Chapter 95 They got married

The words "You can't protect Miss Tang" touched Zhou Chuanxing's heart.

Looking at the delicate and sweet young girl, how could he bear to see her suffer even the slightest harm?

His fist clenched unconsciously.

He had fought on the battlefield for over a decade, and countless lives had been lost at his hands. He didn't care how miserable his end might be.

But if he cannot protect the young girl, no matter how great his military achievements or how glorious his life, it will not be enough to overcome the young girl's aggrieved words, "I'm scared."

How could Tang Xinuan, who had only been integrated into the world for half a year, possibly see through someone as cunning as Sun Qingzhao?

All she knew was that Erlang was unhappy.

She secretly hooked his finger, then patted the delicate ornament hanging from her waist.

"Erlang, I have this, so don't be afraid."

No matter how powerful a weapon is, even steel needles will eventually run out.

Zhou Chuanxing put his arm around the little girl's shoulder, forcing a smile through his heavy heart, "Yeah, don't be afraid."

He really couldn't just sit and wait to die.

Anyone who dares to bully his little girl will be executed.

The Empress and Prince Rui should indeed be finished...

"Imperial edict arrives—"

The sudden appearance of Eunuch Xi, carrying the imperial edict, broke the chill that had settled over the Prince's mansion.

"King Qin, Miss Tang, kneel down to receive the imperial decree."

Zhou Chuanxing pulled Tang Xinuan down to kneel with him. The iron chains on their wrists were still fastened, rattling with every movement.

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: The Prince of Qin has committed heinous crimes, disobeying the imperial decree and defying my will. He should be severely punished. However, considering that he has been leading troops in battle and has rendered great service, and that he is of advanced age but has no children, I hereby bestow upon my daughter, Tang Xinuan, the Prince of Qin's consort. On the day this decree arrives, you shall immediately hold a wedding ceremony, give birth to children as soon as possible, and come before me to receive your punishment."

He's getting on in years and still has no children.

It can be said that the emperor's resentment could not be hidden even through an imperial edict.

Zhou Chuanxing knelt on the ground, his mind racing with calculations.

The young girl was unable to bear children, and the emperor decreed that she should wait until she gave birth to a child before being punished before him.

Doesn't that mean there will never be a day of punishment?

In other words, the emperor lightly overlooked the crimes of killing Grand Tutor Wang, imprisoning Grand Tutor Yao and Prince Chu, "murdering" Consort Xian, and "violating" the two beauties.

Although he lost his princely status, it was not a big deal for him at all.

The emperor bestowed a marriage upon him, allowing him to rightfully marry the young girl.

My elder brother is quite considerate.

This was the first time Tang Xinuan had heard of the imperial decree bestowing marriage upon her, and she didn't react for a moment.

She quietly asked Zhou Chuanxing, "Erlang, what does this eunuch mean?"

Zhou Chuanxing explained, "My imperial brother has bestowed a marriage upon us, and he wants us to hold the wedding now. From this day forward, I am your husband."

"Husband?" Tang Xinuan liked this title. "Second Brother, then I'm your wife?"

Zhou Chuanxing nodded, suppressing his immense joy. "Yes, we are now officially recognized and have a legitimate status."

The eunuch Xi, still holding the imperial edict, said, "Gentlemen, please express your gratitude."

Zhou Chuanxing pulled Tang Xinuan along to express their gratitude.

Eunuch Xi personally helped Zhou Chuanxing up. "Second Master, everything needed for the wedding will be delivered immediately. This old servant wishes you a harmonious and long-lasting marriage."

Zhou Chuanxing casually pulled Tang Xi warmly, "Thank you for taking care of me, Eunuch Xi. Please stay and have a drink with us."

The eunuch had to go back to report, so he said, "Let's skip the wedding banquet; the Emperor is waiting for this old servant."

Zhou Chuanxing ordered someone to deliver the reward money, and Eunuch Xi happily prepared to return to the palace.

Tang Xinu couldn't help but call out to him, "Grandpa Xi, the chain on Erlang's hand..."

Eunuch Xi was helpless. "It was the Emperor's decree to restrain the Prince. The Emperor did not order this old servant to remove him..."

Tang Xi was warm-hearted but displeased.

Why are you always tying Erlang up?

Zhou Chuanxing was very happy, "It's alright."

He knew his elder brother was good to him, which is why he even issued an imperial decree to bestow a marriage upon him.

Sun Qingzhao was about to succeed in persuading the prince to seize the throne, but then an imperial edict came down, and the prince lost all his will to live.

He paused for a moment, then reminded him, "Your Highness, the imperial edict mentions Miss Tang, the daughter of a disgraced official. The Tang family's treason case has not yet been overturned."

Do you really want the heir of the Prince's mansion to bear the identity of a descendant of a disgraced official?

Sun Qingzhao's concern was completely unfounded in Zhou Chuanxing's mind.

The young girl was too weak to bear children.

They only have themselves, no descendants.

However, the girl's family could not be exonerated, ultimately because he failed to do so.

"Nuan Nuan, don't worry, I will help your father-in-law's family clear their name."

Tang Xinuan believed him.

Anyway, since Grand Tutor Wang and his two sons were killed, she no longer felt that much hatred. As for exoneration, she could plan that slowly.

"Erlang, don't be in a hurry."

Chu Yanqing was genuinely happy for her cousin. "Second Master got into character so quickly, he's already calling you father-in-law. I congratulate you and Second Master on your harmonious marriage, may you grow old together, and have a baby soon."

Prince Duan was even happier than if he had been betrothed to someone else. "Second brother, you have finally gotten what you wanted."

The imperial edict required that the marriage take place immediately upon receipt of the decree.

Eunuch Wei quickly arrived with all the necessary items for the wedding.

Throughout the Prince's mansion, everyone was busy setting up the bridal chamber, preparing for the wedding banquet, and inviting guests.

Everything was ready in less than two hours.

Because Zhou Chuanxing was still a convict, the iron chains on his hands had not been removed.

The number of guests invited was small, less than thirty in total.

Eunuch Wei specially consulted the Imperial Observatory to calculate an auspicious time.

When the auspicious hour arrived, firecrackers went off, and the two, under the guidance of Li Ce, performed the wedding ceremony, officially becoming husband and wife.

Prince Rui lost two children in one day and wished he could tear Zhou Chuan to pieces.

Not only did the emperor not uphold justice for him, but he also bestowed a marriage upon Zhou Chuanxing.

It seems that using Consort Xian to slander Zhou Chuanxing is simply not going to work.

He underestimated the brotherly bond between the Emperor and Zhou Chuanxing, who were born of the same mother.

According to Physician Yang, the Emperor has at most three to five months to live, and he must get the Empress pregnant as soon as possible.

I don't believe the emperor would willingly pass the throne to his brother instead of his own child.

When the time comes, Zhou Chuan's influence will become too great to control, and without anyone's advice, the Emperor will take the initiative to clear the way for his son.

After the wedding ceremony, the bride was led to the bridal chamber, while Zhou Chuanxing stayed outside to serve drinks to everyone.

However, his heart had already wandered into the new house.

Happiness came too quickly; he's still in a daze, as if he's dreaming.

"Second Brother, congratulations on your marriage to Second Sister-in-law," Princess Chaoli and Li Zhengyan said, raising their wine glasses to toast Zhou Chuanxing.

Zhou Chuanxing was delighted and accepted all the drinks offered, downing his cup in one gulp.

Prince Duan also came over to join in the fun, "Second Brother, congratulations!"

Everyone's face was filled with a happy and joyful smile.

While Chao Li was happy for his second brother, he couldn't help but remind him, "Second brother, you should drink less, lest you be unable to perform well in the bridal chamber later."

Others may not know, but Tao Guan knows perfectly well: "Second Master's drinking capacity is unmatched; no one has been able to get him drunk all these years."

Li Ce smiled and said, "It's not the wine that intoxicates, but the person who intoxicates. Your Highness's wish has come true, and this old minister sincerely congratulates you."

Chu Yanqing, concerned for her cousin, congratulated Zhou Chuanxing and then went to the new house alone.

My cousin is not a virgin, which is unacceptable even to ordinary men, let alone Zhou Chuanxing, who is of noble birth...

Fortunately, Zhou Chuanxing wasn't present when his elder brother announced it in public, so no one should have gone to him to gossip about it.

All she had to do was give her cousin some instructions.

"Are you hungry?" Chu Yanqing asked after entering the house, exchanging a few pleasantries and saying auspicious words before gesturing for Xiaoqian to leave.

Tang Xinuan had just eaten and wasn't hungry at all.

The imperial decree was issued hastily, and the wedding was held in a rush, not following the normal wedding procedures.

All Tang Xinuan did was change into her wedding dress with the help of everyone, and after completing the wedding ceremony with Zhou Chuanxing, they returned to their bridal chamber.

It's not as tiring as going out to play normally.

"I'm not hungry, cousin. Erlang and I are getting married."

Chu Yanqing was genuinely happy for her cousin's simple-mindedness. "Yes, my cousin has rightfully become the Princess Consort of Qin. Second Master is so lucky to have married such a beautiful girl as my cousin."

Tang Xinuan liked to hear this. "It's my blessing to be able to marry Erlang."

Looking at her innocent cousin, Chu Yanqing couldn't help but worry.

"Cousin, I have a few words of advice for you, please remember them well."

Tang Xinuan took a bite of chestnut cake, sat on the bed, swung her legs, and nodded obediently, "Yes, cousin, you say it."

Chu Yanqing reached out and gently wiped away the pastry crumbs from her cousin's lips, her eyes filled with pity.

My cousin entered the family at the age of five. Her entire family was tragically wiped out, and she was the only survivor.

At that time, my cousin didn't understand anything and thought she was only separated from her parents for a short period of time.

Little did anyone know that it would be a final farewell.

My cousin had only been married into the family for a few years when her father fell seriously ill and her mother was also suffering from a series of misfortunes. Her mother was preoccupied with her father and neglected to take care of my cousin.

Otherwise, my elder brother wouldn't have done such a beastly thing.

Later, when their families discovered their relationship, although they were angry, they felt that arranging a marriage between them would make up for some of the damage.

But the eldest brother never even considered getting married.

...

“Cousin, after you consummate your marriage with Second Master tonight, he might check the sheets for bloodstains. When that happens, just cry and shift the blame onto Eldest Brother. Say that you were young and didn't understand anything, and that Eldest Brother was just coaxing you. If he gets angry, tell him that you don't want to live anymore and that you're going to ask your parents in the afterlife to stand up for you. Got it?”

Tang Xinuan was completely confused. "What is 'fallen petals'? Is it important?"

Chu Yanqing hesitated for a moment and then nodded: "It is indeed very important for a woman."

It represents a woman's chastity, her first time.

Men all hope that a woman will only have him...

Noticing her cousin's pale face, she comforted her, "But you're different. You were tricked away by your eldest brother. It's not your fault. Second Master will understand."

Tang Xinuan looked listless; the joy of marrying Erlang gradually faded and was quickly replaced by trepidation and unease.

She's been with other men. Will Erlang really despise her?

Chu Yanqing held her cousin's hand and said softly, "If Second Master asks, just say you only did it once, that you were deceived, understand?"

Tang Xinuan gripped the hem of her clothes tightly and nodded, "I understand."

Seeing that it was getting late, Chu Yanqing left the bridal chamber.

I only hope that Zhou Chuanxing will cherish her and take good care of my cousin.

Tang Xinu nodded just now because she didn't want her cousin to worry.

She remembered that she had fallen ill shortly after leaving the Marquis's residence and was taken to the Imperial Hospital by Erlang. She told Erlang that she had drunk a total of 193 bowls of contraceptive soup.

A lie can only be told once; it can't fool Erlang at all.

Besides, she would never lie. The fact that she's survived this long is already a blessing from God.

However, Erlang knew that she had drunk the contraceptive soup, yet he still stayed with her until today, so he probably didn't care.

"Miss, the Second Master has arrived."

Tang Xinuan was in a daze when she suddenly heard Xiaoqian calling her, which startled her.

what to do?

what to do?

What if Erlang suddenly dislikes her after they consummate their marriage?

She didn't want Erlang to look at her with such disdain and disgust every time they met.