Chapter 50

Out of money? No problem, Xu Ren had thought of this for the officials. Xu Ren provided a solution—this year, no gifts for the festival, just a piece of calligraphy or painting would do.

Li Xian sighed for a long time, truly a strategist, handling things so effortlessly.

To be honest, many of these pieces of calligraphy and paintings were quite valuable; it wasn't easy to get them even if you went to their doors. Now, they were piled up in Li Xian's study, looking as if they were worthless like children's scribbles.

The next morning, the entire Wuyang City was festooned with lanterns and decorations. The emperor, in a great mood, was very generous; the empress was also very enthusiastic. So the wedding was both quick and grand—most importantly, it was "quick."

Everything was done quickly. In the morning, the city was decorated and the good news was announced; in the afternoon, all the procedures were completed, as if they were afraid Li Xian would change his mind. By evening, the princess was sent to the Li residence, and the wedding ceremony was held.

Then, Li Xian presented a cup of tea to his father-in-law, the emperor, and his mother-in-law, the empress, and thus took their daughter.

The princess was then escorted by the maids into the bridal chamber.

The speed of the wedding was so fast that Li Xian was caught off guard—really, did you have to be so rushed?

In the evening, Li Xian was灌ed with ten pounds of alcohol by a group of "good buddies" before being "thrown" into the bridal chamber by the maids. Poor Li Xian, after drinking ten pounds of alcohol, how could he have the strength for the wedding night? He spent the night "honestly" vomiting on the bed, making the bridal chamber stink.

But Xia Qingqing patiently took care of Li Xian all night, which deeply moved him. A princess could be so considerate and attentive, truly precious.

Thinking back to Earth, many princesses would have their husbands stand guard at the door while they entertained their lovers inside; this was especially typical in the Tang Dynasty.

By dawn, Li Xian had finally sobered up. But by then it was already morning, and the east was already tinged with red. Li Xian looked at his new wife, who had been busy all night and was still neatly dressed, feeling quite helpless. He was about to go out to pay respects to the emperor.

There was no time for anything else. Li Xian hurriedly washed up, washing away the smell of alcohol, and then took the shy Xia Qingqing out to meet people.

Needless to say, Li Xian's "honest" behavior that night was mocked by his group of friends. Shangguan Yong laughed the loudest.

After paying respects to the emperor and leaving the palace, Xu Ren suddenly spoke, "Young Master, leave Wuyang City immediately, don't hesitate! The faster, the better. We'll leave the city directly and join the team to return to Anyang."

"But we haven't gone back to see Father and Second Brother yet," Li Xian was still hesitant.

Unexpectedly, Xia Qingqing also spoke, "Husband, we must leave Wuyang now."

Li Xian looked at Xia Qingqing's serious face and had to admit—princesses had a level of insight and decisiveness that ordinary women couldn't match.

Li Xian immediately gave the order. They didn't even return to the Li residence but directly rushed out of Wuyang City, arriving at the Li family's workshop outside the city. They gathered the relevant people and immediately set off for Anyang.

Only then did Li Xian have the chance to ask, "Qingqing, tell me your reasons first."

Li Xian sat in the carriage, forcefully holding Xia Qingqing in his arms. Xia Qingqing couldn't resist and gently leaned on Li Xian's shoulder. They were still in their wedding attire.

In response to Li Xian's question, Xia Qingqing softly said, "I think my elder brother has already visited the Li residence. If you return to the Li residence now, you will inevitably meet my elder brother. If he tries to win you over, can you refuse him?

For you now, staying neutral among the three princes is the best. You were too close to my elder brother before. Leaving now is the perfect way to 'sever' that connection.

That's all I can think of. Mr. Xu might have more to consider."

Li Xian turned to ask Xu Ren, who was sitting outside the carriage.

Xu Ren first flattered, "Princess, what you said is almost all of it. There is one more reason: leaving now also shows Young Master's determination not to get involved in the power struggle.

Does Young Master remember the evaluation given by Ge Zhengfeng?"

"Auxiliary to the state," Li Xian said in two words.

Xu Ren smiled, "Does Young Master know what this evaluation means for you, the emperor, and the princes?"

"Please enlighten me, Mr. Xu." Li Xian was very honest. After a series of events, Li Xian realized that copying things from Earth was no problem, but engaging in political intrigue and maneuvering was beyond his capabilities.

Xu Ren didn't beat around the bush and said directly, "First, for the emperor and the princes, since you are destined to be an auxiliary, it means you have the ability and will not rebel.

In this world, it's not just the Great Xia, not just Yingzhou, and not just the Immortal Realm; almost everywhere has the same problem: capable people may not be loyal, and loyal people may not be capable. So, even if there are many capable people in the world, for rulers, those who are both capable and loyal and can be trusted are always scarce.

Young Master, your demonstrated abilities are beyond question. Your theories on enriching the country through industry and commerce, as well as the potential of science and technology, have the potential to spread like wildfire.

Therefore, whether it's the emperor, the crown prince, the second prince, or even the third prince and the Wang family, they will all try to win you over.

No matter which side Young Master leans towards, it will have a significant impact on future development. The best way is to—remain neutral!

Remaining neutral and loyal only to the emperor is the most correct approach.

Moreover, Wuyang City is a big whirlpool. It's best to leave early.

Second, Ge Zhengfeng's evaluation is also very beneficial for Young Master's development. After returning to Anyang, Young Master can fully develop. The emperor and the princes will certainly open the door for Young Master.

As long as Young Master doesn't openly raise the banner of rebellion, there shouldn't be any problems. Ha ha..."

Rarely, Xu Ren even made a joke.

Li Xian was a bit depressed, "Is Ge Zhengfeng really that accurate?"

Xu Ren laughed, "Indeed, Ge Zhengfeng is quite famous. Without him, Young Master wouldn't have met the princess."

Hmm? That's right!

Li Xian turned to look at Xia Qingqing, whose face was a mix of shyness and happiness, and suddenly hugged her tightly, kissing her; today, he was going to "bite" a little cabbage.

"No!" Xia Qingqing dodged, finally pressing Li Xian's head, "Not... not in the daytime. At night... do as you please. Mr. Xu is still outside the carriage."

Li Xian felt Xia Qingqing's True Essence of the Foundation Stage start to circulate and could only give up with a bitter face; damn it, his wife was at the Foundation Stage, and he was still at the Ninth Level of Qi Cultivation, too frustrating! His sense of masculinity was severely damaged.

"Alright, alright, you're still like a child," Xia Qingqing gently stroked Li Xian's head, comforting him like she would the little Zhao Fei. But it was true; Li Xian was only 17 this year, and Xia Qingqing was already 19.

Li Xian grinned, "I want to drink milk."

Xia Qingqing blushed, her delicate hand reaching Li Xian's waist, circling left three times, right three times, and then doing it again in another place.

"Ouch..." Li Xian shivered in pain.

The convoy slowly left the Wuyang area, heading for Anyang.

During this time, Li Xian found the wedding attire troublesome and wanted to change, but neither Xia Qingqing nor Xu Ren agreed—returning in wedding attire was a good excuse. Li Xian had to have a reasonable excuse for his hasty escape from the capital, and returning in wedding attire to see his elder brother and sister-in-law was a good excuse.

Just as the convoy left the Wuyang area, they saw three simple carriages blocking the road ahead, forming a barrier.