Emperor Jiang came to Muyun Pass with illness this time, first for marriage and second for Jiang Yun’s coronation ceremony.
It was supposed to be held in February, but it was delayed because Emperor Jiang had been sick all along. Jiang Yun himself was indifferent to this, as as the Crown Prince, he had already tied his crown in advance when Lanxin Palace was opened. However, this was an important rite of passage from youth to adulthood. In the afternoon of that day, Emperor Jiang ordered officials from the Ministry of Rites to prepare a simple coronation ceremony and personally put on the specially made Crown Prince’s hat for Jiang Yun, which was considered a formal ceremony.
The auspicious wedding date could not be delayed. In the evening of that day, Jiang Yun set off with Sui Heng to the Sui capital.
Emperor Jiang, along with the generals in the pass, watched as the vast fleet of ships turned around and headed towards the north bank by the Yellow River.
“Your Majesty, the wind outside the pass is cold, and the dragon’s body is important. Let’s go back early.”
Until those ships disappeared into the twilight, leaving only a continuous shadow of lamps, almost out of sight, did Emperor Jiang withdraw his gaze and turn back to enter the pass.
**
In the Sui capital, Emperor Sui and Empress Yan personally took charge, ensuring that everything was well prepared. Han Xiao calculated the time and personally led a group of officials from the Ministry of Rites to welcome the two Crown Princes back outside the city gate.
After arriving in the capital of Sui with Jiang Yun, Sui Heng immediately held another grand wedding.
The people rushed to both sides of the street upon hearing the news, hoping to see the charm of the two Crown Princes, especially the mysterious Crown Prince of Jiang. But Jiang Yun sat inside the carriage, covered in colorful silk, with curtains made of pearl and silk blocking everything. On both sides, the Jiang Empire’s advisors and generals who came to see off the beide did not show their faces. Sui Heng, dressed in wedding attire, sat high on his horse, followed by King Changning, King Ruining, and a group of generals from the Qinglang Battalion, riding his horse with great enthusiasm to the front. This is also enough to excite and cheer the people.
Since it was a formal marriage, the wedding chamber was not arranged in the private courtyard but rather in the real Crown Prince’s mansion in the palace.
From the South Gate to the Crown Prince’s mansion, one needs to pass through three long streets. The grand escorting procession slowly passes through the streets. Sui Heng ordered Ji An and Gao Gong to lead a group of palace attendants from the Crown Prince’s mansion to distribute rewards such as fruit and candy to all the people who came to observe the ceremony. Literati and famous scholars also came to compose poems and paint, documenting this beautiful and stunning wedding scene.
Yan Qi, dressed in a plain robe, stood in the crowd, staring blankly at the handsome and majestic figure at the front of the team.
“Young Master.”
The servant stood on the side with concern.
The more lively the Crown Prince’s wedding is, the more he worries about his young master’s mood and condition. He also doesn’t know why his young master insisted on coming out to observe the ceremony. In the end, wasn’t it still the young master himself who felt uncomfortable?
“The Master and Madam are still waiting for the Young Master to have dinner together. Young Master, why don’t we go back?”
The servant whispered a question.
Yan Qi seemed to not hear him at all, his gaze still closely following Sui Heng’s figure, watching his wild and bold smile, chatting and laughing with the accompanying generals, occasionally turning back to glance at the driving force behind him.
The servant felt strange. Seeing the smile on the Crown Prince’s eyes and various actions, why doesn’t he look like he does not have any feelings for the Crown Prince of Jiang? But how can the Crown Prince fall in love with the Crown Prince of Jiang so easily?
Yan Qi naturally captured this detail as well.
His originally empty heart shook again because of this tiny detail.
“His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and the Crown Prince of Jiang really have a deep affection. It is said that the wedding procession was specially ordered by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to be newly made by the Ministry of Rites in accordance with the customs of the Jiang Empire. The pearl curtains on the procession alone used over 3000 pearls. The curtains hanging outside was also the most precious silver shark veil.”
“Besides, I heard that for this grand wedding, the Crown Prince spent a lot of money and ordered someone to renovate the Crown Prince’s mansion, which he had never lived in before. The pavilions, towers, flowers, plants, and trees were all decorated according to the Crown Prince of Jiang’s preferences.”
The sound of discussions around him kept pouring into his ears.
The servant secretly pinched a sweat, afraid that his young master would not be able to bear it. However, when he looked up, he found that Yan Qi’s originally slightly pale face had improved.
The grand welcoming procession has turned into another street.
Yan Qi withdrew his gaze and said to his servant, “Let’s go back to the mansion.”
“Yes.”
The servant responded and hurriedly went to the parking spot to open the car door, inviting Yan Qi to enter.
Yan Qi sat in the carriage, his tumultuous emotions calmed down slightly.
Sure enough, the residence he arranged for the Crown Prince of Jiang was the Crown Prince’s mansion, not Meiyuan. So what if it’s a grand wedding? It’s just shiny and beautiful on the surface. The Crown Prince of Jiang, who sits tall on the procession, is just a noble and pitiful creature.
Don’t know how this pitiful creature will react if he finds out the truth one day.
Yan Qi tugged at the corner of his mouth.
“Qing He.”
Yan Qi called out.
The carriage had its own coachman, and the servant immediately entered the carriage. Seeing his young master, who was dressed in a plain robe and sitting in the dim light with a face as clear as jade, and was unusually warm and calm. He quickly asked, “What does the Young Master want the servant to do?”
“Take a diversion and make a trip to the bookstore.”
Some calligraphy and painting workshops in the Sui capital are open all night.
Empress Yan and Emperor Sui sat in the wedding hall together and had already sent Qin momo to inquire at the palace gate three times already.
“Isn’t it Youshi15-7pm already? It’s almost an hour now, why haven’t they come yet?”
Empress Yan couldn’t sit still and stood up from her seat again to look at the entrance of the wedding hall.
Seeing her spinning around like an ant on a hot pan, Qin momo couldn’t help but laugh and say, “The Crown Prince’s wedding etiquette is complicated, and it’s normal to be a bit slow. It was said that there are also many literati and scholars who sing poems on the street to celebrate His Highness’s wedding, and His Highness will also reward them one by one. Naturally, it’s even slower. Please rest assured, Niangniang.”
Where could Empress Yan not be in a hurry?
God knows how long she has been looking forward to this day. When she thinks of Lan Xinru’s face, which was like a frosted eggplant that was beaten and can no longer be gorgeously dressed in the past two days, she feels indescribable pleasure and relief.
Of course, this is not the most important thing. The most important thing is that she can finally see her obedient grandson, whom she has been longing for.
The little boy was also sitting inside the carriage, and later he would come into the palace with her. Empress Yan quickly instructed Qin momo, “Go and see if all the cheese blocks that Bengong asked the Imperial Kitchen to cook are ready.”
“Niangniang, rest assured. They have already cooked and boxed everything according to Niangniang’s requirements. They used the freshest milk and added peanut and walnut powder, which can strengthen bones and supplement intelligence. Xiao Huangsun will definitely like it.”
“That’s it. You also have someone keep a close eye on the Crown Prince’s mansion. All the utensils must be prepared properly.”
Although Empress Yan has personally checked three times, she’s still afraid of missing something. In the end, Emperor Sui couldn’t bear to watch and said, “Sit down quickly, don’t turn around anymore, it makes Zhen dizzy. With so many palace attendants around, can they not even prepare something well?”
Empress Yan wanted to retort, but in front of the Emperor’s face, she did not say anything in the end and could only sit back first.
As soon as Emperor Sui’s ears just cleared up a bit, he saw Empress Yan fishing for a cup of tea. She moved boldly and took a large mouthful.
“Really made Bengong anxious to death.”
Empress Yan put down her tea cup heavily and spoke.
Emperor Sui’s dragon robe was splattered with a large amount of water, but Emperor Sui had a gentle temperament, and it was also a day of great joy. He just silently moved his arm and didn’t say anything.
It’s just strange how lately, his Empress’s temper is becoming more and more like that of when she was young.
Taking advantage when Emperor Sui went to change his clothes, Qin momo quickly reminded Empress Yan to pay attention to her demeanor. Unexpectedly, Empress Yan smiled and raised her eyebrows, saying, “Bengong did it on purpose.”
“Who asked him to favor Lan Xinru over the years, causing so much frustration for Bengong?”
“Now, Bengong has an obedient grandson. He can like whoever he wants to, does Bengong still have to care about him?”
Qin momo: “……”
Fortunately, not long after, there was a sound of auspicious music outside, and Emperor Sui returned in clean clothes. Xiao Jiang Nuo was wearing a red jacket, with two small horn-like buns tied to his head and colorful ropes tied around the corners. His skin was fragile, and his eyes were black and shiny. He looked beautiful and obedient. He looks like a lucky doll walking out of a New Year painting being held by a nanny.
Empress Yan’s heart melted when she saw him. Although she had heard about the outstanding appearance of the little boy from Emperor Sui and the palace attendants for a long time, but she never expected the elf to be this beautiful.
“Quickly, let Imperial Grandma hug you.”
Empress Yan couldn’t sit still, she immediately got up, picked the little boy up, and gave him two strong kisses on his chubby face.
Xiao Jiang Nuo let out an ‘Ah ya’ with a shy expression, which made the palace attendants burst into laughter.
Emperor Sui also missed his obedient grandson very much, but Empress Yan held him tightly. If he wanted to hold him, he had to wait on the side. Fortunately, the little dumpling was very discerning. He took out a big candy from his pocket and presented it to Emperor Sui, coaxing him into a smile.
After the ceremony was completed, Sui Heng and Jiang Yun returned to the Crown Prince’s mansion, while Xiao Jiang Nuo was taken back to the palace by Empress Yan.
Upon hearing the news, Xiao Junwang, Sui Zhang, disregarded the obstruction of the palace attendants in the Lan Guifei’s palace and ran into the Empress Yan’s palace, wanting to play with Xiao Jiang Nuo. He made Lan Guifei faint out of anger.
The Crown Prince’s mansion has already been tidied up.
Sui Heng swore to have a perfect wedding night, so he specifically instructed Gao Gong and Ji An not to scatter any wedding fruit or colored money under the bedding, not a single peanut should be there.
But the shadow left behind for the first time was too deep. Even though he had instructed beforehand, after entering the wedding bed, Sui Heng still took advantage of Jiang Yun’s bathing time and lifted the bedding to check again.
The magnificent day finally passed smoothly, and the next day, there was no movement inside the bedchamber until dawn. Last night, Sui Heng asked for hot water several times. Ji An and Gao Gong anticipated that the two Highnesses would wake up late today, so they specifically asked the catering place to prepare breakfast later.
The layout of the Crown Prince’s mansion is much broader than that of the private courtyard. The bedchamber was still some distance away from the dining area. Sui Heng directly carried Jiang Yun over, and the two of them had a meal. They first went to the palace to pay respects to Emperor Sui and Empress Yan, and then went to see the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager smiled and rewarded Jiang Yun with a lot of gifts, while also giving Sui Heng a number of orders.
“It’s hard to find such a good kid. You bastard boy has such great fortune, in the future, you must restrain your dog’s temper and treat him well. If there is any negligence, Aijia will be the first to not spare you.”
He said to Jiang Yun again, “Yun Er, our Sui royal family doesn’t have so many rules, so you don’t have to be constrained. You can do whatever you want, just like when you were in the Jiang Empire. If this rascal dares to bully you or do something wrong to you, Aijia will beat him for you.”
The Empress Dowager has a kind face and speaks like an ordinary, wealthy old lady. She is straightforward and hearty, making people feel warm in their hearts. The Empress Dowager was still thinking about her great-grandson, who had come from the Jiang Empire. When she heard that the little boy had been taken by Empress Yan to the Bureau of Clothing to try on clothes, she pouted in displeasure.
“This Empress is really domineering. She dominates the little thing by herself and doesn’t let anyone else see him.”
The palace attendants couldn’t help but cover their lips and smile upon hearing this.
Emperor Sui wanted to stay with Sui Heng alone to discuss court affairs, Jiang Yun couldn’t stay in the palace, so he just took a ride alone back to the Crown Prince’s mansion.
Sui Heng knew that Jiang Yun liked quietness. When renovating the Crown Prince’s mansion, he specially had someone build a water pavilion on the lake and plant lotus flowers in there. This season, the lotus has not yet bloomed, but sitting in the water pavilion, drinking tea, reading, and sunbathing is also a good choice. Jiang Yun was diligent, and although he was tossed around late last night, he didn’t have the habit of catching up on his sleep. When he entered the mansion, he sat in the water pavilion to read a book. Not long after, Gongsun Yang walked in from the outside with a sword on his shoulder.
Gongsun Yang looked hesitant as he gazed at his Highness, who was quietly reading. He’s hesitant to speak.
Jiang Yun looked up and asked, “What’s wrong?”
Gongsun Yang said, “There is a rumor circulating on the street now.”
“What is it?”
“Say that the Crown Prince of Sui…”
Gongsun Yang doesn’t know whether to say it or not.
Jiang Yun pondered for a moment and said, “Say that the Crown Prince of Sui used to be obsessed with a concubine, right?”
Gongsun Yang was taken aback.
“Has Your Highness also heard of it?”
Anyway, it’s really not good for his Highness to hear such rumors on the second day of his wedding.
