It is said that when Prince Hui chose the location for his mansion, the late Emperor had summoned the most renowned Feng Shui Master of the time to find a fabled location for his youngest son. The Feng Shui Master searched all over The Capital and ultimately selected this place.
Therefore, besides the Imperial Palace, this is the most auspicious Feng Shui spot; otherwise, the late Emperor would not have cherished it, nor would the Emperor have bestowed it upon Prince Chen for his mansion.
Over the years, many princes, princes, or princesses have coveted this separate courtyard, but the Emperor has never relented.
Now the Emperor has bestowed it upon Yang Mengchen and even personally inscribed the five characters "Auspicious Princess Mansion," which the Internal Affair Mansion turned into a golden plaque to hang above the main gate.
The entire estate spans roughly two hundred acres and is divided into the mansion and garden sections. The front mansion buildings are grand and splendid, with sixteen courtyards, each with its unique features. Behind them, the garden’s tranquil environment and beautiful scenery are dazzling to the eye.
Upon learning that the Emperor had bestowed such a mansion upon her, Yang Mengchen immediately sent a letter of respectful decline to the Emperor and also wrote to the Empress Dowager, Long Xuanmo, Grand Prince, and others, asking them to persuade the Emperor. However, the Emperor did not rescind his command.
After careful consideration and the hints from Long Xuanmo and the Grand Prince, Yang Mengchen understood the Emperor’s intentions and no longer demurred. She also did not concern herself with the uproar this caused in the Capital.
Before the new year, Xiao Hongtao was summoned back to The Capital to serve as the Judiciary Office Minister. Lady Xiao brought her two sons along, just in time to join the Eldest Princess, Lady Hua, and others in preparing for the wedding. Thus, by the time Yang Mengchen and her party arrived at The Capital, most of the arrangements had already been made.
On the sixth of March, Meng Jingqi arrived at the Princess Mansion with a squad of guards.
Hearing the servant’s report, Yang Mengchen personally came out to welcome him, "Brother Jingqi has arrived; please come inside and have a seat." freёwebnovel-com
Although she had agreed to inform Meng Jingqi, she decided not to send a letter considering the long journey, but Meng Jingqi still came.
Meng Jingqi smiled warmly, "As your sworn brother, I must, of course, come to celebrate your grand wedding." His smile was like the bright moon in the clear sky, instantly making all else seem dull by comparison.
"And me," said a woman with an ethereal and elegant appearance. "Jiujiu, I am your third sister, Meng Hanyue."
"And I’m Fifth Brother, Meng Jinghui," said the sunny and handsome young man standing to the left of Meng Jingqi, promptly introducing himself.
Yang Mengchen smiled and curtsied in greeting, "Hello to Sister Hanyue, hello to Fifth Brother Jinghui."
"No wonder Big Brother often mentions Jiujiu. Indeed, you are a genteel, modest, innocent, and frank younger sister," Meng Hanyue sighed with admiration.
"Hanyue."
Meng Jingqi’s tone was gentle, yet with that one word, Meng Hanyue immediately quieted, and Yang Mengchen silently marveled at the sight.
"Our father and mother really wanted to attend your wedding, but mother has been unwell and couldn’t withstand the long journey, so they instructed me, your third sister, and your fifth brother to see you off on your wedding day," Meng Jingqi said with a smile. "All these items were specially prepared by father and mother as part of your dowry."
Looking at the several dozen large chests on six horse-drawn carriages, Yang Mengchen wasn’t sure what to say, "Father and Mother have gone to great lengths; I am unworthy of such attention."
"You were personally titled Princess Yong’an by our father, so of course, father and mother have to provide you with a dowry for your great wedding," Meng Hanyue stated matter-of-factly. "If it weren’t for the inconvenience of travel, father would definitely have prepared one hundred and ninety-nine sedan chair loads of dowry following tradition. If you don’t accept, father and mother would be very upset."
"Please convey my gratitude to father and mother on my behalf," said Yang Mengchen, unable to decline such generous hospitality, and thus accepted it.
Meng Hanyue affectionately linked arms with Yang Mengchen, "That’s more like it."
Yang Mengchen heaved a silent sigh.
Their family, Uncle Luo, and others, along with the dowry that Grand Prince had prepared for her, had already filled several rooms—and each item was a treasure. Now with the additional gifts from Meng Jingqi and the others, she wouldn’t be able to use all of these not just in one lifetime, but in several.
Imperial Study Room.
"What did you say? The Crown Prince of Qing’an is escorting Jiujiu to her wedding and she is also the Princess Yong’an of Qing’an Country? Are you certain this news is true?" The Emperor asked the man in grey before him, astonished.
The Crown Prince of Qing’an, Meng Jingqi, had never appeared in public, so the world knew of him only by name and had never seen his face. Could there be a mistake?
The man in grey affirmed, "Princess Chen referred to him as Brother Jingqi. Accompanying him was a male and a female whom I recognize as the Eldest Princess Zhaoyang of Qing’an, Meng Hanyue, and Prince Qing, Meng Jinghui. Eldest Princess Zhaoyang herself stated that Emperor Xuanwen personally made Princess Chen the Princess Yong’an and sent a generous dowry. At that time, Princess Ning, Lady Hua, and others were present, so there could be no mistake."
"The foresight of Momo was unparalleled, securing Jiujiu for us so early. Otherwise, our Royal family would have missed out on such an exceptional daughter-in-law," the Emperor mused with immense relief.
On the seventh day of the third month, everyone came to add to Yang Mengchen’s trousseau. Many unfamiliar families of court officials also came to visit, from morning to evening, without a moment of pause.
On the ninth day of the third month, Long Xuanmo rode on a white horse, leading his Royal brothers around the Imperial City, before proceeding to the neighboring Princess Mansion to receive his bride. Adorned in his bright red wedding attire, he radiated a jade-like complexion and a spirited charm enhanced by the contented smile he couldn’t hide. Onlookers lining the streets, both men and women, were either intoxicated or infatuated by the sight.
Princess Mansion.
"I’m the eldest brother; it’s only right for me to carry Jiujiu to the bridal sedan," Yang Chengrong said loudly.
Yang Chengyou declared with conviction, "I’m her blood brother; it should be me who carries Jiujiu."
"Your martial skills are not as good as mine, and you’re not as steady on your feet as I am; it should be me who carries Jiujiu," Yang Chengning specifically returned from the frontier to attend his sister’s wedding.
Luo Jingrui spoke in a deep voice, "I’m the oldest among us, so it’s most appropriate for me to escort Jiujiu."
...
Fiercely competing to carry their sister to the bridal sedan, the Eight Brothers of the Yang family and the three Luo brothers argued until they were red in the face. To complicate matters, Nangong Lingfei, the Situ brothers, and Meng Jinghui also joined in the fun, nearly coming to blows. Xiao Huaichen, Xiao Yichen, and Yang Zonghan also wanted to carry their sister (aunt), but being the youngest, they were overpowered by their older brothers and didn’t have a voice in the matter.
The elders on the sidelines were caught between laughter and tears.
As the argument intensified here, unbeknownst to them, Meng Jingqi had already entered the bridal chamber and steadily carried Yang Mengchen to the front door.
Seeing Meng Jingqi carrying Ah Jiu out, and the uncles hurriedly running after them, Long Xuanmo’s expression shifted subtly, returning to normal in an instant.
"Long Xuanmo, Jiujiu is the treasure of the Yang family and the Princess Yong’an of Qing’an Country. Today, we solemnly entrust Jiujiu to you. You must cherish her like a pearl, not letting her suffer the slightest grievance. You must never betray her; otherwise, we in Qing’an will spare no effort to seek justice!"
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