How did getting beaten with rods frequently in the army become something to be so proud of?

“You’re this happy, but… is it because mother has been selecting a betrothal match for you these past few days?” Lu Yuanqing looked at his foolish younger brother and asked. “Once this imperial order came, you can leave and avoid having to discuss marriage, right?”

Lu Yuanqing knew that the reason their mother was arranging Lu Yuanpeng’s marriage first was simply because she felt that since Lu Yuanpeng had taken the path of military service, he might be transferred anywhere at any time when battles arose. Hadn’t the Bai family generals been like this? So their mother wanted to settle his marriage while Lu Yuanpeng was still in the capital.

Lu Yuanpeng was suddenly seen through by his elder brother, his ears reddening as he denied: “That’s not it! Brother, what are you thinking?”

“Do you have someone you fancy?” Lu Yuanqing’s eyes were sharp. He was his brother after all – how could he not know what schemes were in his belly?

Before Lu Yuanpeng could speak, Lu Yuanqing calmly pulled out a beautifully styled hairpin and a jade pendant from his pocket: “Found these under your pillow…”

Lu Yuanpeng quickly pulled apart his pillow and indeed saw that the hairpin and jade pendant he had hidden under his pillow were gone.

Lu Yuanpeng: “…”

He reached out to grab them, but his elder brother raised his hand and dodged, then put the hairpin and jade pendant back into his sleeve. He methodically poured himself a cup of tea and said, “Tell me, which young lady were you originally planning to give these to? If you dare lie, you’re not leaving. I’ll personally request His Majesty to let you stay until mother arranges your betrothal… then let you go!”

“You’re my dear brother!” Lu Yuanpeng said this as if sulking, then turned and covered his head with the quilt as if pouting. It seemed a bit embarrassing and a bit nervous that his secret, hidden deep in his heart, had been discovered.

This was the first time Lu Yuanpeng had felt this way in his life – anxious about gains and losses, yet not daring to speak out… afraid that if he spoke, they wouldn’t even be able to remain friends.

Think about it – he, Lu Yuanpeng, Young Master Lu, was a little tyrant known throughout the capital. He had once boasted… that when he married, he would definitely marry the most virtuous and gentle lady in the capital, preferably as gracious as his sister Fenglang, who also wouldn’t dare control his going out to eat, drink, and have fun.

Who knew… who knew he would end up liking a tomboy!

And one who constantly threatened to beat him so badly his mother wouldn’t recognize him!

Not only did she not know how to be gentle and tender, but when she beat him, she went for the kill. A woman like this… if he really married her and brought her home, he’d probably get beaten three times a day.

Seeing his brother like this, Lu Yuanqing knew his foolish brother had truly fallen for someone.

“Tell me, which family’s daughter is it?” Lu Yuanqing adjusted his sleeves. “As long as she’s not imperial nobility, even if she’s from a humble family, as long as you like her… I’ll persuade father and mother.”

Lu Yuanqing could say this because he felt that with Lu Yuanpeng’s lively personality, he couldn’t possibly have fallen for any of the Bai family daughters. Moreover… the Lu family had received such great imperial favor that they should know contentment and not be greedy for more… having received the ruler’s grace and still hoping to marry a Bai family daughter!

Besides, His Majesty had said from the beginning that the marriages of the Bai family children would not be mixed up with state affairs. So if Lu Yuanpeng truly liked one of the Bai family daughters, forget about persuading their parents – he probably couldn’t even get past the grandfather.

Hearing his brother’s words, Lu Yuanpeng gripped his quilt tightly and covered his head completely: “No one! That hairpin and jade pendant are for Sister Fenglang!”

“Who are you fooling?” Lu Yuanqing’s voice was calm. “If they were for Fenglang, with how many times she’s come to see you these past days since your return, you’ve kept them hidden under your pillow without giving them?”

“I forgot!” Lu Yuanpeng remained stubborn.

Seeing Lu Yuanpeng like this, Lu Yuanqing became even more curious: “Who exactly made the daring Lu Yuanpeng become like this…”

Lu Yuanqing’s voice suddenly paused, his gaze falling on the bulge in the quilt, and he spoke: “The one you like… It’s not a Bai family daughter, is it? Fifth Miss? Sixth Miss? Seventh Miss is still too young…”

Lu Yuanqing thought of how Lu Yuanpeng had fought alongside Bai family’s Fourth Miss Bai Jinzhi, and seemed to have even saved her on the battlefield. He suddenly stood up and forcefully pulled away the quilt covering Lu Yuanpeng’s head: “The one you admire… is Prince Gaoyi?”

Lu Yuanpeng’s face turned completely red, angrily snatching the quilt back from Lu Yuanqing and covering his head: “I don’t! Don’t talk nonsense!”

Lu Yuanqing looked at his brother’s appearance but didn’t argue with him. Instead, he calmed down, sat back in his chair, and said to Lu Yuanpeng: “Although our Lu family has received extraordinary imperial favor and grace, His Majesty also said… the marriages of the Bai family children don’t involve politics. If you truly like Prince Gaoyi, then show your abilities and don’t let Prince Gaoyi leave you too far behind. This time, going to the former Great Liang territory, strive to achieve great merit and return!”

Lu Yuanpeng, stuffy under the quilt, heard his brother’s words and gripped the quilt corner tightly with sweaty hands. But he… didn’t know what Bai Jinzhi thought of him.

He felt that Bai Jinzhi only treated him as a living practice dummy who could accompany her in training and take beatings.

After a long while, Lu Yuanpeng finally spoke in a muffled voice: “But I… feel like Bai Jinzhi just treats me like a wooden post!”

Getting no response from his elder brother, Lu Yuanpeng turned around…

“…”

Where was his elder brother’s figure in this huge room?

His blood brother, when a young man’s heart first stirred with romantic feelings and he was most anxious and in need of his brother’s comfort and guidance, he ran away…

Wonderful!

The next day, Cheng Yuanzhi and the others almost all departed, lying on horse carts.

Early in the morning, Bai Jinzhi rode her horse outside the city gate to see them off. Seeing Lu Yuanpeng and Sima Ping both lying in horse carts, she nearly fell off her horse from laughing.

Also departing with the army were Liu Rushi, Lu Fenglang, Fan Yugan and other Great Zhou envoys heading to Dongyi.

Bai Qingyu came to see off Cheng Yuanzhi, Shen Liangyu, and the others in place of Bai Qingyan…

Yesterday when Cheng Yuanzhi received the imperial edict, he had struggled to get up and enter the palace to see Bai Qingyan, but was refused, only told to rest and heal his injuries.

Bai Qingyu came today to reassure Cheng Yuanzhi. Although they were atoning for crimes through merit, it was an excuse to reemploy them.

“General Cheng, General Shen… you two must be cautious in your future actions! The Bai Family Army is all our people. In the future, no matter what happens or what doubts you have in your hearts, we family members will discuss it behind closed doors. Never make a big fuss again!” Bai Qingyu’s voice had recovered considerably under Physician Hong’s care. Though still hoarse now, it wasn’t as raspy as before.

“Vice Commander, I, Old Cheng, remember!” Cheng Yuanzhi cupped his hands toward Bai Qingyu.

“Shen Liangyu also remembers!” Shen Liangyu clasped his fists toward Bai Qingyu.