Chapter 95: Prelude to the Wedding (2)

There were only three days left until Lou Xiyan's wedding. It was now the talk of the palace. Although no one dared to tell the Princess, there was no guarantee that she wouldn't hear it by accident, and who knew what kind of desperate thoughts the Princess would have then.

Yan Ruxuan frowned after a long time; she seemed to have listened to what they said. Striking while the iron was hot, Yang Zhilan continued to lobby: "Go. I will arrange it for you. We will leave early tomorrow morning, okay?"

After a long time, Yan Ruxuan nodded imperceptibly. The heavy stone in Yang Zhilan's heart finally settled a little, and she smiled with peace of mind: "It's noon, you must be tired, rest."

Good daughter, when you come back, I will definitely let you see Lou Xiyan's down-and-out state.

In the Imperial Garden, Yang Zhilan strolled among the flowers, with only a nanny following her.

"How is the arrangement going?" Stroking the delicate flowers, Yang Zhilan asked in a low voice.

The nanny walked behind Yang Zhilan with her body slightly lowered, her face full of confident smiles: "This time there will definitely be no mistakes. Even if we can't topple Lou Xiyan, we will make him suffer enough."

Yang Zhilan snorted coldly: "He is a fox through and through. We must be careful this time." Last time, he actually discovered the clues and caused a lot of trouble. This time, there must be no mistakes!

"Don't worry, Empress Dowager, this time there definitely won't be!"

"Good!" A chrysanthemum that had not yet bloomed was picked by Yang Zhilan and discarded in the garden.

Lou Xiyan, I want to see if you can still get married!

Qiongyue Haoyue Yiguan

The sunlight was beautiful, and the breeze was refreshing. The simple wooden room was not big, but it had already been decorated with red silk and incense candles, full of joy. The room was crowded with three or four young women and five or six middle-aged women. Zhuo Qing felt that breathing was a bit difficult, and what was even more depressing was that they kept applying powder and rouge to her face and adding jewelry, chattering endlessly about this and that.

According to the custom of welcoming the bride, Lou Xiyan had already sent her to the post house last night. Actually, according to her thoughts, there was no need for such trouble; just bow to each other tomorrow and be done with it. Who knew that Lou Xiyan, who usually listened to her opinions on everything, would be so insistent.

So she was being tormented here by a group of gossiping women. These people were all invited according to the list given by Qingfeng, all close relatives of the Qing family. They seemed very familiar with her, but she didn't recognize a single one!

Closing her eyes, Zhuo Qing decided to just ignore them!

"Ling'er, the three sisters in your family all have such good lives. You are lucky to marry Prime Minister Lou today, and as his legal wife, our Qing family has truly accumulated virtue from our ancestors!" The woman combing her hair, who was said to be her second aunt, sounded overjoyed just by her tone.

"Yes, Ling'er married Prime Minister Lou, and Feng'er became Consort Qing. I never thought our Qing family would have such a day to bring glory to our ancestors!"

Zhuo Qing couldn't remember who this person was. In short, in their hearts, they weren't happy because she or Qingfeng married into good families, but simply because the Qing sisters marrying well was enough to make their days in Haoyue glorious.

Zhuo Qing felt her sleeve being tugged. Opening her eyes, she saw a very beautiful girl standing beside her, looking at her simple wedding dress, and sneering: "This wedding dress is too shabby, right? Did Lou Xiyan regret it?" She had thought it would be very glorious, but this wedding dress wasn't even as good as that of an ordinary small family.

She had always felt that the three cousins were at most just pretty, and it was only because of the world's exaggeration that they had the reputation of the "Haoyue Three Beauties." Now that their faces were ruined, what charm did they have left? That so-called Prime Minister Lou was probably a country bumpkin who had never seen a beauty, which was why he married her.

The second aunt hurriedly scolded in a low voice: "Lishu, what nonsense are you talking about!" This little ancestor, food can be eaten randomly, but words cannot be spoken randomly. Was Lou Xiyan's name something she could just call out? Not to mention why this wedding dress was so simple, anyone with an eye could see that the material and embroidery were absolutely the best of the best!

She had known since Lishu was young that she loved to compare herself with the three Qing sisters, but she had to look at the occasion!

Carefully glancing at Zhuo Qing, the second aunt smiled apologetically: "Ling'er, don't mind her. She is young and ignorant."

Zhuo Qing naturally wouldn't argue with a little girl, but her ears really couldn't take it anymore. Raising her hand slightly to block the pearls they were about to hang on her neck, Zhuo Qing said coldly: "You all go out, I have something to say to Qing Mo."

Zhuo Qing's face was cold and hard. Everyone thought she was angry because of what just happened, so they didn't dare to say anything more. The second aunt could only smile and say: "Alright, alright, you sisters chat. But don't chat past the time; the people from the Prime Minister's mansion to welcome the bride should be here soon."

A group of people finally retreated, and the world was finally quiet.

Zhuo Qing looked back and saw Gu Yun sitting on the window lattice of a small window furthest away, her feet swinging boredly, and her face was full of impatience. A simple light purple long skirt, and her long hair, which was always tied into a ponytail, was finally let down today, styled into a bun with an emerald hairpin. This was already the most gorgeous outfit she had ever seen Yun in. If she weren't sitting on the window lattice, she could barely count as a lady of a noble family.

Zhuo Qing stood up and realized that there were five or six strings of jade beads and pearls hanging on her neck, three or four bracelets on her wrists, not to mention the gold hairpins on her head that were pressing her down so she couldn't lift her head!

A burst of laughter came from the window. Zhuo Qing looked at Gu Yun with resentment and smiled bitterly: "Is it very funny?"

After finally laughing enough, Gu Yun cleared her throat and replied with feigned seriousness: "No, it's quite good-looking. It's just that I originally thought I would watch you wear a white veil, hold a Prince Charming, walk into a church, surrounded by roses and champagne. I didn't expect it to be a wedding like this. Anyway, I haven't seen it before, so it's good to take a look."

This is called good-looking? If Yun didn't laugh until her crow's feet came out, she could still pretend to believe it! Pulling out the layers of jewelry, Zhuo Qing retorted angrily: "When you marry Su Ling, you can experience it properly!" I guarantee it will be unforgettable for a lifetime.

Gu Yun, who was originally smiling, suddenly stiffened and snorted coldly: "That's impossible for him and me!"

Tsk tsk, it sounded full of gunpowder! Zhuo Qing continued to smile: "Don't speak too full, be careful not to flash your tongue."

Nimbly jumping off the window lattice, Gu Yun looked disapproving: "The reason I stayed in the General's Mansion was entirely for the Gold Silk Bagua Disk. Otherwise, I would have left long ago!"

Gold Silk Bagua Disk...

Remembering the bizarre scene when they arrived, Zhuo Qing was also very interested in it and asked: "Any clues?"

Walking to Zhuo Qing's side, Gu Yun grabbed a bronze mirror and threw it to Zhuo Qing, retorting fiercely: "Don't mention it. I don't know if he and I are born at odds. We can't say a few words before either he is so angry at me that he flicks his sleeves and leaves, or I am so angry that I vomit blood!"

Zhuo Qing took the bronze mirror inexplicably, looked down, and was startled into a low cry!

Were these relatives trying to harm her? How could she see anyone with makeup like this? Were they waiting for Lou Xiyan to lift the veil just to divorce her immediately!

Fortunately, Gu Yun still had a conscience and told her in time. Grabbing a silk handkerchief nearby and soaking it in water, it took a lot of effort to wipe off the powder and rouge on her face. Zhuo Qing let out a long sigh of relief.

In view of Yun's timely help, Zhuo Qing didn't tease her anymore and asked: "Su Ling should be coming today too, right?"

Gu Yun shook her head and replied: "I don't know. When I left the house, I heard that Yan Hongtian urgently summoned him to the palace. I guess he will be late!"

The two chatted, and the second aunt's penetrating voice sounded again: "Ling'er, Xiao Feng—no, it's Consort Qing who sent someone to deliver a congratulatory gift!"

Qingfeng? Zhuo Qing and Gu Yun looked at each other, and Zhuo Qing whispered: "Come in."

The door opened slowly, and a woman in her twenties entered. Her graceful and quiet temperament was eye-catching. Behind her stood two men who looked like eunuchs, holding two trays covered with red cloth.

"Greetings, Madam." The woman bowed slightly, her gestures exuding an elegant charm.

Zhuo Qing had a good impression of her and asked with a smile: "Who are you?"

The woman replied softly: "This servant is Fuling, Consort Qing's personal female official. This is the jade Ruyi that the Consort specially selected for Madam's wedding, wishing Madam and the Prime Minister a hundred years of harmony and good health."

After speaking, she gently lifted the red cloth covering the tray, and two pieces of full-green jade, more than a foot long and carved in the shape of Ruyi, appeared. The faint, moist luster and the translucent jade quality all showed their value.

Zhuo Qing didn't know what to say, so she could only reply: "Thank her for me."

The men placed the jade Ruyi on the low table and retreated. The woman named Fuling glanced at Gu Yun beside Zhuo Qing, then stepped forward again, took out something wrapped in a handkerchief from her waist, handed it to Zhuo Qing, and whispered: "There is also this, please be sure to keep it safe, Madam."

"This is?" Zhuo Qing touched it through the handkerchief, and the texture felt like a token.

"This is the palace token of Qingxuan Hall. If you want to send a letter to the Consort or want to enter the palace to see the Consort, hold this waist token. You can enter the palace from the North Gate every day from the Shen hour to the You hour." After speaking, the woman didn't linger, bowed slightly, and retreated.

Zhuo Qing opened the handkerchief, and what was wrapped inside was indeed a token cast in bronze. On the front was the word "Ling" (Order), and on the back was a blooming chrysanthemum, with a small "Qing" character engraved in the middle.

Wrapping the token up, when she looked at Gu Yun, she saw her staring at the thing in her hand in a daze. Zhuo Qing asked: "What are you thinking about?"

Slowly raising her head, Gu Yun shook her head and smiled: "I'm thinking about what kind of woman can achieve such a step in half a year while being isolated and helpless?"

She hadn't seen Qingfeng, only occasionally heard Qing mention a word or two, and hadn't taken it to heart originally. Today, she couldn't help but be curious!

Zhuo Qing smiled: "If there is a chance, I will take you into the palace to see her."

Gu Yun thought for a while, and finally nodded: "Mm. However..."

Suddenly, a burst of loud firecrackers sounded, so noisy that even talking couldn't be heard clearly. Gu Yun shrugged and closed her mouth. Anyway, it wasn't anything important.

"Ling'er, Ling'er!" The large group of people who had just gone out rushed in again: "Hurry, hurry, hurry, the people to welcome the bride are here!"

"I didn't expect Prime Minister Lou to come in person to welcome the bride! God! Ling'er, you are truly blessed!" The excitement on the second aunt's face collapsed when she saw Zhuo Qing's clean, unadorned face, and she said anxiously: "Ling'er, why do you look like this?" She had just made her look like a fairy, how could she have messed it up in such a short time?

Seeing that she was about to take the rouge and powder to smear on her face again, Zhuo Qing hurriedly said: "Isn't it going to be too late?"

The sound of firecrackers outside rang one after another, and gongs and drums sounded together. The second aunt couldn't care about so much, so she could only shout: "Yes, yes, the veil, the veil!" Anyway, it would be night when Lou Xiyan lifted the veil. It would be dark, and he probably wouldn't be able to see clearly.

Zhuo Qing had chosen a semi-transparent veil from the beginning. Even if it was covered, she could see the road through the haze, so she wouldn't be completely blind!

Once the veil was covered, a group of people crowded her and walked out. Zhuo Qing was puzzled: "Where to?"

The second aunt said while pushing her forward: "Didn't Prime Minister Lou say he wanted to marry you into the house according to the most traditional folk wedding customs? Now, of course, it's time to send you out!" Come to think of it, this girl's fate was truly good.

Was it like this? Zhuo Qing could only follow the crowd and walk out. Anyway, she didn't understand.

The closer she got to the gate of the post house, the louder the firecrackers were, along with the sound of gongs and drums. After finally getting outside, Zhuo Qing was dumbfounded!

The ground was covered with red firecracker scraps, the bridal sedan chair was unusually large—it was actually an eight-man sedan chair—and there were at least a hundred servants from the Prime Minister's mansion dressed in red, almost surrounding the small post house. The most terrifying thing was not this, but the people as far as the eye could see!

How could this be? She remembered that the post house was almost in the suburbs of the capital, so how could there be so many people!

Just as Zhuo Qing was dumbfounded, a familiar male voice laughed: "Greetings, Madam."

Zhuo Qing came back to her senses and looked at the man who bowed deeply to her, stunned.

Today, Lou Xiyan was wearing a red python robe and a white jade purple crown. The whole person looked high-spirited and even more handsome. The gentle smile on his face remained unchanged, and the joy between his eyebrows showed his excellent mood!

Everywhere she looked, there were people. Zhuo Qing couldn't stand it, stepped forward, grabbed Lou Xiyan's arm, and shouted in his ear: "Alright, alright, just do it for show, why are there so many people! Let's go quickly."

Lou Xiyan laughed loudly and teased deliberately: "Madam is more anxious than her husband!" Actually, he hadn't expected that these common people would follow from the Prime Minister's mansion to the post house just to watch the fun, and there were more and more people!

Through the veil, although Lou Xiyan couldn't see her expression clearly, Zhuo Qing still glared at him fiercely and cursed in a low voice: "Lou Xiyan, stop talking nonsense, let's go."

Alright, since Madam had given the order, he dared not disobey! Omitting the complicated wedding rituals, Lou Xiyan held Zhuo Qing's hand and brought her to the bridal sedan chair. Zhuo Qing was about to drill in and be done with it, but the second aunt suddenly grabbed her hand and handed a small bowl of rice to her, anxiously: "Wait, eat another mouthful of the natal family's rice, don't forget the upbringing."

After speaking, she gently lifted a little bit of the veil and brought a mouthful of rice to Zhuo Qing's mouth.

What kind of custom was this? In order to hide in the sedan chair earlier, Zhuo Qing couldn't care about so much, swallowed the rice in one gulp, thinking that it was finally done!

Who knew that at this time, those gossiping women suddenly swarmed up and hugged her and cried. No, they were howling!

Looking at Lou Xiyan, who had already mounted his horse, he gave her a helpless expression. The natal family sending the bride, crying was a ritual; he couldn't stop them from crying!

Zhuo Qing had black lines all over her head. That's enough! Just as she was about to explode, a cold female voice sounded coldly: "That's enough, don't miss the time, let's go." At the same time, she also felt the gossiping women beside her being thrown several meters away by Gu Yun. Zhuo Qing took the opportunity to immediately drill into the bridal sedan chair.

"Lift the sedan chair!"

With a shout, Zhuo Qing, who had been tossed around all morning, finally embarked on the road to the Prime Minister's mansion.

Zhuo Qing sighed. This was too much of a test for her!

(End of Chapter) ===== CHAPTER 96 =====