Chapter 93

Hailanzhu sighed softly and said, "Bumbutai, it seems you still haven't forgotten to fight for your husband's interests!"

"No, Sister, you're wrong!" Dayuer turned around and said sincerely to Hailanzhu, "I'm not just doing this for the Khan; I'm also doing it for you. These past years, I've read a few Han books in my spare time, and there's one phrase that I find very reasonable. Sister, would you like to hear it?"

Hailanzhu asked indifferently, "For example?"

Dayuer said slowly, "For example... 'A man without sin is guilty for possessing a treasure...'"

Hailanzhu fell silent, and after a long while, she said softly, "Bumbutai, can I take this as a threat?"

"No... How could I dare to threaten my sister?" Dayuer smiled lightly, "Sister, you've always been smarter than me. You should understand some things without me saying them. Some things can easily attract unwanted attention if you don't have enough strength. If I were your husband, I wouldn't show off my treasures. Now that they've been discovered, the wisest course of action is to seek help from someone who can protect you. That's the smart choice, don't you think?"

A soft sigh escaped Hailanzhu's lips, "Bumbutai, it seems Mother was right. Once a woman is married, she will give her heart entirely to her husband. I didn't quite believe it before, but today, I see that you have truly gone to great lengths for Huangtaiji!"

Seeing the trace of emotion in Hailanzhu's eyes, Dayuer opened her mouth to say more, but Hailanzhu interrupted her, "Bumbutai... don't say any more. I know what you want, but I won't help you. Huangtaiji is your husband, so everything you do is for him. And I am no different. Tomorrow, I will return to the Ming Dynasty with him. Back in the Ming, as his wife, I will serve the elders and bear his children. His world is my everything. You can make efforts for your husband, even at the cost of our sisterly bond, but how can I harm my husband's interests for the sake of our sisterly bond..."

"Snap..."

As Hailanzhu finished speaking, the candle, which had burned to the end, flickered and emitted a blue spark, plunging the tent into darkness.

Then... there was no more sound...

As the sky brightened, the quiet grassland began to come alive. Various small animals began to appear on the ground, but many people had risen even earlier.

"Uuu... Uuu..."

With the sound of horns, groups of cavalry began to appear. They slowly gathered and formed a line. At the front of the line, Zaisan, the chief of the科尔沁tribe, stood on a horse.

Today, Zaisan had changed from his usual casual attire. He wore a new blue coat, his face was especially clean, and he carried a golden saber said to have been used by his ancestor Tului. He looked as if he were about to set out on a campaign.

Hailanzhu and Yueyang also rose early and rode white and red horses, respectively, accompanying Zaisan. She was still as graceful and beautiful as ever, but a careful observer might notice a faint trace of dark circles under her eyes.

Looking at his beloved daughter, Zaisan's eyes also reddened. He turned his head and sighed, "Hailanzhu, from today on, you will live in another place with your husband. You will serve the elders, take care of your younger siblings, and bear children for your husband. You must fulfill your duties as a woman. Are you prepared for all this?"

"Aba, I am ready!" Hailanzhu's voice trembled slightly, but her tone was resolute, "Aba, please rest assured. The women of our Borjigit family are the best at everything, and I will not bring shame to our family."

"Good!" A look of relief appeared on Zaisan's face, and he nodded, "You are a smart child, and Aba has always been confident in you. Aba just wants you to be happy and to write to us often."

"I will!" Hailanzhu nodded vigorously.

After speaking, Zaisan turned to Yueyang and said, "Son-in-law, today I formally entrust my precious daughter to you. I'm not boasting, but my daughter is outstanding in appearance, character, and ability. She will not disgrace you. You must treat her well, or I won't forgive you!"

Faced with his father-in-law's threat, Yueyang, like all new sons-in-law, could only bow his head and agree.

After the threat, Zaisan cleared his throat and said, "Well... Son-in-law, our科尔沁tribe is remote and has few specialties. We lack everything. If you have extra grain or..."

As soon as Zaisan started to complain, Yueyang felt his head throb. He thought that if this old man lived in a certain era in the future, he would definitely be a natural at political work, especially at complaining.

"Aba... please don't say any more..."

Hailanzhu couldn't bear to see her father's act. Her husband had just sent several hundred carts of grain, salt, and other supplies, and now her father was already complaining again. Even she, his daughter, couldn't stand it.

"Uuu... Uuu..."

Just as Hailanzhu was about to speak, a horn sounded nearby. A group of cavalry in white armor appeared and galloped toward them. The leaders were Dayuer, Dorgon, and Dorji.

"Ha ha ha... Brother Yue, I'm not late, right? I heard you're leaving today, so we came to see you off!" Dorgon's voice soon reached Yueyang, and they quickly arrived.

Yueyang smiled faintly and turned to Dorgon, "Thank you, Prince and Lady, for coming to see me off. I believe we will meet again, and it won't be long."

"Yes, I also believe we will meet again soon," Dorgon's eyes sparkled with a mysterious light, and he said meaningfully, "I look forward to our next meeting."

While Dorgon and Yueyang were exchanging pleasantries, Hailanzhu and Dayuer, the two sisters, leaned close and whispered to each other, as if the small disagreement from last night had never existed.

Dayuer smiled and whispered in Hailanzhu's ear, "Sister, what I said last night was for your and your husband's good. I hope you will reconsider."

Hailanzhu smiled lightly, "Bumbutai, I still say the same thing. Men's affairs should be left to them. We women should just do our part. Why do you have to worry so much?"

"Such a pity!" Dayuer shook her head slightly, disappointed. At this point, she finally gave up. It seemed her hope of obtaining that thing through her sister was unrealistic. She sighed, "Since Sister has said so, I won't mention it again. If my brother and I ever do anything to offend you, please be lenient."

A glint of emotion flashed in Hailanzhu's beautiful eyes, and she smiled, "That's what I wanted to say too. Since that's the case, let's wait and see. Bumbutai, take care of yourself and Dorji!"

"Sister... take care of yourself too!"

The two sisters, who hadn't seen each other for ten years, suddenly felt a strange sensation. They felt that after today's parting, their next meeting might bring a significant change in their identities...

After bidding farewell to Zaisan, Dorgon, and Dayuer, Yueyang and his party set off on their journey home with the cattle, sheep, and horses Zaisan had given them. Along the way, Yueyang and Hailanzhu grew closer, and by mid-April, after more than half a month of travel, Yueyang finally returned to Yingzhou City.

When Yueyang returned home, the whole family, except for the old lady, came out to welcome him. The servants, in particular, were eager to see the future mistress. Hailanzhu was graceful and courteous, whether to Yueyang's younger sister Yue Ying or the twin sisters Linglong, showing a noble demeanor that earned the admiration of all the servants. It was clear that despite her Mongolian background, her grace and poise surpassed even those of the most refined ladies.

Finally, Yueyang took Hailanzhu to meet the old lady in the back courtyard. The old lady was very fond of Hailanzhu, holding her hand for a long time and immediately setting the wedding date for ten days later. The news brought joy to the entire Yue family.

Yueyang was getting married, marking his transition into adulthood by the standards of the time.

"Master, good..."

"Congratulations, Master, congratulations..."

Walking alone in the courtyard, Yueyang felt a strange sense of confusion when the servants called him "Master." He was only twenty-one or twenty-two, how could he be a master? At his age, in modern times, he wouldn't even have graduated from university. He wondered if they were making him feel old.

After walking for a while, Yueyang suddenly remembered that he hadn't had a private conversation with the twin sisters Linglong since he returned. If he didn't reassure them, they might feel neglected. With this thought, he turned toward their courtyard, but before he could take a few steps, a servant hurried over and said, "Master, some officials have come from the magistrate's office, saying they have been sent to invite you to a meeting at the magistrate's residence..."