When the澹台烈 (Tantai Lie) couple entered, they heard his words and their faces instantly darkened.
Unworthy thing.
Madam Yue Hua sighed inwardly as she looked at her son's subservient demeanor.
Heroes throughout history find it hard to escape the allure of beauty.
When they brought this woman back to Shangjing all those years ago, they thought he would grow tired of her within a few years. Who knew that after so many years, she still held his heart so tightly, even risking his life for her.
When they heard the news in Shangjing, they could hardly believe it.
Now, they had come personally to fetch him to show their sincerity, yet he refused to return with them.
"Ahem—"
A light cough came from behind. Lan Mu Rou's heart tightened. She turned her head and saw two people walking into the main hall.
Her cheeks immediately flushed, and she quickly let go of him.
Tantai Ye had already noticed the two of them. Knowing she was shy, he didn't press further and allowed her to pull away.
"Why have you come?"
When Tantai Lie saw him, he was so angry his beard bristled.
Useless creature, running to such a place for a woman.
Madam Yue Hua said, "Your father and I are returning to the capital, so we've come to inform you."
"Mm, you should return soon."
Lan Mu Rou, who was rushing to pour tea, glanced instinctively at the Tantai Lie couple upon hearing Tantai Ye's indifferent words.
As expected, they were angry.
"Are you coming back to the capital or not? Are you planning to abandon everything?"
Hearing his father's words, Tantai Ye's expression was calm.
"I will transfer my military authority and request a post in Gusu."
Lan Mu Rou's hand paused as she poured tea, and her body trembled.
The Great General Who Suppressed the West held the second highest rank, controlling the Northwest military, above the Nine Ministers. His power was immense. He was actually willing to give it all up?
Tantai Lie was furious, "You're insane—"
Madam Yue Hua's heart felt a chill. She carefully observed Lan Mu Rou pouring tea.
Tantai Ye did not want to discuss these matters in front of Lan Mu Rou, and he waved his hand impatiently.
"The Tantai clan is a noble family with a hundred years of history. Even without me, its status will remain unassailable."
As he spoke, the atmosphere became oppressively silent.
Lan Mu Rou slowly handed the tea to everyone.
"My lord, Madam, please have some tea. You may continue your conversation."
With that, she quietly withdrew.
Tantai Ye didn't want her to overhear the father and son's argument, so he didn't stop her.
Once she left, Tantai Lie fully unleashed his fury.
"Your mother said all the right things, but the woman simply refused to return with us. Are you truly willing to disregard the family's reputation for a woman?"
"Moreover, you are already married, and it has been announced to the world. If you don't return to the capital, won't people laugh at you?"
Tantai Ye's eyes were deep. He leaned back lazily in his chair and remained silent.
Madam Yue Hua saw the father and son's tense confrontation and stood up to walk outside.
Tantai Ye immediately called out, "Mother, where are you going?"
"Where would I dare to go? I'm going to see your beloved."
Lan Mu Rou stood outside the corridor, her mood slightly heavy.
Catching sight of Madam Yue Hua approaching out of the corner of her eye, she immediately came back to her senses and respectfully bowed.
Madam Yue Hua smiled and took her hand, patting it gently.
"We are all family, there's no need for such formalities."
Lan Mu Rou's expression remained unchanged, "Thank you for your kindness, Madam."
Hearing this address, Madam Yue Hua knew that this young girl still harbored some reservations.
She looked at the sky outside and said, "Ah Ye has always been unruly, his nature sharp and ruthless. That he would go to such lengths for you truly shocks me."
Lan Mu Rou felt a pang of sadness in her heart and remained silent.
"I know you dislike our noble families and do not wish to marry into them. But, my dear girl, sometimes, loving someone requires compromise."
Madam Yue Hua said, glancing sideways at her.
"Ah Ye's current position was not gained through the family; it was earned through his own abilities."
"Which of the noble sons in Shangjing hasn't gone to the military camps to earn merit and add glory to themselves? But he was born proud and disdained such filth. Before he even reached adulthood, he personally went to the battlefield, leading troops alone to reclaim the northern territories, drinking snow water and eating raw meat."
"He then toiled in the military camps for many years before reaching his current status."
Hearing these words, Lan Mu Rou was suddenly reminded of the past.
The year he first arrived in Gusu, the south was in turmoil, and he led troops to reclaim the southeastern Liao Zhou Prefecture area.
She followed him closely. The young general, clad in fine silk and riding a spirited horse, was full of ambition.
In those days, he was far less steady and experienced on the battlefield than he was now. His eyes were filled with defiance and unrestrained arrogance.
She suddenly felt a sense of sorrow. She had followed him through years of campaigning. When he was on the front lines, she guarded him from behind. She had witnessed his near-death experiences on the battlefield. She didn't want the achievements he had fought so hard for to be abandoned because of her.
Seeing her silence, Madam Yue Hua continued.
"You've also heard that he is willing to leave the capital and reside in Gusu permanently for your sake."
"Mu Rou, you have had feelings for him for many years. Can you bear to see everything he has attained with his entire heart handed over to others?"
Lan Mu Rou's heart felt a sour ache, and she didn't know what to say.
She recalled the time she followed him to the Western Regions to reclaim the Kingdom of Beishan. The people there were all warlike and extremely difficult to deal with.
However, at that time, the Great Liang was in internal turmoil, and the King of Dingbei was struggling in court. Reinforcements and supplies were delayed. To prevent the Kingdom of Beishan from colluding with Northern Qi, he worked day and night without rest, studying formations in his military tent.
He even later led a personal detachment alone to sneak attack the enemy camp, was trapped in Yinshan, and finally escaped by setting Yinshan ablaze.
Later, in order to defeat a larger enemy with a smaller force and conquer the Kingdom of Beishan, he created an army that perfectly mimicked the Beishan cavalry, but as light cavalry, they had stronger attack power and speed than the Beishan heavy cavalry.
He forged this army in a very short period, employing a strategy of cavalry against cavalry through continuous combat. He stayed in the northern territories for a full year, achieving seven victories in seven battles and conquering the Kingdom of Beishan.
That campaign became renowned throughout the Western Regions.
"Mu Rou—"
A soft call brought Lan Mu Rou's thoughts back. Her lips trembled, and she didn't know what to say.
Madam Yue Hua, being perceptive, knew from her expression that her heart was softening. She didn't force the issue further. Smiling, she removed a bracelet from her wrist.
"This is a heirloom worn by the successive matriarchs of the Tantai family. I couldn't give it to you personally when you were unconscious, but now you have it."
She said this and moved to put it on her.
Lan Mu Rou didn't want it and stepped back respectfully.
"This humble one is unworthy."
Madam Yue Hua paid no mind, taking her hand and placing the bracelet on her wrist.
"It was announced to the world that you are already the daughter-in-law of our Tantai manor. What is yours is yours."
Lan Mu Rou felt as if her wrist was bearing the weight of a thousand pounds.
"One should not refuse a gift from an elder. Don't be distant."
Hearing this, Lan Mu Rou didn't want to argue with her elder any further. She decided she would return it to Tantai Ye later and said no more.
At that moment, Tantai Ye and his father walked out of the room. The two of them seemed to have been arguing again, their expressions grim.
Madam Yue Hua said with a light smile, "I've long heard that Gusu in Jiangnan is beautiful. We'll be returning to the capital later. Let's go out for a meal together."
Lan Mu Rou paused and replied softly, "Yes."
Tantai Ye walked over, took her hand, saw the bracelet on her wrist, said nothing, and addressed the two of them.
"There's a restaurant on East Street, opened by Li Qiongyu. They serve all the famous Jiangnan dishes. Let's go there to eat."