On the occasion of the grand royal wedding of the Supre Emperor’s most beloved legitimate Princess, both the Household Affairs Office and the Ministry of Rites spared no effort in creating an extravagant spectacle. Just the ceremonial procession escorting the Princess to et the Prince Consort involved a full deploynt of a thousand Imperial Guards—undoubtedly the most magnificent wedding the Supre Emperor had ever arranged for his daughter.
Princess Wanping sat in the phoenix carriage bestowed by imperial decree.
ng Qianqian clattered up hastily, "Princess."
The red veil covering Princess Wanping’s face was fashioned from transparent silk spun by sea jades, faintly revealing her breathtaking beauty.
She turned her head to ng Qianqian, "What is it?"
ng Qianqian smiled, "I would like to accompany the Princess to the wedding procession."
Princess Wanping said, "You just want to hitch a ride back to the Governor Mansion, don’t you?"
ng Qianqian thought: As I suspected, the Princess without her lovelorn tendencies is sharp indeed!
Princess Wanping adjusted the broad sleeves of her wedding gown, "Hop on."
The phoenix carriage was spacious. Besides Princess Wanping, there was also a female official seated inside.
What grandeur, truly befitting a Princess.
When the attendants moved to fetch a stepping stool, ng Qianqian effortlessly leapt onto the carriage.
Attendant: Uhh... forgot that the Young Madam is one of the Twelve Guards.
The imperial phoenix carriage was unlike the common bridal sedan chair. Beneath the ornate canopy adorned with glittering jewels, there were no three solid walls with one set of curtains—instead, all four sides were surrounded by curtains.
Layer upon layer of pearl bead curtains and fine gauze.
The bead curtains were rolled up high, and the golden veils swayed and danced in the cold wind.
ng Qianqian asked with concern, "Princess, are you cold?"
Princess Wanping, with her hands tucked into a hand warr, shot her a sideways glance, "What do you think?"
"It’s definitely cold. Why don’t we lower the curtains?"
ng Qianqian suggested.
Princess Wanping replied, "This is a royal wedding; it’s a rare sight for the commoners."
ng Qianqian sighed, "The Princess is indeed dutiful."
Princess Wanping: "Spare the flattery."
ng Qianqian jumped off the phoenix carriage and walked away.
Princess Wanping clenched her fingers, silently stewing in annoyance, "Did this Princess just say one word too many, and now you can’t take it? Spoiled girl!"
The female official cautiously asked, "Princess, the auspicious ti has arrived. Shall we depart?"
Princess Wanping, watching the retreating figure of ng Qianqian as she climbed into the Governor Mansion’s coach without looking back, kept her voice cold, "Let’s go."
The female official announced, "Lift the carriage——"
Sixteen Imperial Guards hoisted the phoenix carriage steadily into the air.
Princess Wanping had always been proud and aloof. In the Capital City, many sought her favor, and her mansion’s banquets were always bustling and lively.
Yet, those who truly shared a bond with her were but a few.
Unlike others on their wedding day, who had their birth mothers to oversee the ceremony and friends to send them off, she alone was left solitary.
On ordinary days, the loneliness seed insignificant. But on the grandest day of her life, a sudden feeling of emptiness crept in.
Whoosh!
The gauzy curtain was lifted, and a petite figure darted in.
ng Qianqian, panting, sat down and emptied an armload of brocade bags onto the cushion with a dramatic flourish.
"Quick, quick!"
She rubbed her hands together and removed her cloak, draping it over Princess Wanping’s wedding gown.
Princess Wanping blinked in surprise, "You... didn’t leave? And these are...?"
"I went to grab so things!"
ng Qianqian picked up one of the brocade bags and tucked it into Princess Wanping’s hand warr, "This is a pocket heater, made by Steward Cen’s people. Small, compact, fits in your pocket, and looks just like a brocade bag when hung on you—very warm."
Warmth radiated through Princess Wanping’s palms.
ng Qianqian, under the cover of the cloak, discreetly slipped more pocket heaters beneath Princess Wanping’s wedding gown.
"Let tie a few around your legs as well."
A creation by Nanny Li, designed for Lu Yuan to carry discreetly to keep warm during court sessions.
Although Lu Yuan hardly used them, Nanny Li always kept so prepared for him.
And now, they ca in handy.
From her palms to her legs, every part of Princess Wanping gradually ward up.
Even her heart, long sealed away, seed to thaw just a little.
Princess Wanping’s lips quivered slightly, "ng Xiaojiu, are you this good to everyone?"
ng Qianqian imitated the Miao King’s dramatic wave of the hand, "I’m very picky; most people simply don’t make the cut!"
Princess Wanping harrumphed, "At least you have taste."
-
Ji Li was stopped by the Miao King and Chen Long and forcibly sent back to Feng Shui Alley.
The Ministry of Rites and Household Affairs Office had long since renovated his residence, repainting it in bright red lacquer, adorned with festive characters, and hanging large red lanterns.
His life chart was one beset with "Five Evils and Three Deficiencies": no parents, no siblings, no family bonds.
The celebratory decorations in the courtyard only made the place seem even lonelier.
Accompanied by Palace Attendants, Ji Li was dressed in his wedding robes.
His head of white hair, paired with his exquisitely sculpted features, under the dazzling red of the wedding garnts, gave him an aura of otherworldly, almost devastating beauty.
The Palace Attendants flushed and dared not steal another glance at the groom.
Chen Long stood guard at the gate, heavy sword strapped to his back.
Ji Li snapped irritably, "What are you guarding for? I’m not going to run!"
With the Gu poison implanted by the Miao King, where could he even try to escape?
Chen Long: "I’m here to escort you to the bridal sedan."
Ji Li cursed, "Go to hell!"
To his dismay, Ji Li soon realized that it wasn’t just Chen Long escorting him to the bridal sedan. Even the rarely seen Sheep and Hai Pig had appeared.
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