Chapter 343 The Eve of the Wedding
The wedding and the coronation took place on the same day, which was too rushed. However, because Xiao Nanchen, the new Emperor Jingyong, personally prepared for the wedding and left all the arrangements for his succession ceremony to the court officials, Shen Ning's wedding was not perfunctory at all.
The phoenix coronet and bridal robe were the empress dowager's most precious treasures, and the gems and pearls on them were priceless. Shen Ning wanted to refuse, but before she could open her mouth, the old lady glared at her with red eyes, staring at her so hard that she couldn't say a word of refusal.
The day before the wedding, Xie's house was decorated with lights and red silk wedding characters were everywhere.
Chen Ning had been crowned a king and should have married out of the palace, but she chose the boudoir in Xie's house. Xie Yunqing was behind the mirror, combing her daughter's hair while trying hard to hold back her tears, but she couldn't help crying as she laughed, and the more she cried, the sadder she became.
Shen Ning just patted her hand lightly and didn't tell her to stop crying.
The reason why I didn't hide it from everyone was to give them some time to accept it.
Although they already knew she would leave, at least she was still here, and they could still see her when they were grieving... Over time, the sadness would always be diluted.
It's better than a sudden and unexpected death.
Su Lianyi was sitting next to her and crying. When Shen Ning raised her hand to call her over, Su Lianyi quickly wiped away her tears, smiled, and walked forward to hold Shen Ning's hand.
"We met in humble beginnings, and we're more like sisters than sisters. My sister left her hometown and came to the capital for me, but I'm breaking our promise. I'm really sorry."
When Su Lianyi heard this, the tears that she had held back with great difficulty burst out instantly.
"Why are you talking about this? Why are you talking about this? Things are fine now. Maybe there is still a way. Don't talk nonsense when we are so happy..."
Su Lianyi's voice was trembling with sobs. Chen Ning patted her hands, took out a box and handed it to her: "My mother has the Xie family's property and a brother. Even if I'm not around in the future, Anan will definitely take good care of her... So, I told my mother that Hua Yingxue will be given to you, sister."
Su Lianyi's eyes were red: "I don't want it. What do I want for that? I just want to do something with you. I'm used to listening to you in everything. How can you do this, Ningning, you..."
Shen Ning stuffed the small box into her arms: "Okay, don't cry, you said it all, when I get married, I'll give it to you, so just take it. We've known each other for a while, so just treat it as a memory.
If you find a good man in the future, this will be your dowry. If you want to be alone, this will also give you a stable life."
July came in from outside and sniffed: "Miss, Miss Li is here."
Shen Ning responded: "Please ask her to come in."
Li Yushi's eyes were also a little red, but there was a smile on her face. Su Lianyi quickly stopped crying, took a few deep breaths, and forced a smile.
"I know Ningning doesn't lack for nice things. Mine isn't anything impressive, but I have to give something for your wedding... This is a handkerchief and purse I embroidered myself..."
The maid behind Li Yushi brought the things forward, Su Lianyi took them and placed them on the small table next to Shen Ning.
Chen Ning saw that they were all things with exquisite embroidery that had obviously been put into them, such as handkerchiefs, purses, etc.
"They're all in groups of ten, representing perfection. I embroidered them myself. It's just a small token of my appreciation. I hope Ningning doesn't mind."
Shen Ning personally put the things away and handed them to Qiyue, asking her to keep them safe. Then she pulled Li Yushi to sit down and said, "Why are you saying these strange words? How could I dislike it?"
Qiyue put Li Yushi's embroidery away and brought another box over. Shen Ning handed it to Li Yushi: "Close friends should give each other dowries. I accepted yours. This is what I prepared for you..."
The box contained a drug store in Yongxingfang, Beijing. It wasn’t too big but definitely not small either.
Chen Ning handed it to Li Yushi: "Ye Heng said he confessed his feelings to you, but you rejected him, saying that our families were not a good match... I told my mother to adopt you as my adopted daughter. From now on, you will be the sister of my Beihai King, Chen Ning. You can marry any prince or nobleman, and there will be people to support you."
Li Yushi stared at Chen Ning in a daze, unable to speak for a moment...
At this time, someone came in from outside and said that Concubine Xie and Concubine Ma and the eldest princess from the palace had sent some makeup. During this time, Nanny Gui came in and asked Chen Ning to rest early.
She has to get dressed before dawn tomorrow. Shen Ning is not in good spirits now and is worried that she won't be able to hold on.
Su Lianyi and others stayed next door to Shen Ning at night. Upon hearing this, they went out together, leaving Shen Ning to have a good rest.
July was the only one left in the room.
Shen Ning said gently: "Xiao Qi, call them all in."
July wiped his eyes and turned to go out. A moment later, twelve people from January to December came in.
After entering the door, they all knelt in front of Shen Ning.
"Tomorrow I will be getting married and entering the palace. There will be many inconveniences in the future. I have made all the arrangements for you. Please listen and tell me if there is anything you are not happy about."
"Yuanyue, you are a prudent person. You can stay with my mother and be the housekeeper of the Xie residence..."
"March and June follow Shen Chengxi. He is not very knowledgeable and will find an idle job in the capital to accompany my mother in the future. You two like to practice martial arts. Being a steward beside him should be quite leisurely and you can have time to practice martial arts."
"February, April, and May will all follow Qingbai. When Qingbai reaches high school, he will definitely be sent abroad for training. You must take good care of him."
"July, follow Sister Su and learn how to do business. I know you like it. You can also travel around the world and see the world..."
"Little Eight, Little Nine, Little Ten, Little Eleven, Little Twelve, all go to school. I've found a teacher for you. We don't ask for profound knowledge, but you need to be able to read and understand things. When you grow up a little, your elder brother Yuanyue will arrange everything for you..."
The room was silent, everyone had red eyes and said nothing.
Chen Ning sighed softly: "You will be each other's family in the future. You must remember to believe in love and support each other..."
At the front, Yuan Yue lowered her eyes with a calm expression, as if she had no objection to Shen Ning's arrangement. She was so calm that even Qi Yue, who was standing next to her, couldn't help but feel surprised.
"I'm sleepy, you guys should go and rest too."
Chen Ning had a harder and harder time waking up these past few days. She herself was not sure how long she could hold on. After the wedding tomorrow, she would live in the palace, and it would be really troublesome for her to see them. Otherwise, she actually did not want to make them feel uncomfortable at this time.
But, there always comes this moment.
In a daze, Shen Ning fell asleep...
Outside Xie's house, Xiao Nanchen stood under a huge phoenix tree.
Ancient customs stipulate that the bride and groom must not meet each other the day before their wedding, but he couldn't stand not seeing Chen Ning for a single day. When he arrived at the door of Xie's house, he was stopped by Aunt Gui.
"Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager specifically sent me here to guard you. It's unlucky to meet someone the day before the wedding. Can you please be patient for one more night?"
No other reason could compare to the word "unlucky". Xiao Nanchen wanted to give Chen Ning all the good fortune in the world, but it was not enough. Even if he wanted to see her again, he didn't want anything unlucky.
Just like that, Emperor Jingyong took a deep look into the courtyard, then turned and returned to the palace...
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