Chapter 258: Chapter 109: Unexpectedly, Lingyi Five Peaks
June.
Sixteen-year-old Li Zhili welcomed his bride.
At the wedding banquet, upon seeing Li Xuan again, the once righteous and naive expression of the young man had completely vanished, leaving only respect and gratitude.
Initially, Li Zhili felt as though he was living in his elder brother’s shadow.
But if there is a shadow, one should be able to see the silhouette. However, now Li Xuan had risen to unknown heights, and the shadow naturally vanished.
All that remained in Li Zhili’s heart was pride.
He was proud to have such an elder brother.
Wherever he went, as soon as others heard that he was "Prince Qing’s younger brother," their attitudes would immediately change, and they would show him immense respect. This respect came from the heart, and Li Zhili felt that even if he became the top scholar, he would never receive such respect.
And precisely because he had traveled to many places and seen many things, he had been angry, in pain, confused, and struggled, but eventually, he suddenly realized how insignificant he was. He had made many mistakes, but the title "Prince Qing’s younger brother" made his "luck extremely good," always encountering people willing to help him.
He heard stories about the Zhou family from his wife, only then realizing how tiring his brother’s role as Prince Qing was, and understanding that his own safety was entirely because his brother was shielding the family from hardships.
Although he didn’t understand why, the Li family had weathered various disasters, while surrounding neighbors perished one after another, yet the Li family remained unmoved, surely it was related to his brother.
At this moment, the youth, in his groom’s attire, sat beside Li Xuan, his face drunken with gratitude, raising his cup and muttering apologetically: "When I was young, I didn’t understand the nature of things, always believing in books as truth. Back then, I even questioned my brother; truly naive and shallow... Brother, come, let me offer you another toast."
Having said that, without waiting for Li Xuan’s response, the honest younger brother lifted his hands, intending to down the remaining strong liquor in his cup.
Yet, there was at least three taels of liquor in his cup.
If the groom consumes three taels of strong liquor, he will likely become a "dead dog" Li Zhili.
However, the groom did not turn into a dead dog, for Li Xuan, with a flick of his hand, snatched the cup from him, poured out more than half into a nearby cup, and handed back the remainder, then smiled, "If you get drunk today, Yanmei might kick you out of bed."
Li Zhili looked red-eyed at his elder brother.
His brother’s smile was so calm, but he could not bear even a bit of what his brother carried.
Li Zhili suddenly bowed his head and said, "I am a useless younger brother."
Li Xuan said, "Useless? The Li family’s business still counts on you to inherit it."
Saying this, he hugged his younger brother’s shoulder hard and said, "You little rascal, I originally wanted you to inherit the family business and go into officialdom.
Now it’s completely reversed.
You’ve got a good life ahead, yet you’re still thinking about other things, as your brother I truly want to give you a beating."
Li Zhili recalled the days of his childhood, when his mother would fry bamboo shoots with pork, and thinking of his resentment during those times, he couldn’t help but laugh, now he understood... back then, his elder brother genuinely didn’t want to study books, therefore placed the burden of "family revival" on his shoulders.
But when did his elder brother suddenly step up?
His brother had always been hiding his talents.
Thinking of this, he suddenly leaned over and bit the cup on the table.
The cup still contained the liquor Li Xuan had poured.
Li Zhili tilted his head and drank all the strong liquor without leaving a single drop, then looked at Li Xuan and grinned, "Brother, your toast must be consumed cleanly."
Li Xuan laughed and said, "Tonight, you really will be kicked out of bed by Yanmei."
Li Zhili waved his hand, saying, "No, Yanmei absolutely won’t kick me off the bed."
Li Xuan asked in surprise, "Why?"
Li Zhili patted his chest and said, "Because I will voluntarily sleep under the bed."
The brothers exchanged a look and laughed heartily together.
After laughing, Li Xuan said seriously, "Manage the Li family’s business association well."
Li Zhili solemnly nodded, paused for a few moments, then stood up and patted his elder brother’s shoulder, before drunkenly going to toast others in the distance.
Today is his day of joy, but also the day he begins to take on responsibilities.
From now on, he has a family of his own and can no longer be willful or immature.
So let’s indulge in drunkenness today.
...
...
A few days after the wedding, Li Xuan headed north.
The Prime Minister did not accompany him back, as Li Xuan wished for him to stay comfortably in Xiongshan County for his retirement.
The Prime Minister agreed.
Meanwhile, the Dark Web had already rushed to the capital, arranging preparations for Li Xuan’s smooth entry into the capital.
The Divine Martial Monarch, whose "fame shocks the world even before arriving," only brought along his wife, children, maidservants, and a few accompanying servants on his journey north.
Accompanying them was a concubine, the Wei family.
The presence of the Wei family was subtle, but this time Li Xuan brought her along.
Along the way, Prince Qing’s Mansion traveled like a small family vacation.
In the carriage, Prince Qing told his magic-altered fairy tales to the little girl and silly son, and when they encountered beautiful scenery, he’d stop the carriage, taking his wife and children to wander amidst the lovely mountains and rivers.
When a town offered some specialty food, he’d also take his children to feast heartily.
Beautiful times are always short, so Li Xuan would never waste the time spent with his family to rush to the capital.
What’s in the capital?
Just two or three stray cats and dogs.
He cares not for the stray cats and dogs, but for the masters behind them.
Now, the sects of Bronze Plain have clearly established numerous connections with Great Yin, with warlords from all sides seeking to please the sect.
