Chapter 64 (Extra) [VIP]
Chapter Summary: The Wedding (Part 2)
Outside the mansion gate, the wedding procession had already lined up along the long street.
After bidding farewell to everyone, Xu Luchuan stepped out of the mansion gate, then descended the steps, mounted his horse, and, beaming with joy, shouted from his horse, "Let's go!"
The words had barely left his mouth.
A gong sounded, followed by the sounds of sheng and xiao, then the suona, until thousands of congratulatory shouts embraced him. Behind him, a dazzling red glow stretched like an endless river. The surrounding crowds, who had come to watch, were like stars falling into the river, adorning the scene from beginning to end.
This grand wedding is the best way to commemorate their occasion.
The wedding procession slowly passed through the streets and alleys of Jinling and arrived smoothly in front of the majestic Wanshe Palace.
Beneath the palace gates, the crowd halted, but the joyous cheers continued unabated. Xu Luchuan dismounted and gazed at the open palace gates. Though he had not yet set off, his heart was already racing towards Cheng'an Palace.
With another step, Xu Luchuan brushed aside the hem of his elegant robe. He strode into the palace gate and rushed towards his beloved.
He had waited far too long for this day.
Inside Cheng'an Palace, Liu Shiyu sat on the couch, her vision obscured by a veil. She could only rely on straining to hear the sounds outside the palace to determine when her beloved husband would come to marry her.
Suddenly, a commotion arose outside the hall.
Liu Shiyu smiled radiantly through her veil, eagerly anticipating Xu Luchuan's entrance in his wedding attire. But as she waited and waited, the palace doors never opened, nor did her beloved husband appear.
Unable to contain herself any longer, she stood up and tiptoed toward the palace door.
To everyone's surprise, as Liu Shiyu stood at the door and looked out, he saw Liu Shijin, accompanied by several close princes and princesses, blocking Xu Luchuan's way outside the hall. They were determined to make things difficult for him.
"Your Highness, don't think you can marry our Fifth Prince so easily. If you want to bring her home smoothly, you'll have to get past us first."
Liu Shijin took the lead in shouting, and the people around him echoed him.
For a moment, the area outside the hall was quite lively. This greatly worried Liu Shiyu behind the door, but Xu Luchuan outside remained unfazed, squinting and smiling, "Oh? What are your orders, Your Highness?"
Upon hearing this, Liu Shijin crossed her arms, her gaze shifting, and then she arrogantly declared, "I've heard that Your Highness is an expert archer. If I desire the celestial phoenix or the auspicious beast on earth, can Your Highness shoot them down?"
Upon hearing this, everyone burst into laughter.
Liu Shijin's demand to block the door was rather harsh. Xu Luchuan, however, had already devised a plan, but before he could answer, the doors of Cheng'an Palace were opened. It seemed someone inside was fiercely protective of her husband.
Liu Shijin, who was leaning against the door, stumbled when the door was suddenly opened.
She turned her head, and beneath the bright red veil, a pair of sharp eyes swept over the crowd before settling on Xu Luchuan. There stood Liu Shiyu, hands on her hips, standing confidently in the doorway, and declared to the crowd, "This princess has finally managed to get married; let's see who dares to make things difficult for my husband!"
“Ayu”.
Xu Luchuan stood opposite him. His burning gaze was even more intense than Liu Shiyu's bright red veil.
Liu Shiyu lifted her skirt and stepped through the door, causing everyone to back away. However, she didn't go towards Xu Luchuan, but instead stood at the doorway and deliberately looked at Liu Shichai beside her, "Little Eleven, tell your elder sister who made you all make things difficult for your brother-in-law?"
Liu Shichai didn't answer; she looked around. Finally, her gaze settled on Liu Shijin, who was leaning against the doorpost.
"Little Eleven, you traitor!" Liu Shijin's eyes widened. Liu Shiyu turned around and smiled at Liu Shijin through her veil, "Hey, elder sister, do you want the celestial phoenix or the auspicious beast on the ground now?"
"No, I don't want anything anymore. All I want now is to drink your wedding wine with the Prince Consort."
"Come on, what are you all standing there for? Let's play the music and send the bride off to her sedan chair."
Liu Shijin readily accepted the offer.
Xu Luchuan seized the opportunity, walking up to Liu Shiyu and turning his back to say, "Come up, I'll take you home." Liu Shiyu was overjoyed and immediately reached out to wrap her arms around his neck and climb onto his back.
Xu Luchuan got up again and carried his new bride down the long steps of Cheng'an Hall.
Liu Shiyu leaned on Xu Luchuan's shoulder and suddenly said softly, "Xiao Lü, try to avoid them. I want to take you somewhere."
"good."
Xu Luchuan was always willing to grant Liu Shiyu's requests. He didn't ask where she was going; he simply fulfilled all her demands. Just as the sedan chair approached, Xu Luchuan suddenly carried Liu Shiyu on his back and leaped onto the high wall. This startled everyone present.
Seeing this, Zhao Feng anxiously called out, "Your Highness, Prince Consort, we still need to pay our respects before the Emperor. Don't be late."
"Attendant Zhao! You go to the Emperor first. I and the Prince Consort will be right back." Liu Shiyu said no more and followed Xu Luchuan into the distance.
Behind him, Liu Shijin leisurely walked down the long steps. Zhao Feng, seeing this, hurriedly went to greet him, "Your Highness Shouyang, what should we do? Where are His Highness the Protector of the Nation and the Prince Consort going?"
"Where to? This Wanshe Palace is so big, where could she possibly go..." Liu Shijin looked in the direction they left, and smiled knowingly. "Alright, do as she says. Go to the Emperor's presence. I'll handle things with the Emperor. They won't be gone for long."
"yes."
Having said this, Zhao Feng said no more. He simply waved his hand, signaling everyone to proceed towards the Emperor.
...
"Ayu, where are we going?" Xu Luchuan asked, puzzled, while carrying Liu Shiyu on his back.
Liu Shiyu pressed herself tightly against the back of his neck, feeling the wind gently lift her veil. "Feng'an Palace, I want to take you to see the Empress Dowager. Once Duolan marries here, everything there will be gone."
Xu Luchuan was suddenly startled, and silently ran towards Feng'an Palace.
Outside Feng'an Palace, the head female official stood with her eyes lowered under the eaves. She only raised her eyes after Xu Luchuan carried his wife steadily into the courtyard.
Before Xu Luchuan could let go, Liu Shiyu had already nimbly gotten off the ground.
Xu Luchuan looked at the man before him, hesitant to speak, but Liu Shiyu quickly guessed his thoughts. "My lord, are you trying to say that the bride's feet should not touch the ground? But I have broken many rules in my life, so today your bride does not want to abide by those rules. What do you think, my lord?"
"It's up to you, Madam." Xu Luchuan smiled slightly and took her hand. Liu Shiyu raised her head in satisfaction and called out loudly to the female official in the corridor, "Are the things ready?"
"As you instructed, I have made all the necessary arrangements," the female official replied with a bow.
Upon hearing this, Liu Shiyu turned around and smiled, and the two then ascended the hall side by side.
Passing through rows of hanging calligraphy and paintings, Liu Shiyu led Xu Luchuan to the back of the hall. They arrived before the portrait of Empress Tang. On the offering table today, the white candles were redder than before, and the old fruit had been replaced with new tea. Smelling the incense in the hall, she quietly released Xu Luchuan's hand and walked towards the table.
Liu Shiyu stood before the portrait of Empress Tang and resolutely lifted her veil.
Looking at this scene, Xu Luchuan could only feel doting affection in his eyes.
"Mother, today is my wedding day. I have brought my husband to offer you tea." Liu Shiyu wept with joy as she picked up the teacup from the table. "Mother, my husband is a trustworthy person. We will surely live happily ever after. Please rest assured."
As they spoke, Xu Luchuan stepped forward, picked up another cup of tea, and knelt down with Liu Shiyu before the portrait of Empress Tang.
Xu Luchuan raised his cup reverently, his eyes lowered, and spoke with utmost sincerity.
"Your Majesty, from this day forward, I will take Your Majesty as my wife. I promise you that I will never betray Your Majesty and will protect you with my life forever. I will stay with Your Majesty until we grow old together, and for all eternity."
"Mother, please have some tea."
As soon as Xu Luchuan finished speaking, a beam of sunlight suddenly shone through the window, landing squarely on the portrait of Empress Tang. Liu Shiyu looked up; she knew this was a blessing from her mother. The two of them then rose in unison and served tea to the woman on the table.
After the tea was served, Xu Luchuan and Liu Shiyu held hands again.
Liu Shiyu instinctively snuggled closer to him. Gazing at the light emanating from the portrait, she suddenly sighed, "Xiao Lü, do you know that the day you went to Qingyun Temple, right here, I almost gave up... If that had happened, I really can't imagine who would be standing beside you now?"
"It's still you, it will always be you." Xu Luchuan reached out and gently rubbed her arm. "I will not give up on you, so you can never escape me no matter what."
"Little Green, it's so good to have met you."
Liu Shiyu was moved by his words and then tried to hug his neck and kiss him.
But where was this? This was Feng'an Palace, and his mother-in-law's portrait was hanging there so prominently. How dare Xu Luchuan be so presumptuous? He quickly turned and dodged away. Then he pulled up Liu Shiyu's veil and was about to cover it up for her.
Liu Shiyu was taken aback by his actions and opened her eyes to look at the young man in front of her, completely bewildered.
Xu Luchuan silently lowered the veil little by little until it was about to cover her red lips. Suddenly, he kissed her. Through the red veil before her eyes, Liu Shiyu shyly traced his handsome face. Unexpectedly, Xu Luchuan still couldn't control himself; he could only hope his mother-in-law wouldn't blame him.
Kissing the mountains and rivers, kissing the wind and moon.
When Xu Luchuan released his grip, the veil cascaded down like a waterfall, completely concealing his bride.
"Let's go... let's go." Xu Luchuan took Liu Shiyu's hand again, wishing he could escape Feng'an Palace as soon as possible. Liu Shiyu didn't say anything more, but smiled secretly as she walked out of the back hall with him.
After stepping out of Feng'an Palace, the two finally walked towards the Emperor.
...
When they arrived before the Emperor, everyone eagerly awaited their arrival.
Liu Zhizhou stood before the Fenghua Hall, a rare smile on his face. His elder sister's marriage had finally fulfilled one of his wishes. Looking at the two people kneeling before him, Liu Zhizhou had many things he wanted to say, but he didn't know where to begin. So he simply offered his congratulations.
"Congratulations on your wedding, elder sister. I wish you and your husband a lifelong union and a promise to stay together until the end."
"It's getting late, so let's skip the formalities and get going."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Liu Shiyu and Xu Luchuan responded in unison.
Before leaving, Liu Shiyu stood before Liu Zhizhou, smiling as she bid him farewell. From this moment on, she relinquished the title of "Regent" and returned to being the unrestrained Princess Yuanzhang. This also meant that the Wanshe Palace and the young emperor were no longer as close as before.
Therefore, she wanted to say goodbye properly.
"Your Majesty, I entrust Shaoyuan to you. I believe you will become an emperor revered by all."
"Ah Zhou, take care. Your sister is gone."
Liu Zhizhou nodded and smiled upon hearing this, pleased that Liu Shiyu was free.
"Sister, take care."
That's how they said goodbye.
The melodious festive tunes rang out again, and Liu Shiyu turned and happily walked down the long steps, heading towards her happiness. Xu Luchuan lifted the wedding curtain for her, and Liu Shiyu nimbly climbed into the bridal sedan chair.
And so, the wedding procession finally set off.
Fortunately, the group hurried after leaving Wanshe Palace and managed to return to the Xu family before the auspicious time.
...
Outside the mansion gate, Xu Luwei looked at the distinguished guests gathered inside, but he was anxious and impatient as he stood in front of the gate.
Xu Luwei finally breathed a sigh of relief when the sound of music reached his ears.
Seeing Xu Luchuan dismount, Xu Luwei hurriedly stepped forward and urged, "My good second brother, do you know that all the guests in the mansion have already arrived? Why are you so late? Hurry up, everything in the mansion has been arranged. We just need to welcome His Highness into the mansion."
"I was delayed on the way, brother, don't worry. The auspicious time is still there."
Xu Luchuan, after comforting Xu Luwei, smiled and walked towards the bridal sedan chair. Following the master of ceremonies' instructions, he smoothly helped Liu Shiyu out of the sedan chair and escorted her into the mansion. But the arduous ceremony had only just begun. The ensuing three kneelings, nine kowtows, and six prostrations were utterly exhausting.
Xu Luchuan was barely holding on by waiting for the words, "Send him to the bridal chamber."
But looking at Liu Shiyu beside her, though she hadn't slept all night, she was still radiant. She picked up the teacup offered by the master of ceremonies and excitedly said respectfully to Xu Qinguo, who was seated below, "Father, please have some tea."
[Author's Note]
Friendly reminder: Wedding customs and etiquette described here are fictional and should not be taken too seriously. Those who wish to learn more can consult relevant materials. Thank you very much.
Be patient. The next chapter will be about the wedding night, hehe.
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