The Imperial Guards Revenge
Chapter 124 Sending off the bride
Before the emperor summoned Fu Tingzhou and Guo Xun to the palace, the eunuchs had already brought Lu Heng in secretly. The emperor threw a battle report to Lu Heng and said: “It seems these people think I’m easy to fool.”
Lu Heng quickly read through the victory report and, holding his judgment, said: “It seems the battle situation has indeed unfolded as Minister Zhao predicted. It looks like someone in the southeastern bureaucracy is hiding something.”
The emperor hadn’t been this enraged in a long time. He paced back and forth behind the imperial desk and, as if deciding something, finally said: “We must kill the chicken to scare the monkeys.”
The most taboo thing in warfare was prolonged campaigns, especially when dealing with pirates. Suppressing the Japanese pirates required moving troops across provinces, deploying naval forces, and burning money every single day. The emperor’s campaign against the pirates was originally because they colluded with foreigners, roaming along the coast committing crimes. What started as petty theft had developed into armed confrontations with the imperial army. If this was allowed to continue, wouldn’t the borders soon rebel?
The emperor originally expected this war to be a quick resolution, but it had dragged on far longer than expected. Since the emperor’s ascension to the throne, the national treasury was rather empty. Over the years, he had replenished some funds through confiscating the wealth of corrupt officials and clearing land, but the accumulation from the previous ten years had all been consumed by this one campaign against the pirates.
The war couldn’t be delayed any longer. If it continued, the treasury would be emptied, and if the Ming Dynasty faced any natural or man-made disasters, the entire country would collapse. In such a scenario, dealing with the pirates would actually end up causing more harm than good.
Lu Heng stood quietly in the palace surrounded by curling smoke, waiting for the emperor to give his final command. The emperor thought for a long time and said: “The war against the pirates cannot be delayed. I order you to take two thousand Imperial Guards and secretly head south to investigate the chaos caused by the pirates in Zhejiang and Fujian. If necessary, assist the governor in suppressing the rebellion.”
Lu Heng clasped his hands and calmly responded: “Yes.”
The same matter, when spoken by different people, sounded completely different. Zhao Wenhua was a man with connections to Yan Wei, Zhang Jin was from the Jiangsu and Zhejiang bureaucracy, and Fu Tingzhou was from the noble families. They were all spokespeople for their respective interest groups. The emperor trusted none of them. At times like this, he could only trust Lu Heng.
No one knew that the emperor had secretly summoned Lu Heng, and soon after, Fu Tingzhou entered the palace and was appointed as Governor to deal with the pirates. When Lu Heng heard that Fu Tingzhou had been chosen as the commander, he secretly sighed, the emperor was truly deserving of his position. He and Fu Tingzhou were both in their respective positions, one working in the shadows and the other in the open, each heading towards Jiangsu and Zhejiang from different routes. Moreover, Lu Heng and Fu Tingzhou had personal animosities, so there was no worry about them working together to control the military power and deceive the emperor.
The emperor solved two hidden dangers, security and truth, without lifting a finger. When it came to the mind of a ruler, the emperor was growing more and more adept.
As Fu Tingzhou prepared for his campaign in the capital, Lu Heng had already quietly assembled his men, bringing two thousand elite Imperial Guards as he left the capital. They departed from Tongzhou, traveling by water southwards.
This was a covert operation, so they couldn’t alert the local officials. If two thousand strong men left together, wouldn’t it be like ringing bells and beating drums to announce their position as the imperial army? So, Lu Heng reorganized the troops, splitting the Imperial Guards into smaller groups. Led by their respective captains, they disguised themselves as members of various trades and traveled south secretly.
While the men could be divided, the two thousand weapons could not be split up. If the operation leaked, it would cause serious problems. After much thought, Lu Heng came up with a solution. He would bring his wife along.
Thus, Wang Yanqing was also included in the journey. Using her identity as a woman, Lu Heng personally led a hundred men disguised as a wedding procession. The bridal chest would help conceal their weapons and avoid scrutiny by officials along the way. For these benefits, Lu Heng had to lower himself and pretend to be unmarried.
The ship had set sail, looking like an ordinary passenger vessel, without drawing any attention. The water route was different from a mountain path. After a while, the view became monotonous. The journey was long, so Lu Heng could only look for ways to amuse himself with his “sister.”
The largest and most luxurious cabin at the back of the ship had its doors and windows tightly shut. The guards outside the cabin patrolled closely, but the passing attendants were very careful, not daring to look around. As Lu Heng walked, his attendants greeted him neatly and respectfully, saying: “Good day, Young Master.” Lu Heng nodded at them, calmly opening the cabin door.
Inside, the maids stood up and greeted him in unison: “Young Master.”
Lu Heng held his folding fan and gently tapped it on his palm, saying: “There’s nothing to do, you all may leave now.”
The maids showed no sign of surprise and, after acknowledging him, withdrew in an orderly manner. Once the cabin door was securely closed again, Lu Heng put away his folding fan and leisurely walked behind the screen.
“Sister, I’ve come to see you. What’s this? Now that you’re getting married, you no longer welcome your brother?”
Wang Yanqing was leaning against the bedside, reading a book. Upon hearing his words, she shot him a displeased glance and replied: “Brother, boys and girls should not sit together after the age of seven. We’re both grown now, it’s improper for you to come into my boudoir alone.”
Lu Heng lifted the curtain with his folding fan and saw Wang Yanqing leaning against the bed. Her silver-red soft gauze robe further accentuated her graceful and shapely figure, and beneath the semi-transparent fabric, her white waist was faintly visible.
Her bodice-style waist was tightly wrapped, subtly revealing soft contours at the top, while below, a slender and supple waist was exposed.
Lu Heng sat at the edge of the bed, his eyes lingering on her pale chest and flat stomach, making one doubt whether he thought his words through: “It doesn’t matter, we are siblings who depend on each other and don’t care for such trivial formalities. You’ve forgotten, when you were little and afraid of thunder, you would crawl straight into my bed.”
Wang Yanqing could no longer tolerate it. She lifted her gaze and glared at him fiercely: “Are you done yet?”
Lu Heng leaned down to look at the book in Wang Yanqing’s hands and asked: “What are you reading, little sister? Is it more important than your brother?”
Wang Yanqing knew she wouldn’t be able to finish the last few pages of her book. So as he wished, she closed the book and, with displeasure, slapped it against his arm. Lu Heng took the opportunity to grab her soft hand. Wang Yanqing, disliking his unruly behavior, pulled her hand away forcefully. Normally, someone as unshakable as him now seemed as fragile as paper, and she easily yanked him down.
Lu Heng fell onto Wang Yanqing, his arm seemingly having a mind of its own as it circled around her slender waist and fair shoulders, he had long admired. Wang Yanqing felt as though the warmth of his palm had burned her lower back. She quickly pushed against Lu Heng’s chest with both hands and, lowering her voice, snapped: “Have you forgotten? You’re my brother now. This trip is to send off the bride.”
“That’s right.” Lu Heng’s eyes were calm and innocent, with a hint of a faint smile: “My sister found another man and no longer cares about her brother?”
Wang Yanqing was furious: “What other man?”
“That wouldn’t be good.” Lu Heng took the opportunity to peck her on the neck and said: “I raised you since you were a child, why should I give you to another man? We brothers and sisters should live a close life for the rest of our lives.”
Wang Yanqing looked at him, speechless. She finally understood. No wonder she had been fooled by Lu Heng when she lost her memory. Back then, when he tricked her into thinking he was her second brother, was he acting in such an immersive way?
Their current identities were of a brother and sister from a wealthy merchant family, surnamed Zhou. The younger sister had been betrothed since childhood and was now heading to her fiancé’s home to get married. Lu Heng had also arranged details like the mother having passed away early, the father being busy with business, and the siblings depending on each other. Wang Yanqing originally thought Lu Heng was just being meticulous about their identities to avoid any questioning on the road, but now it seemed like he might actually be enjoying this.
Wang Yanqing deliberately provoked him and said: “Brother, have you forgotten? I have a fiancé.”
Wang Yanqing admitted that she was being deliberate, after all, Lu Heng had gotten so into his act. But she didn’t expect Lu Heng to squint his eyes and actually get angry.
He looked at her and smiled, then reached out to tug at the tie on her clothing: “That’s right, little sister, you’re already betrothed. Our family places great importance on this marriage. Before leaving, Father specifically told me that I must hand you over to your fiancé properly. Such an important task, how could I be lazy? I’ll help your fiancé check on you now.”
“You’re crazy!” Wang Yanqing realized that Lu Heng’s actions didn’t seem like a joke. Forgetting about her embarrassment, she hurriedly tried to stop him, “We’re on a boat, and there are people outside!”
The patrols outside were all from the Imperial Guards. Lu Heng was so bold, doing such things right in front of his subordinates?
Lu Heng pinched Wang Yanqing’s waist and directly pulled her onto his lap: “Sister, why are you so anxious? Don’t we often do this at home?”
Wang Yanqing nearly fainted. If the Zhou family really had such a pair of children, they would be furious! Gritting her teeth, Wang Yanqing glared at him: “Don’t you know what’s on this ship? Yet you still have the nerve to fool around here? Be careful, there might be an ambush!”
“I know.” Lu Heng said, his hands moving even quicker: “That’s why we need to finish this quickly.”
Lu Heng had been busy these past few days, organizing soldiers and transporting weapons, and it had been a long time since they had been intimate. Now that the ship had just set sail, they were at their safest, but instead, he couldn’t relax at nightfall.
Wang Yanqing had already sensed that Lu Heng was serious, and Lu Heng never backed down when he was like this. She gave up and only hoped that Lu Heng would keep his word and make it quick.
The deck was full of men, and as the eldest daughter who was supposed to marry, Wang Yanqing couldn’t show herself. She could only stay in the cabin as much as possible. The weather in the sixth month was already hot, and they were on water, so the cabin was extremely stuffy. Wang Yanqing was wearing only a thin layer of gauze.
Now it was Lu Heng’s turn. Sitting at the edge of the bed, his hand reached into her gauze robe, holding her waist. The wide horse-face skirt was piled up on his legs, and only the fish playing in the lotus pattern at the hem of her skirt could be seen.
The fish in the pattern seemed to be swimming, and Wang Yanqing quickly started to sweat. She thought about how the deck was full of Imperial Guards and kept her lips tightly pressed together, afraid that any unusual sound might be heard.
Lu Heng gently stroked her slender back, his fingers rubbing over a pale scar. When he first looked at her profile, he only thought that this woman was truly devoted to Fu Tingzhou, even willing to get hurt to follow him. Now that she was in his arms, he found these scars to be bothersome.
After so many years, the scars were still there. How painful must it have been when she was injured? Why else would she still have such hidden wounds from the age of sixteen or seventeen?
Lu Heng suddenly asked: “Does it hurt?”
Wang Yanqing was biting her lip, enduring the pain. She wondered why it would hurt, since this was neither of their first times. Then she realized he was asking about the scar on her back.
Wang Yanqing adjusted her breath and shook her head. It was a mark from the past, and aside from feeling it was unattractive while bathing, it didn’t affect her at other times.
Lu Heng suddenly went deeper without warning. Wang Yanqing was completely unprepared and almost cried out. She quickly bit her lip and glared at him with resentment. Lu Heng looked at her and smiled. From his shimmering, gentle eyes, Wang Yanqing vaguely sensed a hint of malice.
Wang Yanqing’s intuition was not wrong. Lu Heng changed his previously gentle demeanor and became particularly… vicious. The more Wang Yanqing bit her lip, the more he tried to force her to make a sound: “Why are you holding back?”
Wang Yanqing heard the sound of steady and powerful footsteps outside and almost wished she could bite him. She leaned on his shoulder, her hand tightly gripping his clothes, her breathing quick and her voice trembling. Lu Heng looked at her hazy yet enduring and adorable gaze, thinking to himself that indeed, it was the contradictions that were the most captivating. Such cold yet alluring charm was enough to drive any man wild.
What a pity, there was not enough time today. Some other day, he would have her crying out.
·
They disguised themselves as a wedding ship on this journey, moving slowly with frequent stops, it was relatively peaceful. Wang Yanqing had never been to the south before, and she was initially worried that she would get seasick. To her surprise, she felt no discomfort at all, except for having to deal with an unfilial person who would occasionally visit his sister’s boudoir late at night.
When the river was less crowded in the evenings, Wang Yanqing would wear a veil and go out on deck to relax. Sometimes Lu Heng accompanied her, but since Lu Heng was a government official, he couldn’t always be there. Most of the time, Wang Yanqing would walk alone with her maid.
The officers of the Imperial Guards on the ship all knew that she was the wife of the Supreme Commander and didn’t dare stop her, allowing her to move freely. However, Wang Yanqing was well aware of the boundaries. She usually only went to the stern to enjoy the breeze and never approached the area where the “dowry” was stored.
Lu Heng trusted Wang Yanqing in this regard and didn’t restrict her actions. But after the ship passed through Xuzhou, the patrols on board became noticeably stricter. Wang Yanqing understood that they were about to enter the Southern provinces, an area often frequented by Japanese pirates, so she reduced the time she spent walking around and tried to stay in the cabin.
The further south they went, the hotter and more humid it became. Now it was the sixth month, and Lu Heng was worried that the heat might make Wang Yanqing sick. In the evening, he specially came to find her: “Sister, the mist on the river is light today, and the sunset is beautiful. Would you like to go see it with me?”
Wang Yanqing was surprised when she heard this and asked: “Now?”
“Yes.” Lu Heng took her hand and said, “News came yesterday that one thousand Imperial Guards have already arrived in the Southern provinces. A team is stationed on the shore to escort our ship. You don’t need to worry so much, it’s fine to go out and get some fresh air. I don’t want my wife getting sick from staying inside when we haven’t seen the Japanese pirates yet. That would be my loss.”
When Wang Yanqing heard that there were people on the shore following them, she quietly let out a breath of relief. However, she lifted her eyes, a trace of flirtation flickering at the corners like a hook. She smiled faintly and said: “You’re not calling me sister anymore?”
Lu Heng smiled, tightening his grip on her delicate hand as though he had just remembered, saying: “I almost forgot, you’re not my wife now.”
Having spent the whole day in the cabin, Wang Yanqing did indeed want to get some fresh air. With Lu Heng there, she felt reassured and said: “Wait for me a moment, I’ll change clothes.”
What she wore in the cabin was a light, semi-transparent gauze, and it would be inappropriate to go out that. Wang Yanqing intended for Lu Heng to wait outside but, as if he didn’t understand her words, he said shamelessly: “I’ll help you change. When we were kids, I used to help you with your clothes.”
Wang Yanqing pushed him away irritated, her bright eyes wide with a stare: “Stop messing around.”
Lu Heng blinked and smiled: “I meant I’ll help you get your clothes. Where did your mind go?”
Wang Yanqing thought to herself that one day, Lu Heng was going to drive her to her grave.
In the end, Wang Yanqing changed behind a screen, while Lu Heng stood outside, handing her clothes. The act of handing her clothes was entirely an addition by Lu Heng, as with such a large screen, surely it would have sufficed to change without any assistance.
Lu Heng stood behind the misty screen, calmly admiring the gentle curves of the mountain valley, shrouded in mist after the rain. Perhaps Wang Yanqing didn’t know, but compared to seeing something directly, the hidden, half-concealed view was the most captivating.
Wang Yanqing changed into a long gown made of camellia-red Song brocade, her waist tied with a pale-yellow pleated skirt. The humid, sultry weather of the south made the wind feel stifling, so she had to wear the delicate, light, yet strong Song brocade. Due to her status, she had returned to the days of a newlywed, having to wear bright red clothes every day.
After getting dressed, Wang Yanqing allowed Lu Heng to help her put on her veil. Together, they made their way to the deck. People outside, seeing Lu Heng and Wang Yanqing, lowered their eyes and, in a familiar manner, called out “Young Master,” “Miss,” as naturally as if they had been serving them for years.
The sunset tonight was indeed beautiful, as though the sky had spilled a pot of dye, burning brightly with hues of orange, gold, and red that shifted unpredictably.
Even the river reflected the fiery aftermath of the sky, a stunning display of colors. The river breeze blew and lifted Wang Yanqing’s veil. She pressed down on the brim of her hat and asked: “What’s the plan from here on?”
They were on the river with no other boats in sight, so Wang Yanqing felt free to speak openly. Lu Heng shielded her from the river’s wind and waves as he said: “First, we’ll go to Suzhou to investigate the death of Zhu Wan.”
Zhu Wan’s death was a matter of great concern for the emperor. Investigating the cause of his death would not only provide an explanation for loyal officials and generals but also serve as a starting point for addressing the chaotic situation in the Jiangnan bureaucracy.
Wang Yanqing nodded. Zhu Wan was from Suzhou, and after his alleged “suicide” in fear of his crimes, his old servant had gathered his remains and sent them back to his hometown for burial. Suzhou was conveniently located along the canal, so they could disembark to investigate the case and, at the same time, offer a memorial incense for Zhu Wan.
Thinking of the items on the ship, Wang Yanqing hurriedly asked: “The investigation into Zhu Wan’s death will likely take more than a day or two to finish. What about the… dowry on the ship?”
They would be getting off the ship. Who would look after the boxes? Lu Heng leaned on the rail, facing the vast wind, and replied indifferently: “We’ll have to dock at the shore.”
Wang Yanqing thought about the situation and lowered her voice: “There are a lot of things on board. What if someone notices and decides to rob the ship while you’re not here or what if pirates come? What will we do then?”
Although Wang Yanqing had never seen her dowry chest, judging by its weight, it should contain firearms. In naval warfare, having firearms was a decisive advantage. Emperor Hongwu’s victory in the Battle of Poyang Lake was due to the use of firearms.
The emperor truly trusted Lu Heng. This time, as Lu Heng traveled south, he not only brought the elite Imperial Guards but also the finest fire guns from the Shenji Battalion. If these weapons fell into the hands of pirates, it would be a big problem.
Lu Heng tapped his fingers rhythmically on the mast, hearing Wang Yanqing’s words and raising an eyebrow with a smile. He lowered his gaze and said: “Can’t you just be a little hopeful Sister?”
After entering Southern Jiangsu, the river widened, and the number of ships increased. When looking out, the river was full of masts with countless ships setting sail and competing for their position. It was lively and bustling.
They sailed downstream, feeling as though they were traveling a thousand miles a day, and soon, they arrived in Suzhou. Wang Yanqing’s in-laws were in Hangzhou, but the wedding procession had just entered the Jiangnan region, and the journey had been long and tiring. In order to meet her future in-laws in a proper manner and also buy some fashionable Jiangnan goods for their daughter, the wealthy merchant family decided to stay in Suzhou for a few days to rest before heading to Hangzhou.
Their ship docked at the pier, and Lu Heng, being the good brother escorting the bride, personally accompanied his soon-to-be married sister to the city for a stroll and some shopping.
This was Wang Yanqing’s first visit to Jiangnan. She looked at the lively scene so different from the capital and felt as though her eyes couldn’t take in enough: “Is this Suzhou?”
“Yes.” Lu Heng said, “Let’s first find a place to stay today.”
Wang Yanqing nodded in agreement, following Lu Heng as she curiously looked at the stalls along the way. Lu Heng noticed that she kept glancing to one particular spot. Following her gaze, he saw it was a stall selling sugar figurines.
Lu Heng chuckled, suddenly turning around and walking toward the vendor. Guo Tao, who was puzzled about why the Supreme Commander had suddenly left, soon saw Lu Heng returning with a sugar rabbit figurine in hand. He lifted the curtain of his wife’s carriage and placed it in her mouth.
Guo Tao: “…”
The others exchanged knowing looks and patiently turned their attention elsewhere, walking towards their agreed-upon destination with their necks stiff. Even though they tried to act like wooden statues, they could still hear the intermittent conversation behind them.
“The sugar figurine is something only children eat. I don’t like it.”
“Aren’t you just a child?”
Guo Tao’s scalp tingled as he walked ahead.
In the end, they decided on an inn. Lu Heng went to the counter to book a room while the guards escorted the young lady upstairs. The inn was bustling with business, lively and noisy. Wang Yanqing bit the rabbit’s ear in her mouth, walking from the door to the stairs, glancing around at the many faces.
A young servant eagerly carried a tray of food, a group of traveling merchants sat by a table drinking, and two scholars dressed in traditional clothing came down the stairs, speaking in the local Nanjing dialect. The world seemed to slow before her eyes. As she passed by these faces, she seemed to almost read their thoughts, as if guided by some unseen force.
A young servant instinctively pressed his right hand to his side, and when someone bumped into him, he smiled dutifully, though his pupils involuntarily dilated. The merchants at the table appeared to be casually drinking and chatting, but their brows were furrowed, clearly focusing their attention subtly. The two scholars seemed flawless, but the palms of their hands had calluses. Looking at where the calluses were, it didn’t seem to be from holding a pen.
Wang Yanqing seemed unaware, continuing to nibble on the sugar figurine as she ascended the stairs, appearing like an innocent, carefree young lady, waiting for her brother to take care of everything.
By the time they arrived in Suzhou, it was already afternoon. After settling in, it wasn’t long before night fell. Wang Yanqing had been drifting on the boat for a long time, so the first thing she did upon arriving was to instruct the innkeeper to bring her some water. She comfortably took a bath and changed into loose clothing. As she wiped her hair in front of the mirror, the door opened and closed, and someone entered.
Wang Yanqing set her towel aside and picked up a comb to style her hair. Without turning around, she said: “Brother, I’m about to be married. Couldn’t you show some restraint.”
Lu Heng walked over to her side, skillfully taking the comb from her hand, and gently gathered her long, black, and smooth hair, which flowed like a waterfall: “Sister, why are you being so formal today? Haven’t we always outwardly portrayed an image of sending you off for marriage, but secretly enjoyed each other’s company?”
|| Author’s Note:
The unknown father of the Zhou family: You unfilial son!