Chương 459: Cai Yong Agrees

She cited an example: "Besides, look at the Zhen family. All five Zhen sisters are married, and now the family lives happily together. Isn't that wonderful? During holidays, the old master of the Zhen family can even come to the Prince's Mansion to see his daughters and enjoy his grandchildren. He's living a life of luxury."

She paused, then added, "Moreover, after Zhen'er marries into the royal family, she'll be in Luoyang, right by your side. If you miss her, you can go to the palace to see her anytime, just like she's never married."

"I will take good care of her and never let her suffer the slightest grievance. If she has children in the future, you will have several more grandchildren around you, wouldn't that be wonderful? You can teach them to read and write, teach them music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, isn't that better than practicing calligraphy alone now?"

Cai Yong listened to her words and slowly stopped walking.

He remained silent for a long time, looked out the window, sighed deeply, and nodded helplessly:

"Alright, alright, a daughter is beyond her father's control once she grows up. Since you're both willing, what can I, as her father, say? As long as Zhen'er is happy, I have no objections."

He paused, then added, "However, tell Liu Ce that if he dares to bully Zhen'er, this old man won't stand for it. Even though I'm old, I can still write articles that will keep him up at night."

Cai Yan was overjoyed and quickly bowed to Cai Yong:

"Thank you, Father! Don't worry, Father, I will take good care of Zhen'er and never let her suffer any injustice! If my husband dares to bully Zhen'er, I will be the first to object!"

Cai Yong waved his hand and said with a wry smile, "Alright, alright, go on. Tell Zhen'er to live a good life and not worry about home. This old man is fine on his own."

Cai Yan nodded, turned and left the study.

...

That afternoon, Cai Yan took Cai Zhenji back to the Prince of Yan's residence.

Inside the carriage, Cai Zhenji kept her head down, twisting her handkerchief with her fingers, her face as red as a boiled shrimp.

Looking at her like that, Cai Yan couldn't help but laugh:

"What? You're having second thoughts?"

"No!" Chae Jung-hee raised her head, then quickly lowered it again.

"It's just... I'm a little nervous."

"What's there to be nervous about? You've met your brother-in-law before."

"That's different..." Cai Zhenji muttered, "Before he was my brother-in-law, now he is... is..."

She couldn't continue, and her face turned even redder.

Cai Yan smiled and put her arm around her shoulder: "Alright, alright, don't be nervous. Don't you know your brother-in-law? He's very gentle and won't bully you."

Cai Zhenji gave a soft "hmm," but her heart was pounding like a rabbit's.

Upon arriving at the Prince of Yan's residence, Cai Yan first arranged for Cai Zhenji to stay in her own courtyard, instructing her maids to take good care of her, before going to find Liu Ce.

Liu Ce was discussing spring plowing with Fang Xuanling in his study.

Fang Xuanling, holding the account book, reported in detail on the preparation of seeds, farming tools, and oxen in various prefectures and counties. Liu Ce listened attentively, occasionally asking a few questions.

When Cai Yan entered, Fang Xuanling tactfully stood up, cupped his hands, and said:

"My lord, I shall take my leave now. I will report back once I have sorted out the remaining details."

Liu Ce nodded, and Fang Xuanling withdrew.

"Yan'er is back? How are you? Are Father and Zhen'er alright?" Liu Ce asked with a smile.

Cai Yan nodded, walked to Liu Ce's side, reached out and hugged his waist, rested her head on his chest, and whispered:

"Everything is fine. Husband, I have something to tell you."

"What is it?" Liu Ce reached out and hugged her, then leaned down and kissed the top of her head.

"I brought Zhen'er with me."

Cai Yan raised her head, looked into his eyes, and said earnestly:

"I've discussed it with Father and Zhen'er. Zhen'er is willing to marry you, and Father has agreed. From now on, Zhen'er will stay in the manor to keep us company and help me share the burden."

Liu Ce was taken aback for a moment, then understood what she was thinking.

Looking at his gentle and considerate wife, he felt both moved and heartbroken. He hugged her tightly and whispered in her ear:

"Madam, you're so kind. I'm sorry you had to go through all this trouble."

Cai Yan shook her head and said with a smile, "I'm not wronged. As long as my husband is well, we are all well, so I'm not wronged. I feel bad seeing you staying up late alone in the study every night. Zhen'er is here, at least she can keep you company."

Liu Ce held her in his arms, his heart filled with warmth.

With a wife like this, what more could a husband ask for?

He recalled that back in Zhuo County, Cai Yan was still a gentle and dignified young lady from a prominent family... Now, so many years have passed, and she has gone from a young girl to a mother, from a wife to a principal wife, yet she remains as gentle, considerate, and generous as ever.

He is lucky to have married such a wife.

...

A few days later, the Prince of Yan's mansion was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, and red silk was hung all over the backyard. Even the air was filled with the aroma of wine and the sweetness of wedding candy.

Liu Ce officially took Cai Zhenji as his concubine.

Although it was just a concubine-taking ceremony and not a grand affair, the enthusiasm of Liu Ce's brothers and civil and military officials was overwhelming.

Early in the morning, people lined up to give gifts, stretching from the gate of the Prince's Mansion all the way to the main street.

Pearls, agates, silks, satins, and rare treasures were piled up like small mountains.

The servants in charge of the gift list had sore hands from writing so many words that they had to go through several brushes.

Zhang Fei presented a pair of jade ruyi scepters, saying, "Wishing my elder brother and sister Zhenji all the best."

Cheng Yaojin was even more direct, presenting a pair of golden dolls, saying, "Wishing my lord a son soon, a pair of big, fat boys."

Guo Jia presented him with a calligraphy scroll, which he had personally written, bearing the inscription "May you have a harmonious marriage for a hundred years." The calligraphy was elegant and showed that he had put a lot of effort into it.

Dian Wei was even more practical, sending over a newly forged iron halberd, saying it was "for the lord to use for self-defense." Liu Ce looked at the iron halberd, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, thinking: I'm taking a concubine, and you send me a weapon, what does this mean?

Li Jing presented a set of military strategy books, saying, "For Sister Zhenji to read in her spare time, so she can teach her children in the future."

Liu Ce looked at the gifts, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

The wedding banquet in the afternoon was even more lively.

Cheng Yaojin, carrying a wine jar, was the first to rush forward and offer a toast, his loud voice almost lifting the roof off:

"My lord! Congratulations! I was thinking of finding you a beauty from Jiangnan after the war, but the princess beat me to it and sent her own sister! The princess really loves you!"

His words were met with a burst of laughter from the entire room.

Zhang Fei also joined in the commotion, holding his wine bowl and laughing loudly:

"That's right! The Princess Consort is so thoughtful! Now Brother is feeling much better! I, Old Zhang, raise a bowl to Brother! Wishing you a son soon, and many children and much happiness!"

"Stop your nonsense, you two!" Liu Ce chuckled, glaring at them before downing his drink in one gulp.

"We're happy today, so drink to your hearts' content! We won't leave until we're completely drunk!"

"Alright! Let's drink until we drop!"

The crowd cheered and toasted each other, raising their bowls and exchanging drinks in a lively and festive atmosphere.

The civil officials were gentle and refined, spouting auspicious phrases—"May you grow old together," "May you have a son soon," "May your marriage be harmonious"—one after another.