"The ceremony is complete; escort them to the bridal chamber!"
After the veil was lifted, Zhao Kai and Cen Ang came out together to toast the guests. In a prominent household like the one in the capital, a distinguished person would usually be invited to sing a hymn.
It represents the guests wishing the couple a long and happy marriage.
Lan Tingche stood in the main seat, holding two memorial tablets in one arm.
He took out a yellowed piece of paper from his pocket. This was what Hua Luan and Cen Ang had found when they returned to the Crown Prince's residence that day.
The Crown Princess had already prepared Daughter's Red wine for Cen Ang, and this paper was buried underground along with the wine.
"Snowflakes flutter down, reflecting on the red-clad beauty; the royal palace is filled with joy. The harmonious sounds of zither and lute convey good news; mandarin ducks play in the water, sharing the moon's beauty. Red candles shine brightly, illuminating her lovely face; embroidered robes dance gracefully. On this auspicious day, amidst beautiful scenery, our love is boundless; may we be forever united in heart and soul, spending our youth together."
"May you be united in marriage, a harmonious union blessed by heaven. May the dragon and phoenix bring good fortune and a bountiful year, and may you enjoy both happiness and prosperity forever. May flowers bloom in your courtyard, filling it with fragrance and wealth, and may your joy be boundless. May your love endure forever, and may you sleep together in eternal bliss."
"The hymn singer: Lan Youxin".
Cen Ang and Zhao Kai stood together. The man knew that Cen Ang couldn't control his emotions when the topic of the Crown Princess came up.
He hadn't had much contact with the Crown Princess and didn't know how wonderful she was, but he knew that someone who could make Ah Cen so attached to her for so long must be a woman as warm as the sun.
Cen Angfeng's eyes were red, a red from rouge and red from his eye sockets.
The phoenix crown was removed, leaving only a few hairpins. The woman wore a cloak, and a gust of cold wind blew by, carrying plum blossoms from the Prince's mansion that landed on Cen Ang's head.
It fit perfectly into her hair bun.
Cen Ang remembered that it was her first New Year at the Crown Prince's residence. The Crown Princess coaxed her, asking in a very gentle way:
"Does Ah Cen have any wishes?"
Cen Ang had no such thoughts; she just felt that she should live one day at a time and that she should just guard this mansion.
Still a young girl, she shook her head. The Crown Princess wasn't disappointed; she simply took a flower from a vase of plum blossoms in the room and placed it in her hair, then said to Cen Ang:
"Then I hope that my family's Ah Cen and Luan'er can live a long and prosperous life, with wealth and honor. No matter who gets married in the future, I will sing praises to you both. I want you two to be the most prestigious ladies in the entire Great Yan."
Lan Tingche was holding back his tears up above, while Cen Ang was crying uncontrollably below, his tears falling like a broken string of beads.
She raised her hand and touched the plum blossoms above her head.
"Your Highness, your wish has come true. Luan'er and I will surely enjoy a long and prosperous life, with wealth and honor filling our home."
Lan Tingche held the memorial tablet; he missed his parents too.
After Huo Xiaolong finished reading the hymn, the girl quickly stepped forward and wrapped a cloak around his neck.
She was shorter than Lan Tingche.
She leaned closer, looking up at Lan Tingche, trying to cheer him up.
"Don't cry anymore. After Mom finishes her business, it'll be just the two of us. When we pay respects to our parents, Mom will hold the memorial tablet, and we'll bow together."
Those eyes, seemingly filled with the frost and autumn waters, left Lan Tingche speechless. His mood suddenly shifted from bitter longing to joy, yet he couldn't shake off his original melancholy.
The girl in the python robe in front of him took his hand, and he could feel the heat of Huo Xiaolong's palm.
It seems that this is how it was back then; she led him back to the brothel.
Three sisters from the red-light district: No, she dragged you back.
Lan Tingche lowered his head, looking at the memorial tablet in his arms, and murmured to himself.
Dad, Mom, your son needs a home too, a home of his own.
The girl in front of me is the one I chose. She is very good, extremely good.
I think she's more capable than my father. With the Great Yan in her hands, my father can rest assured, right?
A plum blossom landed on the man's arm, as if in response to his words.
That night, all the guests at the Prince's mansion left, and Cen Ang and Zhao Kai went to rest early.
Long'er stood in the courtyard, helping her sisters carry plates. There were many people today, and there weren't enough maids to go around, but fortunately the Hou family was able to help.
The old eunuchs with snow-white hair were also happy, as their remaining years were now settled. Our prince was beaming with joy today, so they were happy too.
Although they usually go to bed early at this time, their hands, which are used to carrying plates, still have inexhaustible strength.
Great, that's much better.
If only there were more young masters in the manor.
There are only five left, not enough to go around.
There's also Hou Pingping, who was borrowed from the Hou family. And the Empress is waiting in the palace to take care of her, so how could it be their turn?
Miao Cuifang held her son's hand with one hand and swept the floor with the other, afraid that her son would cause trouble in the bridal chamber. She didn't know where the child learned to do this, but he insisted on causing trouble in the bridal chamber.
Whose fault is it that he's making a fuss about?
They just had to make trouble for Zhao Kai.
What were you thinking?
You think there's not enough homework? The kid can't finish it, so he pesters his dad because his dad doesn't like studying either, and then he gets scolded by Liu Xu.
"Don't look for your grandma these next few days. Your husband will be your grandpa from now on, understand?"
Liu Buhui was very happy today. He jumped around and asked his father.
"Dad, when the teacher becomes a grandfather, will he no longer have homework?"
"Oh!"
Before Master Miao could speak, Huo Xiaolong burst out laughing.
Her aunt chimed in:
"Grandpa doesn't have any homework? Back then, your aunt was prettier and cuter than you and Simanjia combined, and even so, your husband still made me write calligraphy every day."
"Don't say he's your maternal grandfather, he's my father now. I have to go to class in a few days too."
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