Du Gu Luanyue pulled the person in abruptly. "This isn't like you," she said.
The secret guard replied cheerfully, "Your Highness, don't be impatient. Sons - in - law are always scared of meeting their in - laws. Naturally, the Emperor of Northern Yan feels the same way."
However, Du Gu Luanyue was walking in front and didn't hear this. Sheng Yunqi heard it, and his face turned green. But there was nothing he could do. He could only follow them in.
Huo Wei appeared before the Emperor and Empress of Southern Chu, his body stiff. At this moment, Du Gu Sheng and Zhao Minghua had changed into more formal brocade robes.
They were sitting on the main seats, sizing up this god of war who, at only twenty years old, had wiped out the Western Liao.
The Emperor and Empress exchanged glances. They had previously thought he was a fierce and hideous general, but unexpectedly, he was a young gentleman with a spirited appearance and a wild, unruly charm.
His pair of bright, deep phoenix eyes were full of energy and charisma, exuding an awe - inspiring majesty.
Everyone who saw him knew he was extraordinary.
Zhao Minghua smiled first. "Prince Yuzhang, don't be nervous. His Majesty and I just want to get to know you. That's all."
Huo Wei glanced at Du Gu Luanyue and held his breath. "Oh," he replied.
Du Gu Luanyue quickly smoothed things over with a smile.
"Prince Yuzhang isn't good at words. He doesn't usually talk much. It's not that he looks down on you two."
Zhao Minghua nodded.
"That's right. Generals who have been on the battlefield for years tend to be more steady and talk less. I understand. You forgot, I used to be a general myself."
Du Gu Sheng's scrutinizing eyes were like a ruler patting back and forth on Huo Wei. He said in a deep voice,
"Thanks to Prince Yuzhang for taking care of Luanyue in Northern Yan."
The couple had known from the start that Du Gu Luanyue's marriage to Murong Min was fake. They were also aware of the initial plan regarding this Prince Yuzhang.
It was only when Du Gu Luanyue told them just now that it was Huo Wei who had escorted her into the territory all the way and mentioned some other things about him. From her tone and expression, the Emperor and Empress of Southern Chu immediately understood.
Huo Wei said, "I was just doing my duty. I didn't give any special treatment."
Hearing this answer, Du Gu Sheng's eyes showed a bit more approval.
Even when there were no outsiders, Huo Wei was still cautious. He didn't expose their real relationship, nor did he boast about his achievements. This act also protected his daughter's face.
The Emperor smiled and said, "Okay, serve the meal. They're all Luanyue's favorites."
But Du Gu Sheng murmured again, "Why has your taste changed after going to Northern Yan? Why did you order all beef dishes?"
Beef? Huo Wei's black eyes lit up as he looked at Du Gu Luanyue. Although he didn't say a word, he was overjoyed inside.
Du Gu Luanyue twitched the corner of her mouth. "The fish and shrimp dishes made by the people of Northern Yan are really unpalatable. Only the beef is delicious."
During the meal, Huo Wei noticed that the Emperor and Empress were extremely harmonious. Even when the Emperor was ill, he still remembered to pick up food for his Empress.
"Minghua, let me peel the shrimp for you. The shrimp today is very fresh," Du Gu Sheng said gently, looking at his Empress.
Zhao Minghua nodded. "Peel more. Luanyue likes it too."
Du Gu Sheng said, "Okay. After dinner later, let's take a walk in the back mountain. How about we go fishing this afternoon?"
Zhao Minghua nodded with a gentle smile and held a damp handkerchief in her hand.
After Du Gu Sheng peeled the shrimp, she wiped her husband's hands.
Throughout the whole process, they didn't let a single palace servant serve them.
This scene made Huo Wei lose himself in it. The world seemed peaceful and warm.
This was a scene he had never seen before.
Du Gu Sheng's face looked like someone with a bad temper. The ends of his eyebrows were slanting upwards, looking rather fierce. But he was extremely gentle towards his Empress.
The Empress was also very delicate towards the Emperor. Du Gu Luanyue's mother used to be a general, but unexpectedly, she also had such a gentle side.
He had never had a family since childhood. He had never seen his parents and didn't know what a happy family was like. He was even more amazed that such a scene could appear in the royal family.
At this moment, he seemed to understand why Du Gu Luanyue was so desperate to love her own country.
Because her parents were so loving. The land of Southern Chu was full of all her happy memories.
Unlike him, he had no home and his soul had no place to rest. Life and death meant nothing to him.
Du Gu Sheng suddenly asked, "Prince Yuzhang, do you know how to fish?"
Huo Wei nodded. "Your Majesty, I do."
The Emperor nodded. "Excellent. Come fishing with me by the lake later." After saying that, he glanced at Huo Wei. "Are you married in Northern Yan?"
Huo Wei shook his head obediently. "No."
Du Gu Sheng asked again, "Are there many servants in your Prince's Mansion? How many?"
Huo Wei answered obediently, "Yes, not many. There's only my senior brother, who is the military advisor in my army."
Zhao Minghua asked on the side, "Prince Yuzhang is so outstanding and so young. Why haven't you gotten married or taken concubines yet?"
Du Gu Luanyue frowned. "Father, Mother, why are you asking these questions? This is someone's privacy."
Zhao Minghua gave her a disdainful look. "What's wrong with asking? Just eat your own food."
During the meal, Du Gu Sheng and Zhao Minghua kept questioning Huo Wei. Their questions made Sheng Yunqi even more uneasy, but he didn't dare to say anything.
Du Gu Luanyue understood what her father and mother meant, but Huo Wei had already said that he wouldn't go back to Southern Chu with her.
Du Gu Sheng and Zhao Minghua planned to go fishing in the afternoon and were going to take Huo Wei with them. Naturally, Huo Wei didn't dare to refuse.
Today, Huo Wei was just like a toothless little wolfdog. He was obedient in everything. He would do whatever he was told and wouldn't say no.
Du Gu Luanyue said, "Father, Huo Wei hasn't closed his eyes for two days in order to escort me back. Let him rest this afternoon. I'll accompany you two."
Zhao Minghua said, "You're right. You'll have to leave before dawn tomorrow. The Prince really should have a good rest."
When they went fishing in the afternoon, Du Gu Sheng sent Sheng Yunqi away. He whispered,
"Daughter, what do you think of this Huo Wei?
When you go back to Southern Chu in the future, why not bring him back with you?
I took a fancy to him the moment I saw him today. If there's someone like Huo Wei in Southern Chu, it's only a matter of time before we trample Murong Min under our feet."
Zhao Minghua quickly said, "Yes. If you're afraid that Yunqi will be angry, we'll go and talk to the Sheng family.
After all, you'll be the future female emperor. What's wrong with having more people in your harem? Besides, it's not just because you like good - looking men. This is the god of war who destroyed the Liao. If he's by your side in the future, we'll be at ease.
This Huo Wei looks so spirited and heroic. The moment I saw him, I remembered that young general I met on the battlefield back then called..."
Du Gu Sheng cleared his throat, and Zhao Minghua immediately shut up.
Du Gu Luanyue said calmly, "Huo Wei won't come to Southern Chu. He's said it twice. There's no need to force him."
Zhao Minghua said, "Try harder and lure Huo Wei to our Du Gu family. Then Yunqi and Huo Wei, one civil and one military, will guard you. You'll be a winner in life."
Du Gu Luanyue never expected that her father and mother would be so unprincipled.
The royal family of Southern Chu had abolished the harem system since her father's generation. One could only have a legal wife, and no concubines were allowed.
She didn't know what Huo Wei had done to make them like him so much. Her voice suddenly became serious.
"Let's talk about it later. Daughter came here to discuss the follow - up matters in Northern Yan with you two. Some things can't be delayed any longer.
After the incident in Danyang City, there will surely be a fierce battle between me and Murong Min after I return to the palace. This matter requires your cooperation, Father. Spread the news that the strength of Southern Chu is increasing.
My plan in Northern Yan must be completed ahead of schedule. It can't be delayed any longer."
After Du Gu Luanyue told the Emperor and Empress of Southern Chu her plan, she turned around and carried a plate of beef brisket to Huo Wei's room.
At lunch today, Huo Wei was extremely cramped. He only took two small bites of his favorite braised beef brisket. After two days of traveling, he must be tired and hungry.
It was already night at this time. Huo Wei slowly opened his black eyes. He was still a bit tired. He patted the couch. "Come here. In Southern Chu, let me be bold just this once, okay?"