Chapter 68 The Wedding Banquet at the Su Family Mansion was filled with warmth.
Chapter Sixty-Eight: The Wedding Banquet at the Su Family Mansion was Filled with Warmth
On an auspicious day, two wedding banquets were held simultaneously in the capital, but the scenes were completely different.
On one hand, the son of Princess Changning, the Earl of Anle, was marrying Princess Chengbi of the Southwest. Despite the titles of royal princess and foreign princess, the mansion was deserted with few carriages and people.
The officials in the court were all shrewd and knew that the emperor was quite indifferent to this princess, regarding this marriage as a punishment for the princess from the southwest. In addition, with the emperor himself visiting the Su residence, it was self-evident which side to take.
Inside the Princess's residence, red silk hung high, yet it could not conceal the deliberate decorations that conveyed a sense of desolation and awkwardness. Princess Chengbi's face beneath her veil must have been even more unpleasant.
Meanwhile, the Su residence on the other side presented a completely different scene. The mansion was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, and guests thronged the place, so much so that the threshold was almost broken down.
Civil and military officials, nobles and relatives—anyone who could establish a connection with them arrived with lavish gifts, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere. This grand occasion was not only due to Su Jizhi's promising future and the fact that his bride was General Pei's sister, but also because of the arrival of two supreme and noble figures—the current emperor and the imperial concubine.
When the imperial procession arrived at the Su residence, the entire mansion erupted in cheers. Elder Su Qiming and the rest of the Su family members rushed to the front, their faces plastered with almost fawning smiles, ready to kneel in worship.
However, Su Su's gaze had already passed over them and landed eagerly on the middle-aged couple behind them, who were dressed formally and had slightly red eyes—her father, Su Mufeng, and her mother, Tang Wanqing.
"Father! Mother!" Su Su's voice was choked with sobs. She disregarded all etiquette and walked straight past the clan elders who were about to pay their respects. She quickly went to her parents, helped them up, and refused to let them kneel down.
Tang Wanqing raised her head and looked at her daughter whom she hadn't seen for a long time. Seeing that her complexion was rosy and her appearance was even better than before, her heart, which had been hanging in suspense, was slightly relieved. However, tears couldn't help but roll down her cheeks. With trembling hands, she touched Su Su's cheek: "Mother's Su Su... are you doing well in the palace? Have you been wronged?"
Su Su shook her head vigorously, pressed her face against her mother's warm hands, and said with a sob in her voice, "Mother, I'm doing very well, really. Look, I've even gained some weight."
Su Mufeng's eyes were also red. He suppressed his excitement and said in a slightly hoarse voice, "Your mother... she talks about you every day and misses you terribly."
Upon hearing this, Su Su looked at her father with a coquettish expression and said, "Then doesn't Father miss Su Su?"
"Of course I miss my Su'er." Su Mufeng looked at his daughter, his eyes full of love.
Li Qianche followed Su Su and stood beside her. Upon seeing this, Su Mufeng and his wife quickly bowed and prepared to perform a grand ceremony: "Your Majesty's arrival is a great honor for us! Our humble home is truly blessed to receive such imperial grace!"
Li Qianche offered a slight gesture of support, his tone gentle: "Father-in-law and mother-in-law, there's no need for such formalities. Today is a family banquet, and also a celebratory one. Just be yourself. Su Su misses home, so I brought her back to visit and share in the joy of the occasion." His address of "father-in-law and mother-in-law" was perfectly natural, yet it flattered and reassured Su Mufeng and his wife, making them feel even more at ease.
Meanwhile, the clan elders, including Su Qiming, who had been left standing to the side, were pale and ashen-faced, yet dared not show the slightest dissatisfaction. Things were different now. Not to mention the Emperor's obvious favor towards the Imperial Concubine, Su Mufeng had already risen to the position of Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, wielding real power, making him someone they couldn't easily offend. They could only follow behind, feeling rather awkward.
Seeing that her parents seemed a little reserved because Li Qianche was present, Su Su took the initiative to speak up: "Father, Mother, is the wedding banquet about to begin? Has my brother returned from fetching the bride?"
Su Mufeng hurriedly replied, "I left early this morning, and judging by the time, I should be arriving soon."
Li Qianche readily agreed, "Then let's go to the main hall and wait."
The group then moved to the festively decorated main hall. Li Qianche and Su Su were naturally offered the seats of honor. Soon after, the deafening sounds of gongs, drums, and firecrackers echoed from outside the mansion—the wedding procession had returned!
Su Jizhi, dressed in a bright red wedding gown, stood tall and handsome, his face radiant with happiness. He held a red silk ribbon in one hand, and at the other end was Pei Yunxi, the bride, adorned in a phoenix coronet and a red veil. The two entered the hall and first paid their respects to the Emperor and Consort.
Li Qianche was in a good mood and dismissed their formalities, saying gently, "The auspicious time has arrived. We should prioritize the two of you and not be bound by formalities."
The master of ceremonies announced: "The auspicious hour has arrived! We respectfully invite the newlyweds to give thanks to Heaven!"
"First bow—The Emperor's grace is boundless, and Heaven and Earth bear witness!"
"I bow again—May my sovereign and father be above, and may their blessings extend to my family."
"Three bows—a match made in heaven, may you enjoy eternal happiness and prosperity!"
Watching her brother and sister-in-law complete the ceremony amidst the blessings of the crowd, Su Su couldn't help but feel envious. Although she and Li Qianche had a grand palace ceremony, they ultimately lacked the solemnity and fulfillment of a common couple bowing to heaven and earth and to their parents. She was a concubine, not the principal wife, and could not stand shoulder to shoulder with him to complete this ritual symbolizing "marrying each other and having unwavering love."
Li Qianche noticed her expression, taking in the envy and faint disappointment in her eyes. His heart clenched, a tender pang of tenderness rising within him. He silently clenched his hand hidden in his sleeve, a thought quietly forming in his mind—when the day comes that he wears the phoenix coronet and embroidered robes and makes her his empress, he will surely hold a wedding ceremony for her in Kunning Palace, a ceremony just like those performed by commoners, uniquely theirs.
After the wedding ceremony, the newlyweds were led to their bridal chamber, and the banquet officially began. The Su household was filled with the sounds of clinking glasses, laughter, and joyful conversation.
After having eaten some food, Su Su became restless. She quietly tugged at Li Qianche's sleeve and whispered, "Your Majesty, I would like to go and watch the wedding night festivities..."
Li Qianche always granted her every request, especially on such a joyous occasion at her mother's home. He smiled and agreed, personally accompanying her to the new house.
Inside the bridal chamber, red candles burned brightly, filling the air with joy. Su Jizhi, holding a jade ruyi scepter, gently lifted Pei Yunxi's veil. Beneath the veil, Pei Yunxi lowered her eyelids, her cheeks flushed. Her usually gentle features were made even more radiant by her elaborate attire, making her breathtakingly beautiful. Su Jizhi stared, stunned, his eyes filled with amazement and love.
Amidst the cheers of the crowd, the two drank the wedding wine, their arms entwined, their eyes lingering, their sweetness almost filling the entire room.
Su Su stood beside Li Qianche, watching this scene with genuine joy for her brother, a gentle smile playing on her lips. According to custom, there should have been a wedding night prank, but with the Emperor present, no one dared to be too unrestrained. They only exchanged a few auspicious words and good-natured teasing before discreetly dispersing.
After leaving the new house, Su Jizhi came to Su Su's side, his face full of apology and tenderness: "Su Su, I've been so busy today that I haven't had a chance to say a few words to you properly."
Looking at her brother, who was beaming with joy and exceptionally handsome, Su Su's eyes reddened slightly again. She forced a smile and said, "Brother is the groom today, so of course he's busy. There will always be opportunities in the future..."
Seeing Su Su's reluctance to leave, Li Qianche felt a pang of tenderness and couldn't bear to see her return to the palace with regret. So he said, "Since you've come out, there's no need to rush back. Su Su, why don't you stay at the mansion tonight and return to the palace tomorrow?"
Upon hearing this, Su Su's eyes widened in surprise, and she looked at Li Qianche in disbelief: "Really? Is that possible?"
Li Qianche looked at her eyes, which lit up instantly, and nodded with a smile: "I grant your permission."
Su Jizhi was overjoyed: "Thank you, Your Majesty! Then... tomorrow, brother will spend more time talking with Susu!"
"Mmm!" Su Su nodded vigorously, her eyes crinkling with a bright smile.
As night deepened, the hustle and bustle of the Su residence gradually subsided, but the deep warmth and joy lingered in everyone's hearts.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com