The sea churned and roared, and Cheng Beizheng responded without hesitation, "I'll go with you then."
"Aren't you supposed to be busy with your business?"
"The business of the richest man spans the globe. I have several mines in Shanxi. I previously had people buy a lot of mountain land, and it's a good opportunity to see if I can discover new mines. The aura of a magnate was palpable within a few sentences."
Mo Sang had earned a good amount recently, but when it came to buying mountain land, especially land that could yield mines, she was still miles away.
As she was mentally calculating the vast difference in wealth between herself and Cheng Beizheng, she heard him add, "Besides, I'm marrying you. I should pay my respects at your elders' graves."
Mo Sang was instantly touched, her eyes sparkling with imagined gold coins, and she praised, "My husband, you are so good."
"Now that you know I'm good, stay away from other men."
"Ah?"
"For example, a certain imperial physician. Don't treat him as one of your own just because he knows a bit about witchcraft. Don't go off with him foolishly."
Mo Sang: ...
The two sat and lay apart, and their words were indistinct. However, their loving gazes and smiles at each other made them appear very affectionate. Situ Yan felt a sense of pride, "Wife, my matchmaking wasn't too bad, was it?"
Lu Nianfu was about to nod when Ji Jin, who had arrived at some unknown time, spoke up, "It's good for now. But Ah Yan, don't forget to remind Third Young Master Cheng. The people of Xijiang are very possessive about loyalty. If he develops any second thoughts, he might not be able to bear the consequences."
He had studied witchcraft for a long time and naturally had some knowledge of Xijiang's customs and anecdotes.
Xijiang girls were not to be trifled with by just anyone, especially those who were fickle and unfaithful.
Months had passed, and the matter of the love蛊 had long been forgotten by Situ Jue. It was only when Ji Jin reminded him that he remembered, "Oh no."
He turned to look at the couple whose heads were almost touching, "Ah Jin, do you think it's too late for Cheng Beizheng to break up with Mo Sang now?"
"What do you think?"
"It should be in time. Mo Sang said the love蛊 was mixed into the wedding wine. They haven't gotten married yet, have they!"
That thing should not have been consumed yet.
Lu Nianfu listened, utterly bewildered, "What are you talking about?"
Situ Yan, uncharacteristically guilty, waited until he saw that Cheng Jiaojiao had been taken away by Ouyang Wen before daring to speak. He recounted the story of the love蛊 in detail.
Lu Nianfu, however, breathed a sigh of relief, "Third Young Master has remained single for so many years and has never settled for anything less. Not to mention marriage, he doesn't even have a concubine to serve him. It shows he's not a frivolous person. He has finally found true love for Miss Mo, so it should be fine. However, it's best to make this matter clear to him in advance."
"Alas, I just forgot. Otherwise, I would have told him long ago."
Situ Yan, who always stood by his actions, saw Cheng Beizheng alone and guiltily told him about the paired蛊.
Cheng Beizheng saw his apologetic face and, thinking it was something serious, laughed heartily, "Is that all? Don't worry, Mo Sang already told me. I'm marrying her because I truly love her."
Situ Yan was relieved, "I knew it. Mo Sang is quite likable."
"Oh, come on. Don't think I don't know that you pushed me away back then purely because you wanted a scapegoat. But thank you for sending her to my side."
After that day, Situ Yan, with his wife and children, spent a few more days touring, leaving the entire court baffled. What was wrong with Prince Rui? Why was he suddenly neglecting state affairs? Could it be that he was going to withdraw from the court?
Emperor Changwu, however, merely thought he was sulking with him. But the Ministry of War was absolutely not something he could entrust to him now.
Military power had always been a double-edged sword. If he were to take charge of the Ministry of War now, not to mention the Crown Prince's revenge, the entire court would be watching him. He did intend to hand over the empire to Little Seven after his hundred years, but if he revealed any signs now, the Crown Prince and Prince Ning would join forces and work together against him, which would be far from ideal.