If I were born again, I would marry a strong but short-lived husband.

The morning light penetrated the clouds, and golden light sprinkled on the official road.

Lu Yuan was wearing a bright red gold-woven robe with four beasts and a unicorn. He stood outside the city wall, tall and straight, with his eyes lowered looking at the road ahead. The golden sunlight outlined his high nose bridge and long brows, making him look handsome and noble.

Even the Minister of Rites couldn't help but turn his head and look at him a few times.

I just discovered today that the eldest son of the Duke's Mansion is just as handsome as Lu Heng.

"Commander Lu, I heard some rumors about the Duke's Mansion today. I wonder if they are true or not?" The Minister of Rites couldn't help but get curious and leaned close to Lu Yuan and asked in a low voice.

"..." Lu Yuan looked at the Minister of Rites speechlessly.

This gentleman usually says don't look at or say anything inappropriate, but he actually has such gossip curiosity.

"Which one are you referring to, Lord Shangshu?" Lu Yuan asked.

The Minister of Rites' eyes sparkled. "Is there anything else I haven't heard of? My dear nephew, please tell me slowly. If there is anything unfair to you, I will definitely speak up for you."

Before the envoys from the Southern Dynasty arrive, he can listen to more secret stories about the Lu family and tell them to entertain his wife when he gets home.

"What does it have to do with me?" Lu Yuan curled the corner of his lips.

"Yes, it has nothing to do with the commander. You and your husband have never had a good relationship." The Minister of Rites sighed, "I used to think he was gentle and kind, upright and noble, but now I realize that the commander is not bad either. If I had known this, I would have given my daughter to you first."

"..." No need!

"I heard that the concubine was the bartender back then?" The Minister of Rites lowered his voice mysteriously.

Without waiting for Lu Yuan to answer, he clicked his tongue twice, "I also went to buy wine, and I really can't see how that woman can compare to her...ah, haha, she can't compare to the princess, not at all."

"My Lord Prince Consort is confused."

Lu Yuan: "Sir, the envoy from the Southern Dynasty has arrived."

Ahead of the official road, dust was rolling.

The flag of the Southern Dynasty fluttered in the wind, clearly appearing in everyone's sight.

Since signing the alliance with the Southern Dynasty, envoys from the Southern Dynasty have not visited the Yong Dynasty for five years.

There were more than 200 people coming from the Southern Dynasty this time, including eight envoys and the rest were soldiers, who escorted the envoys and brought birthday gifts to the Emperor of the Yong Dynasty.

"Commander Lu, do you think that the horses of the Southern Dynasty... look taller than ours?" said the Minister of Rites with a frown.

Lu Yuan's eyes were solemn. The horses ridden by these Southern Dynasty soldiers were all tall and handsome, and they were all Ferghana horses.

The soldiers, on the other hand, had sharp eyes, were tall and strong, and the silver luster of their armor shone blindingly.

It seems that the Southern Dynasty has been gathering strength over the years.

In the past, the Southern Dynasty and the Yong Dynasty had been plagued by constant wars in several major cities on the border. The years of fighting made the people of both countries suffer terribly. Not only were the treasuries empty, but large numbers of soldiers were killed in the battles.

On the other hand, Xijiang and Dongjue, to the east and west of the Southern Dynasty and Yong Dynasty, were watching covetously, just waiting for the two countries to be exhausted so that they could reap the benefits.

So the emperors of the two countries sat down, discussed for three days and three nights, argued for three days and three nights, and finally signed the treaty.

The covenant brought ten years of peaceful coexistence.

I don’t know if we can remain friendly for another ten years.

As Lu Yuan looked at the Southern Dynasty envoys team that was getting closer and closer, his guess became clearer.

The envoys from the Southern Dynasty may not have come just to celebrate the birthday.

At the front of the team was a large and luxurious carriage. The young man inside was leaning lazily on the couch. The young man next to him lifted the curtain and looked forward.

"It's an official from the Yong Dynasty. It looks quite grand." The young man said with a smile.

The young man was He Jingyao. He raised his eyelids and looked out, and his eyes fell on Lu Yuan.

"Hey, who is that guy? He looks familiar." The younger man was called Qi Zhongbei. He shamelessly joined the envoy's team and said that he wanted to follow He Jingyao to see the world.

He Jingyao's eyes sank slightly, "Looks like, very much like."

"Like..." Qi Zhongbei suddenly exclaimed, "Like our Majesty."

"Shut up." He Jingyao glanced at him coldly.

Qi Zhongbei lowered his voice and said, "How can a man from the Yong Dynasty look so much like Your Majesty? Even more like him than the eldest prince and the crown prince. I even doubt whether he is related to Your Majesty."

"This is Yong Dynasty, don't say anything you shouldn't say." He Jingyao said.

"Investigate who this person is."

It's not surprising that two people look similar, but... they are so similar that it's hard not to be suspicious.

He had heard from his uncle that His Majesty and the Queen had a son before the Crown Prince. Although His Majesty suspected that the child was not his own flesh and blood, his uncle told him with certainty that he was His Majesty's biological son.

The queen said he was dead, but no one saw his body.

"Ruan Xinglin seems to have arrived in Yong Dynasty a few days in advance." He Jingyao's fox eyes curved. This trip to Yong Dynasty was becoming more and more interesting.

As they were talking, their carriage slowly stopped.

He Jingyao straightened his clothes, put away his cynical smile, and got off the carriage in a solemn and elegant manner.

"The Southern Dynasty envoy He Jingyao has come to congratulate the Emperor of the Yong Dynasty on his birthday."

"I am the Minister of Rites of the Yong Dynasty. I am here to welcome all the envoys on the orders of our emperor." The Minister of Rites has put on a serious expression.

He Jingyao did not go to see Lu Yuan, but exchanged a few polite words with the Minister of Rites.

"The envoys must have been exhausted from the long journey. My emperor has ordered people to prepare all kinds of wine and food. Please go into the city and rest first. After you have rested, you will be invited to the palace to meet him." said the Minister of Rites.

"Thank you, sir." He Jingyao nodded slightly and smiled.

The Minister of Rites glanced behind him and said with a smile, "Then please ask your country's soldiers to camp outside the city first, and the envoys will follow me into the city."

Although there was an alliance, it was impossible to allow the sword-carrying soldiers of the Southern Dynasty to enter the city.

He Jingyao still had a warm smile on his face, "Then I'll follow your arrangements."

"Oh, this is Commander Lu from the Pacification Division, and he will escort the envoys into the city." The Minister of Rites introduced Lu Yuan.

"So it's the famous commander-in-chief. I've heard of your name for a long time." He Jingyao finally looked at Lu Yuan, and glanced at him with a smile through his narrow, upturned fox eyes.

Looking closely, he was almost certain that Lu Yuan was the person his uncle had been secretly looking for all these years.

Even if it is a coincidence, it is impossible that he looks like His Majesty and the Queen.

Lu Yuan looked directly into his inquiring eyes, his eyes darkened and his expression became cold, "Master He, this is also well-known."

"You're joking. You should be familiar with my uncle's name. Who am I? I'm just a junior who does things." He Jingyao said with a smile.

"Lord He, please come into the city." Lu Yuan did not continue to exchange pleasantries with him.

"The birthday gift prepared by His Majesty is precious and needs escort." Qi Zhongbei said.

Lu Yuan: "The Pacification Office will protect the envoy's safety, including the birthday gift."

He Jingyao waved his hand and said, "We are here to celebrate the birthday of Emperor Yong. There is no need to bring so many soldiers into the city."

"By the way, our Lord Ruan entered the city several times earlier than me. Is he already in the Honglu Temple now?" He Jingyao asked.

The Minister of Rites said with a smile, "Lord Ruan is a distinguished guest of the Duke's Mansion and is staying at Commander Lu's residence. He should come to the Honglu Temple today."

"Oh." He Jingyao smiled meaningfully.

The Ruan family, it seems, has known about Lu Yuan’s existence for a long time.