and bigger." Ye Zhao took a sip of wine, feeling a bit suffocated. Anyone knew that Da Chun and himself were like two old friends who had been through thick and thin together, hitting Da Chun was equivalent to slapping the face of Zheng Wang Fu's young master. Of course, Ye Zhao also knew that everyone was in the same boat, no one would think that this Zheng Wang Fu's young master was any better than anyone else, let alone the fact that many people among the imperial clan's children had fought over trivial matters, Gui Rong wouldn't be looking for trouble with him on purpose.

  "Brother, there's someone who wants to see you, I don't know if you want to meet him?" Da Chun had been beaten and naturally looked downcast, so he quickly changed the subject. "This person is a colleague of mine, very clever and talkative, it turns out he's your relative."

  Ye Zhao was taken aback: "Relative? What relative?"

  Da Chun smiled and said: "He is a distant relative of your aunt's husband. His uncle and your aunt's late father were brothers."

  Sister-in-law? Ye Zhaowu took a while to understand that Dachun was referring to the eleven-year-old little girl who was about to marry him, and he felt somewhat helpless. He shook his head and said, "Forget it."

  In this world, there are too many people who take advantage of their relationships and make trouble for others. It's better to avoid them if possible.