Chapter 91 Don’t Be My Lover, Be My Concubine (XVIII)
Since the imperial decree has been issued, the marriage is finalized.
Although Mrs. Yu was not smart, she never neglected the rules and etiquette, so she did her best.
In fact, if you think about it, you can understand that your son is neither good at literature nor martial arts, but he is favored by the princess and becomes the son-in-law of the princess. This is a blessing for his ancestors and he has a way out.
At least it is better than marrying your daughter to the prince, and you don't have to worry about being implicated in the fight for the throne.
The days passed in this uneventful manner. When Yu Fu was preparing for the wedding, the emperor's 50th birthday arrived. Perhaps because the queen was in poor health, the palace did not invite ministers to a banquet, but a special examination was held for this purpose.
While the adults were reviewing the papers, the eighth princess's float left the princess's mansion and was greeted by a handsome young man riding a pure white horse. They walked one after the other on the spacious street.
When they were halfway there, the horse hesitated and stopped. Yu Huo looked up at the young men blocking the way ahead, and his gaze slowly slid towards the person in the middle.
Last year’s new top scholar – Wen Nian.
There is actually a custom in Daliang for getting married. If someone is interested in the bride, they will intercept the bride halfway. If the groom does not show his true ability to win the challenge, he cannot return home to get married.
Even if it is an arranged marriage, it is still reasonable.
"I've long heard that the young master of the Shangshu family is handsome. Today, I saw him and he was indeed unforgettable. However, if I want to marry the Eighth Princess, looks alone are not enough."
"That's right! The princess is a golden branch and jade leaf. If you want to marry her, you have to show your true ability to convince us..."
Wen Nian's friends all joined in the fun, enjoying the excitement.
Yu Huo, riding on a tall horse, taunted, "You can see my appearance clearly from such a distance. With your eyes, even Chang'e would have to draw the curtains when she sleeps, right?"
"Hahahaha..." The people watching on both sides were amused by his fresh words, and the scene became more lively.
Wen Nian, on the other hand, had a serious face and sneered: "Young Master, you are talking nonsense. What, you don't dare to compete?"
Yu Huo shrugged. He was never one to be afraid of trouble. "Okay, what are we competing for?"
"If I, a Tanhualang, were to compete with a commoner like you in literary talent, everyone would think I'm bullying you..." Wen Nian glanced in the direction of the float and said slowly, "I heard you're pretty good with a slingshot. I think your aim should be pretty good. How about we have an archery competition?"
The curtain of the flower carriage was lifted by a hand. The person inside covered his face with a fan and spoke in a voice as soft as a stream: "Wen Tanhua, you still say you didn't bully anyone? How heavy is the slingshot? How much tension is the bowstring?"
Wen Nian was silent for a moment, feeling unwilling. He turned to look at the weary-looking boy and said sarcastically, "How dare you, a grown man, hide behind the princess's skirt?"
The young man ignored him and drove the horse to the side of the float. He abruptly pulled back the curtain that Jiang Ye had opened, with a stingy look on his face, and refused to let others see it.
After doing this, he stepped forward and opened his palm to the servant beside him: "Go get a bow and arrow."
Jiang Ye in the car gently moved the fan away and looked at the shadow outside the car through the thin curtain, a faint smile flashed across his beautiful eyes.
There were many people watching the fun on both sides, and they were eager to put up a bench to sit down and eat melons together. Unexpectedly, no one left and they watched eagerly.
After the servant came back with a bow and arrow, Yu Huo took it in his hand and tested the tension of the bowstring. He raised his neck to Wen Nian who was not far away and said, "Why don't we try something exciting?"
Wen Nian looked unhappy: "How do we play?"
Yu Huo reached out and took off the groom's crown. His long black hair cascaded down like a waterfall, as smooth as silk. Then he pulled a hairband from his wrist and quickly tied it into a neat high ponytail. The slightly shorter hair on his forehead fell on his temples, adding a touch of handsomeness and unrestrainedness to his appearance.
After doing all this, the young man raised his bow and arrow, his left hand tightly gripping the bowstring, and challenged: "How about we shoot arrows at each other at the same time? The one who dodges first will be the loser?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the whole audience was in an uproar.
Even Wen Nian was stunned for a moment, looking at the other person as if he was looking at a madman.
But the arrow was on the string and had to be shot. He had stopped the carriage now. If he deserted in the face of the enemy, his career as an official would probably be over.
He pondered for a moment, and a sinister smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, completely ruining his relatively handsome face.
"Okay, I'll do as you say."
The two men simultaneously drew their bowstrings. The chief guard who was maintaining law and order wiped the sweat from his forehead and counted down for them: "3, 2, 1."
After shouting, he raised the spear in his hand and was about to speak when a sound of breaking wind was heard. Someone actually released the bowstring first.
At the same time, the second sound of breaking wind followed, and the two arrows collided in mid-air. One of them was as powerful as a bamboo unstoppable, and with a zheng sound, it split the other arrow and continued to move towards the target at the same speed.
Wen Nian's pupils suddenly contracted and he subconsciously turned his head away. A burning pain instantly came over his cheek, which was the feeling of the arrow scraping his skin.
He stood there in a daze, somewhat incredulous at the result.
The next second, the sound of horse hooves was heard not far away, and a young man holding the groom's crown came slowly towards them, his back straight and his eyes clear.
The companions beside me retreated to the sides, the contempt in their eyes had long disappeared, leaving only myself standing there, not yet coming to my senses.
As they passed each other, the boy's mocking voice rang in his ears.
He said, "Fight with me? Are you worthy?"
The other person's voice was light and fluttery. He raised his eyes and only had time to see half of the other person's profile, and a flash of red in the depths of the pupil, which was enchanting and short-lived, as if the color he captured was just an illusion.
"We win, we win!" the people shouted, their eyes filled with wonder and excitement. "May Her Highness the Eighth Princess and Master Yu live happily ever after."
The wedding procession marched into the Yu Mansion in a grand procession. Jiang Ye was pushed into the hall in a wheelchair by a palace maid and stood there amidst the lively cheers.
Several princes in the courtyard looked on coldly, with hypocritical smiles on their lips.
"Bow to heaven and earth."
"Bow to your parents twice."
"Husband and wife bow to each other."
The maid turned the wheelchair around, and Jiang Ye bowed his head through the veil of the round fan to greet the young man opposite him. In a trance, a strange picture slowly unfolded before his eyes.
The young man was dressed strangely, revealing his arms and ankles, and his face looked even younger than it is now. He held a black tablet in his hand. The guests on both sides had red cheeks and the same expression, even their heads were hung at a similar angle.
A strange gust of wind blew by, and the candles with white wedding characters on them suddenly went out. The guests, with their fangs and claws bared, surrounded the young man in a circle, as if they wanted to tear him apart...
"Send her to the bridal chamber!"
Crash—the image in front of his eyes scattered like a shattered mirror, and he tilted his fan to look at the person beside him.
The other person had a smile on his face, which was completely different from the abrupt scene just now.
For some reason, he breathed a sigh of relief, as if a regret in his heart had been filled, and he also felt a sense of loss...
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