Chapter 465 The Marriage of the Carefree King

Time flies by, the autumn air is crisp and clear, the chrysanthemums in the Imperial Garden are in full bloom, and the air is filled with the faint fragrance of osmanthus.

It was that time of year again when tributes from all over the country were sent to the capital. This time, Huo Lin barely even glanced at them before ordering them all to be sent to Weiyang Palace for Jiang Huan to choose from.

As expected, Jiang Huan immediately asked for the hairy crab with its green shell, white belly, golden claws, and yellow hair.

That afternoon, Huo Lin specially postponed his afternoon government affairs and held a small banquet in the warm pavilion of Weiyang Palace.

On the rosewood carved table, there are plates of steamed hairy crabs, their color turning bright red and their aroma filling the air. Next to them are warm Shaoxing wine, ginger and vinegar dishes, and a few refreshing side dishes.

Huo Lin rolled up his sleeves, picked up a plump crab, and skillfully began to disassemble it.

He first gently cracked open the crab shell with his crab claws, revealing the plump crab roe inside. Then, he carefully picked out the crab meat bit by bit with a silver skewer, dipped it in a little ginger vinegar, and naturally brought it to Jiang Huan's lips.

"Ah—" he gestured for her to open her mouth.

Jiang Huan was stunned for a moment, looking at the emperor's focused profile, her face slightly flushed.

Although they have been married for a long time and have children, his unintentional thoughtfulness always makes her heart race.

She obediently opened her mouth and ate it, the sweet and fresh taste exploding in her mouth, and she squinted her eyes happily.

"More!" she mumbled in praise.

Huo Lin's smile deepened as he continued to dismantle the crab, carefully picking out the fattest crab meat and roe, piling them on a small plate, and pushing it in front of Jiang Huan.

Look at that satisfied little face; it gives me far more satisfaction than having to approve ten memorials.

[Speaking of which, she peeled crabs for me in the same way at the palace banquet last year. I was so hungry then that my stomach was practically sticking to my back, and my eyes widened when I saw the crab meat she had peeled.]

Looking back now, it was all worth enduring hunger and thirst; otherwise, how could I have discovered such a treasure?

Hearing Huo Lin's thoughts, Jiang Huan couldn't help but curl her lips into a smile, inwardly scoffing.

She has the nerve to say that? If he hadn't been sitting there radiating coldness and staring intently at the crab, would she have had to bite the bullet and peel the crab for him under Consort Yu's murderous gaze?

However, it was because of that incident that she discovered she could hear his thoughts, which led to a series of events that followed.

Thinking about it this way, the crab actually became their matchmaker.

The two of them, one unpacking and the other eating, occasionally exchanging a few words in hushed tones, creating a warm and harmonious atmosphere.

Just as Jiang Huan was thinking about whether to take Huo Lin for a walk in the Imperial Garden after eating the crab, to enjoy some time alone together, a baby's cry came from outside the palace.

"Your Highness, the little prince is awake and is crying for you!" The wet nurse stood at the door, holding a chubby baby with a delicate and beautiful appearance, looking troubled.

Well, our romantic getaway for two is ruined.

Jiang Huan reluctantly put down the crab leg and reached out to take her son.

This little guy is not even a year old, but he clings to her very much, especially when he wakes up and he will cry if he can't see her.

Huo Lin frowned as he looked at his son, who had instantly taken up Jiang Huan's arms.

Is this little rascal really my own son?

Why do you always wake up at times like this? I finally have some time alone with your mother!

[What a terrible father! He's either dealing with official business or vying with his son for his mother's attention all day long.]

Hearing his sour thoughts, Jiang Huan almost burst out laughing. She quickly lowered her head and buried her face in the little guy's soft hair to hide her upturned lips.

The little one stopped crying immediately when he was in his mother's arms.

Just as Huo Lin was pondering how to properly dispose of this little light bulb, Wang Degui's voice rang out again from outside the hall.

"Your Majesty, His Highness Prince Xiaoyao requests an audience."

Huo Lin: ...

[So, it seems we're destined to have a ruined meal today? One by one, they've all come to cause trouble as if they'd planned it all. My son had just calmed down, and now my uncle is here!]

Or is it that my face screams "Welcome to bother me"?

Just then, Huo Yunxing strode in, his voice preceding his arrival.

"Oh, you're having a meal? These crabs are really plump!" He was always casual in front of Huo Lin and Jiang Huan, and at this moment he was even more unceremonious, sitting down on his own.

Huo Lin glanced at him and said coldly, "What brings you here at this hour, Imperial Uncle?"

Huo Yunxing chuckled, rubbed his hands together, and couldn't hide his joy.

“It’s because the wedding with Ayina is getting closer, and we want to finalize some details. You see, could the wedding procession and the wedding route be made even more elaborate? And what about the arrangements for the guards on the day…”

Huo Lin felt a vein throb on his forehead. Ever since the wedding date was set, his imperial uncle had become a frequent visitor to Weiyang Palace, seeking his instructions on everything, big or small. His enthusiasm was simply outrageous.

Here we go again! Doesn't the Imperial Uncle have his own residence? He's always running to the palace.

[I think he's not here to discuss marriage; he's here to freeload and show off.]

"It's just getting a wife, right? Look how smug he is. When I got married... I was probably even a little more excited than him?"

[No, that was solemnity, that was importance placed on it; you can't compare them like that!]

As Jiang Huan listened to his inner rant, she tried hard to suppress her laughter, her shoulders trembling slightly.

After Huo Lin finally managed to get rid of the carefree prince who was preoccupied with the details of the wedding, the little guy finally fell asleep again in Jiang Huan's arms.

The days flew by in this sweet yet busy routine, and before they knew it, it was time for the wedding of Prince Huo Yunxing and Princess Ayina of the Northern Desert.

This wedding was a grand event for the entire nation.

It not only represents a good match, but also symbolizes the formal alliance between Daliang and Mobei. The previously negotiated border trade agreement is also officially announced to the world on this occasion, which is of great significance.

The wedding was extremely grand, with a ten-mile-long procession of red bridal procession, and people lining the streets to watch the ceremony, cheering incessantly.

The bride, Ayina, wore a bright red wedding dress, looking radiant and dazzling. She accepted every toast offered, displaying the hearty and generous nature of a woman from the grasslands.

Huo Yunxing watched in alarm, whispering advice from time to time: "Drink slowly, drink slowly, take care of your health."

Ayina raised an eyebrow and glared at him, her tone still sharp: "What? You look down on us daughters of the Northern Desert? What's a little wine!"

Despite this, she smiled and obediently slowed down, letting Huo Yunxing help her avoid drinking a lot of alcohol.

The wedding night pranks were even more hilarious.

The matchmaker smiled and picked up a candied date, tied it with a thin red thread, and held it between the two of them.

"Your Highness, Your Highness, according to the customs of our Great Liang, these love dates must be bitten into by the couple with one heart, so that they can have a sweet and happy life and have a son soon!"

Huo Yunxing smiled and agreed, and Ayina, following local customs, nodded as well.

"Come."

At the matchmaker's command, Huo Yunxing leaned forward slightly in compliance, but Ayina was impatient. Seeing the jujube swaying, she took a bite as soon as she saw it.

But the date was tied with a red thread, and when she bit into it, the date bounced off, and she only bit into a clump of air.

"Hey!" Ayina was not convinced and tried again. This time she was even faster, but the matchmaker who held the string was also experienced. With a slight flick of her wrist, the date nimbly dodged away again.

After failing to bite the date twice in a row, Ayina's stubbornness flared up. She frowned, disregarded all the rules, and reached out to grab the date.

"Why go through all this trouble? Just give it to me!"

"Oh no! No, no, no!"

Huo Yunxing reacted quickly, grabbing her wrist with a helpless smile in his eyes, and coaxed her in a low voice, "Be patient, this is the rule, for good luck, take it slow."

His voice was gentle and full of doting affection, which immediately drew good-natured laughter from the surrounding guests.

Ayina held his hand, listened to the laughter of the crowd, glared at him, but ultimately did not touch him directly again, only muttering softly.

"You guys have so many rules..."

Huo Yunxing suppressed a laugh, gave the matchmaker a wink, and then turned his head to approach Ayina.

"Listen to me, okay? I'll count to three, and together we'll definitely get it."

He was very close, his warm breath brushing against Ayina's ear, carrying a faint scent of wine.

Ayina's face flushed slightly, and her anxiety subsided somewhat. She gave a soft "hmm."

"Okay, look at me, don't look at the dates, look into my eyes." Huo Yunxing's voice softened, and he looked at her intently, as if the noisy crowd around them didn't exist.

Ayina subconsciously looked into his eyes, where her image was clearly reflected, filled with tenderness.

"one two three."

As Huo Yunxing finished counting softly, the two of them stepped forward at the same time.

This time, Ayina didn't exert herself recklessly. Following Huo Yunxing's guidance, she moved closer precisely, and Huo Yunxing also tilted his head slightly.

Their soft lips touched gently through the sweet dates.

The sweet aroma of dates filled the air, but even clearer than the dates were the breaths of two people so close together, and the undisguised affection in their eyes.

"Good! You got it!"

"United in heart and mind, sweet and happy!"

May you have a son soon and grow old together!

The guests cheered, their laughter nearly lifting the roof off.

The matchmaker smiled as she cut the red thread, and the jujube, symbolizing sweetness and fulfillment, was finally shared by the two.

Ayina quickly stepped back a little, two blushes rising on her cheeks, making her look especially beautiful in the candlelight.

She chewed the half-eaten date in her mouth, trying to appear calm, but couldn't hide the slight upturn of her lips.

Huo Yunxing slowly ate his half of the date, and looking at her unusually shy expression, he felt his heart overflow with joy.

Their eyes met again unintentionally, and at that moment, they exchanged a tacit understanding of sweetness.