Chương 269: Dragon Travels the World, Light Clothes Follow

In the evening, a banquet was held at the prefect's residence.

At the banquet, Xiahou Jie and his officials took turns toasting Liu Ce, praising him to the skies: "pillar of the northern frontier," "pillar of the Han dynasty," "a military genius"... they poured out flattering words as if they were free.

Liu Ce accepted all drinks without hesitation, emptying his cup in one gulp, displaying his heroic spirit.

Zhao Yun, Dian Wei, and Xu Chu also became the recipients of toasts, and were praised so much that they felt embarrassed.

After several rounds of drinks, Liu Ce said to Xiahou Jie:

"Prefect Xiahou, I have two matters to discuss with you. First, to inspect the military situation in Changshan Commandery, and second..."

He paused, then smiled and said, "It's for my fourth brother, Zhao Yun, to propose marriage."

Xiahou Jie was taken aback, then said, "A marriage proposal? I wonder which girl General Zhao has taken a fancy to? I will personally lead the way!"

Liu Ce smiled and pointed at Xiahou Jie:

"Far away, yet right before my eyes."

Xiahou Jie: "???"

Liu Ce explained, "Zilong and your daughter Xiahou Qingyi have known each other for a long time, and they are deeply in love. I have come here today to arrange their marriage. I wonder what Prefect Xiahou thinks?"

He then added, "Of course, if Prefect Xiahou feels that Zilong is not good enough for your daughter, or if he has other plans, then pretend I never said anything."

After hearing this, Xiahou Jie felt a buzzing in his mind.

His mind works incredibly fast.

Zhao Yun?

The fourth sworn brother of the King of Yan? Zhao Yun, who held a very high position in the Youzhou army, was granted the title of Marquis, and commanded troops in one region.

His daughter, Xiahou Qingyi, and Zhao Yun were deeply in love.

Xiahou Jie's first reaction was: When did my daughter become so discerning!

He suddenly remembered how absent-minded his daughter had been lately, and it dawned on him...

That's it!

God helps me too!

If Zhao Yun becomes his son-in-law, wouldn't that be the same as him clinging to the powerful Prince of Yan? And that powerful figure is so strong he could practically hug a pillar! In the future, who would dare to make things difficult for him in officialdom? Wouldn't Changshan County then fall under the Prince of Yan's sphere of influence?

Thinking of this, Xiahou Jie's face turned red with excitement.

He suppressed his excitement, feigning difficulty, "This... I have indeed considered my daughter's marriage long ago. However..."

Liu Ce watched Xiahou Jie's performance with a smile.

Xiahou Jie changed the subject, laughing, "However, since General Zhao and my daughter are mutually in love, and His Highness the Prince of Yan has personally proposed marriage, how could I... refuse? General Zhao is young and promising, with outstanding achievements; I... I am unworthy of such an honor!"

He stood up, cupped his hands in greeting to Zhao Yun, and said, "General Zhao is young and promising, and exceptionally brave. It is my daughter's good fortune to marry you!"

Zhao Yun quickly rose and returned the greeting, saying, "Prefect Xiahou, you flatter me. It is my great fortune to marry Qingyi."

After exchanging pleasantries, the marriage was settled.

Taking advantage of the momentum, Liu Ce began discussing the specific details: the betrothal gifts, when and where the wedding would be held...

Xiahou Jie waved his hand and said, "I will follow His Highness Prince Yan's arrangements!"

And so the matter was settled amicably.

Throughout the banquet, Xiahou Jie's smile never faded, and he looked at Zhao Yun as if he were his own son.

After the banquet, Xiahou Jie, slightly drunk, returned to the backyard humming a tune.

He went to his daughter Xiahou Qingyi's room and pushed the door open.

Xiahou Qingyi was reading a book when she saw her father enter. She stood up and bowed, saying, "Father."

"My dear daughter..." he patted her shoulder, speaking earnestly, "You've given your father a wonderful surprise!"

Xiahou Qingyi: "???"

"Daddy, what's the surprise?"

"Your marriage is settled!" Xiahou Jie laughed heartily.

"I've had too much to drink today, I'll go back and rest first. Your fiancé... will come to see you tomorrow!"

After saying that, he swayed and walked away.

Xiahou Qingyi was left alone in the room, completely bewildered.

The marriage? It's arranged? Fiancé?

Who is she engaged to? How come she didn't know? When did she agree to get married?!

Xiahou Qingyi had no idea what was happening at the banquet that evening; she only heard the maid say, "The Prince of Yan has arrived, and the master is entertaining guests." How could a marriage be arranged so suddenly?

"I won't agree!" she bit her lip.

"I won't marry anyone but Zilong!"

...

The next day, in the morning, Zhao Yun brought gifts to the backyard of the prefect's mansion.

The servants led him inside, and as soon as they reached the garden, they saw Xiahou Qingyi sitting alone in the pavilion, head down, looking sullen.

Zhao Yun called softly, "Qingyi."

Xiahou Qingyi's body trembled, thinking she was hallucinating.

"Qingyi," Zhao Yun called out again.

She turned around abruptly.

In the sunlight, Zhao Yun, dressed in white, looked handsome and was smiling at her.

"Zilong!" Xiahou Qingyi stood up abruptly, her eyes instantly reddening.

She ran over and threw herself into Zhao Yun's arms.

"It really is you! Am I dreaming?"

Zhao Yun embraced her and said gently, "It's me. I've come to see you."

The two hugged for a while before Xiahou Qingyi finally raised her head, her eyes brimming with tears, and said:

"Zilong... I miss you so much... I thought I'd never see you again..."

"Silly girl, I missed you so much too." Zhao Yun wiped away her tears.

"Here I am, aren't I?"

The two sat down in the pavilion. Xiahou Qingyi, recalling what happened yesterday, said with a wronged expression:

"Zilong, my father... he's betrothed me to someone else. He came home last night and told me the marriage is settled, and my fiancé is coming to see me today... I don't want to marry him, I only want to marry you..."

Zhao Yun was taken aback, then realized that Xiahou Jie had drunk too much last night and hadn't spoken clearly.

He held Xiahou Qingyi's hand and said softly, "Qingyi, the fiancé your father mentioned... is me."

Xiahou Qingyi: "Huh?"

Zhao Yun explained, "At the banquet last night, my elder brother, His Highness the Prince of Yan, personally proposed marriage, and your father agreed. So... the fiancé your father mentioned is me, Zhao Zilong."

Xiahou Qingyi blinked, processing the information. A few seconds later, her face flushed crimson, and she buried her head in Zhao Yun's chest in embarrassment.

"It's... it's you... why didn't you tell me sooner... you made me worry all night..."

Zhao Yun looked at her earnestly and asked, "Qingyi, will you marry me?"

Xiahou Qingyi raised her head, looked into Zhao Yun's deep eyes, and nodded emphatically:

"I do."

Then, she softly recited: "The dragon roams the world, its light robes following."

Touched, Zhao Yun hugged her even tighter.

The two talked for a long time in the pavilion, holding hands, just like any couple in love.

...