Chapter 148: Fetching the Bride

The sun rose and set, and in the blink of an eye three days passed, arriving at the day of Chen Yan's and Princess Gao Yang's wedding.

At dawn, before light broke, the gates of Weinan Bo Fu were already open; from outside, one could vaguely see countless busy figures.

Bo Mansion's maids and servants each wore joyful expressions, genuinely happy that Lord Bo's lifelong marriage had been settled.

Although the princess about to enter seemed not easy to get along with, it didn't matter; in their eyes, as long as the princess was healthy and could continue Lord Bo's lineage, that was fine.

Moreover, they believed Lord Bo's ability was enough to subdue that ill‑tempered princess who even liked to kick the gate.

At this moment, Cheng Chumo and his two brothers led four horses, followed by a troupe of musicians, arriving before the Weinan Bo Fu.

"Yo, brothers, looking at Bo Mansion like this, I guess the preparations are almost done; the three of us arriving is still timely," Cheng Chumo said with a grin.

"Could we be untimely?" Yu Chi Bao Lin yawned, looking listless.

"Early this morning, my mother dragged me out of bed; I wasn't even awake yet."

"Alright, alright," Qin Huaidao said irritably: "Today is Zi Anxiong's joyous day, how could we brothers miss it?"

"When is it wrong to sleep? Going with Zi Anxiong to fetch the bride is the real business."

"What Qin Huaidao says is reasonable," Cheng Chumo nodded, ordering the nearby page, "Watch the horses for me; I'll go inside to find Zi Anxiong."

"If any mishap occurs, I'll hold you responsible!"

The page nodded repeatedly, promising to look after the horses.

The three brothers then stepped into the Weinan Bo Fu.

Coincidentally, Chen Yan had just, under Qing'er's service, dressed himself neatly and walked out of the house adorned with ribbons.

At a glance he saw the three brothers walking this way.

"Yo, three brothers, you came rather early today."

"Hahaha, Zi Anxiong's joyous man, how could we not come early?" Cheng Chumo teased:

"Zi Anxiong, you used to say repeatedly that women only lie flat, yet now you've abandoned us brothers and taken the lead in marrying a wife."

"What's the reasoning?"

As longtime pals, Qin Huaidao beside them instantly grasped Cheng Chumo's thought and immediately took over the conversation.

"Exactly, Zi Anxiong, you broke your word, that's not decent."

"Today we must punish ourselves with three cups."

Chen Yan grinned, "Alright, alright."

"It's just three cups, isn't it?"

"I'm happy today; even thirty cups would be fine."

"What fear does I, Chen, have?"

The three brothers were startled by this.

They were merely joking to liven the atmosphere, never intending Chen Yan to actually self‑punish with three cups.

Unexpectedly, Chen Yan changed his usual manner and agreed so readily.

Nevertheless, the three brothers didn't think further, assuming Chen Yan was truly happy today, hence he agreed.

"Alright!" Yu Chi Bao Lin said with a happy face, "Brother Chen, that's quick; then let's decide it happily."

Cheng Chumo jogged forward, nudging Qing'er aside, slung his arm over Chen Yan's shoulder, and raised an eyebrow at Qin Huaidao and Yu Chi Bao Lin:

"Brothers, now that the matter is settled and it's not early any more, what should we do next?"

Qin Huaidao feigned puzzlement, letting out a light 'eh', "Right, what should we do next?"

"We brothers have never married a wife, we don't know."

"How about we go ask the Crown Prince for advice?" Yu Chi Bao Lin also joined the banter, interjecting at the right moment.

"He's married before, surely he knows the procedure."

Qing'er was about to speak, but Chen Yan stretched out his hand to stop her.

He, having mixed with them for so long, knew exactly what the three were scheming.

Chen Yan waved his hand broadly, "Do we still need the Crown Prince?"

"I know?"

The three brothers, with teasing in their eyes, said in unison, "What is it?"

"What else could it be? Of course we're going to fetch the bride," Chen Yan replied instantly, showing no hint of embarrassment.

"Oh?" Cheng Chumo laughed loudly, "Whose bride are we fetching?"

"Isn't that obvious? Of course we're fetching my bride, Chen Yan's."

"Hahaha, alright, alright, brothers, what are we waiting for? Let's go help Zi Anxiong fetch the bride?"

"That's only natural, let's go!"

"......"

The news of Chen Yan and Princess Gao Yang's grand wedding had already spread.

So, even though it was still early, the main street had already been cleared by the Imperial Guard into a path, a vivid red carpet laid on the ground, and on both sides of the road gathered many townsfolk eager to watch the spectacle or share in the joy.

Suddenly, festive drums and gongs sounded, growing louder from afar.

"Listen, Lord Bo's wedding procession seems to have arrived."

"Indeed, I heard it too. The Emperor marrying off his daughter is truly grand."

"Look, can the Emperor's daughter's marriage be anything but grand? See the red carpet below; it's laid all the way from Lord Bo's house to the palace, so festive."

"Hey, stop talking, I see the wedding procession... Look, the one up front is Lord Bo, right?"

The townsfolk chattered, all craning their necks at that remark, eager to see what Lord Bo, who could marry the princess, looked like.

The wedding procession slowly approached; Chen Yan rode a white horse gifted by Qin Qiong, clad in a crimson gauze robe, striding proudly at the forefront.

Behind him followed Cheng Chumo and his two brothers, also on horseback, then the musical troupe, and the maids scattering red blossoms.

When they approached, many bold townspeople shouted congratulations, and Chen Yan also returned their greetings with clasped hands one by one.

At this moment, Cheng Chumo loudly said: "Today is my brother's great joyous day; since you have all come here, you should share in the happiness."

Having said that, he reached into a red pouch on the horse's back and pulled out a large handful of copper coins, scattering them directly.

Qin Huaidao and Yu Chi Bao Lin, unwilling to be outdone, likewise prepared and, laughing, scattered the coins from their pouches to both sides.

Chen Yan gave a knowing smile, merely urging the townspeople not to scramble, lest they fall, and then said no more.

As the coins fell, the entire street instantly became lively.

The townspeople did not rush to grab them, for this was merely a custom; the money was not much, just meant to let everyone share in the joy.

Those with fate will naturally obtain it.

Amidst the lively blessings and laughter, the procession advanced, beating drums and gongs all the way.

Soon, they arrived at their destination for this journey—outside the Tai Ji Palace.

Wushe followed by two eunuchs, slowly walked out from inside the Tai Ji Palace.

Upon seeing Chen Yan leading the wedding procession ahead, he gave a faint smile and said: "Marquis of Weinan, congratulations."

Chen Yan knew the procedure, was not surprised by Wushe's appearance, and smilingly said: "Thank you, Grandfather Wushe."

"Grandfather, are you going to read the imperial edict?"

At the same time, the rear palace was also adorned with lanterns and decorations.

Princess Gao Yang wore a jeweled hairpin ceremonial robe, donned a floral hairpin crown, changed from her usual laziness or arrogance, sat properly before a bronze mirror, and looked at her reflection with a complex expression.

"......"