Chapter 148 The Blessing of Two Lifetimes Finally Comes at Xiaoman
"A veil?" Yang Xiao looked at Cen Xun with interest. "Can it also serve as a headscarf?"
Cen Xun smiled and nodded, “Of course you can. Think about it, normally people can only see your eyes and not your face clearly, but your eyes happen to be the most expressive. When you ride a horse, you can show your imposing presence. Even with a veil on your face, you still have a sense of mystery.”
She closed her eyes briefly, as if she had already imagined the scene. "And the groom, naturally, won't be able to see you clearly either, only catching a glimpse of your face through his eyes. This adds a touch of intrigue. Most importantly," Cen Xun pointed at Yang Xiao, "the veil won't hinder any of your activities, and it also preserves the tradition of the bride not showing her true face. What do you all think?"
“I think it’s feasible,” Yang Xiao nodded admiringly, then turned to look at Yang Zhen and asked, “Father?”
Yang Zhen nodded in agreement, "Lord Cen's suggestion is a perfect solution. If that old Bai doesn't agree, I'll just say he'll keep going until he does."
Everyone laughed upon hearing this. Bai Ming smiled and clasped his hands in a fist salute to Yang Zhen, saying, "Uncle, don't worry, Father will agree."
"Don't you know your father?" Yang Zhen smiled and shook his head at Bai Ming. "He's incredibly stubborn. Once he's made up his mind, nothing can change it. I wonder if he can even agree with his ideas."
"Uncle, rest assured," Bai Ming clasped his hands in a fist salute to Yang Zhen, "He will definitely cooperate with Lingyu's wishes. Even if he disagrees, I will keep pestering him until he agrees."
Another burst of laughter erupted in the hall. Before anyone knew it, the once solemn and gentle Zhu Yang Hall was filled with joyful laughter. Yang Xiao felt a pang of nostalgia. She turned her head to look at a familiar place, and saw that under the carved window, the jade chessboard was still there. On the chessboard was still the endgame of the game in which she had defeated Xiao Yan, except that the black "general" was nowhere to be found.
She chuckled softly with a touch of sentimentality, then turned her attention back to the others. She wondered who had said what, but then she saw Yang Zhen nod. "Everything is ready now, all that's left is to set a date."
“No rush, I’ve already asked someone to calculate the date,” Zhong Li’an said with a smile to Yang Zhen. “Eight days from now, April 24th, the day of Lesser Fullness of Grain.”
Yang Zhen nodded approvingly upon hearing this, "Xiaoman Day means a day of fulfillment and perfection, which has a very good meaning."
“Then let’s settle on this for now. If General Bai disagrees with us, we can discuss it again later.” Zhong Li’an put down his teacup and stood up with satisfaction. “In that case, let’s dismiss the guests and get ready to make our own preparations.”
Upon hearing this, everyone stood up, bid farewell to Zhong Li'an, and left the room. There they saw Zhang Ping standing outside the hall, panting, holding something in his arms.
"Zhang Ping?" Yang Xiao turned her head upon seeing this and quickly walked over. "What's wrong?"
"Good news, General." Zhang Ping smiled and handed the box to Yang Xiao. "Do you remember when Mu Fei and I went to Anping City before we attacked Nanyang and borrowed some jewelry from the old gentleman?"
“Of course I remember,” Yang Xiao nodded. “After returning from Nanyang, I made a special trip to visit him. What happened to him?”
Zhang Ping, supporting his lower back and adjusting his breathing, looked up at Yang Xiao with a smile, "He heard that you were going to marry General Bai, so he made a flower crown for you by hand and specially asked someone to deliver it overnight, for fear of missing the wedding."
"A floral crown?" Yang Xiao looked at the box in her hand in surprise, and sighed with emotion, "It's hard to believe he was so thoughtful."
"The old man said that it doesn't matter whether you wear it on your wedding day or not; what matters is that his heartfelt wishes must be conveyed."
Yang Xiao held the box with deep emotion, "Such a precious item, and he treated us so kindly... Zhang Ping," Yang Xiao looked up at Zhang Ping, "Did he give us a thank-you gift?"
“I gave it to him,” Zhang Ping nodded readily. “At the time, the man tried to refuse, but I said that it was also General’s wish, so he couldn’t refuse and took the good wine and malt sugar back with him.”
Upon hearing this, Yang Xiao nodded in satisfaction, "As expected, I trust you with this matter."
“In that case,” Cen Xun said with a smile, putting his arm around Yang Xiao’s shoulder, “shouldn’t we go and buy some cosmetics?”
Yang Xiao handed the box to Zhang Ping with both hands, then glanced at Cen Xun and asked, "Are you going in person?"
"I feel more at ease choosing it myself." Cen Xun smiled, patted Yang Xiao on the back, and rode his horse out of the palace.
With Cen Xun's outburst and Bai Yao's grand entrance into the city, the whole of Chang'an knew about the two generals' marriage, and the streets and alleys were bustling with activity, just like during the New Year.
Yang Zhen led Yang Song through the bustling streets and had just returned to Chixiao Mansion when they heard a servant rushing out the door.
"Report! General! General Bai has arrived!"
"Bai Yao?" Upon hearing this, Yang Zhen immediately stood up. He gestured for the servant to leave and strode out the door, where he saw a tall figure blocking out most of the sunlight, standing in his courtyard.
He gazed at that all-too-familiar figure, and couldn't help but sigh with a smile. He raised his hand and clasped his hands in a fist salute, "Brother Bai, how have you been?"
"You should be secretly happy," Bai Yao said, looking at his old friend whom he hadn't seen in a long time. He raised his hand and pointed at him, then walked forward without ceremony. "It's a good thing that Xiao Yan killed the tyrant and let you fall into Zhong Li'an's hands."
Yang Zhen smiled and ushered Bai Yao into the house. He instructed Yang Song to pour tea and then arranged for the guests and host to sit down. "How can you address His Majesty by his given name?"
“You know, ever since that tyrannical emperor deceived us in every way, I have stopped believing in the emperor’s ways…” He blew on his hot tea, and when he turned around, he met Yang Zhen’s undeniable expression. He fell silent and sighed in compromise, “Fine, I admit his abilities. I am convinced that he is the emperor.”
"I've been soaking in this murky water for twenty years, while you've been living a life of leisure in the Bai family mansion in Yuzhou for twenty years, hiding in plain sight." Yang Zhen smiled and took a sip of tea. "How about it, not planning to go back to your old ways?"
Bai Yao put down his teacup, chuckled, and sighed, "In my life, I have felt ashamed that I have not lived up to the expectations of the court. I have not been to the battlefield for many years, and now, I am unwilling to use my status to pressure the emperor into choosing a position for me." He looked at Yang Zhen with emotion, "Now, it is the era of young people."
“In the end,” Yang Zhen said with a wistful smile, holding his tea, “it’s just that the two children are destined to be together.”
Bai Yao couldn't help but laugh upon hearing this, "In the end, it's still because our fate wasn't over, is it? When Song'er was born, I hadn't left Chang'an yet, and I had just gotten married. Back then..."
"Are you going to bring up that naive promise again?" Yang Zhen interrupted him with a smile. "You said you wanted to have a daughter and marry her off to Song'er, but less than half a year later, you couldn't stand it anymore and resigned from your post to retire to Yuzhou."
“Ming’er is a boy. I thought the agreement was null and void, but what happened? Your daughter was born again.” Bai Yao took a sip of tea with emotion. “She went through many hardships, but ended up in the Bai family by chance. After she left with that gun, three years later, she met Ming’er again on the battlefield.”
As Bai Yao spoke, he sighed deeply, "How can this fate deepen?"
"They share the same ideals and aspirations, that's all." Yang Zhen patted Bai Yao on the shoulder. "Look at the empire this young man has built, isn't it a hundred times better than that old tyrant?"
"Why compare him to a tyrannical ruler?" Bai Yao chuckled and shook his head. "By the way, has His Majesty decided on the marriage of the two children?"
"You're too late. His Majesty just finished his business."
"It's my fault for being delayed on the way. What did you all discuss?"
Upon hearing this, Yang Zhen paused, holding his teacup, then turned to Bai Yao with a threatening look, "I know you're stubborn, but this matter must be left to A-Xiao."
Bai Yao was also taken aback, then sighed softly, "This is the children's business. If they don't listen to them, do they think they can listen to us?" He raised his hand and patted Yang Zhen's shoulder, "Moreover, Ling Yu is both a scholar and a warrior, a military talent that is hard to come by in a hundred years. Marrying her is a blessing that Bai Ming has accumulated over several lifetimes."
He turned his head and pointed at Yang Zhen, "In short, no matter who suffers a loss, Lingyu should not be let down."
“I misjudged you,” Yang Zhen said with a smile and a sigh of relief. “Very well, I’ll be frank. Lingyu doesn’t want to wear a veil and ride in a sedan chair; she prefers to ride a horse and witness the splendor of the time firsthand.”
"That's good. Sitting in a sedan chair would only stifle her temperament." Bai Yao sat up straight and nodded approvingly. "When will the wedding take place?"
"It's set for eight days from now, April 24th, the day of Lesser Fullness."
-
Before the sun had fully set, the auspicious day arrived. The entire city of Chang'an was adorned in red, and firecrackers crackled and drums resounded throughout the streets and alleys. The people eagerly anticipated this highly anticipated wedding, as if it were the New Year.
Cen Xun, with a face full of joy, listened to the noise outside the window while applying face powder. He gently lifted Yang Xiao's chin and lightly applied the powder to her face.
“Alright,” Cen Xun nodded, satisfied with his task, and stepped back slightly, looking at Yang Xiao as if admiring a work of art. “So beautiful, as expected of you.”
"Miss Cen's skills are superb. It seems that I will have to completely change my usual style today."
"Who said that?" Cen Xun chuckled and sighed, gently straightening Yang Xiao's posture as she looked in the mirror. "What does it mean to be agile and spirited, combining strength and gentleness?"
Following Cen Xun's lead, Yang Xiao looked in the mirror and was momentarily stunned when she saw the radiant face that was both unfamiliar and familiar.
So this is what I look like after dressing up.
Her sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes were even more captivating under the makeup, her face gentle yet exuding a heroic spirit. She tilted her head slightly to look at the corner of her eye, and what was seen in that part of her gaze was none of the coquettish charm of a young lady, but rather a sharp and imposing aura.
She couldn't help but smile, and the person in the mirror instantly came to life, revealing the joyful anticipation in their eyes, tinged with a touch of warmth and gentleness.
"How is it?" Cen Xun stood to the side, smiling as he mixed rouge. "Is the general satisfied with his appearance?"
Yang Xiao finally snapped out of her daze, and suddenly seemed a little awkward, as she had never paid much attention to her appearance. She nodded and chuckled, then looked up to meet Cen Xun's gaze in the mirror. "I don't usually look in the mirror, I never expected to look like this after putting on makeup today."
Cen Xun chuckled knowingly, gently tapping Yang Xiao's chin to turn her head. "This is nothing yet. You've only just put on your makeup, haven't worn your flower crown or wedding dress yet," Cen Xun said, carefully applying a touch of vermilion ink to Yang Xiao's lips. "Why don't you look forward to what you'll look like in your full wedding attire?"
“There are so many steps,” Yang Xiao said with a smile, looking into Cen Xun’s serious eyes. “No wonder you were dragging me to get my makeup done so early.”
Cen Xun chuckled and sighed, then looked proudly at Yang Xiao's face, "I don't know about anything else, but Zhao Qing will definitely be completely convinced by you today."
"Really?" Yang Xiao tilted her head and smiled, "It has such great power just from wearing makeup?"
“He’ll be dressed up today too; you’ll see when you meet him.” Cen Xun smiled as he put away his vermilion brush and turned to gently present the magnificent floral crown. “You two practice and spar every day, and you get covered in dust and dirt in no time. Even so, you can still be friends. How much more so when you’re dressed up in your finest attire?”
She smiled and gently placed the flower crown on Yang Xiao's head. "When you two are at your most spirited at dusk, existing only for each other, who wouldn't be moved?"
"Now that you mention it, I'm even more excited," Yang Xiao said, looking at Cen Xun's busy figure in the mirror. "It's just that I'm all dressed up, while you're going to be exhausted all day because of me."
Before he could finish speaking, Cen Xun flicked his head.
"Then I'll rest for a while, you go see Zhaoqing like this."
"Hey, don't do that," Yang Xiao said with a smile, sitting up straight and turning around to tug at Cen Xun's sleeve. "I was just worried you'd get tired, why are you throwing a tantrum?"
Cen Xun playfully shoved Yang Xiao, "What's our relationship? Why are you talking to me like that?"
"Okay, okay, I was wrong." Yang Xiao smiled, turned around, pointed to her head, and said, "Please."
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