Chapter 150: Chen Yan's Most Anticipated Segment

Without much heartfelt exchange, for some reason, although Li Shimin's words were brief, Princess Gao Yang wept as if rain.

Empress Changsun bent down and, as she had when Gao Yang was a child, patted Gao Yang's head.

"From now on, you are Zi An's wife, but do not forget that within this Imperial Palace there are still your blood relatives."

"If you ever miss home, remember to come back often to visit."

The only response was a suppressed sob; Gao Yang bit her lips hard, unable to utter a word.

Then, following protocol, Empress Changsun presented Gao Yang with jewelry.

After all the procedures were completed, Gao Yang, assisted by Xiang Lan, boarded the royal wedding carriage that had been waiting for a long time.

Behind her, more than a dozen horse-drawn carriages followed.

Inside were mostly the dowry Li Shimin had prepared for her, along with her own personal belongings.

Seeing Gao Yang board the carriage, Chen Yan faced Li Shimin and his wife and bowed deeply in farewell.

Two days ago Li Shimin looked at Chen Yan with favor, but today his gaze was displeased.

He snorted coldly, waved his hand, and signaled him to scram.

Chen Yan let out a laugh, said nothing more, and followed the Ministry of Rites officials out of the palace.

After they left, many concubines and princes gradually dispersed.

Li Shimin and his wife intended to leave, but discovered a small tail following them.

"Li Lizhi, why are you following me?"

"Aren't you going to the showgirls' side?"

Li Lizhi forced an awkward smile, then swallowed her pride and said, "Ah, Gao Yang is getting married today, that daughter..."

Li Shimin: "......."

"......"

"Du Gou, what time is it? Zi An's nephew should be returning, right?"

Inside the Marquis of Weinan's residence, people came and went; Du Ruhui's wife Xiao Shi and several Duke's household ladies waited anxiously.

Du Gou wore a helpless expression, "Mother, it's still early; if we calculate, the Marquis of Weinan should be on his way back now."

"Also, you've asked this question several times already."

"Isn't this child worrying for his mother?" Xiao Shi glared at Du Gou, then called a servant standing at the door to ask whether they had seen Chen Yan return.

The answer she received left her greatly disappointed.

At that moment, Mrs. Cheng Yaojin, Cui Clan, comforted, "Don't worry, Zi An's marriage has already been announced, and since it involves a princess's wedding, the imperial guards will escort the return to the city, so no accidents will occur."

"However, at this time the guests should be arriving; shall we go outside to welcome them?"

Several Duke's household ladies' eyes lit up upon hearing this.

"Fine, let's do it this way."

Having said that, the few women rose immediately, tidied their appearance a bit, and went out.

As they had guessed, although Chen Yan's parents were absent, he still had many connections, and now many guests had arrived.

Moreover, since a princess is marrying, even people of high status must send a congratulatory gift if they cannot attend.

The entrance of the Bo Mansion was already bustling and noisy.

As each guest was ushered in, the sound of gongs and drums gradually filled everyone's ears.

Cui Clan exclaimed joyfully, "Great, it must be Zi An returning."

"Quick, quick, bring everything out for me; do not delay the main matters or the auspicious time."

When Chen Yan returned to his home doorway, a crowd immediately surrounded him.

"Congratulations, Marquis of Weinan, to have married the current princess; truly a remarkable talent."

"Hahaha, isn't that so? That's my nephew Zi An; I even held him when he was a child."

"Indeed, recalling the past, when Zi An was a month old, General Chen boasted to our brothers and held a three‑day feast. Unwittingly, many years have passed, and Zi An has grown up, taken a wife, and had children."

"Chen kid, you are the sole sprout of the Chen family; having married a delicate wife today, you must work hard to bring glory to the Chen clan."

Those words sparked loud laughter from the crowd.

Chen Yan saw many familiar faces, mostly friends of his father or subordinates he had met a few times in his youth.

When teased, he was unflinching and responded graciously one by one.

Just as they were chatting happily, Cui Clan laughed, "Alright, alright, please move inside, the auspicious time is near; we should have Zi An and Her Highness the Princess perform the entry ceremony and tie the knot."

As Mrs. Cheng Yaojin, these people still gave face and stepped back a bit.

Xiang Lan, seeing this, quickly laid out a red mat and then helped Princess Gao Yang out of the royal wedding carriage.

After Chen Yan performed a bow‑string void shot to ward off evil, Gao Yang stepped over the saddle and followed Chen Yan into the residence.

By then, the residence had already set a grand banquet, and many guests were seated.

Seeing the newlyweds pass by, people voiced their congratulations.

After some small talk, the officiant, a Ministry of Rites official, shouted, "The auspicious time has arrived; Imperial son‑in‑law, please stand on the east steps facing west. Princess, please stand on the west steps facing east!"

Chen Yan suddenly felt a headache; after all this horse‑stepping, the wedding ceremony was finally near.

All the way, his face was about to split from smiling.

Gao Yang remained calm, completing each step with him; despite the cumbersome procedures, she showed no displeasure.

After the ceremony, the officiant called again, "The rites are complete; Imperial son‑in‑law and Princess, please perform the cup‑blending ceremony."

The cup‑blending ceremony, also known as the interlocking cups, uses a golden goblet to hold the wine.

Chen Yan took the golden goblet brought by the Ministry of Rites staff, glanced at the opposite Gao Yang, and a strange feeling rose within him.

He recalled that when he first learned he was to marry Gao Yang, it felt as if the heavens had collapsed, and he kept trying to find a way to call off the marriage.

He never expected that the next day Gao Yang would slam the door on him.

During this time, the two have been horsing around, and they've actually reached the point where they no longer object to this marriage.

Now they even have to drink the wedding wine in front of all the guests and elders.

No matter how you think about it, it's just strange, alright?

As for Princess Gao Yang opposite, she was secretly scheming how to gain control over Chen Yan in the future.

Thus, their arms intertwined, each drank half the wine, then they exchanged the golden cups.

Symbolizing sharing weal and woe.

Next, it was Fang Xuanling's turn to appear; he is a senior minister beside Li Shimin and has a good relationship with Chen Yan.

He is here precisely by Li Shimin's order to preside over the wedding feast, and all officials need to come here to present gifts.

The Bureau of Music will also perform song and dance to liven up the wedding feast.

The gifts presented, including Princess Gao Yang's dowry and Chen Yan's betrothal gifts, are supervised and recorded throughout by the Ministry of Rites and the Ancestral Temple.

After a whole day, the Weinan Bo Fu was bustling nonstop; aside from occasionally slacking off, Chen Yan spent the time accompanying the guests, chatting and drinking.

Everyone was about to wear him out from exhaustion.

Chen Yan had thought marriage would be tiring, but he hadn't expected it to be this exhausting.

Never mind the tiredness; the rules are damn numerous to death.

After much anticipation, as evening fell, finally came the segment Chen Yan had most looked forward to.

Amidst teasing and joking, he was pushed into the bridal chamber.

In the festively decorated room, Princess Gao Yang sat upright on the bed; seeing him enter, she gave a faint smile.

"Husband, shall we get straight to the point..."

"Or shall we get straight to the point?"

"..."