Chapter 91 : Heirloom

Huo Zhen had already had two rounds of drinks at the table and was preparing to leave quietly.

But then the old Censor and three other civil officials appeared out of nowhere and surrounded him.

( Censor, a historical government official responsible for supervision and reporting misconduct.)

“General Huo, you haven’t had our wine yet.”

Huo Zhen had always disliked the old man, the Censor, as he had often been set upon and reported by him.

“Alright, alright, thank you all for coming. Let’s drink, let’s drink,” Huo Zhen said with forced cheer.

He was just about to call Yang Hu over to bring some watered-down wine, but when he turned around, he realized that Yang Hu had already been surrounded by others.

It wasn’t just him, Fu An and Mo Qi, who had agreed earlier to take turns helping him block drinks, were also each encircled by groups of three to five people.

Huo Zhen looked back at the old Censor, who now wore a satisfied, sly expression. Only then did he realize that the old man had deliberately arranged this, scattering his backup to leave him isolated.

Tsk, the old man was actually using military strategy on him.

Still, Huo Zhen wasn’t afraid. He took the cup the Censor handed him and downed the wine.

One after another, the officials toasted him. He drank four glasses in a row.

Soon, Huo Zhen began to sway and stumble. He lowered his head and waved his hands. “No, no more…”

The old Censor, being a cunning fox himself, could immediately tell he was faking it.

The crowd continued pressing him, “General Huo, just a few more. Come on, keep going!”

Just then, Huo Ran walked over, and Huo Zhen immediately leaned on him and whispered, “Cover for me.”

Huo Ran thought he was really drunk and wanted to come over to take a look, but it turned out he was just pretending. Before he could react, Huo Zhen slapped him hard on the back and he was “sent” over.

Then, Huo Zhen dashed off at full speed, he ran faster than anyone.

Today is his most important day. He couldn’t let this bunch of scheming old men ruin his big day.

With no other option, the Censor and the others turned their focus on Huo Ran instead. Well, as a younger brother, it was his duty to take the fall.

Meanwhile, Song Ying yawned. It was already late, and Huo Zhen still hadn’t returned.

“Faer, go check if the General Huo got stuck somewhere.”

“Okay.”

Faer went out for a while and returned. “Princess, your husband is back.”

Seeing the familiar figure outside the door, Song Ying let out a breath of relief. “I thought you were drunk.”

Huo Zhen patted his chest. “Who do you think I am? No way I’d get drunk today.”

Faer bowed and said, “Then I’ll leave you two alone and take my leave.”

Huo Zhen: “Yes, yes, go on, go on.”

Faer thoughtfully closed the door behind her, took out her red envelope, touched it lovingly, and left in a great mood.

Tonight, she would sleep with that red envelope under her pillow.

After confirming Faer was gone, Huo Zhen smiled, walked to the table, poured two small glasses of wine, and sat down on the edge of the bed.

He handed one glass to Song Ying. “It’s our wedding day. We should at least follow some traditions.”

Song Ying raised her glass and held his right hand with hers. “Let’s drink.”

After they drank the wedding toast, Huo Zhen set the glass back on the table, walked to the cabinet, and took out a brocade box, placing it gently on the bed.

“This is another part of the ceremony.”

Song Ying had already guessed what was coming and watched as Huo Zhen took out a jade bracelet and slipped it onto her wrist.

“This is a family heirloom passed down from my mother to her daughter-in-law.”

Looking at Song Ying’s elaborate wedding dress, Huo Zhen said, “I may not be as rich as your mother’s side, but this jade is pretty fine.”

Song Ying touched the bracelet. Its texture really was superb.

Seeing that she liked it, Huo Zhen beamed. “There’s something else I want to tell you.”

Song Ying said, “You want to tell me that your cousin wants me to take care of her?”

Huo Zhen blinked. “Eh? You noticed too? I’m not asking you to take care of her, I just want to explain it to you. My mom’s side of the family is poor. Her parents died early, so it’s just two sisters.”

“Later, my aunt married into the Ye family. My uncle died a while back, and now the family’s assets have been taken over by my cousin’s older brother and sister-in-law. They had no choice but to come to us for help.”

Song Ying listened calmly. “I saw them during the wedding too. Your aunt and cousin are both beauties.”

Huo Zhen didn’t catch the double meaning in Song Ying’s words. He simply said, “Don’t be fooled by how quiet and gentle my aunt seems. She’s actually really naggy and a bit overly feminine. If you run into her, just ignore her and let her nag to herself.”

Song Ying asked, “What about your cousin?”

Huo Zhen replied, “That girl’s really timid. She acts like she’s seen a ghost whenever she sees me. She only gets along well with my third brother, Huo Xiao. They’re around the same age, and out of the three of us brothers, he’s the gentlest.”

Song Ying nodded. “I see. Is there any other ceremony left?”

Huo Zhen grinned. “Yes! The most important ceremony.”

Song Ying slowly closed her eyes, but Huo Zhen’s voice still rang in her ears, “There’s something I need to explain clearly to you.”

Song Ying: …

“Something else?”

Huo Zhen: “Yes, and it’s especially important.”

Song Ying noticed that he had placed both hands obediently on his knees and was sitting very properly.

She said patiently, “Okay, go ahead.”

Huo Zhen cleared his throat. “Here’s the thing. I didn’t want to marry you just because you gave me buns. There are much more important reasons why I want to be with you.”

Song Ying smiled and nodded. “I know.”

This time, it was Huo Zhen who was shocked. “You knew?!”

Song Ying: “Hurry up and finish.”

Huo Zhen: “Oh, right, right. Ahem. It all started the year I met you, my mother passed away that year. The old man, my father was so obsessed with the battlefield that he didn’t even come see her one last time. I was furious and went to find him. Do you know what he said?”

“He said fate is fate, and it was my mother’s destiny to die. That there was no need to abandon the war just for her. I was so angry at his words I almost wanted to kill him right then and there.”

“I argued with him, fought with him, and of course I lost. He had me thrown out of the barracks and didn’t care whether I lived or died.”

“I couldn’t get over it. I wandered off, dazed, and ended up following some refugees into the county town. That was the darkest time in my life.”

“I figured that since I was in such a state and the old man still didn’t send anyone to look for me, what was the point of living?”

“Then…” Huo Zhen looked at Song Ying, “I met you. Not only did you give me a steamed bun and save my life, but you also said something that encouraged me.”

Song Ying felt a bit embarrassed. She’d only been eight or nine years old back then.

She had simply followed her mother’s example, being kind to those in need, giving out food or money, maybe saying a few kind words. But she’d forget about them almost immediately after.

“What did I say to you?”

Huo Zhen hugged her, a little excited, resting his chin on her shoulder. Smiling, he said, “You scolded me.”

Song Ying: “Huh?”

Huo Zhen: “I was so down I didn’t want to live anymore, so I threw away the bun you gave me. You picked it up, threw it at my head, and then started cursing me. You were ruthless.”

“You were such a little loudmouth back then. Why do you talk so little now? And always act all serious…”

It was supposed to be a joyful day, so Song Ying tried hard to keep smiling. “You’re saying I’m too serious?”

Sensing a shift in the mood, Huo Zhen immediately tried to correct himself. “No, no matter what you’re like, I like you. That’s really rare.”

Song Ying exhaled softly. “So because I scolded you, you made a vow to find me again just so you could scold me back?”

Perhaps it was the alcohol, but Huo Zhen’s brain lagged for a moment and he… nodded.

—Oh no!