I became the God Brother of the Regent King after Transmigration!-Chapter 236 - 166: No Regrets

Rong Heng furrowed his brow, listening quietly, and heard a faint yet unmistakable rumbling sound.

The sound came from afar, and also from the ground.

Rong Heng looked toward the vast whiteness to the north.

"It’s the Dingyuan Army escorting the captives of the Qiangrong Royal Court, returning."

As he spoke, a deep and solemn horn sounded from outside the distant capital gate, Gu Lan and Rong Heng exchanged a glance, and together hurried to a tall pavilion opposite the city gate.

Upon reaching the second floor, Gu Lan realized that she was at the same place where she had seen Prince Rui return to the capital, and where she nearly had Rong Yunhao abducted.

Gu Lan turned back, glanced at Rong Heng, and curiously asked, "Brother Hang, when did you first see me back then?"

Rong Heng’s expression was indifferent: "Heh, who knows who was standing amidst a group of young noble ladies looking innocent and harmless, yet in reality, most cunning."

Gu Lan laughed and deliberately raised the corners of her lips, smiling mischievously: "So Brother Hang noticed me back then, which means you were also in this building at that time."

Rong Heng said no more but recalled the scene from that time.

He was secretly observing from the crowd hiding in the pavilion to see if Rong Shuo had been injured upon returning victorious, but from afar, he saw a youth in a green robe, who seemed to glow within the crowd.

That youth was quite ignorant, inquired about the officials rewarding the army, and even asked why the former Emperor’s fifth son, Rong Heng, wasn’t there.

Rong Heng thus paid more attention to Gu Lan.

Later, Rong Yunhao unexpectedly appeared, wanting Jiu to rescue him, but Gu Lan showed up, so for Rong Yunhao’s safety, he could only follow them all the way... 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

That was the first time Rong Heng noticed Gu Lan, although back in the Imperial Garden, despite being punished at the Imperial Prison due to her falling into the water, he had never really cared about the person who caused his punishment.

Unpredictable are the affairs of the world; now he not only stands with Gu Lan but...really likes her.

The heavy sound approached, and due to the snowfall, there were hardly any people lining the streets today.

The Yan Capital gate slowly opened, a black dragon flag and a flag bearing the word "Gu" flew vividly in the vast world.

Squads of somber yet arrogant black armored cavalry, carrying an ascendant evil qi, marched into the capital city.

Iron hooves tread upon the frost, their descent swift like meteors.

Their armor bore traces of wind, frost, snow, rain, sword and blood, their aura proud and fierce.

Gu Lan thoughtfully observed these soldiers: "Do you see the difference between the Dingyuan Army and Prince Rui’s Southern Border army?"

Rong Heng gazed at the bloodstained soldiers returning and replied:

"The Southern Border army is solemn and dignified, with strict discipline like a mountain, never slackening in training, focusing mainly on infantry; in contrast, Dingyuan Army’s formations aren’t as orderly, nor is their discipline as strict, yet they exude arrogance and confidence, with more cavalry."

Gu Lan nodded: "It’s because the commanders differ, their styles vary. Prince Rui is rigorous and stately, while Marquis Gu acts more freely."

The cavalry entered the city, their cold armor clashing with a terrifying clang.

Among the Dingyuan Army, there were prison carts carrying Qiangrong Royal Court’s nobles and women, greeted by a black flying cavalry.

Gu Chengzhao arrived, not wearing armor, dressed in a snow-white loose casual outfit, riding atop a black warhorse, appearing wild and uninhibited.

Facing thousands of soldiers alone, he carried a casual smile, speaking discontentedly: "The Marquis has waited for you all for quite a while."

The next moment, the Dingyuan Army dismounted collectively, their weapons clashing with the heavy armor, producing a resonant clanging sound.

Among them, a general in full black armor stepped forward, with a few strands of black-red curls emerging from the edge of his helmet; his voice was coarse yet sonorous.

"We, escorting the Qiangrong Royal Court people, were delayed by a snowstorm for two days, begging the Marquis’ forgiveness!"

"The Holy Decree, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of War, and the imperial guard are all behind; I care little to speak with them. Once the handover is complete, all Dingyuan Army should report to the camp and spend one night, tomorrow you can return to your homes," Gu Chengzhao said casually.

"I obey the orders!" The general’s tone carried a hint of joy.

Most of these returning Dingyuan soldiers have family and relatives in the capital; hearing that Marquis Gu said they can visit family tomorrow, each one was filled with joy.

Gu Lan even felt that if it weren’t in the capital, they might have shouted "Long live the Marquis."

At this moment, Gu Chengzhao seemed to sense something, he raised his head to look toward Gu Lan and Rong Heng.

Marquis Gu squinted his eyes, then beckoned to Gu Lan:

"Lan, come forth."

Gu Lan instinctively looked toward Rong Heng, who had already donned his mask.

The silver mask emitted a sharp gleam, yet it was that pair of dark eyes that provided great comfort, he said calmly: "I’ll remain in the shadows."

Gu Lan nodded, leaped off the tower, and within a few steps, she appeared before the Dingyuan Army.

Countless soldiers entering the city turned their gaze upon her, their eyes full of scrutiny.

Gu Chengzhao dismounted and looked at the handsome youth wearing a red cape, seeing her calm demeanor, he couldn’t help but smile with relief.

"This is my legitimate child, Gu Lan. A few days ago, he was conferred the title of Princely Heir by the Emperor." Gu Chengzhao spoke with a seemingly casual tone, yet it couldn’t hide his pride.

In an instant, these weather-beaten soldiers in black armor knelt on one knee, their right hands clenched in fists striking their chests, and they all said loudly:

"Dingyuan Army, greet the Princely Heir!"

The sound was earth-shattering, causing the snow-drenched world to freeze for a moment.

Gu Lan accepted their kneeling salute, looked further out at the vast ranks of soldiers, and the eyes of everyone she could see conveyed devotion and solemnity, along with an awe-inspiring trust.

They trusted her, simply because she was the Princely Heir;

But she was the Heir of Duke Dingyuan, and that was enough.

Behind Gu Chengzhao were officials and imperial guards who hurried over, everyone was shocked to witness this scene, their eyes fell on Gu Lan, each displaying different expressions.

They hadn’t expected the Dingyuan Army to be so loyal to the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, to actually kneel and salute a Princely Heir.

And Marquis Gu allowing the Princely Heir to appear here was a signal of succession!

Gu Lan also understood Gu Chengzhao’s intent, he wanted to help her familiarize herself with the army she was destined to command in the future.

Beside Gu Lan, Gu Chengzhao calmly stated:

"Later, you can go to the encampment outside the city with Mu Jun and the others to get to know the soldiers who returned to the Capital City this time. Right now, they are my subordinates, but in the future, they will be yours."

After a pause, he continued,

"Or, you can return to the mansion now and continue being the Young Master Gu, the number one fop in the Capital City. The Marquis Mansion is wealthy enough to keep you as a fop."

Gu Lan smiled and asked, "At the time, Grandpa said the same to you, right? What did the Marquis choose?"

Marquis Gu blushed: "Of course, I chose to familiarize myself with military affairs in the army..."

Gu Lan: "Yuan told me that back then, because you wanted to be a wastrel, Grandpa started grooming him as the adopted child."

Marquis Gu: "..."

Alright, he did choose to be a fop initially, but later when the old Marquis passed away, he had to don armor and fight.

Tomorrow, he would dock Yuan’s guard salary this month!

But Marquis Gu wanted to offer Gu Lan two paths because she was his daughter. Although if she didn’t wish to join the army, he would do everything to protect Gu Lan’s entire life.

"Anyway, if you want to follow that path the way I did, waiting for the old Marquis to pass before taking charge, you’ll find no opportunity because I, the Marquis, will not die." Gu Chengzhao boldly stated.

Should Gu Lan truly choose to be a fop, Gu Chengzhao was confident that he could eliminate all obstacles within his lifetime, so when she became Duke Dingyuan, the realm would enjoy peace and prosperity.

Gu Lan raised her lips in a smile, replying word by word:

"I will go with these Dingyuan troops to the military camp, and you needn’t exhaust yourself."

She thus affirmed.

Gu Lan knew that the moment she said those words to Gu Chengzhao, there was no turning back.

She had already made her decision. Having walked this path, there was no retreat, nor would there be.

Gu Chengzhao was a bit taken aback, looking at Gu Lan with complicated eyes, he softly said, "Lan, don’t regret it."

Gu Lan could certainly live under his protection, yet now she chose to step forward.

"No regrets in this life."

Gu Lan gazed at these faces etched by frost, looking at her with anticipation, her heart was serene and stable, like a wanderer finding a harbor after a lifetime adrift, with the strongest support.

Her soul longed for the snowfall in Yunzhou City and the never-ceasing gale in the Northern Territory; she wanted to drink a century-old vineyard in Yinzhou and wanted to ride the fiercest horse across the battlefield, leading thousands of troops and delivering blows to her foes.

She hadn’t experienced these yet, so how could she choose to let her father bear everything, while she lived in obscurity, passing life without meaning?

She would not regret.

Meanwhile, a young imperial guard leader walked up to Marquis Gu, gazing at him with fervent eyes.

"Capital Commandant Su Zixiao, greeting Dingyuan Marquis—"