"[Before I turn twenty-three, I will be ennobled, ah, for the first ti I felt such firm conviction, that this world is about to beco my stage, where I will showcase myself, and definitely not fall behind others.]" Fa Zheng retracted his gaze towards the Northwest and said silently, the most heartbreaking things could give rise to the greatest awakenings.
In Jingzhou, Jian Yong once again arrived at Lun, but this ti not to see Xu Shu, but to act as a go-between for Zhuge Liang, bringing a large dowry prepared to move the entire Huang Family to Mount Tai.
"Why is there such a commotion outside?" Huang Chengyan, who was chatting with Zhuge Xuan, suddenly heard the noisy and festive sound of suona and asked, puzzled.
"It seems soone has co to fetch the bride." The old servant of the Huang family confird after checking outside and replied.
"Oh, if that is the case, then do not disturb them, and also give them a gift on my behalf." Huang Chengyan had not considered that soone was coming to his own Huang family for a bride, and thought it was his neighbors. He even felt sowhat dissatisfied for not receiving an invitation.
"Master, master, this is terrible, no no no, master, it is a great joy, a great joy." A servant rushed in flustered, unsure whether to describe the situation as a surprise or a panic.
"What’s all the panic about." Huang Chengyan looked at the servant with displeasure, then smiled at Zhuge Xuan, "I apologize for the laugh, Yinyi. The Huang Family’s discipline is not strict, my apologies." But, despite his words, he did not punish the servant in his presence.
"Master, the youngest son of the Zhuge family, Kongming, has his wedding procession here to marry the young lady," the servant of the Huang family replied, bowing his head, aware of his previous rashness.
"Eh?" Huang Chengyan was taken aback, turning his head towards Zhuge Xuan and then smiled, "Brother Yinyi, does the marriage agreent between my Huang family and your Zhuge family still count?"
Touching his beard, Zhuge Xuan laughed and answered, "How could it not count? It’s a joyous occasion; of course, it counts. Since Liang’er is marrying your daughter, as uncle, I should also offer a betrothal gift."
As he spoke, he touched the jade pendant at his waist, and handed over a piece carved with the character "Ge," which left Huang Chengyan stunned. After a mont’s thought, he accepted the jade pendant, which signified the head of the Zhuge family since the Spring and Autumn Period.
Although Zhuge Xuan had been infuriated to near death by Zhuge Liang and Zhuge Jin last ti, once he cald down, he didn’t take it too much to heart. Zhuge Jin and Zhuge Liang, no matter what, couldn’t change the fact that they were from the direct lineage of the Zhuge family. After reflecting upon arriving in Jingzhou, Zhuge Xuan regarded their actions as young eagles growing up and seeking their own sky.
"Hahaha, then it’s settled, all is well," Huang Chengyan laughed and said, "I thought Brother Yinyi might not let go of that incident, but it seems I underestimated your magnanimity. Co, you are Kongming’s elder after all, let’s go out and see who has co for the bride."
"I’m not that petty. True, I was quite angry at the ti, but as ti passed, I ca to terms with it. I can’t control their paths, so why not let them choose their own!" Zhuge Xuan laughed and said, "Co on, let’s go have a look together."
Jian Yong, dressed in a dark Confucian robe, stood at the entrance of the Huang family house waiting, having already delivered the docunts inside, all that remained was waiting for the Huang family’s response.
"Open the main gate, let the bridal procession enter," said Huang Chengyan and Zhuge Xuan, after changing their clothes, appearing in the courtyard and ordering the servants to open the rarely used main gate to welco the bridal procession.
"Phew, lucky break," Jian Yong exhaled a long breath of relief. He had been worried when he arrived that the Huang family wouldn’t agree to the marriage, especially since Zhuge Liang had caused a split with the Zhuge family. But since the Huang family opened their main gate to welco him, making such a grand gesture, Jian Yong felt much more at ease.
"Jian Xianhe from under Lord Xuande’s command has t with Elder Master Huang," Jian Yong paid his respects to Huang Chengyan. He had t Huang Chengyan on his previous visit to Xiangyang and knew the old man was easy to talk to.
"Hahaha, Xianhe, there’s no need for such formalities. It has been several years since our last eting. Co, co, let introduce soone to you. This is Zhuge Kongming’s uncle, Zhuge Yinyi," Huang Chengyan said with a chuckle, stroking his beard.
"I’ve t Lord Zhuge," Jian Yong felt a jolt in his heart upon hearing that the other was Zhuge Xuan. He then thought of the earlier situation when the Huang family opened their doors and felt reassured. He gave Zhuge Xuan a deep bow.
"Was Kongming well at Mount Tai?" Huang Chengyan glanced at Zhuge Xuan and, knowing what he wanted to ask, simply asked on Zhuge Xuan’s behalf.
"As Chief Historian to the General of the East, Kongming is very outstanding. Even the General himself holds Kongming in high esteem," Jian Yong said succinctly.
"Chief Historian to the General of the East, isn’t that a bit premature?" Zhuge Xuan frowned slightly. In his eyes, Zhuge Liang should enter official service only after the age of twenty. Only with more experience could he avoid making any mistakes.
"My lord Liu Xuande and all under his command think highly of Kongming, which is why Kongming was appointed as the Prefect to the General of the East. Even Fa Xiaozhi, who was only slightly older than Kongming at the ti, was already Pri Minister of Qi State. Kongming also believes himself capable of bearing this responsibility," Jian Yong spoke with neither humility nor arrogance.
"That’s good, that’s good," Huang Chengyan said with a smile. "It’s best for young people to carve out their own paths. The civil officials at Mount Tai never lack a younger generation; seventy to eighty percent of those in high positions are in their twenties, and so are ennobled or beco Chancellors before their twentieth year. Without trying, who can know what’s possible?"
Zhuge Xuan did not say anything more, even he had to admit that Huang Chengyan had a point.
"Thank you for your understanding, Elder Master Huang," Jian Yong said calmly.
"Since you’re here for a wedding, I won’t interfere. It’s only natural for n to marry and for won to wed," Huang Chengyan observed Jian Yong and remarked. "But I suppose that’s not your only purpose here, right?"
"The main reason is indeed to take a bride. Kongming asked to co because he fears the situation in Jingzhou is tense and the Huang Family might get involved, so he instructed to take the Huang Family along," Jian Yong explained calmly.
In reality, this was just an excuse. If Liu Bei and Yuan Shu ca into conflict, it would beco very difficult for Zhuge Liang to marry Huang Yueying, with whom he had been betrothed for years.
"Alright, Jingzhou is currently under Yuan Gonglu’s control, and I do not feel at ease. Relocating to Mount Tai is also an option," Huang Chengyan said calmly, then turned to Zhuge Xuan and asked, "I wonder if Brother Yinyi intends to return to Xuzhou or relocate to Mount Tai."
"I’d rather not." After pondering for a long while, Zhuge Xuan ultimately decided against it. Although he had put past events behind him, he did not wish to return to Xuzhou. Considering another prodigy had erged in the Zhuge Family, he planned to cultivate this talent properly.
"Then let it be," Huang Chengyan glanced at Zhuge Xuan and withdrew his gaze. He had also t the young Zhuge Dan and indeed found him exceptionally gifted. Consequently, Huang Chengyan had to acknowledge that the ancestral graves of the Zhuge Family must be billowing with Qing smoke, as one generation had produced three extraordinary figures! (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welco to vote for it on Qidian ). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users can read at m.qidian.)
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