Chapter 606: Dragon and Phoenix Bring Good Fortune

Zhang Hongsen was with Deputy Director Tong Gang, followed by other colleagues and superiors.

They arrived before a pagoda, its surface gleaming with a sacred aura.

"Yes, such beauty belongs only in heaven—how often does one see it on earth? Looks like that kid from the Fang family spent a fortune!" Tong Gang glanced at those around him.

Those beside him smiled and nodded in agreement.

As they walked and chatted, they admired the scenery, deeply moved.

A server in a traditional red dress pushed a cart laden with fine wine, delicacies, and fruits. "Ladies and gentlemen, what would you like to order?"

Everywhere, female servers in identical red dresses moved along every path—some pushing carts, others carrying trays—serving every guest attending the wedding.

Those who got lost were also guided to the garden's central area.

These red dresses resembled Ming dynasty palace maid attire and were visible everywhere.

The Royal Garden spans 290 hectares—equivalent to 290 soccer fields—winding and intricate, dotted with lakes, pavilions, temples, and pagodas, once a royal summer retreat.

Here, one never feels heat, only coolness.

Mosquitoes had been treated; though lakes and gardens typically breed the most insects, the entire garden underwent disinfection before opening.

This place allows wedding guests to wander freely, admire the scenery, and stroll at leisure.

Several officials raised their wine glasses, clinking them together with a "ding."

Zhang Hongsen lifted his wine glass, took a sip, and asked, "Young lady, where is the wedding being held?"

"At the garden's central area, where a performance is underway. You should go take a look," the red-dressed server pointed. "Just walk straight ahead from here."

The officials looked over—the area glowed red!

Rows of large red lanterns hung throughout the central area, surrounded by endless crimson brocade, stretching far into a sea of red, exuding festivity.

Below, a vast circular stage featured a red carpet, upon which over a dozen dancers in gauzy skirts, entwined with silk ribbons, danced gracefully.

Their figures were supple, each movement ethereal, as if celestial maidens had descended.

On either side of the stage sat musicians: one plucking a guqin, another playing the pipa, others strumming the erhu, striking bianzhong bells, and blowing flutes.

All wore traditional attire—women in ancient gowns, men in scholar robes.

The air here was hazy with immortality, blending with the dance to create an illusionary realm; had it not been for the guests in suits and ties, one might truly believe they had stepped back into the golden age of an ancient imperial court.

Around the stage, on balconies and upper terraces, guests of all kinds gathered—celebrities like Li Bailian, Deng Chao, Sun Li, Nazha, Zhao Xiaodao, Guoji Zhang, Fan Xiaopang.

Some were from Yutu Entertainment, others from outside.

Some clapped, occasional "papap" applause rising, others chatted with companions.

"If my wedding were like this, I'd be the happiest woman alive," Nazha clasped her hands together, envious.

"What dreams are you having? Do you think everyone is the Principal?" Jiang Shuying tapped her head, snapping her out of it.

"I'm just imagining!" Nazha grinned foolishly—it was just a joke; they'd known each other for a while.

Jiang Shuying said nothing. She had once coveted the Principal, back when he was rising.

"A paradise on earth!" Li Bailian exclaimed.

Her younger sister Li Xue nodded beside her, watching the endless stream of celebrities and officials: "The Principal's influence is truly immense. We and Song need to collaborate with them."

Here, he saw not only celebrities and stars, but also high-ranking officials and business magnates.

Zhang Nan, on the upper terrace, chatted with Zhang Yiming: "If we placed a Douyin ad here, the effect would be incredible!"

If journalists were allowed in to report and livestream this place, it would go viral globally—no ad could be more effective.

"The Principal is a pure man—he doesn't want his wedding to carry commercial overtones or draw too much attention," Zhang Yiming understood.

A wedding with commercial intent lacks sincerity!

On another terrace, Jing Tian stared at the stage, clapping absentmindedly—her skin pale, her face beautiful, lips red, teeth white.

Beside her stood a middle-aged man, his demeanor calm and steady—he must be the legendary Guardian.

Every young lady who ventures into the world has a Guardian.

One who protects her from the corruption of the entertainment circle, ensuring her path remains smooth. Fang Hong once didn't understand, but now, at a higher level, he grasped a little.

Behind them, Jack Ma, Lao Wang Zong, and other business magnates sat together, sipping tea and chatting amiably.

They were unaffected by the Principal's rivalry—fighting in business, yet still able to socialize privately.

Like us and the United States—we fight, but if there's an event or invitation, we still go.

"I thought you, Old Ma, wouldn't come," Lao Wang Zong sipped his tea.

"Since the Principal invited me, I came to see the world. After all, we're old rivals. Honestly, this wedding is well done—worth the trip," Jack Ma crossed his legs, relaxed.

"I think the Principal just loves grand projects—he just goes about them too fiercely," Lao Wang Zong sighed.

Renting the entire Royal Garden and transforming it into a "paradise" must have cost a fortune.

"The marketplace is a battlefield—it's normal," Jack Ma shrugged. "He lost. Doesn't he have to give back what he took?"

The magnates chatted, glancing toward the young lady standing lost in thought ahead.

Jing Tian has not yet abandoned ambition; those behind her still support her career wholeheartedly, hoping she rises higher.

Just as Fang Hong supports Liu Tianxian!

Later, Jing Tian would realize after The Great Wall that she wasn't cut out for this, and completely abandon ambition, content to drift along without seeking great achievement.

She didn't want to be constantly criticized, constantly called a "resource girl."

Those behind her understood, letting her develop freely—constant criticism inflicted deep psychological harm on a young woman.

Just as Liu Tianxian and Nazha nearly collapsed under criticism—gossip is terrifying; Jing Tian's psyche was also affected.

Jing Tian's career path mirrored Fang Hong's observation of Liu Tianxian's.

If Liu Tianxian abandoned film, decided it wasn't for her, and settled for TV, content with modest success, Fang Hong would support her.

Later, Jing Tian became exactly that—drifting in entertainment, taking roles she liked, no longer seeking great achievement, and her family supported her.

She never had great ambition; she didn't give up because she was abandoned—she chose to abandon ambition herself, to avoid constant judgment.

Of course, her resilience can't compare to Liu Tianxian's, who stuck with films for over a decade.

Expecting Jing Tian to persevere? That's impossible!

Jing Tian still has a petty, feminine mindset—do you expect a petty woman to strive?

In this circle, there's a phenomenon: celebrities whose backgrounds can be dug up generally have no real clout; those whose backgrounds can't be uncovered are truly from illustrious families.

Besides Jing Tian, whose background is mysterious and has eluded dozens of Wangyi over the years, who else is there?

In this circle, how many celebrities have backgrounds Wangyi can't dig up? Liu Tianxian's ancestors for three generations have all been exposed.

As long as Wangyi want to, every other celebrity's background can be stripped bare—how many can truly hide?

Even Lao Wang Zong and his son are merely merchants—don't imagine they're that powerful.

Because the Royal Garden's grounds are large enough and the crowd thick enough, Tan Sijiang, Representative He, and other Macau dignitaries rested in a simple, ancient room.

Universal's CEO Donna and Warner's CEO Lao Zha also brought assistants, marveling all the way at the profound Chinese culture here.

Beijing Film Academy's Principal Zhang Huijun, Vice Principal Sun Lijun, Vice Dean Xie Xiaojing, Secretary-General Yu Jianhong, Director Tong Qifu, Xu Jiandong, and others strolled nearby.

Many others—Li Xuejian, Chen Daoming, Gong Huang, Xu Laoguai, Liu Tianwang, Wang Jin—were scattered throughout, admiring the dance and music performances in the garden.

As the time neared, everyone gradually gathered toward the garden's center.

This made some minor celebrities see too many famous directors and stars, inevitably leading to social exchanges—unavoidable.

Today is the Yiwei Year, Renwu Month, Chou Day: a thousand red canopies, a hall brimming with splendor; united in matrimony, phoenix and dragon harmonize. Here today, the groom Fang Hong and bride Liu Tianxian shall uphold ancestral tradition, compose a splendid chapter, don splendid attire, and perform Han rites.

Honoring ritual and ethics, honoring ancestral customs, uniting two families, performing the wedding ceremony, reviving the magnificent robes of Yan and Huang, promoting the elegant norms of Chinese culture—we, of the same bloodline, jointly revere our ancestors and revive the glory of Jiuzhou.

As people chatted, a grand, resonant voice suddenly echoed throughout the Royal Garden, audible to all—the wedding had begun.

Everyone fell silent and began to watch this century wedding!

The recitation carried deep feeling, like a funeral hymn, as if stirring bloodlines, transmitting ancestral lineage.

As the recitation continued, in the garden's center, staff bustled, laying out a long red carpet stretching beyond sight.

Gold leaf was scattered across the carpet, radiating dazzling light.

Along both sides of the carpet, at intervals, stood crimson coiled-dragon pillars, entwined with red silk.

Between these coiled-dragon pillars stood various artistic carvings—dragons, phoenixes, mythical beasts, lush trees—all in gold or red, exquisitely magnificent.

In mere moments, the entire scene rose another level in splendor!

As the recitation's prologue ended, grand, stirring music filled the air—not played, but performed live by musicians.

Guests realized something and turned toward the carpet's end, where a mist obscured all view.

Through the haze, Liu Tianxian stepped forward slowly, wearing a bright red Chinese bridal gown, head slightly bowed, one hand holding a round fan to cover half her face—the fan, called queshan, was a ritual object.

Beside her, An Shaokang supported her hand; he wore a sharp suit, exuding refined elegance.

Behind them, several close friends—Zhang Jingying, Shuchang—walked in orderly rows, dressed in fairy-like Hanfu.

But their attire paled beside Liu Tianxian's.

Liu Tianxian's red bridal gown was embroidered entirely with dragon-and-phoenix motifs, lifelike, dragon scales and phoenix feathers outlined in gold thread, shimmering under the lights.

Every detail—collar, cuffs—was inlaid with pearls, each perfectly round, lustrous, uniform in size, glowing softly against the red satin.

All watched, eyes filled with envy; someone sighed: "This wedding is truly beautiful!"

Indeed, it was magnificent—every setting, decoration, garment, meticulously designed and crafted.

But what they saw now was not all Liu Tianxian wore—she had not yet donned the Xiapi, nor the Phoenix Crown.

Every person present watched Liu Tianxian slowly advance—Liu Xiaoli, Xu Liyun, smiling; relatives scattered with deep emotion.

Some remained silent—Jing Tian, for instance, was utterly quiet.

Of course, there was sincere blessing—Nazha's eyes sparkled, her heart full of heartfelt wishes.

Of course, some bigwigs merely found it novel, feeling nothing much—they'd seen everything, some even witnessed real royal weddings abroad.

At the carpet's end stood tiered steps, then a majestic palace; Liu Tianxian did not need to enter the palace—only reach the circular raised platform before it.

The platform was embroidered with a massive dragon-and-phoenix motif!

Amid the admiring gazes of all, Liu Tianxian, her bridesmaids, and her father ascended the steps to the circular platform.

Then they stepped aside and waited.

Liu Tianxian stood motionless at the platform's center, still shielding half her face with the round fan, revealing only a pair of beautiful phoenix eyes.

At this moment, she was still somewhat excited.

Just as everyone wondered what ritual came next, the grand voice sounded again.

"Present the Phoenix Cape." The final syllable stretched long.

Everyone turned again—four tall women in red dresses slowly dragged forth the Xiapi.

The moment the Xiapi emerged, all were stunned, exclaiming: "How much did this cost?!"

The Xiapi was vast, woven entirely in gold thread, shimmering with radiant light; embroidered upon it was the Song of the Phoenix, each bird lifelike, every feather distinct, as if ready to take flight at any moment.

That wasn't all—the Xiapi was extraordinarily long, long enough to cover the entire red carpet; the four women dragged it slowly, and even when they reached Liu Tianxian's position, the other end still lay at the carpet's far end.

It seemed truly ten li long—ten li? Five kilometers!

Weaving the Song of the Phoenix wasn't remarkable—but weaving "ten li" in gold thread? That was sheer extravagance.

"I want a wedding like this someday," Guo Biting said in the crowd, eyes filled with longing.

"Good! When I get rich!" Yu Xian said.

"Aren't you rich already?" Guo Biting asked.

"No—I just realized I'm still poor," Yu Xian said.

He wasn't the only one who felt this way; many did. The Principal's wealth was unknown, but all this was real, irreversible spending.

So most couldn't reach it—only marvel.

Da Baobei, in the crowd, couldn't help but stare with wide eyes, asking Huang Jiaozhu: "Do you think our wedding could be like this?"

"Everything's arranged—can't be changed!" said Huang Xiaoming.

They're getting married this year too, and have been preparing for a long time—but it's Western-style!

The wedding ceremony is still ongoing, but those outside can't see it; if they could, they'd surely cry out that poverty has limited their imagination—though of course, there are photographers here.

Every step of the wedding is being filmed!

Energetic background music blares across the venue, drowning out people's discussions.

Onstage, Liu Tianxian stands with her back to everyone, as the four women drag the Xiapi toward her, drape it over her, and adjust it.

This adds several layers of nobility and presence to Liu Tianxian!

Previously she was just a young lady, but once the Xiapi is draped on her, she looks like a powerful empress!

Yet she still faces away and hasn't turned around!

"Put on the phoenix crown..." That voice sounds again.

Two women emerge from the side of the stage, carrying a tray upward, upon which rests a phoenix crown.

A middle-aged woman steps forward to face Liu Tianxian!

Amidst the stunned silence of the crowd, the woman gently lifts the phoenix crown, raises it high, and slowly places it upon Liu Tianxian's head—every motion exudes solemnity!

The crown appears exceptionally heavy, forged entirely of pure gold, gilded throughout, shimmering with golden radiance as if concentrating the sun's light upon its summit.

Nine golden dragons coil atop the crown, while nine phoenixes spread their wings around them!

The dragons' bodies twist sinuously, each scale clearly defined, inlaid with tiny gemstones; their mouths slightly open, holding luminous pearls.

The nine phoenixes are woven from gold thread, their eyes inlaid with rubies, blazing like flames; each feather distinct, as if about to take flight at any moment.

This attire truly opens the eyes of everyone present—ancient empresses couldn't have surpassed this!

In ancient times, productivity was low; even many imperial families couldn't reach this level.

"I'm so envious of Liu Tianxian!" Fan Xiaopang exclaims!

If I could have a wedding like this, how wonderful it would be—money could do it, but this kind of money isn't an investment; the concept is entirely different.

"I'll work hard—I'll give you the most, most, most magnificent wedding ever," Da Heiniu says earnestly.

"Then I'll be waiting!" Fan Xiaopang smiles.

Many female celebrities, public figures, and women here feel envy and longing, wishing they could take her place—or at least have a wedding like this.

Of course, many men think it's wasteful; if the Principal spends like this, their own future weddings will have sky-high budgets.

Just Liu Tianxian's outfit alone costs over a hundred million!

"Too wasteful!" Zhang Hongsen shakes his head.

"She doesn't buy cars or houses—she spends it all on one wedding, and you're criticizing her?" Tong Gang laughs.

The surrounding officials smile, but their eyes remain fixed on the stage—this wedding is spectacular, leaving people awestruck.

Of course, the actual ceremony surely isn't like this—it's probably self-created!

"Oh my god, our Western-style wedding can't compare to the ceremony and awe of a Chinese one!" Lao Zha sighs!

"I heard ancient emperors held weddings this way—but not here, but places like the Forbidden City," Donna, who understands this culture better, says.

"Oh, really? That must be incredibly desirable!" Lao Zha says.

On the other side, Auntie watches Liu Tianxian, adorned in regal splendor, and smiles: "Isn't this too heavy for Xixi?"

"Of course it's heavy—Xixi has cervical problems, so we don't let her walk in it; we put it on right here onstage, and take it off after the ceremony, so she only wears it briefly," Liu Xiaoli explains.

Afraid their daughter would tire, they put it on right onstage!

Onstage, after donning the phoenix crown and Xiapi, Liu Tianxian turns around—this moment, her face uncovered, expression solemn, radiating the aura of a mother to all under heaven!

That single glance raises the hearts of some here—so commanding, so dignified.

Most others simply stare dumbfounded—her attire makes Liu Tianxian breathtakingly beautiful and exquisitely prestigious.

Xiang Tai gazes at the woman onstage, feeling an unbearable urge to possess her, muttering: "If I could marry her, I'd wake up laughing in my dreams."

"This girl is truly wonderful—I once wanted to introduce you as my daughter-in-law," Xiang Tai watches Liu Tianxian onstage, filled with regret.

If only Liu Tianxian could be her daughter-in-law—but the girl clearly doesn't want her son.

Liu Tianxian's posture onstage—regal, elegant, solemn, and dignified—makes many men yearn for her and many mothers desperate to bring her home as a daughter-in-law.

Xu Liyun watches her daughter-in-law onstage, smiling!

Even the relatives' eyes brim with satisfaction—what a blessing for the family!

As everyone marvels at Liu Tianxian onstage, they see her bow deeply toward the distance!

Lights illuminate an ancient building ahead, where Fang Hong stands dressed in a black dragon robe, its dragon patterns vivid, auspicious clouds swirling around the dragons, embroidered with gold thread; a dragon-belt cinches his waist, and a golden-threaded cap crowns his head.

Just like an emperor of ancient Ming Dynasty!

He also bows deeply toward Liu Tianxian on the other side—the two appear deeply courteous.

"Quite refined," Zhang Hongsen smiles.

"It's our ancestors who were refined!" someone replies!

After their bow, a path opens before Fang Hong, shrouded in mist—he walks toward Liu Tianxian!

(End of Chapter)