Chapter 107 The Grand Wedding
Inside the Huaming Palace, where the Consort Xian resided, agarwood burned quietly in a gilded incense burner, its wisps of smoke unable to dispel the lingering chill deep within the palace.
The Empress Dowager leaned against the soft couch, her eyes lowered, slowly twirling a string of glossy sandalwood prayer beads in her hand.
Princess Jin'an knelt on the prayer mat below, her posture respectful, her eyes lowered, and at first glance, her demeanor resembled that of a docile bird.
"My patience is running out," the Dowager Consort's voice rang out, dry and cold. "That girl Jingfu is just arrogant because she saved His Majesty. She can't cause too much trouble usually. If you can't prove your usefulness to me, I won't bother to waste any more effort on you."
The reason why Consort Xian had some interaction with Jin'an, who was unknown and widowed in the palace, was because she disliked Jingfu in the palace, and she would be happy to see someone replace Jingfu.
Although the Dowager Consort held a prestigious position, the Emperor, out of gratitude for Princess Jingfu's past act of saving him at great personal risk, showed great favor to his younger sister, which gave Jingfu considerable power in the palace.
For example, last year, when the Dowager Princess wanted to spend a huge sum of money to renovate her retirement garden, Gyeongbok said, "The soldiers in the northern border are already short of food and pay, and the palace should not be too extravagant," so the Ministry of Revenue found a pretext to hold back the funds.
For example, if the Dowager Consort wanted to place her confidants in certain lucrative positions in the Imperial Treasury, Gyeongbok could also use his influence among the imperial relatives to recommend someone else who was more favored by the Emperor.
The Empress was gentle and mild-mannered, and she was used to playing both sides, never offending either. This made the Dowager Consort feel frustrated, as she felt that her authority as the "ancestor" had been challenged.
As for Jin'an, the princess who was brought back to the palace three years ago and had been almost forgotten before, she did not initially catch the eye of the Dowager Consort.
Until one night at a palace banquet, Jin'an accidentally spilled a wine cup, staining the dress of a favored concubine who was on good terms with Jingfu. However, he skillfully deflected the accusation with his words, not only clearing himself of any wrongdoing but also giving the concubine a reputation for being impetuous and unruly.
The Empress Dowager observed coldly and saw through the girl's cunning hidden in her gentle demeanor.
After that, Jin'an gradually became able to say a few words in front of the Empress Dowager.
The Dowager Consort soon discovered that Jin'an wanted far more than just a stable future. She appeared gentle and weak, but she was actually quite cunning.
After the last incident of Jingfu's poisoning, she sent people to investigate carefully. All the clues were cleverly broken down to unimportant people, and she couldn't find any evidence to definitively accuse Jin'an.
This method of hers secretly alarmed her.
Jin'an wanted to use her to get rid of Jingfu, both to clear away obstacles and to use this as a pledge of loyalty in exchange for greater power and freedom from her.
If it weren't for the sudden appearance of Meng Yutong and Ji Yun causing trouble, Jingfu would already be a skeleton by now. In this harem, who would dare to go against her?
Jin'an raised her head, her face still showing that pitiful and weak appearance, but her eyes revealed a coldness: "Your Highness, I know that I am stupid and dull. I am only able to be where I am today because Your Highness has not abandoned me. There is indeed something that I can do. If it is accomplished, it will not only relieve Your Highness's worries, but also fulfill a small wish of mine."
"Oh?" The Dowager finally opened her eyes, a sharp glint flashing in her slightly cloudy eyes, like an old owl in the dark, locking onto Jin'an. "What do you intend to do?"
Jin'an crawled two steps, getting very close, her voice low but her pace rapid: "On the ninth day of the tenth month, the Ji family will hold a grand wedding, and His Majesty will also be present. Many nobles will attend the banquet. The Ji family is not like the imperial palace, so some oversights are inevitable. If at this time, there are one or two loyal and brave men willing to risk their lives to cause a disturbance during the wedding and create some chaos."
"Jin'an is willing to risk her life to protect Your Majesty, even if it means being shattered to pieces..." After she finished speaking, she kowtowed deeply. "Jin'an has no other request, only that afterwards, Father Emperor will remember a trace of father-daughter affection and look at Jin'an more. If I can speak for Father Emperor in the future, Jin'an will definitely obey the Empress Dowager's orders. Whatever Your Majesty desires, Jin'an will achieve it even if it means going through fire and water!"
The Empress Dowager's eyes flashed with cold light, and she clenched her Buddhist prayer beads tightly in her hand. She shouted in a low voice, "Insolence! How dare you treat the Emperor's safety as a joke!"
Jin'an's plan was precisely based on his understanding of the emperor's sentimental nature.
Jingfu once risked his life to save him, and the emperor still remembers him and bestows great favor upon him.
If Jin'an could also "sacrifice herself" to save the emperor this time, preferably with serious injuries, it would be enough to leave a deep impression on the emperor's heart.
Jin'an lay prostrate on the ground, his forehead pressed against the cold brick, but his voice was unusually calm, even with a hint of seduction: "Even if we take a step back... if fate is unpredictable, and those loyal and brave men act recklessly, causing irreparable damage to the Holy Body."
"A country cannot be without a ruler for a single day. His Highness the Crown Prince is only seven years old and has ascended the throne at a very young age. At that time, many matters in the court and the harem will require the help and support of close relatives and elders such as the Dowager Consort and His Highness Prince Rong to ensure stability."
She raised her head slightly, her gaze deep and unfathomable. "If this matter succeeds, my future will be bright; if things go wrong, I, Jin'an, will bear all the consequences alone, and the Dowager Consort will have absolutely no connection with me."
The Empress Dowager stared at her silently, her gaze seemingly piercing through her.
The hall was deathly silent, with only the occasional faint crackling of burning candles striking the heart.
After a long silence, the Empress Dowager finally let out a cold snort, her tone complex and difficult to decipher, yet also containing a hint of barely perceptible admiration: "I underestimated you. Such a ruthless heart, such a desperate gamble... If my Heng'er had even half of your decisiveness and ruthlessness back then, knowing when to cut his losses and not being so emotional, this dragon throne... would not have fallen into his hands today!"
She thought of her son, Li Heng, who had once been infatuated with a lowly merchant's daughter, even developing genuine feelings for her. If she hadn't acted decisively, fabricating charges against the woman and her family, her son's future would likely have been ruined long ago.
In her view, power is the foundation of one's position, and any obstacle should be ruthlessly eliminated.
She did not give a clear answer, but she also stopped scolding him.
Jin'an knew that the Empress Dowager was tempted. She knew this woman in the deep palace all too well; as she grew older, her greed for power only increased with each passing year.
Even if it only meant one more day of control, one more moment of supreme power and the ability to decide life and death, she was willing to take the risk.
Jin'an maintained her most submissive bowed posture, but a cold smile slowly curled at the corner of her lips, out of the Empress Dowager's sight.
Ji Yun, you want a grand wedding? I'll make sure your precious day is ruined.
Ah Zhao is gone. Do you want to pretend nothing happened and get married and have children?
dream!
*
The ninth day of the tenth lunar month is an auspicious day.
Before dawn, the Meng residence was already bustling with activity.
Meng Yutong sat gracefully before the mirror, as Granny Gui and Granny Wu personally styled her hair and makeup. Layers upon layers of phoenix coronet and embroidered robes accentuated her elegant and noble appearance, adding a breathtakingly radiant beauty to her features.
Grandma Meng stood behind her, gazing at her granddaughter through the bronze mirror, her usually stern face now displaying a complex expression. She took the last red-gold phoenix hairpin with pearls from Granny Gui's hand and personally inserted it into Meng Yutong's hair, her movements slow and solemn.
“Tong girl,” the old lady’s voice was a little hoarse, “Grandma has never been good at speaking. I was a bit strict with you before, always afraid that you would go astray, afraid that you would not be able to live up to the Meng family’s reputation… Fortunately, you didn’t go astray.”
Her rough hands gently stroked Meng Yutong's shoulder, her eyes filled with rare tenderness and satisfaction. "You've grown into the person you are today—intelligent, resilient, kind-hearted, and well-mannered. Your grandmother is very proud of you."
She leaned down slightly, close to Meng Yutong's ear, and whispered in a low voice, just loud enough for the two of them to hear: "Your marriage to Ji Yun is a temporary measure. But I can tell from your grandmother that the boy has truly cared for you. There's a long road ahead. If you two are truly compatible, and if his sincerity is evident, don't make any premature judgments about the future."
Meng Yutong's heart trembled slightly. She looked into her grandmother's eyes in the mirror, her lips moved, but in the end she just nodded gently: "Granddaughter understands."
The auspicious time has arrived, and firecrackers are being set off.
Supported by Bai Zhi and Granny Gui, Meng Yutong bid farewell to her grandmother. Outside the mansion gate, the bridal sedan chair was already waiting, and Liu Sijun, dressed in brand-new robes, stood in front of it, looking very spirited.
"Hey girl, come on up!" He turned around, squatted down, and his broad back looked exceptionally reliable.
Meng Yutong lay on his back, being steadily carried by him.
After her grandmother revealed Liu Sijun's true identity last time, the two became relatives, and Liu Sijun told her many things about Qinzhou.
Liu Sijun walked step by step toward the bridal sedan chair, his steps steady, his voice more melancholy than usual: "Sister, seeing you get married smoothly today, my trip to Lin'an wasn't in vain. I'll be returning to Qinzhou in a few days."
Feeling grateful for his protection during this time, Meng Yutong said softly, "Cousin, thank you. If I have the opportunity in the future, I will definitely visit my uncle and aunt in Qinzhou."
Liu Sijun laughed and carefully helped her into the sedan chair. Even through the curtain, his voice was still clear: "Alright! Then I'll be waiting for you in Qinzhou! Remember, if you suffer any injustice here in the future, don't hold it in. In Qinzhou, you still have an older brother who can stand up for you!"
The sedan curtains fell, shutting out the noise outside. Meng Yutong sat upright in the sedan, but her eyes involuntarily welled up with tears.
It was clearly just a play, but the emptiness and desolation that welled up in my heart just now felt even more real than when I actually got married in my previous life.
The bridal sedan chair arrived at the Ji residence amidst deafening drumbeats.
The Ji residence was brightly decorated inside and out, with a dazzling array of red decorations. Large red lanterns hung high under the eaves, brocade and red silk were wrapped around the pillars, and even the ancient trees in the courtyard, which looked slightly desolate in autumn, were adorned with small red silk flowers.
With the deafening sound of gongs and drums, the joyful singing of horns, and the throngs of guests, the entire Ji residence was immersed in an unprecedented atmosphere of liveliness and jubilation.
The area in front of the mansion was bustling with activity, filled with guests and the sounds of congratulations echoing throughout.
Ji Yun, dressed in a bright red wedding gown, stood tall and elegant in front of the mansion gate. His usually aloof face was now warmed by a gentle smile, with a faint hint of amusement in his eyes and brows.
He personally stepped forward to greet the bridal sedan chair. When his hand grasped Meng Yutong's, the warmth from his palm made her slightly startled.
Ji Yun seemed to notice the coldness of her fingertips, tightened his grip slightly, and turned his head to ask in a low voice, "Your hands are so cold, are you nervous?"
Meng Yutong, under the veil, shook her head slightly.
Ji Yun chuckled softly, his voice reaching her ears through the noise: "That's right, you've always been calm and composed. The one who's nervous is someone else."
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