The Prime Minister's Residence.
Lanterns and decorations were hung, and firecrackers were set off.
Although there weren't many guests, everyone had a smile on their face, sharing in the joy and creating a festive atmosphere.
The Prime Minister's wife looked at the perfect couple who were about to get married. She had a smile on her face, but the smile didn't reach her eyes. She just put on a good act so that no one could see through her.
Xie Changling didn't even bother to pretend anymore. Although he was getting married, he looked like he had lost his parents, and he couldn't even manage a smile.
"First bow to Heaven and Earth—"
The matchmaker was still the same matchmaker, and the groom was still the same groom, but the bride had changed.
Just as they were about to continue their wedding ceremony, the head eunuch's voice rang out from outside the door: "His Majesty has arrived! Consort Ling has arrived!"
Xie Changling's body trembled. What did he hear? Consort Ling, was that his Xi'er? It must be, Xi'er's real name was Song Lingxi.
He wanted to leave everyone behind and go see the person he longed for day and night.
He really missed Xi'er, missed her voice and smile, missed her coquettishness and infatuation, and missed her scent...
But before he could take his first step, the Prime Minister's wife called out to him from behind: "Xie Changling!"
Xie Changling paused, and in the short time it took to be stunned, the guests crowded around the Emperor and came forward, but they all kept their distance.
"Your subject (your wife) pays respects to Your Majesty and to the Noble Consort."
None of the guests dared to look up, since looking directly at the emperor was a serious offense. Therefore, Xie Changling keeping his head down did not seem out of place.
"No need for formalities—"
The Emperor, holding Song Lingxi's hand, stood in front of the wedding hall and looked at the Prime Minister's wife, who was at the head of the table: "I've come with Xi'er to join in the fun. You all need not stand on ceremony."
The Prime Minister's wife was on tenterhooks. She had just restrained Xie Changling to prevent him from being impolite, but she wondered if her foolish son could hold on when he saw the Imperial Concubine.
"It is an unparalleled honor for the Prime Minister's residence that His Majesty and the Imperial Concubine have come. How could I dare to be negligent? Please do not look down on the humble state of the Prime Minister's residence. Please, His Majesty and the Imperial Concubine, take your seats."
The Prime Minister's wife was adept at social interaction; her words were beautifully crafted, placing her in an extremely humble position and making the superior feel comfortable.
"It's alright."
The Emperor, holding Song Lingxi's hand, walked past the Prime Minister's wife to the high seat in the hall, which was originally the seat of the Prime Minister and his wife, signifying Xie Changling's elders.
Now, the position of elder has fallen to him and Song Lingxi; this is a warning from the emperor.
Xie Changling kept his head bowed respectfully, even though he was unwilling and longed to see Song Lingxi, he was afraid he couldn't control his desires.
Xiao Jin looked at Xie Changling, who kept his head down and whose expression was not clear. His first reaction was not to ask him to raise his head, but to see Song Lingxi's reaction.
Song Lingxi's face was expressionless, but there was a hint of bitterness in her eyes. Xiao Jin keenly noticed this bitterness and tightened his grip on Song Lingxi's hand.
Xiao Jin's heart also began to pound with unease. She had come to sever the ill-fated relationship between the two, not to allow them to rekindle their romance.
He mentally prepared himself, took a deep breath, forced a smile, and said loudly.
"I once mistakenly paired up a couple, resulting in a bitter and unhappy union. Now, I am restoring order and hope that your son and the daughter of the Jiang family can create a beautiful love story."
"Yes, Your Majesty is absolutely right."
The Prime Minister's wife echoed her words, her smile brighter than any flower, showing no sign of reluctance. The Prime Minister's wife's attitude, however, made Song Lingxi feel a little bitter.
In her previous life, she was alone and helpless, regarding the Prime Minister's mansion as her only home and the Prime Minister's wife as her own mother. When she was reborn, everything changed.
As for Xie Changling, he remained the same as before, not even raising his head, which displeased Xiao Jin, who then began to make trouble.
"What's wrong, groom? Are you a little unhappy on your big day?"
Everyone followed his gaze and looked at Xie Changling. They couldn't look directly at the emperor's face, but they could still look at a young master.
The Jiang family members were also among the guests. Seeing the emperor's obvious dislike for Xie Changling, and considering the status of the Imperial Concubine, they all frowned.
Their daughter has a physical disability, which has prevented her from finding a husband, but for the same reason, it has also made it difficult for the other daughters in the family to find husbands.
Therefore, Jiang Lu took it upon herself to ask the Emperor to grant her a marriage, hoping only that the other party would be of good character and not mistreat her daughter. However, she never expected that the Emperor would betroth the man to the eldest son of the Prime Minister's family.
Later, I even heard that the Prime Minister's eldest son's first wife had been taken to the palace by the Emperor and made a concubine. Wouldn't that create a grudge?
The Jiang family wanted to back out, but it was too late. The imperial edict had already been issued, and there was no way to ask the emperor to retract it. They could only accept it reluctantly.
Now it seems the rumors were true. They suddenly realized they had pushed their daughter into a fire pit. With the Emperor watching over them from now on, they would never have a peaceful day.
They secretly watched Xie Changling's reaction, hoping he would show some courage and not anger the emperor, who would then execute him, thus tarnishing their daughter's reputation as a jinx.
...
Upon hearing Xiao Jin's words, Xie Changling felt as if his heart was bleeding. Xiao Jin had snatched his Xi'er away and then asked him if he was happy—was that even human?
But he couldn't show the slightest displeasure. He knew that if his performance didn't satisfy him, he and his family would suffer the emperor's wrath.
Xie Changling adjusted his expression, put on a proper smile, and showed no reluctance whatsoever. His smile was even brighter than when he married Song Lingxi that day.
"Your Majesty, you are too kind. It is my greatest honor that you think of me so much. Moreover, you have bestowed upon me such a virtuous wife. I am overjoyed!"
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