Chapter 10 This familiar feeling... there's probably no mistake...

After the banquet ended and the guests left, the Prime Minister's residence gradually quieted down.

Ling Zhenli recalled her interaction with the Crown Prince at the banquet, pondered for a moment, and then whispered instructions to the maids beside her:

“Go and invite His Highness the Crown Prince to the garden. Tell him that the peonies in the garden are in full bloom and that I am waiting for him there. I would like to play a pipa piece for him and ask him to appreciate it.”

Tao Xia accepted the order and left, Ying Chun went to fetch the pipa for her, and Tang Qiu accompanied her to change clothes; the three of them had a clear division of labor.

As night deepened, only a few dim lanterns hung in the garden, illuminating the blooming peonies.

Ling Zhenli changed into a light blue high-waisted ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) paired with a purple brocade wide-sleeved shirt, holding a pipa (a Chinese lute) in her arms, and sat quietly in the pavilion waiting for Pei Xuanlin to arrive.

Soon after, footsteps were heard.

Pei Xuanlin arrived under the moonlight, his expression still indifferent. Perhaps fearing she was getting impatient, he walked quickly.

"It would be an honor for me if Your Highness would grace me with your presence."

When Ling Zhenli saw him arrive, she stood up and bowed, a smile playing on her lips.

Pei Xuanlin coldly looked at Ling Zhenli, who was standing on the ground with her head bowed and ears down. Her manners were impeccable. He hadn't seen her face clearly because he had arrived in a hurry, but he was certain that she was not ugly.

"you."

At the banquet, the curtains created an air of mystery, but now, in private, she's willing to reveal her true face. Pei Xuanlin was about to tease her, but seeing her still squatting on the ground in a bowing posture, the words that came out were:

"Get up first."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Ling Zhenli gathered her sleeves and stood up. Just then, the clear moonlight broke through the clouds, the soft moonlight first shining on her profile, then spreading over her red lips, and finally settling on her pair of affectionate peach blossom eyes.

Pei Xuanlin knew he had seen many stunning beauties, but upon seeing the woman before him, he was still so amazed that he gasped for breath.

Realizing his loss of composure, Pei Xuanlin's eyes darkened. He pretended to ignore her, only glancing at her indifferently, and said arrogantly, "Inviting me to a private meeting after the banquet is quite bold. You should be glad that I haven't taken my sedan chair back to the palace yet."

"I was fortunate."

"Why were you holding up a fan all the time at the banquet? Didn't you get tired of it?"

Ling Zhenli was stunned for a moment, not expecting Pei Xuanlin to say this, and didn't know how to respond.

She thought that she would be pleased if Pei Xuanlin opened her as a mysterious and exquisite gift.

Seeing her lost in thought, Pei Xuanlin changed the subject, "...You can play the pipa?"

Ling Zhenli lowered her eyes, gently plucked the strings with her fingertips, and produced a clear and melodious harmonic: "I know a little bit about it. I wonder if Your Highness would like to hear it?"

Pei Xuanlin did not answer, but walked to sit opposite her, his gaze falling on her fingers playing the zither, the meaning of which was self-evident.

She played "High Mountains and Flowing Water" for Pei Xuanlin, her fingering skillful, the music sometimes flowing like a clear spring, sometimes whispering like a night breeze.

Pei Xuanlin's expression was initially indifferent, but as the melody became more and more captivating, his gaze gradually became focused.

"The seventh beat of the third section is wrong; you should use a muffled sound," he suddenly said.

Ling Zhenli paused, then looked up at him: "Your Highness also knows the pipa?"

Pei Xuanlin's eyes dimmed slightly as he said, "I learned it when I was young."

His mother was an entertainer in the royal court of a foreign tribe before becoming a prisoner of war; she was skilled in musical instruments, singing, and dancing.

Seeing this, Ling Zhenli smiled slightly. Then, in order to amuse him, she deliberately played a few wrong notes, which made Pei Xuanlin frown and sigh softly.

"This isn't right."

Pei Xuanlin stood up, walked behind her, and placed his slender fingers on the back of Ling Zhenli's hand, guiding her fingertips to pluck the strings.

A warm breath brushed against her ear, and Ling Zhenli's heart skipped a beat, but she pretended to be calm: "Your Highness is very learned, thank you for your guidance."

"You played the wrong note on purpose, didn't you?" Pei Xuanlin narrowed his eyes, a half-smile on his face.

Ling Zhenli lowered her eyes and smiled faintly, not admitting anything: "This humble woman is foolish, but I am willing to play another song for Your Highness as an apology."

As Pei Xuanlin listened to her repeatedly playing the pipa with wrong notes, he realized it wasn't an apology, but a punishment.

However, he was still willing to continue listening.

This time, Ling Zhenli stopped acting and started playing seriously. A gentle breeze blew, and petals fell around the two of them. The sound of the pipa was like pearls falling on a jade plate, and Pei Xuanlin listened with rapt attention.

When the music ended, only the sound of the wind and the chirping of insects remained in the garden.

Ling Zhenli put down her pipa, looked up at Pei Xuanlin, and asked, "What does Your Highness think?"

Pei Xuanlin stared intently into her eyes, praising her without reservation: "You play very well; even the musicians in the palace probably can't match you."

Hearing the praise, Ling Zhenli smiled gently: "Then I will often play for Your Highness in the future."

Pei Xuanlin did not answer, but simply reached out and brushed a fallen flower from Ling Zhenli's hair, his fingertips lightly brushing against her earlobe.

Ling Zhenli's breathing hitched slightly, but she pretended to be calm as she met his gaze.

The two stared at each other for a moment before Pei Xuanlin withdrew his hand first, reverting to his cold demeanor, and said, "We'll talk about the future later. It's late, Miss Xue, you should go home early. Where is your maid?"

"I would like to spend some time alone with Your Highness, so please let them go back first."

Pei Xuanlin also stopped his guards and secret agents from following her, and instead chose to escort her himself.

"I'll escort you back to your room."

Along the way, Ling Zhenli would ask a few questions from time to time, and Pei Xuanlin would answer them, but otherwise he would not say anything.

Pei Xuanlin escorted her to the front of the house. When he saw the maid coming to greet him from afar, he didn't say anything and turned to leave.

Ling Zhenli turned around to look at his back, squatted down to pay her respects, and said "Respectfully seeing off Your Highness" as a smile slowly appeared on her lips.

This prince, though he doesn't say it, actively indulges her in his actions.

He definitely likes her.

***

Before they knew it, the wedding day arrived.

At 3:45 AM, while Chang'an was still shrouded in morning mist, the area outside the Chengtian Gate of the Taiji Palace was brightly lit.

The Imperial Guards, standing guard on both sides of the imperial road, were ready, dressed in gold-lacquered leather armor and carrying gold-bronze ceremonial swords, standing at dawn.

As the first rays of sunlight pierced through the clouds and illuminated the earth, the imperial flag embroidered with sun, moon, and star patterns shone brilliantly in the morning sun.

The auspicious hour had arrived, and the main gate of the East Palace slowly opened. Pei Xuanlin, dressed in imperial robes, walked out slowly, surrounded by eunuchs.

A golden carriage had been prepared outside the palace, with red tassels adorning the foreheads of the four horses. Pei Xuanlin boarded the carriage, holding a jade ruyi in his hand.

Xiao Chongheng specially requested the emperor to appoint him to the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. Dressed in a crimson official robe, he rode a horse and accompanied Crown Prince Pei Xuanlin to welcome his bride.

He wanted to see just who this Xue Run really was.

The wedding procession started from the East Palace, proceeded along Zhuque Avenue to the Prime Minister's residence.

Red silk was laid out on the floor of the Prime Minister's residence, and joyous music filled the air.

Ling Zhenli sat upright in front of the bronze mirror, which reflected a face that was already stunning even without makeup. She was so focused on looking at herself in the mirror that she didn't even glance at Xue Haoting beside her, completely unaware of the gloom in Xue Haoting's eyes.

Xue Haoting stayed at her place all night last night. Surprisingly, he did nothing but hug her from behind and fall asleep. She got up early to do her hair and makeup, and Xue Haoting followed her closely. Fortunately, he didn't cause any trouble, so Ling Zhenli let him be.

Two female officials assisted Ling Zhenli's three maids in dressing her in a ceremonial robe, while members of the imperial family helped her put on a ceremonial crown.

Gazing at her flawless reflection in the bronze mirror, Ling Zhenli felt a mix of joy and nervousness. Her body trembled slightly with excitement. The image in the mirror, adorned in imperial robes, exuded elegance and nobility, signifying that she was about to become the most esteemed Crown Princess.

Importantly, her wedding was much grander than the wedding of the Duke of Yan and Princess Roujia that I had seen that day.

The man who married her was of higher status than either of them, and he valued her greatly.

From this day forward, she will no longer be the lowly official prostitute whose home was confiscated, but the future empress who will rule the world.

Father, Mother, be proud of me! One day I will fight to the death to seize the high position, eliminate Princess Wuyang and her son, the Duke of Yan, and avenge you both.

When the wedding procession arrived at the Prime Minister's residence, the female officials reminded Xue Haoting to leave Ling Zhenli's boudoir immediately, as it would be against etiquette if he were seen there.

"I'm sending my own sister off to get married, and His Highness the Crown Prince won't say anything," Xue Haoting coldly refused.

Turning around, I saw that Ling Zhenli's expression was gloomy.

Xue Haoting felt a pang of sadness. Did she really hate him?

Soon, the palace maids who were there to fetch the bride filed in. Fortunately, they all knew the rules of the palace and didn't say anything.

The palace maids, each holding a vermilion peacock-patterned screen fan, stood on either side. Ling Zhenli, holding a fan to cover her face, walked behind them and went to the central hall to bid farewell to the Prime Minister and his wife.

Inside the main hall, Pei Xuanlin awaited Ling Zhenli's arrival. He accompanied Ling Zhenli to bid farewell to the Prime Minister and his wife and to receive their teachings.

Seeing Pei Xuanlin looking at him, Xue Wenmian naturally didn't dare to be impolite to Ling Zhenli. He said a few nice words and that was the end of it.

As they went out, Pei Xuanlin gently supported her, and to prevent the fan from blocking her view, he whispered a reminder to her to take a step.

As soon as Ling Zhenli stepped out of the Prime Minister's residence, she noticed the man bowing respectfully to greet her. This man felt very familiar to her...

This feeling of familiarity is probably not wrong.

He must be Xiao Chongheng.

When the female official laid out the spring bench for Ling Zhenli's carriage, Ling Zhenli lowered her fan and looked at Xiao Chongheng, wanting to confirm his face, and hesitated to get into the carriage.

Xiao Chongheng looked up from behind and looked at her. Although his heart ached terribly, he tried his best to suppress the jealousy and malice that almost welled up in his eyes and hide it.

She looked so beautiful in her wedding dress, but it wasn't for him.

Even though he knew that if it really was her, he would be in great pain to watch her marry someone else, he still couldn't suppress his inner impulse and begged the emperor for the opportunity to see her get married in person.

Now his heart can rest easy; she is Ling Zhenli.

We've spent so many days and nights together, we know each other so well.

The moment Ling Zhenli saw Xiao Chongheng's face, her heart pounded uncontrollably, and she stopped in her tracks, staring blankly at him.

It really is him...

"Why aren't you leaving? Don't you want to leave home? You'll be back in a couple of days."

Pei Xuanlin's voice reached her ears, a cool yet caring reminder that pulled Ling Zhenli back from her reverie.

She was about to become the Crown Princess, and at such a crucial moment, she couldn't afford to make any mistakes. So, Ling Zhenli forced herself to remain calm, withdrew her gaze, and stepped onto the bench.

"Slow down, watch your step."

Pei Xuanlin escorted Ling Zhenli into Yan Zhai's carriage before returning to his own.

Xiao Chongheng witnessed all of this, and he was immediately consumed by jealousy.

The woman who used to belong to him now belongs to another man.

Unfortunately, now is not the time to act out. There is plenty of time in the future. Since God has brought her back into his sight, he must hold on tight this time.

When the wedding procession returned, officials of the fifth rank and above all wore crimson gauze robes and walked alongside to escort them.

Sitting in the car, Ling Zhenli had no interest in listening to the people kneeling and cheering on both sides of the street outside; all she could think about was Xiao Chongheng.

Why is Xiao Chongheng in the wedding procession? He seems to hold a high position.

No matter how much she worries about herself, there are no two people in the world who look exactly alike. Even twins have differences, let alone Ling Zhenli, who is not Xue Yingyue at all.

Xiao Chongheng must have recognized her. Will he expose her?

Ling Zhenli was on tenterhooks the whole way, fearing that Xiao Chongheng would cause trouble and ruin her revenge dream.

The Crown Prince's marriage was a joyous occasion for the entire nation, and the whole of Chang'an was immersed in the celebration of this unprecedented grand event.

The procession stopped in front of the Taiji Hall. After getting off the carriage, Pei Xuanlin, hand in hand with Ling Zhenli, slowly ascended the steps under the guidance of the master of ceremonies.

The emperor and empress observed the ceremony from high positions.

As the music began, the Grand Secretary read the edict aloud, and Pei Xuanlin and Ling Zhenli performed the grand ceremony of three kneelings and nine kowtows.

When the ceremony was completed, bells and drums sounded outside the hall, their sound resounding throughout the nine heavens.

Imperial relatives, civil and military officials, and envoys from foreign countries all came to attend this grand wedding, presenting countless treasures to Pei Xuanlin and Ling Zhenli.

During the banquet, the eunuch loudly read out the congratulatory gifts:

When the text reads the image of Guanyin granting a child for Princess Wuyang, Ling Zhenli looked up at the princess and saw Xiao Chongheng. She didn't know who he was, but he was sitting next to the princess. Judging from his interaction with Princess Wuyang, their relationship was not hard to guess, but Ling Zhenli refused to believe it.

"What's wrong? Is there something that doesn't suit your taste?" Pei Xuanlin noticed Ling Zhenli's cold face.

Her complexion looked bad as soon as she sat down.

Upon hearing Pei Xuanlin's words, Ling Zhenli quickly put on a smiling face and pretended nothing was wrong: "No, I was just lost in thought."

Pei Xuanlin nodded: "I thought you didn't like the Guanyin Bodhisattva who grants children."

"No, the one sitting next to Princess Wuyang is... I saw him standing at the head of the wedding procession today." Ling Zhenli was too lazy to think about it and simply asked Pei Xuanlin directly.

"That is my cousin, named Xiao Xun. Among the wedding party, he is the most important, being the Duke of Ju."

Duke of Yan...

Ling Zhenli suddenly couldn't breathe, feeling as if something was pressing on her chest.

Seeing that her face looked really bad, Pei Xuanlin said, "Are you tired? You haven't eaten much. Why don't I ask the emperor for leave and take you to rest?"

Pei Xuanlin's caring words surprised Ling Zhenli. The two had only met once before their marriage, yet he was already being so kind to her.

"Thank you, Your Highness, but in such an occasion, wouldn't it be inappropriate for Your Highness to leave the table with me?"

Pei Xuanlin looked at the emperor and empress seated on the throne, then glanced indifferently at Princess Jin'an before turning to comfort Ling Zhenli, "It's alright. Since you're not feeling well, go back and rest first. I'll inform His Majesty of your discomfort later."

Ling Zhenli smiled apologetically: "This concubine will humbly comply."

She really didn't want to stay a moment longer, and felt extremely uncomfortable facing Xiao Chongheng's occasional glances.

A note from the author: