The Qian Kingdom's collapse and the war between the Hu and Man Kingdoms were like a big rock crashing into a quiet lake. They messed up the whole world's situation and got the people of Da'en Kingdom talking non-stop.
In the teahouses and taverns of the imperial city, it was common to see people huddled together, whispering.
"The Qian Kingdom was once a powerful nation. How could it be destroyed just like that?"
"Tell me about it! I heard the Hu Kingdom's cavalry fight brutally. They're ruthless killers."
"The Man Kingdom is on the verge of defeat, and the Hu Kingdom is winning. Do you reckon the Da'en Kingdom will be pulled into this mess?"
"Alas, we common folks always suffer the most. We're the ones who end up paying the price in every big war."
"But I heard the Hu Kingdom is extremely ambitious. If the Man Kingdom loses, we'll be their next target. Then there'll be no more peace for us."
"Some officials say Da'en should expand while the others are weak. If we can defeat the Hu and Man Kingdoms when they're worn out, all the eastern lands will belong to Da'en."
"But if war starts, we common folks will likely get forced to fight and pay more taxes. Life will turn into a nightmare..."
The chatter went on and on. While common people worried about their livelihoods, the high - ranking officials in court focused on Da'en's future.
In the imperial council hall, the war hawks and the conservatives were locked in a fierce argument.
"This is the perfect chance! The Man Kingdom is on the retreat. If we step in, we can weaken the Hu Kingdom and seize Man territory!"
"We don't even know if the Man Kingdom can hold on. If we meddle rashly and the Hu Kingdom wins, we'll be next!"
"If we sit around doing nothing, are we just going to let the Hu Kingdom wipe out the Man Kingdom and then march our way? When that happens, we'll be up against an even tougher foe!"
"Your Majesty, I suggest we bide our time, secretly support the Man Kingdom, and order the Ministry of War to prepare for any eventuality."
Emperor Li Yunchuan listened quietly to the ministers' quarrels, his eyes filled with deep thought.
Despite the anxiety in the imperial city, the Lin General's mansion was abuzz with joy. It was Lin Su's wedding day. The mansion was decorated with lanterns and streamers. Two large red lanterns hung at the gate, a red carpet was laid out, bright red "double - happiness" characters adorned the walls, and red silk ribbons fluttered on the tree branches in the courtyard.
In the main hall, bright red candles flickered. The table was piled high with wedding gifts. Embroidered balls that stood for a happy marriage hung from the beams, and everywhere you looked, there was celebration.
Lin Su wore a magnificent red wedding dress, with golden threads embroidering the pattern of a phoenix spreading its wings. She looked both elegant and dignified. Her eyes held a hint of heroism, but a smile played on her lips, as if she was very content with her marriage.
"You actually waited until you were nineteen to get married," Lin Yuan quipped, standing beside her.
Lin Su let out a dismissive snort and glared at him. "You don't get it! I wasn't going to settle for just any noble. I waited for the one who was truly right for me."
Lin Yuan didn't know what to say. "But wasn't your search... a bit too picky?"
His eyes drifted to the groom, Lu Huaian, the newly - crowned martial champion.
Lu Huaian, twenty - two years old, had a strong, handsome face with sword - like eyebrows and bright eyes. Standing tall in his red wedding attire beside Lin Su, his eyes were filled with tenderness.
This young martial champion had lost his parents as a child and wandered through war - torn lands. By chance, Lin Su had saved him. Back then, he was just a lowly soldier in a camp, bullied by others. Lin Su didn't just give him a hand, she also paid for him to take the martial exams in the capital. And now, their love had finally come to fruition.
"You're even willing to marry into the Lin family for Lin Su?" Lin Yuan couldn't resist teasing Lu Huaian.
Lu Huaian replied without hesitation, "It's the greatest honor of my life that she agreed to marry me. Besides, General Lin didn't ask me to marry into the family."
Lin Yuan was stunned. "Well, look at that. A hopeless romantic."
Lin Su gave a cold laugh and tapped Lin Yuan on the head. "Jealous much?"
"Not at all!" Lin Yuan denied it immediately.
Yet, in the midst of all the festivities, Lin Jiwu alone wore a grave expression. Though weddings were times of happiness, he sensed the approaching storm beyond the walls.
"Go, my child," Lin Jiwu patted Lin Su on the shoulder. "You're a descendant of the Lin family. No matter what happens in the future, remember that the Lin family will always have your back."
Lin Su nodded seriously. Then, in the midst of the merriment, Lu Huaian led her to the wedding carriage.
Firecrackers cracked as the wedding procession inched along. Onlookers on the street paused, watching and wishing the couple well.
====================
乾国的灭亡,胡国与满国的交战,像是一块巨石投入了平静的湖面,搅乱了整个天下的局势,也让大恩国的百姓们议论纷纷.
在皇城的茶馆,酒肆里,随处可见百姓们凑在一起,低声交谈着.
"乾国,曾经也是个大国啊,就这么被灭了?"
"可不是嘛,听说胡国那边的骑兵,战法狠辣无比,简直是杀人不眨眼."
"如今满国正在死撑,胡国占了上风,你们说,我们大恩会不会被卷进去?"
"唉,咱们老百姓就是最惨的,每次大战,最后倒霉的都是我们."
"可听说胡国野心勃勃,满国若是输了,下一个目标就是我们大恩,到时候哪还有什么岁月静好?"
"可也有官员说,大恩国可以趁乱扩张,若是能趁着其他两国元气大伤的时候,一举击溃胡国和满国,整个东方土地就都是大恩的了."
"但这仗要真打起来,我们这些平头百姓怕是又要被征兵,加税,过上苦日子了..."
议论声此起彼伏,老百姓关心的是生计,而朝堂上的达官贵人们,则更关注大恩国的未来走向.
在皇宫的议政殿里,主战派和保守派已经吵得不可开交.
"现在正是良机!满国被打得节节败退,我们若出手,既能削弱胡国,也能占据满国的领土!"
"满国能不能撑住还是未知数,我们若贸然插手,万一胡国胜了,我们就是下一个目标!"
"若是不插手,难道要等胡国打完满国,再挥兵南下?到时候我们面对的是一个战力更强的胡国!"
"陛下,臣以为,不如暂时观望,派人暗中支持满国,同时让兵部加紧备战,以防不测."
皇帝李云川静静听着众臣的争执,眼中闪烁着深思之色.
尽管皇城人心惶惶,但林大将军府依旧是一片热闹的景象.今日是林苏出嫁的日子,府中张灯结彩,门口挂着一对红彤彤的大灯笼,门前铺上了红毡,墙上贴满了大红的喜字,就连庭院里的树枝上,也系着一条条红绸带,随风摇曳.
主屋内,红烛高烧,案几上摆满了各式婚礼供品,房梁上悬挂着象征百年好合的绣球,整个府邸洋溢着喜庆的气氛.
林苏今日一袭大红嫁衣,金色丝线勾勒出凤凰展翅的纹样,华丽而庄重.她眉眼间带着一丝英气,嘴角却挂着笑意,似乎对这场婚事很满意.
"你还真拖到了十九岁才嫁人." 林远站在一旁,吐槽道.
林苏轻哼一声,瞪了他一眼:"你懂什么?姐姐我是要找到自己认定的人,而不是随便嫁个权贵."
林远无语:"但你这找的,也太... 谨慎了吧."
他目光瞥向新郎,武状元陆怀安.
陆怀安,年方二十二,剑眉星目,身材挺拔,身穿一袭红色喜服,站在林苏身旁,眼神里满是温柔.
这位新科武状元,幼年失去双亲,在战乱中流离失所,机缘巧合下被林苏所救.当年,他不过是个营地里的小兵,被人欺压,被林苏出手相助,后来更是得到了林苏的资助,得以进京考取武状元,如今终于修成正果.
"愿意为了林苏连入赘都肯?" 林远看着陆怀安,忍不住调侃.
陆怀安毫不犹豫地答道:"她愿意嫁我,已是我此生最大的荣幸.再说,林大将军也没要我入赘啊."
林远目瞪口呆:"好家伙,居然还是个恋爱脑."
林苏冷冷一笑,拍了拍林远的脑袋:"你羡慕?"
"才不是!" 林远立刻否认.
然而,在一片喜庆之中,只有林季无的脸色略显严肃.大婚是喜事,但他知道,外界的风暴正在悄然逼近.
"孩儿,去吧." 林季无拍拍林苏的肩,"你是我林家后代,日后无论发生何事,你记得,林家永远是你的后盾."
林苏郑重点头,在一片热闹的氛围中,被陆怀安牵上了马车.
鞭炮声响起,迎亲队伍缓缓向前,街上的百姓们纷纷驻足观看,送上祝福.