The Demon Lords

Chapter 1073: Chapter 258: Lord Pingye! (Part 2)

But Eunuch Zhao had already reached the entrance of the sleeping quarters to announce:

"Your Highness, the time is nearing."

Outside the inner courtyard, dozens of makeup ladies and women bearing imperial mandates were already waiting.

The princess’s royal marriage to the Qu Clan’s eldest son was unprecedented in this territory, so preparations for the wedding had started a long time ago.

The previous quietness in the inner courtyard was merely the princess’s own intention; she wished for some peace because she had previously gone missing and needed tranquility. Thus, both the Qu Clan and the palace staff agreed.

Afterwards, Zheng Fan arrived, and then so did the regent. Naturally, the quietness in the inner courtyard had to be maintained.

But today, it was impossible to continue like this.

"It’s about to begin," Zheng Fan said.

The princess grabbed Zheng Fan’s sleeve.

The decision had actually been made long ago, but when it came to the moment, her emotions were hard to entirely settle.

After all, she was just a girl.

But the man before her was, in certain ways, very self-centered and quite masculine, or more precisely, very sensitive, leaving her unable to confide in him.

Nonetheless, she couldn’t bring herself to complain about this man, let alone hate him; in fact, she looked forward to a life with him, as she knew that with him, her future wouldn’t be boring or dull.

Until Lord Zheng stepped out of the sleeping quarters,

The princess didn’t ask: Aren’t you afraid I’ll change my mind?

Lord Zheng also didn’t say: You mustn’t change your mind.

The princess understood that asking such questions was pointless; if she were to change her mind, asking wouldn’t be necessary, and if she wasn’t, what use was asking?

Lord Zheng had always understood a simple truth,

Whatever facade one wants to maintain, one must be prepared to take on the risks that come with it.

He also wanted to live life according to plan, farming and training soldiers, then farming again to raise more soldiers, but firstly, reality doesn’t allow you to remain undercover forever, and secondly, it would become too monotonous for him.

People,

Are like this,

After a long time of excitement, seeking tranquility,

After a long time of tranquility, feeling restless again.

Walking out of the sleeping quarters, heading back to his room, Zheng Fan found Mr. Chen sitting at his desk.

Mr. Chen looked up, gazing at Zheng Fan, and said:

"Today, it will be very lively."

"Indeed."

"Congratulations."

"Congratulations for what?"

Mr. Chen matter-of-factly replied, "A happy marriage."

"Is that so?"

"Isn’t it so?"

"Seems like it indeed is. Oh, by the way, what about that Silver Armored Guard lady from last time?"

Last time, while searching for the Helian family treasure, accompanying Master Yao was not only Mr. Chen but also a Silver Armored Guard lady.

Zheng Fan remembered that Master Yao seemed intent on pairing them.

In Qian State, there’s a tradition of Silver Armored Guards taking wives, and besides, Yao Zizhan’s prestige surely works well.

Who knew Mr. Chen would simply shake his head and say, "She wanted me to join the Silver Armored Guard, but I refused. Later, Master Yao asked about my opinion and, knowing it, let the matter drop."

"There’s always another option," Lord Zheng comforted.

Mr. Chen then said, "I wish to dedicate my life to this sword, hoping one day to rival the Sword Saint.

The Sword Saint once, before Snow Sea Pass, cut down a thousand riders with one stroke. I hope to one day achieve such a feat myself. Master Yao says life is like a play; I feel if I could have such a scene in my life, it would be worthwhile."

"When you make your move, check the adversary’s emblem, avoid confronting me."

Mr. Chen looked at Zheng Fan and said, "If it were in the Qian region, even facing you, I wouldn’t retreat."

"I would retreat."

Mr. Chen opened his mouth, but couldn’t find the words.

Lord Zheng leaned against the desk, took a mint candy from the iron box, and slowly chewed.

"Are you fooling me?" Mr. Chen asked.

Lord Zheng smiled.

Mr. Chen added, "Even if you are, I’d still be very touched."

"I’m not fooling you, Chen, I do regard you as a true friend. If that day ever comes and you find yourself facing the Yan Army, bearing my emblem,

just take your sword, leave the city, come find me at my military camp. Would you dare?"

Mr. Chen nodded and said, "I dare."

"We can discuss it; if conditions permit and it’s a city not crucial to capture, I could circumvent it. If it must be taken, I assure you my troops won’t commit atrocities, or I might open a way to allow the city’s people to safely evacuate.

If,

If I say if,

if it’s a place requiring fierce confrontation, and you won’t retreat either, we could at least cook a meal and have a drink together, and then, the next day, send each other off."

"Agreed," Mr. Chen consented.

"Additionally, there’s one more thing I think you should know. You said you aim for the Sword Saint?"

"Yes."

"But the Sword Saint now has a warm home with wife and children."

"..." Mr. Chen.

...

The sky was not yet bright.

Three clangs of the gong suddenly sounded, and red lanterns were simultaneously hung.

The gates of the inner courtyard opened, and a group of makeup ladies and those with imperial mandates entered in a neat line.

The makeup ladies held various cosmetics. Actually, not many would be used, but nothing must be left out; everything must be complete.

The women with imperial mandates carried different utensils such as teacups, cushions, chopsticks, jade pendants, etc.

These imperial mandate-holders were women whose husbands were alive and who had given birth to sons, considered fortunate people, and only such persons could be chosen to assist the princess with her makeup.