“What I said is true. If I ever betray Jiang’er, I will never stop her from returning to the Moon Kingdom, and I will reserve the position of my principal wife for her for the rest of my life,” Jing Yan said without avoiding the question.
Whether this promise is true or not, it came from Jing Yan's mouth.
In fact, he could have simply not said anything. So what if Yue Jiang was a princess? Jing Yan was the crown prince of a country. Marrying the crown prince meant that Yue Jiang's future happiness or hardship would depend on how she lived.
They wouldn't have the freedom to return to the Moon Kingdom, let alone make Jing Yan speak so frankly and magnanimously.
Yuelang could use these words to coax young ladies, but he would never use such a serious tone, much less in front of strangers.
He felt a sudden surge of anger, though he didn't know why. However, he could console himself that he could watch Jing Yan make a fool of himself.
Yue Jiang is so cold-hearted. If one day Jing Yan is no longer the crown prince and even the Jing Kingdom is in turmoil, Yue Jiang will definitely abandon him just like she abandoned An Chenghuan.
The moon shines brightly, and one can wait with anticipation.
"Your Highness's promise is accepted by Yuelang. I will now entrust my sister to you." He handed over the red silk in his hand and gave his place to Jingyan so that he could accompany Yuejiang.
Jing Yan readily accepted the red silk ribbon and personally led Yue Jiang out of Qi Luan Palace. To accommodate Yue Jiang's veil, he deliberately slowed his pace so that the two could keep in sync.
Suddenly, Yue Jiang's soft apologetic voice drifted into Jing Yan's ears: "Your Highness, I apologize. My brother was very rude."
Jing Yan smiled faintly, tilted his head slightly, and replied in the same low voice, "It's nothing. Didn't Jiang'er say that your brother is mentally ill? I've always been lenient with the sick, and those stories weren't jokes."
Yue Jiang: "..."
Jing Yan felt Yue Jiang's head turn slightly towards him. The two of them had already arrived in front of the imperial carriage. He took the opportunity of helping Yue Jiang onto the carriage and sitting down with her to sigh.
“If an ordinary woman marries, she will have several opportunities to return home to reunite with her husband each year. Jiang’er’s family is far away in the Yue Kingdom, and it is not easy for her to go back. It is also difficult for me to accompany you on your homecoming.”
"Everyone feels homesick, but I feel I owe you something in this regard."
Yue Jiang: "..."
She had no desire for the Moon Kingdom. If she went back for no reason, the Moon Kingdom would only treat her as a pawn and would not take care of her for nothing.
It's even worse if it falls into Yue Lang's hands.
"It is indeed difficult to return to my hometown, but I grew up in the Moon Kingdom. Every blade of grass and every tree there is etched in my mind. I cherish the memory more than I do when I return. I will miss Your Highness even more in the future."
The imperial carriage was already moving slowly forward, with red silk lanterns, clusters of flowers, and the sounds of gongs and drums echoing throughout the palace, creating a grand and lively atmosphere.
Yue Jiang's voice seemed insignificant; she didn't need to restrain herself.
Jing Yan sat upright beside Yue Jiang, taking in the soft and pleasant voice.
A warm current seemed to flow through his heart, gentle and soothing. Jing Yan gently smiled and, for the first time ever, took the initiative to place his hand on Yue Jiang's wrist.
They didn't say a word, but it was as if they had already reached an unspoken understanding.
The Luan Palace was heading towards the Delin Palace, where the ceremony was to take place.
...
"Yue Jiang isn't actually the real princess of Yue Kingdom!" A surprised whisper suddenly rang out from behind the thick curtains in a side hall.
As the aged voice faded, a young girl's voice followed, saying, "Not only is she not a real princess, but she's also one of those women kept in brothels who use their looks to serve men. How can Your Highness marry such a woman? You must expose Yue Jiang."
The same voice rang out again: "No, since the Yue Kingdom dared to send her out in the name of a princess, Yue Jiang is a princess. If she hadn't been kidnapped by Jing Yan, she would have gone to the An Kingdom. It wasn't the Yue Kingdom that forced her to go to the Jing Kingdom. Why should we suffer in silence?"
"Besides, Jingyan might not mind that Yuejiang isn't a real princess, unless Yuejiang uses the tricks she learned to fake affection and deceive him. If he ignores Yuejiang, then our opportunity will come."
"Let's keep this matter private. While the Crown Prince is busy, we'll slip this secret letter in and make sure it reaches Jing Yan tonight."
...
The nobles from the various palaces who were required to attend the banquet in Jing Palace were already waiting in the Delin Main Hall.
Ever since Empress Dowager Cheng returned to the palace in disgrace from the sacrificial festival, Empress Dowager Zheng in the Longevity Hall felt that the arrogant aura of the Cheng family in the palace had faded.
She and Empress Dowager Cheng sat on either side of Jing Huaixu and Empress Ye. Empress Dowager Zheng said meaningfully.
"Yan'er has made a truly good choice in marrying the Crown Princess. She has won the hearts of the people from the very beginning, which is far better than any other person's schemes."
"For the first forty years, those orphans were like they were under a spell. They didn't believe anyone but their sister, which made their sister's family take care of them generation after generation."
"Now we can finally relax and take a break. I think Sister Cheng must be relieved too, don't you think?"
Empress Dowager Zheng deliberately brought up the scattered orphans, but Empress Dowager Cheng remained as calm as a statue, showing neither joy nor anger in the face of Empress Dowager Zheng's deliberate sarcasm.
"I noticed Yuejiang's good appearance early this morning. Didn't Sister Zheng notice? Oh, I forgot, Sister Zheng has never been a Crown Princess or Empress, so she doesn't know how hard it is to manage the household affairs."
"How fortunate you are to have achieved such honor and status in one leap. You have never experienced the hardships of the Crown Princess and the Empress. I cannot envy you."
This statement, which claims to inflict 800 damages on the enemy while losing 1000 damages on oneself, means that no one gains a significant advantage.
Empress Dowager Zheng thought that things were different now, and that Empress Dowager Cheng was not someone who could be contradicted. She stared at Jing Huaixu a few times, but Jing Huaixu didn't even look at her.
He and Empress Ye sat in the middle, seemingly lost in thought, without offering to say a word.
Actually, they are experienced. As long as you don't break things or argue about matters of principle, they will never get involved no matter how the two of you go back and forth.
Moreover, this is Jingyan's joyous day. If anyone loses their temper and ruins it, their reputation as a mean-spirited imperial grandmother will be established.
No one dared to take the blame.
Jing Huaixu was, after all, Empress Dowager Zheng's own son, and he gently reminded her not to get carried away: "Mother, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess will be here soon."
Empress Dowager Zheng gave a soft snort and gave up.
"Your Highness, Your Highness the Crown Princess is entering the palace."
With a loud shout from the eunuch, Jingyan and Yuejiang entered the hall together, where the Minister of Rites personally recited blessings for the newlyweds and performed the Willow Branch Water Blessing Ceremony.
After the blessings were bestowed, the Minister of Rites once again sang the wedding vows: "First bow to Heaven and Earth."
Jing Yan, holding the red silk in his hand, led Yue Jiang to bow deeply outside the palace.
"Two bows to the Emperor and Empress, and the two Empress Dowagers."
Jing Yan continued to lead Yue Jiang around, bowing to Jing Huaixu and Empress Ye, and then bowing to Empress Dowager Cheng and Empress Dowager Zheng on either side.
"Three bows to husband and wife."
For the final bow, Jing Yan and Yue Jiang simultaneously faced each other and bowed.
The Delin Hall was only a place for the two to pay their respects. After the Emperor and Empress, Heaven and Earth, and husband and wife had all paid their respects, Jing Yan still needed to send Yue Jiang back to the East Palace. The banquet was held in the East Palace, and all the guests had to move there.
When Jing Yan arrived at the East Palace again, it was nearly dusk. All the guests had taken their seats. Jing Yan first escorted Yue Jiang back to her bridal chamber before returning to the guests' seats.
However, upon entering the front hall's covered walkway, a figure hurried along the slightly dark end, seemingly not doing anything good.
"Who is it!" Jing Yan shouted sharply.
Hearing Jing Yan's solemn voice, the man was so frightened that he ran into the darkness. Jing Yan ran a few steps to chase after him but couldn't catch up. Suddenly, he realized that he had stepped on something.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
