After traveling through time, I was raised by a little brat

"The Imperial City is not a place where you can live peacefully and leisurely like in Yangzhou! It is full of power struggles and deceptions. Are you really ready to deal with all of this?" Tang Jilian looked at Tang Qi and Tang Wenshu in front of him with a serious look and asked solemnly.

"Don't worry, father. We're not afraid!" Tang Qi and Tang Wenshu exchanged glances and answered firmly almost simultaneously. Their eyes revealed a fearlessness and determination.

Tang Jilian nodded slightly, then turned to Tang Qi and said, "Qi'er, you're already twenty-one. It's time to consider getting married and having children." Before Tang Qi could respond, Tang Wenshu, standing beside him, felt a strange feeling well up in her heart. During the six years they'd lived together in Yangzhou, her eldest brother had become an inseparable part of her heart. She had never even seriously considered the situation she would face if he married.

"No, father, I just want to concentrate on my career right now." Tang Qi quickly shook his head and refused. However, only he himself knew that in his heart there was actually someone who was out of reach and could never belong to him.

Tang Jilian sighed softly and said earnestly, "Alas, Qi'er, sometimes the world is unpredictable, and we often have no say in the matter. While there's still room for choice, it might be best to choose a good match early. Furthermore, finding a suitable marriage would be greatly beneficial to your future career." After saying this, Tang Jilian pondered. He knew full well that upon returning to the capital, his daughter's fate would likely be to be betrothed to the royal family. After all, the Crown Prince had waited patiently for six whole years.

After a long and arduous journey, the group finally arrived safely in the Imperial City. Upon entering the city, they were warmly welcomed and greeted. The Duke of Tang's residence, in particular, had already prepared a grand banquet to welcome the returning guests.

The banquet was packed with distinguished guests, a scene of extraordinary bustle. In addition to returning friends like Chen Changxiao and Liao Xinyin, several former students from the Yingtian Academy also attended. These students, now serving as tribute scholars and retaining official positions within the imperial city, were truly enjoying a prosperous and successful life. However, unlike the others, some were assigned to various positions within the State of Zhao, embarking on new chapters in their lives.

As everyone toasted, clinked glasses, and laughed joyfully, an unexpected figure appeared—His Royal Highness the Crown Prince—in person! Even more astonishingly, he brought with him an imperial decree from His Majesty granting the marriage. This decree, like a bombshell, instantly caused an uproar at the banquet, leaving the guests dumbfounded.

"Oh my, which noble lady from aristocratic family doesn't follow the tradition of three books and six ceremonies when getting married? It will take at least a whole year just to go through those tedious procedures. If the girl's family is reluctant to let their daughter get married, it is common to delay for another two or three years. But why did His Majesty issue the decree in such a hurry this time, requiring the marriage to be completed within a month?" Someone couldn't help but mutter.

"I'm afraid the Duke Tang's Mansion is going to prosper!" someone said.

Although Tang Wenshu was somewhat surprised by the sudden imperial decree granting her marriage, she still respectfully accepted it. She then hurriedly left the banquet hall with Zhao Rui and headed towards her courtyard. After all, this matter was far too serious for her, and she needed to find a quiet place to discuss it.

Despite not having returned to the Imperial City for six years, Tang Wenshu and Zhao Rui felt no strangers to each other. This was not only because they kept in touch through letters, but also because the Crown Prince personally visited Tang Wenshu in Yangzhou every year during his inspection tours. This deep affection had long been deeply ingrained in their hearts.

"Father, he's seriously ill..." Zhao Rui frowned, his face filled with worry as he spoke. "The imperial physician has declared that Father won't survive the next three months. If Father passes away, the Kingdom of Li, which has always had a grudge against us, will undoubtedly take advantage of the situation and attack us!"

At this point, Zhao Rui turned to look at Tang Wenshu beside him, his eyes filled with helplessness and guilt. "Sister Shushu, all these years, I've always used you as an excuse to avoid those marriages forced upon me. But the situation is critical now, and I'm afraid I can no longer use this excuse. Just when I went to get the imperial edict, Duke Tang was secretly discussing matters concerning the Kingdom of Li with my father in the imperial study. Judging from the situation, my father must want to properly resolve this matter before he dies."

After a brief pause, Zhao Rui closed his eyes and took a deep breath, as if that breath could bring him endless strength and courage. Then, he opened his eyes, his gaze firm and resolute, and continued, "Moreover, the situation is critical now. To successfully resist the aggressive and covetous attack of the Li army, I have no choice but to step forward and take my father's place, personally leading our elite Zhao army to the smoke-filled, battle-ravaged front!"

Upon hearing these words, Tang Wenshu, who had been sitting quietly listening, suddenly stood up. Her beautiful eyes widened with disbelief. She subconsciously took two steps forward, approaching Zhao Rui, and asked with a slightly trembling voice, "But...but doesn't our Zhao State still have the renowned and fearsome General Zhenxi? Based on his seniority, military achievements, and prestige, he should be the one leading this expedition! How could a young, inexperienced person like you be entrusted with such a daunting mission?"

A bitter smile played on Zhao Rui's lips. She shook her head helplessly and explained softly, "It is precisely because of this Zhenxi General that I have to personally take over the Zhenxi Army. If things go smoothly..." She paused, her eyes falling on Tang Wenshu's puzzled face, and then continued slowly, "I wonder if you have ever thought about why the Zhenxi General's surname is Zhao?"

Tang Wenshu was stunned at first, obviously not expecting such a connection. But soon, as if she suddenly understood something, her face was filled with astonishment. She subconsciously covered her mouth with her hand and exclaimed, "Ah? Could it be that..."

"That's right." Zhao Rui nodded slightly to express his affirmation, and continued, "They have always had ill intentions towards the throne and have been eyeing it covetously. How could my father be confident in handing over the army to such ambitious people?" At this point, Zhao Rui couldn't help but frown, worried.

Afterward, Zhao Rui and Tang Wenshu engaged in a long, in-depth conversation about this topic, seemingly planning a long, sleepless night. However, considering Tang Wenshu was still a married woman, she had to observe many etiquette and rules. So, although both of them were still reluctant to leave, they reluctantly said goodbye and went their separate ways before curfew.