Chapter 12: Getting Married
The news that Emperor Xuanyuan had granted a marriage between the Lu and Pei families spread like wildfire in Kyoto. When Pei Zhao heard the news, he was still teaching in Jueshui County.
Chu Ruiheng and Lian He rushed over to tell him the news, one offering congratulations while the other frowned critically. Pei Zhao's ears buzzed with their chatter, and it took him a long while to realize that Lingyi had gone to ask His Majesty for permission to marry.
"Congratulations, Brother Pei."
Chu Ruiheng patted Pei Zhao's shoulder with a smile on his face. "I thought that after I got married, your marriage would still be unsettled. I never thought Miss Song would be so proactive. I wonder how many noble ladies in Kyoto will be heartbroken."
"But my cousin is both talented and handsome, and he is a very elegant man. Miss Song is just an orphan living under someone else's roof, how can we be a match for him?" Lian He said.
In his heart, his cousin was a banished immortal, and only a woman of noble birth and otherworldly talent could be his match, such as Princess Changyang.
"Lian He."
Pei Zhao's eyes were cold and contained a warning, "Don't say these words again."
“…” Lian He pursed his lips.
After learning the news of the arranged marriage, Pei Zhao ended his trip and returned to Kyoto early.
The sun was setting in the west, smoke from cooking fires curled up from the streets, and the warm orange sunset shone on the roof of the green-covered carriage. The wheels rolled over the bluestone road and finally stopped outside the Duke of Jin's mansion.
The doorman entered the mansion to report, and Pei Zhao went to the main hall to meet the Duke and his wife. With the imperial decree granting the marriage, Pei Zhao became the Duke's nephew-in-law. The Duke and his wife were even more cordial than usual when they met him.
The aroma of tea wafted through the hall, and the three of them were chatting happily.
Suddenly, there was a sound of hurried footsteps in the corridor outside the door. Pei Zhao, holding the teacup, slowly turned his head to look at the carved lattice window. The girl's figure was reflected in the window, moving quickly towards the door.
Not long after, a young girl in a pale pink spring gown stood by the door, panting slightly. She straightened her gown and walked gracefully into the hall.
The Duke and his wife knew that the two young men had something to say, so they found an excuse and gave them the land.
It's quiet all around.
Song Lingyi had not discussed the matter of requesting marriage with Pei Zhao, fearing that he would mind. Her hands hidden under her sleeves twisted restlessly.
"Brother Jianzhi was giving lectures in Jueshui County, so why are you back?"
Pei Zhao put down his teacup, his eyes soft and gentle, "I heard that His Majesty was going to grant me a marriage, so I came back to see you early."
"Oh." Song Lingyi lowered her eyes, her words incoherent due to nervousness. "Your Majesty is going to the Yaoquan Palace. The token has not been used yet. I also asked you if you are willing to marry me..."
A touch of warmth suddenly fell on my head.
Pei Zhao stroked the top of her head, a subtle trace of regret flashing across his eyes. "I don't mean to blame you, but marriage is a major matter, and I should have taken the initiative. If you go alone to ask His Majesty for a marriage, I'll feel like I owe you something."
People in Kyoto love to spread rumors, so when Lingyi goes to ask His Majesty for permission to marry, it is inevitable that people will spread gossip.
Song Lingyi's shoulders relaxed slightly, and she realized belatedly what he was worried about.
But she had no other choice at the moment. There were wolves in front and tigers behind. The only safest option was to arrange a marriage.
"I don't feel indebted, that's all." She smiled slightly, then added, "But my grandmother said that my mother's mourning period hasn't ended yet, so the earliest we can get married is after next year."
Pei Zhao's voice was gentle and calm: "No rush. A wedding takes time to prepare. The three letters and six ceremonies, the four betrothal gifts and the five golds are all necessary."
Song Lingyi's heart was burning and the tips of her ears were slightly red.
The two chatted for a while in the hall. After Pei Zhao said goodbye and left the Duke's Mansion and got on the carriage, Song Lingyi stood at the gate, looking at the gorgeous and beautiful red clouds all over the sky, and couldn't help but look forward to the wedding date.
While she was still lost in thought, she suddenly saw several servants running out of the door, heading for the street. Song Lingyi snapped back to her senses and asked, "Where are you going in such a hurry?"
One of the servants paused and said, "My cousin, the young master hasn't been home for a few days. Madam is very worried, so she sent us to look for him."
It turns out that he was looking for a gigolo. He hadn't seen him for several days.
Song Lingyi pursed her lips and urged, "Go, go! He must be living a life of drunkenness and debauchery in the Jinzun Tower. Go and bring him back quickly."
Take advantage of my aunt's anger and give her a beating until she behaves herself.
…
Imperial city.
The eunuch who was in charge of serving tea to the emperor held the tray, bowed, raised it high, and took small steps up to the second-floor attic.
The sky was filled with sunset glow. The prince, dressed in a crimson five-clawed python robe, stood quietly by the railing, gazing at the entire imperial city, and remained silent for a long time.
Xuanfeng took the tray from the eunuch and walked over to Xiao Mingyi. He tried to guess the emperor's intentions and spoke boldly, "Your Highness, the imperial decree granting the marriage has not yet been issued. If you don't want the Lu and Pei families to arrange this marriage, I can do it for you..."
Hearing this, Xiao Mingyi turned his head and looked over. His deep phoenix eyes, like a thousand-foot cold pond, glanced at him and said, "You're meddling."
Xuanfeng lowered his head and frowned in thought.
Ever since Miss A Li went to ask His Majesty for a marriage, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has been in a bad mood. He thought that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince did not want the Lu and Pei families to get engaged. Could he be wrong?
"If I interfere with the marriage granted by the Emperor, how will the civil and military officials discuss me?"
It had only been a short time since Xiao Du's rebellion forced the emperor to abdicate. He couldn't do anything that went against the emperor's will at this critical juncture. Wasn't it precisely because of this that Song Lingyi deliberately asked His Majesty for permission to marry her?
"Then Your Highness...will you just ignore it?"
In reality, Xuanfeng wanted to ask what His Highness would do now that Miss A-li had married Pei Zhao. The two had a history in Hutou Village, and he could tell that His Highness was not entirely without feelings for Miss A-li.
Xiao Mingyi raised his dark eyes, his gaze cold and gloomy, "It's just a chance encounter, not worth my worrying about."
…
The following year, on the 18th day of the first lunar month, it is a good time to get married and travel.
As the sky brightened, the Duke's Mansion, which was decorated with lights, lit up and became busy.
More than a dozen banquet tables were set up in the front yard of the Duke's Mansion, and dozens of buffet tables were set up in the famous Zuixianlou in Kyoto.
At dusk, the sunset glow dyed the horizon. The bride, wearing a phoenix coronet and a red robe, sat on the soft couch. Friends and relatives gathered in the courtyard and the house, chatting and chatting. Then, excited voices could be heard in Zhilan Garden.
"Here comes the groom!"
The Duke's Mansion, which was already bustling, suddenly became boiling.
Song Lingyi took the round fan handed to her by the nanny, took a deep breath, walked out of the main house, bid farewell to her grandmother and the Duke and his wife in the hall, and also met Pei Zhao.
The man who usually only wore light-colored robes was wearing a bright red wedding robe today, with a white jade belt around his waist. He was handsome, with a smile on his face, looking like a suave and gentle gentleman.
After bidding farewell to the elders of the Lu family, Pei Zhao handed a red silk scarf to the newlywed bride, her hair tangled in silken hair and bright red makeup, and said, "Madam, let's go."
Hearing this address, Song Lingyi's cheeks flushed and she reached out to take the red silk handed to her.
Amid the prayers of the ceremonial officer, the two of them walked out of the Duke's Mansion holding hands with red silk.
The red dress is ten miles long and the ceremonial procession stretches endlessly.
【Starting tomorrow, I will dive deeper into the if】
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