SGSHE124

Inside the majestic and imposing palace hall.

The emperor, seated upon the dragon throne, wore a look of delight.

Fighting in the south had dragged on intermittently for over a decade. The emperor had assumed the northern campaign would also require a slow, gradual approach.

Yet, in less than a year, even Wucheng had been reclaimed!

Even a ruler who commanded the entire realm felt a sense of pride, believing he had done right by his imperial ancestors.

Gazing at the two generals reporting on their mission, the emperor’s mood improved further: “You two have rendered distinguished service, you have truly worked hard!”

General Zhao’s joy was written all over his face, breaking into a goofy grin.

Jing Heguang calculated that the time had come to bring up younger brother Xing.

He hoped the emperor’s curiosity would be piqued, allowing him to secure yet another ‘protective shield’ to ensure family harmony.

Sure enough, upon hearing General Zhao mention the descendant of a fallen hero, the emperor ordered that Xing Ming be summoned into the hall.

Jing Heguang’s gaze followed the eunuch sent to fetch the youth, and a smile played upon his own lips as well.

He hadn’t smiled earlier, so the emperor asked curiously, “Heguang, what are you smiling about? You didn’t look this happy when we discussed the victory just now.”

That the emperor addressed him so affectionately was due partly to Jing Heguang’s own great achievements, and partly, naturally, to the reflected glory of Jing Ziming.

When asked, Jing Heguang’s face flushed crimson instantly.

Even though his skin had darkened from the sun, the blush on his face was strikingly obvious.

But why was he blushing out of the blue? The emperor was even more puzzled.

Jing Heguang stammered, appearing tongue-tied: “Your…Your subject is simply happy.”

General Zhao, looking down at the floor, stifled a laugh so hard his shoulders shook. The emperor singled him out: “Old Zhao, explain this to me.”

General Zhao composed his expression and spoke in a serious tone: “Your majesty, General Jing is likely happy because he is about to see Xing Ming.”

The emperor felt he understood. He picked up the ginseng tea before him and blew on it.

“Rest assured. Minister Xing died defending the city, and now that Xing Ming has distinguished himself, I certainly won’t treat him poorly.”

Jing Heguang’s face flushed even deeper red.

General Zhao, his own face turning red from the effort of holding it in, lowered his head and stated bluntly: “General Jing and Xing Ming wish to…to enter into a lifelong union.”

The implication was clear: the two had fallen for each other.

Pfft—

The emperor spat out the mouthful of ginseng tea he had just sipped.

The young eunuch attending him hurriedly stepped forward to help wipe up the mess.

The two men below quickly begged for forgiveness.

The emperor was not one to fuss over such a trifle, he waved his hand and said, “No need, no need. I was just a little startled, that’s all.”

No sooner had he spoken than an announcement rang out: Xing Ming was waiting outside the hall.

The emperor glanced at Jing Heguang and smiled teasingly: “Have him come in quickly, let me take a look!”

“Summon Xing Ming to the hall for an audience!”

Xing Ming entered the palace cautiously, his head bowed.

“Greetings, your majesty. May your majesty be blessed with eternal well-being!”

He was somewhat nervous. In his imagination, the imperial palace was a place of solemn gravity.

But after standing still and stealing a glance out of the corner of his eye, he realized that, aside from the emperor, whose face he couldn’t see, everyone else, including the young eunuch nearby, was staring right at him.

Were these people so lacking in decorum? So bold?

Just as Xing Ming was wondering about this, he felt Jing Heguang give his sleeve a surreptitious tug.

They were in the emperor’s presence, after all, Xing Ming was startled!

The emperor, seated on the dragon throne, chuckled at the sight.

“A fine young man, no wonder you took a liking to him,” the emperor said with a smile. “Xing Ming, is it? There is no need for such formality. Seeing you stand there reminds me of your father. He gave his life for the country, and you, too, have rendered distinguished service. I intend to…reward you handsomely!”

Turning his gaze to General Zhao and Jing Heguang, the Emperor added, “And the two of you, is there anything you desire?”

General Zhao replied earnestly, “Serving the nation is my duty, I seek no other reward.”

Xing Ming, however, stood there in a daze.

The only thought echoing in his mind was: “No wonder you took a liking to him.”

So…just what had Jing Heguang said when he met the Emperor?!

Jing Heguang tugged at the stunned Xing Ming, drawing him closer to stand side-by-side.

Though a flush rose on his cheeks, Jing Heguang spoke unabashedly: “Your majesty, unlike General Zhao, I am not entirely selfless, I do have a personal desire.”

The emperor nodded, finding this rather refreshing. “Speak.”

Usually, no one dared to speak up like this, though the emperor had already guessed what Jing Heguang was going to say. It was an easy request, nothing difficult, so he would certainly agree to it immediately.

As for taking a man as a spouse, well, if any trouble arose later, that would be Jing Ziming’s headache, not the emperor’s. Thinking this, the emperor even felt a twinge of sympathy for Jing Ziming.

Anxious, Xing Ming tugged at Jing Heguang’s sleeve, signaling him to behave himself.

Jing Heguang understood the signal, but behaving himself was out of the question.

What a perfect opportunity!

Feigning a bashful air while feeling secretly delighted, Jing Heguang said, “I wish to ask your majesty to grant a marriage, to share in the joyous spirit of our great victory.”

Hearing this, Xing Ming’s nervousness melted into bashfulness, and a rosy flush spread across his fair face.

Jing Heguang was far too bold! To think he would actually dare ask the emperor to bestow a marriage.

Xing Ming’s heart pounded wildly, he felt as though he were in a dream.

He had never imagined a moment like this would ever come to pass.

Even Wu country, while marriages between men did occur, they were never openly acknowledged or sanctioned. Yet, Jing Heguang had boldly and decisively requested an imperial decree for their union.

Countless people had coveted his beauty, but only this man was willing to defy convention for his sake.

Quietly, Xing Ming hooked his fingers around two of Jing Heguang’s.

Their sleeves hung close together, concealing the gesture from view.

Jing Heguang was overjoyed. He slid his hand into Xing Ming’s and interlaced their fingers tightly.

The emperor smiled and said, “I shall draft the decree granting the marriage soon, a double celebration for your household!”

***

As they left the imperial palace, Xing Ming still felt somewhat dazed.

Jing Heguang gave his cheek a gentle squeeze and whispered, “Don’t worry. My father is the epitome of loyalty to the emperor.”

Since the emperor himself had decreed the marriage, his father, that ‘convenient’ dad of his, would certainly have no grounds to object.

Coupled with Xing Ming’s status and the contributions he had made through his compilations, the situation was surely secure.

Xing Ming was already deeply moved, hearing this, his eyes welled up with emotion.

So, Jing Heguang had sought this decree partly to ensure Xing Ming would have greater standing and confidence within the Jing family!

Xing Ming gripped Jing Heguang’s hand tightly and said, “I will do my best to conduct myself well and avoid causing your parents any trouble. Rest assured.”

“I trust you,” Jing Heguang emphasized. “But please, never wrong yourself for my sake, if anything happens, you must tell me!”

Jing Heguang’s only fear was that Xing Ming might be too considerate and suffer in silence if he were ever bullied.

As they spoke, the two arrived at their carriage.

Jing Heguang stepped up first and turned back, extending his hand toward Xing Ming.

Their hands clasped, with a gentle pull, Jing Heguang hoisted Xing Ming up, and the two of them ducked inside the carriage.

Xing Ming picked up where they had left off: “Rest assured, I certainly wouldn’t let myself be wronged.”

He smiled gently, the red beauty mark beneath his eye seemed to glow, making him look strikingly handsome and captivating.

“I know that if I were wronged, your heart would ache for me.”

Jing Heguang was momentarily stunned.

Even though he had seen it countless times, he still couldn’t help but think, his younger brother Xing Ming was just too beautiful!

Not to mention the words of utter trust Xing Ming spoke, it was like having sugar poured straight into Jing Heguang’s mouth, filling him with indescribable happiness.

Jing Heguang met Xing Ming’s gaze, then slowly leaned in closer.

The atmosphere instantly turned serene, leaving only the sound of two beating hearts. Perhaps because they saw nothing but each other in that moment, that was the only sound they could hear.

***

Meanwhile.

The imperial decree was delivered to the Dingnan Earl’s manor first, giving the household time to prepare.

The emperor had specifically ordered a fast rider to rush the delivery, so it arrived ahead of the carriage.

Upon hearing that an imperial decree was coming, the entire Dingnan Earl’s family rushed out to receive it.

Before receiving the decree, the Jing family had assumed: their son, or brother, had won a great victory, so the decree must surely be a reward!

However, while this hastily issued decree did grant a reward, that reward was a marriage.

Jing Ziming received the decree in a flustered rush, his mind in a whirl.

His son had found a male spouse, and the matter had even reached the emperor’s ears?

Yu Xiang, however, felt her expression darken. She secretly asked the eunuch from the palace, “Eunuch, this decree…it was something that boy of mine asked for himself, wasn’t it?” The emperor wasn’t the sort to be so unreliable.

The eunuch hesitated for a moment before replying, “It was indeed General Jing who requested it. But that young master Xing looks incredibly handsome, and his temperament seems pleasant enough, rest assured, madam.”

Yu Xiang smiled.

She knew it.

She knew her son’s heart had already strayed.

Now that the imperial decree of marriage had been issued, she could only hope the child was truly good and the two could make do.

Yu Xiang, still uneasy about not seeing Xing Ming, paced restlessly in the waiting courtyard.

Wandering aimlessly, she inadvertently walked near the broom being swept.

Jing Ziming, seeing this, quickly pulled her back: “Hold on, you can’t hit him now!”

Yu Xiang: ???

Yu Xiang looked up, puzzled, at her husband.

Jing Ziming explained, “It’s too embarrassing to beat Heguang today. Let’s do it later, to save face for the emperor. Don’t worry, I’ll beat him for you later!”

His wife’s strength was no match for their thick-skinned son.

Besides, although she didn’t say it, she also felt sorry for their young son who had gone off to war.

Jing Ziming comforted his wife, silently apologizing to their son.

But the next second, Yu Xiang grabbed Jing Ziming’s ear: “What are you thinking? You still want to beat Heguang? Even if he’s wrong, it’s your fault. How can you still think about beating the child?”

Jing Ziming: ???

He stared blankly at the broom.

Yu Xiang was still lecturing her simple-minded husband: “From now on, Heguang is a married man. You’re not allowed to hit him, you have to give him face. What if your daughter-in-law follows suit if you hit him?”

Jing Ziming nodded coldly, looking at the broom with a wronged expression: “Madam, I misunderstood.”

Yu Xiang asked in confusion: “Hmm? What did you misunderstand?”

Jing Ziming pointed to the broom three feet away, feeling extremely aggrieved.

Yu Xiang swept, then immediately let go.

She reached out to rub her husband’s ear. “You should have said something sooner. It’s a good thing I didn’t pull too hard.”

Jing Ziming glanced at his son, daughter-in-law, and grandson, who were snickering nearby, and thought to himself: It didn’t actually hurt, but I’ve certainly lost face.

Before long, the carriage arrived.

Jing Heguang jumped down and offered a hand to help Xing Ming step out.

One of the gatekeepers stared in amazement and smiled, saying, “Welcome home, second young master! Your friend is truly handsome!” News of the imperial marriage decree hadn’t yet reached all the servants.

The second gatekeeper quickly ran toward the inner courtyard, shouting as he went, “The second young master is back!”

Jing Heguang held Xing Ming’s hand as they walked inside.

As they moved further away, the first gatekeeper stood dumbfounded, thinking: Wait…were they holding hands? He felt as though he had just discovered something monumental.

Passing through a flower-lined corridor and past a rockery, they came into view of an imposing courtyard.

Jing Heguang turned to Xing Ming and said, “They should be in the main hall just ahead. Don’t be nervous. You look so handsome, my parents will definitely like you. Especially my mother, she loves good-looking people.”

Xing Ming nodded stiffly.

It was impossible not to be nervous, but fortunately, Jing Heguang had been clever enough to secure the imperial decree for their marriage first. Even if his parents were dissatisfied later, there was no turning back now.

Bolstered by the thought that the worst-case scenario wasn’t actually that bad, the two walked hand-in-hand into the courtyard, stepped over the threshold, and went to meet the Jing family.