"The banquet was set up on the bridge over East Lake, passed through the alley, and brought to the doorstep of the house."
"That's...that's..."
Chu Dunshi rubbed his hands together, very happy, his mouth stretched from ear to ear and he didn't close it.
...
Two days later, early in the morning, Liao Ziwan got up to prepare her clothes and makeup.
Liao Ziwan put on a red, fitted long dress with a front opening, over which she wore a satin red robe embroidered with magnolias, flying saucers, and mandarin ducks, and draped a red gauze overlay. This accentuated Ziwan's slightly plump figure.
"it's beautiful."
Several people praised her highly, and Liao Ziwan's parents seemed to have tears in their eyes.
After getting dressed, Ziwan went out of the house, climbed the small ladder and got into the carriage. Ziwan's cousin shouted, "Get out of the carriage!"
Liao Ziwan felt the carriage sway slightly, but then it stabilized. Dozens of musicians led the way in front of the carriage.
Countless red ribbons were tied to the trees along the road, and large red lanterns were hung. Flower petals were scattered along the roadside. Amidst the sounds of gongs and drums, crowds thronged the roadside, creating a lively and bustling scene as everyone chattered about the grand wedding.
Originally, Liao Ziwan and Chu Dunshi were staying temporarily in Liao Ziwan's parents' small courtyard. However, in order to experience the wedding atmosphere, they had the coachman carry the sedan chair around the area before returning to their original spot.
Just as Chu Dunshi had said, the banquet filled the entire alley, and it was very impressive.
Dozens of long tables were filled with trendy dishes such as mushroom and lamb chops, fresh lily bulbs and asparagus, red duck, dried fish, jellyfish skin, colored eggs, shiitake mushrooms, celery, roasted bones, and oil chicken.
After the wedding banquet, Yun Yishu left a note saying that he and Shitou were going back first and would not join the wedding night festivities with the uncles, grandpas, and aunts, so that Chu Dunshi and Liao Ziwan could enjoy their wedding in Shengze.
Yun Yishu looked at the row of neat houses, brightly lit, with big red lanterns hanging from the eaves and big red "double happiness" characters pasted on the windows. Upon closer inspection, he saw red candles burning inside, creating a very festive atmosphere.
"Your Highness, they'll be going to their bridal chamber soon. It's not appropriate for you to stay here and watch."
Stone reminded him from the side.
"Yeah, that's true. Let's go then."
Yun Yishu smiled and, as he spoke, boarded the carriage with Shi Tou, and the group headed back to the capital.
"It would be even more interesting if Duoduo were here!"
...
In the afternoon, at the Shu Kingdom's royal palace, King Kuan, Lian Xingchen, arrived at the Pear Blossom Palace.
Yun Duoduo thought that Prince Kuan, Lian Xingchen, was just there to go through the motions of friendship between the two countries, but since Lian Xingchen remained seated, Yun Duoduo felt awkward getting up on her own.
Seeing that he had no intention of leaving, Yun Duoduo had no choice but to sit down and chat with him casually.
"If Your Majesty doesn't mind, you can try these pastries. They were made today by the palace chefs."
Yun Duoduo pushed the white jade plate containing sesame cakes in front of Lian Xingchen, and A Xiang brought over a plate of freshly steamed osmanthus pastries from the kitchen.
"I'm not eating anymore, I'm on a diet!"
Lian Xingchen shifted his gaze from the plate of sesame cakes and turned to ask the maid beside him, "Is there any tea?"
Yun Duoduo was taken aback by his question.
"Quickly, serve tea to Prince Kuan."
She instructed the palace maids to prepare.
Aunt Xiang is usually very clever, so why did she forget to serve tea today?
Ah Xiang quickly and efficiently brought over a teacup and placed it on the table in front of Lian Xingchen.
"Please don't be offended, Your Majesty. Aunt Xiang has just arrived in Shu and is still getting used to everything."
Yun Duoduo looked at Lian Xingchen, speaking somewhat reservedly. After all, this was in the Shu Kingdom, and she could only belittle her own family while being very polite in greeting her guests.
Yun Duoduo felt a little strange. She was supposed to be a guest, so why was she the one having to serve Xingchen after he arrived?
"It's alright."
Lian Xingchen took a big gulp of tea.
"Yes, after drinking tea, you should always have some snacks to accompany it, otherwise you won't feel comfortable."
Yun Duoduo's eyes widened in surprise.
Is there such a saying?
This is probably just what dieters say to comfort themselves!
Lian Xingchen picked up a piece of black and white sesame cake and put it in his mouth. "This cake is good, but it's a bit dry. Next time, have the kitchen add more morning dew. It will taste even better."
Yun Duoduo was speechless. [This is the Shu Kingdom's imperial palace, specifically the Shu Kingdom's small kitchen. How dare she, a mere guest, point fingers?]
If word got out, people would just say that this princess of Nanyang doesn't know any manners.
"Everyone says that the kitchen in Pear Blossom Palace has the best food, but in my opinion, it's nothing special."
Lian Xingchen shook his head dismissively and pursed his lips.
"Also, these snacks should naturally be enjoyed with teas like fragrant glutinous rice drinks."
"You're serving me Biluochun tea? That's unreasonable!"
Lian Xingchen looked puzzled and glanced at Yun Duoduo with disdain.
Don't you even know such a simple principle?
"Yes, Your Majesty is right. It was Duoduo who did not take good care of me."
Looking at his unceremonious manner, Yun Duoduo thought, "This guy really doesn't stand on ceremony!"
[How dare a mere kid talk to her like that?!]
Yun Duoduo rolled up her sleeves, wanting nothing more than to hit someone and teach this brat a lesson.
"Oh, it's alright, it's alright. This is my first time here, and Duoduo doesn't know my preferences either."
"When I come again next time, Duoduo will know how to entertain me."
Hey, wow, you're really not holding back!
[How many days can I, Yun Duoduo, stay here? I think you're just not well-liked here, so you've come here to find balance!]
Yun Duoduo was stunned for a moment. She was once again taken aback by the tone and language of this Prince Kuan. He was really... too informal...
"Okay, okay, Duoduo has remembered."
"Brother, what would you like to eat? Dodo, please have the kitchen prepare it."
Yun Duoduo asked tentatively.
"I already said, no need. I'm on a diet and need to control my food intake." Lian Xingchen quickly waved his hand in refusal, frowning.
"Don't eat too much."
Yun Duoduo glanced at the empty dessert plate on the table and Lian Xingchen's chubby hands, swallowed hard, and didn't know what to say.
Lian Xingchen noticed Yun Duoduo's gaze and expression, and hesitated before asking, "Did Duoduo feel bad because I ate two plates of desserts?"
"Ah? No, no, Ah Xiang, go tell the kitchen to make two more plates of Osmanthus cake, sesame cake, and hawthorn cake!"
Yun Duoduo quickly shook her head. In any case, the ingredients and manpower used were from Shu, which had nothing to do with her, so why should she feel sorry for them?
[This Lian Xingchen has a bit of a green tea bitch about him.]
[He speaks with such witty and sarcastic remarks; no wonder even Grandma Wang couldn't handle him. He must be a master of witty banter.]
"Hawthorn cake is appetizing; Your Majesty can have more of it later."
"Your Majesty, think about what else you'd like to eat, and Duoduo will have someone make it."
"No, Duoduo, you mustn't harm me like this!"
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