The front hall.
Fan Zehao and Wang Zhen were catching up, while Zhao Jiaqi occasionally chatted with Wang Tangshi. The four of them talked about everyday matters.
When the topic turned to the battlefield, Wang Zhen was still quite impressed by the black spheres they possessed. "To be honest, Big Brother, once that thing was thrown, it could injure a large area. Otherwise, facing these people who were skilled with insects, how could we have achieved victory so quickly?"
"It's good that we won, no need to say more. My wife is pregnant and cannot hear such bloody things."
Fan Zehao ended the topic, not wanting his wife to know about the aftermath of Baili Fengge's death.
Wang Zhen did not know his thoughts. Although he stopped speaking of bloody matters, he revealed an important piece of information to him.
"Huangfu Xi knows that Yumeng is getting married and has also come, but his journey is slower. Moreover, my younger brother noticed that he was very interested in your black spheres and had indirectly inquired about them."
Fan Zehao merely chuckled upon hearing this. "It's fine, he can ask whatever he wants. If he can find out, then he's capable."
"However, this move is truly disgusting."
While he said he didn't care, his mind was already contemplating how to give him a warning, lest his possessions are always coveted by others. It was not a good situation.
As time ticked by, the day of Yumeng's capping ceremony drew nearer. It was natural for her parents to be anxious, but the future in-laws were also nervous.
Inner city, separate courtyard.
Duan Yao tugged at Helian Zhicheng, asking with concern, "Look, is the betrothal gift we prepared enough?"
He looked at the betrothal gifts filling the courtyard. They were piled up like a small mountain, filling the entire courtyard with a sea of red. It was impossible to count them carefully, let alone look at them all. How could it not be enough?
"It's more than enough. This already exceeds the requirement and will surely satisfy our in-laws."
Duan Yao frowned. "What does it matter if our in-laws are satisfied? I want to know if Yumeng is satisfied."
At this, Helian Zhicheng had no words to say. It wasn't him getting married, so how could he know if Yumeng liked it or not?
Thus, to escape his wife's trivial question, he proactively offered a bad idea: "If you want to know if Yumeng is happy, why don't you ask your son Jinli? He knows Yumeng's preferences best."
Duan Yao clapped her hands upon hearing this. That's right, how could she forget about Jinli? She immediately let go of Helian Zhicheng and went directly to find Jinli.
Immediately, she sent someone to fetch Jinli and asked him what Yumeng liked. However, when Jinli saw the long list of betrothal gifts, his brow furrowed.
He said helplessly, "Mother, Yumeng is not a pampered young lady of the boudoir. She rarely brings items like gold, silver, jewelry, and ornaments. If they could be exchanged for some famous weapons or practical armaments, she would be quite happy."
Upon hearing her son's words, Duan Yao regretfully slapped her forehead, blaming her own foolishness.
"Look at me, I actually forgot something so important. Yumeng has been in the military camp since she was young. What she likes are those weapons. Mother understands, Mother will prepare them now. I'll guarantee your future wife will be happy."
Jinli smiled shyly, scratching his head somewhat embarrassed. "Actually, Meng'er is not such a superficial person. As long as you treat her sincerely, she will be happier than receiving gifts."
Duan Yao smiled and poked her son's head a few times. "Silly boy, it's too hollow to just say how good we are to her. It's better to have something concrete, to give her enough security, to let her understand that marrying you means she doesn't have to worry about mother-in-law relationships. She can do as she pleases. As long as you two are happy, and you leave us an heir, you can do whatever you want."
Regardless, her son was already someone else's. Although not formally an arranged marriage from the wife's side, his actual actions were similar to that.
Therefore, the old couple no longer expected anything from their son. They hoped for a grandson or granddaughter. As long as they left an heir for the Helian family, that would be enough.
The couple did not tell Jinli this, fearing it would hurt his self-esteem and make him feel awkward. The fact that their parents had thought this far ahead showed how much they loved their child.
That evening, the Wangfu was brightly lit.
In the inner city, on streets and alleys, every household hung festive lanterns. The crowds only increased, and people wore colorful costumes.
The inns were all full, and even nearby rural houses were occupied by people from various places. Other kingdoms also took action, and merchants filled the streets of the inner city.
You might not see people from the entire Cangyi Continent elsewhere, but in the inner city, you could completely see people from other countries on the Cangyi Continent.
As soon as dawn broke.
The emperors of the vassal states arrived one after another. Fan Zehao warmly welcomed them, while the empresses were received by Zhao Jiaqi.
Huangfu Xi also arrived on this joyous occasion, bringing carts and carts of gifts to the Wangfu, his face beaming with joy.
Mainly, these wedding gifts were not from Yun Country, but plundered from the Xuan Yuan Kingdom's treasury. He had gained Xuan Yuan Kingdom for nothing, all thanks to Fan Zehao. Therefore, for Yumeng's capping ceremony, he generously spent a fortune to win a smile from Fan Zehao and Zhao Jiaqi.
The emperors of several kingdoms had arrived. Zong Han and Jun Jun from Zong Sheng Kingdom also arrived just in time. Upon seeing the couple, they approached with wry smiles and knelt down to pay their respects.
"Father, Mother, your daughter pays her respects to you elders."
Behind Jun Jun was Zong Han, holding a rosy-cheeked little girl whose curved eyebrows closely resembled Jun Jun's. She also wanted to get down and kowtow.
Before Zhao Jiaqi could help Jun Jun up, Zong Han, with his daughter, also knelt down. At this, Fan Zehao shifted his position.
Although Zong Sheng Kingdom had not participated in any wars in the past two years, its national strength was steadily growing and could not be underestimated. Fan Zehao certainly could not let his son-in-law lose face in front of everyone.
He helped Zong Han up and said with a smile, "Hurry and get up. Your filial piety is understood by both your mother and me. You must not do this in the future. Your status is different; do not give others cause to mock you."
Zong Han cast a cold glance at everyone present and replied with great authority, "No matter how noble one's status, before Father and Mother, one is still a child. Kneeling to elders is only proper. If anyone dares to mock this, this son-in-law will destroy them."
His words left everyone present speechless, yet they had to force a smile and say, "Who would dare to mock? Since ancient times, governance has been based on filial piety. We can only envy you."
The Emperor of Xue Country said with a smile, followed by Helian Zhicheng's hearty laughter. "This is true. Cultivating oneself to govern the nation and bring peace to the world. If one cannot even sweep their own room, how can they sweep the world? This shows, Father, that you have good judgment in choosing a son-in-law."
Helian Zhicheng's words, in a roundabout way, also praised his own son. However, Helian Zhicheng was happy that his son had a brother-in-law like Zong Han.
Zong Sheng Kingdom and the Inner City were already related by marriage. Now that Yumeng was marrying Ding Bei Liao, the Empress of Zong Sheng Kingdom and his future daughter-in-law were sisters. In the future, these three countries would form a strong alliance, and who would dare to disregard their Ding Bei Liao?
It could be said that if they stomped their feet, the Cangyi Continent would tremble.
While the front hall and the emperors of the various kingdoms were chatting happily, the empresses were also not idle. They formed alliances. Their purpose in coming this time was very clear.
Although it was ostensibly Yumeng's capping ceremony, in secret, they were all trying to win each other over. The princesses and princes they brought were all outstanding, each hoping to secure a foothold on this continent through marriage alliances.