Yun Chu Ling

Chapter 467: Epilogue - Finding Their Own Happiness (10)

Chu Hongyu thought it over and decided to write a letter to his parents.

Before long, Chu Yi and Yun Chu replied. The fourth son of Duke Xingguo was someone Chu Yi had watched grow up from birth. He had been intelligent since childhood, possessing a photographic memory. At a young age, he had already finished reading the Four Books, the Five Classics, the Great Learning, and the Analects. Later, he became obsessed with medicine and gave up the path of civil service through examinations.

Although this person was a bit stubborn, he had a simple heart and a kind nature, making him a worthy match.

As long as the affection was mutual, they would be happy to see it happen.

But if it was just Changsheng’s unrequited passion, they would immediately rush back to the capital and take Changsheng on a tour of the south.

Chu Hongyu had someone issue an order, summoning the fourth son of Duke Xingguo for an audience.

"We hear your medical skills are outstanding," Chu Hongyu began in a placid tone. "Are you willing to enter the palace and serve as an imperial physician, the foremost imperial physician in the court?"

Murong Bi cupped his hands and said, "I studied medicine and cultivated medical ethics with a heart for relieving suffering, hoping to save the common people from illness and pain. If I were to become an imperial physician in the palace, it would go against my original intention for studying medicine."

"What a noble sentiment, to save the common people from illness and pain!" Chu Hongyu clapped his hands. "The common folk of the realm are the people, and the soldiers on the front lines are also the people. Is there anything wrong with what We have said?"

Although Murong Bi was stubborn, he was no fool. He immediately understood the underlying meaning.

He promptly said, "I volunteer to serve as a military doctor. I ask for Your Majesty's permission."

"Our Great Jin is about to go to war with the Northern Di. In that case, We shall dispatch you to the front lines to provide support." Chu Hongyu paused. "We will go with you."

When word of this reached the imperial court, it was met with opposition from all the officials.

The Great Jin had many capable generals who had risen through the ranks; there was no need for the Emperor to go into battle.

"Our Great Jin has been recuperating for nearly a decade. The nation is prosperous and its people are strong, which has drawn the covetous eyes of the Northern Di." Chu Hongyu's voice was majestic. "Now, the Northern Di have repeatedly harassed our borders. If we ignore it, harassment will turn into invasion. The people on the border are Our subjects. We must personally go to the front lines to repel the Northern Di... No, to conquer the Northern Di and eliminate this threat for good!"

His Imperial Father had conquered the Eastern Tomb Kingdom and wiped out all the bandits within the Great Jin's borders.

As the Emperor, he could not always place such a heavy burden on his father's shoulders. After all, his father was also slowly growing old.

He needed to go to the battlefield, accumulate experience, rally the morale, and display their nation's might.

The matter was thus decided.

Chu Changsheng was frantic. "Brother, you are the Son of Heaven. You shouldn't put yourself in such a dangerous situation..."

"It is precisely because I am the Son of Heaven that I need to go to the battlefield in person to win the hearts of the people," Chu Hongyu said earnestly. "Moreover, as the Son of Heaven, I not only need to know how to govern the country with civility, but I must also know how to use martial force to defend the Great Jin and learn how to command troops. This way, I won't be easily manipulated. Don't worry, with Grandfather's Yun Family Army there, nothing will happen to me."

Chu Changsheng's brow remained furrowed with worry.

She still remembered how, many years ago, her Imperial Father had gone to the battlefield and then disappeared for half a year...

"There's another reason I'm going to the front lines, and that is to test your future husband-in-law for you," Chu Hongyu said with a grin. "If he passes my test, I will immediately bestow a marriage upon you two."

Chu Changsheng couldn't help but stomp her foot. "I'm talking about something serious with you, why are you bringing this up?"

"Alright, stop worrying. It's a small matter." Chu Hongyu ruffled her hair. "I'm also going to do something serious now."

His serious matter was to change into clothes for leaving the palace, preparing to make a low-key trip to the He residence.

He rode his horse to a bustling street in the capital and saw a jewelry shop. He knew that women all liked such things.

Since he was going to see Miss He, he certainly had to bring a gift.

He dismounted and walked into the jewelry shop. The dazzling array of items blinded his eyes, and he had no idea what to buy.

Although he was dressed in a low-key manner, the fabric of his clothes was clearly of extraordinary quality. The shopkeeper immediately came forward to greet him, asking attentively, "Young Master, what would you like to buy? Is it a gift for your mother, your wife, or your sisters?"

"A gift for..." Chu Hongyu paused for a moment, then said, "A gift for my future wife."

The shopkeeper understood at once. "This way, Young Master. Please come to the private room."

Half an hour later, Chu Hongyu walked out carrying a box. He was a little annoyed. Why hadn't he brought that rascal Lin Dongdong out of the palace with him? He would have had someone to help carry things.

He snapped his fingers. A hidden guard appeared without a sound. He tossed the box over, and the guard, holding the box, vanished into the sea of people in an instant.

Chu Hongyu fanned himself with a paper fan, leading his horse as he walked down the street.

He was handsome, with a dashing and untamed air and an extraordinary bearing, causing many women on the roadside to stop and watch.

As he walked, he suddenly saw a crowd gathered ahead.

Somewhat curious, he led his horse over to see the commotion and spotted a familiar face.

It was He Jingru.

She had come out with her younger sister today to buy rouge and had the misfortune of running into her former fiancé, Han Dong.

Han Dong gazed at her with a forlorn expression, but she had no intention of paying him any mind.

Unexpectedly, Han Dong's wife, Mistress Kong, suddenly rushed out and stared at her, shouting angrily, "My husband broke off his engagement with you three years ago! How do you still have the face to pester my husband? Oh, I know. You can't get married and have become an old woman, so you want to come back to my husband and become his concubine, is that it?"

Han Dong pulled at his wife, whispering, "Don't be like this. Taking a concubine is taking a concubine. If she's willing, it's not..."

Mistress Kong was incredulous. "You can take anyone, even a woman from a brothel, but not her, not He Jingru!"

He Jingru's younger sister was furious. To compare her elder sister to a woman from a brothel was simply going too far!

He Jingru, however, remained calm.

She let out a soft laugh. "Mistress Han, you really have blind confidence in your husband. A man like him—what makes you think I would be interested, let alone willing to be a concubine? That's truly the most ridiculous joke in the world!"

Mistress Kong raged, "If you're not interested, then why are you pestering him!"

Just as He Jingru was about to speak, a handsome young man squeezed through the crowd.

The young man was dressed in dark clothes, his hair bound with a jade coronet, and he wore black boots. This attire was naturally far inferior to the Dragon Robe, but among the common people, it was still exceptionally conspicuous.

The young man walked into the crowd, looked Han Dong up and down, and then sneered, "Miss He doesn't even fancy me, so why would she fancy you?"

Mistress Kong couldn't help but turn her gaze to the young man, and upon seeing him, she was stunned.

This young man was far too good-looking...

This scene caused Han Dong's face to flush red. "You—who are you?"

"Didn't I just say? I am one of Miss He's suitors." The young man opened his paper fan and shook his head. "Lord Han, you were only able to pass the examination to become a Presented Scholar thanks to the He family's support. After Mistress He passed away, they merely asked you to wait three years before marrying, yet you turned your back on them, broke off the engagement, and married into another family for status. It's one thing for the He family not to pursue your faithlessness, but now you bring your wife to humiliate Miss He. I truly don't know where you get the nerve!"

Han Dong was frightened by the aura emanating from the young man and couldn't help but take a step back.

Chu Hongyu shook his head. This man was truly a pushover.

He smiled and said, "But I must also thank you for the grace of not marrying her. It has given me an opportunity."