Chapter 398 Du Ruoling doesn’t have the honor or dignity she wants
After all the ceremonies were completed, Du Ruoling finally couldn't bear it anymore.
She ripped off the phoenix crown from her head and demanded sternly, "Gu Cheng'an! Tell me, why isn't there a single decent guest in this mansion? Where are your relatives from the Gu family? Where are your colleagues and old friends?"
Gu Cheng'an turned his head and looked at her calmly, his tone so indifferent as if he was talking about something that had nothing to do with him.
"If no one comes, won't the wedding go on as usual?"
Du Ruoling was so angry that her whole body was shaking. Her voice was sharp: "Hold it as usual? This is the wedding you gave me? You... do you really want to marry me?!"
Gu Cheng'an lowered his eyes and looked at the wedding dress he was still wearing. His voice was calm: "Isn't this wedding dress of mine enough to make you understand?"
"Understand? What do I understand?" Du Ruoling's chest heaved violently. "Then are we just going to leave these dozens of banquet tables empty? Are we going to make a fool of myself, Du Ruoling, by letting them laugh at me?"
Gu Chengan said calmly, "There are many servants in the Princess's residence, so just let them sit down together."
"What?" Du Ruoling seemed to have heard a huge joke and was deeply insulted. "Let those servants come to my wedding banquet?"
She, Du Ruoling, is now a princess. She is going to marry Gu Chengan in a grand ceremony, entertain all the civil and military officials in the court, and receive everyone's attention!
How can we let a group of servants fill this embarrassing gap?
What's the difference between this and her previous identity as a maid!
Gu Cheng'an looked at her distorted face, a hint of sarcasm curling up his lips. "Didn't you always say that all beings are equal, and that those in power shouldn't abuse their power and enslave the subordinates? Why do you look down on them today?"
Du Ruoling was speechless and her face turned red.
Yes, she had just arrived and her mind was full of modern ideas of equality for all. When she saw the master beating and scolding the servants, she was naturally indignant.
But times have changed, she is no longer that humble maid, she is a princess!
What she wants is honor and dignity!
Gu Cheng'an seemed oblivious to the humiliation and resentment in her eyes, his tone calm and composed, "The ceremony is complete, and the woman is married. Why should the princess care about anything else?"
After saying that, he turned around, poured himself a cup of cold tea, drank it slowly, and didn't look at Du Ruoling again.
In the bridal chamber, red candles burned brightly, illuminating the entire room with red light, but they could not dispel the suffocating loneliness.
Du Ruoling looked at Gu Cheng'an's stubborn expression, and the anger and grievance in her heart almost burned her.
She tried her best, even lying that she was pregnant with his child, to get this wedding in name only and this cold husband.
Gu Cheng'an drank the cold tea in the cup, making a light "tap" sound, which was particularly harsh in the silent room.
He stood up slowly, as if he was going to leave.
Du Ruoling could no longer maintain her composure. She stood up suddenly, her voice a little distorted with excitement: "Where are you going?"
Gu Cheng'an didn't stop, but just glanced at her lightly, his eyes calm and peaceful, as if he was looking at a stranger.
"Today, today is our wedding night!" Du Ruoling's voice was trembling and desperate. She took a few steps forward and stood in front of Gu Cheng'an. "Will you not rest with me?"
She looked up at him, with a glimmer of hope in her eyes, hoping that he would say even a perfunctory and gentle word.
Gu Cheng'an's gaze fell on her, his brows furrowed slightly, and then he returned to his indifferent expression.
"You're pregnant and your body isn't in good condition." He just evaded the question with a flat tone without any emotion.
But he knew clearly in his heart that he didn't want to sleep in the same bed with Du Ruoling, not even for a moment.
Upon hearing this, Du Ruoling felt as if all her strength had been drained away. She staggered back a step, her face pale.
Physical disability? What a ridiculous excuse!
He even felt it was unnecessary to look at her or say another word.
Gu Cheng'an walked around her and went straight to the door without any reluctance.
With a "bang", he gently closed the door from the outside, completely isolating Du Ruoling's last bit of fantasy.
She stood there blankly, her gorgeous wedding dress looking incredibly ironic. The bright red wedding candles crackled, illuminating her pale, distorted face.
Tears finally burst out uncontrollably.
She threw herself on the cold bed, biting the quilt tightly, and suppressed cries escaped from her throat, filled with unwillingness, humiliation and bone-chilling coldness.
It was dark outside the window. The red candles in the bridal chamber burned all night, and Du Ruoling cried all night.
This was the marriage she had carefully planned for, and this was the chain she used to tie him, but in the end it only locked herself.
During the Mid-Autumn Festival, the palace was brightly lit inside and outside, as bright as day.
Chu Ruohan was wearing the palace dress specially sent by Concubine Shu, with a soft brocade cloak on the outside. With the help of Yuling and Song Ruyan, she slowly got into the carriage.
The rumbling of the carriages arrived outside the palace gate, where eunuchs were already waiting, leading the carriages from various mansions in an orderly manner.
Tonight, the Imperial Palace was even more majestic and dignified than usual. The first Mid-Autumn Festival banquet since the new emperor ascended the throne was of great significance, with a constant stream of royal relatives, civil and military officials, and other attendees.
Chu Ruohan held Yuling's hand and stepped out of the carriage. The evening breeze, carrying the sweet fragrance of osmanthus, brushed against her cheeks.
Before parting, Gu Junze gave careful instructions: "There are many people in the palace, so be careful. If you feel unwell, tell me immediately and I will come to the palace to pick you up." The worry between his brows could not be shaken off.
Chu Ruohan smiled and nodded: "Don't worry, I will take good care of myself. Besides, don't we still have Song Ruyan and Yuling?"
Song Ruyan patted her chest and said, "Don't worry, General. I will definitely protect Ruohan!"
"Madam, please come this way." The palace maid who led the way spoke in a humble voice.
The banquet was held in Zhaoyang Hall, which was already filled with elegant people and the clinking of glasses. Because the new emperor had no children, the harem was temporarily under the command of Consort Shu.
The banquet has not yet begun, so the female members of the family naturally have to go and see the Concubine Shu first.
Chu Ruohan recalled last year's Mid-Autumn Festival banquet. The Queen Mother was still alive and urged them to have a child as soon as possible.
Now, she is pregnant, but the old lady is gone.
At this moment, Concubine Shu was wearing a gorgeous palace dress, sitting on the side of the main seat with a decent smile on her face, arranging various matters in an orderly manner. Her words and deeds already showed the demeanor of someone who was in charge of the harem.
Chu Ruohan's arrival did not cause much commotion, but many people still cast vague glances over there.
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