Chapter 226: Hongliang’s Marriage Alliance, Li Wu Escorting the Bride?
Boom!
Blinding lightning slashed through the oppressive dark clouds above.
The deafening thunder startled Hongliang, who was sitting by the window, out of her daze.
She looked up outside the window.
The wind swept through the clouds, and the heavy rain was imminent.
The oppressive dark clouds weighed heavily on her heart.
Another flash of lightning lit up the clouds but could not pierce the gloom in Hongliang’s heart.
The dazzling lightning hurt her eyes, causing her eyes to redden instantly.
Huge teardrops fell faster than the rain.
Like broken pearls, they dropped onto her luxurious wedding dress, smashing into pieces.
Her sobs grew louder, soon turning into heart-wrenching cries.
“Woo woo woo~ I can’t go back, I can never learn martial arts with you again.”
Hongliang’s heartbroken sobs echoed.
No one knew who the “you” she mentioned referred to.
Today was her wedding day.
The wedding dress had been delivered yesterday.
The dress was beautiful.
A phoenix coronet and embroidered robe, exquisitely made.
The ornate embroidery with golden and silver threads, the luxurious pearls and agates as embellishments.
Hongliang was also a girl who loved beauty.
If it were a normal time,
she would have cherished this beautiful wedding dress.
But now, she felt a deep resistance from the bottom of her heart.
The more Hongliang thought, the more heartbroken and distressed she became. Her miserable wails made the palace maids outside constantly look in.
A whole incense stick’s time passed, and she still had no intention of stopping.
Fengchang, the head of the Nine Ministers of Han, estimated the time and gave a signal to several palace maids outside the door.
Fengchang was the head of the Nine Ministers, overseeing various rituals including those in the ancestral temple.
The princess’s marriage was entirely his responsibility.
From the dowry and wedding dress to the time she got into the sedan chair, all were governed by many rules.
Seeing that the time to depart was approaching and Hongliang still refused to change clothes and dress up,
if there were any more delays, he wouldn’t be able to bear the responsibility for the mistake in timing.
With his indication, several palace maids entered Hongliangs boudoir, and one maid stepped forward to persuade gently, “Your Highness, the time has come…”
“Get out!”
Hongliangs tender shout interrupted the maid.
The palace maids exchanged glances with unsightly expressions.
Since Hongliang refused to change into the wedding dress, they dared not say more.
According to the rules, they were all to accompany Hongliang as part of her dowry.
If afterward, Princess Hongliang bore a grudge against them over this matter, their lives would be miserable.
While they were in a dilemma, a cold and elegant figure walked in.
“Greetings to the General.”
The palace maids bowed in unison, with utmost respect.
Li Wu coldly watched the jade-shouldered back of Hongliang moving up and down, and said with a chilly tone, “On such a joyous day, why is Your Highness crying?”
“Why don’t you laugh, are you unhappy?”
Hongliangs marriage was a crucial part of the Han and Zhao alliance against Qin.
Therefore, the bride escort was personally undertaken by her, the general.
Heartbroken as she was, Hongliang became furious upon hearing these words.
She stood up abruptly and threw the wedding dress heavily to the ground.
Resolutely she said, “I’d rather die than marry. Whoever wants to marry, let them marry!”
Li Wu glanced at the wedding dress on the ground.
Lightly, she said, “I’m afraid this is not up to Your Highness.”
“You few, dress the princess.”
The palace maids looked at her in fear, not daring to disobey.
Offending Princess Hongliang might lead to a miserable life.
But offending the General would cost them their very lives.
“Who dares!”
Hongliangs angry shout failed to intimidate anyone.
The palace maids, who usually cowered in her presence, were indeed terrified of Li Wu.
They knew full well whom to listen to.
Seeing the palace maids approaching her, Hongliang suddenly took out a dagger from her sleeve.
She pressed it tightly against her snowy white neck.
Coldly, she said, “If you dare to come closer, I’ll commit suicide.”
“After I’m dead, let’s see how you will explain to my father!”
The palace maids’ faces changed dramatically, they dared not take another step forward.
Facing Hongliangs determination to die, a hint of appreciation flashed in Li Wu’s eyes.
But she mercilessly said, “Your Highness is making it difficult for us.”
Hongliang sneered repeatedly.
“Making it difficult for you? It was you who made it difficult for me first.”
“If I die, how will you proceed with the marriage alliance?”
Li Wu’s eyes showed a hint of playfulness, and she said indifferently, “Does the princess dare? This way of dying can be very painful.”
Hongliangs eyes widened like pearls, and she did not dare to relax her grip on the dagger.
With the cold blade against her neck,
she scornfully replied, “How would you know? Have you died before?”
Li Wu opened her mouth.
You guessed it right.
I’ve indeed died before!
“Anyway, let me tell you all, I! Won’t! Marry!”
Hongliangs attitude was extremely resolute. She would rather die than marry.
Marrying off would indeed be worse than living in torment.
So death might be a relief!
The palace maids beside her were suddenly at a loss and looked at Li Wu for help.
If Hongliang were to suffer any harm, they would all follow her to the grave.
Li Wu, however, felt like laughing.
But the current character she played didn’t allow her to laugh.
Feeling extremely stifled inside.
Hongliang’s actions were just to scare these palace maids.
Glancing sideways at the bewildered palace maids, Li Wu threw a token.
Ordering, “Take this general’s token and bring Ninth Prince here.”
“You can call my brother, but it won’t help; he won’t let me marry!”
The siblings had tried to send messages back to the State of Qin, but all attempts ended in failure.
When Emperor Han learned of this, he was furious and imprisoned Han Fei.
Hongliang had thought Han Fei was suffering in the dungeon, but unexpectedly, when she saw him, he was glowing with health.
Even Han Fei himself was puzzled.
Rather than being jailed, it seemed more like he was being retired there.
He was treated daily with fine wine and good food. Nobody knew who arranged it.
Previously, Han Fei would have thought it was Zhang Liang.
But Zhang Liang went to the Little Sage Manor shortly after he went to Qin.
He probably didn’t even know what had happened here recently.
Besides Zhang Liang, Han Fei couldn’t think of anyone else who would care for him like this.
“Hongliang, what are you doing with that knife? Put it down, don’t hurt yourself,” Han Fei said anxiously when he saw Hongliang holding a knife to her neck.
Hongliang’s eyes instantly turned red.
Looking at Han Fei with pitiful eyes, she said tearfully, “Brother, they’re forcing me to marry, and I don’t want to. Please, think of something.”
After hearing this, Han Fei’s expression became complicated.
If he had a way, he wouldn’t have been thrown into this dungeon!
Before he could speak, a clanging sound echoed inside the room.
Immediately, a cold, ice-like sword was placed against his neck.
Han Fei and Hongliang both froze.
They stared in shock at Li Wu, who had drawn her sword.
Li Wu looked at Hongliang coldly.
“If the princess doesn’t change, I’ll kill your brother,” Li Wu said.
Hongliang: “?”
Han Fei: “???”
If she doesn’t change, why kill me?
The palace maids nearby were also startled, standing aside without daring to speak.
“Don’t the two of you believe me? Or do you think I won’t dare?” Li Wu asked.
Cold sweat ran down Han Fei’s forehead.
If it were anyone else, he wouldn’t believe they would dare to act.
But Bai Xianwu was an exception.
Han Fei immediately understood.
She wanted to use his life to threaten Hongliang.
Hongliang’s face turned pale. This malicious plan could only be thought up by this deadly woman.
She and Han Fei had deep feelings for each other since childhood; she naturally couldn’t watch him die because of her.
“You despicable person!” Hongliang gritted her teeth.
Li Wu, however, was indifferent.
“If the princess is willing to obey, how could this general resort to such means?”
She looked at Han Fei, whose face was full of suffering, and coldly said, “Whether the Ninth Prince can keep his life depends on whether the princess wants you to live.”
Even Han Fei felt a surge of anger.
Facing Li Wu’s cold and deep eyes, he calmly said, “Han Fei fears not death; if you want to use Hongliang’s future happiness to exchange for my survival, even if you don’t kill me, I have no face to live.”
Li Wu ignored his impassioned words.
Turning to the angry Hongliang, she coldly said, “Princess, give me the knife.”
Seeing Han Fei willing to die to prevent her from suffering, Hongliang couldn’t hate him.
Biting her teeth in a mad internal struggle, she finally let go of the knife.
The dagger clinked as it hit the ground.
Two rows of hopeless tears silently fell.
“Alright, I’ll change!”
A palace maid quickly ran over and picked up the dagger.
“Hongliang…” Han Fei’s heart ached deeply for his sister.
Li Wu, expressionless, inquired, “Since the princess is soon to be married, do you have any last words?”
Taking a deep breath, Hongliang wiped her face, smearing away the tears.
Coldly looking at her, she resolutely said, “I’ll marry, but you must guarantee my brother’s safety and safely return him to Qin.”
Hongliang knew that only in Qin would Han Fei be safe.
“Hongliang, you… sigh!”
Han Fei sighed heavily.
With sorrow, he said, “If you do this, how can Brother Wang have the face to go on living, how can Brother Wang explain this to your master, to your teacher?”
Had I not brought Hongliang back, she would have been living happily and freely in Qin, how could she end up like this.
“Master… Teacher,”
Hongliang murmured twice.
The tears that had originally been wiped away gushed out in an instant.
This time, it was as if she had lost all control, she couldn’t stop at all.
“Brother Wang.”
Hongliang looked at Han Fei with tearful eyes, her pitiful appearance was truly heartbreaking.
Her pale lips trembled, with a thousand words in her heart she wanted to say, but when the words reached her mouth, they were stuck there.
She opened her mouth silently, unable to make a sound.
Thinking that she could never return to Qin, never return to the manor on the mountain again, there was a tearing pain in her heart.
“Brother Wang, you… you must go on living, and help me… tell my master that Hongliang… Hongliang can no longer be filial to her.”
………
Han Fei was silent for a moment, then nodded heavily.
“Okay, Brother Wang will pass on your message.”
How could he not understand that Hongliang was afraid he would commit suicide out of guilt, so she wanted him to relay the message to Yan Lingji.
Li Wu looked at Hongliang coldly, as if she were explaining her last wishes.
He no longer urged.
He just asked, “Anything else?”
Hongliang was in a daze, even losing the thought of resentment.
Her originally lively eyes were now dim.
“There’s still… there’s still…”
She looked at the ground in front of her, hesitant to speak.
The empty ground seemed to transform into a screen, quickly flashing scenes that she deeply remembered.
From when Zilan Xuan was still called Baihua Fang.
From when a blind man vividly told stories there.
All the way to when that person protected her while breaking through a heavy siege.
Until that person, surrounded by lightning, like a god descending, stopped hundreds of cavalry.
What girl doesn’t have romantic feelings, what woman doesn’t love a hero.
When he was there, it seemed that no difficulty was worth mentioning.
He could ensure her safety even in a heavy siege.
He could take her across the insurmountable Hangu Pass.
He even dared to argue with the empress dowager of Qin for her.
Hongliang asked herself in her heart.
If he were here, he would surely find a way to take her away, right?
No!
Just as long as he was here, even her father wouldn’t dare to send her to Zhao for marriage!
“If you don’t speak now, you won’t get another chance.”
Suddenly, Li Wu said coldly.
This words struck Hongliang like a heavy hammer, shattering her last facade.
If she really married into Zhao, some things, if not said now, might never be said in her entire life.
She snapped back to reality, her helpless eyes full of regret.
She looked sadly at the luxurious wedding gown on the ground.
“Brother Wang.”
Han Fei couldn’t bear to see her in such a desperate state.
He closed his eyes and nodded, “Brother Wang is here.”
Hongliang slowly squatted down, gently picking up the wedding gown.
Tears fell one by one.
It was as if there was a knife violently stirring in her heart.
She sobbed, unable to form a complete sentence.
“Tell… tell Master.”
“Hongliang… in the next life… will definitely wear the wedding gown for him.”
“Brother Wang, tell him, Hongliang… doesn’t want to marry anyone else.”
“Hongliang… doesn’t want to leave him!”
Han Fei was shocked!
He suddenly opened his eyes.
Looking at Hongliang sobbing on the ground in disbelief.
“Hongliang, you…”
He never expected that Hongliang would develop such feelings for Li Mo.
No wonder you wouldn’t leave the manor!
Hongliang gradually stopped crying, taking a deep breath as if to draw out all the air before her.
With a teary yet beautiful face, she wiped away the tears.
She turned her head to look out the window, as calm as water, and said, “You all go out, I need to change my clothes.”
Li Wu slowly lowered the sword from Han Fei’s neck.
Turned and left.
Han Fei wanted to say something but stopped, sighed and walked out.
Several palace maids cautiously approached Hongliang.
Red silk spread on the ground, ceremonial music leading the way.
The flower carriage left the palace, passing through once familiar streets.
The whole of Xinzheng was brightly lit, celebrating the marriage of their princess.
Han Fei stayed alone in the palace, writing diligently.
Emperor Han listened to the sounds of Hongliangs wedding, and heaved a heavy sigh of relief.
He murmured, “Hongliang, don’t hate your father, I had no other choice!”
Once the general delivers the princess to Zhao, Han’s crisis will be resolved.
Li Wu followed closely by the side of the flower carriage, always paying attention to Hongliangs movements inside.
A few days later.
The carriage slowly came to a stop.
“Princess, we have arrived.”
Li Wu, sitting on the horse, gently knocked on the flower carriage and said.
Inside the carriage, Hongliang, who had been in a dazed state all day, was startled.
“Arrived? How did we get here so quickly?”
In the past few days, she had been in a trance and didn’t even know where she was.
But it had only been four or five days, how did they arrive so quickly?
With the help of palace maids, Hongliang slowly stepped out of the carriage.
The red veil on her head blocked her vision, forcing her to keep her head down, seeing only a small area beneath her feet.
Beneath her feet was desolate soil.
With the help of palace maids, she walked like a lifeless, unconscious body.
She didn’t know how long she had been walking.
When the light beneath her feet suddenly dimmed, she guessed they had entered a room.
Hongliang was guided to sit like a puppet.
The sound of light footsteps reached her ears.
The palace maids had retreated.
Not long after, another set of light footsteps approached her slowly.
Hongliangs heart tightened at once.
Is that the so-called prince of Zhao?
The footsteps grew closer, and her heart beat faster.
She hid her hand in her sleeve and gently grasped the head of the red-scale king snake.
She had agreed to this marriage alliance, but she never agreed to be touched!
What nonsense prince.
If he dared to touch her, she would have the snake bite him to death!
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