Chapter 131 Preparations
The next morning, outside the gates of the capital, the first light of dawn was breaking.
Lou Jin and Ye Xunyang stood side by side, seeing off Lou Yan, Yu Beichen, Princess Arno, and the Nanzhao delegation who were about to embark on their journey.
The troops were all ready to go, and the banners fluttered slightly in the morning breeze.
Lou Yan still had that cold and aloof look, but his brows were more relaxed than usual.
Yu Beichen stood beside him, his expression as aloof as ever.
"Your Majesty, Mr. Yu, this journey is long and arduous, please take care of yourself," Lou Jin said solemnly.
"Don't worry, with Beichen here, nothing will go wrong." Lou Yan patted his younger brother's shoulder, his gaze sweeping over Ye Xunyang before returning to Lou Jin. "I'll leave things in the capital to you."
Ye Xunyang smiled and replied, "Don't worry, Your Majesty and Mr. Yu. When you return in triumph, you might just make it in time for my wedding with the Prince! This time it will be a grand and glorious affair, no more settling!"
As he spoke, he glanced at Lou Jin.
Lou Jin smiled and nodded indulgently.
Upon hearing this, Lou Yan's cold, hard lips seemed to curve into a faint smile. He glanced at Yu Beichen beside him and suddenly said something surprising: "In that case, Third Brother, why don't you take the opportunity to arrange my and Beichen's wedding as well, to save yourself the trouble."
His words caused a moment of silence.
Standing beside him, Yu Beichen's usually aloof and indifferent face showed a hint of panic for the first time as he stared at Lou Yan in disbelief.
He quietly reached out and grabbed Lou Yan's sleeve, pulling it down. He almost gritted his teeth and whispered, "What...nonsense are you talking about!"
Lou Yan was pulled so hard that he swayed slightly. He turned to look at him, clearly not understanding what he had said wrong.
Lou Jin was taken aback at first, then a mischievous smile flashed in his eyes. He was about to say, "That's good, double happiness."
Lou Yan instinctively realized he might have said something inappropriate, so he interrupted Lou Jin and abruptly changed the subject: "...Ahem, let's discuss this later. It won't be too late to talk about it after I...after we return and receive the imperial decree of marriage from Father."
Lou Jin readily agreed, nodding with a smile: "Very well, I will certainly handle everything properly for my brother and Mr. Yu."
He turned to Princess Arno and said, “Princess, when you have stabilized Nanzhao and come to Dasheng again, the King and Queen will certainly hold a banquet to celebrate your arrival.”
Princess Arno smiled and clasped her hands in thanks, saying, "Thank you, Your Highness King Jin and Your Highness! I will definitely come to bother you then! Farewell!"
The time had come, and the procession slowly set off.
Lou Yan mounted his horse, and Yu Beichen also boarded the carriage.
The group headed southwest, gradually disappearing into the distance.
Only after they had gone quite a distance did Lou Yan spur his horse to approach Yu Beichen's carriage window, bend down, and ask in bewilderment, "Beichen, just now... what did I say wrong? Why did you react that way?"
The carriage curtain was lifted by a hand with distinct knuckles, revealing Yu Beichen's face, which remained expressionless but with a rather helpless look in his eyes.
He looked at Lou Yan, his tone flat and calm, yet each word clear: "Those two, that was their second wedding, making up for the regrets of the past. You and I... this is our first marriage. How can that be the same? If Your Highness also wants to experience the taste of a second marriage, I... naturally have no objection."
Lou Yan: "..."
His hand holding the reins paused, and a rare crack appeared on his usually stern face.
He pondered Yu Beichen's words carefully, and it seemed... that was indeed the case?
He and Bei Chen aren't even married yet, so why is he joining Lou Jin and the others in their belated wedding celebration? That doesn't seem right at all.
Having figured out the key point, Lou Yan touched his nose and said somewhat awkwardly, "...It was my oversight. Well...never mind, no rush."
He gazed at the winding road ahead, his tone regaining its composure and firmness.
"Anyway, we've already waited so many years, what's a little longer? Once the Nanzhao matter is settled and we get the imperial decree, we'll hold a grand ceremony."
Inside the carriage, Yu Beichen heard his words, a faint smile flashed across his eyes, and he softly hummed in agreement before lowering the curtain.
After seeing Lou Yan and his entourage off, Lou Jin and Ye Xunyang began preparing for their wedding with great enthusiasm.
Initially, the two were full of energy and enthusiasm.
Ye Xunyang wished he could gather all the best things in the capital, from the fabric and patterns of the wedding dress to the menu and drinks for the banquet, and even every name on the guest list had to be carefully considered.
Lou Jin indulged his interest, accompanying him in making selections. The study was filled with samples of various silks and jewelry catalogs, and he even personally pointed out the locations for hanging lanterns in the courtyard.
Good news also came from Ye Xunqin's side: Anar's father, the new clan chief of Kapok Village, has replied and is expected to set off for the capital in half a month.
The Ye family was overjoyed, busy preparing to welcome their future in-laws and also busy buying things for Anar, such as jewelry and clothes.
However, Lou Jin and Ye Xunyang's initial excitement didn't last long.
There are just so many little things involved in a wedding!
However, after only seven or eight days, the initial enthusiasm was largely worn down by the endless details.
That afternoon, Lou Jin was still in his study, frowning as he sorted through a pile of red silk samples whose colors were almost indistinguishable, feeling dazzled by the choices.
He regretted that he had to handle it himself; he could have simply given the order to a servant.
"Xunyang, do you think this color is more suitable, or the one from before?"
He looked up and realized that Ye Xunyang, who had been chattering and offering suggestions, had disappeared without a trace.
"Guards, where is the Princess?"
The maid standing outside the door replied in a low voice, "Your Highness, the Princess Consort said half an hour ago that there was an urgent military matter in the capital garrison that required his attention, and then she hurriedly left."
Lou Jin was taken aback at first, then burst into laughter.
What urgent military matter could he not know?
It's obvious that this kid was so annoyed by these trivial matters that he made an excuse to run away!
He shook his head helplessly, just about to rest for a while before looking at it again, when the steward Liu An hurriedly walked in and respectfully reported.
"Your Highness, a palace eunuch has arrived. The Emperor summons you to the palace immediately for a meeting."
The fact that I was summoned at this hour suggests that there must be something important to discuss.
Lou Jin stood up, straightened his robes, and instructed Liu An, "Understood. If the Princess returns, tell her that I have gone to the palace to meet the Emperor."
"Yes," Liu An bowed in response.
Lou Jin glanced at the pile of troublesome things on the table and suddenly felt that going to the palace to discuss politics was a temporary relief.
A helpless smile curved his lips as he strode out.
The Imperial Palace, the Hall of Diligent Governance.
Lou Jin followed the eunuch into the hall, wondering what the sudden summons was for. Surely it wasn't to inquire about the progress of his wedding preparations?
However, the emperor's first words surprised him.
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