A pure heart in a jade pot - Chapter 103
"Um."
She nodded vigorously.
Zhan Zhao took a deep breath, his eyes seemingly glistening with tears. He quickly looked up at the night sky, and after a long while, he looked down at her again, smiling slightly. "There's one last question I have to ask you."
"As long as you don't kick me out, feel free to ask."
"Do you think I'm someone you can entrust your life to?" His voice was low, but extremely sincere.
Mo Yan nodded: "Yes, of course."
Although it was expected, he still secretly breathed a sigh of relief when he heard her reply.
"Then once the Liao Kingdom is settled, we'll get married, shall we?"
“Okay,” she said loudly and decisively.
Looking at her smiling face, he was deeply moved. What had he done to deserve such devotion from her? Zhan Zhao sighed and pulled her into his arms. The two embraced quietly, a crescent moon hanging in the sky.
Chapter Thirty-Six
The next morning, as the large group was about to set off, Zhao Yu knew that this was the last post station within the Song Dynasty. Once the sun set and the moon rose, she would be in the Liao Kingdom. Thinking of this, her heart sank even deeper. Her maidservant invited her to get into the carriage, but she gazed at the surrounding plants and trees, refusing to get in for a long time.
Zhan Zhao, as a guard, stood quietly to the side, understanding Zhao Yu's sorrow, and did not urge him on. Although the Liao envoy beside him was somewhat anxious, he dared not speak and could only wait by his side.
As Zhao Yu withdrew his gaze and was about to rise, he caught a glimpse of someone standing beside the sedan chair, their smile radiant, almost blossoming, standing out starkly against the respectful crowd. Zhao Yu stopped and turned his gaze to see who this person was…
At first glance, she hadn't seen any of the wedding processions these past few days.
At second glance, the person looked somewhat familiar.
With a third glance, she finally recalled some unpleasant things, like that purse...
"What are you doing here?" She turned and walked towards Mo Yan, her tone unfriendly.
Before Mo Yan could speak, Zhan Zhao stepped forward and respectfully said, "Your Highness, Guard Mo was specially sent by Lord Bao. She had official duties to attend to and only arrived last night. She is also a woman, so it would be more convenient for her to protect Your Highness closely."
Zhao Yu narrowed her eyes, staring at Mo Yan with disbelief: "You, are here to protect me?"
"I will go through fire and water for you without hesitation," Mo Yan said, her smile growing even brighter.
"Are you willing to come with me to the Liao Kingdom?"
"Of course I'm willing."
Mo Yan answered crisply, but her gaze quickly swept over Zhan Zhao beside her, a clear smile playing on her lips. Zhan Zhao smiled, his eyes slightly lowered; he knew she was actually referring to him.
To Zhao Yu, Mo Yan's answer was crisp, straightforward, and quite cheerful. She was momentarily stunned. Mo Yan appeared to be about her age, only slightly thinner. The maids beside her, slightly older than her, had also been chosen to accompany her to the Khitan. Although they tried their best to conceal it, Zhao Yu could still see their fear and apprehension towards the foreign land. Even someone as reserved and composed as Zhan Zhao could sense the cold loneliness emanating from him these days.
Mo Yan, however, seemed completely relaxed and carefree, her cheerful demeanor making it seem as if she regarded the Khitan as a fairyland.
Zhao Yu stared at her suspiciously for a long time, then turned to look at Zhan Zhao. The latter's smiling expression made her suddenly understand something...
At that moment, a nameless anger surged within her. Mo Yan wasn't protecting her at all; he was just using her as a pretext so he could be with Zhan Zhao.
"Go back, I don't need your protection," she said coldly.
“Princess, I think this is inappropriate. If Guard Mo has been impolite, he can be taught slowly, but the safety of the princess should be the top priority.” It was Zhan Zhao who spoke, his voice as calm and steady as ever, as if he had expected this situation.
"Zhan Zhao, you..."
Zhao Yu bit her lip, glaring at him fiercely, wanting to point out that his actions were clearly a pretext for personal gain. However, since Zhan Zhao had left Kaifeng to marry into the Liao Kingdom with her, she did feel some gratitude towards him, and it was inconvenient to contradict him in public. So, she had no choice but to hold back. She secretly thought to herself that there was plenty of time; she could find many excuses to get rid of her.
At this moment, Mo Yan realized that Zhan Zhao was speaking up for her, and she was overjoyed. She couldn't help but glance at him a few more times.
Prefect Li Qigao of Hejian Prefecture, accompanied by his wife, had come to see her off. He had been waiting by the side for a while, but since he did not know Mo Yan's background and was somewhat unaware of her situation, he naturally did not feel comfortable interrupting. Only when he saw the princess board the carriage did Li Qigao step forward, cup his hands and smile at Zhan Zhao, saying, "Lord Zhan, if you need anything, please send someone to inform me. As long as it is within my power, I will not refuse."
Zhan Zhao smiled and said, "I thank Lord Li in advance." He drew his sword, bowed slightly, bid farewell to the prefect and his wife, mounted his horse, and followed the group.
Mo Yan had already mounted her horse and was riding slowly, glancing back every now and then. When she saw Zhan Zhao catching up, she leaned closer to him and asked in a low voice with a smile, "Brother, what would you have done if the princess had insisted on sending me away just now?"
Zhan Zhao turned his head to look at her: "Will you leave?"
Of course not, that goes without saying, she shook her head repeatedly.
Zhan Zhao smiled calmly and said nothing more: She wouldn't leave, and he would naturally find a way to keep her from leaving.
Seeing his expression, Mo Yan tilted her head and smiled. Their hearts were in sync, and there was no need to say anything.
"By the way, who is that Prefect's wife who is so beautiful? Why does the Prefect treat her so carefully, as if he's afraid she'll melt if he breathes on her? He seems to want to hold her in his hands." She looked back and saw Li Qigao supporting his wife, still standing in the distance watching the wedding procession.
"She is Pang Long, the third daughter of Grand Tutor Pang."
Mo Yan nodded thoughtfully and muttered to herself, "So she's Grand Tutor Pang's daughter. No wonder... Grand Tutor Pang is so shrewd. His eldest daughter became a concubine, and his second daughter married a general of the court. Why would he marry his third daughter off to the border? He's made a bad deal."
"Lord Li is quite talented. Three years ago, he submitted a memorial on the border issue and the trade between the two countries, which won the Emperor's appreciation. The Emperor specially betrothed Miss Pang to him."
"So it was the Emperor who arranged the marriage." Mo Yan thought for a moment and then said to Zhan Zhao, "Brother, you shouldn't submit any memorials unless necessary. If you happen to attract the Emperor's favor and he arranges a marriage for you, it will be troublesome."
Zhan Zhao smiled slightly and simply said, "Don't worry."
Since he said that, she was naturally quite relieved.
Because they were heading towards the Liao Kingdom, they traveled faster than usual that day, arriving at Yanmen Pass just as the sun was beginning to set. Outside the pass, Liao people were already waiting to welcome Princess Yu. A large, densely packed group stood there, with a young and handsome man at the head, exuding a heroic air. Dressed in brocade robes, he was of immeasurable nobility. This was none other than Yelü Hongji, who had come personally to welcome his bride.
According to Song Dynasty etiquette, the bride and groom were not allowed to meet before the formal wedding ceremony. Although Yelü Hongji was a Liao person, he was very respectful, only greeting Princess Yu from below the carriage. Zhao Yu was already uneasy, and seeing that the person was Yelü Hongji, she became even more nervous. Fortunately, Yelü Hongji did not overstep any etiquette, which gradually put her at ease. However, she could not see what Yelü Hongji looked like, only hear his clear voice, which made her even more curious about his appearance.
After Yelü Hongji stepped aside to lead the way, Zhao Yu secretly lifted the carriage curtain and peeked out, but unfortunately he could only see the backs of a group of Liao people, and he didn't even know which one was Yelü Hongji.