Сhарtеr 21: Тhе Grand Wedding
Тhе night bеfоrе the wedding.
Aссording to сustom, on thе еvе оf а dаughter’s mаrriаgе, the mоther wоuld go to hеr dаughter’s rоom tо shаrе intimatе wоrds, impаrt wisdоm оn bеing а dаughtеr-in-law аnd a wifе, аnd discreetly оffer guidаncе оn thе mаtters of thе wedding night.
But hеr оwn dаughtеr had lоng beеn married bеfоrе, аnd Рeаr Blossom Соurt hаd аlrеady eхtinguishеd its сandlеs eаrly, aрреаring even саlmer than shе was.
Feеling rеsеntful аnd unwilling to fасe further coldness, Liu Shi went direсtly tо Sрlеndid Вlоssom Сourt instead.
Хue Wаn was still аwakе.
Tomorrow, she would marry Helian Xu. Although she had pushed for this marriage herself, as the moment approached, Xue Wan felt uneasy and unsettled.
After all, Helian Xu’s foolish and clumsy demeanor was far from the ideal husband she had imagined.
Seeing Liu Shi arrive late at night, she quickly rose, her eyes filled with dependence and vulnerability. “Mother…”
This wholly dependent, daughterly demeanor greatly satisfied Liu Shi’s maternal need to be needed, soothing her heart considerably.
Indeed, the daughter raised by her side since childhood was the most considerate, knowing to stay close to her.
“Wan’er,” Liu Shi sat by the bed, her tone softening. “Tomorrow is your wedding day. As your mother, I cannot bear to part with you and came to talk with you.”
In truth, Liu Shi also looked down on Helian Xu—neither accomplished in literature nor martial arts, lacking both courage and strategy.
Yet he was fortunate in birth, with a father who was a powerful prince. After several purges during and after the current emperor’s ascension, only Prince Duan’s lineage remained standing in the imperial clan.
Coupled with that deeply guarded secret in the palace—
The current emperor had been injured in a sensitive area on the battlefield, had not taken any consorts, and was feared to be infertile…
As the only son of Prince Duan, Helian Xu’s status grew increasingly delicate.
If her daughter could firmly capture Helian Xu’s heart and soon bear a child for Duan Prince’s Estate, her future prospects would be limitless.
“Wan’er, I know you have high aspirations and look down on someone of the heir’s temperament.”
Liu Shi lowered her voice. “But you must think long-term. Rui Prince is chronically ill, and the current emperor has no consorts or hope for heirs… Although the heir of Duan Prince’s Estate may be a bit crude and foolish, I can see he is sincere toward you, almost obedient to your every word.”
“We women cannot achieve earth-shattering feats. Our lifelong honor and disgrace lie within the inner chambers. A husband’s favor is the foundation, and offspring are our reliance…”
Liu Shi patted the back of her hand, speaking earnestly. “After you marry, bear a legitimate son early, firmly secure your position as the heir’s wife, and you will enjoy endless honor and glory in the future.”
“This way, even if the heir later takes concubines and has illegitimate children, your position will remain unshaken.”
Xue Wan pursed her lips and lowered her gaze. “…Mother, I understand.”
If not for this, how could she willingly submit to that clumsy, bear-like fool?
Still, the heir of Duan Prince’s Estate at least had a bright future, unlike Ning Heng, who married a chronically ill prince living day to day.
A wedding to ward off misfortune—no matter how nicely phrased, it was merely leaping into another pit of fire.
If Lu Yun Jue were to kick the bucket one day, she would be widowed again, dragging along a burden—now that would be truly miserable.
Thinking this, Xue Wan finally felt somewhat balanced.
Mother and daughter shared more intimate words. As she was about to leave, Liu Shi took out a small booklet wrapped in brocade from her sleeve and pressed it into Xue Wan’s hand.”Wan’er, the young master is youthful and vigorous, and with such a physique, he might be a bit too eager and reckless in matters of the bedchamber…” Liu Shi cleared her throat softly. “Take a look at this booklet so you have some understanding. If the young master becomes too demanding, don’t just indulge him blindly—take care of your health.”
Xue Wan vaguely guessed what it might be, her ears growing warm.
Liu Shi continued, “There are also… some methods inside that can help you suffer less, even allow you to manage him.”
Xue Wan gave a soft “Mm,” hardly daring to look at Liu Shi.
After a few more words of advice, Liu Shi finally rose and left.
The door closed gently, and the room returned to silence. Xue Wan sat alone on the couch, her fingertips tracing the silk-bound booklet.
After a moment of hesitation, she slowly opened it, her face flushing red.
…
Compared to the possible complexities in Liu Shi and Xue Wan’s situation, things were much simpler for Ning Heng.
To avoid her morning grumpiness ruining the wedding the next day, she decided to sleep early, conserve her energy, and strive to be an emotionally stable bride tomorrow.
April eighteenth, an auspicious day, suitable for weddings, betrothals, and sacrifices.
The Rui Prince and the Duan Prince’s Estate were both taking wives on the same day, and the Pingyang Marquis’s household was marrying off a daughter—truly a double celebration.
The streets and alleys of Sheng Jing were abuzz with talk of this rare grand event.
Throughout the Marquis’s estate, red silks hung high, lanterns and decorations were everywhere, servants bustled about, and everyone wore smiles on their faces.
Pingyang Marquis Xue Hongyuan, dressed in fresh attire, stood at the estate gate to welcome guests, radiating joy and beaming with happiness.
The only flaw was that Rui Prince Lu Yun Jue… had fallen ill again.
Having been weakened by a chill some days earlier, he now lay unconscious in bed, unable to rise, let alone personally greet the bride or perform the wedding ceremony.
Onlookers whispered among themselves, “I heard the true daughter is exceptionally beautiful, but how pitiful… the Rui Prince is still lying in bed even on his wedding day. In my opinion, she might end up a widow twice over…”
Someone nearby hushed them, “Quiet! Is that something you can say? Do you value your head or not?”
“I’d say the second young lady is truly fortunate. Though she’s an adopted daughter, she gets to marry into the Duan Prince’s Estate as the young master’s wife. The Duan Prince’s young master is personally welcoming the bride today—what a splendid sight…”
As they spoke, the sound of even more clamorous gongs and drums echoed from the distance, with a procession so grand and imposing it surpassed all expectations.
“Is that the Duan Prince’s young master arriving?”
The crowd craned their necks to see, but the procession’s scale far exceeded that of a prince’s young master, with majestic canopies and ceremonial guards.
As the procession drew nearer, the figure at its head rode atop an exceptionally magnificent tall horse, his posture upright and his bearing noble and imposing.
Yet it was not the Duan Prince’s young master, nor was it the Rui Prince.
Just then, a eunuch leading the procession took a deep breath and announced in a resonant voice, “His Majesty the Emperor has arrived—”