"Seventh brother, stop pacing around and making me dizzy. The time hasn't come yet. Even if you're in a hurry, you can't go now," the eldest princess said helplessly.
Chu Tianze stopped, a rare hint of embarrassment on his face. He responded and sat back down. He really wanted to pick up Xiaoxiao as soon as possible, but the Yan Prince's Mansion and the Bai Mansion weren't far apart, and it was indeed too early for him to leave...
The eldest princess spoke slowly again, "And today is our wedding day, so you should smile more and not put on a cold face."
Chu Tianze tried to maintain a gentle smile, and said helplessly, "I understand, Your Majesty."
When Bai Chuxiao had rested enough in the Liuli Courtyard, Madam Murong and Madam Kong brought in several young ladies, including Kong Xihan.
Lanxiang, holding a tray, said with a smile, "Princess, your time is almost up."
Bai Chuxiao nodded, and then Madam Murong took the large red veil from the tray and personally covered Bai Chuxiao's head with it.
Bai Chuxiao, her head covered by a red veil, suddenly felt uneasy. Although she had lived two lives, this was her first time getting married. Seeing this, Madam Murong the Second held her hand tightly and said softly, "Xiaoxiao, don't be nervous... It's alright, this day will come sooner or later."
Hearing her second aunt's gentle words, Bai Chuxiao smiled slightly, and her somewhat uneasy heart gradually calmed down...
"The wedding party has arrived! Bride, please come out!" a maidservant announced loudly from outside the door.
Kong Xihan and Zhang Yue each helped Bai Chuxiao walk out.
In the main hall of the Bai family mansion, the old lady and Bai Linan sat at the head of the table, their faces beaming with joy, exchanging greetings with the many guests. Bai Haoyun stood to one side, while at the head of the table sat Chu Tianze, dressed in a red wedding robe. Although he disliked the Bai family members, his eldest sister was right; a wedding should be celebrated with joy. Thus, he maintained a gentle smile, which made Bai Linan and the others somewhat uncomfortable.
Bai Chuxiao, supported by Kong Xihan and Zhang Yue, entered amidst a group of women.
"The bride bids farewell to her parents"
Murong Xue's memorial tablet had already been prepared in the hall. Bai Chuxiao respectfully knelt on the ground. Since she had borrowed this body to live a second life, she should kneel in worship. Moreover, the Murong family had always treated her with great care, and in her heart, she had long regarded Murong Xue as her true mother... As for Bai Linan and the old lady at the head of the table, she ignored them, thinking that she was only kowtowing to Murong Xue.
After the bride bid farewell to her parents, her brothers were to escort her out of the mansion. Under Bai Linan's gaze, Bai Haoyun reluctantly stepped forward, but was stopped by Murong Che with a smile, "Cousin, there's no need to trouble yourself. Leave the escorting to your older cousin."
Bai Haoyun gave up his seat without hesitation. Bai Linan frowned slightly, then smiled and said, "Alright, then I'll see the young lady out."
A large crowd of onlookers gathered outside the Prime Minister's residence. As festive music played, a handsome young man in a purple robe carried his bride out, accompanied by a beaming Prince Yan. Behind them followed three equally dashing young men. Bai Haoyun, who followed behind with an expressionless face, was largely ignored by the crowd.
Murong Che set Bai Chuxiao down in front of the bridal sedan chair and whispered, "Congratulations, Sister Xiao," before stepping aside.
Then, Bai Chuxiao, supported by the wedding attendant, entered the sedan chair. The onlookers couldn't help but sigh. Although they hadn't seen the bride's face, Princess Changning's beauty was already top-notch; now, in such magnificent attire, how breathtakingly beautiful she must be!
Aside from the Crown Prince, Emperor Wenxuan would not leave the palace for the weddings of any of the other princes. Instead, he would wait in the palace on the second day of his wedding to be received, which also demonstrated the Crown Prince's distinction from the others.
The Prince of Yan's mansion was packed with guests. In the main hall, the eldest princess sat high in the host's seat. With neither the emperor nor empress present, and no other elders in attendance, everything was being handled by the eldest princess. Moreover, she was under the late empress's jurisdiction, holding a highly prestigious position; no one objected to her taking the host's seat.
The Crown Prince and Consort Li were seated on the side. Liu Shuyao was too far along in her pregnancy to move around freely, and Bai Chuwan had gone to the Bai family, so Chu Tianyou had to bring Li Zhirou instead.
The seats at the very front of the table were occupied by Murong Yuan and Murong Cheng. It was common knowledge that Princess Changning had grown up in the Murong family, and it was not unreasonable for the Prince of Yan to value the Murong family.
The eldest princess kept chatting casually with Murong Yuan, neglecting the crown prince who stood to the side. Chu Tianyou's expression was inscrutable. He didn't actually like this imperial sister. Her presence was like a constant reminder that his mother was only a concubine, and his status as the legitimate son didn't seem so noble anymore. Moreover, she was being far too close to Murong Yuan...
"Princess, the Prince has returned from the wedding procession," a maidservant announced from outside the hall, bowing.
The eldest princess quickly stood up. "Quickly, get ready!" Murong Yuan and the others also stood up, smiling as they looked towards the door, waiting for the bride and groom to enter.
"The bride and groom have arrived!" Amidst the commotion, the newlyweds strolled in.
After Chu Tianze and Bai Chuxiao took their places, the eldest princess nodded with a smile, and was about to announce the start of the wedding ceremony when...
A familiar voice suddenly came from outside the door.
"His Majesty has arrived!"
"Consort Jing has arrived!"
The people in the hall were slightly surprised. Why would the Emperor come, especially with Consort Jing, the birth mother of the Prince of Yan? This was an immense honor! Chu Tianyou, however, was ashen-faced. What did his father mean by this? Such a high honor for the seventh prince! Even if someone were to come, it should be his mother, Consort Jing. Who was Consort Jing? The seventh prince should be bowing to his mother!
Emperor Wenxuan, clad in a yellow dragon robe, strode in, with Consort Jing following half a step behind.
Everyone immediately knelt down.
Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!
May Consort Jing be well.
Emperor Wenxuan said loudly, "Rise, all of you."
The eldest princess quickly descended and helped Emperor Wenxuan to sit in the center of the table. After Consort Jing was seated a few steps behind Emperor Wenxuan, she smiled and said, "Father, why did you come? You didn't even inform us beforehand so we could make arrangements."
Ignoring the Crown Prince's unpleasant expression, Emperor Wenxuan declared loudly, "Seventh Prince has rendered many meritorious services, and now that he is getting married, it is only natural that I should come and see him in person."
He then patted the eldest princess's hand and said with a smile, "Yonghe is always reliable and Father trusts her. You handled the seventh prince's marriage exceptionally well."
Consort Jing smiled and said, "Thank you for your trouble, Princess."
The eldest princess smiled slightly, "As the eldest sister, it is only right for me to help my younger brother. Father, the auspicious time has arrived, shall we pay our respects first?"
Emperor Wenxuan nodded.
The emcee, understanding the implication, quickly announced in a loud voice...
"First bow to Heaven and Earth"
"Bowing to the parents twice"
"Husband and wife bowing to each other"
Holding the red ribbon, Chu Tianze and Bai Chuxiao didn't have time to investigate why Emperor Wenxuan had suddenly appeared. They could only follow the rules and kneel and rise repeatedly.
"The ceremony is complete; escort them to the bridal chamber!"
Hearing this, Bai Chuxiao breathed a sigh of relief. Getting married was such a hassle; it was finally over. Suddenly, a familiar large hand grasped hers. Bai Chuxiao was startled for a moment, then let him lead her towards the bridal chamber...
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