Royal weddings have always been grand occasions since ancient times.
As the only younger brother of the Emperor of Western Qin and the only prince of Western Qin, Xuanyuan Han's wedding was no less grand than the Emperor's, and Emperor Jing could not help but bestow this unique honor upon him.
Emperor Jing has few children, and the only one who can inherit the great cause in the future is the Crown Prince Xuan Yuanhao, who is only 10 years old at the time. In recent years, the Crown Prince has been traveling around the Ling Kong Continent in disguise, accompanied by Grand Tutor Wen Qian.
Therefore, over the years, even though he was naturally suspicious, he could only entrust the heavy responsibility of military affairs—conquering all sides, fighting on the battlefield, and defending the territory—to his only brother, the emperor.
Although he was a thorn in his side and had to be wary of him at all times, it seemed to be something he couldn't do anything about. After all, his brave and resourceful younger brother, the God of War, was calm and reserved, and had been made a king at a young age. All the generals of enemy countries on the Lingkong Continent were terrified at the mere mention of his name.
Nowadays, the six rites of marriage are: betrothal, asking the name, accepting auspicious gifts, presenting betrothal gifts, setting the wedding date, and the wedding ceremony. From the beginning, the masters in the palace have arranged special officials from the Ministry of Rites to handle each of these rites meticulously, ensuring that everything is taken care of. This prince will naturally give him all the face and respect due to royalty.
With the auspicious hour fast approaching, everything at the Prince of Qin's residence was ready except for the final touch. Inside and out, lanterns and colorful decorations were everywhere, festive couplets were pasted on the doors, and eye-catching red double happiness characters were displayed all over the place. Large red lanterns were hung high, and everywhere was filled with an atmosphere of great joy.
It was almost noon, and two carriages were approaching the Qin Prince's Mansion in the distance. Inside the carriages sat Lu Tianlin, the young master of the Lu family from Xiqin Academy, and his sister Lu Tianjiao.
"Brother, do you know that these two guqin were originally left by your sister for her wedding, but now..." Lu Tianjiao said sadly to Lu Tianlin sitting beside her, looking at the two seemingly very precious and rare guqin in front of her.
“Sister, what’s done is done. There’s no point in being sad anymore. You should try to put your mind at ease. We’re almost at the Prince of Qin’s residence. Don’t let His Highness and Father see what’s on your mind,” Lu Tianlin said with concern.
However, Lu Tianjiao didn't listen at all, and just stared blankly at the two zithers in front of him.
The carriage quickly arrived at the gate of Prince Qin's mansion and stopped. Lu Tianjiao followed Lu Tianlin out of the carriage. As soon as she looked up, she saw a blinding expanse of bright red in front of her. She was momentarily stunned, as if she had been frightened, but her eyes were filled with tears, making her look extremely pitiful.
Seeing her expression, Lu Tianlin quickly tugged at her sleeve, and she finally came to her senses, gently wiping away the tears on her face. They then walked up the stone steps and inside together.
"Dean Lu, Young Master Lu, Miss Lu, you must be tired from your journey, please come in." It was Vice General Cheng Liang who came out to greet them. After respectfully greeting them, he led the three of them to Chenghua Hall.
As soon as the three entered the hall and saw the high-ranking master of the Qin Prince's mansion, they hurriedly stepped forward to bow and offer their congratulations:
"This old man congratulates Your Highness on your joyous occasion."
"Tianlin congratulates Your Highness on your joyous occasion."
"This humble woman congratulates Your Highness on your joyous occasion."
"Rise, all of you, and take a seat," Xuan Yuanhan said, maintaining his cold demeanor.
“Your Highness, these Dragon Roar and Phoenix Cry zithers are my heartfelt congratulations on your wedding on behalf of the Western Qin Academy. I hope Your Highness will accept them with pleasure,” Lu Xian said respectfully.
Then, Lu Tianlin and his sister Lu Tianjiao stood up and respectfully presented the guqin. Lu Tianjiao showed a look of reluctance and sorrow.
"The Dean is very kind," Xuan Yuanhan said sparingly. Cheng Liang then hurriedly stepped forward to take the gift and carefully placed it on a table in the corner of the main hall.
At this moment, Xuanyuan Han asked Lu Xian, "How is the matter I arranged for you progressing?"
"I am still investigating and confirming the matter Your Highness entrusted to me. If I have any news, I will come to inform Your Highness immediately. Today, I have important matters to report to His Majesty, so I will head to the palace first and come to visit again tomorrow," Lu Xian said as he stood up.
Xuan Yuanhan gestured for Cheng Liang to see the guest out.
"Thank you, Your Highness. I shall take my leave now," Lu Xian said, bowing as he withdrew.
Lu Xian has always been loyal to Xuan Yuanhan. As a father, how could he not know that his beloved daughter had been in love with Xuan Yuanhan since childhood?
But he never took a step further to mention this matter to Xuanyuan Han, even though he really hoped for it. It was just a hope hidden deep in his heart, because he always knew that Xuanyuan Han was no ordinary person.
At this moment, Xuan Yuan Yue's carriage had arrived at the entrance of the Qin Prince's mansion. Cheng Liang had just seen Lu Xian off when he hurriedly stepped forward to greet the princess.
"Why has it suddenly become so cold? Is it going to snow?" Xuan Yuan Yue looked up at the sky as soon as she got out of the car and muttered to herself.
"This humble general, Cheng Liang, respectfully welcomes Your Highness the Princess."
"Rise. General Cheng, why is it so cold all of a sudden? Your master is having a big celebration tomorrow, is it going to snow? That would be the first snow of the winter!" Xuan Yuan Yue said to Cheng Liang. Before Cheng Liang could reply, her eyes were drawn to the magnificent red and festive atmosphere in front of the Prince's mansion.
"These servants are quite capable, and their bearing is certainly befitting of Qin Huangshu's noble status. Yun'er, don't you think so?" Xuan Yuan Yue said to Yi Shang Yun, who was still hiding far away to the side.
"Your Highness, it is Your Highness's wedding day, and we servants cannot be negligent," Yi Shangyun replied with a smile to Xuan Yuan Yue, equally captivated by the rare and luxurious atmosphere.
"How about it, are you envious? If Yun'er gets married in the future, I, the princess, will arrange for you to have a grand wedding." Upon hearing Xuan Yuan Yue's words, Yi Shang Yun immediately blushed, and her ears turned bright red.
He hurriedly said, "Princess, be careful what you say."
"What, are you shy? You've already been hugged by your royal uncle, why are you still being so petty?" Xuan Yuan Yue tilted her head and stared straight into Yi Shang Yun's eyes. Yi Shang Yun was momentarily at a loss for words and could only lower her head so that her face was no longer visible.
At this moment, Cheng Liang, who was watching the two women teasing each other, couldn't help but chuckle to himself. He had personally witnessed his master giving Yi Shangyun a princess carry, which was truly enviable.
After saying that, Xuan Yuan Yue's lips curled up into a strange smile, and she strode towards Cheng Hua Hall, with the rest of the group following closely behind to serve her.
"Uncle Qin, Yue'er..." Before Xuan Yuan Yue even entered, her voice had already reached the ears of the three people in Chenghua Palace.
At this moment, the three of them looked at her together, and she was also surprised and stunned for a moment, muttering, "I didn't expect that the white lotus flower of the Lu family would also come, as well as that idle playboy Lu Tianlin."
Xuan Yuan Yue cast a disdainful glance at the Lu siblings, then respectfully bowed to Xuan Yuan Han and said, "Yue'er greets Imperial Uncle Qin and offers her congratulations."
Before Xuan Yuanhan could even tell her to rise, she hastily finished her formalities. Then, turning to the Lu siblings, she said, "You two certainly know how to pick your spots! You always squeeze into the most crowded places. Knowing that all the princes, ministers, and nobles will come to congratulate Qin Huangshu on his wedding, are you two conspiring to come here to climb the social ladder?"
"Yue'er," Xuan Yuanhan said coldly. Xuan Yuanyue glanced at him, while the Lu siblings looked astonished and kept their heads down in silence.
Seeing their expressions, Xuan Yuan Yue was secretly pleased, and said, "Fine, on this joyous day, I don't want to spoil my good mood because of the two of you."
Then, Xuan Yuan Yue looked around the main hall and saw two ancient zithers placed in one corner. She walked over and examined them carefully before saying, "Oh, this gift is quite interesting."
She glanced back at the Lu siblings, already guessing that it was a gift from them. At this moment, only Lu Tianjiao looked at her with suspicion, wondering what Xuan Yuan Yue was up to. Xuan Yuan Yue simply smiled at Lu Tianjiao and said, "This is the legendary rare ancient zither, Phoenix Cry and Dragon Roar, isn't it? Hehe. Qin Huangshu, Phoenix Seeking Phoenix, the zither and lute in perfect harmony. Not bad, truly a fine gift, a fine gift indeed."
Upon hearing this, Lu Tianjiao's face turned green, and his originally curved willow-leaf eyebrows furrowed tightly.
"Yue'er, don't be rude," Xuan Yuanhan reprimanded again.
Seeing Xuan Yuanhan scolding her again to stop her, Xuan Yuan Yue rolled her eyes and suddenly noticed Yi Shangyun standing silently beside her. She then said, "It's Uncle Qin's wedding, and Yue'er also has a gift to give. However, Uncle, you are already the most powerful and influential King of Qin in Western Qin, second only to Father Emperor. You certainly don't lack these material things. So, Yue'er will give you..."
Xuan Yuan Yue suddenly stopped speaking, pointed a finger at Yi Shang Yun, and slowly walked towards her. When Yi Shang Yun saw that Xuan Yuan Yue's target was in her direction, she was at a loss and didn't know what this naughty princess was up to. She could only lower her head and pretend not to see her.
Lu Tianjiao was also bewildered by Xuan Yuan Yue's actions. She was far away on the southern border of the Western Qin Kingdom and had no idea how many stories had unfolded there.
As soon as Xuan Yuan Yue approached Yi Shang Yun, she grabbed her sleeve with one hand and pulled out a sachet. Yi Shang Yun was astonished; how did Xuan Yuan Yue know she had this sachet?
"You servant, why aren't you presenting the wedding gifts you prepared for this princess to His Highness Prince Qin? What are you waiting for?" Xuan Yuan Yue glared at Yi Shang Yun and said.
Xuan Yuan Yue took out a unique, pocket-shaped, royal blue sachet and said to Xuan Yuan Han with a look of surprise, "This is the heart-shaped sachet that Yue'er is going to give to Uncle Qin. As the saying goes, 'Wearing a sachet of medicine can protect you from pests. Uncle Qin is fighting on all sides, and this sachet can not only prevent plagues, but also ward off evil spirits and detoxify. Uncle Qin can also place it by his pillow at night to calm his mind."
"What does the princess mean by this? According to etiquette, shouldn't the bride be the one giving the sachet at this time?" Lu Tianjiao was puzzled upon hearing Xuan Yuan Yue's words, but what Xuan Yuan Yue said next surprised her even more.
Xuanyuan Yue said, "Uncle, this sachet is no ordinary sachet. It can't be bought in the market. It has an exclusive secret recipe and is extremely effective. Remember to wear it every day to see its miraculous effect."
"I understand," Xuanyuan Han readily agreed and accepted the gift.
This is ridiculous, Lu Tianjiao...
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