Gao Qiao rode at full speed toward the military camp still stationed north of the city. As he gradually approached and came into view, he actually began to slow his horse’s pace.

The camp gate was not far ahead, no more than an arrow’s shot away, yet Gao Qiao stopped his horse and gazed toward the gate, deep in thought.

“Master?”

Gao Qi had been pursuing on horseback behind him and finally caught up. Seeing Gao Qiao stop, he inquired.

“Go back! Order Li Mu to come forward himself and deny it,” Gao Qiao said.

Gao Qi hesitated: “What if he’s unwilling…”

“That’s not up to him.”

Gao Qiao spoke coldly. As he spoke, he turned his horse around, about to spur it away when he suddenly heard a familiar laugh carried on the wind from behind.

“Jingshen! Perfect timing! I was just looking for you…”

Gao Qiao turned back at the sound and saw several people emerging from the camp gate. The leader was none other than Xu Mi, followed by Yang Xuan and others, all wearing smiles as they approached him quickly.

Gao Qiao’s brows furrowed almost imperceptibly. After hesitating, he dismounted.

“Jingshen, I happened to visit the military camp just now and was delighted to hear tremendous good news. They say Li Mu has sought marriage, and you, true to your promise that day, generously agreed to marry your beloved daughter to him? Truly a man of his word—I’m deeply impressed. When the soldiers heard this news, they were all stirred with emotion. Though Li Mu’s request may seem presumptuous at present, I believe he’s no ordinary person and will surely achieve great things in the future. Jingshen has gained an excellent son-in-law—congratulations!”

Xu Mi finished speaking with loud laughter. His laughter drew many nearby soldiers.

The troops slowly gathered around, looking at Gao Qiao with joyful expressions.

Yang Xuan suppressed countless doubts in his heart and hesitantly stepped forward to bow to Gao Qiao, showing a smile: “This subordinate thanks the minister on Li Mu’s behalf…”

Before he could finish, Gao Qiao waved his hand, interrupting him.

He raised his eyes and slowly surveyed the surroundings, raising his voice: “This is false information—there must be some misunderstanding. I don’t know who has been fanning the flames, causing such wild rumors to spread to this extent!”

After speaking, he turned to Yang Xuan.

“General Yang, please convey my words to the troops and ensure everyone knows: I greatly appreciate Li Mu, but the talk of marrying my daughter is completely fabricated—there is absolutely no such matter.”

Yang Xuan was stunned.

The smiles gradually faded from the surrounding soldiers’ faces as they murmured among themselves, creating a low buzzing sound.

Li Mu held great prestige among these common soldiers.

This morning, when they heard this news from who knows where, these men were all excited and even felt a sense of shared glory in their hearts.

The separation between scholars and commoners was strict, with clear distinctions in status and rank.

Yet Li Mu had broken through the ice. He had achieved something these men had never even dared dream of.

That’s why they were doubly excited about this news, and in less than half a day, it had spread throughout the entire camp.

“Situ, I have other matters to attend to. I’ll take my leave first!”

Gao Qiao said no more, mounted his horse, and rode away.

Xu Mi watched Gao Qiao’s departing figure, narrowing his eyes. The smile at the corner of his lips became increasingly meaningful.

…

Gao Qiao left the military camp and immediately entered the city, rushing home.

For many years, the citizens of Jiankang rarely saw high court officials traveling on horseback through the streets.

Those aristocrats always traveled by ox cart as a matter of style, considering horseback riding the behavior of lowly military men. Suddenly seeing the minister enter the city gate on horseback—who didn’t recognize him? They couldn’t help but be astonished and stopped to watch.

Gao Qiao was anxious and wished he could sprout wings to fly home immediately. How could he care about such things? He rode straight to the Gao family’s main gate, where the gatekeeper was standing on the steps, looking left and right with an anxious expression. Suddenly seeing Gao Qiao approaching on horseback from afar, he sighed with relief and hurried forward.

“Master! Eldest Princess was just looking for you! Perfect timing that you’ve returned!”

Gao Qiao’s heart skipped a beat.

Last night he had concealed this matter from Xiao Yongjia precisely because of her temperament. He feared that if she knew, she might react extremely and possibly make the situation worse.

After consideration, he had sought out Gao Yin, informed him of the situation, and asked him to meet with Li Mu on his behalf first.

His plan was to quietly resolve this matter, have Li Mu retreat in the face of difficulty, and let the matter end with himself.

He hadn’t expected that in just one night, things would develop to such an extent.

On his way back, he had originally held a faint hope that this news wouldn’t have reached home yet.

Indeed, he was still a step too late.

Gao Qiao frowned deeply, dismounted, and hurried to the rear hall. Not seeing his daughter, he encountered Xiao Yongjia’s piercing gaze.

Xiao Yongjia sat there with a grim expression. Seeing him, she immediately stood up.

“Come with me!” Her tone was extremely harsh. After speaking, she turned and headed inside.

A’Ju looked over with anxious eyes.

Gao Qiao silently followed, walking to the inner room. Before the door could be closed, Xiao Yongjia angrily shouted: “Gao Qiao! Have you lost your mind? To do such a thing! Marry my daughter to a military brute?”

Gao Qiao quickly waved his hands: “A’Ling, listen to me! There’s absolutely no such thing!”

A’Ju, who had followed, quickly closed the door for them, moved away, and ordered the servants not to come near.

With things having reached this point, Gao Qiao dared not conceal anything further and quickly explained the entire sequence of events.

“…When he saved Zile, I was caught off guard and made that promise. How could I have imagined then that he would now ask to marry A’Mi? So today I summoned him to the manor at Sparrow Lake, originally intending to have him abandon the idea himself, and the matter would be over. I didn’t expect…”

“Slap!”

Xiao Yongjia was furious and struck the table with her palm. Her eyebrows stood on end as she interrupted Gao Qiao’s explanation.

“What an arrogant person! Not knowing his place, relying on having saved Liu Lang, he dares to covet my daughter!”

“And you! When such a thing happened, you didn’t tell me a word! If today’s matter hadn’t become such a scandal, did you plan to keep hiding it from me?”

Gao Qiao said nothing, allowing Xiao Yongjia to vent her anger. After a moment, he suddenly remembered: “Where’s A’Mi? Does she know too?”

Thinking of his daughter’s possible reaction upon hearing this news, he couldn’t help but feel guilty.

Xiao Yongjia sneered: “Need you ask? I’ve already had people keep it from her—she absolutely cannot know even a bit! I’ve also sent word to the Lu family!”

Gao Qiao breathed a sigh of relief and said quietly: “This matter is indeed my fault for not thinking it through. However you scold me is justified. Please calm down and don’t harm your health with anger. I’ll go out and thoroughly resolve this matter.”

“Rest assured, this time there definitely won’t be any more complications!”

“What can you accomplish?”

Xiao Yongjia sneered.

“No need for you! That Li Mu person—I’d better go meet him myself. I want to see what three heads and six arms he has, so lacking in self-awareness that he dares to set his sights on my daughter!”

What Gao Qiao most feared had indeed happened. He quickly tried to stop her: “A’Ling, don’t go. Let me handle it. Stay home and wait for my news.”

“With my daughter’s reputation being so trampled, how can you expect me to be at ease?”

Xiao Yongjia was furious and pushed Gao Qiao aside.

“I’ll go myself!”

“A’Ling!”

Just as Gao Qiao was restraining Xiao Yongjia, another servant ran to the door and called through it: “Master, Eldest Princess! Word has come from the palace that His Majesty commands the minister to enter the palace—he has something to discuss.”

The couple looked at each other and stopped.

…

To celebrate the great victory north of the Yangtze, the court was taking a three-day rest.

Gao Qiao hurried to the imperial palace again.

Emperor Xingping received Gao Qiao in Taichu Palace, with Xu Mi beside him, having entered the palace before Gao Qiao.

Emperor Xingping and Eldest Princess were born of the same mother. In childhood, they had nearly fallen victim to an assassination attempt in the palace and were saved by Eldest Princess, so their relationship was close. Combined with Gao Qiao’s established prestige as a leader of the aristocracy, Emperor Xingping had always been extremely courteous to him.

After Gao Qiao performed the kowtowing ceremony, Emperor Xingping immediately descended from his throne to help him up personally, laughing: “There are no outsiders here—why must you be so formal with me? Please take the seat of honor.”

Gao Qiao repeatedly demurred. Emperor Xingping didn’t insist further and looked at Gao Qiao with a smile: “This morning when I arose, I heard magpies singing in the imperial garden. I was puzzled, thinking there had been no recent joyous occasions in the palace. Just now I learned why the magpies were singing. I heard from palace attendants that you’re willing to set aside clan prejudices and marry A’Mi down to Li Mu. I summoned Minister Xu to inquire and learned this was true. I’m very gratified. In this great northern campaign, Li Mu achieved tremendous merit—who in our Great Yu can match him? Even more precious is that you haven’t forgotten your words from that day, keeping your promise worth a thousand gold to marry A’Mi to Li Mu, creating a beautiful story.”

“I wish to serve as the marriage officiant for Li Mu and A’Mi’s wedding. What do you think?”

“Jingshen, don’t blame me for speaking out of turn. It’s just that when His Majesty asked, I had to respond. Besides, this is a good thing.”

After Emperor Xingping finished speaking, Xu Mi added with a cheerful smile.

Before entering the palace, Gao Qiao had already guessed why the emperor would suddenly summon him on a rest day.

He had long harbored hidden concerns in his heart.

At this moment, because of the emperor’s words, those long-standing concerns became even clearer.

After Great Yu’s southern migration, imperial power had been severely weakened, with aristocratic families nearly equal in weight to the emperor.

Emperor Xingping had reigned for fifteen years since ascending the throne as a youth.

Compared to the emperors before him, regardless of ability, he clearly had more desire to be a revitalizing sovereign.

Gao Qiao had long sensed that Emperor Xingping was secretly guarding against him everywhere.

Many years ago, the youthful emperor had employed two ministers from common families as confidants, attempting to use commoner power to counter the aristocracy. This provoked displeasure from Xu Mi and Lu Guang, who sought out Gao Qiao to discuss eliminating those two men.

Gao Qiao hadn’t participated at the time but hadn’t opposed it either.

In his position, personal inclinations didn’t matter.

Soon after, the Governor of Guilin Commandery raised a rebellion under the pretext that those two men were bewitching the ruler and disrupting the realm, demanding that Emperor Xingping eliminate them. The rebel forces were massive and threatened to advance north. The young emperor, isolated and helpless, was forced to tearfully execute those two men, and only then did the rebellion subside.

Subsequently, when Gao Qiao led the northern expedition that ended in defeat, besides the aristocratic families’ behind-the-scenes interference, the emperor’s tacit consent was undoubtedly one of the reasons.

These events had happened many years ago. Now Emperor Xingping coexisted peacefully with the Gao, Xu, Lu and other families.

But Gao Qiao knew that in recent years, as his own prestige grew daily, the emperor’s wariness of him had also deepened.

This was why, despite his advocacy for this war and his ultimate command of the great army that achieved brilliant victory in the northern campaign, he mentioned neither his own nor his cousin Gao Yun’s contributions in the merit report.

He had even entertained thoughts of taking this opportunity to retire.

Now, hearing Emperor Xingping suddenly speak thus, smiling as he looked at him, Gao Qiao fell silent.

After pondering for a moment, he knelt and kowtowed: “This subject is infinitely grateful. However, this matter is fabricated from nothing. Just today, Li Mu has withdrawn his marriage proposal in my presence. I also have no intention of marrying my daughter to Li Mu. I beg Your Majesty’s clear observation.”

Emperor Xingping paused slightly.

Xu Mi expressed surprise: “How could this be? I don’t know who spread this, but now the entire military camp knows—everyone is saying that Minister Gao keeps his word and is willing to break down clan barriers to marry his daughter to Li Mu. Li Mu already has the army’s support, and if the soldiers learn of this now, won’t they be disheartened?”

Xu Mi’s tone carried considerable regret.

“Left Vice Premier Lu requests an audience with Your Majesty—”

Just then, a palace attendant’s drawn-out announcement came from outside.

Lu Guang hurried in, bowed to Emperor Xingping, then turned to Xu Mi. In the emperor’s presence, without any attempt at concealment, he said coldly: “Situ, you must know that my Lu family has a marriage agreement with the Gao family. Li Mu is from your military administration. For him to so openly humiliate Minister Gao and myself—as Li Mu’s superior, were you completely unaware beforehand?”

Xu Mi’s expression remained unchanged as he smiled: “I truly didn’t know. But Left Vice Premier Lu, your words are inappropriate. Though Li Mu seeking marriage with the Gao family daughter is presumptuous, how can it be called humiliation? That day he single-handedly charged into enemy lines to rescue Minister Gao’s nephew. Minister Gao promised before everyone that whatever Li Mu might request in the future would be granted. Every word is still ringing in our ears. Now that Li Mu seeks marriage, even if I had known beforehand, on what grounds could I prevent it?”

He gradually sneered: “Moreover, you keep claiming a marriage arrangement with the Gao family—have the two families performed the three matchmaker, six ceremony rites? If not, it’s all just excuses for deflection! Thousands of soldiers have just fought to preserve our Great Yu’s territory. If we lose the army’s loyalty, who will be willing to fight for Great Yu in the future?”

Xu Mi also solemnly knelt: “Your Majesty, Li Mu is this subject’s subordinate—we share honor and disgrace! If Your Majesty considers Li Mu’s action humiliating and offensive, please punish him, and this subject willingly accepts responsibility as well!”

Lu Guang was furious. He stepped forward, pointed at Xu Mi, and shouted: “Xu Mi! You’re fanning the flames—what are you trying to achieve?”

Xu Mi sneered: “In His Majesty’s presence, you dare be so disrespectful? Do you have any regard for His Majesty’s imperial dignity?”

Emperor Xingping’s eyes were downcast, his expression tense, saying nothing.

Lu Guang was momentarily speechless with rage, pointing at Xu Mi and grinding his teeth, when Gao Qiao, who had been silent throughout, suddenly spoke.

The two stopped arguing and looked at him.

“Your Majesty, that day I indeed made a promise to Li Mu—I dare not forget it. Now Li Mu requests to marry my daughter. The rule that scholars and commoners don’t intermarry—Your Majesty knows this too…”

He frowned slightly, pondered for another moment, then seemed to finally make up his mind, raising his gaze to look at the emperor.

“I have only one daughter under my knee, whom I cherish like life itself. Only a truly outstanding man can take my daughter! I’m willing to give him a chance, as fulfillment of my promise that day.”

Three pairs of eyes turned to look at him.

“If that Li Mu can pass my examination, I will marry my daughter to him.”

After Gao Qiao finished speaking, he turned to Lu Guang with an apologetic smile: “Brother Lu, I’ve offended you greatly. What do you think?”

Lu Guang was stunned, then suddenly seemed to have an epiphany. The dark clouds cleared from his face as he nodded: “Very well! This prevents certain people from saying my Lu family bullies others with power!”

Xu Mi was initially surprised too, not expecting Gao Qiao to have such a move, and said with forced cheerfulness: “Jingshen, if you have a preferred candidate, it might be difficult to avoid bias.”

Gao Qiao smiled faintly: “I’ll invite you to serve as co-judge.”

He turned to Emperor Xingping: “I ask Your Majesty to choose an auspicious day for me.”

Emperor Xingping nodded: “This is good. The Double Ninth Festival approaches—we can choose that day for the test. I will personally attend to observe Minister Gao’s son-in-law examination.”