The calm demeanor of the person before her reassured Jun Beiyue. Though she hadn’t seen her future husband’s face, judging from the hand he extended to her, he probably wasn’t too bad.
Jun Beiyue was led by him into the bridal sedan chair. He was exceptionally careful along the way as if she were a delicate woman in need of extra protection.
Jun Beiyue had never experienced this before. For over thirty years in her past life, everyone saw her as a strong, masculine woman who didn’t need tenderness or pampering.
Gu Chusheng had always treated her with formal respect, more often with the cold attitude of a superior to a subordinate.
Sitting in the bridal sedan, Jun Beiyue secretly lifted the curtain, trying to catch a glimpse of Wei Jun in front.
However, Wei Jun was riding a horse at the front. Instead, she caught sight of Wei Yun standing at the side. Wei Yun noticed Jun Beiyue’s movement and curved his lips at her, his eyes full of knowing laughter, as if he had caught her in the act.
Jun Beiyue felt as if her thoughts had been seen through, and by a child no less. She felt somewhat embarrassed and quickly lowered the veil and sedan curtain, obediently sitting back.
Once seated in the sedan, Jun Beiyue began to calculate.
In her previous life, news from the border had reached Huajing on this very day, but she wasn’t quite sure of the exact time.
The border was now in a critical situation, and the Wei family was the most suitable candidate for the expedition. It would be difficult for her to find a reason to prevent the Wei family from going to war. She could try to keep Wei Jun behind under the pretext of their new marriage, but the others truly had no reason to stay.
The only option was to address the cause of their defeat in the previous timeline.
She had heard that back then, Wei Zhong had pursued the remaining enemy troops but fell into a trap. This time, if the Wei family focused on defending the city, such a disaster should be avoidable.
Jun Beiyue pondered as she listened to the festive music outside for a long while. Finally, the sedan came to a stop.
Soon after, she heard the sedan door being kicked open forcefully. Amidst a burst of laughter, the red silk was handed over again.
This time, Wei Jun didn’t stutter. He said with a smile, “Miss Jun, let me lead you inside.”
Jun Beiyue grasped the red silk, looking down at her feet as Wei Jun led her forward.
She walked steadily, with Wei Jun giving careful guidance. Around them were the whispers of the Wei family members, soft but still audible to her.
Many were half-grown children, speaking with youthful energy: “I heard sister-in-law is beautiful.”
“Xiao Qi said she’s especially pretty.”
“Could she be prettier than Jun Jin, the number one beauty?”
“Xiao Qi has very high standards, she must be prettier than Jun Jin!”
…
Jun Beiyue couldn’t help but smile as she listened to the candid words of the Wei family. Wei Jun heard them too and felt somewhat embarrassed. He knew Jun Beiyue practiced martial arts and figured she must have heard. So, while helping Jun Beiyue step over the fire basin, he whispered to her, “Don’t be angry, I’ll deal with them later.”
Hearing this, Jun Beiyue really couldn’t hold back and laughed, “It’s alright, I quite like them this way.”
Upon hearing Jun Beiyue’s voice, although he hadn’t seen her face yet, Wei Jun thought that a girl with such a voice must be very beautiful.
He felt a bit of anticipation as he led Jun Beiyue to the main hall.
The two of them bowed to heaven and earth according to the ceremonial official’s chants.
Everything went smoothly, and Jun Beiyue was happy in her heart. She also felt more expectant about life in the Wei family.
Her heart was very calm, with relaxed and joyful contentment spreading through her as she finally stood up straight.
She hadn’t married Gu Chusheng, and everything wouldn’t repeat itself.
Standing in front of Wei Jun, she very much wanted to lift her veil and look at the man before her. She sensed that Wei Jun should be about half a head taller than her, and instinctively felt that he might be a slightly scholarly man.
Jun Beiyue stood still as someone came to support her back to the room. Wei Shu came forward, teasing, “Big brother, hurry and lift the veil, don’t drink anymore!”
“That’s right,” other young masters shouted along, “Big brother, go lift the veil! We don’t want you to drink!”
“Go, go, go!” Wei Jun’s face reddened as he said to them, “We’ll follow the customs, get out of here!”
Then, worried that Jun Beiyue might be unhappy, he turned his head and whispered, “Miss Jun, please go wait for a while…”
“Will Young Master Wei come soon?” Jun Beiyue asked softly, her voice gentle and clear. Wei Jun’s heart melted, and he whispered back, “Yes, it won’t be long.”
“Then Young Master Wei, promise me,” Jun Beiyue’s voice carried a hint of solemnity, “No matter what happens, you must come back quickly.”
Feeling that these words might seem abrupt, Jun Beiyue added quietly, “This humble wife is waiting for Young Master to return and lift the veil.”
Wei Jun was initially confused but then understood that Jun Beiyue probably disliked wearing the veil. He whispered, “If you don’t like the veil when others aren’t around, you can take it off while waiting for me. The Wei family doesn’t have so many rules.”
After saying this, Wei Jun, concerned that Jun Beiyue might think he would linger outside, added, “I will return as soon as possible.”
Jun Beiyue nodded and was escorted back to the room by others, while Wei Jun turned back to attend to the guests.
After returning to the room, Jun Beiyue sat obediently at the edge of the bed.
She indeed disliked the veil, but she liked the Wei family. Wei Jun was attentive to her, so she was willing to repay him with her best efforts.
Sitting on the bed, she felt a bit bored and began to fantasize.
She wasn’t a grudge-holding person. Since the events of her previous life hadn’t happened in this life, she didn’t want to dwell on them. Gu Chusheng had already left Huajing, and she had married into the Wei family. The past with Gu Chusheng and Jun Jin wasn’t the most important thing now; what mattered most was looking forward.
From what she had seen today, the Wei family was indeed as easy to get along with as rumored. Her future days in the Wei family shouldn’t be too difficult. When Wei Jun returned later, she would try to use their newlywed status to see if she could make him stay. Even if that wasn’t possible, she would try to follow Wei Jun to the front lines. Even if she couldn’t go, her reminder not to pursue the remaining enemy troops should prevent any major incidents.
As long as the Wei family won this battle, she and Wei Jun could live a good life afterward. She knew the changes in court affairs for the next twelve years and could keep the Wei family from defeat.
With the Wei family safe and sound, Wei Yun probably wouldn’t become the later God of War. When she saw the youth today, he was still as joyful as a bird. He should grow up to be a gentle general like his brother, right?
Jun Beiyue pondered, her thoughts wandering far.
After waiting for a while, the maid beside her saw that she hadn’t moved and came forward to ask, “Does Young Madam need some pastries?”
“No need…” Jun Beiyue began to reply gently, but just then, the distant sound of war horses neighing and hurried footsteps came. Jun Beiyue’s heart tightened. She suddenly lifted her veil and walked towards the outside.
The maid was startled by her action and stepped forward to stop her, anxiously saying, “Young Madam, where are you going?”
Jun Beiyue didn’t dare act too strangely, after all, foreknowledge was something that might get her burned as a demon if others knew.
She suppressed her anxiety and frowned, saying, “I heard the sound of war horses outside. I’m afraid something has happened. I want to go see.”
“Young Madam need not worry,” the maid smiled, “Young Master will handle everything. Young Madam should wait here.”
“I can’t set my mind at ease.”
Jun Beiyue pushed the maid aside and walked out, saying coldly, “I must go see.”
The maid was pushed aside, and Jun Beiyue opened the door and hurried out.
She didn’t know the layout of the Wei family residence and could only walk towards the direction of the commotion.
At this time, the footsteps outside became more urgent, and more people appeared. The maid chased after Jun Beiyue, her face full of anxiety, trying to pull Jun Beiyue back, “Young Madam! Young Madam, you haven’t lifted your veil yet, you…”
Before she could finish speaking, hurried footsteps came from outside, and then Wei Yun appeared from around the corner.
He was wearing armor, his still childish features filled with a solemn killing intent.
Jun Beiyue stopped in her tracks, clenching her fists. Wei Yun looked at the woman in front of him wearing a phoenix crown and bridal dress, met her knowing eyes, and decisively knelt on one knee. He militarily saluted Jun Beiyue, presenting a jade pendant with both hands, and calmly said, “Urgent news from the front, Young General has been ordered to go to war. He commanded this subordinate to give this jade to Young Madam, instructing the Madam that he will return victorious, and there’s no need to worry.”
Hearing this, Jun Beiyue saw the jade pendant Wei Yun was holding. The jade was worn smooth, obviously something worn close to the body.
She raised her hand to grasp the jade pendant and looked up towards the outside, “Where is Wei Jun?”
“Young General has already set out.”
Wei Yun’s voice became a bit softer, seemingly aware of how big a blow it was for the bride to have her husband leave for war on their wedding day. He thought for a moment, just about to offer some comfort, when he saw Jun Beiyue suddenly rush out.
She ran extremely fast, her wedding dress fluttering in the wind. Wei Yun was stunned for a moment, then reacted, chasing after Jun Beiyue and calling out anxiously, “Sister-in-law!”
Jun Beiyue didn’t say anything. She ran to the main gate, raised her hand to throw down a soldier, snatched a horse, and galloped out.
The Wei family members watched in shock, until Wei Yun chased out, copying Jun Beiyue’s actions by snatching a horse and pursuing her. Only then did they react.
“Was that the Young Mistress?”
“The Young Madam?!”
While everyone was in shock, Jun Beiyue was exceptionally calm.
The September wind carried a chill, and her horse was galloping so fast that the wind cut her face like a knife.
Wei Yun followed closely behind her, never imagining that his sister-in-law’s horsemanship would be so exquisite.
He called out with difficulty, “Sister-in-law! Stop chasing! It’s no use even if you catch up! My brother will come back, don’t worry!”
Jun Beiyue didn’t say anything. She knew the route out of the city. To lead troops from Huajing to the northern border, they must go through the North Gate. She took a roundabout way, spotting the rapidly moving troops from a hill. She spurred her horse and plunged down the hillside.
Wei Yun was terrified, wondering how he would explain to his father and brothers if something happened to his sister-in-law.
Gritting his teeth, he followed Jun Beiyue’s charge, only to see her dash straight onto the official road, a lone rider stopping an entire troop.
The Wei family members were stunned by the sudden appearance of this woman in red, and then they saw Wei Yun following. Wei Zhong stepped forward, somewhat disbelieving, “Xiao Qi, is this…”
“Father-in-law.” Jun Beiyue militarily saluted Wei Zhong, respectfully saying, “Your daughter-in-law has been disrespectful.”
Hearing this, the faces of the Wei family troops turned various colors.
Seeing her wedding dress and Wei Yun, they had already guessed, but they didn’t expect it to be Jun Beiyue.
And Wei Jun, behind Wei Zhong, was completely dazed.
Then he saw Jun Beiyue’s gaze fall on him. A fine autumn rain was falling, and Jun Beiyue held the reins, her red wide-sleeved wedding dress stained with rain and dust.
She raised her head slightly, raised her voice, and called out loudly, “Where is my husband Wei Jun?!”
The Wei family troops all lowered their heads, not daring to look up.
Only Wei Jun, steeling himself, rode out from the ranks and said with difficulty, “I… I’m here.”