Chapter 89 "The Aftermath".

==Chapter 89: The Sequel==

"I wonder what brings Prince Chu here today?" He stopped beside Su Wanyue, his gaze lightly falling on Chu Yao, his tone seemingly tinged with doubt.

His "official" demeanor successfully darkened Chu Yao's face. Chu Yao originally thought that the Nanwang Mansion and Pingyang Mansion were of equal social standing, and given his feelings for Su Wanyue, the Nanwang would agree to the marriage. Who knew that not only did Madam Lu appear out of nowhere, but also Prince Cheng from Beili appeared, directly taking the lead. If it were anyone else, it would be fine, but this person is Prince Cheng from Beili, who may become the new emperor of Beili in the future. Even the current emperor treats him with respect. If Chu Yao were to speak ill of him, wouldn't that damage the harmony between the two countries? Moreover, Chu Yao didn't have the guts to say that he came to the Nanwang Mansion to propose marriage. He could only say with a frustrated look that he came to visit the Nanwang.

Seeing this, Qin Jue shook his head slightly. That's why they say Prince Cheng of Beili is amazing. He dealt a blow to his "love rival" without lifting a finger. Of course, Wanwan definitely has no feelings for Chu Yao. Prince Cheng is clearly jealous.

To everyone's utter surprise, the man who would ultimately marry into the Southern Prince's family was neither the Pingyang Prince's family nor the Lu Prime Minister's family, but rather Prince Cheng of Beili. The people couldn't quite describe their feelings, but they certainly didn't have the guts to compete with Prince Cheng of Beili.

"Father-in-law, Mother-in-law." After everyone had left, Xiao Yu smiled and remained polite.

The Prince of Nan scrutinized Xiao Yu from head to toe with a critical eye. He was undoubtedly satisfied with the young man, but being satisfied was one thing, and agreeing to let him be his son-in-law was another. He called Xiao Yu to the study, clearly wanting to speak with him privately, while Su Qingqing had some words to instruct her daughter.

Su Qingqing had everyone wait at the door. She looked at her daughter hesitantly, cautiously probing, "Wanwan, what about His Highness Prince Cheng?"

Prince Cheng's demeanor and bearing are indeed far superior to those of the young masters of Nanqiong. However, marriage is not based on mutual affection. Wanwan and Prince Cheng of Beili have only known each other for a month. They can see Prince Cheng's feelings for Wanwan, but they have no idea what Wanwan's feelings for Prince Cheng are.

But her daughter's next words surprised Su Qingqing, because Su Wanyue used the word "like." That was truly a happy ending for everyone. Su Qingqing's tense expression instantly vanished, she clapped her hands and laughed, and tentatively asked again, "Then, Wanwan, what about Lu Er?"

"My second brother and I are childhood sweethearts, but we are truly innocent."

It seems that her daughter is not so clear-headed when it comes to relationships. She does not understand Lu Qingchen's feelings for her, but since the imperial decree has been issued, Wanwan and Lu Er will definitely marry their respective spouses.

Su Qingqing smiled gently and affectionately pinched her daughter's fair and delicate face. "Mother knows."

Everyone knows that the Prince and Princess of the South dote on this daughter the most. Since Su Wanyue has said she likes her, the Prince and Princess of the South certainly won't say anything more.

Su Qingqing spent quite a while with her in the Peony Garden before returning to the main room with her maid. Su Wanyue placed the imperial edict on the rosewood table, her eyes sparkling. She was an open-minded girl; if she liked something, she wouldn't hide it.

An hour later, a maidservant from the Prince of Nan's side came over and said, "Princess, His Highness Prince Cheng wishes to see you."

The marriage had been announced to the world, and the two were now engaged. Su Wanyue followed her maid to the Bamboo Garden. Xiao Yu waved for everyone present to leave, and with his refined features, he walked up to Su Wanyue, smiling broadly as he said, "I've heard that Wanwan is in love with me."

Su Wanyue didn't want him to be so smug, and was about to deny it, but he grabbed her wrist. Xiao Yu's voice was deep and magnetic, "I'm very happy."

Su Wanyue, like a little fox with its fur standing on end, gave a soft "humph".

"I will be returning to the capital of Beili soon, and wedding preparations will take another year. Would Wanwan be willing to come back to Beili with me for a while? Once the wedding arrangements are finalized, I will send Wanwan back, how about that?"

Su Wanyue's eyelashes fluttered like small fans, clearly showing some interest, as she had never been outside of Nanqiong. But then, as if thinking of something, she frowned slightly. "But I still need to discuss this with my father and mother."

Xiao Yu: "My father-in-law has already agreed."

***

"Your Highness, Young Master Lu wishes to see you." Upon spotting Xiao Yu, Mo Yu hurriedly approached and whispered.

Xiao Yu raised an eyebrow slightly, took a step and walked out, and Mo Yu hurriedly followed.

"I have met Your Highness Prince Cheng." The place Lu Qingchen arranged was the First Pavilion of Nanqiong, an elegant place with a wonderful atmosphere.

"Young Master Lu, you're too kind." Xiao Yu also had a refined and elegant demeanor, which made Lu Qingchen hesitate to speak. Lu Qingchen had actually already noticed that the Prince Cheng in front of him had feelings for Wanwan. He pursed his lips and began to scrutinize the Prince Cheng in front of him.

Both men were intelligent, and Xiao Yu naturally understood why the other was looking at him like that. He slowly poured the other a cup of tea and said, "Young Master Lu, please feel free to speak your mind."

Lu Qingchen: "I believe Your Highness Prince Cheng understands my thoughts."

Xiao Yu understood perfectly well. His childhood sweetheart brother's smile remained, but his expression deepened slightly. "So, what does Second Young Master Lu want to say?"

"I would like to ask, Your Highness Prince Cheng wishes to marry Wanwan, but has he consulted Wanwan's opinion?"

"Of course I asked." Xiao Yu answered slowly. He couldn't bring himself to force a young girl to do something, but regardless of whether she liked him or not, she would be his wife. Fortunately, the girl he loved also liked him. Xiao Yu's phoenix eyes were full of tenderness.

"As far as I am concerned, Wanwan's feelings are the most important. As long as she is happy, I have nothing to be unwilling about. I accept my defeat wholeheartedly and hope that His Highness Prince Cheng will treat her well." Hearing that he had already asked the girl's opinion, Lu Qingchen had nothing to be upset about. He picked up the teacup that had become a little cold and smiled, "I will offer this cup of tea in place of wine to His Highness Prince Cheng."

No wonder people praise the Lu family for their refined and elegant demeanor. Xiao Yu raised an eyebrow, picked up his teacup, and said with a graceful and elegant posture, "I hope Second Young Master Lu can rest assured that she is my fiancée. I will definitely treat her well. I also thank Second Young Master Lu for taking care of Wanwan before."

“Your Highness, you are too kind. I am like a half-brother to Wanwan, so it is only right that I take care of her.”

The underlying meaning is that even if Su Wanyue marries into Beili, he will still be her half-brother and won't let anyone bully her.

Xiao Yu nodded slightly; of course he wouldn't bully her.

After Xiao Yu left, Lu Qingchen stood there for a long time. His servant stood behind him, not daring to disturb him. After an unknown amount of time, a sunset slowly appeared on the horizon, dazzling and beautiful. Lu Qingchen then rubbed his fingers together and smiled, "Let's go."

===

Because Su Wanyue would be staying in Beili for quite some time, the Prince of Nan specially selected several hundred agile personal guards from the military camp for her to take with her. Su Qingqing, on the other hand, gave Su Wanyue all the fine clothes, silks, hairpins, and jewelry she could afford. It was only after a servant sent by His Highness Prince Cheng said that Princess Zilu was now the mistress of Prince Cheng's mansion and that he would not deprive her of material possessions that Su Qingqing "restrained" herself a little. However, she still couldn't bear to part with her daughter and couldn't help but complain that the Prince of Nan was too heartless. The Prince of Nan touched his nose and said that the Princess Consort of Nan still didn't quite understand her daughter.

On the day Su Wanyue left the capital, Qin Jue and Princess Weiyang both came to the Southern Prince's residence to see her off, and Xiao Yu's carriage arrived very early.

"Father-in-law, Mother-in-law."

"The journey to Beili is long, Wanwan, please take good care of yourself." Su Qingqing gently patted Su Wanyue's hand and gave her instructions.

Su Wanyue reached out and hugged her mother, which almost brought tears to Su Qingqing's eyes. Su Qingqing then gave Su Wanyue several more words of advice with reluctance. Xiao Yu waited patiently the whole time.

The Prince of Nan came over to comfort his beloved wife, "Qingqing, Wanwan will only be gone for a few months this time, so don't worry."

It took the Prince of Nan a long time to coax Su Qingqing into being happy.

Once inside the carriage, Su Wanyue was clearly not in high spirits. Perhaps it was because this was the first time in so many years that she had been so far away from her parents, and she felt particularly lost. Xiao Yu stretched out his long arm and pulled her into his embrace, placing a warm and gentle kiss on her forehead, silently comforting her.

"Why would Father agree to take me to Beili?" Su Wanyue asked sullenly.

Xiao Yu smiled and said, "Isn't it because I'm worried that Wanwan will miss me after I leave?"

Actually, the Prince of the South said that his daughter had always wanted to see places outside the capital, and this was a good opportunity to visit Beili.

Su Wanyue raised her head and glared at him.

The girl's emotions came and went quickly. After arriving in the capital, her face brightened considerably. Hearing that the prince was bringing his future princess back, the steward had the main hall, Zixia Palace, prepared for the princess to stay in.

Half a month later, a carriage bearing the "Chengwang Mansion" sign stopped at the gate of Chengwang Mansion. The first person to get off the carriage was their master, followed by the beautiful and elegant lady. His Highness originally wanted to hug her, but she took his arm and easily jumped off the carriage.

The steward was somewhat surprised and quickly went to greet them, "This servant greets Your Highness and Your Highness the Princess."

It is said that Princess Zilu of Nanqiong has come to the capital. The ladies and young ladies of various families in the capital are eager to make her acquaintance. However, His Highness Prince Cheng is protecting her too closely, and they have not even seen a hair of her head. Everyone guessed that His Highness Prince Cheng really likes this Princess Zilu from Nanqiong.

With her prospective daughter-in-law arriving in the capital, Consort Qin clearly wanted to see Su Wanyue, but Xiao Yu always managed to brush her off with excuses. Consort Qin chuckled and scolded, "Is Yu'er really planning to keep a beauty hidden away?"

This is a recent rumor in Beijing. Everyone says that young girls are just beginning to experience romantic feelings, but she feels that it's her son who is experiencing romantic feelings firsthand.

"Our prince is indeed very good at hiding his identity," Granny Gui said with a smile, knowing that she was joking.

In the fourth year of Dingyuan, Princess Su Wanyue of Zilu of Nanqiong left the Nanqiong Prince's Mansion. His Highness Prince Cheng of Beili personally went to Nanqiong to fetch her. The wedding was unprecedentedly grand, with poems written to urge the bride to get ready and firecrackers going off continuously. After the marriage, the couple lived in harmony and were loving and affectionate for a lifetime.