I became the God Brother of the Regent King after Transmigration!-Chapter 97 - 76: Buying a Fine Horse at the East Market
Rong Baoyi felt quite embarrassed. She considered herself no less than any man, but the knowledge she had gained over the years was all theoretical, from military books and secret tomes, with no practical experience.
Her status did not allow her to learn martial arts, so at most, she could only strengthen her body under her mother’s guidance.
As for aspiring to become like the female general who broke the enemy lines in Dayan decades ago, hoping one day to battle on the field as she did, it was ultimately just an unattainable fantasy.
Seeing this, Gu Lan spoke to the air: "Yuan, take Rong Yunhao out first."
Wei Chengyuan’s figure appeared silently, startling Rong Baoyi so much that she shivered all over.
Then she noticed her own brother’s face filled with excitement, while the other three... each seemed calmer than the last. Were they not at all surprised by a man dropping from the sky!?
"Okay then! Lanlan, I’ll wait for you across the road."
Wei Chengyuan responded, and before the young prince could shout in excitement, he hugged his chubby waist, leaped up, and disappeared over the palace wall.
"Young Master Gu, you, he, I—" Rong Baoyi stammered, watching her brother being led away.
"He is my subordinate."
Gu Lan looked at Rong Baoyi and explained. After thinking for a moment, considering his own "male" status, it was unsuitable. So he said: "County Princess, Rong Heng is your fifth uncle, how about having him carry you over."
"Heh." Rong Heng heard her words, let out a cold laugh, couldn’t stand it anymore, summoned his Inner Strength, and flipped over.
What gave Gu Lan the illusion that he would carry Rong Baoyi?
Rong Baoyi: So Rong Heng also knows martial arts?
He seems quite skilled?
He and Young Master Gu make a good match!
No, they’ve all left, so who’s going to take her over?
Wei Chengyuan is a man, Rong Heng slipped away, so Gu Lan had to open his arms, planning to personally step up.
Although Rong Heng seemed displeased when he heard that Gu Lan was going to carry Rong Yunhao, but who told him to slip away?
Rong Baoyi backed away again, shaking her head: "No, I’m not worthy! I’m only worthy of watching you and Fifth Young Master Rong together!"
Gu Lan: ...Why does she feel that Rong Baoyi seems to have some strange thoughts? Every time she sees her with Miaoyan or with Rong Heng, her eyes light up in a strange way.
Jiu stepped forward, speaking warmly: "Let me do it, I’m an eunuch."
His face carried a casual and gentle smile, which suddenly made Rong Baoyi feel a little sorry for him.
Jiu seemed to be of a similar age, yet who knows what he had gone through to become so mature and composed, able to smile so calmly in the face of any difficulty.
She responded lightly: "Thank you."
Jiu lowered his eyelids: "Why say this, County Princess, I am a servant, serving my master is my duty."
Rong Baoyi whispered: "You saved me, you’re not a servant."
Jiu’s body slightly tensed, and he did not reply.
When climbing onto Jiu’s back, Rong Baoyi suddenly felt that although he seemed thin, his shoulders were actually very broad, and his voice was not sharp and hoarse like some eunuchs’, but warm and low.
He was not at all like an eunuch, but rather like a well-bred young master from a wealthy family who practiced martial arts, elegantly handsome.
Rong Baoyi remembered that day when she was caught in the rain, waves of water surged high, the cold wind biting. She was separated from her brother and isolated, and it was Jiu who suddenly appeared and saved her.
A few of them climbed over the Imperial Palace walls, and Rong Heng was quite pleased to see that it was Jiu who carried Rong Baoyi out.
Rong Baoyi called Jiu, saying: "The garment you covered me with last time—I’ve washed it and I’ll return it to you tomorrow."
Jiu’s baby face turned bright red in an instant, and he waved his hands repeatedly: "No need, County Princess, please don’t give a servant too much honor. That garment isn’t mine, I found it in the internal treasury of Wenyuan Pavilion, there’s no need to return it."
"Ah, alright then, but I still want to thank Jiu for saving my life." Rong Baoyi smiled at him, her eyes carrying some regret, realizing the garment wasn’t Jiu’s; she had carefully folded it, dried it, thinking it would be returned to its owner.
Jiu scratched his head. After walking for a while, the flush on the tips of his ears gradually subsided, and he couldn’t help but lift his head, cautiously looking at the radiant figure walking ahead.
No one has ever thanked him before.
He is an extremely humble, shadow-like presence in the mud, but he also longs for light.
"This place is near the West Gate. If we walk to Prince Rui’s Mansion, it will take at least two hours." Jiu observed the terrain outside the palace and said.
Gu Lan said: "Prince Rui is not at the Prince Mansion, we must go to the military camp stationed in Yan Suburb."
Baoyi nodded, slightly troubled and said:
"Indeed, in the two months since father returned to the Capital City, we’ve only met three times at the Mansion, and afterward, he went to garrison the camp. I know where the encampment is, but it is even farther than returning to the Mansion. The round trip is uncertain; walking there might take until noon."
Gu Lan thought for a moment, then pulled out a brocade purse from his sleeve, weighed it, and asked: "Baoyi, where is the East Market?"
She has money prowess!
Half an hour later, Gu Lan, having pulled out two East Pearls and a handful of gold leaves, mounted a snow-white steed, gave a light pat, and the horse’s four hooves flew, galloping away like an arrow, startling the surrounding people who kept turning their heads.
"Whose young master dares to act so arrogantly on the road?"
"Did you see clearly? He was extraordinarily handsome!"
"Gu Lan, slow down!" Rong Baoyi hurriedly called out from behind, not bothering to put on her headscarf or bamboo hat.
The crowd scattered like birds and beasts: "Gu Lan from the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, everyone, run!"
In the East Market, they bought a fine horse, and also purchased a saddle and bridle from the shop next door. In modern terms, the Young Master Gu accomplished the equivalent of shopping for five luxury SUVs in half an hour.
Everyone knew how to ride, except Rong Yunhao, who was too young and was unceremoniously thrown onto the horse behind Rong Heng by him. Five people on four horses dashed towards the outskirts of the city as if flying.
As for Wei Chengyuan, Gu Lan didn’t bother with him; he always had a way to catch up, and it didn’t matter if he didn’t.
The autumn wind was cold against Rong Heng’s face, but it gradually dissipated the coldness on his face.
Rong Heng hadn’t experienced such an exhilarating ride in a long time.
He remembered that the Imperial Palace had a racecourse exclusively for royal use, where the former Emperor would place him in front and personally take him riding on the Qiangrong’s tribute of blood-sweating horses.
There was also a time when Prince Rui entered the palace, smiling as he watched him and Rong Luo ride for a long time on the training ground.
That day also seemed to be a clear and crisp autumn day, thrilling and carefree, with nothing to worry about, as if he was the only one left in the vast heavens and earth.
Gu Lan hadn’t ridden horseback much before, so after a moment of adjustment, she fell behind the others. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚
Rong Heng turned back, the chilly autumn wind against him, his moon-white lapels fluttered, and his clear voice accompanied by the wind reached her ears:
"Gu Lan, hurry up!"
Gu Lan lifted her eyes to look at him, momentarily lost in thought.
The youth’s clothes fluttered wildly, his hair tie danced, and a few strands of his black hair drifted in the cold wind. Within his brows and eyes seemed to capture thousands of stars, dazzling and brilliant, a slight arc lifted on his thin lips, aloof yet proudly clear.
She seemed to see the Fifth Prince, who was once the most brilliant and wanton in the entire Capital City.
"I’m coming!" Gu Lan urged her horse to catch up, riding alongside Rong Heng.
She couldn’t help but think how wonderful it would be if Rong Heng were always like this.
Finally, the group arrived outside the military camp at Yan Suburb.
Even before getting close, Gu Lan could hear the earth-shaking shouts and training sounds coming from the distant camp.
This sound soared to the sky, carrying a magnificent evil qi, causing Gu Lan’s heart to beat faster, and a trace of excitement flashed in her eyes.
They dismounted, tied their horses to nearby trees, and hadn’t taken a few steps forward when a patrol of Black Armored Soldiers suddenly appeared and surrounded them.
"Who dares to trespass on the military camp’s restricted area?"
The leader was a black-faced general dressed in Dark Gold Mystic Armor, his voice loud, his expression stern and serious, placing his sword before Gu Lan.
"Uncle Tang, it’s me!" Rong Yunhao peeked his small head from behind Gu Lan, cheerfully greeting him.
"Brother Tang, Yunhao and I came to visit our father." Rong Baoyi also spoke softly beside him, a bright and spirited smile on her face.
The Mystic Armor general was taken aback upon recognizing the two faces, his large eyes narrowing as he stared at Rong Baoyi for a moment before his black face suddenly flushed red: "County... County Princess Changle?"
Rong Baoyi replied, "Brother Tang, we met last time after the troop rewards."
Rong Yunhao pointed to his own face, smiling cheerfully as he asked, "What about me, Uncle Tang, do you recognize me too?"
"I am only in my early twenties... I’m not worthy of being called the young prince’s uncle." The black-faced general mumbled softly, feeling wronged, wondering if he really looked that old.
Rong Baoyi turned back and said, "Gu Lan, this is my father’s trusted aide, Brother Tang Zhan."
Upon hearing this name, Gu Lan’s brow immediately twitched.
She scrutinized the black-faced general in front of her. Though his face was very dark, upon closer inspection, his features were quite handsome and gentle, only his pair of tiger eyes showed authority. Yet after seeing Rong Baoyi, his gaze started to evade, seeming somewhat shy.
So, this was Tang Zhan.
—In the original book, one of Rong Heng’s later sworn brothers, also a powerful general by the male protagonist’s side.
After Rong Heng ascended the throne, he bestowed a marriage between Tang Zhan and a childhood sweetheart from a noble family.
Gu Lan understood from Rong Baoyi’s explanation—at this moment, Tang Zhan still served under Prince Rui, and after Prince Rui’s death was likely when Marquis Gu and Rong Heng took over the army, thus leading to his familiarity with Rong Heng.
She looked at Rong Baoyi’s spirited and innocent face, her eyes slightly dimming.
The time of Prince Rui’s death would determine when this young girl would grow up.
However, she rather liked Rong Baoyi’s childlike self.
"This subordinate greets County Princess Changle and the young prince!"
Tang Zhan knelt on one knee, reverently placing his sword upside down, and saluted Rong Baoyi with cupped fists.
The soldiers behind him followed suit, curious gazes fixed on the Rong siblings.
They were all the most loyal aides of Prince Rui, naturally holding immense respect and curiosity for the prince’s children.
"Brother Tang, please stand up, everyone, please rise quickly too."
Rong Baoyi helped Tang Zhan up. The latter glanced at Gu Lan, Rong Heng, and Jiu on the side. He especially knitted his brows upon seeing Jiu’s attire as an imperial eunuch and asked, "County Princess, who are these people?"
```
