After Marrying a Vegetative Princess, I went crazy with joy! - Chapter 40

Chapter 40: As the Elder Brother, It’s Time to Prepare for the Younger Brother’s Wedding!

Along the way, Su Dingfang’s mind was filled with chaotic thoughts. While he didn’t regret his actions and wasn’t bothered by being rejected, as he cherished his training with Li Jing and didn’t want to separate that relationship, he couldn’t easily let go of the idea of galloping on the battlefield and achieving greatness. After all, he had spent several years as a warrior, and it was difficult for him to abandon the desire for glory.

It was true that Su Dingfang had been a mere victim of Li Er’s suppression against Li Jing, and he was nothing more than a small pawn in the grand scheme. His most notable accomplishment so far was his bravery in battle, and his official rank was only Fourth Class. He lacked the qualifications to participate in the power struggles among the influential figures in court.

Consequently, after being sidelined, Su Dingfang rarely saw Li Er (Emperor Taizong) and had no involvement in the court’s power dynamics. The sudden summons from the Emperor to enter the palace left Su Dingfang bewildered, unsure of what to expect. Various thoughts raced through his mind, ranging from concerns about his teacher Li Jing’s well-being to the possibility that the Emperor had recognized his talent.

Only upon meeting Li Er in the palace did Su Dingfang’s slightly intoxicated mind become clear. He bowed respectfully and paid his respects to the Emperor, showing his respect. Li Er waved his hand and dispensed with formalities, indicating that they would not discuss state affairs that day.

“You see, do you recognize this sword?” Li Er gestured to the eunuch standing beside him, who handed the redeemed sword from the pawnshop to Su Dingfang.

Initially puzzled, Su Dingfang’s face displayed confusion as he accepted the sword. Its style was rather common, resembling an ancient sword imitating those from the Han dynasty, which were popular in this era. As a martial artist, Su Dingfang owned many similar swords at home. He couldn’t understand why the Emperor was showing him this particular sword, but he carefully examined it.

To his surprise, he felt a familiar but indescribable sensation. Su Dingfang noticed familiar sword marks on the hilt, as renowned swordsmiths of this era often left their unique imprints for identification, similar to how scholars would stamp their seals on completed calligraphy or paintings.

“Hmm? Was this sword made by Cao Gong?” Su Dingfang exclaimed in surprise.

He had discovered Cao Gong’s distinct sword marks on the hilt. Cao Gong was a locally renowned swordsmith in Shiping County, and he crafted most of the swords used by local elites. Su Dingfang remembered that his father ‘Su Chao’ had gifted him a sword made by Cao Gong when he was born.

Being a local elite, Su Chao presented each family descendant with a sword made by Cao Gong, including Su Dingfang and his half-brother…

As a local tyrant, Father Su Chao indeed bestowed a sword upon every family descendant, including Su Dingfang and his half-brother from the same father. Realizing this, Su Dingfang’s brow furrowed slightly, and the effects of his intoxication quickly faded away.

He swiftly unsheathed his own sword and meticulously examined the marks on the blade. As expected, there was a distinct notch approximately three inches from the sword’s edge, a mark created by his younger brother during their childhood play and sword sparring sessions when they were merely six years old.

Shock surged through Su Dingfang, instantly sobering his mind. The Su family had originally been a powerful local clan in Jizhou. However, they were forced to migrate westward toward Changan due to conflicts and wars. Tragically, they encountered thieves along the way, and Su Dingfang’s younger brother, only seven years old at the time, went missing.

The Su family consisted of only a father ‘Su Chao’ and two sons. After their arrival in Changan, both the father and sons relied on each other. However, Su Chao eventually rebelled, and in the ensuing chaos, Su Dingfang joined the rebel army of Dou Jiande. Following Dou Jiande’s defeat at the hands of the Li Tang forces, Su Chao fell victim to his injuries after lingering for half a year. Su Dingfang subsequently aligned with Liu Heita in another rebellion, only to face defeat once again.

Surviving these difficult situations, Su Dingfang caught the attention of Li Jing, the general who had defeated Liu Heita. Li Jing took him under his wing and imparted military strategy, yet unofficially, making Su Dingfang his disciple.

In the fourth year of Zhenguan, Li Jing appointed Su Dingfang as a vanguard officer to combat the Turks, where he achieved fame through his exceptional military exploits in a single battle.

However, as Li Er became the court officials’ target, Su Dingfang was sidelined. Even in his final moments, Su Dingfang’s father ‘Su Chao’ had murmured about his lost younger son. Although Su Dingfang and his brother did not share the same mother, the scarcity of family members in the Su household prevented any sibling rivalry or petty disputes. Despite their decade-long age difference, the two brothers had a deep bond, with Su Dingfang often assuming the role of a father figure due to their father’s frequent absence from home.

Their brotherly relationship remained strong, and the memories of their time together lingered in Su Dingfang’s heart.

When the family moved from Jizhou and his younger brother went missing, it became a regret for the whole family. Su Dingfang later searched for his younger brother several times during his battles, but there was no news due to the ongoing wars in the country. And now… to see the sword his father had given his younger brother, how could Su Dingfang not be moved?

“Your Majesty… I… dare to ask Your Majesty, where did this sword come from?” Su Dingfang prostrated himself on the ground.

“Do you recognize this sword?” Li Er frowned.

“This sword is indeed my younger brother’s sword!” Su Dingfang’s face was filled with grief as he slowly recounted the hardships his family had experienced.

“In that case, you still have a younger brother who is lost?” Li Er asked.

“Exactly. My younger brother is ten years younger than me and should be twenty-three years old now.” Su Dingfang nodded.

Li Er’s heart trembled slightly…

If that was the case, then it was highly likely that Su Li, despite his different appearance, was indeed the younger brother that Su Dingfang lost. However, Li Er’s brows remained furrowed because he still hadn’t obtained the answers he was seeking.

Su Li, even though was Su Dingfang’s younger brother, his family background was not prominent before, as he came from a wealthy local family. Even Su Dingfang himself only holds a relatively low-ranking official position of the fourth rank. This could not explain the remarkable calligraphy skills displayed by Su Li, as well as the sudden improvement of asthma in Changle. Unless… Something happened during the time when Su Li unexpectedly lost his way and settled in Longyou.

“Take him to the Princess Mansion to verify his identity…” Li Er sighed.

Li Er’s expression was not very good. After all the efforts, nothing was found, and instead, Su Li recognized a relative as if punching into thin air.

“Your Majesty, is my younger brother still alive?” Su Dingfang’s face was filled with joy as he received the news of his long-lost younger brother.

“Let’s go and see first… I can’t say for sure if he is your brother,” Li Er waved his hand.

This turned out to be a fortunate accident, and Li Er seemed to have unintentionally gained some credit…

“I… Thank Your Majesty!” Su Dingfang was overjoyed, and then a sudden thought came to his mind.

Wait a minute… Why go to the Princess Mansion? Could it be that his younger brother became a servant in the Princess Mansion?

Regardless, Su Dingfang, as a fourth-ranked officer, could take his brother back home to take care of him, no matter what his brother’s status was.

Well… calculating the age, his younger brother was already twenty-three years old, the age when he should be starting a family.

After taking his younger brother out of the Princess Mansion, as the eldest brother, Su Dingfang should start preparing for his brother’s marriage.

Compared to the local landlords of a small country in the past, Su Dingfang was now only a fourth-ranked officer, and might not be considered much in the court. However, he was already a distinguished figure. Although his future might be uncertain, it was easy for him to arrange a marriage for his younger brother.

The Su family lacked enough descendants, as Su Dingfang himself only had two children. So, it was important for his younger brother to quickly marry and have children to ensure the prosperity of the Su family’s lineage.