Chapter 1337

On the twenty-sixth day of the eighth month of the thirteenth year of Kaihuang, Wang Yan was married.

Gongs and drums were loud, and firecrackers were ringing.

The motorcade coming out of the palace to send the dowry, as well as the motorcade coming from the Prince of Jin's mansion to send the betrothal gifts, blocked the entire street outside Wang Yan's home; just reading the list took over an hour.

Yang Guang said he would give betrothal gifts, so he naturally gave a lot of things; it could be said that he was sending money to Wang Yan. It was just that the betrothal gifts and dowry all belonged to Princess Qionghua; Wang Yan had to discuss it if he wanted to dispose of them.

After such a toss for a long time, Princess Qionghua, wearing a wedding dress and sitting in a carriage, finally entered the Marquis Mansion, and after a series of ceremonies, went to the main room to wait.

Wang Yan didn't have many friends in the capital, but he was marrying the deeply favored Princess Qionghua, so even Yang Jian and Dugu Qieluo showed up, and his mansion was full of guests.

The officials in the capital, mainly high-ranking officials and various aristocratic families, basically all sent gifts; even his arch-rival, the Yuwen family, didn't miss the gifts and sent quite a few things. Other small officials also came to send things.

In addition, there were members of the royal family, all of whom were quite generous in sending many gifts; no one missed out.

Wang Yan held a flowing banquet for three days; anyone who came could eat and drink. However, it was also very orderly: the first day was for high-ranking officials, the second day was for small officials, and the third day was for others.

These things could naturally be handled well by the family, and it had nothing to do with Wang Yan. He mainly participated in the first day, entertaining various officials of all sizes, or their family members, and looked at the attitude of the upper echelons of the Great Sui toward him, Wang Mou, at close range.

The result was no surprise: half of the people had disdain hidden in their eyes, a small half showed alienation, and only the last small half gave relatively positive feedback.

In general, it was still okay. This was the huge effect of marrying a princess and backing the royal family; it could be considered a bit of help.

Of course, what was more important was Wang Yan's own ability. Besides being invincible and having a brilliant battle record, there was also his ability to be an official. After all, there were so many Cavalry Generals and Chariot Generals managing local garrison troops in the world, but none were seen to be as fierce as Wang Yan.

Suppressing bandits in Taiyuan and Yangzhou one after another, collecting protection fees from local wealthy families, and leading the garrison troops to get rich—this was not something anyone could do. Even if Wang Yan had Yang Guang's support, which accounted for a part of the reason, it was not the main reason. After all, a General Manager governing politics could not manage local garrison troops. Yang Guang was only the Prince of Jin and didn't have such great deterrent power.

It was still because Wang Yan had action, leadership, and command ability; he could make his subordinates carry out his will, which already left a whole bunch of people behind. After all, there were still quite a few people whose own teams couldn't unify their thoughts and be commanded like an arm.

One must first be able to command people, then be able to get things done, and finally not cause trouble. Wang Yan still had considerable contributions to the expansion of Yang Guang's power.

Yuwen Huaji couldn't do it; the Yuwen family's contribution was on Yuwen Shu's side. Yuwen Huaji followed Yang Guang, belonging to the Prince's companion, acting as Yang Guang's little brother...

After eating and drinking and entertaining the guests, Wang Yan went to the bridal chamber in the main bedroom.

The two personal maids serving bowed gracefully, closed the door, and walked out; they were sleeping in the outer room to serve. Like Chunhong, Liulü, and others, they all undertook the task of serving in bed.

Qionghua, covered with a veil, sat upright on the bed, her white and tender fingers exposed outside twisted together, indicating the chaos in her heart.

Wang Yan went straight to lift Qionghua's veil and laughed: "Let you take off this thing early; we are all our own family, why suffer this crime?"

"Hus... Husband, the rites cannot be abolished." Qionghua was still very shy and hadn't adapted to the change of identity; her speech was stumbling, and she didn't dare to look at Wang Yan, very embarrassed.

Wang Yan helped take off her cumbersome and heavy wedding dress and turned to ask: "Have you eaten?"

"Not yet."

Wang Yan shook his head; the little princess had persistence, and she wouldn't listen even if he said so, so that was that.

So he had people bring up another table of sumptuous food and drink with Qionghua, communicating in a disjointed way. Mainly, Qionghua hadn't let go, was still very nervous, and was absent-minded.

However, these were all small problems; the main thing was that there was still a layer of membrane between the two, and a deeper contact would be enough.

So after eating and drinking, the two undressed, and amidst Qionghua's "Husband, be gentle," they had fun together.

It was truly a warm spring night in the hibiscus tent...

The next day, Wang Yan got up early as usual. Unlike the past, this time he went to the kitchen first. Without going through the family cook's hands, he personally killed an old hen and busied himself stewing it.

"Husband is truly considerate," Xiao Mei looked at Wang Yan busy there and laughed. "I have never heard of any man stewing chicken soup for a woman."

"Isn't this seeing it?"

Xiao Mei smiled: "Don't say, Husband's stewed chicken soup really has a unique taste; I'm quite craving it; leave a bowl for me when it's done."

She had drunk it when she gave birth...

"Okay," Wang Yan nodded with a smile and didn't refuse.

He just wouldn't endlessly cook for one woman; he still had principles in this regard. But it didn't mean he wouldn't let others drink some. If Xiao Mei wanted to drink, it didn't matter if she drank some.

After instructing the cook to watch the fire and stew slowly, Wang Yan went to carry out his daily morning exercise.

After finishing the practice and washing up, Qionghua also forced herself to get up.

She married Wang Yan as his legal wife, so she was naturally the mistress of the house; Xiao Mei had to bring the children over to kowtow and recognize people. However, Wang Yan didn't pull any "big mother, little mother" stuff; he could just raise his own children.

Otherwise, if he really let Wang Hong follow Qionghua, Xiao Mei would probably study how to kill Qionghua. After all, in Xiao Mei's heart, the first priority was rebellion, the second priority was her son's future position as Crown Prince, and the third priority was Wang Yan.

Regardless of whether the rebellion could succeed, she had already cultivated Wang Hong as the Crown Prince.

Wang Yan didn't say anything; he wouldn't tell Xiao Mei that his sons and grandsons basically wouldn't live longer than him, his father, and he had to pick successors from his great-great-grandchildren...

However, in order to take care of Xiao Mei's mood, he could indeed establish Wang Hong as the Crown Prince, and he wasn't afraid of his son rebelling against him after decades as Crown Prince; these were all small things.

It was just that he might suffer for the child; the longer he lived, the more painful it would be.

In countless midnight dreams, Wang Hong probably only had one thought: Father, why haven't you died yet...

What a good filial son!

For his own son cursing him to die early, Wang Yan had no feeling, after all, he was already used to it. In the beginning, there was still some sadness, but later he got used to it.

Even if he cultivated the child well, after growing up, his child would also represent the interests of his own faction. After all, it was the royal family; there was true emotion when young, but it was meaningless when grown up.

However, it wasn't that he didn't have truly filial good sons; there were many, and the drama of "wearing colorful clothes to amuse parents" had happened to him countless times. Every year on his birthday, his sixty or seventy-year-old good sons would dance and sing for him, singing his praises. Who was truly filial and who was acting, he could still distinguish very clearly...

"Come, sister, drink more chicken soup; this was specially stewed by Husband early in the morning for you, most nourishing for qi and blood." Xiao Mei enthusiastically served the soup to Princess Qionghua, who was still not adapted.

"Thank you, sister," Princess Qionghua thanked her and took it.

Wang Yan said: "Qionghua, there are not so many rules in our family; just be natural. You don't have to trap yourself at home; that's too boring. If you want to go out, go out; walk more, see more. I imagine you haven't seen this Daxing City, right? Rest well for two days, and then we'll go for a stroll."

"Husband, when are we leaving for Yangzhou?" Xiao Mei asked with concern.

"Wait a few days to take Qionghua into the palace to pay respects to His Majesty before talking."

In fact, Wang Yan knew very well that if there were no maritime trade, after his wedding with Princess Qionghua this time, he would be arranged by Yang Jian to a general position with real power and kept in Daxing.

But now there was maritime trade, and it was a time of rapid development and expansion. He was the person in charge, and he was loyal to the royal family, and now he was even half a member of the royal family; countless money and grain were being transported back from Yangzhou. At such a time, he certainly couldn't be transferred away, ruining the big plan.

So after Wang Yan accompanied Qionghua for a few days, cultivating their loving relationship and giving Qionghua, who grew up in the deep palace, more novel experiences, Wang Yan took Qionghua into the palace to see Yang Jian and Dugu Qieluo.

It was no surprise to Wang Yan; in the conversation with Yang Jian, Yang Jian didn't have any special indication. So Wang Yan resigned very sensibly, and Yang Jian said some encouraging words and let him take Qionghua away.

Returning home, he was busy packing again. This time, there were more things to carry and more accompanying personnel. After all, there was Princess Qionghua; her various needs, some dowry to be brought, and the servants to serve, were all many.

However, Qionghua's joining did indeed make the old Wang family look stronger, and it was quite lively...

Two days before leaving, Wang Yan drank with Li Jing and Shi Your Majesty to say goodbye, not letting them see him off. They really didn't come.

Originally, Shi Your Majesty's status was high, so there was no need to come to see him off. Li Jing's status was low, but Wang Yan drank with him the night before he left, and Li Jing was drunk and didn't get up at all in the morning.

However, there was an unexpected person seeing him off outside the city.

"Husband, this is Princess Yu, the adopted daughter of the Prince of Mount Kao, Yang Lin, and she is very close to me," Princess Qionghua introduced to Wang Yan.

"Greetings, Princess," Wang Yan greeted politely.

"I have long heard that the General is invincible; seeing him today, he is truly extraordinary."

Princess Yu said polite words very courteously, so Wang Yan didn't get in the way, and after being modest for two sentences, he left, letting the two good sisters talk about their private matters.

This Princess Yu was the woman who followed Qin Qiong, and also the one Yuwen Chengdu loved but couldn't get.

Thinking of this, Wang Yan looked into the distance and indeed saw Yuwen Chengdu riding a horse in circles, as if he had come out specially to walk the horse.

This Yuwen Chengdu didn't line up, but instead got into pure love...

Currently, Yuwen Chengdu had already reached adulthood and entered officialdom, serving as the Left Martial Mansion Guard, an eighth-rank small official in charge of palace guards and attendants.

This was what was mentioned earlier: the Emperor's safety was the responsibility of the descendants of the meritorious officials who shared the country; although they were useless, they were more loyal. Even if the Yuwen family also had rebellious bones, they didn't have that thought now.

Wang Yan had no intention of dealing with Yuwen Chengdu; the latter was scared out of his wits and didn't dare to run over to find a beating, just riding his horse in circles like a silly boy. It was truly rare for a family like the Yuwen family to produce such a love-struck fool.

However, love-struck fool or not, Yuwen Chengdu certainly wouldn't lack women; after all, he also had needs, but his heart was tied to this Princess Yu...

After Qionghua chatted with Princess Yu for a while, the two sides parted reluctantly, and the Wang family's team finally set off, leaving Daxing for Yangzhou.

Along the way, Qionghua was very happy. Because she was a bird in a cage, let alone Daxing, she rarely came out of the palace. The different scenery and things she saw along the way made her happy.

After walking for nearly a month, they finally arrived at the Jiangning Marquis Mansion in Yangzhou.

After washing up, Wang Yan took Qionghua to Yang Guang's place; Yang Guang invited him to dinner to welcome him.

"Imperial Brother."

"Oh, Imperial Sister, in the blink of an eye you are married; it really makes your brother reluctant to part with you. In the future, if this kid Wang Yan treats you badly, you tell your brother, and see if I don't deal with him."

The three of them laughed and talked, mainly Yang Guang caring about Qionghua's life and communicating family affection. After eating and laughing for a while, Qionghua was full; she wasn't stupid and knew that Wang Yan and Yang Guang had things to say, so she went home first.

Watching Qionghua leave, Yang Guang looked at Wang Yan with a smile: "Happy?"

"Very happy, it's all thanks to Your Highness's care; if not for this, where would your servant have such good fortune? Your Highness, I toast you." As he spoke, Wang Yan picked up his wine cup and drank.

It was the rice strong liquor he made, but for him, it was just a splash of water, and he still drank it like a whale.

"Alright, we are all our own family; this wine of yours is so fiery, why bother?" After Wang Yan finished drinking, Yang Guang let out a fart and turned to say, "What did Father say to you?"

Wang Yan repeated Yang Jian's words roughly; in fact, there was no practical content, mainly encouragement, affirming the work of Yang Guang and Wang Yan, and letting them continue to work hard to strengthen maritime power early...

Yang Guang listened and laughed: "Okay, your brother doesn't understand this pile of things; you work hard. It's also because you are capable; if not for this maritime trade, you would really have to wait until your brother succeeds to lead thousands of troops. It's hard to say if you would have been kept in Daxing after marrying Qionghua this time."

What he said was naturally correct; the Great Sui was so big, but there was no position for him, Wang Mou; where in this world is there any true meritocracy...

Wang Yan said: "Your Highness, rest assured, your servant will definitely make Your Highness invincible at sea; without Your Highness's consent, no one will want to go to sea."

"Also, intensify exploration, discover more treasure lands, and bring back more overseas products to strengthen our Great Sui. Once your brother is in charge, sooner or later I will make the four seas belong to our Great Sui. You must not be slack; practice your skills diligently; sooner or later there will be a day for you to show your skills."

"Your Highness, don't be impatient; it's better to be steady and fight step by step. Otherwise, if you don't drag down the Crown Prince, but instead make His Majesty and the Empress dislike Your Highness, then everything will be empty."

"Does your brother need you to teach him?" Yang Guang squinted and then drank on his own, "Wait at ease; that day is not far away..."