Chen Ran, accompanied by Lu Jian Xing, quickly left the capital and, with their horses galloping at full speed, arrived at Tianjiazhuang, a hundred miles south of the city.
As soon as they reached the entrance of the village, they saw several Qi Family Army swordsmen, although dressed in civilian clothes, stood guard outside with their steel swords hanging at their waists, their expressions serious.
Now that Chen Ran was the Chief of the North Town Garrison of the Jinyiwei, he had openly claimed Tianjiazhuang as his own, and had stationed those hundred Qi Family Army swordsmen as servants to guard it.
Upon seeing Chen Ran, the Qi Family Army swordsmen immediately saluted with a solemn bow:
“Master!”
Chen Ran nodded, and spurred his horse directly into the village.
Lu Jian Xing had not seen his mother for many days and was eager to see her, so he jumped off his horse and headed straight to the courtyard.
Before he could see his mother, he heard two delicate, sweet calls from within the courtyard:
“Husband!”
Zhou Miaotong and Bei Zhai heard Chen Ran coming and both came out of the house.
When Lu Jian Xing saw Bei Zhai, he couldn't help but be stunned.
Good heavens!
No wonder Brother Chen said he was coming to accompany his two wives, but he had actually brought another bride!
Moreover, this new bride was even more beautiful and charming than Zhou Miaotong, with an air of elegance and refinement that set her apart!
Bei Zhai Miaoxuan saw Lu Jian Xing and was also slightly startled. She turned to Chen Ran:
“Husband, who is this…?”
Chen Ran smiled:
“This is my brother, Lu Jian Xing!”
“Brother Lu, this is my second wife, Miaoxuan!”
Lu Jian Xing quickly stepped forward to salute, saying earnestly:
“Greetings, Madam! I didn't know that Brother Chen had newly married a second wife. I haven’t prepared a gift...”
Chen Ran smiled:
“Brother Lu, Miaoxuan is a wanted criminal by the court. I’ve been hiding her here!”
Lu Jian Xing was stunned once again.
This second wife, Miaoxuan, with her heavenly beauty and charming grace, was actually a wanted criminal by the court?
You even dared to marry a wanted criminal by the court!
Brother Chen, you are really daring!
After being stunned for a few dozen seconds, his expression suddenly turned serious, and he said:
“Thank you, Brother Chen, for trusting me so much and telling me such a major matter!”
“I don’t care what the court’s wanted criminals are. I only know that she is Brother Chen’s second wife, my sister-in-law!”
His words were sincere, clearly touched by Chen Ran’s trust in him, and he genuinely felt this way.
Miaoxuan was also deeply touched and said with a grateful bow:
“Thank you, Brother Lu!”
Chen Ran laughed heartily, patted Lu Jian Xing on the shoulder:
“You are truly my good brother. Let’s have a good drink tonight. It’s also a way to make up for the wedding feast I owed you!”
By revealing everything to Lu Jian Xing, Chen Ran was conducting his final test of loyalty.
Lu Jian Xing was already loyal enough to Chen Ran, but he was a bit old-fashioned and still held many loyalist ideals in his heart.
Now that Chen Ran told him Miaoxuan's true identity, he wanted to see who Lu Jian Xing would choose between the court and himself!
After a mental struggle, Lu Jian Xing ultimately chose Chen Ran.
Without Chen Ran, there would be no him!
Although he was a bit old-fashioned and stubborn, it didn’t mean he was a rigid, inflexible person!
In the evening, the grand hall was filled with delicacies and drinks. Chen Ran had Lu Jian Xing's mother sit with Zhou Miaotong and Miaoxuan, while he and Lu Jian Xing sat beside them. They all gathered around a table, drinking and chatting merrily.
Lu Jian Xing’s mother had become quite close to Zhou Miaotong and Miaoxuan over the past few days. She treated them as her own daughters.
Seeing his mother well-cared for in the village, with Miaoxuan and Zhou Miaotong as her companions, Lu Jian Xing felt even more at ease.
After the feast, everyone went back to their rooms to rest.
Zhou Miaotong was pregnant and naturally couldn't accompany Chen Ran.
The "responsibility" of accompanying her husband naturally fell on Miaoxuan.
The red candles flickered, and Miaoxuan, having had a little wine, had a face that was white, yet flushed with a rosy hue.
Like a flower bud about to bloom, she looked so alluring.
Glancing at Chen Ran, Miaoxuan suddenly smiled bashfully and turned to take a painting scroll from the side.
“Husband, I had nothing to do these past days. I remembered our time boating on the Hai River, so I painted this painting!”
She unrolled the scroll, revealing a misty scene of rain and green water,
A light boat drifting on the river, framed by mountains and water.
Two figures embraced on the bow of the boat.
Though just a few strokes of the brush, the painting captured the scene of their boat trip on the Hai River, conveying a strong sense of longing.
Chen Ran embraced Miaoxuan, admiring the painting,
Both recalling their boat trip on the Hai River, their hearts filled with ripples of emotion.
The boat trip.
For most people in the world, it was a wonderful experience!
Looking at Miaoxuan, whose cheeks were flushed with a rosy glow, Chen Ran sighed:
“Miaoxuan, we met too hastily, and I didn't give you a proper wedding!”
Miaoxuan lowered her head:
“Having you treat me like this, Miaoxuan is already content!”
Chen Ran pointed with his finger:
“Let this red candle be our wedding night!”
Miaoxuan nodded, her face turning even redder.
…
At dawn, the crowing of a rooster shattered the silence of the morning!
Chen Ran got up and glanced out the window, then turned his gaze to Miaoxuan.
Miaoxuan had mostly hidden her body under the covers, revealing only a round forehead. Her jet-black hair cascaded down her forehead, like morning mist on the snow.
A short separation feels like a new marriage, a new bride awakens lazily.
She was too tired!
Chen Ran smiled at Miaoxuan before getting up, but suddenly heard a clear prompt in his mind:
“Ding! Congratulations, host, Miaoxuan has conceived a child. The host will receive a ‘Many Children, Many Blessings’ reward!”
“Result verification in progress…”
After a moment of silence, the system chimed again:
“Congratulations, host, the child is judged to be of high-quality, exquisite grade!”
“Congratulations, host, you have received 500 Qi Family Army elite spearmen!”
Hearing the system’s prompt, Chen Ran couldn't help but feel a surge of joy.
Unexpectedly, Miaoxuan had conceived so quickly.
Furthermore, the system had actually rewarded him with 500 Qi Family Army elite spearmen!
As the system prompt finished, 500 Qi Family Army elite spearmen, clad in armor, with strong physiques, their faces and eyes filled with fierce murderous intent, appeared in Chen Ran’s system space!
Spears formed a forest, their killing intent reaching the heavens!
Chen Ran looked at these Qi Family Army elite spearmen, his heart filled with joy again.
He then sent these 500 Qi Family Army elite spearmen to Tianjiazhuang.
Now that Tianjiazhuang was his property, it was easy to hide thousands of swordsmen within the vast estate.