Chapter 149: Gao Yang cried

"Princess, Princess, Wei...... Imperial son-in-law has arrived at Tai Ji Palace, are you ready?"

"At this moment, her personal attendant Xiang Lan rushed in, her face full of joy as she reported."

"Heaven only knows how long she had waited for this moment, hoping and hoping, and she had finally endured until this day."

"One can imagine Xiang Lan's current mood."

"Gao Yang's eyes lit up, a hint of joy involuntarily appearing."

"With Lizhi around, how could she not want to marry over sooner?"

"Unfortunately, the date set by Emperor Taizong is today, and she can't do anything about it."

"However, the time isn't long either; compared to engagements that are often spaced months or even a year and a half apart, she's already considered very fast."

"However, now that the long-awaited moment has arrived, Gao Yang inevitably feels a bit nervous."

"Forcing herself to stay calm, she reached out and combed her hair again—who knows how many times she had done so—then checked whether her hairpin was askew."

"Princess, you really look beautiful today."

"Xiang Lan stepped forward and carefully smoothed the wrinkles that had formed on Princess Gao Yang's wedding attire from her sitting for a long time."

"Gao Yang didn't reply, glanced at herself in the bronze mirror, the corners of her mouth curling up, her mood visibly improving."

"She also thought she looked very pretty today."

"\"Since your tongue is sweet today, I'll forgive you for the several times you've blocked me. \""

Xiang Lan: "......"

"In fact, she really is somewhat different from other palace maids and female officials."

"Xiang Lan entered the palace at a young age; at that time she was meek and often bullied by the older palace maids."

"Usually, they would assign her extra chores or have her clean the living quarters."

"Xiang Lan endured that life for two full years, until later when the young Princess Gao Yang wanted to choose her own attendant; all the other palace maids dressed up nicely, hoping to be selected by Princess Gao Yang."

"Unexpectedly, Princess Gao Yang actually chose Xiang Lan at a glance, even though she was only about the same age as herself."

"From then on, Xiang Lan constantly accompanied Princess Gao Yang, serving her while also keeping her company and playing with her when bored, tolerating her little temper."

"Over the years, although they are master and servant, their feelings run deep."

"That's why Xiang Lan dared to block Princess Gao Yang multiple times."

"And Princess Gao Yang usually brings her along wherever she goes."

"Xiang Lan sighed and thought to herself, \"I, the servant, will only block you before your marriage. \""

"\"After you marry the Marquis of Weinan today, I, the servant, will not block you no matter what. \""

"Gao Yang didn't notice her expression and asked, \"By the way, has there been any news about the matter I asked you to follow? \""

"\"Does Lizhi really have no reaction? \""

"\"Replying to Your Highness the Princess, His/Her Highness of Changle really seems to have no reaction, just as usual studying embroidery. \""

"\"Then... what about the Crown Prince? \""

"\"This... \" Xiang Lan's face fell bitterly, \"Your Highness the Princess, never mind His/Her Highness of Changle, how could a servant dare to inquire about the Crown Prince's affairs? \""

"Gao Yang paused, realizing this was indeed a bit difficult for Xiang Lan, she pondered for a moment and let out a long breath."

"Forget it, anyway she is going to marry Chen Yan today."

"Once the marriage is consummated, she only needs to keep an eye on Chen Yan at all times, not giving Lizhi a chance to get close."

"At the same time, she must find a way to firmly capture Chen Yan's heart in a short time."

"That way, even if she truly ends up in the situation she least wants to see, she can still take the initiative in the future and then slowly deal with Lizhi."

"\"Your Majesty, the Empress is arriving. \""

"Suddenly, a sharp voice rang out from outside......"

"......"

"Outside Tai Ji Palace, after Chen Yan heard Wushe finish reading the imperial edict, he was led by an official of the Ministry of Rites and, accompanied by the imperial guard, hurried toward Princess Gao Yang's residence."

"Compared to the welcoming procession when he arrived, it was even more lively."

"As for the content of the edict that Wushe read, it was nothing but empty talk about how good his virtue and talent were, and then it established his nominal rank as Imperial Son-in-law Commandant."

"Because they had entered the imperial palace, Chen Yan and his companions all dismounted from their horses."

"On the way, Yu Chi Bao Lin looked around, lowered her voice to the person beside her and said, \"Hey, Lao Qin, this is still my first time entering the palace so openly. \""

"\"You shouldn't say that; the feeling really is different. \""

Qin Huai Dao: "......"

"Cheng Chumo turned and glared at Yu Chi Bao Lin, \"Bao Lin, don't talk more; if there's anything, we'll discuss it later. \""

"\"Okay, okay, I got it. \""

"Yu Chi Bao Lin realized the setting was inappropriate, so she didn't argue back with Cheng Chumo."

"Not long after, they arrived outside the palace where Princess Gao Yang resided."

"When Chen Yan arrived here, he was immediately dumbfounded."

"All he saw outside the palace were women of various appearances, all very beautiful, curiously sizing him up."

"Many princes and princesses, big and small, had the same expression."

"As for the officials of the Ministry of Rites and the various female officials, there's no need to mention them."

"Suddenly being stared at by so many pairs of eyes, even Chen Yan's thick skin could hardly hold up."

"Damn it, did Emperor Taizong summon all his wives and children?"

"What are you looking at, monkeys?"

"At that moment, an official from the Ministry of Rites came to his rescue, shouting loudly, \"Chen, the Imperial Son-in-law, has arrived! \""

"\"Please perform the goose-presenting rite, Imperial Son-in-law! \""

Tang dynasty marriage customs differ greatly from those of later eras, for example, now.

After going through the elaborate rites, Chen Yan presented the live goose he had prepared in advance, which a palace lady accepted on his behalf.

Next, it was time for her to leave the palace.

The palace doors were opened, and Xiang Lan supported Princess Gao Yang as she walked out slowly, while Li Shimin and his wife, Li Lizhi, and Li Chengqian followed behind.

Along the way, many harem concubines either spoke up with concern or gave instructions to Gao Yang.

Many princes and princesses were reluctant, and some of the younger ones even cried.

Gao Yang's temperament differs from that of other princesses; when bored she likes to play with children, and some princes and princesses have a good relationship with her.

Now that she is marrying off, the little ones naturally feel reluctant.

Faced with the concubines' concern, Gao Yang felt moved; hearing her younger siblings' cries, her eyes also reddened.

Regardless of her reputation and temperament, she is ultimately a woman.

She knows that from now on she will no longer be a person of this palace, and can no longer come and go as she used to.

When she returns again, she will be a guest.

About to step out of the hall, Gao Yang glanced briefly at the man who made her feel both love and hatred, then turned around and saw the worried yet relieved expressions of Li Shimin and Empress Changsun.

A hard-to-describe feeling welled up in her heart; Gao Yang stubbornly held back her tears and knelt down directly.

"Father Emperor, Mother Empress......"

She seemed to have thousands of words to say, but when they reached her lips, she ended up saying nothing.

"Ah~"

Li Shimin felt somewhat uneasy in his heart, but he also understood that the child had grown up and would eventually have to face this day.

He and Empress Changsun stepped forward slowly; according to protocol, he should now admonish Gao Yang.

However, the words prepared in advance by the Ministry of Rites turned into only a short sentence when they reached his lips.

"You are all good children; from now on, get along well, and do not waste the painstaking efforts of Us and your mother Empress......"

"......"