Chapter 155 Wedding 1
Compared to the chaos in Marquis Anyuan's mansion, the situation in Concubine Hui's palace was not much better.
As the queen in charge of the palace, and thinking of the two children's deceased mother, she had long treated Xie Jinglan and Wen Ning as her own children.
This time, when arranging the wedding, I had the dual mood of marrying off my daughter and marrying off my daughter-in-law at the same time, which really broke my heart.
"Hurry! Go to the Imperial Household Department and urge them to deliver the 108-load dowry list to me before tomorrow morning!"
"The waist of this wedding dress needs to be a little tighter. Ning'er must not have gotten enough rest these past few days. She looks even thinner."
"You guys, check the guest list carefully again. There can't be any mistakes or omissions!"
Concubine Hui rubbed her forehead and sighed to Wen Ning beside her with a mixture of amusement and anger, "That brat Lan'er! He usually seems so calm and composed, but why is he so impatient when it comes to matters of the heart?
He was quite quick to act, and early this morning he had already displayed the 128 loads of betrothal gifts in front of the Taiji Hall. It was truly extravagant, attracting the gazes of all the officials in amazement.
She spoke with a touch of relief and pride, "His Majesty has already ordered that all of this be added to Ning'er's dowry. Although we only had three days to prepare, this display will be one of the most impressive in the capital. Ning'er will not be wronged."
Wen Ning couldn't help but count on her fingers: One, two... one hundred and twenty-eight! Wow! How could the Marquis be so rich?
As she listened to Concubine Hui's scolding and thought about how Xie Jinglan was struggling at the moment, she couldn't help but curl up the corners of her mouth.
But I didn't expect that Xie Jinglan would take time out of his busy schedule to pick out an interesting picture book and have someone hand it directly to Wen Ning.
Attached to the sketchbook was a piece of plain paper with the following words written on it:
"If the complexity of etiquette intimidates you, just read this. Don't worry, I'm here."
In this way, Wen Ning welcomed her wedding day amidst the hustle and bustle of the crowds.
In the dim morning light, palace maids surrounded her, helping her to dress and dress.
When the last phoenix hairpin decorated with jewels and red gold was inserted into her hair, everyone looked at the bride and held their breath at the same time.
The person in the mirror was wearing an intricate and gorgeous bright red wedding dress, with phoenixes embroidered with gold thread gracefully flying between her sleeves.
The former pure and gentle beauty is now outlined by the gorgeous dress with an incomparable luxury.
The flowers between her eyebrows are dazzling, her eyes are clear as water, and her lips are shy and timid. No matter who sees her, it is difficult to look away. There are only eight words in her mind:
Fairy-like appearance and jade-like complexion, unparalleled in the world.
As the auspicious time approaches, the hall is filled with brilliant lights and colors.
Shen Yunshu walked forward with a smile and took the crimson veil from the female official.
"Ning'er, although we met too late, we are of the same mind. Today, in the name of your eldest sister-in-law, I will put on this red makeup for you."
The bright red veil, symbolizing infinite blessings and expectations, slowly unfolded. "May my sister be safe and happy on her journey, and may she and Lord Xie enjoy the music of the harp and the zither, and may they be happy year after year."
The red silk fell gently, gradually covering the brilliant light in front of Wen Ning's eyes.
I only heard a grateful whisper from under the veil, "Thank you, Sister Shu'er."
The sound of joy and gongs and drums gradually became clearer, and Wen Ning was about to go out with the help of the fortune teller.
Then he heard the ceremonial officer's hurried and laughing voice, shouting through the clamor.
"Quick! Quickly report! His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has stopped Lord Xie from his horse—!"
"His Highness has announced that the Marquis will not marry our Princess Yanning until he passes the hurdles he set!"
Inside the palace, the court ladies gathered around Wen Ning and began to whisper. One of them, unable to contain her curiosity, asked, "Do you know what kind of difficult question the Crown Prince has given the Marquis?"
The ceremonial officer suppressed his laughter and raised his voice, replying, "His Royal Highness has said it! The Marquis's skill with swords, spears, arrows, and halberds, as well as his ability to deploy troops and battle formations, is known to the world, so there's no point in testing him! So, the first test His Royal Highness has is on 'women's work'!"
"ah--"
As soon as these words were spoken, the whole hall was stunned, and then burst into uncontrollable laughter.
When Wen Ning heard this, she felt a slight sweat on her palms.
The Marquis...how can his hands, which are used to wielding a sword, do such delicate work?
In front of the palace gate, Xiao Jinyu and a group of royal guards stopped them with a smile.
Xie Jinglan was wearing a bright red wedding gown, with a straight posture, stunningly handsome eyebrows and eyes, and an irrepressible smile on his lips.
But following him, except for the musicians and sedan bearers, were all his fierce-looking lieutenants in the army!
They were all big and strong, and although they also wore red silk, they stood there with stern brows and stern looks, looking like a group of bandits who had just finished a battle and came to pick up a bride.
This doesn't look like a wedding reception, but more like someone is coming to kidnap the bride.
It seemed that even if the king of heaven came today, he could not stop Xie Jinglan from taking his new wife home.
Everyone knows that Marquis Anyuan is notoriously cold and taciturn. He has great power but never shows his emotions. It is rare to even see him smile.
Now I can actually see him with my own eyes, dressed in red and decorated with ribbons, being stopped at the palace gate and "harassed". Who would want to miss such a rare and exciting opportunity?
Xiao Jinyu laughed heartily and said, "Thank you, Lord Marquis, for putting aside your arrogance on the battlefield for now. My sister Ning'er is a precious creature, and needs to be cared for with great patience. Today, I will test your skill in being gentle and pliant."
He waved his hand, and the eunuch immediately brought a rosewood tray, on which were placed several nine-bend exquisite beads with ingenious patterns and winding holes, and a very thin gold thread was placed next to them.
"My Lord, please thread this gold thread through all the eyelets one by one," Xiao Jinyu said jokingly, "Time is short, and the auspicious time—it waits for no one."
Xie Jinglan did not hesitate at all. After paying his respects, he strode forward and started twisting the golden thread.
The broad palm formed a huge contrast with the tiny bead hole, and the soft gold thread slipped out of the hole many times.
Beads of sweat broke out on his forehead. He kept his breathing steady with a firm belief that he could not fail. Finally, he found the trick and threaded the gold threads one by one in order.
He took a deep breath only after the last bead fell.
"Good!" Xiao Jinyu clapped his hands in praise.
Xie Jinglan felt a little relieved, and his eyes unconsciously passed the crowd and looked deep into the palace.
He was about to take a step forward, but unexpectedly, Xiao Jinyu's smile did not diminish, and he instead stepped aside.
Unexpectedly, the eunuch came forward quickly and placed another table in the middle of the road. On it were three cups of fragrant tea emitting a faint hot steam.
There's still one more level?!
Xie Jinglan suddenly stopped in his tracks, and his eyes darkened instantly as he looked at Xiao Jinyu, as sharp as a knife, as if saying: How dare you stop me?
Xiao Jinyu signaled the eunuch to blindfold Xie Jinglan.
"Ning'er was drinking tea here just now. My Lord, please identify which cup she used. This test is about understanding."
This is as difficult as climbing to the sky for others, but for Xie Jinglan, the unique fragrance of Wen Ning has long been deeply immersed in his bones and soul.
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