Chapter 1: Wedded to the Idol Hero

Chapter 1: Wedded to the Idol Hero

"Please look around, this is the tomb of Mo Jiuye, the renowned general in history," the tour guide waved her flag, leading the tourists towards the entrance of the underground palace.

For some reason, He Zhiran felt a sense of solemnity upon arriving here.

As a special forces military doctor, she didn't worship celebrities; instead, she admired heroes.

Mo Jiuye, the owner of this tomb, was one of the heroes she idolized.

Mo Jiuye was the mightiest general of the Great Shun Dynasty. He had led his troops to defeat foreign invaders on multiple occasions, leaving them fleeing in disgrace.

Yet, such a hero was suspected and envied by the then emperor due to his immense contributions, resulting in his dismissal from office and eventual exile.

Listening to the tour guide's vivid narration, He Zhiran couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

This hero was simply born at the wrong time. If Mo Jiuye could have lived a few more years until the new emperor ascended the throne, he would surely have been rehabilitated. Unfortunately, fate played a cruel trick, taking his life during his exile...

As He Zhiran was lost in her thoughts, she suddenly felt a violent tremor beneath her feet.

Someone cried out, "Run! It's an earthquake!"

With her agility, He Zhiran could have easily escaped this natural disaster. However, she chose to stay and save others, forever remaining in that spot.

Before her consciousness faded, a faint smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "So be it. I can rest here, accompanied by heroes."

...

In the Daxun Dynasty.

The Duke of Guardian's mansion was illuminated with lanterns and filled with festive music!

"Pay respects to heaven and earth!"

With a drawn-out announcement, He Zhiran felt like a puppet, being guided to perform the ceremony.

"Pay respects to your parents!"

"Exchange vows as husband and wife!"

"Blessed union, into the bridal chamber..."

He Zhiran's head was still spinning, but it didn't hinder her from absorbing the memories of this new body.

Overlooking the noisy congratulations and the wedding officiant's endless blessings, He Zhiran's mind was fully immersed in her thoughts.

After sorting through these recollections, she reluctantly accepted the reality that she had transmigrated.

Not only that, but she had become the newlywed wife of her idol, the heroic Duke Mo Jiuye...

The original owner of this body shared the same name, He Zhiran, and was the legitimate eldest daughter of the current Minister of Revenue, He Yuanming. She had been betrothed to Mo Jiuye since childhood.

The Mo family had a long history of loyalty and sacrifice, with all their male members giving their lives for the country. Now, Mo Jiuye was the sole surviving heir.

Five years ago, after the death of Mo Jiuye's last elder brother in battle, the then 16-year-old took command and led the troops, simultaneously holding up the Mo household, filled with widows, as the Duke protecting the nation.

Now, Mo Jiuye had returned victorious, and under the arrangements of the elderly Matriarch Mo, they had chosen an auspicious day for their wedding ceremony.

However, the original owner was determined to break off the engagement. She didn't wish to share the same fate as the women in the Duke of Guardian's household, spending their lives as widows.

After all, every single Mo family male had perished young on the battlefield.

The original owner had thrown tantrums over this matter, but alas, her father, He Yuanming, was an upright and conscientious man. He refused to renounce the marriage no matter what.

In order for the original owner to be smoothly married into the Duke of Guardian's residence, He Yuanming and his wife, Ling Xueyan, resorted to drugging her, hoping that once the deed was done, their daughter would have no choice but to accept her fate.

Perhaps they had miscalculated the dosage, which led to the original owner's death inside the bridal palanquin, paving the way for He Zhiran's arrival.

What confused He Zhiran was that, according to her knowledge of history, there was no mention of Mo Jiuye having a wife until his exile.

Could it be that the original owner truly died in the palanquin and never made it to the wedding ceremony with Mo Jiuye, thus leaving no record of their union?

Lost in her thoughts, the commotion outside the bridal chamber grew louder.

Qiao Yu, the maid who accompanied the bride, gently touched her arm. "Miss, your groom is here."

He Zhiran softly replied, "Mm."

A group surrounded Mo Jiuye, who was dressed in a vibrant red wedding robe, as they entered the nuptial chamber.

"Duke, it's time to lift the veil! Don't miss the auspicious moment," the joyful matchmaker beamed, presenting Mo Jiuye with a rod adorned with a red cloth strip.

"Ninth Brother, hurry up! Everyone is waiting to see Ninth Sister-in-law!"

"Indeed, Ninth Brother, no need to be shy..."

Holding the rod, Mo Jiuye was led by his sisters-in-law to stand before He Zhiran.

He paused and, under the watchful eyes of the crowd, gently lifted the red veil that concealed He Zhiran's vision.

He Zhiran instinctively looked up at the person before her.

Estimating his height to be around 6 feet 1 inch, he stood tall and strong with well-built limbs. His chiseled features and angular face were strikingly handsome, reminiscent of the portrait in the tomb. His stern expression and piercing, profound gaze inadvertently exuded an intimidating presence.

In He Zhiran's heart, this was precisely how her great hero should be.

Just as she was lost in thought, Mo Jiuye spoke with a cold tone.

"Have you had your fill of looking?"

Only then did He Zhiran realize that she had just been momentarily dazed.

Meeting his deep, profound eyes, her words slipped out involuntarily. "Mm, I've seen enough. It's nothing special."

It wasn't that she didn't respect the great hero; rather, in front of so many people, this man hadn't spared him any face, so there was no need for her to deliberately flatter him.

Seeing the tension between the newlyweds, Sixth Sister Deng Xue hurriedly stepped forward to smooth things over.

"Ninth Brother, Ninth Sister-in-law, you're still newlyweds. Don't let the auspicious time slip away. Drink the unity wine and rest early."

Third Sister Feng Cuilian also approached, saying, "Yes, you must make an effort and give us more offspring for the Mo family."

Hearing these sisters-in-law's remarks, even the modern-souled He Zhiran couldn't help but feel a little flush.

In her previous life, she had been single for 24 years and had only focused on serving her country. Never did she imagine encountering such an awkward situation one day.

To hide her flushed face, she quickly lowered her head.

This action led to another misunderstanding.

Fourth Sister-in-law, Xiao Qinger, took He Zhiran's hand, "Don't be shy, Ninth Sister-in-law. You'll get used to these sisters-in-law soon enough. They just like to tease."

He Zhiran tried to clarify, "I'm not shy."

Just as the other sisters-in-law were about to say more, a servant's voice came from outside the door.

"Duke, His Majesty has sent a message summoning you to the palace immediately."

Upon hearing this, He Zhiran's heart skipped a beat.

Seeing Mo Jiuye turn to leave, she grabbed the maid beside her and asked, "Qiao Yu, what year is it now?"

For a moment, Qiao Yu was stunned, then she replied with confusion, "Miss, have you forgotten your own wedding day? Today is the eighth day of the seventh month in the 19th year of Shunyuan!"

"Oh no!"

Gazing at Mo Jiuye's disappearing figure, He Zhiran's immediate thought was that since she had come, she would do her utmost to ensure her heroic idol survived.

In a sudden burst of energy, she stood up, disregarding her still weakened state and the puzzled gazes from her sisters-in-law. She lifted her skirt and hurriedly chased after him.

If her memory served her correctly, earlier that night, Emperor had summoned Mo Jiuye to the palace at an ungodly hour, falsely accusing him of trespassing in the imperial harem and punishing him with a hundred strokes of the cane.

The following day, Mo Jiuye was convicted of treason and collaboration with the enemy, resulting in the confiscation of Duke Guo's estate and the exile of its residents.