I became the God Brother of the Regent King after Transmigration!-Chapter 237 - 167: Gathering Under One Roof

"Capital Commandant Su Zixiao of the imperial guard, at your service, Dingyuan Marquis—"

Behind Marquis Gu stood a crowd of officials who had rushed to welcome the Dingyuan Army into the city.

Xie Yun, who had hurried from home on his day off, was also among them and even gave Gu Lan a smile.

The imperial guard officer who had just spoken had, in fact, arrived long ago but only stepped forward after Marquis Gu and Gu Lan had finished their conversation.

Marquis Gu paid him no mind and said, "No need for formalities. You’re here to escort Gongbu, right? He’s in the prison cart, Mu Jun, give him the key."

Gu Lan paused and asked, "Are you called... Su Zixiao?"

The young man before her was clad in the imperial guard’s golden armor, wearing a gold helmet with a sword at his waist, exuding an imposing air and charismatic presence.

He stood as tall and straight as a sharp sword, with sword-like brows, starry eyes, distinct features, and a stern brow that seemed adorned with falling snow. His thin lips were slightly pursed, and he carried a righteous aura.

Su Zixiao nodded. "I am ordered to escort Qiangrong’s Chanyu Gongbu to the palace; His Majesty wishes to see Gongbu."

"Oh, Old Prime Minister Su, who is he to you?" Gu Lan inquired further.

Su Zixiao frowned slightly; he wasn’t fond of discussing his family background, but given Gu Lan’s status, he responded politely, "The Prime Minister is my grandfather."

Marquis Gu came to a realization and said, "So you’re Su Shoucheng’s son."

"Does the Marquis know my father?" Su Zixiao’s eyes widened with excitement and he asked eagerly.

"I beat up your father." Gu Chengzhao said sheepishly.

Su Zixiao: "..."

Gu Lan: "..."

Xie Yun: "..."

Marquis Gu had beaten up quite a few people.

Gu Chengzhao raised an eyebrow, inspecting Su Zixiao’s appearance, and with a twinkle in his eye, asked, "What, is Lan interested in this Capital Commandant Su?"

Gu Lan: "No!"

She still vividly remembered Gu Chengzhao trying to pair her up with Xie Yun a few days ago and had no desire for a repeat.

Gu Chengzhao, however, looked at her thoughtfully, thinking that the Su Zixiao before him was indeed quite handsome, no wonder Lan would take the initiative to inquire.

Gu Lan lowered her eyes, instinctively searching for Rong Heng’s figure.

In the original novel, Su Zixiao was a sworn brother of Rong Heng!

In the novel, Rong Heng had two sworn brothers—Tang Zhan and Su Zixiao. Among them, Su Zixiao was spirited, full of youthful enthusiasm, and rebellious, not submitting to anyone, except he listened to Rong Heng without question.

At the time, there were many readers shipping Su Zixiao and Rong Heng as a couple.

Gu Lan was different; when she read the book, she only briefly shipped Rong Heng and Baoyi. After barely a couple of Chapters, Baoyi was gone... From then on, she only focused on Rong Heng’s career, never getting emotionally involved again.

Of course, the Su Zixiao before her was just an ardent fan of Marquis Gu, not yet part of the Dingyuan Army, let alone acquainted with Rong Heng.

Xie Yun approached Gu Lan and explained in a low voice, "Zixiao has admired Marquis Gu since childhood, but after the Marquis returned to the capital, he mostly stayed home and rarely attended court. Meanwhile, he is a Capital Commandant of the imperial guard and feels it’s inappropriate to visit, and he’s too shy."

Gu Lan raised an eyebrow. "How do you know this?"

Xie Yun replied, "Little Lan, have you forgotten? I grew up in the Su family, am quite familiar with Zixiao. He was previously the companion of the Second Prince, and then to make room for Yuan Lang, His Majesty assigned him as an Imperial Guard. He’s skilled in martial arts and is the Prime Minister’s legitimate grandson. Recently, he was promoted to Capital Commandant of the imperial guard."

Gu Lan recalled that Rong Jing had moved Su Zixiao from being Rong Qijun’s companion to give Yuan Lang the position, thereby humiliating the Wei Country.

Currently, Su Zixiao looked at Gu Chengzhao with eyes full of admiration, his eyes sparkling brightly, and couldn’t help but ask, "Marquis, will you accompany the imperial guard and Chanyu into the palace?"

Gu Chengzhao shook his head. "Why would I enter the palace? Since the man has been captured by His Majesty, how he’s dealt with is none of my concern."

"Well then," Su Zixiao’s tone was full of regret, then he couldn’t resist saying softly, "Could the Marquis accompany this junior to the imperial guard’s camp later? There are some things about training the imperial guard that I’m unclear about and would like your guidance."

Gu Lan saw that Su Zixiao, like Gu Changting, was also an ardent fan of Marquis Gu.

In the original book, Su Zixiao was initially a fierce general under Marquis Gu. After the Marquis’ death, the Dingyuan Army was left leaderless and suffered severe losses; it was Su Zixiao who reorganized the troops and barely stabilized morale.

Later, after numerous battles, Su Zixiao was impressed by Rong Heng’s abilities and handed over military power to him.

Upon hearing Su Zixiao’s request, Marquis Gu couldn’t help but rub his non-existent beard and said:

"I won’t go to the imperial guard’s territory, but since it’s about military affairs, why don’t you wait for me at the suburban camp."

"Will the Marquis be at the camp?" Su Zixiao’s voice was shaking.

"I’ll first return to the Marquis Mansion to handle some matters, then head to the suburban camp; once you’ve escorted Gongbu to the palace, if you have any questions, come to the camp to find me," said Marquis Gu.

"Yes! This junior understands!"

Su Zixiao received a reply from Marquis Gu, and his eyes lit up with excitement, much like a young girl meeting her idol in later generations.

He even looked at Marquis Gu and said with great seriousness, "What I have sought all my life is to join the Dingyuan Army, drive out the Qiangrong, and protect Dayan!"

Marquis Gu curled his lips with profound meaning and patted him on the shoulder:

"What difficulty is there in joining the Dingyuan Army? As long as the Emperor permits, you can apply to join my army. However... my son Gu Lan happens to be coming to the camp to find me. You two can express your views at that time and get to know the Dingyuan Army a little better."

Regardless of whether Lan was interested in this Su Zixiao or not, Marquis Gu decided to bring the man back first.

Marquis Gu was deeply concerned about his daughter’s feelings.

Hearing Marquis Gu’s words, Su Zixiao frowned slightly.

He wanted to join the Dingyuan Army because from a young age he had admired the Dingyuan Marquis, not the frivolous Young Master Gu from the Capital City.

Gu Chengzhao noticed his dissatisfaction and said, "As the saying goes, like father, like son. Capital Commandant Su, don’t underestimate my son."

Su Zixiao was slightly startled and subconsciously looked at Gu Lan.

He began to carefully observe Young Master Gu. The young man before him had delicate eyebrows, a tall figure, and a handsome, cold, and charming face, indeed possessing a good appearance.

Even standing next to Xie Yun, he was not overshadowed by Dayan’s number one gentleman.

However, no matter how one looked, he seemed like nothing more than a pretty face with no substance.

As for Marquis Gu also being a pretty face, Su Zixiao automatically ignored that fact.

Out of respect for Marquis Gu, Su Zixiao respectfully cupped his hands towards Gu Lan.

Gu Chengzhao left a comment full of implication:

"I am actually curious whether my Lan is just fancy on the outside, or if Su Wenzhong’s legitimate grandson is merely superficial."

He patted Su Zixiao on the shoulder and then gracefully left.

As Marquis Gu departed, Rong Heng silently appeared by Gu Lan’s side, wearing a mask as if just a personal guard.

However, this guard, with his mask and mysterious aura, made Su Zixiao glance several more times.

An hour earlier, after having a "frank encounter" with Rong Heng, Xie Yun saw Rong Heng without any surprise and greeted him warmly, "What a coincidence."

Xie Yun had grown accustomed to Rong Heng privately leaving the palace.

Seeing the beloved Marquis Gu leave, Su Zixiao wished he could go to the military camp immediately and ask him for insights on leading troops in battle.

He thought for a moment and then waved his hand to summon the vice general, instructing, "You take people to escort Chanyu Gongbu back. I want to follow these Dingyuan Army soldiers and take a look at their camp!"

"But Commandant, the commander instructed you to personally escort the Chanyu into the palace. This is an opportunity to gain fame," the vice general advised.

Su Zixiao dismissed it with a wave, "Just a hollow reputation, I don’t care. Having a conversation with the Dingyuan Marquis or joining the Dingyuan Army, that is my true pursuit."

Xie Yun quietly said from the side, "Don’t forget, escorting Gongbu into the palace is an assignment your teacher fought for you."

Su Zixiao immediately deflated.

After a while, he blinked, his dark eyes shining like two dazzling gems, pleading:

"Jingqi, later you help me explain to my grandfather, you know I’ve wanted to meet the Dingyuan Marquis all my life, and this is an invitation from the Marquis; I don’t want to delay even a moment."

Xie Yun’s expression grew proud, "Now you know to ask for my help?"

Su Zixiao bit his lip and said with shame and regret, "When I teach you archery tomorrow, if I call you an idiot again, I’ll slit my own throat to apologize!"

"No need to go that far."

Su Zixiao’s eyes shifted, and he added, "Don’t you want to learn martial arts? You’ve studied military books, haven’t you? Don’t you want to see a real military formation? Just come with me, let’s visit the Dingyuan Army camp together."

He had made up his mind. He would drag Xie Yun along to the Dingyuan Army camp, so if his grandfather blamed him later, Xie Yun would bear some of it.

Xie Yun refused, "Isn’t that inappropriate?"

"Opportunity knocks but once, Jingqi! Besides, look, even Gu Lan is going... It could be the first meeting among future Prime Minister Xie Jingqi of Yan Country, Great General Su Zixiao, and the next Dingyuan Marquis!" Su Zixiao’s tone was full of persuasion.

"Prime Minister? Great General? Don’t include me in your self-aggrandizement."

Xie Yun ridiculed Su Zixiao but then looked at Gu Lan, recalling Marquis Gu publicly announcing Gu Lan as the Princely Heir of the Dingyuan Army just moments before.

He understood that Marquis Gu was preparing Gu Lan to inherit his title in the future.

And he... having decided to protect Little Lan, indeed needed to gain some understanding of military matters.

So, Xie Yun joined Su Zixiao and Young Master Gu, accompanying the returning Dingyuan Army, and reached the camp outside the city.

Only then did Gu Lan realize that this was the military camp previously built by Prince Rui, now just inhabited by a different group.