Everything starts from Menghualu

Chapter 408 Daqian Cao Cheng
In the spring of the fourteenth year of Wanzhen, Emperor Wanzhen was leading hundreds of civil and military officials, waiting at the east gate of the capital. At this time, a long team appeared outside the east gate.

The general riding in the front had a resolute face and wore a suit of bright armor, which made him look even more heroic. He hurriedly dismounted.

Then he walked forward quickly, bowed to Emperor Wan Zhen and said, "Your Majesty, I am Cao Cheng, your Highness."

"Haha, good, good, good, my dear, you have done a good job this time. You have enhanced the prestige of our country and restored peace to the border. Let's go, let's go back to the city quickly, hahaha." Emperor Wanzhen laughed.

In this way, Emperor Wan Zhen took Cao Cheng's hand and went straight back to the city, and all the way back to the imperial city, which can be said to have given Cao Cheng enough respect.

After returning to the court, Emperor Wanzhen smiled and said, "My dear, you have made an unprecedented contribution to our Daqian this time. If you want any reward, just tell me."

"Your Majesty, this great victory is not the work of me alone. It is all thanks to the dedication of the soldiers. Therefore, I dare not take credit for it." After hearing this, Cao Cheng naturally bowed and said

"Hahaha, my dear, don't be so modest. I will reward all the meritorious officials in this great victory, so you don't have to worry. Just speak boldly." Shen Lang said directly
"Your Majesty, I want to marry Princess Leyang." Cao Cheng said solemnly.

As soon as these words were spoken, there was an uproar in the court. Xue Yuan's eyes almost popped out of his head. Although Yan Mu's expression remained unchanged, it could be seen from the occasional twitching of the corners of his mouth that he was not calm.

"Ahem, my dear Lord Cao, you, this is too sudden. How about you change someone else? After all, my sister has a bad temper and I'm afraid she is not worthy of you." Shen Lang said in embarrassment.

"Your Majesty, this is the only wish of my life. All the rest are acceptable. I hope Your Majesty will fulfill it." Cao Cheng bowed and said
Now everyone in the court was completely dumbfounded. It was obvious that Cao Cheng was forcing the emperor to abdicate. It was clear that he did not want any rewards this time and only wanted to marry the eldest princess.

Even the ministers heard it, and Shen Lang naturally heard it too. He knew he couldn't deny it.

"My dear Cao, please get up quickly and speak. My sister is always unruly and willful. It's rare that you like her, my dear. Then I will grant her your approval."

"Not only that, I will also confer upon you the title of Marquis Dingyuan, so that you, my dear, may have double happiness." Shen Lang said
"I thank your majesty for your kindness. I will be loyal to you and repay your majesty for your kindness." Cao Cheng said
"Hahaha, okay, okay, that's all for today, let's go." Shen Lang said with a smile

The morning court was over, and a group of ministers appeared beside Cao Cheng, congratulating him. He naturally responded with a smile. At this time, Duke Dingguo came over. Seeing this, Cao Cheng immediately bowed and said, "Adoptive father."

"Well, okay, okay, go home quickly. The welcoming banquet has been prepared for you and is waiting for you to go back. Let's go, let's go back together as father and son." Xue Yuan said
After hearing this, Cao Cheng naturally nodded respectfully, and then followed his adoptive father out of the palace. No one spoke along the way, and they soon arrived at the Duke's Mansion.

At this time, Xue Ye and Xue Shu were waiting at the door with their mother. Cao Cheng hurried forward and bowed, saying, "Mother, I greet you."

Oh, good boy, good boy, it’s good that you’re back, it’s good that you’re back, let’s go on, let’s go home, go home, Cheng’er, I have arranged someone to clean your yard every day.

"I look forward to your return every day. Now you are finally back." Mrs. Xue said

After hearing this, Cao Cheng naturally smiled quickly, then bowed to Xue Ye and Xue Shu, and then returned to his own yard, went into the room and soaked comfortably in the bathtub.

Only at this moment did he completely put aside his previous disguise and a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

At this time, Xue Yuan was sitting in the flower hall with a serious expression, which surprised the mother and her two sons. Today was supposed to be a happy day, so why did she see her husband (father) unhappy?

"Husband, what's wrong with you? Today is a happy day, why do you look like this? Did something happen?" Mrs. Xue asked
"Hey, there is a problem, and it's a big problem. You know, Cheng'er told His Majesty in the court today that he wanted to marry the eldest princess." Xue Yuandao
"What? This, this, my husband, this doesn't seem to be a big deal, right? If Cheng'er can marry the princess, it will be good for our family. Why are you so angry?" Mrs. Xue said

"Foster mother, let me answer this question for foster father. Because I asked to marry the eldest princess, my title has changed. I was originally going to get a hereditary title, but now I get a personal title." Cao Cheng said with a smile

"Ah? Is that so? Cheng'er, if you know this, why do you?" Mrs. Xue asked

"Foster mother, I did this because I knew that originally, foster father was in charge of Xingwu Guards, and the Yan family controlled the army. Originally, the balance was good."

"But because of my appearance, this balance has been broken. If I don't do this today, the Yan family will probably move into Xingwuwei." Cao Cheng said
After hearing this, Xue Yuan's expression became better, but he still said, "Come here."

After he finished speaking, he stood up and walked towards the study. Cao Cheng naturally followed closely behind him, leaving the mother and her two children in the flower hall, thinking about what Cao Cheng had just said.

"Since you have had this idea for a long time, why didn't you state it in your previous letter? Do you know how much effort I have put in so that you can have a hereditary earldom?"

"What's the result now? You have become a nominal marquis. If I had known this earlier, why would I have spent so much effort planning for you?" Xue Yuan blamed
"Please calm down, godfather. I have no other choice. Only if you take action on this matter, His Majesty will not have any doubts."

"Besides, Your Majesty has many military supervisors and spies in the army. If I write these in the letter, what if they get the information? I'm afraid..."

"Foster father, the Yan family is now too big for His Majesty to get rid of. He will never allow the emergence of another Xue family army."

"So no matter what you plan, I won't have a hereditary title. Your Majesty won't give it to me. After all, if I die now, the army will naturally belong to Your Majesty, right?" Cao Cheng said
"Well, whatever, however, your request to marry the princess is still a bit rash. Although His Majesty was forced to agree, the Queen Mother may not agree." Xue Yuan said
"Foster father, I have thought of this, but aren't you here with me? I don't think my aunt will disagree, right?" Cao Cheng said with a smile

"Haha, you, you are plotting against me, but I have to remind you that Princess Leyang will not agree to marry you so easily." Xue Yuan said with a smile, "Foster father, I have thought of this, but it doesn't matter. As long as His Majesty and the Queen Mother don't help her, she can't turn the tables on herself." Cao Cheng said with a smile.

"You, you really have thought of everything. Never mind, let's go. Don't let your mother and the others worry. Let's go out." Xue Yuan nodded.
When Mrs. Xue and the other two saw the father and son talking and laughing, they all felt relieved. After all, their husband (father) had been too scary just now. The family happily ate together.

Unlike their happiness, Shen Zhiyi was unhappy at this moment. Very unhappy. She was smashing things in her room.

"How ridiculous! How ridiculous! No, I don't want to marry Cao Cheng! He also wants to marry me! Impossible! Absolutely impossible! I'm going to find my mother right now." Shen Zhiyi said loudly

After saying that, she stood up, opened the door and went straight to the Cining Palace.

When the Queen Mother learned that Shen Zhiyi had come, she knew that she was going to be in trouble. As expected, as soon as Shen Zhiyi came in, she said, "Mother, I don't want to marry Cao Cheng."

"Zhiyi, you little girl, His Majesty has spoken so clearly, how can I help you? Be obedient and go back to prepare for your marriage." The Queen Mother advised.

"No, I don't want to. Who is Cao Cheng? Why should he marry me? Even if my daughter wants to marry someone, it won't be him." Shen Zhiyi said

"Zhiyi, I know that letting you marry Cao Cheng is a bit unfair to you, but this is a marriage that His Majesty agreed to in front of all the civil and military officials in the court. If you say you don't want to marry now, you will be disobeying the emperor's order."

"Zhiyi, be obedient. Although Cao Cheng is of a low birth, he is your uncle's adopted son and has outstanding abilities. So he is not at a disadvantage." The Queen Mother said
"Oh, mother, I don't want to get married so early. I want to spend more time with you. Mother, please help me. Please help me." Shen Zhiyi said coquettishly

"Oh, okay, okay, there's really nothing I can do with you, kid. I do have a way, but you better think about it. If you use it, your reputation will be ruined." The Queen Mother said seriously.

"Oh, mother, it's already this time, can you please stop worrying about these things? I don't care about my reputation now, what can I do?" Shen Zhiyi asked

"Oh, forget it, forget it. I just told you that your brother has made an order, and it cannot be changed. But your brother cannot change it, but someone else can."

"Since it was Cao Cheng who took the initiative to propose this marriage, if you want to cancel it, he should naturally propose to cancel the marriage first, so as not to embarrass your brother." The Queen Mother said
"Yes, why didn't I think of that? Yes, yes, I can't regret the engagement, but I can let him regret it himself. Thank you, mother. You are the best." Shen Zhiyi said happily after hearing this.
After saying this, Shen Zhiyi came out of the Queen Mother's arms and bowed before leaving. Looking at her daughter's departing back, the Queen Mother showed a satisfied smile on her face.

Time soon came to the next day. Early in the morning, Xue Yuan entered the palace. As for Cao Cheng? He naturally had to go to his new government office to perform his duties.

He brought back yesterday's imperial edict directly. In addition to being conferred the title of marquis, he also became the deputy commander of the camp outside the capital, and the commander-in-chief of this camp was Yan Mu.

Just when the father and son left the Duke's Mansion, Shen Zhiyi also came out of her bedroom, and went straight out of the palace and went to the Duke Ding's Mansion.

Meanwhile, Xue Yuan had already arrived at the Cining Palace to ask for an audience with the Queen Mother.

"Why are you here? Are you here to persuade me too? If so, don't say anything more. I will not let Zhiyi marry that ominous man." The Queen Mother said with a serious face.

"Queen Mother, Cheng'er is now my adopted son. He has been with me since he was young and has always been respectful to me as his adoptive father. I don't understand why you don't agree." Xue Yuandao
"You can't figure it out? You really can't figure it out? What is the origin of Cao Cheng? Have you forgotten everything? Have you forgotten that he crawled out of the grave by himself?"

"You may forget what happened back then, but I cannot. There should have been three hundred people buried there, but because of him, there are only two hundred and ninety-nine left!" said the Queen Mother.
"Queen Mother, yes, that's right. Cheng'er crawled out by himself, but he didn't know that it was our Xue family who did all this, didn't we?"

"He is gifted with extraordinary talents and natural powers, and he crawled out by himself. Doesn't this prove that he is not destined to die? How can we go against God's will?" Xue Yuandao
"You, you are just talking nonsense. What do you mean by destiny? What do you mean by going against God's will? I think he is just a reborn ghost! Sooner or later, we will all be harmed by him!" the Queen Mother said angrily

"Queen Mother, have you forgotten what I just said? We didn't do any of this. As the saying goes, every wrong has its perpetrator, and we can't be blamed for it." Xue Yuan reminded
"Hmph, in short, I will not agree to Zhiyi's marriage. Tell him to give up on this idea. Even if His Majesty agrees, it's impossible!" The Queen Mother said resolutely.

After hearing this, Xue Yuan knew that it was useless for him to say anything, so he could only stand up, salute, and then leave the Cining Palace.

But at this time, Xue Yuan's face was full of pride, and there was no expression of disappointment at all.

After all, the reason why he adopted Cao Cheng and concealed his identity was to raise a good dog to help him deal with other people in the future. Now it has finally worked.

How could he give up? She was just a Princess Leyang, how could he let her affect his future plans?
But Cao Cheng at this time didn't know about these things, or he didn't have the heart to care about them because Yan Lin was already finding fault with him.

"Yan Lin, why are you doing this? You know very well that you are no match for me, so why do you want to humiliate yourself? I just returned to Beijing and don't want to hurt the relationship."

"After all, I'm getting married soon, and I don't want to see blood on such a nice day, so I advise you to put your little tricks aside! Don't force me to beat you on such a nice day." Cao Cheng said
"Cao Jianwei, don't be so complacent. Sooner or later, I will defeat you!" Yan Lin said
"Okay, then I'll wait for that day to come. I hope I won't have to wait too long." Cao Cheng said
Hearing Cao Cheng's coaxing tone, Yan Lin was immediately furious, but was stopped by the guards beside him.

At this moment, Yan Mu came out and said, "Marquis Dingyuan, my son has behaved badly and offended me. I hope you will be magnanimous and not take it to heart."

(End of this chapter)