The bride's violent death on the eve of her wedding was undoubtedly further proof that Prince Rui was cursed to bring misfortune to his wives. Before Hongzhu and Taowanniang could move, they heard someone leaping onto the roof from the next room.
"I'm afraid there might be danger, so the people following me are actually guards," Hongzhu explained. "After several incidents, we've confirmed that there are people who just can't stand to see Yi-gege doing well!"
Tao Wanniang feigned surprise and asked, "How could this be? Could it be that the rumors outside that the young master is cursed to bring misfortune to his wives... have been framed?"
"Does Sister Tao really believe in things like 'wife-killing'?" Hongzhu said disdainfully. "I don't believe it. I only believe in myself. I want to be with Brother Yi, so I'm willing to take this risk!" Hongzhu said earnestly.
Tao Wanniang naturally knew all this, but she was just an ordinary merchant's wife! So, facing the sounds of fighting outside, Tao Wanniang couldn't help but feel a little nervous.
But soon the noise on the roof stopped, and then there was a knock on the door.
"Miss Hongzhu, she's gotten away."
"I understand," Hongzhu replied. "Sister Tao, please forgive me if things don't go smoothly tonight."
Tao Wanniang, being as perceptive as a mirror, politely replied, "In that case, I'll head back now. I'll also tell everyone else not to go out tonight. Miss Hongzhu, I hope your wish comes true."
The next morning, Tao Wanniang woke up early and saw that the east was already showing signs of dawn. She was worried that something might have happened in the west wing.
Fortunately, it was quite lively there early in the morning. When Tao Wanniang arrived, the two maids guarding the door greeted her very politely.
"How was last night?" Tao Wanniang asked casually.
"All is well, Manager Tao. Shall we go see the Crown Princess?"
"Hmm." Tao Wanniang said as she went in, and leaning against the door frame, she saw Hongzhu doing her hair.
A woman is most beautiful when she is waiting to be married; that anticipation and longing for the wedding banquet can make a woman's eyes sparkle with affection.
Looking at the red pearl that was as beautiful as a peach blossom, Tao Wanniang sincerely hoped that this marriage could be salvaged from a mistake.
"Manager Tao." The people who escorted the bride were all from the Prince Rui's mansion, and they treated Tao Wanniang with great respect.
"It's nothing, I'll just take a look at the bride, she's so beautiful!" Tao Wanniang said sincerely. Hongzhu was already beautiful, and with careful makeup, she looked even more gorgeous.
"Manager Tao, is anyone else at home? These are wedding candies that the Prince's Mansion instructed us to bring in advance, to celebrate with you." A nanny asked others to carry out a box, and said cheerfully. Nothing bad happened during the night, so it seemed the wedding was going to be successful, and everyone was happy.
"That's wonderful! I'll have someone carry it over right away," Tao Wan's mother said happily. Her son and daughter-in-law hadn't even left the house yet, and Zhang Liang was strong enough; how could they be afraid of not having enough people?
The Tao family was overjoyed to receive the wedding candy. When the time came, the wedding party from Prince Rui's mansion arrived. Xiao Yi, dressed in a red groom's robe, had a handsome face that made him look even more dashing.
The wedding procession departed peacefully, leaving Tao Wanniang feeling uneasy. She wondered if something bad would happen during the wedding. Having failed repeatedly before, this deliberate attempt would surely leave evidence.
But is it really that simple? After all these years of scheming, is it really worth giving up now? It doesn't seem quite right! With a sense of unease, Tao Wanniang still attended the wedding banquet at Prince Rui's mansion. She went alone, without bringing anyone with her.
At the wedding banquet at Prince Rui's mansion, Tao Wanniang's status was rather awkward. She saw some high-ranking officials who had visited Zhaixing Tower before, as well as this Duke and that Marquis. Sitting in the corner, Tao Wanniang could only watch as a distinguished guest.
After the bride was led to the bridal chamber, Tao Wanniang saw a familiar face.
"His Majesty has arrived!" With the eunuch's shout, everyone stood up to prepare to pay their respects.
"No need for formalities. I am here today to congratulate Xiao Yi on his wedding, and I do not wish to overshadow him." Zhao Zhe said calmly, his eyes fixed on Xiao Yi in his red robe, and he smiled slightly.
He's the emperor! Tao Wanniang was shocked. She had met this man twice before, once in the mountains and once in a small restaurant. She knew he might be of high status, but he was actually the emperor!
The emperor is the eldest princess's... Thinking back to that time, when the eldest princess was also in the small restaurant, Tao Wanniang felt a little confused.
"I... sit wherever you like, you don't need to worry about me." Zhao Zhe glanced around and finally saw that there was no empty seat next to Tao Wanniang, so he walked over to her.
What was he going to do? What was he going to do? Tao Wanniang immediately became restless. She had been taken care of by the people from the Prince Rui's mansion, and could sit anywhere at any of the tables. She chose a corner seat with a view of the whole room. However, her status was not very high, so some officials' wives were unwilling to sit next to her, leaving her with empty seats on either side.
But why would the emperor, a man of such stature, choose this place?
"Sister Tao, it's been a long time!" Zhao Zhe said with a smile when he saw Tao Wanniang's trembling expression.
Tao Wanniang immediately stood up and greeted Zhao Zhe, saying, "This humble woman greets Your Majesty."
"Didn't I tell you not to be so formal, Sister Tao? You saved my life too." As Zhao Zhe spoke, he sat down directly next to Tao Wanniang, with guards and palace servants standing on either side of him.
Tao Wanniang felt immense pressure. As for the emperor's mention of saving her life, she thought about it and figured it must be the pastries she had given him when he had low blood sugar.
"Your Majesty, didn't you already pay it off back at the small restaurant?" Tao Wanniang said in a low voice, "You don't owe me anything!"
Zhao Zhe smiled; this Tao Wan woman was quite sensible.
"I also know that you know your little restaurant was cooked by someone sent by the Princess." Zhao Zhe leaned closer to Tao Wanniang and whispered, "Ling Yunzhou told you about it, didn't he? I even punished the Princess by sending her to Chaotian Palace to reflect on her mistakes!"
Tao Wanniang smiled awkwardly. "The emperor is coming so close, what will others think of me?"
This is clearly a marriage arranged by the Prince Rui's family, but it feels like everyone is secretly eyeing her!
"Your Majesty, the young master has come to offer a toast!" Tao Wanniang said as if she had seen a savior when she saw Xiao Yi coming over.
Zhao Zhe then stopped joking with Tao Wanniang. When he saw Xiao Yi walking over, his expression gradually became complicated.
This red robe suits him well, but it's also extremely jarring.
"Your Majesty, have you come to witness my brother's wedding?" Xiao Yi's expression was somewhat complicated. He had actually arrived at the wedding banquet after walking step by step. He saw Tao Wanniang sitting with the Emperor, and he felt quite nervous.
"Of course I've come to congratulate you on your wedding," Zhao Zhe said, one hand behind his back and the other holding a wine cup as he clinked glasses with Xiao Yi.
Tao Wanniang glanced at him casually, but her heart tightened. The emperor's hand behind his empress was clenched into a fist, and the veins on his hand were bulging, as if he was suppressing great emotions. She couldn't help but look up again.
As Xiao Yi tilted his head back to drink, the emperor's gaze... Tao Wanniang's heart skipped a beat, and she immediately lowered her head. Some fragmented clues were now connected, enough to cause the death of Xiao Yi's wife or fiancée, enough to have a monk in a temple predict his fate... He's capable of anything!
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