C28

Lu Que looked at her angry and resentful face and scratched his head in confusion. Big Sister Qingcheng, although Uncle Gu and Father once made a verbal promise, if you really don't like it, I can ask Father to step forward and speak to Uncle Gu. This matter has already happened more than ten years ago, and it's also a private agreement. There definitely aren't many people who know about it, and it's not considered as giving face to you and Princess Gu.

"Is … is what you said true?" Gu Qingcheng exclaimed with a complicated expression on her face.

"Of course it's true." Lu Que smiled and nodded his head. He could tell that this older sister of the Gu family was somewhat unwilling towards this marriage. Since that was the case, there was no need to force the matter. His personality was calm and indifferent, and he would never make things difficult for others. He would never speak harshly to the servants and servants of his mansion, and always treated them with gentleness and gentleness.

Furthermore, he had only met Gu Qingcheng twice, and had treated her as his sister. Although he had a good impression of her, it didn't have anything to do with the relationship between a man and a woman. Naturally, he could not bear to see his beautiful elder sister grieve over her marriage.

Seeing Lu Que's pure eyes and warm smile, Gu Qingcheng fell silent. She was unable to make sense of what she was thinking at the moment. Ever since she was a child, she knew that her future husband would be Lu Que. When she grew up, although she was a little unwilling, she did not say much since Lu Que had been missing for many years.

However, ever since she was fifteen, there had been an endless stream of people coming to propose marriage. Only now did she realize that, as the direct daughter of the duke, it was extremely difficult for her to have the marriage take place on her own accord. Fortunately, his father always remembered the marriage contract back then, so he blocked those who proposed to him using the name of marriage. Seeing the other sisters unhappy with the marriage arranged by the clan, Gu Qingcheng couldn't help but secretly rejoice in her heart that she didn't have such worries.

But at this time, Lu Que and his family returned. The Grand Princess had regained control of the Feng Xiang Army, and the Marquis of Martialism, whose fame had shook the world, had even been conferred the title of Duke of Wei. Although he had only received the title of Marshal, no one dared to look down on this new Duke of Wei's Mansion.

The two families had long been engaged and were well-matched, so no matter how one looked at it, this marriage was certain. Furthermore, she overheard the conversation between her father and mother, and said that she would find a suitable time to settle the marriage between the two families.

Gu Qingcheng knew that she wouldn't be able to avoid this marriage. She couldn't understand why her parents, who had always loved her so dearly, wanted her to marry a child four years younger than her. Could it be that he was the heir to the Duke of Wei, the nephew of the Emperor and the Queen?

Annoyed, she constantly sent people to collect news of Lu Que. At this moment, she noticed that the kid that couldn't even walk steadily had already grown into an elegant youth.

He was intelligent, approachable, kind, and talented. Other than his personality which made him seem a little unhappy and a little cold, he could not find anything else wrong with it. Gu Qingcheng, who had always wanted to find an opportunity to reject the marriage, was somewhat dumbfounded when she heard this.

Furthermore, from her aunt Gu Jianyun, she found out some things about Lu Que in the Unreturned Mountain. The Divine Bird acknowledged him as its master, and the Divine Beast became its friend. The forbidden area of the Eight Peak Ten Valleys was actually like his own garden, leisurely strolling around and playing around. All of this made her extremely curious about Lu Que.

After thinking for a while, Gu Qingcheng raised her head to look at Lu Que. She saw him looking at her curiously. He could not help but blush and took a deep breath to adjust his emotions. A charming and spirited expression appeared on her beautiful and peerless face, exuding endless charm with every frown and smile.

Lu Que was stunned as his heart thumped wildly in his chest in frustration.

"Lu Que, do you think I'm beautiful?"

Lu Que nodded dumbly.

Gu Qingcheng smiled lightly and continued, "Then do you want me to be your wife?"

Lu Que glanced at Gu Qingcheng and hesitated.

Seeing Lu Que acting like this, Gu Qingcheng rolled her eyes and silently cursed in her heart, "As for me, I'm actually not against this marriage."

"Huh?" Lu Que never expected Gu Qingcheng to say such a thing and looked at her in shock.

"Although I don't object to this marriage, it won't be that easy for you to marry me into the Duke of Wei's estate." Gu Qingcheng's clear eyes twitched as a smile crept up her lips, "My husband must be an indomitable hero." One's looks and talents could not be lacking. "To mount the horse, one can command it to fight, to attack and to defend. To dismount, one can assist the people. To write a book, one can say, 'Little brother Lu, you have to work hard'."

"I …" Lu Que was about to say something when Gu Qingcheng pressed a finger to his lips. A sweet scent wafted towards him and his recovered heart seemed to beat even faster.

"When I exit this door, the entire capital will know that you are my, Gu Qingcheng's, fiance. However, in the capital city, there was still the Phoenix's Cry School. The young master of a famous sect who pursued his elder sister, the 'virtuous and handsome' and 'outstanding individuals' were innumerable. You certainly don't want them to bother your sister any longer, do you? "

Lu Que wanted to say something, but was blocked by Gu Qingcheng's finger.

"So, shouldn't you help your sister get rid of them?" Gu Qingcheng smiled brilliantly as she looked at Lu Que's somewhat dazed appearance.

"Sister Qingcheng, actually, you don't have to make things difficult for yourself." Lu Que hurriedly said as he saw Gu Qingcheng withdraw her hand.

Gu Qingcheng glanced at Lu Que as the smile in her eyes grew wider. However, she did not continue with Lu Que's words and instead said, "I heard from my aunt that you can now deduce the winner between you and the Duke of Wei?"

"Father let me." Lu Que replied humbly. Since the age of ten, his father, Lu Chun, had taught him the art of military strategy and had also created a variety of sand tables with red and blue flags in each hand. From the start of the battle, Lu Que and his father were already at a stalemate.

However, Lu Que knew that his father hadn't tried his best and he was still a little weaker than his father. Moreover, Lu Que knew that leading men to battle against a sand table was a different story. Any minor misstep could lead to complete defeat.

"Then, after a few years, if the northern border's three allied armies descend from the south without any generals in the imperial court, would you be willing to lead the troops to resist the enemy?" Gu Qingcheng looked at Lu Que, her eyes flashing with anticipation.

Ever since she was young, she had heard her father tell her the story of the Qing Yang Empire's destruction. When she grew up and entered the academy, she had also become very familiar with the history of the war. The peerlessly talented Duke of Wei, Lu Chun, was the idol of countless students, and she was no exception. Ever since she was young, she had set herself a goal: she must marry a handsome man like the Duke of Wei.

"How can there be no generals in court?" Lu Que said disapprovingly. Although his father and Marquis Bai Yi were the only two capable men who could command hundreds of thousands of troops on the expedition, there were countless capable men guarding the city. Furthermore, there was his mother, the Feng Xiang Army, guarding the imperial city.

"I only ask you, are you willing?"

"If that happens, the nation will be in danger like an egg. I am willing. " Lu Que nodded his head seriously.

Seeing Lu Que's actions, Gu Qingcheng smiled happily, "If you can really be like your father, able to hold the world in his hands and be revered by the world, why would I, as a weak and weak girl, not marry?"

Lu Que felt that Gu Qingcheng's words made sense, but at the same time, they seemed to be wrong. However, her mother had also loved her father's talent, which was why she had married her father, who came from the Humble Class. The two of them had always loved and respected each other. At least in Lu Que's memories, his parents had never had any arguments over anything. This way, the big sister Gu's choice could not be said to be wrong. But he didn't say that he wanted to marry her?

"Alright, you're injured so you need to rest properly. I'll come see you in a few days." Gu Qingcheng helped Lu Que lie down, tucked him in, and then got up to leave.

"Sister Gu." Just when Gu Qingcheng walked to the door, Lu Que opened his mouth and said, "Yesterday you told me to be careful, but who should I be careful with? Elder sister Tian Xiang, or Miss Yun Chang? "

"What do you think?" Gu Qingcheng turned to look at Lu Que, her eyes flashing with splendor, "Don't you have the talent to be the chief? This shouldn't be too much of a problem for you, right? "

"I ~" Lu Que thought about it and nodded his head.

"Since you already know the answer, why do you need to ask me?" With that, Gu Qingcheng urged Lu Que on to recuperate before pushing the door open.

Lu Que looked at the closed door and smelled the lingering scent of a young girl in the room. He felt a headache. He was already beginning to worry about the life in the academy. Gu Qingcheng was a peerless beauty, so naturally, there would be many suitors. However, Lu Que was indifferent in nature. He only thought about it for a moment and didn't think much of it.

Days passed. Other than the students from the Phoenix Cry School staying in the capital, the students from the other eight universities all chose to follow the teachers from the academy. As for the students who did not make it to the ranking board, they began to return to their hometowns.

But at this moment, there was one thing that attracted the attention of the entire empire. It was the Foundation Establishment Ranking at the start of the month of La.

After every big exam, the youths who were not yet fifteen years old would first arrive at the imperial capital. This was because every year, on the first day of January, the powers of the Greenwood Tree covered the entire continent, allowing these youths who had just turned fifteen years old to break through to the Body Refinement Realm, which was to condense a Blood Meridian.

Thus, after every exam, determining the grade of the student's foundation, whether it was the Nine University Palace or the entire Great Gan Empire, was an extremely important matter. The world had recognized that a cultivator of the 36th rank had a cultivation base of the 1st level and the 1st level and the 1st level and the 2nd level. The grade of Foundation Establishment represented a person's potential. Just like Foundation Establishment level 12 and above, as long as the person didn't die early, he would definitely be able to break through to the Spiritual Altar level. The difference was that it was only a matter of time.

Therefore, if a student wanted to study in the Imperial Court, besides their own talent, a Foundation Establishment level 12 was the minimum requirement. Those who failed this standard did not have the qualifications to participate in the Imperial Court examination.

It was already mid-October, and Lu Que could already walk without having to lie on his bed and pretend to be sick. Gu Qingcheng had come by herself a few more times, but not alone. She and Yu Tian Xiang had always come together to visit Lu Que.

Ever since Gu Qingcheng had left the Duke's Mansion that day, the news of the engagement of the two nobles, Wei and Dingguo, had spread throughout the entire capital. Although neither of the two had made a clear declaration nor was it a written engagement, the news that the Duke had personally proposed for marriage when Lu Que was still young had spread like wildfire among the younger generation.

The national beauty, the heavenly fragrance of Yu Tian, and the devastatingly beautiful Gu Qingcheng were also listed as the Imperial Capital's Twin Sisters. Who knew how many outstanding youths wanted to take these two as their wives? Furthermore, compared to Yu Tian Xiang, who was of royal lineage and had a status that no one could aspire to, there were even more pursuers for the graceful and lively Gu Qingcheng.

If it wasn't for the fact that Lu Que had just been assassinated and the Feng Xiang Army was still patrolling the streets of the imperial city and the reputation of the Duke of Wei was too ingrained in everyone's hearts, there might have been an incident regarding the son of the Marquis.

Duanmu Ye's injuries had already healed. He originally wanted to wait for Lu Que to recover before making a trip back to his home in Hanshan County. After all, he had left a letter behind in advance when he participated in the test. However, he didn't expect his father, who loved horses as if they were his life, to know that he was injured. He pulled out three of the best Frigid Mountain Horses in the stable and changed horses. He then rushed to the capital at the same time, day and night.

What made Duanmu Ye even more surprised was that his father, Duanmu, only stayed at the Duke of Wei's estate for two days. He had requested Lu Chun, a good friend of the military, to ride him back to the northern border.

Lu Chun, Yu Chu Qing and Duanmu Ye already knew what kind of character Duanmu was, so they didn't mind. However, this was the first time Lu Que had seen such an extraordinary person. His son had not fully recovered from his injuries. He was worried that the people at the horse farm would not be able to take care of those war horses, so he went back. The name of the horse fanatic lived up to its reputation.

It was almost the end of the year. Feng Xiang Army was busy with military matters, and his mother had left early and returned late. His father had also left the capital a few days ago with the sect master, Yu Xiayi. He didn't say where he was going, and still hadn't returned.

In a small pavilion in Lu Que's courtyard, Lu Que and Duanmu Ye were playing chess. This was also the only entertainment he had in recent days. While he was' recuperating ', he was not allowed to leave the manor. Every day, other than reading books, he would use the Fire Emperor Cauldron to chat with Little White and play chess with him.

"Lu Que, yesterday I heard from Zhuge that because of our matter, the Prefecture Overseer Jing Zhao was debased and sent out of the capital to become a County Magistrate of Floating Snow County."

I know that." Lu Que picked up a chess piece and observed the situation on the board. Although Duanmu Ye was tall and big, his chess skills were not weak. "In addition, the move was like a fierce tiger throwing dragons and a majestic atmosphere. Although its layout was lacking, its attack power was overwhelming. Lu Que had to be careful when dealing with it.

"You know? How do you know? " Duanmu Ye asked curiously. This was what Zhuge Yan had told him when he sent her out yesterday. It was just a few days ago. How did Lu Que, who stayed in the yard all day, know about it?

"Mother told me that Jing Zhao Yin Zhou Xi is a rare talent in the Humble Class. He is loyal, upright and upright. "This time, we are in the outskirts of the capital. Although it has nothing to do with him, but everything that happened in the capital has to be blamed on the Jing Zhao and Yin Mansion. So, we were forced to give up on them."

"It's such a pity for such a talent." Duanmu Ye sighed. He was born into the Humble Class, so he held a trace of sympathy towards this Lord Zhou. This was truly an unexpected misfortune.

"Don't worry." Lu Que placed the chess piece in his hand on the chessboard and smiled as he said, "Lord Zhou's trip to the capital was nothing but the law of Yan Ming. Lu Que placed the chess piece in his hand on the chessboard and smiled as he said," Lord Zhou's departure to the capital was only a law of Yan Ming.

"That's good." Duanmu Ye also smiled. Although he had no relationship with that Lord Zhou, they were from the Humble Class and had a natural affinity with each other. Upon hearing that he could be promoted to vice minister of the Ministry of Justice, he was genuinely happy for him. Besides, it was also a good thing for the commoners to have such an adult, who understood the hardships of the people, Yan Mingqing, in the Ministry of Justice.

"By the way, why didn't Zhuge come today?" Lu Que asked.

"Him." Duanmu Ye seemed to have thought of something, and his smile was very strange. "Today, he has arranged for the dancer, Qian Jin, to visit the Lake of Soundwave."

"Oh?" Lu Que was a little surprised, "Zhuge gave Miss Yun Chang so many posts and they were all rejected. You finally agreed to it today?"

"Brother Zhuge's reputation as a dissolute young master scared people." Duanmu Ye shook his head. He really couldn't understand why a nobleman would be so infatuated with women.

Lu Que and Duanmu Ye both knew that the reason why Zhuge Yan was interested in Wu Yunchang was not because of her looks, but because of that dance skill that was renowned throughout the world. Lu Que was able to tell the difference between him and Duanmu Ye, despite the young age of the young girl, her body seemed to be one with nature. The name "Thunder Wind Dance" was indeed reasonable for it to be able to spread throughout the world.

"That's true. Brother Zhuge's hobbies are indeed quite widespread. " Lu Que had known Zhuge Yan longer than Duanmu Ye, so he naturally knew of his eccentric hobbies.

"Right." Duanmu Ye looked at Lu Que hesitantly and said, "Is the matter between you and Miss Gu real?"

"I don't know either." Lu Que smiled bitterly and shook his head. He was at a loss as to how to deal with this elder sister of the Gu family, who was at times passionate, at times charming and at times bizarre. Now, even if he had not left the manor, he had heard the rumors regarding the two of them.

However, Lu Que didn't pay too much attention to this. He was not even fifteen years old and had written down a rule that students of the academy were not allowed to marry. Furthermore, he was known as the most difficult student to graduate from the imperial academy, so it was still too early to think about such things.

Although there were students studying in the Imperial Court every year, very few students were able to graduate and could only return to other academies.

Since the founding of the Great Gan Empire, among the Imperial Academy students that graduated, the youngest was the nineteen year old Baili Chengping, followed by Lu Chun, who also graduated from the Imperial Court at the age of nineteen. The two of them took four years, but Baili Chengping had a better result, so he was ranked first. After them were Baili Jia and Ji Hengheng. Both of them took four and a half years.

One of the characteristics of these four was that they were all from the Humble Class.

At this moment, a gust of wind blew past, bringing with it a dense vapor. Lu Que raised his head to look at the sky and said, "Brother Duanmu, there should be a heavy rain in a while. Let's move inside."

"Alright." Duanmu Ye raised his head to look at the sky and nodded.