To be honest, Bai Liang didn't expect Huo Zhang would be daring enough to ask for the emperor's blessing. He also didn't think the emperor favoured Huo Zhang enough to personally bless his personal affairs. Another guess he had–a more possible guess–was that this was a personal blessing from heaven.
But for sure, it simplified everything, and they could get married without needing to worry about anything. On the contrary, it was other people who needed to think three times before giving any opinions about it. Not his father nor his brother could say a single word in the presence of the emperor. They must force themselves to accept their relationship under everyone's witness.
Seeing it at face value, there was no disadvantage for the prime minister to wed his son to the general. It would be strange and suspicious for them to not accept it instead.
When the emperor asked Bai Liang why he was driven out of his house, he generously didn't expose his family and simply threw the question to his father. The one who answered was his brother, saying he refused to be matched with a man by a matchmaker despite his age and their father drove him out from a moment of impulse.
Just like that, the issue hindering his marriage with Huo Zhang was resolved with the power of absolute force. Lan Gao-Ye's green face, as if he had just swallowed a fly, was priceless.
After knowing everything, Father Huo almost had a heart attack from hearing Huo Zhang's boldness towards the emperor. Even he wasn't shameless enough to brute force his way to marry his wife!
"Father, I will be going to the Lans to hand over the betrothal gift," Huo Zhang informed. "I have prepared everything. We will hold the wedding in 3 days."
"Go, go, do whatever you want." Father Huo tiredly waved his hand.
Huo Zhang turned to Bai Liang and kissed his forehead. "Wait here. I will be right back."
"Be careful." Bai Liang smiled.
Huo Zhang held himself back from becoming indecent in front of his parents, swiftly turned on his heels, and left. Bai Liang went to Father Huo to support him and help him sit down. "Master Huo, please be rest assured. This one will closely accompany General Huo in his every good and bad decision and look after him."
"Aiya, Ah-Jing." Mother Huo was helpless. "It is better for you to stop him from being reckless altogether."
Bai Liang laughed. "This one will try his best, Madame Huo."
"We are going to be a family from now on. You may call us Father and Mother."
Just then, a servant knocked on the door frame and hurried inside. She bowed. "Master, Madame, Young Master Lan Qi-Yuan has come to visit Second Young Master Lan Jing. He is waiting by the gate."
Father and Mother Huo looked at Bai Liang and he nodded in reassurance. He excused himself and went out to meet his brother. He was sure his brother would make a fuss, so he didn't ask to let him in.
When Lan Qi-Yuan saw his brother coming out, he broke inside and grabbed Bai Liang's arm. "You're coming home with me. You can marry anyone you want except a surname Huo. I don't approve of this marriage."
Bai Liang held his ground when Lan Qi-Yuan tried to pull him away. "Brother, I love him. He's the only person I want to marry."
"You're only infatuated. Don't talk about love when you don't understand what it is." Lan Qi-Yuan frowned when he couldn't make Bai Liang budge from his place. "Although you're not involved, we both know that you're not oblivious either. You know what it means to marry him! You are aware of the consequences!"
"I know," Bai Liang calmly said. "Brother, I still believe what you're trying to do with Father is not right. Since I can't do anything about it as a Lan myself, I will oppose it as a Huo. At the very least, when our family is met with retribution, I can protect your blood from being spilt."
Lan Qi-Yuan stilled in place. His hand on Bai Liang trembled slightly as he turned to face him. "Ah-Jing, you…"
Seeing Lan Qi-Yuan finally calm down, Bai Liang held back his hand. "Brother, you've been protecting me until now. Won't you let me have a way to protect you as well?"
From the revelation, Lan Jing's only regret during his death was his incapability to protect Lan Qi-Yuan. In exchange for borrowing his body, he would protect him for Lan Jing.
Lan Qi-Yuan fell silent and gently squeezed Bai Liang's hand. The warmth seeped into his palm, and he gradually softened. How long had it been since they were this close?
After a long moment of silence, he finally sighed in surrender. In the end, he really couldn't win against his little brother. "Let Brother meet with Huo Zhang's parents."
"Brother…"
"Brother won't make any trouble. I promise." Lan Qi-Yuan rubbed Bai Liang's hair.
Bai Liang studied Lan Qi-Yuan's face for a moment and saw he indeed had come to acceptance. With a nod, he led him to the front hall. Father and Mother Huo were still waiting for him there and became solemn when they saw him returning with Lan Qi-Yuan.
Lan Qi-Yuan wasn't deterred and stood in their presence. He gave them a ceremonious salute and deeply bowed. "Master Huo, Madame Huo, I will be troubling you to take care of our Lan Jing. Please take care of him and keep him safe."
Father and Mother Huo were silent for a long second before Father Huo spoke up, "Naturally, that will be our son's duty as Ah-Jing's husband."
"Be rest assured, Young Master Lan," Mother Huo added. "You should be more concerned about your Father."
Lan Qi-Yuan straightened up with determined eyes. He gave a farewell nod before leaving the hall. Bai Liang promptly followed him to the gate.
"Where's Huo Zhang?"
"He's delivering the betrothal gifts to our house. He wants to hold the wedding in 3 days."
Lan Qi-Yuan's eyebrow twitched, "Just when did you two meet?"
"That's…" Bai Liang trailed off and playfully smiled. "…a secret."
Lan Qi-Yuan pinched Bai Liang's cheeky smile off his face and pulled him into a brief hug. "If he bullies you or makes you cry, Brother will beat him up until he divorces you."
Bai Liang wanted to say Lan Qi-Yuan would be the one getting beaten instead, but he held his tongue. "I know, Brother."
***
The news of the imperial general getting married to the prime minister's son spread like wildfire. It was well known how the famous general never yielded to any beauty who courted him that it was a common joke to say he would only marry his battle horse. Moreover, almost nobody knew the prime minister had a gher son. They almost thought the general was marrying another man.
Huo Zhang anticipated forceful attempts from Lan Gao-Ye to sabotage their wedding, but Bai Liang wasn't worried. For Lan Gao-Ye, his only value was his unwed status and painting ability. Both had been used, so even if he married Huo Zhang, Lan Gao-Ye believed Huo Zhang wouldn't get any advantages out of it.
Lan Gao-Ye also didn't need to worry about any of his plans being leaked to the Huos since, from his knowledge, Lan Jing was always in the courtyard and never listened to any of his schemes.
Now that the matter regarding his relationship with Huo Zhang had been resolved, Bai Liang could finally focus on his task while being able to flirt around openly with his husband. This was the best outcome.
In the bridal chamber, filled with red and gold, Huo Zhang looked at the enchantress smiling on his own and encircled his waist. "What are you thinking about so happily all on your own?"
Bai Liang turned and kissed the frowning lips. "How we can be unscrupulous in public from now on."
Satisfied by his answer, Huo Zhang led him to the bedside table. He poured their wedding wine without letting Bai Liang go and handed a cup to him. Linking their arms, they drank their wine together.
Before Bai Liang could put down his cup, he was already thrown to the bed. Huo Zhang loomed over him. "Time to consummate our marriage, Wife."
Bai Liang smiled in amusement. "Has it not been consummated already, Husband?"
"Time to make a baby then."