Chapter 594 Newly Married!

What Ye Zhen said was right. Although he is still fighting with Gao Dingshan, Zhu Sanshan, whose strength has greatly improved, has begun to enjoy the benefits brought to him by power. Not only has he robbed the women of several wealthy families, he even did not let go of the wives of his own subordinates...
Apart from this, the previous philanthropic and generous "Sanshanhao" has disappeared. Now Zhu Sanshan is not only dressed in silk and satin and gold and silver, but also hides huge amounts of gold and silver in his hands, only slipping a little through his fingers to share with his brothers. He doesn't care about the advice of his master!
Feeling these subtle changes in Zhu Sanshan, Xu Shanchang also felt a little disappointed, but in consideration of the kindness of Zhu Sanshan, he still tried his best to assist Zhu Sanshan and do his job as a legal advisor.

Seeing that Xu Shanchang was silent, Ye Zhen was delighted and realized that he was moved by his words, so he continued to speak:
"Master Xu, I'm sure you've heard of my Marshal! He joined the army when he was young and started from humble beginnings. He fought in many battles and made countless contributions to the Great Zhou. He started a rebellion because he couldn't bear to see his fellow villagers being bullied by corrupt officials. For this righteous act, he was even named the Governor-General of Yan and Liao by His Majesty!"

"What's even more rare is that my commander-in-chief is eager to recruit talented people regardless of their background. Only if you have talent can you win a place in my Fengwu Army. It is precisely because my commander-in-chief is so open-minded that he is supported by millions of people in Yan and Liao. Wherever my Fengwu Army goes, the people are filled with joy and happiness."

"Now, my commander-in-chief is heartbroken and cannot bear to see the people of the Central Plains living in dire straits. He has decided to go south to save the Central Plains and give the people a peaceful life. Master Xu, you have such great talent, why do you want to follow Zhu Sanshan, a traitor, and seek your own death?"

“As the ancients said, a good bird chooses a tree to rest in, and a good minister chooses a master to serve. Master Xu, you have been very kind to Zhu Sanshan. It is Zhu Sanshan who has let you down and failed you…”

When saying "our Marshal", Ye Zhen, who is a member of the Ye clan, couldn't help but reveal a look of pride on his face. As the saying goes, when one person succeeds, the whole family will prosper. Ye Mingsheng has become successful, and the status of them, the members of the Ye clan, has also risen.

This also gave Ye Mingsheng a very high prestige in the Ye clan. Countless Ye family members, including Ye Zhen, regarded Ye Mingsheng as a god-like existence. Inspired by Ye Mingsheng, they all joined the Fengwu Army.

Ye Zhen's words touched Xu Shanchang's heart. He had only been with Zhu Sanshan for a few months, and his relationship with Zhu Sanshan was naturally not to the point of being loyal to him until death. When choosing between the now prosperous Fengwu Army and a group of bandits, any normal person would know what to choose!
Besides, Xu Shanchang was also very clear that even though Ye Zhen's words sounded nice, if he rejected his conditions, Ye Zhen would not mind killing him and his wife and children. It was true that Zhu Sanshan had been kind to him, but it was not enough for him, Xu Shanchang, to sacrifice the lives of his entire family. Thinking of this, Xu Shanchang took a deep breath, made up his mind, looked at Ye Zhen and said:
"Since Captain Ye thinks so highly of me, it would be ungrateful of me if I reject your kindness..."

"I'll listen to you! I won't go back and report you to Master Zhu!"

Hearing what Xu Shanchang said, Ye Zhen showed a satisfied smile on his face. He really hoped that Xu Shanchang could join the Fengwu Army. After all, according to the rules of the Fengwu Army, recommending talented people to join the Fengwu Army can also be rewarded generously.

Among Zhu Sanshan's bandits, the legal advisor Xu Shanchang stood out like a crane among chickens. He handled all the tasks assigned to him by Zhu Sanshan very well. Therefore, it was because Ye Zhen admired Xu Shanchang's talent that he did not say much to him. If it were an ordinary person, he would have just killed him and been done with.

"Master Xu, you have made a wise choice. Believe me, you will not regret your decision now!" Ye Zhen clapped his hands and praised:
Facing Ye Zhen's gaze, Xu Shanchang said:

"I won't report you to Boss Zhu, but I don't want to go back to Boss Zhu either!"

After hearing this, Ye Zhen, who was smiling just now, frowned and asked:
"Master Xu, what do you mean?"

Xu Shanchang sighed and said:
"Although Master Zhu is not a powerful leader, he has been very kind to me. Although I want to abandon him, I don't want to harm him. This is my only thought. I hope Captain Ye can help me with this!"

After saying that, Xu Shanchang bowed to Ye Zhen. Although Ye Zhen felt a little embarrassed about Xu Shanchang's request, he also looked up to Xu Shanchang. After hesitating for a moment, Ye Zhen nodded and said:

“In that case, I will arrange for you and your family to leave here and go to a safe place tomorrow night…”

After doing all this, Ye Zhen gave a look to the two men beside him, asking them to stay here and watch over Xu Shanchang, and then left in a hurry. Now that the Fengwu Army was about to march south to the Central Plains, he had more important things to deal with.

Under the gaze of the two strong men, Xu Shanchang did not make any extra movements. He just bowed to them and returned to the house. Xu Shanchang pushed the door open and saw his first wife Wang hiding behind the door with a pair of scissors. Seeing this, Xu Shanchang could not help but ask in a low voice with some curiosity:

"Madam, what are you doing? Where is the child?"

"The child is asleep in the cellar, don't worry, husband. I was worried that you would be bullied by them, so I wanted to come up to help you!" Wang explained in a low voice:
Xu Shanchang felt touched when he heard his wife's words. At this moment, Wang seemed to have thought of something. She looked expectant and asked:
"My husband, are they from the Fengwu Army?"

Seeing his wife asking this, Xu Shanchang also realized that his conversation with Ye Zhen just now was overheard by his wife Wang, so he did not hide it and said directly:
"They are from the Fengwu Military Coordination Office and are the lackeys of Ye Mingsheng, the Governor-General of Yan and Liao!"

Although she didn't quite understand what department the Coordination Office was, Wang was immediately delighted when she got a positive answer from her husband.

"My husband, you finally made the right choice. What future could you have if you followed that bandit leader Zhu Sanshan? You would be worried and hiding every day. I heard that Governor Ye Mingsheng is a man of great ambitions. He is already the Governor of Yan and Liao at a young age. My husband, if you can follow him, your future will be limitless..."

At this point, Wang said with some regret:
"My husband, you are still too honest and sentimental. If someone else had the opportunity to join the Fengwu Army, I'm afraid they would have already cooperated with the Fengwu Army to cut off Zhu Sanshan's head as a token of their loyalty!"

Xu Shanchang laughed at his wife's words, but still shook his head and said:

"Master Zhu has been very kind to me. Even if I want to betray him, I cannot harm him. Moreover, Governor Ye has always been fond of loyal and righteous people. If I harm Zhu Sanshan, he may not say anything, but he will definitely think that I am a despicable person and look down on me!"

"As for the letter of surrender, it's best if you have it, but it doesn't matter if you don't. I believe that as long as I, Xu, am given a chance, I will definitely be able to win a place in the Fengwu Army!"

After listening to Xu Shanchang's analysis, Wang nodded obediently and said:
"My husband, you are so thoughtful!" Xu Shanchang grabbed his wife's hand and said:

"My dear, you are a lady from a wealthy family. It's really hard for you to follow a poor scholar like me for so many years. But my dear, our good days are still ahead. One day, I will definitely let you return to your parents' home to visit your relatives in style!"

As soon as these words came out, Wang's eyes were filled with longing, and she said shyly:

"My husband, I believe you!"

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Yijing, Governor's Mansion

"Worship to the high hall!"

"Second thanks to heaven and earth!"

"Couple greetings!"

After the ceremony, under the gaze of Ye Cui and other relatives and friends, Ye Mingsheng took Murong Qingwu's hand and slowly walked into the bridal chamber.

From the perspective of feudal etiquette, although Ye Mingsheng married Murong Qingwu as a concubine, given Murong Qingwu's status and the political impact behind this marriage, Ye Mingsheng was originally prepared to make a good arrangement. However, when he married An Miaoyi, the war was imminent and the Fengwu Army was in financial difficulty. The only silver they had was used to prepare for war, so the wedding was not of high standard.

In addition, An Miaoyi, whose health had improved recently, suddenly fell ill with a high fever. So in order to avoid irritating An Miaoyi and affecting her condition, Ye Mingsheng made a temporary decision to hold a simple wedding with Murong Qingwu, not too ostentatious. He only invited his mother Ye Cui, some uncles of the Ye family, Murong Qingwu's parents Murong Yuliang and others, as well as important ministers around him such as Gu Sansi and He Jingyun.

In the bridal chamber, Ye Mingsheng gently lifted the red veil of Murong Qingwu. Looking at the gorgeous and charming Murong Qingwu in red, he said apologetically:
“Sorry, today’s wedding is a little simple…”

Listening to Ye Mingsheng's words, although she felt a little aggrieved and thought that An Miaoyi was pretending to be sick to disgust her, Murong Qingwu still pretended to be sensible and shook her head and said:
"I understand your difficulties, my husband. You and Sister An have been married for life. She is ill now, so we really can't provoke her anymore!"

Although he didn't know whether Murong Qingwu's words were sincere, Ye Mingsheng was still very pleased to hear her say so. He couldn't help but sigh:
"Qingwu, you are so considerate!"

Murong Qingwu smiled and said sincerely:
"Qingwu married my husband, hoping that he would treat her sincerely. Everything else is nothing but clouds!"

Holding Murong Qingwu's hands, Ye Mingsheng said with a smile:

"Do you still remember when you were sixteen and went to the palace to attend the Lantern Festival banquet? When I first saw you at that time, I was stunned by your beauty and wanted to marry you. Now I have finally got my wish. What more could I ask for!"

After hearing this, Murong Qingwu felt Ye Mingsheng's intention and felt shy and touched. Because the Fengwu Army had to go south to the Central Plains recently and had many affairs to attend to, many things would require the final decision of Ye Mingsheng, the boss.

So the next morning, just after the hour of Mao, when the sky was still dim, Ye Mingsheng got up and told the maid to take good care of Murong Qingwu, and then went to the study to handle official business.

Seeing that Murong Qingwu's maid Ying'er who came with her as a dowry had difficulty moving, after handing the white cloth used last night to the maid sent by Ye Cui, she quickly supported Murong Qingwu...

"Where is my husband?" Murong Qingwu asked Ying'er softly:
Hearing Murong Qingwu's question, Ying Er said softly:
"The master went to the study to work at 11:00 a.m."

Hearing this answer, Murong Qingwu's red lips curled up slightly, and she complained with a little dissatisfaction:

"He's just like my father, a power-hungry guy!"

Ying Er didn't dare to interrupt Murong Qingwu's complaints. She just picked up a scroll of portraits from the desk beside her and handed it to Murong Qingwu, saying:
"Madam, this is what the master asked me to give you before he left!"

When Murong Qingwu saw the portrait, he immediately realized what Ye Mingsheng had said to him. His beautiful eyes, like water, immediately filled with anticipation. He slowly opened the scroll, and soon a scene of a stunning beauty standing under the peach tree appeared in Murong Qingwu's eyes.

Murong Qingwu's slender jade fingers gently touched the figure in the portrait, and a smile unconsciously appeared on her pretty face. The complaints in her heart about Ye Mingsheng being busy with work on the first day of their marriage also quietly dissipated.

After reading for a whole incense stick of time, Murong Qingwu reluctantly closed the scroll, and then said to Ying'er with great love:
"Put this painting away, and find a good framer to frame it and hang it in your room in a few days!"

"Okay, ma'am!" Ying Er carefully put away the portrait and replied:
In a good mood, Murong Qingwu began to wash and dress. Although today was her first day of marriage, according to etiquette, as a daughter-in-law, she had to pay her respects and offer tea to Ye Cui before noon, and then visit An Miaoyi, the eldest wife, and meet other sisters in the Ye Mansion. This trip was very troublesome...
(End of this chapter)