116: Chapter 101: Gui Qinshao, Your Brother Suo Lun!
116: Chapter 101: Gui Qinshao, Your Brother Suo Lun!
A middle-aged man rode a fast horse out of the city gate and dismounted when he was still dozens of ters away from Suo Lun, taking only a few strides before he rushed to Suo Lun and embraced him tightly.
He hugged so firmly that Suo Lun could hardly break free.
This was a very robust and powerful middle-aged man, about one hundred and eighty centiters tall, with a refined yet imposing face, eyes as bright as stars, a nose like a gallant cliff, and lips like painted vermilion.
In short, he was a charming middle-aged man whose every aspect radiated a trustworthy and even envious aura.
Suo Lun particularly noticed his long ears and the fullness of his earlobes.
This man was a prince of the kingdom, City Lord Gui Xingfu of Linhai City, who was also Suo Lun’s future father-in-law.
“Co, follow Uncle ho, from now on Linhai City will be your ho,” Gui Xingfu held Suo Lun’s hand firmly and walked towards the city, his warm, strong hand filled with strength.
At this scene, everyone else temporarily let out a sigh of relief.
At least Earl Gui Xingfu wouldn’t turn against him, and he completely treated Suo Lun as family.
But Suo Lun’s heart did not relax at all; on the contrary, he beca more vigilant.
There are people in this world who are very dangerous; they appear extrely loyal but are deceitful—capable of betraying you without you ever knowing.
And one thing about Gui Xingfu almost couldn’t be washed away.
If he truly cared about Suo Lun, why didn’t he help when Tianshui City fell?
Why didn’t his army co to Suo Lun’s aid at the northern bank of the Nu River, even if he didn’t know Suo Lun would co to Linhai City?
Plus, the drawbridge leading to Linhai City was so important, how could it have been so mysteriously destroyed?
At this mont, Gui Xingfu said with sorrow, “It’s Uncle’s fault for letting you suffer so much hardship.
I should have sent troops to aid imdiately when Nurdan and the other traitors rebelled.
After the fall of Tianshui City, even though I didn’t know whether you would co, I should have dispatched soldiers to rendezvous with you.”
Suo Lun was startled at once, as if the man before him had the ability to read minds, seemingly knowing exactly what he was thinking.
Gui Xingfu continued, “More than a month ago, His Majesty the King sent a delegation to visit the Dongli Kingdom.
Since I had t Prince Jiang Ye of Dongli Kingdom before, His Majesty included in the delegation.
So, I had been visiting Dongli Kingdom until I hurried back ho just yesterday.
Then, after hearing the news of Tianshui City’s fall, I imdiately gathered an army to go to Tianshui City to help you, only to receive reports that you had already reached the outskirts of Linhai City.”
At this point, Gui Xingfu paused and looked at Suo Lun with eyes full of sincere emotion, saying, “It’s Uncle’s fault for letting you suffer so much hardship.
It’s truly Heaven’s grace that you are safe and sound; otherwise, how could I face my deceased brother.”
In just a few words, Gui Xingfu had washed away all his moral blemishes.
Suo Lun’s heart was suddenly sowhat perplexed; the sincerity of the man before him, his prospective father-in-law, made it difficult to distinguish the truth.
However, it’s simple to discern the truth; it will co down to whether he is willing to marry Gui Qinshao to Suo Lun or not.
Next, Gui Xingfu led Suo Lun by hand and walked towards the City Lord’s residence in Linhai City.
Linhai City’s main city wasn’t as large as Heavenly Water Main City, but it was quite prosperous, with one shop after another lining the streets and people bustling about.
Moreover, Gui Xingfu’s prestige and popularity here were extrely high; all the citizens would cheer upon seeing him, conveying their greetings and even kneeling out of genuine respect.
And Gui Xingfu would patiently wave back at the citizens and even engage in conversation, truly the epito of a leader who treats his people as if they were his own children.
After entering the City Lord’s residence, Suo Lun found that it was not very large, situated near the bustling urban area, close to the citizenry.
Moreover, the guards didn’t seem to be very strict.
At the doorstep of the City Lord’s Mansion, a dignified and beautiful lady accompanied by a group of people had already been waiting there; she must be Mrs.
Turing Si, the wife of Earl Gui Xingfu.
Indeed, Turing Si was the sister of Turing Tuo, his first cousin.
Suo Lun noticed that Mrs.
Turing Si had a trace of exotic bloodline; her hair, though black, was coupled with azure eyes.
She was extrely beautiful, dressed in a purple-red gown, looking very noble and eye-catching, stunningly gorgeous.
Upon seeing Suo Lun, she first slightly knitted her brow, then sowhat reluctantly revealed a smile.
“Nephew, this is your aunt, and also your future mother-in-law,” Earl Gui Xingfu said.
He seed to say it casually, but his words were t with undisguised delight from Suo Ningbing and the others behind Suo Lun.
Current Suo Lun had lost his lands, like a dog without a ho, and his reputation was also quite bad.
Thus, everyone around him thought that this marriage arrangent would either be cancelled or beco extrely complicated, yet they hadn’t expected Earl Gui Xingfu to ntion it outright.
However, upon hearing the word “mother-in-law,” Mrs.
Turing Si’s beautiful face twitched slightly, and her strained smile could hardly be maintained, making it clear that she did not like Suo Lun.
“Son-in-law pays respects to the mother-in-law,” Suo Lun seized the opportunity and stepped forward to salute her.
Mrs.
Turing Si gave an icy look and nodded slightly, saying, “In the future, treat this place as your own ho.”
As she said this, her tone had beco very stiff.
“Where is Gui Qinshao?
Why hasn’t she co to et her betrothed?” Earl Gui Xingfu looked around and did not see his daughter, imdiately expressing his displeasure.
“Soone has been sent to fetch her,” replied Mrs.
Turing Si.
Upon hearing this, Suo Lun’s heart skipped a beat.
Then, Earl Gui Xingfu ticulously arranged everything for Suo Lun, providing him with the finest clothing, accommodations, food, and servants.
Moreover, he properly arranged for every family samurai as well.
However, Mrs.
Turing Si’s barely acceptable behavior in front of outsiders turned into complete indifference once inside the City Lord’s Mansion, as she departed with an expressionless face.
Imdiately after, Earl Gui Xingfu offered a apologetic smile to Suo Lun, saying, “I’m sorry, your aunt is just like that, very straightforward, with everything written on her face.
Perhaps you are unaware, but my reputation for being henpecked has spread throughout the kingdom’s nobility.”
As he spoke, his deanor was carefree and self-deprecating, effortlessly making one feel an involuntary fondness and trust for him.
Earl Gui Xingfu then said, “Gui Qinshao takes after her mother, so in the future, you’ll have to give in to her a lot.”
Suo Lun responded with a smile, “I’ll strive to carry on the glorious tradition of being henpecked.”
“Hehe, as a man, all you need is to take the initiative on the critical battlefield, and for everything else, you can afford to be a bit muddled,” Earl Gui Xingfu winked mischievously.
It must be said, Earl Gui Xingfu truly was an elder that could win one’s heart.
Perhaps anyone who t with him for no more than half an hour would be filled with goodwill towards him.
This must have been why Suo Long beca such close friends with Earl Gui Xingfu back in the day.
“Alright, my dear nephew, you’ve been running around for days and must be exhausted.
Later, I’ll have soone prepare a bowl of ginseng porridge for you.
After you drink it and bathe and change clothes, have a good sleep,” said Earl Gui Xingfu.
“Tonight, I will host a grand banquet at the City Lord’s residence to welco you.”
“Thank you, Uncle,” Suo Lun said.
“Tonight, will Gui Qinshao be returning ho?”
“Of course she will,” answered Earl Gui Xingfu.
“Her fiancé has arrived; if she dares not return ho, she need not bother coming back ever again.
Don’t worry, I might not have ways to control your aunt, but I am still very strict with my daughter.
Now rest well, my dear nephew, and I’ll see you this evening.”
Then, Earl Gui Xingfu left.
…
Soon, a maidservant brought over steaming hot ginseng porridge, which Suo Lun drank several bowls of in succession.
After eating his fill, the maidservants had already prepared a bath for him.
Suo Lun hadn’t had a proper bath for many days and nights, so he comfortably soaked in the bath.
A mont later, a pair of small hands massaged his scalp, alternating between light and heavy pressure, imnsely comfortable.
Of course, it was his sister, Suo Ningbing.
“The situation is better than expected, isn’t it?” Suo Ningbing asked.
Suo Lun replied, “I don’t know, but after tonight’s banquet, all will beco clear.”
“What do you plan to do at the banquet?
Directly ask for money, troops, and land?” asked Suo Ningbing.
Suo Lun shook his head and said, “Of course not, none of these matters should be ntioned.”
Suo Ningbing asked, “Then what should be brought up?
There will be many guests tonight, and Earl Gui Xingfu has always been very protective of his reputation.
The Suo owe him a great favor.
If we publicly ask for land or money, he surely won’t refuse.”
“No, tonight I will only do one thing.
That is, to propose to Gui Qinshao and ask for an early marriage,” said Suo Lun.
Suo Ningbing was startled; every ti she brought up the matter of marriage with Gui Qinshao, Suo Lun was not very happy, either keeping silent or evasively changing the subject.
She had not expected that today he would speak of proposing directly.
“Hmm, as you say, my brain isn’t as sharp as yours,” said Suo Ningbing.
After the bath, Suo Lun changed into comfortable pajamas, then lay down on a soft, fragrant bed.
Suo Lun always had trouble sleeping because his thoughts were too profound, often keeping him awake.
Suo Ningbing sat at the edge of the bed, gently humming a tune and softly massaging Suo Lun’s temples.
Thus, Suo Lun finally fell into a deep sleep.
…
As night fell, without waiting to be called, Suo Lun opened his eyes and woke up.
He found that Suo Ningbing was still in the room, ironing his brocaded robe with a hot iron.
This was a robe bestowed by the King, the attire of an Earl of Tian Shui, accompanied by a gold crown, neatly laid out on the table.
Tonight, Suo Lun was to wear this attire to the banquet.
“Sister, have you not slept at all?” Suo Lun asked with concern.
“I slept for a little while,” Suo Ningbing replied.
“Co, put on the new robe.”
Then, Suo Ningbing personally helped him put on the Earl’s robe and placed the golden jade crown on his head.
“Xiaolun, you look so stunning that it’s dazzling to the eyes,” applauded Suo Ningbing.
Suo Lun felt embarrassed by her words.
At that mont, Earl Gui Xingfu’s voice could be heard from outside, “My dear nephew, co with .
All the guests have already arrived, and they’re just waiting for our distinguished visitor.”
After Earl Gui Xingfu entered and saw the transford Suo Lun, his eyes lit up, and he clapped in admiration, “My dear nephew, you are absolutely radiant.
Tonight, you will likely outshine everyone else in splendor.”
Then, he turned to Suo Ningbing, “Xiaobing, let’s go now.”
“As Uncle wishes,” Suo Ningbing replied softly.
Imdiately, Earl Gui Xingfu took Suo Lun by the hand and headed toward the banquet hall.
After passing through two courtyards, a corridor, and a garden, they reached the magnificently vast banquet hall.
By then, the hall was ablaze with lights and buzzing with voices.
Before Earl Gui Xingfu even entered, he announced cheerfully, “Ladies and gentlen, tonight’s main character has arrived.
Take a look at my brother’s son, isn’t he strikingly handso?”
Upon his words, all the guests ceased their conversations, their gazes simultaneously shifting toward Suo Lun beside Earl Gui Xingfu.
Then, Earl Gui Xingfu called out, “Gui Qinshao, won’t you co and greet your brother Suo Lun?”
At this, Suo Lun imdiately looked into the crowd.
He spotted Gui Qinshao at first glance because she was the most beautiful girl in the crowd, her stunning appearance outshining everyone present.
…
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