Chapter 129 Marry You

Chapter 129: Marrying You

After Cheng Ge and Yang Guanlan nailed down all the details, it was already around four in the morning.

After pulling all-nighters for days, even he couldn't take it anymore, let alone Yang Guanlan.

He was already drowsy, and now he was yawning nonstop, his eyelashes clumped together with tears.

Cheng Ge rubbed his sore eyes, just as Lü Rou walked over carrying a late-night snack.

She wiped his eyes with a handkerchief and said with some concern, "Master, have a bite of supper first. Your health matters most."

Cheng Ge nodded, no longer caring about anything else—staying alive was what mattered.

He ate a full meal in the temporary tent, took a hot bath, and went straight to bed.

Moving his slightly sore neck, he thought, this job is killing me. As soon as he remembered he'd have to get up early again,

his frustration as a workhorse hit the roof. He clenched the blanket tightly and began cursing Zhou Mingqi, that black-hearted boss, in his mind.

Starting from Emperor Taizu Zhou Yan all the way down to his great-great-grandson Zhou Hao.

After letting off steam helplessly in his head, he closed his eyes in resignation.

Lü Rou lit the incense inside the tent. Even though they'd been fumigating, there were still tons of bugs outside, so she had to be careful.

She cleared the food box from the table, turned to the bed, and tucked the blanket in for Cheng Ge.

She lit the glazed lamp brought from the prince's residence and carefully placed it on the bedside cabinet.

After everything was done, she grabbed a cushion and sat down, curled up by the bed to keep vigil.

Time flew like it was free. Cheng Ge felt he'd barely closed his eyes when someone shook him awake.

Lü Rou's voice sounded in his ear: "Master, it's time to get up."

Cheng Ge groggily opened his eyes, looked at the still-dark sky outside the window, and couldn't help cursing Zhou Mingqi again.

Looking like death, he sat up from the bed, his soul hadn't come back yet.

He closed his eyes, rolled off the bed, his white undershirt hung loose on him, and just stood there blankly.

Lü Rou brought hot water and gently washed his face and brushed his teeth. Cheng Ge blinked.

He couldn't help teasing: "Lü Rou, how about you marry me? Then I'll give you all my salary to handle."

Lü Rou's hands paused for a second, and she said in a low voice, "Master, please don't make such jokes. A filthy person like me, it's a blessing just to serve you.

If outsiders heard this, it would degrade your status."

Cheng Ge, hearing this, didn't take it seriously. He stood up and spread his arms.

"Lü Rou, you think too much. In love, as long as our hearts connect, nothing else matters."

Lü Rou picked up the undershirt from the tray and helped him into it, smoothing out the wrinkles.

"One must know their place. A man as pure as snow in a clear pool like you deserves the best woman in this world."

Cheng Ge shook his head, his smile like the moon hanging in the sky, as radiant as a crabapple blossom.

"I also think that a woman as gentle, elegant, virtuous, sensible, and fair as Lü Rou deserves the best man in this world..."

Lü Rou's cheeks flushed slightly. She picked up a vermilion riding outfit and was about to put it on Cheng Ge.

"This is the patterned silk that His Majesty bestowed a few days ago. The fabric is fine and smooth, and the color suits you well. It's perfect for a riding outfit."

Lü Rou gently shook open the vermilion riding attire, the fabric shimmering like flowing water under the lamp.

She first slipped his right arm into the sleeve, then went behind him to pull the left sleeve flat.

The rustling of the fabric released a faint aloeswood fragrance—probably the incense threads had been twisted into the silk strands during weaving.

"Please raise your hand, Master," she reminded softly, carefully arranging his hair.

Cheng Ge mechanically raised his hand. Lü Rou's knuckles brushed against his waist, fastening the filigree belt.

The mutton-fat jade pendant on silver chains dangled before his knees, making a crisp clinking sound as he moved.

When she crouched down, her skirt spread out on the felt carpet like a lotus leaf.

She slipped his deerskin boots on, then used a silver pick to flatten out the hidden wrinkles on the boot shafts.

Cheng Ge looked down at the whorl on top of her head. The plain silver hairpin swayed gently with her movements, like a dewdrop ready to fall off a branch.

She took an emerald jade comb from a brocade pouch and tucked his stray hair behind his ears.

Taking a kingfisher-blue hair ribbon, she gathered Cheng Ge's half-loose hair with her left hand and wound the ribbon three times with her right.

Lü Rou's fingertips wove through his hair, gathering the crown into a topknot, wrapping it tightly with the ribbon, then parting the side strands and braiding them into the main bun.

"Done." Lü Rou lowered her eyes and handed him the riding crop.

The vermilion robe set off Cheng Ge's skin, white as fresh snow. The jade pendant glowed softly in the morning light.

The curve of the waist belt was just like a Tang cross-sword about to be drawn from its scabbard. His jet-black hair was tied high with the ribbon flowing behind, making him look dashing and heroic.

Cheng Ge thought that if Lü Rou were born in his era, she'd be amazing at playing Miracle Nikki.

Taking the riding crop, he gave Lü Rou a bright smile. "Thanks for your hard work, Lü Rou." With that, he left the tent.

As soon as he stepped outside the camp, he saw Yang Guanlan already waiting by the tent.

When Yang Guanlan saw Cheng Ge come out, his gaze lingered on him for a moment, his expression indescribable.

Cheng Ge tapped the riding crop in his palm, looking smug.

He deliberately asked, "Hey Old Yang, am I not extra handsome in this outfit today?"

"Not bad at all," Yang Guanlan said with a nod, thinking that if this kid had been born a few years earlier, he'd have married his daughter to him.

Cheng Ge stepped back two paces, looking Yang Guanlan up and down.

"Old Yang, this outfit of yours just won't do... How does this robe make you look like Wu Dalang?"

With that, he raised his hand and smacked Yang Guanlan's belly. "Haven't your concubines been professionally trained?"

Yang Guanlan had been about to compliment him again, but after those words, he lost the mood to compliment him.

"When the envoy gets here later, just stand there and keep your mouth shut so you don't ruin our dynasty's dignity."

Cheng Ge swung himself onto the horse and laughed: "No way. If I don't talk, my mouth gets itchy."

Then, leaning sideways toward Yang Guanlan, he added: "Unless a beauty kisses me, not even the Jade Emperor himself could shut me up."

Yang Guanlan: "..."