Chapter Twenty-Eight

The bustling excitement of Beijing had utterly captivated the young Prince Pucha, who found himself reluctant to leave. Since his arrival, the boy had been enjoying a rather comfortable life. Initially, due to meticulous preparation, he managed to present himself with admirable composure during his first meeting with Lin Feng. But soon enough, under the onslaught of temptations, his youthful nature revealed itself. Aside from the obligatory visits to Han officials, he spent nearly all his time indulging in the city's amusements. At first, staying as an honored guest at the Office of Foreign Affairs, he exercised some restraint due to his status, but as he grew more familiar with his surroundings, he brazenly abandoned his old retainers and moved into Zhou Peigong’s residence. In such circumstances, no one could object—after all, from any perspective, the siblings were but lonely souls relying on each other. Who could forbid him from spending time with his sister?

During this period, the Prince of Han’s conduct completely won over several old Chahar ministers and nobles. This was not because Lin Feng resorted to heavy bribery or manipulation—indeed, had he done so, it would have aroused suspicion and resentment. When they first entered the capital, these old hands were on high alert, prepared for either cordial diplomacy or, should the Han forces attempt to annex Chahar, a fight to the death. Yet, from the Han's response, it was clear their intentions were otherwise. Lin Feng treated the young prince with touching care, sending learned scholars to instruct him in reading and writing, and even criticized his penchant for frequenting pleasure houses—a stance perhaps too severe for a rebellious youth. As a result, relations between the Prince of Han and the young Prince Pucha were not particularly harmonious, especially after Lin Feng discovered the prince had spent the night in a brothel. Enraged, Lin Feng summoned the Chahar elders and stormed the brothel to fetch the boy, scolding him harshly, nearly to the point of cursing.

When the young prince finally bid a wistful farewell to Beijing, the marriage delegation from the Great Zhou Dynasty of Jiangnan had already arrived at Tianjin Port. This was truly a momentous event. News of the delegation's arrival sent the entire Han-ruled realm into a state of jubilation. The Chief Minister, Li Guangdi, without hesitation, declared himself the principal matchmaker and assumed full responsibility for the King’s nuptials.

In truth, this marriage alliance was far less peaceful than the common folk imagined; the sea voyage over the past months had been fraught with danger and legendary incidents. It was well known that, due to historical enmity, Zheng Jing of Taiwan and His Majesty Wu Sangui had long been mortal foes. Thus, the princess’s sea journey was hardly safer than a land route. To ensure the smooth completion of this union, Minister Wang Shirong, who orchestrated the affair, had likely spent many sleepless nights. Along the way, there were no shortage of intriguing stories.

Before the marriage mission even began, the Han secretly negotiated with Taiwan. After much bargaining, the matter was settled. The Han leadership kept careful account of the situation, knowing full well that, politically, Taiwan Zheng’s regime was perhaps little better off than their own. In the wider world, the Zhengs were highly isolated, their only meaningful relationship being a tentative cooperation with the Han regime in the capital; with all others, they were at daggers drawn. Clearly, given Zheng Jing's current military might, he lacked the strength to conquer the world, and thus to break with Lin Feng at such a time would be wildly unwise.

Upon hearing of the delegation’s arrival, Lin Feng was filled with complicated emotions—he truly felt unlucky regarding this marriage. Frankly, his mood was exceedingly gloomy; in all of history, who else had to go through such trouble to claim a bride? Besides in-laws constantly scheming against him, he’d nearly sparked a war over the matter. Reflecting on the twists and turns, he felt he must be some kind of romantic legend—no one, not even in the twenty-first century, could match such persistence in pursuit of a woman.

As soon as the marriage party disembarked in Tianjin, they were met with the highest honors. Save for a few generals stationed at distant borders, nearly all high officials of the Han regime hurried to the scene. Led by Li Guangdi, they respectfully escorted the future lady of the house from the ship, then formed a heavy military guard. It must be mentioned: while the people across Han territory celebrated, the front lines at Dezhou and Liaodong immediately went into emergency alert. Though the Qing court had no intention of crashing the wedding, the Han army prepared as if for war, sealing all borders, suspending trade, and firing all their cannons in warning.

Human nature is a curious thing. Lin Feng had feared chaos, crowds, drunkenness, and disaster, yet when none of these came to pass, he was left disappointed—even somewhat angry. Was this truly a wedding? One of life’s most beautiful moments had passed so plainly and inexplicably—what a regret!

After finally sending away the last of the revelers, Lin Feng eagerly hurried to his bridal chamber. To be honest, his first impression of Princess Anping during the ceremony was very favorable. Her regal dress did nothing to mar her tall, slender figure. The only disappointment was that he had not seen her feet and could not guess their size.

Under the intensity of Lin Feng’s gaze, Wu Yingke blushed, a trace of anger flickering across her face as she chided, “What are you staring at?”

Lin Feng was taken aback. “Why, I’m looking at my wife! You’re my bride now—who else should I look at?”

Wu Yingke fell silent, her cheeks flushed even deeper. “Who’s your bride? In your dreams!”

Lin Feng was dumbfounded. Was there any need to argue? The matter was settled, so how could she still refuse now? Looking at her mixture of indignation and shyness, he asked, puzzled, “Then what must happen for you to count as my wife?”

At this, Wu Yingke regained her composure, curled her lips, and said, “They say you’re the ‘Greatest General of Hebei’—is that true?”

“Of course!” With a beauty before him, Lin Feng’s pride swelled. He boasted, “Back in the day, I led tens of thousands to sweep through the capital region, slew Kangxi, beheaded Tu Hai on the battlefield—my valor is second to none, forged in oceans of blood. That’s not just talk—”

“Oh, really?” Wu Yingke eyed him with skepticism. “So impressive? Want to spar a few rounds?”

“Ah!” Lin Feng jumped in alarm. “Surely not tonight—this is our wedding night…” As Wu Yingke advanced on him, he scrambled to his feet, trying to keep calm. “You know, a real man doesn’t… Hey, hey, I haven’t warmed up yet—”

Wu Yingke seized Lin Feng by the collar with her left hand, twisted his arm with her right, and with a gentle shove sent him flying. With a loud thud, he crashed headlong into the doorframe, seeing stars.

“Ha!” Wu Yingke was briefly stunned by how easily she succeeded. Then she spat disdainfully, “Boastful fool! ‘Valor second to none’ indeed!”

This was outrageous! Rubbing the large bump swelling on his head, Lin Feng’s fury boiled over. He leapt up, ready to strike back—after all, in this world, he’d only ever been the one dishing out the beatings, never the one on the receiving end. Yet the bridal chamber was so meticulously arranged that not a single suitable weapon could be found.

“What’s the matter—unconvinced?” Wu Yingke laughed, advancing on him and tapping his head with a delicate finger. “With such feeble skills, this princess hardly feels victorious!”

What a humiliation! Lin Feng was enraged. If he didn’t put this woman in her place tonight, how could life go on? Catching her off guard, he gave a shout, kicked off the door behind him, and lunged forward, wrapping Wu Yingke tightly in his arms and attempting to throw her to the ground. “My martial arts are peerless… Tonight, you’ll see what I—”

Wu Yingke drove a sharp elbow into his chest. Pain exploded through Lin Feng’s body, leaving him speechless. His grip slackened, and she seized his arm, twisting it behind his back. Before he could react, a powerful blow landed on his rear, sending him flying out of the room. With a crash, the door swung open, and Lin Feng tumbled out into the small garden, crushing flowers and shattering pots. His pitiful cries echoed far and wide.

Hearing his wails, some clueless guard outside the wall shouted, “Assassins! Protect the King!” Chaos erupted in the rear courtyard as the guards, weapons drawn, stormed in, their armor clanking and torches blazing. Li Ergou was first to reach Lin Feng, helping him up while still barking orders to search for the assassin.

“Search your mother!” Lin Feng, fuming, vented his wrath, jabbing a finger at Li Ergou’s nose. “Who let you lot in here?!”

By now, the courtyard was as bright as day. Li Ergou, scolded for no reason, glanced up and caught sight of the Princess, who stood in the doorway, looking anxiously at her battered husband. Suddenly, he noticed the state of the garden and paled in terror.

The other guards, too, took in the scene, falling silent and white-faced. Each was gripped by the same thought: ill fortune indeed to have stumbled upon the King’s mortifying moment. Who knew if he’d silence them all to keep it secret?

Lin Feng himself gave this no thought. Surrounded by his subordinates, he found his courage again. Staring at Wu Yingke, who stood leaning against the door, he hesitated: judging by his own skills, a one-on-one rematch was hopeless. But to order his soldiers to attack his wife? That seemed… less than honorable.

The more he thought, the angrier he became. He couldn’t help but shout, “Vicious woman, you hit so hard—” Seeing Wu Yingke still standing there, he snapped, “Aren’t you going to help me up? Damn it, I’m in agony…”

The courtyard was deathly silent, torches crackling in the night. Dozens of guards stared in awe at the uncertain Princess. Wu Yingke’s expression shifted from dark to bright and back again until, unable to bear the pressure, she blushed deeply and came forward to help the moaning Lin Feng.

Supported by his wife, Lin Feng limped back into the bridal chamber. Glancing back, he saw the officers still gaping and yelled, “What are you waiting for? Get out!”

The guards fled as if pardoned from death. Li Ergou led the way out but, just as he crossed the threshold, remembered that Princess Anping was from an enemy state and that the King’s safety was his duty. What if something happened? He shivered, waved a few trusted men over, and quietly took up position by the garden’s edge.

“Hey! Vicious woman… couldn’t you be more gentle?”

“Stop whining. I’m already massaging it for you—take it or leave it!”

The guards lurking in the garden felt awkward overhearing this, but there was no question of abandoning their post now; they could only grit their teeth and eavesdrop on their lord’s marital affairs.

“So you still call yourself ‘Greatest General of Hebei’? With those sorry skills, you’d be dead on the battlefield in no time!”

“Watch your tongue! If I die, you’ll be a widow! Don’t you know true generals never fight at the front? Ever heard of Zhuge Liang, Zhou Yu? I’m a strategist, understand?”

“Ha! You dare compare yourself to Prime Minister Zhuge? What kind of ‘strategist’ are you?”

“That’s a long story. By the way, have you read ‘Romance of the Three Kingdoms’? Military strategy is my forte. Let me tell you…”

Li Ergou chuckled to himself. He’d followed Lin Feng long enough to know his master’s ways—with that tongue and his tales of the Three Kingdoms, no one in this world could out-talk him. It looked like Princess Anping was in for a long night.

…

“Ahem, wife, after all I’ve explained about the ‘rites of Zhou’ and ‘the principles of marriage,’ do you understand now?”

“I… I don’t know how…”

“Sigh. Seems mother-in-law failed in her duty—but never mind, your husband will teach you…”

End of Chapter Three: Cultivating Oneself, Managing the Family, Governing the Nation

Please look forward to Chapter Four: The Years of Burning Passion