Chapter 158: The Wedding Night

Gao Xingzhou still hesitated, wanting to speak further, but Liu Zhiyuan raised a hand to stop him and asked in return: "Could it be that in your heart, Minister Gao, you still hold a grudge against Us and the court? Or perhaps you look down on the Prince of Zhou?"

"Your Majesty speaks too gravely—how would this old servant dare?" Gao Xingzhou dared not touch that topic and quickly denied it.

"Then it is settled!" Liu Zhiyuan smiled faintly and said with authority: "There is an auspicious day before we march back. Taking advantage of the rebellion's suppression, we shall hold the wedding rites at Yedu, seeking double happiness at the gate!"

Under the pressure of Liu Zhiyuan's gaze, Gao Xingzhou gave a slight bitter smile and bowed to him respectfully: "Your servant obeys the decree! On behalf of my daughter, I thank Your Majesty for your immense grace!"

"From now on, you too are a member of the imperial family! We are all one household, and as for the posts and rewards We entrust to you..."

At this point, Liu Zhiyuan had already shown great face and sincerity. Gao Xingzhou let out a soft breath, rose, and bowed solemnly: "Your servant accepts the decree and thanks Your Majesty for his grace!"

"Prince of Zhou!" With the matter settled, Liu Zhiyuan finally looked toward Liu Chengyou and gestured to him.

Liu Chengyou's expression was calm, as if their discussion had nothing to do with him. When Liu Zhiyuan called him, he rose readily and bowed to Gao Xingzhou: "Your son-in-law greets his father-in-law."

"Your Highness need not stand on ceremony!" Gao Xingzhou dared not put on airs.

Having achieved his purpose and drunk a while longer, Liu Zhiyuan led Liu Chengyou in taking leave. On the way out, Liu Chengyou was summoned onto the imperial carriage to accompany his father, and from time to time, Liu Zhiyuan coughed a few times.

"Father must take care of his health!" Liu Chengyou frowned, showing concern.

"It's nothing." Liu Zhiyuan replied, then lifted the curtain and, with no manners at all, spat outside the carriage. Turning to Liu Chengyou, he asked: "Do you know why I had you take the Gao girl as a concubine?"

"Father wishes to employ Lord Gao and put his mind at ease," Liu Chengyou said.

Liu Zhiyuan pressed further: "And what else?"

Liu Chengyou continued: "The Gao family has served as generals for three generations with deep roots. Lord Lady Gao reputation is great, and he has many old comrades in the army. A marriage alliance will win him over!"

Hearing this, Liu Zhiyuan stared at Liu Chengyou with an appraising gaze and asked in a low voice: "And what else?"

"Hmm..." After pondering for a moment, Liu Chengyou answered as tactfully as he could: "Weibo is a vital stronghold, the pillar of the state, the source of its wealth and taxes. Since you have appointed Lord Gao to guard it, treating him with sincerity and making him an imperial relative can eliminate no small amount of risk from unrest!"

After hearing Liu Chengyou's answer, Liu Zhiyuan's gaze fixed on him even more intently. After a moment of silence, he looked away, the corner of his mouth curling slightly, and said softly: "Go back and prepare for the concubine-taking arrangements."

"Yes!"

Clearly, Liu Chengyou's answer had not hit the "mark." But Liu Zhiyuan did not press further—he must have realized that Liu Chengyou perhaps understood everything.

Liu Chengyou certainly understood. Marrying into the Gao family was not simply a matter of having a woman foisted upon him. Taking the Gao girl as a wife was, on one hand, a way to win over Gao Xingzhou, greatly benefiting the stability of the Great Han's realm. On the other hand, if this succeeded, the benefit to Liu Chengyou himself would be the greatest.

Thinking further back to Liu Zhiyuan's arrangements since the campaign began up to now, one could say that Liu Chengyou was favored by the imperial heart.

Excitement, concern, doubt, curiosity... Liu Chengyou's feelings were a mixed brew, and he even wondered whether he was flattering himself.

On Gao Xingzhou's side, with a look of deep emotion, he called Lady Gao to his side and told her all about the Emperor's betrothal decree.

The Gao girl, named Huai Jin, was dignified and beautiful, graceful and composed. After hearing it all, she only said calmly: "I understand. Father need not worry."

Seeing her reaction, Gao Xingzhou said: "It's just that I feel sorry for you—your husband and father-in-law have just passed, and now you must marry again!"

Gao Huai Jin gently shook her head: "Father cannot refuse the Emperor, or disaster will surely befall the Gao family. For the sake of my father and brothers, I am willing!"

Hearing this, Gao Xingzhou let out a heavy sigh.

Seeing this, Gao Huai Jin finally raised her head slightly, looked at her old father, and said with some confusion: "His Majesty wishes to marry me to the Prince of Zhou and has granted you high office and noble rank—clearly he wants to win you over, which shows how much he values you. Father need not worry too much. I will be fine!"

"It's not that I'm worried about!" Gao Xingzhou said.

Meeting his daughter's bright, questioning eyes, Gao Xingzhou explained: "As for this Prince of Zhou—though young in years, judging by his abilities, he is a good match. But you are newly widowed, and entering his household, I fear you may suffer grievances!"

"It's no matter." Gao Huai Jin shook her head calmly.

"More importantly, I observe that this Prince of Zhou is no ordinary fish in a pond. His ambitions are great, and he is highly favored by the Emperor. He has the merit of breaking the Khitan, his prestige shaking the world, and in this campaign he has been entrusted with great authority. A man like this... alas, there is also the Prince of Wei in the Eastern Capital..." Gao Xingzhou voiced his concern: "In the future, the Han court may well see a succession struggle. If the Prince of Zhou loses, I fear you will suffer again!"

Gao Huai Jin was clearly a clever woman. With Gao Xingzhou's hint, she understood, and a faint smile bloomed at the corners of her delicate lips, looking somewhat pale. She then turned to comfort her father: "If that truly comes to pass, it will be a matter for the future. For now, neither Father nor I have a choice. Besides, as Father said, the Prince of Zhou is a young hero. To be able to stand by his side is my fortune..."

The wedding preparations proceeded quickly and were not elaborate—one could even call them simple. The guests did not even fill two tables, yet there were the blessings of over two hundred thousand soldiers and civilians throughout the city.

In the bridal chamber decorated with red silk, Liu Chengyou, dressed in festive attire, stood before the bed, quietly appraising Gao Huai Jin, who had removed her phoenix crown. This was the first time Liu Chengyou had ever seen this woman. Lady Lady Gao age was actually not great—only twenty—but despite her youth, the mature charm of a young married woman could not be concealed, for she had indeed been a wife before.

It was somewhat ironic: it was his own Liu family's imperial army that had destroyed the Du clan, bringing about her "ruin and death," with blood debts still fresh—and yet here she was, about to marry Liu Chengyou.

She was a beautiful woman. Generally speaking, the higher one's birth and the deeper one's family heritage, the more beautiful the woman, for the genes are superior. In truth, Liu Chengyou did not particularly care about Gao Huai Jin's appearance—even if she were as ugly as a pig, he would still have to marry her.

Still, a pretty face did improve one's mood. And tonight, he could consummate the marriage with a light and pleasant heart. Otherwise, Liu Chengyou would have certainly left her to sit alone in an empty room. Liu Chengyou's mind was clear and calm, but the second elder brother couldn't afford to be picky...

Gao Huai Jin kept her head slightly lowered, her jade-like fingers twisting together betraying her unsettled heart. She was not as calm and composed as she had imagined—especially when facing Liu Chengyou's scrutinizing gaze. She stole a glance at Liu Chengyou. This Prince of Zhou was actually quite handsome, except that his face was so stern it was intimidating.

She was somewhat afraid to meet Liu Chengyou's eyes. This man gave her a very peculiar feeling—aloofness tinged with dominance.

"Stand up!" Finally, Liu Chengyou spoke.

Finally hearing the young lord's voice, Gao Huai Jin took a soft breath, obediently stood up, and following Liu Chengyou's command, turned around twice in place, somewhat puzzled as to what Liu Chengyou was up to.

Liu Chengyou was, of course, inspecting the Gao girl's figure. Clearly it had been developed—her body was full and voluptuous, prominent where it should be prominent, round where it should be round, and indeed firm where it should be firm...

The atmosphere had been made somewhat strange by Liu Chengyou's behavior. Perhaps due to the tension, Gao Huai Jin felt a tightness in her chest. Unable to bear it, she raised her head to look directly at Liu Chengyou and called out: "Your Highness."

Liu Chengyou said nothing more, merely spreading both arms out straight.

Seeing him assume this posture, Gao Huai Jin was momentarily stunned, a flash of helplessness passing through her bright eyes. But she was a quick-witted woman and soon understood. She stepped lightly on lotus feet to stand before Liu Chengyou, raised her jade-like hand, and unfastened his outer robe.

Then, starting from the belt, she attended to removing Liu Chengyou's clothes and trousers. As their bodies drew close, Gao Huai Jin could feel Liu Chengyou's breath gradually growing hot, and slowly, her face flushed red.

The bridal chamber was warm. Seated on the bed, Liu Chengyou took further interest in admiring Lady Lady Gao shy "undressing show" before inviting her to join him in the clouds of Mount Wu.

That night, Liu Chengyou and Gao Huai Jin exchanged few words, but their communication was very deep indeed, and the time they spent was quite long...