Chapter 75
The Shen residence was brightly decorated, and the imperial palace was filled with joy.
The Crown Prince's marriage was a major event, attracting great attention not only from the Emperor, Empress, and court officials, but also from the common people.
Before dawn, Shen Qingnian was dragged out of bed by her maid, Xi Po, who began to dress and groom her.
Last night, she tossed and turned in bed, unable to fall asleep, and for some reason, her heart was beating a little fast.
Perhaps it was the joy of getting to this point, or perhaps it was the guilt about the plans for the future.
She was not a heartless person; she felt guilty for using Song Xuan in this way, but this would not shake her resolve.
However, she had difficulty sleeping through the long night. While tossing and turning, she received something from the Eastern Palace: a brocade box.
But she didn't open it; instead, she put it back in the wooden cabinet.
Shen Qingnian sat drowsily in front of the bronze mirror, while the maid beside her hurriedly began to do her makeup.
The matchmaker was the crown prince's wet nurse, and he had specially sent her there because he was afraid that Shen Qingnian would be nervous and uneasy.
The matchmaker noticed the faint dark circles under Shen Qingnian's eyes and smiled, "Did the Crown Princess not sleep well last night?"
"I had some trouble sleeping last night," Shen Qingnian said gently, with a hint of shyness in her voice.
Seeing her like this, the matchmaker couldn't help but laugh out loud, and said with a hint of teasing, "Your Highness is just like you. I am not the original matchmaker. I am the one Your Highness specially came to my courtyard to select before dawn."
Shen Qingnian asked with some confusion, "Why did His Highness choose you?"
Last night, the man sent someone to deliver something in the middle of the night, so she guessed that he was still awake.
The matchmaker blinked: "I am His Highness's wet nurse. His Highness was afraid that you would be nervous, so he specially sent me here to take good care of the Crown Princess."
When she hurriedly dressed and went out to pay her respects to His Highness, it was the first time she had ever seen His Highness like that.
At that moment, the gentle warmth on His Highness's face vanished, leaving only tension and anxiety. She immediately understood that His Highness was nervous about today's wedding ceremony.
Shen Qingnian's gentle expression remained unchanged. She looked at herself in the bronze mirror and said only, "Your Highness is truly thoughtful."
The matchmaker smiled and agreed, then carefully instructed the women on the things they needed to pay attention to during the wedding.
As dawn broke, Shen Qingnian put on her bright red wedding dress, and wore a heavy phoenix crown, looking like a goddess getting married.
Guests gradually arrived at the Shen residence, and Shen Zheng greeted them outside with a beaming smile.
Wang Jiarong and Chen Min, who were acquainted with her, went into the house together to see her.
When Chen Min saw her, her eyes widened in amazement: "Wow, Qing Nian, you look absolutely stunning today..."
Wang Jiarong was also filled with amazement: "In the entire capital, apart from you, there is no one else who is a match for His Highness the Crown Prince!"
After Shen Qingnian fell into the water that day, she wrote a letter to Wang Jiarong and Chen Min, saying that she was not feeling well and therefore did not go.
Wang Jiarong and Chen Min were naturally understanding, and after some time, when they heard that Shen Qingnian had been betrothed to the Crown Prince, they were even more understanding.
Given the Crown Princess's extremely noble status, they naturally understood her unconditionally.
At this moment, a person dressed as a eunuch walked in; he was the young eunuch who served Song Xuan.
"Your Highness, this is specially given to you by His Highness the Crown Prince so that you can eat this to tide you over if you are hungry," Xia Zi handed the paper package in her arms to Shen Qingnian with both hands.
Inside were some dried fruits and pastries, as well as some fresh lotus seeds. These little things wouldn't ruin your makeup and could also fill your stomach.
Shen Qingnian took the paper package and smiled gently, "Your Highness is very thoughtful."
"His Highness misses you dearly," Xia Zi said in a low voice.
If it weren't for His Highness's thoughtfulness, he wouldn't have been specially sent to deliver the gift. It's against etiquette for the groom to secretly give something to the bride before the wedding ceremony.
Your Highness is the most self-disciplined and proper person. The only one who could make Your Highness break these rules is probably the Crown Princess.
After saying this, Xiazi slipped out of the house like an eel, hurrying to report back to His Highness.
"His Highness truly cares for you. Everyone knows His Highness is extremely courteous," Wang Jiarong remarked.
Shen Qingnian lowered her eyes slightly, looking at the paper package in her hand with a gentle smile, but there was no emotional fluctuation in her eyes.
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