Chapter 159 Wedding Night
The procession, accompanied by music and fanfare, circled the imperial city before finally arriving at the Ming Prince's residence in the evening.
The procession stretched for miles in red, a grand and impressive spectacle.
Xue Ziying sat in the sedan chair, listening to the sound of firecrackers going off in the street. Maids in red dresses scattered lucky money and candy along the street, which caused the children to scramble for them, creating a very lively atmosphere.
Xue Ziying couldn't help but smile.
But then she sighed softly.
Thinking that another bridal sedan chair would be welcoming her into the Ming Prince's mansion later, she couldn't help but feel a little down. It wasn't jealousy or anger, just a slightly unpleasant feeling.
She knew she should consider the bigger picture.
Xue Beiyue is a princess, the emperor's daughter. No matter what her temperament and behavior are like, that fact cannot be changed.
The emperor is currently wary of his father. If Xue Beiyue were to return, it would certainly be detrimental to his father and mother. She would definitely sow discord among the emperor and officials, and spread rumors and embellishments.
Whether the emperor believes her nonsense or not, it is not good for the father, nor for the alliance between Nanzhao and Yong.
Therefore, Xue Beiyue must remain in Yong Kingdom.
In order to deal with the Nanzhao envoys who came this time, it is the best choice to have Xue Beiyue marry along with them.
But every woman can only have one wedding in her lifetime.
Such a beautiful and grand wedding was marred by the involvement of an unpleasant person, casting a shadow over the otherwise joyful occasion.
"The bride is getting out of the sedan chair!"
Xue Ziying snapped out of her daze as the sedan chair door was lifted open.
A long, strong hand reached in, holding a red silk ribbon. Xue Ziying covered her head with the veil, a smile appearing on her face. She reached out and took the red silk ribbon. Just as she was about to get up and walk out, she was lifted up by the waist.
Xue Ziying was startled. She raised her hand and lifted the veil, only to meet a pair of smiling eyes. Yan Yang's dark eyes seemed to be filled with starlight as he looked at her so gently and dotingly. Xue Ziying blushed and her beautiful face turned slightly red. She couldn't help but bury her face in his shoulder—just like every time she had relied on him before.
"Today, you're the only bride." A deep, gentle voice sounded in her ear. Xue Ziying was startled and subconsciously looked up at him. "What?"
Yan Yang covered her head with the veil, his arms steadily supporting her slender body: "I said you are the only bride, there is no one else."
Xue Ziying was first pleasantly surprised, then asked with concern, "If the envoy from Nanzhao finds out, will they...?"
"Don't worry." Yan Yang's voice was calm and reassuring. "The Nan Zhao envoy has already returned to the post station. Xue Beiyue's sedan chair has circled half of the city and has been delivered to the palace."
ah?
Xue Ziying asked, puzzled, "Why send her to the palace? To make her a concubine?"
"How could that be?" Yan Yang chuckled. "Send him to the palace and let the governesses teach him manners properly. He'll be your maid in the future."
Or it's fine if you don't have to be a maid.
A mere princess can be disposed of however one pleases.
Xue Ziying didn't say anything, and was carried across the red carpet by her.
Upon arriving at the wedding hall, Yan Yang put her down, then held her hand, and with the master of ceremonies chanting loudly, they completed the wedding ceremony step by step.
As the final words, "The ceremony is complete, escort her to the bridal chamber," rang out, it was already completely dark outside. Xue Ziying was escorted to the bridal chamber.
Red candles flickered in the new house, and the character "囍" (double happiness) was pasted everywhere.
The bride's wedding dress was like a flowing rosy cloud, with a brocade belt that perfectly outlined her slender waist, and a shawl on her shoulders that added to her noble and graceful appearance.
The wedding attendant and maidservants in the room were overjoyed and stepped forward to offer their congratulations.
Yan Yang watched as he walked step by step into the inner room, holding his beloved wife's hand. He helped her sit down on the edge of the bed, then lifted her veil and couldn't help but kiss her forehead.
"No, no!" The matchmaker quickly stepped forward to stop him. "Your Highness, the veil must be lifted with a wedding scale."
Yan Yang put the veil back on.
He took the wedding scale from the tray, lifted Xue Ziying's veil, and looked at her bright face under the lamplight, a slight smile playing on his lips: "Are you hungry?"
Xue Ziying nodded, then asked hesitantly, "Don't you need to go outside to entertain the guests?"
According to custom, the groom should go out to toast the guests, while the bride sits here and waits for her husband to return, after which they will drink the nuptial wine together.
Yan Yang turned to the nanny and instructed her, "Go to the kitchen and get some food."
After the old woman left to carry out her orders, he turned to Xue Ziying and said, "Someone will take care of me."
As he spoke, he removed the phoenix crown from her head and placed it aside. His fingers landed on the back of her neck, and he gently rubbed her neck: "Is it sore?"
Xue Ziying felt a little sore but also a little comfortable from his massage. She couldn't help but groan, raised her hands to hug his waist, and buried her face in his abdomen, asking him to massage it properly: "It's sore and painful."
Yan Yang loved her coquettish and dependent manner.
Although the female official and the nanny both looked like they wanted to say something but hesitated, they probably thought that this was against the rules, but so what?
No one dictates that women from noble families should all be the same, nor does anyone dictate that things in a couple's bridal chamber should be exactly the same.
Yan Yang turned and instructed, "You may all leave now."
The nanny and the lady-in-waiting curtsied and said, "Yes."
A maid brought in food, placed it on the table, and then bowed and took her leave.
"Come and eat something first, then we'll drink the nuptial wine." Yan Yang pulled her hand and led her to the table. "The wedding night is hard work; you can't do it on an empty stomach."
As soon as she finished speaking, two blushes instantly appeared on Xue Ziying's fair face.
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