Chapter 510 - 510. Parting

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation , Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

The sentinel guarding the city rushed over on horseback. The horse stopped before the grave, and the sentinel jumped on one knee to report to Xiao Zeyu.

“Let me see!”

Xiao Zeyu stood before his godmother’s grave and asked for the military report from the sentry. It was almost the new year. What major event would happen?

Su Qing also stood up and read the military report. The military report was sent from Luo City. Wan Yulin couldn’t hold back and sent troops to take back Luo

City.

This was an important city. If Luo City fell, the imperial court’s army would march straight into Jin City and take it down. The iron ore and coal mines would fall into the hands of the imperial court.

Therefore, Luo City could not afford any mishaps. Xiao Zeyu was worried and prepared to lead his troops to support them personally. Before he left, he said apologetically to Su Qing,

“Qing’er, I won’t be able to accompany you back to Jingshi Dao this year.

Do you need me to go with you?”

Su Qing shook her head. She wasn’t the kind of woman who needed always to keep her husband by her side. She was still clear about what was more important. She was just worried about Xiao Zeyu’s safety.

“There will be many battles in the future. Can I let you charge into the front lines every time? Then what’s the use of me summoning these generals?” Xiao Zeyu shook his head. After they married, Qing’er followed him everywhere, not having a single moment of leisure. Marrying her was to love and protect her, not to make Qing’er risk her life for him. What kind of man was he then?

“Alright, I’ll return to spend the New Year with my parents and grandfather.” Su Qing nodded her head. The newly recruited soldiers and generals needed to be trained in the flames of war. Otherwise, even if they had three heads and six arms, they could not rely on themselves and Xiao Zeyu.

“I’ll give you ten grenades.”

Su Qing took out ten grenades for Xiao Zeyu. She had always kept thirty grenades in her system for emergencies.

“Alright, with this, we will win every battle.”

Xiao Zeyu happily took the grenade and said confidently to Su Qing.

“I’m going to recruit some soldiers. If I can return victorious before the new year, I’ll come to Jingshi Dao to celebrate the new year with Qing’er.”

“Alright.”

Su Qing nodded and watched Xiao Zeyu and the sentry leave. She returned to her godmother’s grave and lit the golden whisk as she watched the flames burn. Su Qing apologized to her godmother,

“Godmother, I’m sorry I didn’t fulfill your wish. Zhong Yong likes Jiang Yuyan, and Xiaoying likes Yelu Chun. If we force them to get married, they’ll be a pair of resentful couples, so I took the initiative to propose marriage for Zhong

Yong.

Xiaoying and Zhong Yong’s engagement was like paper dust blown by the wind without a trace!

When Su Qing returned from Godmother’s grave, Xiao Zeyu had already finished taking attendance. He was dressed in military attire and was about to head to Luo City with the Xiao Family Army.

Su Qing sent Xiao Zeyu to the city gate. She watched as the army headed towards Luo City and disappeared into the snow. She turned around and prepared to return to the city, but she saw a team coming from the direction of Tartan.

Su Qing looked at it with confusion in her eyes. They came to collect the wine every three days. They had just taken the wine yesterday. Why were they here again today?

When the team approached, she saw clearly that the team was carrying dozens of large boxes. The boxes were tied with big red flowers tied with red silk. ‘Were they here to propose marriage?’

Su Qing looked in the direction of Xiao Zeyu. He was just one step away. Should she call Shuisheng back?

The urgent military situation was more critical than Xiaoying’s marriage.

Besides, the army had already left. It would be taboo to call them back. ‘Forget it; she, as the eldest sister-in-law, could help make the decision.

“I am Herkan. Greetings, Miss Su.”

When the Minister of Rites of Tartan saw Su Qing, he hurriedly dismounted and bowed. It was also because Su Qing’s reputation in Tartan was so resounding that all the officials of Tartan knew her and were filled with reverence for this woman.

He didn’t even call her Madam Xiao. He called her Miss Su!

“You’re welcome. What brings you here, Herkan?”

Su Qing raised her hand and asked the obvious.

“Reporting to Miss Su, I’m here on the Emperor’s orders to propose marriage on behalf of our Third Prince.”

Herkan hurriedly bowed to show his status as a minister and the person he was proposing for.

“Let’s enter the city first!”

It was disrespectful to speak at the city gate. Since he was a marriage minister, he should be received at the government office. Su Qing told the city guard beside him, “Go and find Miss Xiaoying. Tell her to tell her that I have something to discuss with her at the government office.” Su Qing couldn’t agree so easily. She had to ask Xiaoying what she thought first. After all, it was her marriage, and no one had the right to decide for her.

She and Shuisheng also disdained using Xiaoying’s marriage to strengthen their power.

Su Qing invited the marriage minister, Herkan, to the government office. The marriage team was sent to the courier station to stay first, and preparations were made in the style of entertaining distinguished guests.

Herkan went to see Xiao Zeyu after he arrived at the government office. Proposing a marriage would require an elder. Without an elder, the elder brother would be like a father, so he had to find Xiao Zeyu to hand in the invitation.

Su Qing saw through Herkan’s intentions and said to him,

“Young Master has gone to Luo City. If there’s anything, just tell me.” Herkan looked troubled. How could a woman be in charge? Did her words count?

“Young Master!” Su Qing’s face darkened.

“If Herkan wants to see the Young Master, we’ll wait a few more days. We’ll talk about it when the Young Master returns!”

Seeing Su Qing’s displeasure, Herkan smiled bitterly.

“I wonder if Miss Su can make the decision?”

“What do you want?”

Su Qing didn’t say anything definite. She asked about the matter first and then discussed it.

“The Emperor has ordered me to propose to the Third Prince to marry Miss Xiaoying. I wonder if Miss Su can make the decision?

Herkan could only say that marriage was a matter of the parents’ orders and the matchmaker’s words. Although Su Qing was the sister-in-law, she was still a level lower.

“Herkan, you’ve come a long way, so get a good rest. If you have anything to say, it’s not too late to say it tomorrow. If you think I’m inadequate, I can order someone to send you to Jingshi Dao. Xiaoying’s grandfather is there.”

Su Qing said. She didn’t want to take on the responsibility to avoid complaints. “Miss Xiaoying still has her grandfather alive, so naturally, we must ask for her hand in marriage.”

He still wanted to ask the Xiao family for her hand in marriage. Otherwise, he was afraid that the emperor would blame him.

“Alright, men, take the envoy of Tartan to the relay station to rest first.” Seeing that Herkan had made it clear, Su Qing immediately sent him to the courier station and said to Herkan,

“Go and rest first. We will go to Jingshi Dao the day after tomorrow.”

“Yes, yes.”

Su Qing wasn’t angry and even took the initiative to send him to Jingshi Dao, so Herkan was extremely grateful. He cupped his fists and retreated. As soon as he left the government office, Xiaoying rushed over. When he saw Xiaoying, Herkan hurriedly bowed.

“Miss Xiaoying, how have you been?”

Xiaoying didn’t know Herkan, but seeing that he was from Tartan, she asked politely,

“And you are?”

“I am Herkan of the Tartan Kingdom.”

Herkan was very respectful to Xiaoying. She was his future mistress, and the Third Prince greatly loved her. In the future, she would be the most favored in the three palaces. He had to get along well first to be promoted in the future.

Xiaoying’s heart skipped a beat when she heard he was from Tartan.. ‘What was he doing here?’