Empire Conquest -
Chapter 313 - 309: Loyal and Good Through the Generations
Chapter 313: Chapter 309: Loyal and Good Through the Generations
New Calendar year 100, September 15th, Old Calendar month 8, day 8, at the Little Eldest Princess Mansion.
As it was a secretly held grand wedding, only close relatives were invited, and after the ceremonial bowing, there was simply one table set for the banquet.
It was not very grand; in fact, it seemed quite humble.
However, for the two newlyweds, it was a multitude of happiness.
According to custom, after bowing to heaven and earth, they became husband and wife. Although there was a royal amnesty, according to popular customs, Zhang Xiaoqing should be called Mrs. Bai from now on.
Don’t forget, the Little Eldest Princess had not given up her civilian status.
As for the wedding night, everything was kept simple too.
The one felt somewhat uncomfortable was Bai Zhizhan.
"Once this battle is over and I return from the front, we’ll hold another ceremony," Bai Zhizhan really didn’t know what to say, since everything that should happen on the wedding night had happened a few months ago.
"A second grand wedding?"
"Of course not a second one, it’s a redo, it’s..."
"I’m utterly content just being able to marry you."
"Xiaoqing..."
"In a few months, you’re going to be a father."
"What?"
Bai Zhizhan didn’t react immediately; he thought he had heard wrong.
"I just found out too, just..."
"That one time... you mean, you’re pregnant!?"
Zhang Xiaoqing nodded slightly, her expression quite bashful.
Only then did Bai Zhizhan become excited.
It was half a month ago, right after he had flown back from Nagiu Port.
As the saying goes, a short parting feels like a second honeymoon.
That night, in high spirits, he went at it, not expecting it would take just that one attempt.
Though excited, Bai Zhizhan didn’t lose his sense of propriety.
Nevertheless, the wedding night could only be symbolic from that point on.
After getting engaged, the two had moved in together, and the so-called wedding night was merely traditional rhetoric—modern young people no longer adhered to this custom.
Even though neither Bai Zhizhan nor Zhang Xiaoqing were exactly young.
That night, Bai Zhizhan didn’t sleep at all.
However, he wasn’t the only one who couldn’t sleep.
Imperial Capital, Sea Kun Mansion.
After Liu Changhe finished speaking, the old man sitting in the grandmaster’s chair nodded slightly.
He was Liu Zhongcheng, the direct grandson of Sea Kun Duke, Liu Zhentang, and the current head of the Liu Family, one of the most powerful figures in the Empire.
At the beginning of the year, it was he who had approached the Holy Emperor to ask for his daughter’s hand in marriage.
Although the Holy Emperor had rebuffed him with an imperial decree from the Empress Dowager, Liu Zhongcheng hadn’t given up and had stayed in Sea Kun Mansion in the Imperial Capital rather than returning to his ancestral home in the south.
The Little Eldest Princess was only engaged, not married.
Even though today’s youth were quite liberated, moving in together after getting engaged and engaging in intimate relations, the Liu Family wasn’t after a maiden but the title of being an Imperial Relative.
Now, however, this dream had shattered.
What Liu Changhe had begun talking about was this very issue, that the Little Eldest Princess had already secretly held a grand wedding with Bai Zhizhan.
According to the intelligence Liu Changhe had gathered, the Holy Emperor had issued a secret decree, naming Bai Zhizhan as Prince Yu and giving him all the corresponding titles of a prince consort.
Only, it hadn’t been announced yet.
The grand wedding originally scheduled before the Double Ninth Festival was still being prepared, with no mention of cancellation.
The key point was that the Royal Family hadn’t announced the Little Eldest Princess was already married.
As for the reasons, Liu Changhe had mentioned them too.
"How did Changxun respond?"
"This is a plan that the Holy Emperor and the Grand Secretary came up with, still to cope with possible contingencies. Given the current situation, we definitely need to worry about the Newland Federation launching a sudden attack during Bai Zhizhan’s grand wedding. Thus, they decided to secretly hold the wedding in advance so they can rush to the frontline quickly when it’s time."
"And Xiangzhen?"
"He only mentioned that the current situation is very tense, the Newland Federation may join the war at any time, and the Grand Secretary is pressuring him to reconcile with Bai Zhizhan."
"So the battle has already been decided."
Liu Changhe hesitated slightly before saying, "Although the grand wedding has been held, it has not been made public, nor will it be announced in advance. If the war breaks out at that time, he’ll have to rush to the frontline immediately and may not be able to complete the grand wedding. The secretly held grand wedding might not become a reality."
"You mean..."
"Even the most formidable Prince Consort, once dead, is but a corpse. Moreover, dying in a naval battle for one’s country, he probably won’t even leave behind a piece of bone."
Liu Zhongcheng did not speak; instead, he closed his eyes.
"Father..."
Yes, Liu Changhe was Liu Zhongcheng’s son!
This was also the key reason why Liu Changhe was heavily relied upon; he was the legitimate eldest son of the Liu Family and the primary heir to the Sea Kun Duke title.
What about Liu Changxun?
His grandfather was the youngest son of Liu Zhentang, who was Liu Zhongcheng’s younger uncle, and this "youngest son" Liu Nengrui was brought in from outside by Liu Zhentang; thus, by blood relation, he could only be considered a distant family relative. In the line of succession for titles, he was ranked after a hundred others.
The identity of Liu Changxun’s grandfather had always been under scrutiny.
Although Liu Zhentang had resolved the issue of Liu Nengrui’s identity during his lifetime, even now, some members of the Liu Family felt that Liu Nengrui was not truly Liu Zhentang’s offspring. The issue was that Liu Nengrui’s appearance and physique bore no resemblance to Liu Zhentang.
Even if a son resembles his mother, he should still look a bit like his father.
This matter also involved a rumor related to Chen Bingxun.
Chen Bingxun had a son!
However, it was not with an Imperial Princess but a bastard son.
According to rumors, this child died not long after birth.
Since all those who knew the truth had passed away, no one knew the authenticity of this rumor. Moreover, since it involved the reputation of the Royal Family and the War God, no one dared to investigate.
Importantly, Liu Zhentang was Chen Bingxun’s most trusted subordinate, known for his aloof demeanor, not the kind of person who would have an affair.
The crucial evidence was that when Liu Zhentang returned to the Empire with Liu Nengrui, the Imperial Navy was besieging Jibu Fortress in the Fan Flame Ocean. Shortly after, Chen Bingxun was injured in battle and died on his way back home for treatment. If Liu Zhentang hadn’t left, it wouldn’t have been Chen Bingxun commanding the battle at the frontline.
That was why some people believed that Chen Bingxun’s son did not die but was taken away by Liu Zhentang.
Although Liu Zhentang left a will making Liu Nengrui enter his family registry, when a century had passed after his death, Liu Nengrui’s line was still regarded as outsiders.
If it weren’t for his outstanding ability and the appreciation he gained from Zhu Shijian, Liu Changxun would never have climbed up.
"Do you think this is appropriate?"
"But..."
"If there’s no skin, where can the hair attach? If the capital falls, is there still a home?" Liu Zhongcheng took a long breath before opening his eyes and saying, "Our urgent task is to win the upcoming battle, seize the initiative on the battlefield, and lay the foundation for victory. If we win, then everything is negotiable."
"This..."
"Do you really think that relying on Xiangzhen alone, we can win the battle? It’s going to be a tough fight, and sacrifices are inevitable, so I can only hope that the sacrifices do not bear the Liu surname."
Liu Changhe was startled, then suddenly understood.
"Remember, the country comes first. Our Liu family has been loyal and devoted to the Empire for generations. No matter who it is, they cannot tarnish the Liu family’s reputation or bring shame upon our ancestors. However, we will absolutely not allow treacherous villains to enter the Empire’s power center and defile the Imperial Family."
"Understood."
"You understand nothing!"
"Father..."
"Do you really understand that the one sitting in the position of Navy Commander would be that bastard?!"
"But..."
"Further discussion is useless. Remember my instructions and go."
"Yes!"
After Liu Zhongcheng’s order, Liu Changhe dared not linger any longer and promptly took his leave.
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