vstars Chapter 607 The Eve of the Wedding
Chapter 607 The Eve of the Wedding
Shen Bi was married off from her uncle's house.
During my time back in Beijing, I've basically finished all the preparations, and today is the last day to try on my wedding dress.
The bright red wedding dress was embroidered with a phoenix in gold thread, but the phoenix had three tail feathers, while He Qianqian's wedding dress had five.
Shen Bi was originally a woman from the South, with a charming and lively appearance, especially her pair of clear, large eyes and slender, supple figure. Wearing a bright red wedding dress made her even more alluring.
"Miss is so beautiful." The maid Pearl was doing Shen Bi's makeup, and she would steal glances at the person in the mirror from time to time, her eyes full of joy.
Compared to the joy on Pearl's face, Shen Bi's expression remained largely unchanged as she quietly gazed at herself in the mirror.
Another maid, Xiaoyu, came in from outside, her face showing worry.
Shen Bi saw her rubbing her hands in the mirror, looking hesitant, and asked, "Xiaoyu, what's wrong?"
Xiaoyu hesitated for a moment before saying, "Miss, Young Master Yang is waiting at the back door again, saying he won't leave until he sees you."
The hand that was combing her hair with pearls paused.
She had been observing her young mistress's expression closely, and it seemed that her mistress was unhappy about marrying the Crown Prince.
As for that young master Yang, the young lady must have developed some genuine feelings for him.
"Shall we go, miss?"
Shen Bi looked at herself in the mirror and after a long while, she said with a sigh, "What's the use of seeing him? It will only make him more miserable. My marriage is already arranged. It was bestowed by the emperor with his own golden decree. Unless the emperor rescinds his order, I will be trapped in those high walls for the rest of my life."
As if she had made up her mind, Shen Bi put away her sorrowful expression and said to Xiao Yu, "Go tell him that I am getting married in three days and it is not appropriate for me to see any men. I wish him a bright future, and when we meet again in the future, we will be strangers."
Xiaoyu looked at the unwavering determination on Shen Bi's face, then turned and left the room.
Outside the backyard, Yang Jingxuan looked dejected, with dark circles under his eyes, clearly having not slept for several days. He was no longer the dashing and elegant man he had been at the flower-viewing banquet.
His dejection vanished instantly when he saw the little fish emerge.
Yang Jingxuan asked excitedly, "Has she arrived?" He looked behind Xiaoyu, but there was only an empty courtyard and nothing else.
Despite her reluctance, Xiaoyu relayed Shen Bi's words to Yang Jingxuan.
The willows planted outside the mansion have sprouted tender green leaves, which sway gently in the wind, fresh and lovely, like a fleeting glimpse at a flower-viewing banquet.
The tender green willow branches brushed against his cheek, and Yang Jingxuan thought that his life would end today. From now on, only his father and mother's son would live on.
Yang Jingxuan's back, which had just straightened, slumped down again, and he left like a puppet.
Xiaoyu told Shen Bi what she had seen, and Shen Bi remained silent, like a puppet, letting Pearl do her hair and makeup.
Little Fish couldn't bear to see them like this. They were clearly lovers, yet they had to accept their separation. It was so pitiful.
“Miss, that Crown Prince not only has a Crown Princess, but also concubines. Although they have all been dismissed, I feel that he is not the kind of person who can settle down. Can’t we ask Master to use his many years of merit to ask for a letter of annulment for you?”
Shen Bi suppressed her sorrow, her eyes now clear. "It was because my father guarded the East Sea for many years and achieved outstanding results that I was bestowed upon the Crown Prince. What would happen to the frontier if it weren't for me, his daughter? What if my father became arrogant and declared himself king?"
If she doesn't marry the crown prince, his father and brother will face being falsely accused, and ultimately be dismissed from their posts or even killed.
She cannot afford such a risk.
"The wedding dress is perfect, no need to alter it. I will wear it to marry into the Crown Prince's residence in three days."
*
In the He residence, He Qianqian was also trying on her wedding dress in her room. Her wedding dress was made by dozens of the best embroiderers in the palace.
The moment she put it on, He Qianqian looked like a phoenix soaring through the heavens, noble and beautiful.
"Mother, am I...am I beautiful?"
He Qianqian held Jia's hand, so excited she could barely speak. Her round eyes shone brightly in the candlelight.
Madam Jia smoothed the stray hairs at He Qianqian's temples and looked at her with loving eyes, "Yes, my Qianqian is the most beautiful woman in the entire capital."
In contrast to He Qianqian's joy, the atmosphere in Grand Tutor He's study was exceptionally heavy.
Grand Tutor He asked He Wen, "Is there any movement from Prince Su's residence?"
He Wen shook his head, "I didn't see anything unusual."
"Did Prince Su say anything?"
"I didn't see Prince Su. The person who spoke to me was one of Prince Su's confidants. He said that we should just prepare to attend the wedding as usual."
Grand Tutor He didn't understand what Xiao Yu was up to, but since he had said so, they would do as he said.
He Wen was still very uneasy. "Father, are you sure you want to do this? This is tantamount to treason."
In the elegant study, the candlelight flickered, reminding Grand Tutor He of the many years ago when he taught numerous princes.
At that time, there were more than ten children, including princes and scions of other noble families, and they all had different personalities.
He taught the crown prince the art of rulership and the others Confucianism. But in the end, the crown prince who received the art of rulership died, and those who received the Confucian ideals of benevolence almost killed all their brothers.
In the past, in order to maintain stability in the court, Grand Tutor He had no choice but to numb himself, thinking that no dynasty changed emperors without bloodshed and sacrifice.
But later, Grand Tutor He often regretted it in the middle of the night.
Such regret reached its peak on the day Zheng Zixu died.
An official of the imperial court died casually in his residence, without an autopsy or explanation, dying inexplicably.
Who will be next?
His own son? His own grandson?
Or are they innocent civilians of the city?
Grand Tutor He looked at his son with a firm gaze, "Father has served three emperors and made many mistakes. It's time to set things right. Perhaps I shouldn't have helped him back then."
Seeing the determination in his father's eyes, He Wen knew that his father had made up his mind, so he said no more.
*
Before the crucial moment, Yunting returned to the Prince's Mansion.
Su Lingyue stayed by Xiao Yu's side, while Yan Qing, Yun Ting, and Li Jing stood in front of the bed to listen to Xiao Yu's arrangements.
"Yunting, you will accompany Young Master Jiang to cooperate with the Jingzhao Prefecture in arresting the people under his command. Aqing, you will take a few more people with you to the banquet with the Princess. At a critical moment, you can lend a helping hand to the Dali Temple and the Ministry of Justice."
"As for the city gates, inform Lin to guard them well, especially those leaving the city."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
After he finished speaking, Xiao Yu started coughing again.
The people in the room could clearly sense that Xiao Yu's voice sounded weaker than it had been a few days ago, and his coughing was more frequent.
Su Lingyue accepted the hot tea that Yan Qing handed her. Xiao Yu drank a few sips of the lung-soothing tea from the cup, and his cough gradually subsided.
After catching his breath, Xiao Yu calmed down and said his last words, "Sima Changfeng should go back to where he belongs."
Yunting agreed, and the group went out together to arrange the next steps.
Su Lingyue held Xiao Yu's hand tightly, meeting his gaze. In her eyes, there was only anticipation and determination.
Xiao Yu moved his fingers to reassure Su Lingyue. "Don't worry, everything will be alright."