213: Chapter 93 Roller Wheel, Marriage

"Do you know about Wu Mus Testament?"

Hearing this, Meng Li was stunned for a moment, then said, "I know of it. It's said to be the testament of Yue Fei. It contains not only various strategies against the Jin State, but also a summary of Yue Fei's military tactics and experiences throughout his life. Thus, it's considered a miraculous book on military strategy."

After speaking, he asked, "Why are you mentioning this?"

Zhao Guicheng replied, "It's like this."

"A while ago, the Jin State fought several battles with the Great Desert. The Jin State lost and sent a special envoy to Hangzhou, hoping to unite with the Song Dynasty against the Great Desert. That Jin envoy is their Third Prince, named Wanyan Hongxi, and he brought several Jianghu experts with him."

"One night during the talks, I went to the palace for some business and unexpectedly found Wanyan Hongxi and his group acting suspiciously."

"Later, after asking around, I found out they were trying to plot to steal Wu Mus Testament, which is hidden in the palace."

"Setting aside the immense importance of Wu Mus Testament, just the fact that Yue Fei is a hero of our Song Dynasty means his testament cannot be taken by the Jin people. I tried to stop them at the time, but there was a man named Ouyang Feng among them whose Martial Arts were not inferior to mine. Plus, they had more people, so I couldn't stop them."

"Afterward, I informed the Emperor, but it was a step too late, and Wu Mus Testament couldn't be found."

"Wanyan Hongxi and the others are Jin envoys. Without evidence, even the Emperor cannot easily pressure them."

After hearing the story, Meng Li was somewhat taken aback.

He had killed Wanyan Honglie, thinking there would be no more plots to steal Wu Mus Testament. After all, in the original story, Wanyan Honglie was the mastermind. He hadn't expected that without Wanyan Honglie, a Wanyan Hongxi would pop up.

And after all that, Ouyang Feng was still involved.

Instead, Guo Jing and Huang Rong weren't involved, and the person intercepting them had become Zhao Guicheng.

This...

It seemed like a butterfly effect had occurred, yet it also seemed like it hadn't.

Thinking of this, Meng Li pulled back his thoughts and asked Zhao Guicheng, "Do you have any plans in telling me this?"

Zhao Guicheng nodded and then sighed, "I suspect Wu Mus Testament won't be recovered."

"But I can't swallow this insult."

"What do you want to do?" Meng Li asked.

Zhao Guicheng said, "That Wanyan Hongxi is a Jin person, and a Prince of the Jin State at that; we can't do anything to him for now. But that Ouyang Feng and those Jianghu experts are clearly not Jin people, yet they act as Jin lapdogs and come to our Song Dynasty to stir up trouble. It's truly detestable."

"I want to find a chance to kill them!"

Meng Li realized and then said, "The others are easy to deal with, but Ouyang Feng won't be so easy to kill."

Zhao Guicheng smiled, "That's why I want to join forces with you. If we brothers work together, our combined strength can cut through gold."

Meng Li thought for a moment and nodded, "Fine."

"Once my wedding is over, I'll find an opportunity to go with you."

"Besides, you don't need to worry about Wu Mus Testament."

Zhao Guicheng was slightly stunned and then asked, "What do you mean?"

Meng Li replied, "Because as far as I know, the real Wu Mus Testament was stolen from the palace beforehand. That person was Shangguan Jiannan, a subordinate of Han Shizhong, who later became the leader of the Iron Palm Sect. He took Wu Mus Testament into the Iron Palm Sect's Forbidden Ground."

"I've been to that Forbidden Ground and obtained it."

"Really?" Zhao Guicheng's face showed pleasant surprise.

Meng Li laughed, "Why would I lie to you?"

"Then why didn't you say so earlier? You made me worry for nothing."

Zhao Guicheng complained a bit, then added, "Since you've already obtained Wu Mus Testament, why didn't you bring it out earlier? That way..."

He stopped mid-sentence.

Because he remembered Meng Li mentioning that the problem with the Song Dynasty's weakness wasn't a lack of capable officials or strong generals, but rather the internal conflicts and complacency of the people at the very top. Back then, Yue Fei was unstoppable and almost defeated the Jin State entirely, but due to the Song Dynasty's internal issues, he not only failed but also died a wrongful death.

It was like that even when Yue Fei was alive.

Now, the situation of the Song Dynasty was worse than before. Even if Meng Li brought out Wu Mus Testament, it would likely be difficult to change anything.

Thinking of this, Zhao Guicheng suddenly felt helpless and powerless.

Even if he had attained the rank of Prince, he was just an idle Prince and couldn't change anything at all.

For a moment, Zhao Guicheng felt somewhat dejected.

Meng Li understood this, patted his shoulder, and comforted him, "Perform the duties of your position; since you aren't in that position, there's no need to care too much."

Zhao Guicheng gave a soft laugh, "You're right. Let's not mention these uninteresting things, lest we dampen the mood."

Meng Li followed up, "Come, let me introduce some people to you."

Before long, Meng Li took Zhao Guicheng to meet Yang Tiexin's family, Guo Jing and his mother, Huang Rong, the Jiangnan Six Monsters, and Li Mochou.

When Yang Tiexin and the others learned of Zhao Guicheng's identity, they were initially a bit stiff.

They wanted nothing from Zhao Guicheng, but after all, they were commoners. It was easy to feel uneasy meeting an official, let alone a Prince; this was the gap brought about by social hierarchy.

However, Zhao Guicheng didn't put on airs. Instead, he maintained an approachable manner, which quickly dispelled the awkwardness.

Yang Kang had once been a Young Prince, and at this moment, he couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion as the scene touched his heart. However, when he saw Yang Tiexin, Bao Xiruo, Li Mochou, Guo Jing, and the joyous and harmonious atmosphere of the scene, those ripples calmed down again.

His current material conditions weren't as good as before, but he could support himself and his family was in a state of Perfection.

With both parents alive, his lover by his side, and sworn brothers, his emotional satisfaction far exceeded what it had been in the past.

This was quite good.

The past wealth and glory were just like a dream.

After all, Wanyan Honglie had already been assassinated and killed.

Thinking of this, Yang Kang was completely at peace.

...

On the seventh day, Meng Li and Mu Nianci were married.

Riding a tall horse and accompanied by Zhao Guicheng, Guo Jing, and Yang Kang, Meng Li headed to the Inn they had booked in advance to pick up Mu Nianci with a bridal sedan chair.

On Mu Nianci's side, besides Yang Tiexin and Bao Xiruo acting as the bride's family, there were also Huang Rong and Li Mochou as bridesmaids.

All along the way, there was music playing, flowers being scattered, and money and wedding candies being distributed.

Back at the Zhao Manor, in the seats of honor for the elders sat Madam Quan, the Yang Tiexin couple, and Quan Baoshou.

Meng Li and Mu Nianci entered the hall holding a large red silk ball, and Huang Rong joined in the fun by acting as the master of ceremonies.

Cupping her hands like a megaphone, she shouted with a smile, "First bow to Heaven and Earth!"

Meng Li and Mu Nianci bowed toward the outside.

"Second bow to the parents!"

The two turned and bowed to Madam Quan, Quan Baoshou, and the Yang Tiexin couple.

"Husband and wife bow to each other!"

Meng Li and Mu Nianci stood facing each other and bowed to one another.

"Send them to the bridal chamber!"

After Huang Rong finished shouting, she ran over and, along with Li Mochou, led Mu Nianci inside.

Meng Li remained to offer toasts and entertain the guests.

Amidst the festive atmosphere, the banquet concluded with both host and guests thoroughly enjoying themselves.

After the party dispersed, Meng Li used his internal power to dissipate the alcohol and walked toward the bridal chamber.

On the way, looking at the moon in the sky, he felt a slight sense of daze.

Married again; this should be the sixth time.

In an instant, several beautiful faces appeared in Meng Li's mind: Tie Xinlan, Jiang Yuyan, Xiao Xiao, Su Ying, Jiang Yu Feng, and finally Mu Nianci, where the image stayed fixed.

Then, he shook his head, cast aside his stray thoughts, walked to the door of the bridal chamber, dismissed the maidservants, and entered alone...