The joy of the grand wedding enveloped the entire capital city.

The procession stretched for miles in red, drawing crowds from all over the city as people eagerly witnessed the grand spectacle of the Third Princess's wedding.

Qi Mingxuan rode a fine horse, dressed in a bright red wedding robe, his handsome face beaming with uncontainable joy, as he headed to the palace to fetch his bride amidst the deafening sounds of gongs and drums.

Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Xiao Chengyu sat before a mirror, letting the palace maids do her hair and makeup. Adorned with a phoenix coronet and wedding gown, and surrounded by pearls and jade, the bride in the mirror was breathtakingly beautiful, yet a hint of worry lingered between her brows.

Xin Jiuwei personally put the last gold hairpin on her daughter's head, tears welling in her eyes: "In the blink of an eye, Yu'er is about to get married." She gently stroked her daughter's cheek, "Mingxuan is a good man, he will definitely treat you well."

Xiao Xun stood to the side, his expression complicated: "If that brat dares to betray you, Father will not let him off easily!" As he spoke, he secretly wiped the corner of his eye.

Xiao Chengyu felt a warmth in her heart and said softly, "Father and Mother, rest assured, Mingxuan... treats his daughter very well."

The auspicious hour had arrived, and joyous celebrations filled the air. Qi Mingxuan stepped into the hall, and upon seeing the beautifully dressed bride, his eyes flashed with amazement and deep affection. He took her hand and solemnly kowtowed to the Emperor and Empress: "Your subject, Qi Mingxuan, will cherish the princess and never betray her."

The ceremony was both solemn and heartwarming. As the couple walked hand in hand out of the main hall, the sunlight shone brightly, gilding the newlyweds. The crowd cheered and showered them with flower petals like a rain of blossoms.

However, amidst the cheers, Xiao Chengyu keenly sensed a cold gaze. She turned her head abruptly and saw a figure wearing a bamboo hat flash past in the crowd of spectators.

"What's wrong?" Qi Mingxuan asked in a low voice.

Xiao Chengyu shook his head: "Perhaps I saw it wrong." But he felt inexplicably uneasy.

The wedding banquet was held in the Imperial Garden, with a continuous banquet stretching for miles. Court officials and their wives toasted the newlyweds, offering auspicious words.

Xiao Chengji and Su Wanqing arrived side by side. The Crown Princess looked quite well today, her smile gentle: "Wishing my sister and brother-in-law a long and happy marriage." She handed over a brocade box, "This is a hundred-child quilt that I embroidered myself, hoping you will have a son soon."

When Xiao Chengyu opened the quilt, he saw that the baby on it was lifelike, with fine stitches, showing that a great deal of effort had been put into it. He was moved and said, "Thank you, sister-in-law."

Xiao Chengji patted Qi Mingxuan's shoulder and whispered, "Treat Yu'er well. Otherwise..." His unfinished words carried the warning of an elder brother.

Qi Mingxuan solemnly replied, "Your Highness, please rest assured."

At this moment, Xiao Chengrui pulled Ashina Yun through the crowd. Ashina Yun, already showing her pregnancy, wore a loose-fitting Northern Di dress and smiled brightly: "Yu'er looks so beautiful today! More beautiful than the reddest Gesang flower in our Northern Di!"

Xiao Chengrui muttered, "How can you compare like that..." After being glared at by his wife, he immediately changed his tune, "She really is beautiful! Mingxuan is so lucky!"

Everyone burst into laughter. Xiao Chengyu noticed that although his second brother was complaining, his hand was always protecting Ashina Yun's waist, and he couldn't help but smile.

Halfway through the wedding banquet, the newlyweds were required to toast each table. When they reached the Hanlin Academy table, Xie Ling'er stood up to offer a toast: "Wishing the princess and her husband a long and happy life together." Her smile was polite, but there was a hint of sadness in her eyes.

Xiao Chengyu sighed inwardly. She knew Xie Ling'er had feelings for Qi Mingxuan, but matters of the heart could not be forced.

When the toast was brought to the table of the Minister of Military Affairs, Xin Rui suddenly pulled a girl in blue to stand up: "Princess Yu... This is Qin Sang, you've met her before!" His voice was loud and clear, attracting everyone's attention.

Qin Sang blushed deeply and whispered, "This humble woman wishes the princess and her husband a long and happy marriage."

Xiao Chengyu smiled and returned the greeting, but noticed bloodstains on Qin Sang's sleeve. He asked with concern, "What happened to your hand, Miss Qin?"

Qin Sang subconsciously withdrew her hand: "It's nothing... I accidentally did it while decocting the medicine..."

Xin Rui interjected, "She insisted on personally preparing medicine for those wounded soldiers! No matter how many times I told her, she wouldn't listen!" Her tone was reproachful, but her eyes were full of heartache.

Xiao Chengyu and Qi Mingxuan exchanged a glance, understanding each other perfectly. It seemed her cousin had finally come to his senses.

After toasting everyone, Xiao Chengyu was already slightly tipsy. Qi Mingxuan considerately shielded her from further drinks, but he himself was also forced to drink quite a bit.

Back at the main table, Qi Mingxuan, taking advantage of the fact that no one was looking, whispered, "Your Highness, are you still able to hold on? Why don't you go and rest first?"

Xiao Chengyu shook his head: "It's alright." His gaze, however, inadvertently swept across the guests' seats, and he saw the figure wearing a bamboo hat again. This time, he was whispering with an official, and that official… was none other than Liu Zhijie, the Vice Minister of Rites!

She felt a chill run down her spine. Liu Zhijie was Gu Nianzhi's father. After the Gu family's downfall, he had been claiming illness and staying at home, but today he actually came to the wedding banquet and even contacted suspicious people.

Qi Mingxuan followed her gaze and his expression turned slightly serious: "The person next to Minister Liu... seems to be dressed as a Northern Di."

The two men understood each other without saying a word. It seems that the remnants of the Gu family were indeed colluding with the remaining forces of the Northern Di.

The wedding banquet lasted until late at night. After the newlyweds were led to their bridal chamber, Qi Mingxuan dismissed the palace servants and immediately took out paper and pen: "Your Majesty, I must report this immediately."

Xiao Chengyu pressed down on his wrist: "Today is our wedding night, it's not too late to report it tomorrow." She smiled slightly, "Besides... Father Emperor must have already found out."

Qi Mingxuan was taken aback: "Your Highness means..."

"Why did Father suddenly grant permission for the marriage? And why did he arrange for us to get married right after the Gu family's downfall?" Xiao Chengyu said softly, "I'm afraid... it's to lure the snake out of its hole."

Qi Mingxuan suddenly realized, "I see." He took her hand, "Was Your Highness afraid today?"

Xiao Chengyu shook his head: "With you here, I'm not afraid." These words came out of his mouth, and both of them were stunned.

The red candles burned brightly, casting a glow that made her face glow like a peach blossom. Qi Mingxuan's gaze deepened as he slowly approached: "Yu'er..."

Just then, a soft sound came from outside the window. Qi Mingxuan instantly became alert and shielded Xiao Chengyu behind him: "Who's there?"

A flash of cold light pierced through the window! Qi Mingxuan deflected the hidden weapon with a flick of his sleeve and shouted sharply, "Guards! There's an assassin!"

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