Chapter 59: Big Family, Small Family
Xuzhou City, on the avenue at the city gate.

The wedding procession from the Fu'an Marquis's Mansion, led by Zhao Xinghan, moved forward slowly.

The people around them all avoided it.

After Cui Shuyun took over Huo Lian, there were no more accidents during the wedding procession of Marquis Fu'an's Mansion.

This made Zhao Xinghan, Gao Yao and others begin to doubt whether Cui Shuyun was the chosen one!

"Perhaps we should have handed the Fire Lotus over to Cui Shuyun, the future wife of the Marquisate!"

Sometimes such thoughts would even occur to Zhao Xinghan's mind.

"The wedding procession from Marquis Fu'an's mansion is back! I heard that Marquis Fu'an was seriously injured. I wonder if the wedding can still be held as usual?"

"It's difficult. Haven't you heard? Marquis Fu'an was seriously injured this time and almost couldn't wake up. That's why old Marquis Zhao was so angry and took action directly...

Right now, Marquis Fu'an is probably still lying in bed, unable to move! How can we get married?"

"Commander Huang and Marquis Fu'an have always had a good relationship. How could he suddenly assassinate Marquis Fu'an? Could there be..."

"Commander Huang has admitted it himself! What else could it be? Besides, when it comes to important people, they may have a good relationship on the surface, but who knows what's going on in private? Maybe Commander Huang and Marquis Fu'an have some kind of conflict!"

……

Looking at the wedding procession from Marquis Fu'an's mansion returning with the bride, the people around were talking about it.

After Zhao Yuguang's commotion, the news that Zhu Chengwu was assassinated and seriously injured spread widely in Xuzhou City.

Now that the wedding procession from Marquis Fu'an's Mansion has returned, naturally some curious people have started discussing whether the wedding of Marquis Fu'an's Mansion can still be held as scheduled.

The wedding procession also heard the discussions of the surrounding people.

Some were confused, some were horrified, and some were in disbelief!

"Don't think too much! Since the Marquis has no other orders, let's act according to the original plan!"

Zhao Xinghan spoke to suppress the commotion and anxiety among the wedding party.

Although Zhao Xinghan was also feeling uneasy, he understood that as a leader, he must not cause chaos.

There is another reason why Zhao Xinghan could remain so calm. Zhao Xinghan had received the relevant news a long time ago and was mentally prepared.

The bride is returning, the road ahead is unknown, so get intelligence first.

In order to better protect the "Fire Lotus", after a series of accidents, Zhao Xinghan always arranged personnel to conduct advance inspections and gather intelligence on his way back.

The assassination of Zhu Chengwu was now a hot topic, and the people who were investigating easily obtained the relevant information and reported it to Zhao Xinghan, Gao Yao and others.

In addition, after Zhu Chengwu woke up from the assassination, he also sent people from Fu'an Marquis' Mansion to deliver the message to Zhao Xinghan and others.

Zhu Chengwu's original plan was to wait until the wedding party returned, then find an opportunity to secretly go outside the city to receive the "Fire Lotus".

Do not allow other people attending the wedding banquet to have the opportunity to come into direct contact with the "Fire Lotus".

After all, there were many people with profound backgrounds and high status attending Zhu Chengwu's wedding banquet. Zhu Chengwu was really afraid that they would recognize that the so-called "Fire Lotus" was actually the high-level rare treasure "Earth Core Fire Lotus", which would cause complications.

Zhu Chengwu can only feel at ease when he actually gets the "Earth Core Fire Lotus" in his hands.

What a pity, I was careless for a moment!
Zhu Chengwu went out of the city to compete and was seriously injured...

Then he was assassinated...

The seriously injured Zhu Chengwu is now unable to secretly go outside the city to receive the "Earth Core Fire Lotus".

What's more, Zhao Yuguang's early arrival made Zhu Chengwu's plan to secretly leave the city to receive the "Earth Core Fire Lotus" become empty talk.

Even if Zhu Chengwu was not injured, it would be impossible for him to hide from Zhao Yuguang, the master, and secretly leave the city.

What's more, he's injured now!
As for asking Zhao Yuguang to go out of the city to receive the "Earth Core Fire Lotus" on his behalf?
Zhu Chengwu did think about it, but in the end he dismissed the idea himself.

The "Earth Core Fire Lotus" is much more precious than the "Fire Lotus".

In terms of value, a high-level rare treasure "Earth Core Fire Lotus" is worth at least 5-15 ordinary rare treasures "Fire Lotus".

As for the specific value, it depends on the degree of demand of both parties.

When it comes to treasures at the level of rare treasures of heaven and earth or above, they can no longer be measured by gold or silver. They are completely priceless and can only be exchanged for other things.

Therefore, the specific value changes at any time depending on the degree of need and urgency of the two parties to the exchange.

Zhu Chengwu can trust Zhao Yuguang with the rare "Fire Lotus" in the world, and he also believes that Zhao Yuguang will not have a rift with Zhu Chengwu because of a "Fire Lotus".

Because Zhao Yuguang, who has achieved the status of a master, no longer needs the ordinary rare treasure "Fire Lotus".

But the high-level rare treasure of heaven and earth, "Earth Core Fire Lotus" is different. It is a secret of the Zhu family and is also circulated among grandmasters and top figures. The high-level rare treasure of heaven and earth can help grandmasters become top grandmasters, which is what is called a grand master in the world.

Zhao Yugang can use the high-level rare treasure "Earth Core Fire Lotus".

Zhu Chengwu wondered if his grandfather Zhao Yugang would be tempted by the high-level rare treasure "Earth Core Fire Lotus"? What choice would Zhao Yugang make?

Perhaps Zhu Chengwu was overthinking it and judging others by his own standards!
But the high-level rare treasure of the world, "Earth Core Fire Lotus", is too precious and too rare.

Zhu Chengwu had to consider whether this was his only chance in his life to find and obtain the "Earth Core Fire Lotus", so Zhu Chengwu would not take risks or test people's hearts.

Therefore, Zhu Chengwu did not tell Zhao Yuguang anything about the "Earth Core Fire Lotus", nor did he let Zhao Xinghan go out of the city to help receive the "Earth Core Fire Lotus".

Instead, he sent a private message to Zhao Xinghan, Gao Yao and others.

Explain the situation and decide on other ways to connect and receive the "Fire Lotus".

Therefore, Zhao Xinghan, who had already known that Zhu Chengwu was injured, appeared so calm when facing the discussions of the people around him.

"Xing Han!"

The destination was just around the corner. Zhao Xinghan, who was thinking about how to connect with Zhu Chengwu and hand over the "Earth Core Fire Lotus", suddenly heard a familiar voice.

"Uncle Taurus! Why are you here?"

Zhao Xinghan looked towards the place where the voice came from, and several familiar figures came into view. The person in the center was none other than Zhao Jinniu, one of the backbones of the previous generation of the Zhao family, who had already achieved a first-class realm.

Zhao Xinghan was also familiar with several people around Zhao Jinniu.

They are all from the Fu'an Marquis Mansion.

Zhao Xinghan was certainly excited to see his clansmen again after a long separation, but after looking at the people from the Fu'an Marquis' Mansion beside Zhao Jinniu and then at the wedding car where Cui Shuyun was, Zhao Xinghan finally suppressed his excitement and just sat on the horse and responded to Zhao Jinniu.

Although he was surprised and excited, Zhao Xinghan did not dismount.

This is the experience and habit Zhao Xinghan has gained from his many years of military career.

Never let your guard down, because no one knows which surprise or accident will come to you first.

There is...

"The Marquis is indeed on guard against me and the Zhao family!"

Zhao Xinghan looked at the people from the Fu'an Marquis' Mansion beside Zhao Jinniu, feeling a little disappointed and annoyed.

To be honest, Zhao Xinghan did once think of passing on the news to the Zhao family that Cui's "Fire Lotus" was most likely not an ordinary "Fire Lotus".

Zhao Xinghan could understand Zhao's current embarrassment and dilemma.

With no new grandmaster emerging, the Zhao family is now in a state of turmoil!
If Zhao Xinghan's guess is true, the old patriarch of the Zhao family, Grandmaster Zhao Yuguang, may become a top grandmaster because of this high-level rare treasure of heaven and earth, which is very likely not an ordinary "Fire Lotus", and prolong his peak period, thus buying more time for the Zhao family.

With this extra period of time, the younger generation of the Zhao family might be able to successfully produce a new master who can take over the baton and preserve the Zhao family's wealth and status.

Even Zhao Xinghan himself, with this extra period of time, has hope of becoming a master.

By then, Zhao Xinghan will be the ancestor of the new generation of the Zhao family...

But in the end, Zhao Xinghan gave up this tempting idea.

First, Zhao Xinghan knew the difficulty of becoming a master and the low probability of him becoming a master.

The second reason is because of the affection and loyalty between Zhao Xinghan and Zhu Chengwu over their nearly ten years of friendship.

Third, Zhao Xinghan didn't know how Cui's high-level rare treasure, which was most likely not an ordinary "fire lotus", was compatible with the old patriarch of the Zhao family? Is it possible, and how likely is it, for Zhao Yugang to become a top master (grand master) by relying on this high-level rare treasure, which was most likely not an ordinary "fire lotus"?
Fourth, Zhu Chengwu is Zhao Yugang's grandson. Zhao Xinghan is not sure whether Zhao Yugang will snatch the treasure that Zhu Chengwu has obtained with great difficulty, so he takes a gamble on a possible...

Once Zhao Xinghan chooses to reveal the news to the Zhao family, but Zhao Yugang has not achieved the top master or Zhao Yugang does not want to snatch the things of his grandson, then Zhao Xinghan will be at a loss...

That's the real way of being neither a human nor a human!

In addition, Zhu Chengwu promised Zhao Xinghan that after returning safely, Zhu Chengwu would accept Zhao Xinghan's talented and extraordinary son as his disciple.

With Zhu Chengwu's support, the number of magical books in Zhu Chengwu's hands and the resources of Fu'an Marquis' Mansion, plus Zhao's plan, once Zhu Chengwu succeeds in taking the throne...

Zhao Xinghan's legitimate son was able to overcome several levels of difficulty in becoming a master in one fell swoop.

As long as he practices step by step and Zhao Xinghan fully supports him behind the scenes, the probability of Zhao Xinghan's son becoming a master will exceed 30%.

This probability is no less than that of the next generation of leaders that the royal Zhu family and major sects such as Wudang and Shaolin have tried their best to cultivate!
Therefore, Zhao Xinghan finally chose not to reveal the news to the Zhao family and completely obeyed Zhu Chengwu's instructions. Between the family and his own small family, Zhao Xinghan finally chose his own small family.

Human nature is selfish!
Selfishness is human nature!
"The old patriarch is here! Naturally, we followed him!"

In response to Zhao Xinghan's doubts, Zhao Jinniu explained.

"The old patriarch is here?"

Hearing this, Zhao Xinghan's heart trembled, and he seemed to feel uneasy and guilty.

"yes!
Wu Ge'er... No, Marquis Fu'an's marriage is also a big event for the Zhao family. As the Marquis Fu'an's maternal grandfather and the old patriarch of the Zhao family, it is natural for the old patriarch to come!

And fortunately the old clan leader came, otherwise if Fu Anhou was bullied, there would be no one to support him and seek justice! "

Zhao Jinniu walked forward and spoke.

Zhao Xinghan knew what his cousin Zhao Jinniu was talking about.

"yes!
Fortunately, the old patriarch is here!"

Zhao Xinghan followed Zhao Jinniu's words, but his eyes involuntarily avoided Zhao Jinniu's gaze.

When Zhao Xinghan saw his cousin Zhao Jinniu and heard the name Zhao Yuguang from Zhao Jinniu, he was shaken for a moment!

He wanted to report to Zhao Jinniu and Zhao Yuguang that the "Fire Lotus" of the Cui family was very likely not an ordinary rare treasure in the world.

But in the end, Zhao Xinghan chose to stick to his original plan.

Being indecisive will not end well!
Zhao Yuguang understood this principle a long time ago.

But after choosing to stick to the original plan, for some reason, Zhao Xinghan always felt guilty when facing Zhao Jinniu, his uncle of the Zhao clan, and his eyes involuntarily dodged.

"Xinghan, are you injured?"

Zhao Jinniu did not notice the evasiveness in Zhao Xinghan's eyes, but instead immediately discovered something wrong with Zhao Xinghan in other aspects.

Zhao Xinghan's aura seems powerful, but it gives people a feeling of being strong on the outside but weak on the inside.

Zhao Xinghan's aura was like that of a man who was injured but didn't want others to notice his injury, so he was pretending.

This is also because as both are descendants of the Zhao family, Zhao Jinniu and Zhao Xinghan have the same basic internal skills, which is why they were able to make this discovery.

Otherwise, even a top-notch master would find it difficult to see the strength of Zhao Xinghan's aura.

"Um!

There was a little accident on the way and I got a little injured!"

Zhao Xinghan finally suppressed the inexplicable guilt and uneasiness in his heart, looked at Zhao Jinniu and answered.

"As long as Wu Ge'er ascends the throne and Chang Ge'er becomes a master, the Zhao family's wealth and status will continue! My decision is correct!"

Zhao Xinghan convinced himself in this way in his heart.

The Chang Ge'er here is Zhao Xinghan's talented and talented legitimate son - Zhao Renchang.

"Accident?
Could it be that someone else dares to attack the Fu'an Marquis's wedding procession and the future Marquis's wife..."

At this point, Zhao Jinniu couldn't help but think of Zhu Chengwu who was assassinated. The confidence in his heart and the arrogance in his mouth immediately disappeared, and the volume of his words also dropped involuntarily.

After all, someone dared to assassinate Marquis Fu'an himself, let alone the wedding procession and future wife of Marquis Fu'an.

"These people are so bold! It seems that it is true as the old patriarch said, the prince is most likely behind this..."

Zhao Jinniu pondered secretly in his heart.

From Zhao Jinniu's perspective, the people who assassinated Zhu Chengwu and caused the accident to the wedding party were the same group of people, or they belonged to the same force.

Otherwise, how could it be so coincidental?

Marquis Fu'an was assassinated, and the wedding procession of Marquis Fu'an also encountered an accident!
In the Ming Dynasty, there were only a handful of people who could secretly mobilize so many people to deal with Marquis Fu'an and the wedding party of Marquis Fu'an at the same time.

Among them, there are those who have a grudge against Marquis Fu'an and have a huge conflict of interest!

Maybe it’s only the prince.

It is no wonder that Zhao Jinniu turned his suspicion to the prince.

If you don't keep things secret, you will lose your virginity!

Except Zhu Chengwu, Zhao Yuguang did not tell anyone that Huang Jun was not the real murderer of Zhu Chengwu.

Zhao and other people in Fu'an Marquis' Mansion believed that it was Huang Jun who assassinated Zhu Chengwu, and that the prince was behind it.

Fortunately, Zhao Jinniu still had his sense and did not say in public that the prince, who had not yet been confirmed, was the mastermind behind the incident.

Otherwise, if Zhao was charged with instigating relations between the princes, even if he was right, he would be unreasonable.

After some greetings, the wedding procession from Marquis Fu'an's mansion set out again.

Countless curious people gathered around to watch.

Some common people even followed the wedding procession, hoping to share in the joy of the Marquis Fu'an's Mansion.

The wedding procession did not go directly into the Marquis Fu'an Mansion, but went to a villa outside the Marquis Fu'an Mansion.

The time of Zhu Chengwu's wedding was calculated by a special person.

Before the time came, the bride Cui Shuyun could only rest outside.

According to Ming Dynasty etiquette, the bride and groom cannot see each other before the wedding.

This was also thanks to the fact that there was not much baggage and few accidents on the way back, so the speed was increased.

Otherwise, with the speed at which the Fu'an Marquis's wedding procession went to Cui's house, there would be no need to take a break after returning.

I'm afraid I won't even be able to make it in time for the chosen auspicious time.

After entering the villa, Qiuyue Dongxue led Cui Shuyun into a heavily guarded house.

When the guards saw Cui Shuyun in her bright red wedding dress, they looked straight ahead, as if they had no curiosity at all about Cui Shuyun, the future wife of the marquis's mansion.

These guards are the real trump card of Fu'an Marquis Mansion.

The death squad of the Internal Affairs Department trained by Gao Yao.

The guards of the marquis' mansion, led by Zhao Xinghan, were guarding around the villa.

Didn't go near this house.

"Madam, please stay in the house for a while. The Marquis will be here soon."

After bringing Cui Shuyun into the house, Qiuyue said this.

"My Lord?
Which marquis?

Marquis of Fu'an?
What is Marquis Fu'an doing here?
Before getting married, the bride and groom cannot see each other!

Doesn’t Marquis Fu’an know?

No one told Marquis Fu'an?
What Marquis Fu'an did is against etiquette and law!"

After Qiuyue finished speaking, before Cui Shuyun said anything else, the maid Xiaowei immediately exploded.

In Xiaowei's opinion, Marquis Fu'an's unethical behavior was a sign of looking down on the Cui family and Cui Shuyun.

As dowry maids, Xiaowei and Cui Shuyun share the same fate.

"Alright! Xiaowei! Be quiet!"

Cui Shuyun seemed not surprised at all.

Especially when they were about to arrive at Xuzhou City, Gao Yao found Cui Shuyun and asked Cui Shuyun to return the "Fire Lotus", but was rejected by Cui Shuyun.

But to say it’s not surprising is actually a bit surprising.

Cui Shuyun really didn't expect that Marquis Fu'an would be so anxious.

They had already arrived at Xuzhou City, but Marquis Fu'an couldn't even bear a little time.

Cui Shuyun thought that Marquis Fu'an would ask Cui Shuyun to hand over the "Fire Lotus" only during the wedding or bridal chamber!

Unexpectedly, after a few hours, Marquis Fu'an could no longer bear it.

Come here specially to get the "Fire Lotus"!
However, this is a good thing for Cui Shuyun!
Marquis Fu'an is so anxious, it seems that the "Fire Lotus" is really important to him.

Cui Shuyun's chances of success in negotiating the conditions increased by several percent.

(End of this chapter)