Chapter 179 Wedding
In May, the imperial edict to confer the title of Crown Princess was issued by the Ministry of Rites and announced in all prefectures and counties of Dayuan. Within half a month, the news became known to the whole world.
The sixth day of the seventh month, the night before the wedding.
Xiao Mingyi specially summoned the fourth prince Xiao Jing and the third prince Xiao Yun, who had just given birth to his second child, into the palace.
Xiao Jing and Xiao Yun met at Donghuamen. The two brothers hadn't seen each other for half a year, and they first gave each other a warm hug.
Looking at Xiao Yun who was gaining weight day by day, Xiao Jing laughed out loud: "Third brother just had our youngest daughter, how come he has gained so much weight? Is he trying to steal food from our youngest daughter?"
"That's all nonsense." Xiao Yun waved his hand, putting on his elder brother's airs: "Now that my fifth brother is getting married, you, as his elder brother, have to worry about his marriage..."
Xiao Jing didn't like hearing these naggings and immediately changed the subject, "Fifth brother is getting married tomorrow, why did you summon us to the palace at this time?"
"How should I know that?"
But Xiao Yun heard that his fifth brother personally took care of everything for this grand enthronement ceremony, which showed how much he valued the Crown Princess. He summoned them to the palace tonight, probably to ask about the enthronement ceremony, right?
A quarter of an hour later, the two brothers entered the East Palace and met Xiao Mingyi.
But Xiao Mingyi did not ask about the enthronement ceremony. To be exact, there was no other important matter in summoning them to the palace. He was just too nervous about getting married the next day and wanted to find someone to talk to and ease his mood.
"I've known Ah Li for a long time. Last year, she got engaged to Erlang of the Pei family and almost became the Pei family's bride. Unfortunately, the two of them weren't meant to be together, so that's why I got her..."
The two brothers sat cross-legged on the edge of the couch, their chins in their hands, quietly watching the fifth brother who was talking incessantly across from them. It is said that "people are in high spirits when they are happy", and the fifth brother was not only radiant and in high spirits, but also looked restless, which showed his usual calmness and restraint.
And the sentence 'but the fate between the two of them is shallow', which is obviously a very regrettable thing, but why does it sound like the fifth brother is happy to see it happen and is secretly happy when he says it?
Xiao Yun laughed awkwardly twice: "I understand, I understand. When Third Brother got married, he was just as excited as you and couldn't sleep."
Hearing that his third brother was also nervous before the wedding, Xiao Mingyi felt a little relieved, but he pretended to be calm: "I am not nervous. The government is busy, and tomorrow is the enthronement ceremony. I have to sort things out and prepare well."
“…”
Both brothers were silent.
Because tomorrow is the enthronement ceremony and the wedding day, the cabinet has given the prince three days off. He does not need to deal with state affairs today, so how can he be busy?
After a while, Xiao Yun laughed awkwardly twice: "I understand, I understand. Fifth brother is very busy with affairs of state and has deep feelings for the Crown Princess.
Xiao Jing slowly turned his head to look at Xiao Yun, his eyes clearly saying, "Can you understand this?"
"But when Third Brother and Third Sister-in-law got married, they were still very young and didn't spend much time together before the wedding. It's normal for them to feel nervous." Xiao Jing turned to look at his fifth brother sitting opposite him and teased, "Haven't Fifth Brother and the Crown Princess known each other for a long time? Why would he be nervous?"
Xiao Mingyi heard Xiao Jing's inner criticism and narrowed his eyes slightly: "You mean, I shouldn't be nervous?"
"I didn't say that." Xiao Jing raised his hand and raised his glass: "Brothers, we haven't seen each other for a long time. I won't go home until I'm drunk tonight."
Compared to Xiao Jing's calmness, Xiao Yun was a little reserved. He raised his glass and said, "Your Highness will be getting married tomorrow. It's not appropriate to drink too much."
"That's all right." Xiao Mingyi clinked his glasses together and said with a smile, "The night is long, and it's boring waiting alone."
"You really don't plan to sleep?" Xiao Jing was surprised.
"The enthronement ceremony is complicated, and I have to stay awake at all times to avoid any mistakes or omissions." Xiao Mingyi took a sip of wine and said seriously.
“…”
The enthronement ceremony isn't the same as coronation, so why bother...
It was not until the fourth watch that the eunuchs came to remind them, and Xiao Jing and Xiao Yun were released from the palace.
…
The seventh day of the seventh month is a good day for marriage and travel.
The Eastern Palace held a three-day banquet in major restaurants to celebrate with the people.
Before daybreak, everyone in the Duke's Mansion began to get busy. The maids and servants in Zhilan Garden were helping Song Lingyi to put on her makeup in front of a bronze mirror.
When the sun rose in the east, many relatives and friends of the Lu family came to the front yard one after another. The Duke and his wife and the second wife were busy greeting the guests in the front yard, while the two little cousins were accompanying Song Lingyi in Zhilan Garden.
The palace had delivered the Crown Princess's wedding dress early on. When the two little cousins saw the elaborate, heavy and gorgeous wedding dress and phoenix crown hanging in the inner room, they were amazed and circled around the dress several times.
"This wedding dress is incredibly elaborate. The South China Pearl that Grandmother gave my cousin last year was already a rare treasure. I didn't expect the South China Pearl used in this phoenix crown is so large and round, just as precious as that one. This wedding dress alone is priceless, not to mention the enthronement ceremony. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince must be eager to give my cousin the most valuable thing in the world."
Faced with the teasing and joking of her two little cousins, Song Lingyi's face turned slightly red and she felt a little uncomfortable.
A few days ago, when the female official came to deliver the wedding dress, she was also shocked by this gorgeous and luxurious outfit. When Xiao Mingyi came to find her at night, she righteously reminded him not to be extravagant.
But Xiao Mingyi didn't care, saying, "Anyway, you are the only one in my life, and I will only get married once, so it's no big deal to be extravagant once. Besides, there are not many concubines in the harem, and the expenses are not high. It's only natural to spend the allowance accumulated by the Eastern Palace over the years on you."
Therefore, Song Lingyi didn't say anything else.
The auspicious time is approaching.
The crimson sunset dyed the sky all over. Soldiers led the way, and the carriages drove from the Duke's Mansion to the Imperial City. The Phoenix Street was crowded with people watching the ceremony, and it was extremely noisy.
The soldiers guarding the palace gate saluted in unison, the sound as deafening as a tidal wave. "Welcome, Crown Princess!"
The Yan Di carriage stopped inside the palace gate, bells and drums rang in all parts of the imperial city, and the female officials came forward to help the Crown Princess get out of the sedan chair.
The white marble steps in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony were polished to a shine, the bronze sparrows and unicorns on both sides were majestic, and the ceremonial guards and civil and military officials were lined up in an orderly manner to witness this grand and magnificent enthronement ceremony.
The envoy, Bu Taifu, dressed in court robes, stood in front of the white marble steps, holding the golden seal and the golden book, and looked solemnly at the Crown Princess who was slowly approaching. After the announcement of the enthronement edict, everyone watched the Crown Princess walk up the stairs gracefully.
On the white marble steps sat His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, dressed in a royal robe and a crown.
Their eyes met, and Song Lingyi placed her hand on his palm.
Xiao Mingyi glanced at the intricately piled hem of her wedding gown. He ignored the shock of the civil and military officials and bent down to straighten it for her. He then whispered in Song Lingyi's ear with a smile, "May the Crown Princess be blessed with good health."
Song Lingyi blushed instantly.
Beneath the white marble steps, all the civil and military officials knelt and bowed, shouting, "Your Highness, we congratulate His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and His Royal Highness the Crown Princess on their happy new year!"
When night falls, the East Palace is decorated with red and colorful decorations.
The ceremonial officer was there to guide the remaining rituals of the wedding, including drinking the wedding wine and tying the knot.
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