Because there were two brides, Hongli did not go to fetch them; instead, both families sent out their own wedding processions. When the auspicious hour arrived, the brides from the Fucha and Ulanara mansions departed simultaneously, carrying their dowries in a grand and impressive procession to the Beile mansion with gongs and drums.
The streets were packed with onlookers, and the Fucha family generously tossed out wedding candies, prompting a frenzy of grabbing among the crowd. Counting the 180 loads of dowry, everyone was amazed and envious.
The Ulanara family, which came from the other side, was making a lot of noise with gongs and drums, trying to drown out the other family. They also scattered wedding candies wherever they went. Although their dowry was slightly less than that of the Fucha family, it was still a very lively affair.
Just then, the two wedding processions arrived at the same street, which was the only road leading to Hongli's residence. The two processions were blocked together and neither was willing to give way, so they had to stop at the intersection.
Xueying felt the sedan chair stop and nervously asked the maidservant outside. The maidservant told Xueying that people from the Fucha family were blocking the way and asked for Xueying's opinion. Xueying gritted her teeth and said angrily, "Don't let them pass!"
Meanwhile, Mingyu also sensed something was wrong. Her maid came to tell her that the Ulanara family's entourage was blocking their way. Mingyu was clearly very angry, but couldn't come up with a solution for the moment. The maid angrily said, "Miss, you can't give way! You are the primary consort, and she is the secondary consort. Even if someone were to give way, it would be her..."
Mingyu was anxious and worried that they would miss the auspicious time, so she whispered, "How about we go together?"
The maidservant said anxiously, "Miss, if you give in to her this time, won't she bully you in the future? Besides, a bride can't go back on her way. We can neither give in to her nor go with her..." Mingyu thought for a moment and nodded.
The two teams were evenly matched and started arguing. Finally, the matchmaker couldn't stand it anymore and stepped in, making sarcastic remarks about the other side.
“We are the Emperor’s personally bestowed primary consorts, while you are secondary consorts. You should let us go first…” Mingyu’s wedding attendant persisted, and Xueying’s wedding attendant was also indignant: “The fact that the Prince did not separate the brides means that both consorts are equal. Even if there is a distinction between primary and secondary consorts, it is only in name. We are both brides, how can we give way…”
Mingyu's wedding attendant blushed with anger, pointing at the other woman and gritting her teeth, "What title? The primary wife is the primary wife. You still have to pay your respects to our primary wife after she enters the manor. The Prince is not particular about formalities, but we can't just let it go like this. The Prince's manor still has its rules..."
Xueying's matchmaker, not to be outdone, covered her mouth and chuckled, "Rules? We'll see which princess will be in charge then. Our princess is clever and quick-witted, and she's also the Empress's niece. Otherwise, why would the Prince marry two women on the same day? It just means the Prince likes our princess..."
Mingyu's wedding attendant was so angry she couldn't speak. The maids behind her stepped forward, pointing at Xueying's dowry, and mocked, "Since your princess is so precious, why is her dowry so meager? Our princess has a full 180 loads of dowry. Anyone with eyes can see which family should be at the front, so as not to embarrass the Prince..."
The dowry was Xueying's biggest worry, and she never expected a mere maid to bring it up, which made her tremble with anger. Fortunately, Xueying's maid was quick-witted and stepped forward to lift the first load of the dowry. Slowly, gold and silver jewelry piled up like a small mountain. The maid said proudly, "Our Ulanara family has never been one for empty displays. Although we don't have many, each box is no less impressive than yours..." Passersby looked at the dazzling jewelry and sighed in admiration.
Xueying breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, the maid had brought out the best dowry items in advance.
More and more people gathered to watch the spectacle, and the already crowded street was now completely blocked. The two groups stood facing each other, neither showing any intention of backing down. As the auspicious time drew closer, Xueying and Mingyu began to get anxious...
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