Within days, news of the Crown Prince's wedding spread throughout the capital. As a major event since the founding of the Great Xia Dynasty, it naturally could not be taken lightly. With His Majesty's encouragement, the Crown Prince's wedding date was set very soon.
On May 12th, the Crown Prince's Palace and the Liu family were brightly decorated and bustling with activity. Servants were all busy, and although the Crown Prince and the Liu family might not be happy with the marriage, no one dared to shirk their responsibilities.
In the Liu family mansion of the Right Prime Minister, Liu Shuyao, dressed in a bright red wedding gown, sat regally before a bronze mirror, but her face showed no trace of joy.
Madam Liu dismissed her attendants, her expression tinged with sorrow. "Yao'er, from now on, you'll have to rely on yourself. You understand the Liu family's intentions. Your mother only hopes for your safety and well-being..."
Liu Shuyao gave a self-deprecating laugh, "Mother, has Father really given up on his daughter? As long as Father is willing, things will be alright for us in the future..."
"Yao'er, with your cousin around, your father won't change. Do you understand... about the days ahead in the Eastern Palace..."
Liu Shuyao swept everything away from the dressing mirror, a hint of sorrow in her eyes, "What can I do from now on... Where does the Liu family place me..."
Seeing her usually clever and sensible daughter like this, Madam Liu couldn't bear it. "Daughter, don't be like this. I do care about you... but I'm just a woman, and I can't interfere with your father's decision."
Looking at herself in the mirror, Liu Shuyao thought she was beautiful. She had both looks and brains. She wasn't just a sheltered young lady skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. So what if the Liu family abandoned her? She believed that with her intelligence, she could make a name for herself in the future.
Then a resolute look flashed across her face, "Since Father has made his decision, then Yao'er will have no further connection with the Liu family, and my honor and disgrace will no longer be related to the Liu family..."
Seeing her like this, Lady Liu was about to say something more when a maid's voice came from outside the door, "Madam, Miss, the Crown Prince's wedding procession has arrived and is already at the door."
Upon hearing this, Liu Shuyao's face blossomed into a smile. She would be a good Crown Princess, one that the Crown Prince couldn't refuse! She then pursed her lipstick, summoned her dowry maids, covered her head with the veil, and, with their hands in hers, went out the door.
After bidding farewell to Prime Minister Liu and his wife in the front hall of the Liu family residence, the Crown Prince and Liu Shuyao proceeded to the Eastern Palace to perform their wedding ceremony.
The Crown Prince's wedding was a grand affair, and the Bai family was naturally among the invited guests. However, apart from Bai Chuxiao, the rest of the Bai family looked rather grim. Bai Chuxiao shook her head at the haggard-looking Bai Chuwan. Even in this state, she still had to attend the wedding; her mental fortitude was undeniable. Looking at the dejected faces of the others, she let out a sneer. These people were going to a wedding, but anyone who didn't would think it was someone's funeral. If they didn't want to go, they shouldn't go. Who were they trying to impress with that appearance? However, Bai Linan was extremely concerned with his reputation; not going would invite gossip, so he couldn't possibly refuse.
However, she couldn't care less, and she wouldn't travel with them, since Chu Tianze had already arrived to wait for her.
Upon boarding the carriage and seeing her beaming smile, Chu Tianze couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong? Are you so happy attending the Crown Prince's wedding? Xiaoxiao, I hope you'll be even happier on our wedding day."
Bai Chuxiao glared at him. "What nonsense are you talking about? Didn't you see how dejected those people from the Bai family looked? What's that saying? If the enemy is unhappy, I'm naturally happy."
Seeing Chu Tianze's helpless expression, she said again...
"I'm telling the truth, okay? If they look like this at my wedding, I'll beat them to a pulp."
Chu Tianze looked at her with doting eyes and chuckled, "Xiaoxiao is right, but if they really do end up like that in the future, you won't need to lift a finger, your husband will take care of it..."
"Hmph! That's more like it."
In the main hall of the Eastern Palace, Emperor Wenxuan and Empress Li sat high on the head throne. Crown Prince Chu Tianyou and Liu Shuyao entered solemnly. The Crown Prince wore a dark red robe with five-clawed pythons, but his face showed no joy as one would expect on a wedding day; he remained expressionless. However, since His Majesty was still present, he dared not say anything.
Seeing this, Bai Chuwan, sitting in the guest section, bit her lip. So much time had passed, and the Crown Prince hadn't even glanced at her. What did all those vows of eternal love mean then?
But she didn't consider that His Majesty was present; how could the Crown Prince dare to reveal any other thoughts?
Besides her, Li Zhirou and Princess Changyun also looked indignant.
Especially Princess Changyun, with her status and the Emperor's favor, if that incident hadn't happened, she might have had a chance to become the Crown Princess, but who knew… Thinking of this, Princess Changyun clenched her handkerchief tightly and glared angrily at Bai Chuxiao.
Bai Chuxiao felt a chill run down her spine from the stare. Following the gaze, she realized it was Princess Changyun. But wasn't the culprit Chu Tianling standing beside her? Even if she didn't directly cause everything, Chu Tianze was indirectly responsible. She didn't hate Prince Qi, nor did she glare at Prince Yan, so why was she taking her anger out on her? Did everyone think she was easy to bully? So, she secretly pinched Chu Tianze's waist in annoyance. Chu Tianze looked at her with a puzzled expression, so she could only silently say on her face: "Look what you've done!"
Seeing that Bai Chuxiao was ignoring her and even flirting with the Prince of Yan, Princess Changyun felt disregarded and became even angrier...
A member of the Ministry of Rites announced, "The auspicious hour has arrived. Please, Crown Prince and Crown Princess, perform your rites: one bow… two bows… three bows… Ceremony complete."
After the ceremony, the Crown Prince, holding the hand of his Crown Princess on the other side of the red ribbon, returned to his bedchamber amidst the congratulations of the guests.
After the wedding ceremony, the Crown Prince would come out to entertain the guests. Emperor Wenxuan naturally wouldn't stay long, so he took Empress Li back to the palace. Once the Emperor and Empress were gone, everyone relaxed considerably and began to drink and chat happily.
Chu Tianze and Bai Chuxiao walked in the garden of the East Palace. This was her first time visiting the East Palace, and the scenery was indeed beautiful. Coupled with the grand wedding, the entire East Palace appeared incredibly luxurious.
However, a voice came from behind, "Bai Chuxiao, you stop right there!"
Bai Chuxiao stopped and smiled faintly at the angry Princess Changyun. However, Chu Tianze looked displeased and said in a deep voice, "Changyun, what are you doing?"
Princess Changyun snorted coldly, her face filled with disdain. "Just a palace maid's daughter, what's with the attitude? No matter how well she fights, she can only ever be a general at best. I have something to say to her, so I'll trouble Prince Yan to excuse himself."
"Tianze, why don't you go ahead first? I want to hear what she has to say," Bai Chuxiao said with a faint smile.
Hearing her call him Tianze, the Prince of Yan was very pleased. He was too lazy to argue with Changyun for the moment; if she disobeyed, he would have plenty of ways to deal with her later. He nodded.
Seeing that the Prince of Yan had left, Changyun said fiercely, "Bai Chuxiao, you vicious woman..."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com