Chapter - 472 The Great Army Heads West (7) (1/2)

Two people walked hand in hand toward Li Ping's tent. Mother and son met and there were more tears of happiness.

Several days later Genghis Khan summoned Guo Jing, ”I have heard your conducts and deeds from Tuolei. You keep your words and have an upright heart, I like that very much. Just wait several more days, I am going to give you my daughter's hand in marriage.”

Guo Jing was startled, he thought, ”Right now I don't even know if Rong'er is dead or alive. How can I marry someone else?” Seeing Genghis Khan's imposing appearance, although he wanted to disobey, he stammered and nothing intelligible came out of his mouth. Genghis Khan misunderstood his behavior; he thought Guo Jing was ecstatic that he turned silly. Immediately Genghis Khan prepared a dowry for Guo Jing: one thousand maidservants, one hundred catties of gold, five hundred cows, two thousand sheep, plus he was told to prepare his own wedding and take anything he needed from Khan's treasury.

Huazheng was Genghis Khan's only daughter from his first wife; she was her father's beloved since she was very little. By that time Genghis Khan's power had already spread throughout the Mongolian desert, he had subdued many other Khans; who, upon hearing their Great Khan was going to give his daughter's hand in marriage, immediately sent precious gifts in abundance. Not too long afterwards, more than a dozen big tents were needed to store all the gifts.

Princess Huazheng was so happy that she could not erase the smile from her face; Guo Jing, on the other hand, looked so haggard, his mind was filled with anxiety. He was often caught looking blankly to a far away place with a dejected look on his face.

Li Ping noticed her son's countenance was unusual, one evening she asked Guo Jing point blankly inside their tent. Guo Jing recounted everything about Huang Rong, from the day they met until they parted a few months ago. Li Ping listened attentively; she was silent for half a day.

”Ma [Mother],” Guo Jing asked, ”Your son is in a difficult situation, I don't know how to manage this.”

”Great Khan has shown profound kindness to us, how can we forget it?” Li Ping answered, ”But that Rong'er, that Rong'er, ay! Even though I have never met her, I believe she is an adorable girl.”

”Ma,” Guo Jing suddenly said, ”If Father were in this situation, how would he act?”

This question was unexpected to Li Ping; she was silent for half a day; remembering her late husband's personality; and then with conviction in her voice said, ”Your father would rather suffer a hardship than offending other people.”

Guo Jing stood up, with a quivering voice he said, ”Even though this son of yours has never seen his father, I should follow my father's footsteps. If Rong'er is safe, your son will honor my promise to marry Princess Huazheng; but if Rong'er faced calamity, your son will not marry for as long as I live.”

Li Ping thought, ”That is a proper thing to do, but how can I let you be the last descendant of the Guo family? Nevertheless, this child is the same as his father, both were stubborn. Once they made a decision what other people say would be useless.” Thereupon she asked, ”How are you going to report to the Great Khan?”

”I will tell the Great Khan the truth,” Guo Jing answered.

Li Ping was willing to support her son's intention. ”Good,” she said, ”We can't put this off much longer. Go ahead and say thank you to the Great Khan, we, mother and son, will leave for the south even today.” Guo Jing nodded his approval.

That very same evening mother and son prepared their bags. Other than a few changes of clothes and some silvers, they left the Great Khan's gifts in the tent.

As soon as they were finished Guo Jing said, ”I am going to take my leave from the Princess.”

Li Ping hesitated, ”How can you tell her? We'd better leave quietly, spare her the heartache,” she said.

”No,” Guo Jing said, ”I will personally tell her.” Leaving his tent, he walked towards Huazheng's tent.

Huazheng and her mother lived in a big tent; they were busy discussing the wedding preparation. Suddenly Huazheng heard Guo Jing's voice calling her from outside the tent. She was blushing, ”Ma!” she said.