Chapter 563 - 649 Return to the capital, Wan Kingdom affairs settled

The so-called "engagement notice" is actually the first step in a Great Song marriage. After inviting the matchmaker, the groom’s side firstly has the matchmaker deliver the "engagement notice" to the bride’s home. The "engagement notice" details the groom’s family situation, and if the bride is interested, she will send a similar notice in return.

As Chen Mo is the Prince Zhen Nan of Great Song, he personally sent someone and even appointed the second master of the Wu Family to deliver the engagement notice, clearly showing his regard for Cao Xiyue.

Moreover, by sending the betrothal gifts in the first step, he further signified his determination to marry her.

Cao Benyuan’s emotions were like a roller coaster. He quickly instructed his servants to welcome the team delivering the engagement notice and to make tea and inform Xiyue.

Cao Xiyue was sitting idly in her boudoir, it was almost noon, and she had yet to dress up. Her mind was filled with thoughts of Chen Mo.

Suddenly, there was a loud knock on the door, and the voice of the maid sounded outside.

"Miss, good news, good news, the Prince Zhen Nan has sent someone to deliver the engagement notice to our residence."

Hearing this, Cao Xiyue, who was in a daze, changed her expression, thinking she had misheard, and asked, "You... who did you say delivered the engagement notice?"

"Miss, it is Prince Zhen Nan, he sent a matchmaker to propose to the master." the maid said.

After confirming, Cao Xiyue was overjoyed, her heart filled elation. She rushed out of her room, seemingly wanting to confirm it personally, but suddenly remembered she hadn’t washed or dressed and quickly ran back to her boudoir. Sitting at the dressing table, she instructed the maid to bring hot water while she started to comb her hair.

The surprise came too suddenly, leaving her feeling unsettled.

Just as she finished grooming, another maid entered the room, handing Cao Xiyue an exquisite wooden box, saying, "Miss, this is a gift from the Prince Zhen Nan sent by the second master of the Wu Family."

Upon hearing this, Cao Xiyue was overwhelmed with happiness. When she opened the gift and found a fine blood-red agate and a love poem written by Chen Mo himself inside, her heart was filled with sweetness like honey. Her cheeks turned red, and her heart fluttered wildly.

"Long are the thoughts, long are the memories, short are the thoughts, endless."

As a female scholar, Cao Xiyue naturally understood the meaning of this poem.

Unexpectedly, he, like her, also missed and reminisced about each other.

At this moment, Cao Xiyue’s heart was trembling, longing to fly to her lover’s side immediately.

...

In the front hall.

Cao Benyuan was having tea and chatting happily with Wu Zongxian, both men in high spirits.

Wu Zongxian said, "Congratulations, Lord Cao, the Prince Zhen Nan, young, is already a powerful prince of an unusual surname in Great Song, with high status and power. Lord Cao, to have such a fine son-in-law is enviable!"

"Not at all, not at all, Sir Wu jests, dear Xin’Er is a consort to Prince Zhen Nan; my daughter will rely much on your assistance in the future." Cao Benyuan replied politely.

Wu Zongxian laughed heartily, saying with a chuckle, "From now on, we are family. Mutual support is best."

Cao Benyuan understood this as Wu Zongxian’s way of complimenting him, so he didn’t stand on ceremony. Since the engagement notice and the betrothal gifts were given, the next step was to discuss the details of the betrothal ceremony and the wedding.

"Sir Wu, did the Prince Zhen Nan mention the time for the marriage ceremony?" Cao Benyuan asked.

Wu Zongxian shook his head, saying, "I was just about to discuss this with Lord Cao."

This clearly showed that no time had been fixed, allowing Cao Benyuan to decide, a sign of Chen Mo’s respect for him.

...

Meanwhile, within the borders of the Wan Kingdom.

Ning Fenglai was defending the frontier. These past days, there had been no news of Song Army’s invasion. Ning Fenglai assumed the letters he sent to Great Song had worked, but he never expected to receive a secret letter from the Capital.

The Capital had been captured by Song Army.

Ning Fenglai’s eyes widened in shock. Had the letter not been penned by his confidant, he would have thought it false.

He had been vigilantly guarding the borders, yet his home was stolen; how did the Song Army manage this?

Furthermore, despite being unable to attend to their own affairs, Song Army still managed to send troops thousands of miles to attack Wan Kingdom. What exactly had Han Jingyun given to Great Song?

Did Great Song not understand that Wan Kingdom was under the rule of the Ning family?

If he had known, he should have been more ruthless and eliminated the royal family completely.

But it was too late to talk about what should have been done, as the event had already taken place. Ning Fenglai was a highly capable individual, scanning his subordinates with a cold gaze, he declared icily, "Execute all the soldiers who delivered the messages, and make sure not a word is leaked."

His words shocked the whole room; everyone turned pale, these were their own men.

Yet Ning Fenglai understood that harshness was necessary. If news of the capital’s fall spread in the army, the morale would undoubtedly collapse.

Moreover, these soldiers’ families were in the Capital; if they learned their home city fell to the enemy, would they still have the heart to fight for their families’ safety?

Better to act while the news hadn’t spread, and strike back, launching a decisive battle against Song Army. With victory, Wan Kingdom could still bear the Ning name.

But the worst-case scenario had already happened.

The Song Army refused to engage him in battle.

Instead, they dispatched individuals throughout Wan Kingdom, spreading news of the capital’s fall.

Moreover, the Song Army claimed they came solely to assist the royal family in quelling the traitorous Ning clan and promised amnesty to those who surrendered.

Those who abetted the wicked would face confiscation and extermination of their families.

As the news spread, Wan Kingdom’s military morale collapsed.

When Chen Mo returned to Bianliang from Jiangnan, Huangfu Hao had already led the forces to eliminate the Ning clan and was writing battle reports by hand to be sent back to Bianliang immediately.

...

The story of Prince Zhen Nan obtaining the Nan Zhou Treasure had spread in Bianliang after more than half a month, causing a huge sensation.

He who possesses the Nan Zhou Treasure controls the world.

Now that Prince Zhen Nan has acquired the Nan Zhou Treasure, does it not hint at something?

With his current power, taking another step forward is not difficult.

With the assistance of those with ulterior motives, rumors about the vassal princes eyeing the dragon throne of Taihe Palace began circulating widely among the populace.

Chen Mo returned to the Capital with a great fanfare, as the wealth carried by several large ships arrived in Bianliang, and it was hard not to draw attention as chest after chest was unloaded.

Gao Zheng, having received prior notice, led a team to transport the treasures to a secure location, placing heavy guards around it.

During Chen Mo’s absence, numerous matters in the Capital had piled up, waiting for him to address. Chen Mo initially intended to take a break back at his residence, but upon entering the city, he was summoned to the palace by Xiao Yunxi.

...

Chen Mo was quite familiar with the harem; even though men entering the harem was a grave taboo, who would dare speak against Chen Mo given his current power?

Let’s say the rumors between Prince Zhen Nan and the Empress Dowager are just that, rumors. Even if they weren’t, once spread, even with eyewitnesses, they would still be dismissed as rumors.

Chen Mo didn’t bother with secrecy, it would only arouse suspicion; instead, he proceeded openly and grandly to Weiyang Palace.