Chapter 234: Extra: Grand Wedding

Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, three years have passed.

The candles in the Xuanjing Division flickered. Xie Shouzheng had just finished reviewing the files and summoned his subordinates to set the work for tomorrow before saying: "The work is done for today, let's disperse."

Dami rolled his eyes at the files and whispered to the air: "This job, getting up earlier than a chicken, sleeping later than a ghost, and working overtime is not even as good as being a rat."

Xie Shouzheng's ears moved: "Dami, what are you grumbling about?"

Dami shrank his neck, and a smile instantly piled up on his face: "How could I be complaining? I was praising you, sir, for being diligent, selfless, and dedicated to your work, even outlasting the ghosts. You are worthy of being the number one model worker of our Xuanjing Division!"

"Cut the crap!" Xie Shouzheng threw the files away and said, "Don't think I can't hear you! Today is the Zhongyuan Festival, so what if we are busy? Do you expect ghosts to come and handle cases for you? Get out, get out, all go back to sleep!"

While speaking, he caught a glimpse of Hong Yao taking her hat and walking out, and he immediately retracted his anger and followed her in two or three steps.

"Hong Yao, tonight is the Ghost Festival, it's easy to bump into ghosts. Why don't I send you back?"

Dami rolled his eyes and leaned over with a grin: "Sir, why don't you send me along the way, actually I'm quite timid too."

Xie Shouzheng couldn't help but kick him: "Get lost, if you can't sleep, go find your rat brothers to play with!"

Dami ran away with a giggle.

At this moment, Hong Yao really wanted to say: "Do you think people like us would be afraid of ghosts?"

But when she met Xie Shouzheng's sincere eyes, she swallowed the sarcastic words and asked instead: "Today the clouds are light and the wind is gentle, why don't we walk back?"

Xie Shouzheng smiled diligently: "I also think today is a beautiful scene, suitable for a walk."

The night was like ink, and the smell of incense still lingered in the air. The nearby residents had long since fallen asleep, but at every intersection, one could occasionally see food and residual incense ashes for sacrificing to ghosts.

Ordinary people have many taboos and would never wander out in the middle of the night on such days.

But Xie Shouzheng and Hong Yao were not ordinary people, so they didn't feel afraid at all, chatting as they walked.

Xie Shouzheng had a lot to say, chatting from official business to his days as a wolf.

Hong Yao listened silently, responding only occasionally.

As Xie Shouzheng talked, he felt a bit cold, so he asked again: "Hong Yao, are you hungry? Why don't we go have a midnight snack before going back?"

Hong Yao was silent for a moment, then suddenly said: "Lord Xie, I was married before."

Xie Shouzheng said: "I knew that long ago. Back then, in order to help you take revenge, I, His Highness, and Deputy Envoy Lin were all caught in the mine, and unexpectedly, it later involved the Hongyu Case. Fortunately, there was no danger later, and the villains were brought to justice."

"..."

Speaking of this, he couldn't help but feel melancholy: "Hey, I wonder if His Highness and Deputy Envoy Lin are doing well? His Highness is really something, leaving for three years without a word, making me miss them day and night."

Hong Yao said: "Isn't the Emperor seriously ill? They should be back soon."

Xie Shouzheng said: "I hope His Highness won't leave again after coming back this time. Hey, by the way, what did you want to say when you mentioned the past just now?"

Seeing that he was a bit slow, Hong Yao couldn't help but sigh, deciding it was better to open the skylight and speak clearly.

"Since I arrived at the Xuanjing Division, you have taken care of me often, and I am very grateful. In my heart, you are both a teacher and a friend. But... that is all."

These past few years, Xie Shouzheng had taken special care of Hong Yao. Hong Yao was a smart woman and could naturally sense his feelings.

But she had had a failed marriage, which had caused extremely tragic consequences.

Her heart had long been covered in wounds, and she originally had no attachment to the world. It wasn't until later, because of Lin Qingyue, that she entered the Xuanjing Division and regained new vitality.

Therefore, it was impossible for her to fall in love with anyone again.

Xie Shouzheng was stunned for a moment, suddenly realizing he had been rejected, and smiled bitterly: "I was just thinking about finding an opportunity to confess to you. As a result, before I could open my mouth, you rejected me."

He said seriously: "So what if you were married before? Meeting the wrong person is not your fault, why trap yourself in the mistakes of the past?"

He pointed forward, "Look at the people in this world, there are good people and bad people, you just accidentally met the wrong person. Why not let yourself go and start a new life? It doesn't matter if you don't accept me for a while, anyway, there is a long way to go, wait until you think I, Xiao Hui, am worth it, and we will live together. If you don't think so... I think that's impossible. Hehe."

Hong Yao didn't speak, looking blankly in the direction he pointed—a carriage, driving from the street in the middle of the night.

No coachman, only a horse walking along.

Hong Yao said: "That carriage... seems a bit familiar."

Xie Shouzheng sniffed, smelling a familiar scent, and his two wolf eyes instantly lit up.

"Your Highness—"

Dongfang Qi had just lifted the curtain to get off the carriage when a figure rushed toward him like an arrow from a bow.

Dongfang Qi couldn't react in time and fell to the ground with a "thump."

"Your Highness, you're finally back, I missed you so much! Awoo—my Highness... ah, Your Highness, why aren't you speaking?"

Dongfang Qi said with difficulty: "Xiao Hui, get up, don't you know how heavy you are?"

Xie Shouzheng then reluctantly climbed off Dongfang Qi and diligently helped his master up: "I'm really sorry, Your Highness, I didn't expect you to be so weak, unable to even withstand this little impact."

"What weak?" Dongfang Qi was very angry, Lin Qingyue was right there, and he was being told this by Xie Shouzheng, he had no face left.

"I was just about to step off the carriage when you rushed up, so I lost my balance and fell, it has nothing to do with being weak!"

Xie Shouzheng now turned into a little milk dog, chattering about his lovesickness during this period.

Hong Yao watched from the side and shook her head: How could a perfectly good Lord Xie change completely when he met His Highness the Crown Prince?

Lin Qingyue also got off the carriage and called out: "Hong Yao."

Hong Yao hurriedly stepped forward to salute, but was stopped by Lin Qingyue: "Alright, there's no need to be so formal between us."

Several people found a nearby tavern to chat.

Xie Shouzheng reported to Dongfang Qi about the development of the Xuanjing Division during this period, as well as the trends in the imperial court.

Hong Yao reported to Lin Qingyue about how she had helped her manage her industries over the years.

Lin Qingyue listened simply and said: "You've worked hard these years."

Hong Yao's eyes instantly turned red: "Deputy Envoy Lin, what are you saying? If I hadn't met you back then, helped me take revenge, and recommended me to the Xuanjing Division, how could I have such a good life today?"

Lin Qingyue smiled: "I have long since left the Xuanjing Division, why do you still call me Deputy Envoy Lin?"

Xie Shouzheng interjected: "Originally, the position of Deputy Envoy could have been filled by Hong Yao. She assisted me in handling many cases and made repeated contributions. In terms of seniority and strength, she is fully qualified. But Hong Yao said that it was your position, and one day you would come back to continue fighting side by side with us."

Hong Yao said: "Anyway, it's all about handling cases, it doesn't make much difference whether I have this title or not. Now that you are back, you shouldn't be leaving again, right?"

Lin Qingyue didn't speak, just turned her eyes to look at Dongfang Qi.

These three years, she and Dongfang Qi had been wandering around, having traveled through all 26 countries in the Western Regions, enjoying the customs of different countries. Of course, they occasionally encountered evil spirits making trouble, and the two of them could easily deal with them by working together.

Recently, Dongfang Qi suddenly received news that the Emperor of Qi was seriously ill, so they rushed back under the stars.

"Xiao Hui, how is my father's health?"

Xie Shouzheng lowered his eyes, seemingly not wanting to answer: "Why don't... you go see for yourself."

Seeing his expression, Dongfang Qi became even more uneasy and stood up suddenly: "I'll go to the palace first."

Lin Qingyue said: "I'll go with you."

Dongfang Qi said: "You have been traveling for many days, rest tonight first. Besides, it's too late now, the palace gates are locked, and it's inconvenient to enter and exit."

Lin Qingyue thought it was true, and she and Dongfang Qi were not married yet, so sneaking into the palace in the middle of the night to visit a patient might scare the old father-in-law.

So she said: "Then I'll go back to Lan Yuan and come to the palace to find you early tomorrow morning."

Dongfang Qi nodded: "Good." 【2

After night falls in the Imperial Palace, the palace gates are tightly shut; unless there is a major military emergency, they generally cannot be opened at will.

Dongfang Qi did not want to cause a great stir, so he channeled his spiritual power and leaped with ease, deep into the palace like a flying swallow.

The Emperor's bedchamber was dim and gloomy, with a single lamp flickering like a bean.

Dongfang Qi pushed the door open and entered; the hall was empty and desolate, without even a night watchman.

A wave of sadness washed over Dongfang Qi: for the past three years, he had been traveling abroad and had failed to share his Imperial Father's burdens; he was truly unworthy of being a son.

He gently lifted the bed curtains, wanting to see how his Imperial Father's health was.

Qi Zhaodi suddenly opened his eyes and roared in a booming voice: "There is an assassin! Protect the Emperor!"

The next moment, guards wielding blades and swords burst through the door. Just as they were about to strike, Dongfang Qi shouted: "I am the Crown Prince!"

Qi Zhaodi now saw clearly who was before him and hurriedly said: "Is it really my son who has returned? Everyone withdraw, withdraw!"

After everyone had withdrawn, Qi Zhaodi said indignantly: "You left for three years without returning, and now that you've finally come back, you didn't even send word. Standing at the head of my bed in the middle of the night, do you want to scare your Imperial Father to death?"

Seeing that his voice was full of vigor, Dongfang Qi immediately grew suspicious: "Imperial Father, are you not critically ill? How... Imperial Father, you were actually deceiving your son!"

Qi Zhaodi hurriedly coughed a few times in a performative manner before saying:

"It is like this: I caught a cold a few days ago, with both a high fever and a cough; I almost went to see your Imperial Mother. So, Imperial Father... well, it wasn't exactly an exaggeration. I have been a bit better these past two days... ah, not completely better, I still have a cough. The imperial physician said I cannot be overworked and must rest more."

Seeing Dongfang Qi looking at him in silence, Qi Zhaodi immediately grew angry: "Yes, I lied to you. So what if I lied to you? If I didn't lie to you, would you never have come back? Or were you planning to wait until I was on my deathbed to come back and see me one last time?"

"Imperial Father..."

"Do not call me Imperial Father! I do not have an unfilial son like you! As the Crown Prince of a nation, you want neither the empire nor your Imperial Father, only a beauty?"

On this matter, Dongfang Qi was indeed somewhat in the wrong.

Regardless of how deep his feelings for Lin Qingyue were, and regardless of what their identities were in their past lives.

But in this life, he was born the Crown Prince of Qi, shouldering the heavy responsibilities of family and country, and thus could not act on his own whims.

"Imperial Father, abandoning the burden of the Crown Prince was indeed this son's fault. However, we never intended to leave and never return. Originally, Yueyue and my plan was to take advantage of the fact that you are still young and travel for a few years before returning."

These past three years, they traveled in all directions. Walking here and there, they actually liked Qi Guo the most.

Qi Zhaodi, who had been full of grievances, felt his anger dissipate quite a bit after being well-persuaded by his son.

"In any case, you must always remember your identity and responsibilities. You must never be so willful again!"

Dongfang Qi smiled: "Very well, this son will be a good Crown Prince and share your burdens, Imperial Father."

Qi Zhaodi happily punched his son: "At least you have a conscience!"

"Since that is the case, your marriage should also be arranged."

"Then, regarding Yueyue and me... you don't object, do you, Imperial Father?"

Qi Zhaodi glared at him: "How could I object? You've already abandoned your home and country for her; how could I still object?"

Dongfang Qi said: "Then allow me to go and ask Yueyue."

Qi Zhaodi was even angrier: "What, could she possibly disagree? Don't tell me you've been together for three years and you still haven't made her fall head over heels for you!"

Dongfang Qi laughed: "We are naturally of one heart and share life and death. It is just that she is free-spirited by nature and may not be willing to marry into the royal family and be constrained. Besides..."

He paused and did not continue. Otherwise, if his Imperial Father knew that Lin Qingyue liked men to marry into her family, he feared it would anger his Imperial Father to death.

Although Qi Zhaodi had many complaints, this son was his only seedling, his only heir; what else could he do?

The next morning, just as Lin Qingyue finished washing and dressing, Dongfang Qi arrived.

He shook the food box in his hand and smiled: "I brought you some imperial cuisine, all the flavors you like. Eat while it's hot!"

Lin Qingyue asked him: "How is your Imperial Father's health? I thought you would be detained in the palace and unable to leave, and I was even thinking of going into the palace to see him."

Dongfang Qi said while setting out the food: "He is fine; he just feigned illness to get us to come back."

Lin Qingyue gave an "en" and began to eat: "This jade steamed cake is not bad."

Seeing her indifferent reaction, Dongfang Qi was actually somewhat surprised: "What? Are you not surprised at all?"

Lin Qingyue said: "If your Imperial Father were truly critically ill, he wouldn't be making such a big fuss about it everywhere. Also, when you asked Xie Shouzheng yesterday, his eyes were clearly evasive. It is just that you were concerned, and as the saying goes, the bystander sees more clearly than the player."

Dongfang Qi asked: "Then why didn't you say so earlier?"

Lin Qingyue picked up a piece of jade steamed cake for him: "You would have known once you saw him, so why should I have said more? You should eat something too."

Dongfang Qi said: "Regardless of the past life, in this life, he is my biological father, and he is advanced in years, so I want to spend more time with him."

"Ordinary humans have short lifespans; it is good to spend more time with him." Lin Qingyue looked at him and smiled, "I will stay with you."

Dongfang Qi took Lin Qingyue's hand: "Since that is the case, you should give me a status, right? In our past life, although we were husband and wife for ten years, we never formally married. In this life, are you willing to marry me?"

He looked at her, his eyes gentle and burning: "I take the empire as my betrothal gift, promising you supreme power and freedom, to be my wife, Dongfang Qi's only wife. Is that alright?"

Lin Qingyue held his cheeks and kissed him lightly: "Alright."

She was always free and unrestrained, yet she was willing to settle down for him alone.

The sweet osmanthus outside the courtyard bloomed quietly, the trees full of gold, their fragrance drifting for ten thousand miles.

The Crown Prince's wedding rituals were complex, requiring an announcement to the world and a grand banquet for all officials, with many rites to be fully prepared.

To celebrate with the people, Qi Zhaodi specially issued an edict to exempt them from three years of taxes.

Once this decree benefiting the people was issued, the commoners were all jubilant, and their favor for the Crown Prince rose step by step.

After half a year of preparation, the wedding day finally arrived.

The ceremony was magnificent and extraordinary; all the civil and military officials gathered to observe the rites, and the people of the capital celebrated along the streets.

For this, Qi Zhaodi specially lifted the curfew, allowing the capital to be brightly lit all night, with officials and commoners celebrating together in a night of revelry, a scene of a prosperous age.

Lin Qingyue had lived two lifetimes, and this was her first time marrying properly—the absurd farce with Dongfang Yan before naturally did not count.

Before the sky was fully bright, she was surrounded by palace maids to dress and groom.

Looking at the unfamiliar phoenix crown in the bronze mirror, the pearls were dazzling and the gemstones shimmered—the weight made her neck ache, yet it was far less heavy than the imperial crown of her past life.

The wedding dress, embroidered with dragons and phoenixes, was layered and extremely luxurious, making her look even more beautiful.

When the bright red bridal veil fell, blocking out the light before her, she was helped onto the phoenix carriage.

The long wedding procession was so long that one could not see the end of it.

Lin Qingyue sat in the carriage, hearing the drums and music of the procession, and the voices of the people at both ends of the long street surged like a tide.

Her hearing was excellent, and she could clearly hear the cheers of those commoners.

Some called her "Crown Princess," some called her "Princess Chaolan," and others shouted "Deputy Envoy Lin."

Yet in every form of address, there was an abundance of the commoners' heartfelt blessings and support.

The corners of her lips curled up involuntarily, and joy spread bit by bit in her heart.

In this life, she had finally shaken off all her sins and become someone truly blessed by others.

By the time the series of cumbersome rituals ended, the lanterns were already lit.

She was sent to the bedchamber of the Eastern Palace and was just preparing to lie down and rest for a while.

The head matron hurriedly said: "His Highness the Crown Prince has not yet arrived; Your Highness cannot lie down and ruin your clothes. And the veil, the veil cannot be removed either!"

Lin Qingyue could not help but ask: "When will Dongfang Qi come?"

Being stifled under the veil for a whole day, she was truly somewhat annoyed.

The matron said: "The Crown Prince is drinking at the wedding banquet. Generally speaking, it will take at least another hour or two for the banquet to end, and then the Crown Prince will return. Your Highness, do not be anxious, just wait a little longer."

Who knew that just as the words fell, a loud announcement came from outside: "His Highness the Crown Prince returns to the palace!"

Soon, hurried footsteps entered the room.

"Everyone withdraw."

Dongfang Qi dismissed all the attendants in the hall, the candlelight casting long shadows behind him.

When he walked to Lin Qingyue, his fingertips trembled slightly, carrying the anticipation and nervousness of a young man, fearing that everything before him was just a mirage.

"Isn't the banquet supposed to last another hour or two? Why have you returned so early?"

Only when Lin Qingyue's voice reached his ears did he regain some sense of reality—they were truly married, a couple, never to be separated in this life!

"The banquet has indeed not ended yet." Dongfang Qi held her hand and kissed it lightly, his voice gentle to the extreme: "But how could I bear to let you wait for me too long?"

"Yueyue..." He raised his hand, his fingertips hovering at the edge of the veil for a moment before carefully lifting a corner, seeing a face with exquisite makeup, beautiful beyond compare.

Dongfang Qi's Adam's apple moved, and he was so stunned he forgot how to speak, only sighing after a long while: "My wife... is very beautiful."

Lin Qingyue's eyes shifted, she looked up gracefully, her eyes filled with the fragmented light of the candles.

He was wearing a bright red wedding robe today, his hair tied with a golden crown, his brows and eyes full of lingering tenderness.

She could not help but curve her lips: "My husband as well."

The dragon and phoenix candle wicks burst with tiny sparks, casting their shadows onto the canopy, gradually overlapping.

He reached out to wrap his arms around her slender waist and was about to untie the sash when a ghost-like wailing suddenly came from outside the hall: "Your Highness! Are you abandoning Xiao Hui now that you've married a wife? Boohoo—"

Dongfang Qi's brows suddenly furrowed, the lingering tenderness in his eyes instantly replaced by helplessness: "This fellow Xiao Hui, what is he going crazy about again!"

He patted Lin Qingyue's hand, "I will be right back."

As soon as he opened the door, he saw Xie Shouzheng reeking of alcohol, his eyes unfocused, hugging a pillar and wailing:

"Boohoo, my Highness is getting married, I should be happy, but when I think that I can't climb into His Highness's bed anymore, I... I... boohoo, my Highness! Hey, Highness, why have you suddenly grown so tall, like a... pillar?"

Dongfang Qi: "..."

"Xiao Hui, look at the state you're in!"

Xie Shouzheng said in confusion: "Hey, that's not right, why is His Highness's voice coming from behind my head?"

Dongfang Qi angrily knocked on his head: "I am right here, what are you doing hugging a pillar?"

Xie Shouzheng looked at the pillar in his arms, then looked at the person behind him, and let out a hiccup: "Uh... why are there two Highnesses? Could someone be an impostor?"

So he pointed shakily at Dongfang Qi: "Bold villain, who are you to dare impersonate the current Crown Prince? You're courting death..."

He threw a punch, but before he could hit anyone, he tripped and fell.

Dongfang Qi could not bear to look; for a moment, he even regretted picking him up all those years ago.

He was clearly a fluffy, cute wolf back then, how did he grow up so crooked now?

Fortunately, Hong Yao appeared in time and dragged him away.

Dongfang Qi closed the door and returned to the bedside, muttering: "Should I go back to the mountains and find a female wolf?"

In previous years, Dongfang Qi had thought about introducing a partner to Xie Shouzheng, but Xie Shouzheng did not seem interested in human girls.

Lin Qingyue pursed her lips and smiled: "Why go to such trouble? Can't you see that he likes Hong Yao?"

"Is that so?" Dongfang Qi was stunned, then laughed, "This wolf and fox are quite a match, should we play matchmaker?"

Lin Qingyue twisted the sash of his wedding robe with her fingertips, her eyes dancing with a charming smile: "Hong Yao has had her heart broken before, how could she open up easily? But looking at how she is with Xie Shouzheng, there is some affection hidden in her eyes."

Her watery eyes looked at him intensely, her tone certain, "They are both in the Xuanjing Division, meeting every day, seeing each other constantly; why would they need anyone else to play matchmaker? As time goes by, it will naturally come to fruition."

Hooked by her gaze, Dongfang Qi's heart fluttered; how could he care about anything else?

He suddenly leaned in close, his warm breath sweeping across her neck, his voice low and hoarse as if soaked in honey, "Then... let us finish this matter that will naturally come to fruition."

He lifted her chin with his fingertips, his tone carrying a hint of cunning indulgence: "Tonight... I also ask Your Majesty to treat this Prince with care."

In front of others, he was the dignified and upright Crown Prince, the future monarch who would rule the world.

But at this moment, with the candle shadows swaying inside the canopy, he preferred to lean against her ear and call her "Your Majesty" in a tone only the two of them understood, just like the time they spent together at Yun Gong.

《End of Side Story》