Chapter Sixty-Two: The Wedding is Coming Soon

Li Bao'er was sent back to the Prime Minister's residence by Yuan Ting. After leaving the valley, Mu Cenlin left first.

Late that night, the Prime Minister's residence was already quiet, but it was awakened by a series of urgent and orderly knocks. The gatekeeper opened the side door in a flustered manner, and saw a row of guards dressed in the uniforms of the Prince of Jing's residence standing quietly outside the door. The head steward was holding a huge sandalwood tray in his hands, and he asked to see Miss Li with a respectful but unquestionable posture.

The news spread through the inner courtyard, alarming not only Li Bao'er but also Li Xiangyuan and Wang Qingzhi, who hurriedly got up.

When they saw the clothes on the tray, even the people from the Prime Minister's residence, who were used to seeing treasures, couldn't help but gasp.

It was an extremely gorgeous crimson brocade wedding gown woven with gold threads, the phoenixes outlined in gold thread were lifelike. The phoenix crown was even more dazzling, with a base of red gold, inlaid with hundreds of evenly sized, lustrous East China Sea pearls and rubies, and long kingfisher feather tassels hanging down on both sides, so luxurious and dazzling that one dared not look directly at it.

These were items that could not be prepared in a short time. Li Xiangyuan's eyelids twitched as he looked at them, his heart filled with doubt and uncertainty. Wang Qingzhi, on the other hand, was both happy and worried. She was happy because this at least represented the importance that the Prince Jing's Mansion attached to them, but she was worried because such ostentation was neither a blessing nor a curse.

Only Li Bao'er, looking at the dazzlingly beautiful wedding dress, understood that Mu Cenlin's actions were nothing more than a show for outsiders.

Aunt Zhang, who was peeking from behind the pillars, and Li Yan, who had rushed over upon hearing the news, stared wide-eyed, their gazes then filled with unbelievable jealousy and sourness.

"Mother!" Li Yan gripped the handkerchief tightly in her hand, her nails almost digging into her flesh. Her voice was shrill with extreme jealousy. "What right does she have?! A sickly woman, someone rejected by the Third Prince, what right does she have to wear such a magnificent wedding dress?! The pearls on it are no less exquisite than those on the Empress's phoenix crown! Is His Highness Prince Jing blind?!"

The thought of entering the Eastern Palace in the future, even if she were favored, would at most be a concubine, and there would be no chance of wearing such a bright red wedding dress that exceeded the prescribed standards, made her heart feel as if it were being gnawed at.

Aunt Zhang's face turned pale and then red, her chest heaving violently. She gritted her teeth and whispered, "Keep your voice down! Now that she's climbed the social ladder, don't go provoking her! Hmph, it's all just a facade. Everyone knows what kind of person Prince Jing is. Once she's married into the family, she'll be in for a world of trouble!"

Even so, looking at the dazzling gold-embroidered phoenix and dragon, she felt a pang of envy; she had never seen such magnificent clothing in her life.

In a more distant corner, Li Zhou stood quietly, looking at the dazzlingly beautiful wedding dress with a complex expression.

That night, many people in the Prime Minister's residence were unable to sleep.

The next day.

Before dawn, the Prime Minister's residence was already brightly lit and bustling with activity. Servants hurried about, and a tense, festive atmosphere permeated the air.

Li Bao'er was like a delicate puppet, awakened early to bathe, have her face washed, and be made up. Her crimson wedding dress was layered upon layered, extremely magnificent, but also extremely heavy. The phoenix crown, adorned with pearls and gemstones, weighed heavily on her head, its tassels swaying. Every step required extreme steadiness to maintain the dignified demeanor demanded by royalty.

Wang Qingzhi personally combed her daughter's hair, her eyes reddening, and she murmured auspicious words, her voice choked with emotion several times.

She harbored deep worries about her daughter's future, yet also a faint hope brought about by her brother's return and the Prince Jing's statement the previous day.

Wang Zheng arrived early and sat in the outer room with a stern face, like a stone lion guarding the house, which suppressed any gloating or disdainful thoughts that might exist among some petty people in the mansion.

Li Yu also changed into brand new robes. The boy's face was less playful than usual, and more serious. He circled around his sister, clumsily comforting her from time to time: "Sister, don't be afraid. If brother-in-law... if Prince Jing bullies you, just tell me. I'll find Uncle to go and support you!" This made Li Bao'er both laugh and cry, but her heart was warmed.

As the auspicious hour approached, the wedding procession from Prince Jing's mansion arrived.

The spectacle far exceeded everyone's expectations. The deafening drums and music, along with the magnificent procession, completely surrounded the street, showcasing the prince's ultimate honor and power.

Mu Cen sat high on his horse, dressed in a bright red wedding robe embroidered with gold and python patterns.

Today, his black hair was tied up high, and he wore a golden crown. His already handsome appearance was further enhanced by the intense red color, making him even more breathtakingly charming and devilish.

But Mu Cenlin's face remained expressionless, his eyes still cold and aloof. His gaze swept across the gates of the Prime Minister's residence with indifference and disdain. Only when he saw a bright, fiery red color appear in his sight did a fleeting, elusive glint flash in the depths of his eyes.

Li Bao'er was steadily carried out of her boudoir by Li Yu.

Before my eyes was a swaying red veil, and in my ears were deafening gongs and drums and a cacophony of voices.

She gripped the apple tightly in her hand, took a deep breath, and tried to suppress the turmoil in her heart. Empathy became blurred at this moment; she could only vaguely sense the other end's emotions as dark and unfathomable as a deep pool with undercurrents.

Li Bao'er felt no joy, but rather an overwhelming bitterness. She was about to leave the place where she had lived for nineteen years and the family members who had been by her side every day.

Just before she was about to be helped into the bridal sedan chair, she suddenly reached out and precisely grasped her younger brother Li Yu's hand, which was slightly sweaty from nervousness.

Her voice trembled uncontrollably as it came through the veil, so soft that only the siblings could hear it:

"Ayu...I'm a little scared..."

Upon hearing this, Li Yu, who had been suppressing her grief, could no longer contain herself.

Li Yu, who is usually always smiling and playful, spent the whole day trying to keep a straight face, telling himself that today is his older sister's big day, he can't cry, he can't embarrass her, he has to carry her out like a man, and he has to put her at ease. But when he heard his older sister's voice with a sob in it, all his mental preparation collapsed instantly.

"Sister, don't be afraid," Li Yu cried, tightly gripping Li Bao'er's hand. "Sister, if you're scared, we...we won't get married! I'll go find Uncle right now! We'll go back to our hometown to farm, sob sob sob..."

Wang Qingzhi's already swollen eyes filled with tears again. She turned her head away, her shoulders trembling slightly.

Even Wang Zheng, who was used to being ruthless, couldn't help but feel a lump in his throat as he looked at the brother and sister who were about to be separated. He could only pat Li Yu's shoulder heavily and say in a deep voice, "Silly boy! What nonsense are you talking about! This is a marriage bestowed by His Majesty! Alright, don't miss the auspicious time!"

"Bao'er, don't be afraid. No one can bully you with your uncle here," Wang Zheng said, his voice slightly hoarse.

The wedding attendants and servants around them looked at each other, feeling that it was against the rules, yet also moved by the sadness of parting, and for a moment they did not know what to do.

The fear and bitterness in Li Bao'er's heart were somewhat relieved. She squeezed Li Yu's hand tightly, and although her voice was still trembling with tears, it was more determined: "Silly Yu, your sister is talking nonsense. Your sister is not afraid anymore. Don't cry anymore. Remember to come to the Prince's Mansion to see me more often." She tried to comfort her younger brother with a light tone, but her own tears flowed even more fiercely.

Meanwhile, Mu Cenlin, riding a horse beside her, kept his eyes fixed on that red figure, sensing the bitterness and sorrow emanating from her. He couldn't help but feel a pang in his heart. He realized that for a woman, leaving home after marriage was such a painful experience. He secretly resolved that, apart from love, he would do everything he could to give her the best.

The bridal sedan chair set off, parading around the city.

The people cheered and jumped for joy, eager to witness the grand spectacle of this unprecedented wedding.