Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 571: Turning Point

A grand and solemn wedding is taking place in the Capital City.

The Young Master of Duke An, Zheng Chen, secretary to the Emperor, is marrying the legitimate daughter of the Fan Family.

The Zheng Family is the most prominent external relative in Da Liang, and since General Fan took charge of the border army, the Fan Family has risen in power, seeming to replace the Zuo Family as the foremost military family in Da Liang. The alliance between the Zheng and Fan Families is a cause for celebration for the officials of the Grand Empress Dowager’s Faction.

On this day at Duke An’s Mansion, distinguished guests came in droves to congratulate, nearly breaking down the threshold. Gifts piled up like mountains in the storeroom.

The rewards sent from the palace were displayed brightly before everyone, showcasing the Zheng Family’s favor and glory.

Prime Minister Wang fought fiercely with Duke An in court, yet today he personally came to the Zheng Family to offer congratulations, drank three cups at the celebratory feast before claiming official business to leave, which was considered quite respectable.

On the wedding night, red candles flickered.

Amidst the revelry of his colleagues, friends, and family, Zheng Chen lifted the wedding stick and unveiled the bride’s veil. The bright red veil slipped off, revealing a shy and enchanting beauty, her eyes rippling with deep affection.

This is his newlywed wife, Fan Jaining.

In his past life, he couldn’t marry the woman he loved, and still, in this life.

Jiang Shaohua has already taken a spouse and become a couple with Cui Du. He has also married Fan Jaining today. Yet the flame of envy and grievance in his heart refuses to extinguish, growing ever fiercer, screaming to burn everything down, to make that heartless woman regret her choices.

Jiang Shaohua, one day you will weep and crawl at my feet, begging for my forgiveness and acceptance.

"Please let the newlyweds drink the wedding wine."

The wedding maid happily brought the wedding wine.

Zheng Chen forced a smile, interlocked his arm with his new wife, and downed the wine in one go.

The fine wine that passed down his throat had no joy, only bitterness.

...

War raged fiercely at the border, yet in the Capital City, celebrations flourished.

After the festive occasion at Duke An’s Mansion, Minister Zhang’s Mansion promptly arranged another celebration. Huaiyang County Princess Jiang Yuehua was splendidly married into the Zhang Mansion.

The Heir of Prince Gaoliang, Jiang Yi, also arranged an engagement, with his betrothed being the legitimate youngest daughter of General Sima.

The Emperor is soon to be wed, filling the palace with jubilation.

Wang Jin is over nineteen but has never arranged a marriage. People secretly mocked Wang She Ren as a hopeless romantic,

The Nanyang County Princess has already taken a spouse, so what is Wang She Ren waiting for? Look at Zheng Sheren; he quickly married the legitimate daughter of the Fan Family, truly an admirable person of decisions.

Such rumors occasionally reached Wang Jin’s ears. What Wang Jin felt inside, no one knew; nevertheless, Wang She Ren never argued, nor did he show any expression, carrying out his duties entering and leaving the palace daily with composed grace.

Princess Bao Hua, entangled in rumors, remained bedridden. Despite months of care, she showed no improvement, her brows furrowed, her expression melancholic.

Empress Dowager Li was quite dissatisfied with Princess Bao Hua, privately telling palace attendants, "That Bao Hua was too immature back then. Had she agreed to marry into Rouran, Rouran would not have attacked. Now so many soldiers are dead or wounded at the border, and several county cities’ residents were massacred. It’s all her fault!"

Somehow these words reached Princess Bao Hua, who cried bitterly, worsening her condition.

When Grand Empress Dowager Zheng learned of this, she was infuriated and summoned Empress Dowager Li for a round of scolding. Empress Dowager Li couldn’t bear it and fell ill as well.

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng sneered, "Since she’s ill, she should recover well. There’s more than a month until the Emperor’s wedding. The illness should be almost healed by then."

Thus, Empress Dowager Li, seeking to gain favor through words, once again "retreated to the palace to recover."

While there was discord in the harem, scheming in the court, the border war saw a change.

Liu Hengchang led troops to deliver provisions to Si State, taking over the Nanyang Army, resting and reorganizing forces, discreetly leading troops out of the city. Employing the old tactic, they launched a night raid on the Rouran Camp.

After the Rouran Army Camp was burned, the guards and stables increased their vigilance, doubling the night patrolling soldiers.

However, Liu Hengchang’s night raid was different from Yu Chong’s. Back then, Yu Chong dismounted several miles away and quietly infiltrated the enemy camp.

Liu Hengchang chose the fourth period of the night, directly leading over four thousand cavalry to charge the Rouran Army Camp.

Awakened from their dreams, the Rouran people panicked, grabbing knives, dressing quickly, and searching for shoes, while Liu Hengchang led the cavalry forward, brandishing knives to kill secondarily, focusing on charging forward. Numerous Rouran soldiers were tragically trampled to death, causing chaos and almost exploding the camp.

Liu Hengchang was fortunate, charging all the way near the central military tents.

A tall, fearsome man standing nine feet high blocked Liu Hengchang’s path.

"This is the man who wounded General Yu!"

A Nanyang soldier, eyes red, shouted, galloping forward, raising a blade to strike. The fierce man was the Rouran general Ah Fu Luo, the top fighter in the Rouran Army Camp.

Ah Fu Luo sneered, drew his sword and slashed upward. The Nanyang soldier’s head was chopped off, blood spraying onto the ground.

Liu Hengchang showed no fear, loudly commanding, "Form battle formations, charge the enemy."

At this point, horses couldn’t accelerate amidst the numerous military tents; they became a hindrance.

The elite trusted aides dismounted swiftly, forming five-man battle formations, armed with various weapons. These formations, practiced in secret for years, allowed five men to withstand attacks from dozens, making them exceedingly formidable.

Liu Hengchang, aware of his own mediocre skills, did not advance, nor did he allow Ah Fu Luo to approach, standing calmly behind the trusted aides with protection all around, continuously ordering and directing them to attack.

Ah Fu Luo was indeed fearsomely brave, injuring several people in succession. However, under Liu Hengchang’s orderly command, Ah Fu Luo also sustained multiple injuries, none of which were life-threatening, instead fueling his fierce nature.

With a wild shout, Ah Fu Luo charged towards Liu Hengchang, protected by dozens of aides.

Ah Fu Luo realized Liu Hengchang commanded the soldiers; killing him would lead to their defeat.

"Commander Liu, that fierce man is coming!"

The trusted aides guarding Liu Hengchang grew tense. Indeed, Ah Fu Luo was too violent, like a god of war, but for the dense battle formations ahead, Ah Fu Luo was about to break through.

Liu Hengchang, his face composed, remained calm, ordering solemnly, "Tao Da, lead a team. Remember, at all costs, kill him!"

Liu Hengchang knew Ah Fu Luo held a high position in the Rouran Camp; killing him tonight would demoralize the Rouran troops.

Tao Da, eager to fight, hadn’t yet seen action that night. Unafraid, he yelled and led dozens of men rushing forward.

At first, Ah Fu Luo didn’t consider Tao Da’s men a threat until Tao Da killed two Rouran soldiers, directly facing him.

...