Mythical Three Kingdoms

”[Before I turn twenty-three, I will be ennobled, ah, for the first time I felt such firm conviction, that this world is about to become my stage, where I will showcase myself, and definitely not fall behind others.]” Fa Zheng retracted his gaze towards the Northwest and said silently, the most heartbreaking things could give rise to the greatest awakenings.

In Jingzhou, Jian Yong once again arrived at Lumen, but this time not to see Xu Shu, but to act as a go-between for Zhuge Liang, bringing a large dowry prepared to move the entire Huang Family to Mount Tai.

”Why is there such a commotion outside?” Huang Chengyan, who was chatting with Zhuge Xuan, suddenly heard the noisy and festive sound of suona and asked, puzzled.

”It seems someone has come to fetch the bride.” The old servant of the Huang family confirmed after checking outside and replied.

”Oh, if that is the case, then do not disturb them, and also give them a gift on my behalf.” Huang Chengyan had not considered that someone was coming to his own Huang family for a bride, and thought it was his neighbors. He even felt somewhat dissatisfied for not receiving an invitation.

”Master, master, this is terrible, no no no, master, it is a great joy, a great joy.” A servant rushed in flustered, unsure whether to describe the situation as a surprise or a panic.

”What’s all the panic about.” Huang Chengyan looked at the servant with displeasure, then smiled at Zhuge Xuan, ”I apologize for the laugh, Yinyi. The Huang Family’s discipline is not strict, my apologies.” But, despite his words, he did not punish the servant in his presence.

”Master, the youngest son of the Zhuge family, Kongming, has his wedding procession here to marry the young lady,” the servant of the Huang family replied, bowing his head, aware of his previous rashness.

”Eh?” Huang Chengyan was taken aback, turning his head towards Zhuge Xuan and then smiled, ”Brother Yinyi, does the marriage agreement between my Huang family and your Zhuge family still count?”

Touching his beard, Zhuge Xuan laughed and answered, ”How could it not count? It’s a joyous occasion; of course, it counts. Since Liang’er is marrying your daughter, as uncle, I should also offer a betrothal gift.”

As he spoke, he touched the jade pendant at his waist, and handed over a piece carved with the character ”Ge,” which left Huang Chengyan stunned. After a moment’s thought, he accepted the jade pendant, which signified the head of the Zhuge family since the Spring and Autumn Period.

Although Zhuge Xuan had been infuriated to near death by Zhuge Liang and Zhuge Jin last time, once he calmed down, he didn’t take it too much to heart. Zhuge Jin and Zhuge Liang, no matter what, couldn’t change the fact that they were from the direct lineage of the Zhuge family. After reflecting upon arriving in Jingzhou, Zhuge Xuan regarded their actions as young eagles growing up and seeking their own sky.

”Hahaha, then it’s settled, all is well,” Huang Chengyan laughed and said, ”I thought Brother Yinyi might not let go of that incident, but it seems I underestimated your magnanimity. Come, you are Kongming’s elder after all, let’s go out and see who has come for the bride.”

”I’m not that petty. True, I was quite angry at the time, but as time passed, I came to terms with it. I can’t control their paths, so why not let them choose their own!” Zhuge Xuan laughed and said, ”Come on, let’s go have a look together.”

Jian Yong, dressed in a dark Confucian robe, stood at the entrance of the Huang family house waiting, having already delivered the documents inside, all that remained was waiting for the Huang family’s response.

”Open the main gate, let the bridal procession enter,” said Huang Chengyan and Zhuge Xuan, after changing their clothes, appearing in the courtyard and ordering the servants to open the rarely used main gate to welcome the bridal procession.

”Phew, lucky break,” Jian Yong exhaled a long breath of relief. He had been worried when he arrived that the Huang family wouldn’t agree to the marriage, especially since Zhuge Liang had caused a split with the Zhuge family. But since the Huang family opened their main gate to welcome him, making such a grand gesture, Jian Yong felt much more at ease.

”Jian Xianhe from under Lord Xuande’s command has met with Elder Master Huang,” Jian Yong paid his respects to Huang Chengyan. He had met Huang Chengyan on his previous visit to Xiangyang and knew the old man was easy to talk to.

”Hahaha, Xianhe, there’s no need for such formalities. It has been several years since our last meeting. Come, come, let me introduce someone to you. This is Zhuge Kongming’s uncle, Zhuge Yinyi,” Huang Chengyan said with a chuckle, stroking his beard.

”I’ve met Lord Zhuge,” Jian Yong felt a jolt in his heart upon hearing that the other was Zhuge Xuan. He then thought of the earlier situation when the Huang family opened their doors and felt reassured. He gave Zhuge Xuan a deep bow.

”Was Kongming well at Mount Tai?” Huang Chengyan glanced at Zhuge Xuan and, knowing what he wanted to ask, simply asked on Zhuge Xuan’s behalf.

”As Chief Historian to the General of the East, Kongming is very outstanding. Even the General himself holds Kongming in high esteem,” Jian Yong said succinctly.

”Chief Historian to the General of the East, isn’t that a bit premature?” Zhuge Xuan frowned slightly. In his eyes, Zhuge Liang should enter official service only after the age of twenty. Only with more experience could he avoid making any mistakes.

”My lord Liu Xuande and all under his command think highly of Kongming, which is why Kongming was appointed as the Prefect to the General of the East. Even Fa Xiaozhi, who was only slightly older than Kongming at the time, was already Prime Minister of Qi State. Kongming also believes himself capable of bearing this responsibility,” Jian Yong spoke with neither humility nor arrogance.

”That’s good, that’s good,” Huang Chengyan said with a smile. ”It’s best for young people to carve out their own paths. The civil officials at Mount Tai never lack a younger generation; seventy to eighty percent of those in high positions are in their twenties, and some are ennobled or become Chancellors before their twentieth year. Without trying, who can know what’s possible?”

Zhuge Xuan did not say anything more, even he had to admit that Huang Chengyan had a point.

”Thank you for your understanding, Elder Master Huang,” Jian Yong said calmly.

”Since you’re here for a wedding, I won’t interfere. It’s only natural for men to marry and for women to wed,” Huang Chengyan observed Jian Yong and remarked. ”But I suppose that’s not your only purpose here, right?”

”The main reason is indeed to take a bride. Kongming asked me to come because he fears the situation in Jingzhou is tense and the Huang Family might get involved, so he instructed me to take the Huang Family along,” Jian Yong explained calmly.

In reality, this was just an excuse. If Liu Bei and Yuan Shu came into conflict, it would become very difficult for Zhuge Liang to marry Huang Yueying, with whom he had been betrothed for years.

”Alright, Jingzhou is currently under Yuan Gonglu’s control, and I do not feel at ease. Relocating to Mount Tai is also an option,” Huang Chengyan said calmly, then turned to Zhuge Xuan and asked, ”I wonder if Brother Yinyi intends to return to Xuzhou or relocate to Mount Tai.”

”I’d rather not.” After pondering for a long while, Zhuge Xuan ultimately decided against it. Although he had put past events behind him, he did not wish to return to Xuzhou. Considering another prodigy had emerged in the Zhuge Family, he planned to cultivate this talent properly.

”Then let it be,” Huang Chengyan glanced at Zhuge Xuan and withdrew his gaze. He had also met the young Zhuge Dan and indeed found him exceptionally gifted. Consequently, Huang Chengyan had to acknowledge that the ancestral graves of the Zhuge Family must be billowing with Qing smoke, as one generation had produced three extraordinary figures! (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it on Qidian ). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users can read at m.qidian.com.)