When Jiang Suzhou agreed to the marriage, Lou Yue was so happy that she thanked the emperor for his kindness. She hurriedly discussed with the top scholar's family to choose an auspicious day for the marriage.
The top scholar's family had withered, leaving only a blind grandmother. The grandmother had a good temper. No matter what Lou Yue said, she would always say "yes, yes, yes." The marriage discussion went smoothly. Lou Yue was so happy that she added a lot of dowry to Lou Wanjun's dowry.
On the auspicious day, the general's residence bragged about marrying Lou Wanjun into the imperial residence.
Lou Wanjun was calm and collected along the way.
She had no interest in these things. She didn't even ask about the top scholar's name. Who cared who he was? He was just a scholar that she used to deal with her father and to hide in peace. After she married, she would do whatever she needed to do. If he wanted to continue the family line, he could casually take in a concubine. In any case, it was fine as long as he didn't care about her.
The wedding procession was bustling with noise and excitement. Lou Wanjun couldn't see anything clearly because her head was covered by a veil. It seemed that the top scholar was well-versed in both literature and martial arts. He had solved all the problems that her family had posed. When he shot the sedan door, he was steady and accurate. The surrounding guests were full of praise.
Lou Wanjun didn't care much. After she was sent into the bridal chamber, she pulled off her veil and sat at the table to fill her stomach that had been hungry all day with snacks.
Getting married was truly the most difficult task in the world.
Zhuang Yuan didn't return until the middle of the night. As soon as he stepped into the room, Lou Wanjun smelled the clear fragrance of wine mixed with the smell of green bamboo.
He must have been forced to drink a lot.
She picked up the veil with one hand and put it back on. Then she sat on the bed and waited in boredom for the other party to lift the veil.
It was a long and slender golden scale with carved flowers. It lifted her veil.
In the flickering red candles, Lou Wanjun looked up and saw the person in the red wedding dress. Tall and straight, clean, with excellent facial features. Especially those eyes, they were clear and deep.
Wasn't this the poor scholar who was chased out of the city by Huo Yuyan that day in Lin 'an?
"You … It's you …" Lou Wanjun was stunned.
However, that person's gaze paused for a moment before he revealed a faint smile.
"I'm really sorry for being late," he said as he raised his hand and gently removed the crumbs from Lou Wanjun's mouth.
"It's you!" Lou Wanjun was still in a daze.
Nie Cong's smile was tinged with a hint of helplessness. He said warmly, "It's me. It's my fault for not telling you beforehand. "
Lou Wanjun stared at him blankly.
Nie Cong turned around, picked up the two cups of nuptial wine from the table, and walked over to Lou Wanjun.
"If Miss is unwilling, I will not force you," Nie Cong said slowly.
"I …"
Lou Wanjun looked at him.
She wasn't unwilling. She was just a little shocked and couldn't come back to her senses.
However, she didn't seem to have anything to be dissatisfied with. Jiang Suizhou had always been the most appropriate. This person had a good temper and good conduct … and was especially good-looking.
What was there to be unwilling about?
Lou Wanjun came back to her senses and quickly denied, "No, I didn't!"
As she spoke, as if to prove something, she took one of the cups of nuptial wine and drank it in a grand manner.
When she put down the wine cup, she clearly saw that Nie Cong was a little surprised.
"I …" Lou Wanjun was a little embarrassed for a moment.
However, Nie Cong smiled faintly and raised his glass. He raised his head and drank all the wine in his glass.
— —
After that, Lou Wanjun felt that life was quite smooth.
Her father didn't nag in her ear anymore, and she didn't have parents-in-law to take care of her. Only her grandmother was the kindest and usually treated her very well. Her husband was also very easy to deal with. He liked to be clean and didn't like to be waited on. Not only could he do everything himself, but every day when Lou Wanjun returned home, there would be someone waiting quietly at the table for her to eat dinner.
She had just married into the family not long ago, but it was as if her taste had been grasped very clearly. Every day, the dishes waiting for her at the table were very satisfactory.
As for her husband, she couldn't find any fault with him.
He was good-looking, especially good-looking. Compared to his outstanding appearance, his clear and quiet temperament was even more attractive. Sometimes, when Lou Wanjun returned home, just seeing him sitting by the window quietly reading a book was enough to make her unable to breathe.
Gradually, Lou Wanjun felt that getting married wasn't bad.
Her father was also very satisfied with this son-in-law. After his son-in-law became the top scholar, he immediately entered the Hanlin Academy. Not long after, he was transferred to the Six Ministries. At a glance, it was obvious that he was highly regarded by the emperor. He didn't disappoint; everything he did was done beautifully.
Lou Yue felt that he could hold his head high in front of all the civil and military officials of the imperial court.
However, there was one thing. His daughter was married, but she still wandered around outside every day. Being a general was different. Not only did he have to run around every day, but he also had to wield a sword and a spear all day long. In the past, his daughter was all alone. Now that she had a family, she couldn't possibly not have children, right?
However, every time he said this, his daughter became anxious. Lou Yue had no choice but to talk to his son-in-law.
"Wanjun needs you to persuade her now," Lou Yue said.
"Father, what do you mean by that?" Nie Cong asked.
"You're still allowing her to wander around the army all day long?" Lou Yue saw that he didn't understand and became anxious. "Even if she doesn't want to go home, she should at least be transferred to the Ministry of War, right?"
When Nie Cong heard this, he smiled.
"Father-in-law, you don't have to worry about this," he said. "There are so many documents in the Ministry of War every day. It's not suitable for Wanjun to stay there."
"But she's already married!" Lou Yue said.
Nie Cong lowered his eyes and smiled faintly.
"Being married doesn't stop her from doing what she likes," he said. "I don't mind. Father-in-law, you don't have to worry."
— —
However, Lou Yue was still worried that something would happen.
As expected, in less than half a year, the thing he didn't want to see the most really happened.
The Turkic Khaganate in the northwest had invaded the border. The capital needed a general to lead the troops. Lou Wanjun volunteered to lead the troops north.
Lou Yue and Lou Wanjun had a big argument and parted on bad terms.
When Lou Wanjun returned home alone, the sky had already darkened.
She was in a bad mood.
She had stayed in Ye City for two to three years. Every day was peaceful and she really didn't find it interesting. She had grown up on the frontlines. Now that she had nothing to do, she felt that something was missing.
She had volunteered today because she really wanted to go.
However …
She did seem to have a family.
It was fine if she quarreled with her father, but she couldn't bring herself to say it to Nie Cong.
She wasn't sure how much of it was because she felt guilty about being separated, or how much of it was because … she couldn't bear to part with him.
She strolled around until the sky was completely dark before she finally returned to the residence.
A servant girl came to report that Nie Cong was holding a banquet in the residence today. A few friends from the same roll had come and were currently in the front hall.
Lou Wanjun acknowledged and turned to walk into the banquet hall.
The door to the banquet hall was closed, but she could still hear the voices inside through the door.
"Brother Nie, it's not that I want to criticize you … but your wife really needs to be disciplined."
Someone at the side immediately chimed in.
"That's right! She's already married to you. Why is she still fighting at the border? She's still a woman. "
"If she really leaves, who knows how long she'll be gone for? What if it's three to five years? "
Someone said, "There's no harm in that. Brother Nie can take in a few concubines."
Lou Wanjun stopped in front of the door and quietly listened to their conversation.
What was said behind her back wasn't pleasant to hear, but it was true.
She lowered her head and turned around, planning to return to her room to pack her luggage.
That's right. Nie Cong had hands and feet. If he wanted children, he could take concubines as he pleased. She had already thought this through before she got married. Now, she didn't need anyone to remind her.
… It was just that she felt a little uncomfortable in her heart.
Lou Wanjun suppressed the intense discomfort in her heart and was about to leave.
But at this moment, she heard a clear voice from the other side of the door.
"There's no need for everyone to worry about this Nie's family matters." There was a faint smile in the voice, calm and unperturbed. "Protecting the country is the duty of a general. How can this Nie lock her up in the back residence and abandon the people at the border?"
—
That night, when Nie Cong returned to his room, he saw Lou Wanjun sitting at the table, not saying a word.
She never hid her emotions on her face. Nie Cong knew from her expression that she had heard something.
He walked forward and sat down next to Lou Wanjun.
"What are you thinking about?" he asked.
"I asked for an imperial decree today. I'm going to war," Lou Wanjun said.
"I know that." Nie Cong nodded.
Lou Wanjun raised her eyes to look at him.
"The barbarians at the border are the most difficult to deal with. I'll be there for at least two or three years," she said.
Nie Cong nodded again. "I know that too."
Lou Wanjun's voice strangely choked.
"I won't stop you from taking in concubines. Even if I can't come back, I won't treat you unfairly."
She should have said this boldly, but now, it seemed like she was throwing a tantrum.
She heard Nie Cong chuckle softly.
In the next moment, Nie Cong stood up and slowly pulled Lou Wanjun into his arms.
"Why should I take in concubines?" he asked.
"You …"
"There's something I haven't told you either," he said.
Lou Wanjun raised her head.
The dim light from the lanterns cast a soft glow over Nie Cong's body.
"After court today, I also asked for an imperial decree from His Majesty," he said.
Lou Wanjun was somewhat dazed.
"There's no official in the capital who doesn't go to the counties to gain experience. I asked His Majesty to approve my transfer in advance. It just so happens that the northwestern border's Jade Gate Pass lacks a governor. "
Lou Wanjun was shocked.
"What are you doing?!" she said. "That's a place where officials are exiled. For someone like you, even if you want to gain experience, you should go to a prosperous and stable county!"
As she spoke, she began to struggle, trying to push Nie Cong away.
Nie Cong hugged her even tighter.
"There's no difference," he said slowly. "It's all Daliang's land and people."
"But why did you …" Lou Wanjun couldn't finish her sentence.
Nie Cong lowered his head to look at her. His eyes were clear, but extremely resolute.
"Because before I married you, I knew that I couldn't lock you up," he said.
"I never thought of locking you up, nor did I feel the need to. You should be free. I won't lock you up, but I can accompany you. "
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