141 Grand Wedding

A month passed in the blink of an eye, followed by ten more days, and I finally welcomed that day.

It was my wedding day, the wedding of Li Yexuan and myself.

The wedding had originally been scheduled for a month later. I ran over to Zijun, and after reasoning with him emotionally and logically about how desperately I wanted to marry Li Yexuan, I managed to get him to step in and move the date forward. For a moment, Zijun could not comprehend my thoughts, nor did he know that my remaining time was short. I told him that the overall situation in the Lingyun Kingdom had settled, and it was time for me to find my own happiness. Moreover, if I could unite in marriage with Li Yexuan, it would be a tremendous blessing for the Lingyun Kingdom.

Zijun said that I need not go to such lengths; no matter how poorly off the Lingyun Kingdom might be, it would never need a princess to go on a political marriage. However, seeing that even Lian Mufeng was already taken, he stopped arguing. He still remembered to admonish me, though, that a young maiden should maintain some modesty. I retorted, "Modesty? I've already borne him a son, what is there left to be modest about?" Zijun was left speechless.

Still, he had a proper talk with Li Yexuan, and the wedding was moved up.

On the day of the wedding, I woke up early. The Lingyun Kingdom had its own rules, but royalty has always existed outside of strict ritual and law, so there were not that many cumbersome formalities to observe.

The palace matrons came to apply my makeup. I was still half-asleep and in a daze, but the moment the bright red bridal gown appeared before my eyes, I snapped wide awake. Li Yexuan's words from that day still lingered in my ears; perhaps he was angry, though I was not entirely clear on what could have possibly provoked his wrath. Yet after a few days apart, I could only remember his good qualities. Perhaps this was the power of love.

If he truly was angry, coaxing him a little would probably make it better. As long as I used my sincere heart, I could always win his sincerity in return. What is marriage if not a matter of earnestness and love? Besides, we still had our baby.

The bright red bridal gown was draped over me. The Fantian Pavilion lacked nothing in the way of rare treasures and silver, and this wedding attire was indeed priceless. It looked light and ethereal, yet lost none of its elegance, with phoenixes embroidered in gold thread coming to life on the crimson fabric.

"Eldest Princess, Princess Yuzhen has arrived," reported Afu, her face beaming with festive joy.

"Aunt."

"Zijun."

Aunt arrived with a smile as well, but I could see the hidden worry lurking beneath it.

"You may all withdraw. This palace will dress her myself."

"Yes."

Afu led the servants out of the room.

"Aunt will dress your hair for you."

"Alright."

Aunt walked up behind me and gathered my long, loose hair that fell past my waist.

"I remember when I was wed, my father and mother had both passed away as well, but back then your mother had just entered the imperial family, and she came to help me dress. In the blink of an eye, you are this grown. Every time I look at your face, I am reminded of your mother. Once you are married off this way, I will no longer be able to see you every single day."

"Aunt can look at Zijun, then; he is Mother's child too."

"For some reason, I always feel that you resemble your mother more, while Zijun takes after your father."

"Is that so?"

"Indeed. Zijun, once you go, if you feel any discomfort at all, you must send word to tell Aunt. Your cousin is setting out tomorrow to find a way to help you." Aunt's voice began to choke with emotion.

I turned my head and leaned against Aunt's shoulder.

"Aunt, life and death are decreed by the heavens. Now that I am reaching the end, I realize all the more how important it is to cherish what we have. I still regret not being able to marry him under the true identity of Murong Zijun, but this time, my dream has finally come true."

"Silly child."

"Aunt, hurry and bind my hair, or we might miss the auspicious hour."

"Alright."

Aunt began applying my makeup with utmost care. About half an hour later, everything was complete.

The exquisite makeup was unlike anything I had ever worn before—snow-white skin, cherry blossom lips, and a red cinnabar mark upon my forehead. My long hair was coiled up, crowned by a high phoenix coronet with golden tassels cascading down. The bright red bridal gown was fitted to my form, cinched at the waist with a golden belt.

"I was mistaken; you are far more beautiful than your mother was back then," Aunt murmured after gazing at me for a long time.

Zijun, Guteng, and Dongfang Qingyu arrived, followed by Xu Xun holding the baby by the hand. With all the busy preparations for the wedding over the past few days, Xu Xun had been taking care of the child. She looked after him wonderfully, and the baby grew very fond of her, constantly calling out "Auntie, Auntie" without stop.

Today, the baby was exceptionally adorable, dressed up quite handsomely by Xu Xun. He no longer wore his usual little bun of hair; instead, he even sported a tiny golden crown.

"Mother, you're so pretty!" As soon as he stepped through the threshold, he came hurtling toward me.

The others who came with him were equally entranced.

"What? Is this the first time you've realized I'm pretty?" I smiled and stood up.

"What should I do? I have regrets," Dongfang Qingyu uttered with a wry, helpless smile.

"Well, it's too late for that now," I replied in high spirits, reaching out to stroke my son's chin.

"I regret it too."

"I regret it as well."

Zijun and Guteng's declarations of regret left me completely baffled.

"They regret marrying off such a beautiful sister of theirs."

Aunt's remark left me between laughter and tears.

The matchmaker hurried in to announce that the auspicious hour had arrived, holding out the red bridal veil.

"Wait," Zijun intervened. "In My view, My elder sister's beauty has no need for this red veil."

For a moment, the matchmaker did not know what to do, but Aunt nodded, and I simply said, "Very well."

Inside the imperial palace of the Lingyun Kingdom, a crimson carpet stretched from the main hall all the way out past the palace gates.

Zijun and I stood just inside the doors of the main hall, flanked by rows of officials bowing in respect.

"Elder Sister, Little Brother is sending you off to be married." Ever since Zijun ascended the throne, I had instructed him to address me as Elder Sister, but hearing him call me Elder Sister today filled my heart with boundless contentment.

"Alright."

"Mother is going to marry Daddy. Will Baby keep Mother company?"

"Yes."

The child's existence could ultimately not be concealed from the world, but Zijun had issued an imperial decree to the realm. The common folk all assumed that because I was a princess of a fallen state, it was unseemly to make it public, and that I had actually wed Li Yexuan long ago. Between truth and falsehood, who knew how many people actually believed it.

In this world, many princesses were married off, but it was rare indeed for a princess to be escorted personally by the emperor.

Zijun held my hand in one of his and the baby's in the other, walking step by step along the red carpet.

I looked back with a smile at Aunt, Guteng, and Dongfang Qingyu, then turned my gaze straight ahead.

He stood there not far away from me, clad in brilliant crimson robes just as when we first met. Even before drawing close, I could feel from afar the warmth he would bring into my life.

Yet what I did not expect was that the closer I drew, the fiercer that warmth would become—so scorching it would burn me, perhaps even reduce me to ashes.

The red carpet was long, and I grew ever closer to Li Yexuan.

"My elder sister and nephew are now entrusted to you," Zijun said, placing my hand directly into Li Yexuan's grasp.

"Rest assured." Li Yexuan took my hand, while his other hand reached out to take the baby's.

"This is the wedding with Zijun that is long overdue. Thank you for your magnanimity," Li Yexuan said to Zijun. At that instant, I suddenly felt that all the grievances of these past years were worth nothing, even the baby I had risked my life to bear.

"As long as you treat them well, that is all that matters. Otherwise, even though the Lingyun Kingdom is currently inferior to your Yuehua Kingdom, if Elder Sister and Mufeng do not fare well, I will still not spare you."

"That day will never come."

I smiled, facing the red carpet and the eyes of the entire world, looking upon the three men I loved most: my younger brother, my husband, and my son.

"Let us go."

"Alright."

Li Yexuan held my hand and escorted me into the bridal sedan chair, and the baby climbed in alongside me. Surrounded by a procession stretching ten miles red with festive decorations, I knew with absolute clarity that this was no dream.

After all, this was a marriage between two nations, and it was five days later before I truly entered the Prince Xuan Manor in my full bridal attire.

Li Zheng had also arrived in person at the Prince Xuan Manor, waiting there since early morning. The moment I stepped through the door, Lanxin rushed forward to support me.

"Good sister-in-law, I've finally waited for you to arrive! You're quite something—Princess Zijun, no less! Keeping it all a secret from me."

"Good sister, behave yourself."

I had no idea if our little playful interaction was witnessed by anyone else.

Upon entering the Prince Xuan Manor, I figured it would be best to wear the red bridal veil after all, so I had Afu put it back on me. As a result, I could barely see anything outside, and was subsequently led in a blur through the wedding ceremonies and into the nuptial chamber. The bridal chamber was still the Qingran Abode.

Inside the bridal chamber, I sat arrayed in my bright red wedding garments. Lanxin and the baby played off to the side, while Afu and Aling prepared some food for me.

The red bridal veil was flipped open.

"Princess, please eat something. You've been tired all day."

"Mmm." Though I truly had no appetite, I nibbled on a few pastries.

"Sister-in-law, you didn't even send a single letter all these years, and now the child is already this big." Lanxin spoke as tears threatened to well up in her eyes.

"On such a joyous day, shedding tears is unlucky, you know."

At that, Lanxin quickly averted her face to hide her expression.

"Auntie, don't cry," the baby comforted Lanxin.

"Ah—yes, alright, I won't cry."

A servant came to report that Li Yexuan was already on his way.

"Then sister-in-law, I'll take my leave first."

I nodded and exchanged a glance with Afu and Aling.

The twelve assassins known as the Twelve Guards were originally secret guards of the Lingyun Kingdom. When Zijun offered them to protect me, I had refused. However, I had brought Zhuque and Xuanwen with me; Qinglong and Baihu had been sent back to the Fantian Pavilion. But for the baby's sake here, to ensure his utmost protection, I had given Xuanwen a strict command to guard him well, and Afu and Aling understood my intentions and would take good care of the child.

"Mother, Baby is leaving now."

"Be a good boy, and listen to Auntie Fu."

"Baby understands."

The red bridal veil once again enveloped me tightly.

Everyone in the bridal chamber withdrew.

With a soft creak, the door opened, followed by the sound of it being closed shut.

Footsteps drew closer and closer, and I grew increasingly nervous. My hands gripped the fabric of my wedding dress, tightening involuntarily, and my palms grew slightly slick with sweat.

Who knew a wedding could be this nerve-wracking... Still, I comforted myself inwardly: thank goodness we already had a son, otherwise if I had married over here blindly without even knowing what my husband looked like beforehand, wouldn't I have been so nervous I'd fall right off the bed!