Chapter 42: The Grand Wedding
October 11th was an auspicious date chosen by the Imperial Astronomers. It was suitable for capping ceremonies, seeking offspring, and marriages.
The wedding day of the Seventh Princess Feng Bai Su and the eldest son of the Northern Garrison Marquis’s family, Wei Jing Mo, was set on this day!
Northern Garrison Marquis’s Mansion
Wanyue Pavilion
Just as dawn was breaking, Wei Jing Mo was pulled out of bed by Dong Qing and Dong Gua.
Too excited the night before, Wei Jing Mo had only fallen asleep late into the night.
As a result, his head was now a muddle, and his eyelids were fighting each other, refusing to open no matter how hard he tried.
He could only lean his body against Dong Qing and Dong Gua, obediently allowing the two to fuss over him like a rag doll.
The two brought Wei Jing Mo to sit in front of the dressing mirror. One prepared the wedding clothes, while the other readied the golden hairpins and ornaments. As they moved back and forth, they hurriedly instructed others to draw water for Wei Jing Mo’s bath and grooming.
In an instant, everyone in the room became busy, their footsteps never ceasing!
The little fox sleeping on the soft couch was awakened by the commotion in the room. Its ears twitched, and it raised its small head with a confused and bewildered look.
Seeing everyone walking back and forth in the room, its glass-like pupils brightened, thinking they were playing.
It let out a small whimper and immediately stood up, jumping to the ground. With its short legs, it squeezed itself between them.
Suddenly, a series of light exclamations rang out as the servants, who hadn’t noticed the movement at their feet, were tripped up!
When Shen Ke entered with the matchmaker, he saw the room in chaos.
“What are you all doing?” he asked, rubbing his forehead in frustration. Looking at the servants sprawled on the ground, he scolded, “Get up quickly! What kind of behavior is this, all panicked and flustered!”
The servants still on the ground immediately stood up, their faces showing fear.
Shen Ke waved his hand at them, dismissing them.
He then instructed Tao Yun and Qing He behind him to take over their tasks.
After everything was arranged properly, he finally walked around the screen.
Seeing Wei Jing Mo sitting dazedly on the chair, looking sleepy, he couldn’t help but laugh and scold, “You can still sleep on this joyous day?”
“Father…” Wei Jing Mo called out with a slightly spoiled tone, trying hard to stay awake.
His cheeks were a bit flushed, somewhat embarrassed: “I slept late yesterday, so…”
He didn’t finish the rest of his words. But Shen Ke, being experienced, naturally knew why.
A smile flashed in his eyes as he patted Wei Jing Mo’s shoulder: “Alright! Hurry and take a bath! Don’t miss the auspicious time later.”
Only then did Wei Jing Mo get up and walk towards the bathroom.
——
At the hour of Si, Wei Jing Mo was dressed in a bright red wedding attire, wearing a phoenix crown on his head. His jade-like face was adorned with exquisite makeup. Unlike his usual cool and plain appearance, he now looked radiant and dazzling, extraordinarily captivating!
Shen Ke dismissed the people behind him and led Wei Jing Mo to sit on the chair.
He pulled out a small booklet from his wide sleeve and thrust it into Wei Jing Mo’s hand.
Clearing his throat, he said, “This is a booklet specially prepared by father for you, to help spouses get along harmoniously. Keep it safe.”
Wei Jing Mo nodded and casually opened a page.
Before he could open it, Shen Ke pressed it back closed, “There’s no rush now! This book is meant to be read at night.”
Hearing this, Wei Jing Mo looked up at Shen Ke.
Although there was some confusion in his ink-black eyes, he obediently moved his hand away and put the small booklet away.
Seeing his naive and innocent appearance, Shen Ke lovingly stroked his black hair.
“You child, your outer appearance might fool people, but your inner nature is too pure! I don’t know if it’s a blessing or a curse. Father only hopes that the Seventh Princess will treat you well, and respect you as the primary husband after marriage. I don’t dare hope for more!”
Royal family members can be too cold and indifferent!
Shen Ke didn’t expect them to be passionately in love after marriage, he only hoped they could treat each other with mutual respect. Like him and the Marquis, who always respected his opinions as the primary husband and never went behind his back. That would be enough to put his mind at ease!
Wei Jing Mo felt that Shen Ke’s words carried a heavy meaning.
He nodded seriously and obediently replied, “Don’t worry, Father! Mo’er will take good care of himself.”
“The… the Seventh Highness will also treat Mo’er well.”
His cheeks couldn’t help but redden, his ink-black eyes full of affection.
Seeing this, Shen Ke couldn’t help but sigh again, “Let’s hope so!”
At this moment, a commotion suddenly came from outside the door: “Primary Husband! Young Master! The welcoming procession has arrived at the gate!”
Hearing this, Shen Ke quickly draped the red veil over Wei Jing Mo’s head and called in the people from outside.
The matchmaker supported Wei Jing Mo as he carefully walked outside.
——
At the main gate of the Northern Garrison Marquis’s Mansion
Feng Bai Su sat tall on a large black horse, wearing a bright red wedding robe. Her thick black hair was tightly bound at the top of her head, with a red ribbon embroidered with gold thread tied around it.
As a gentle breeze blew, the red garments and gold-threaded red ribbon fluttered together. Combined with her stunningly beautiful face, she looked like a bewitching demon captivating all living beings!
The young men watching around couldn’t help but hold their breath and let out a series of exclamations.
Suddenly, Feng Bai Su’s peach blossom eyes brightened slightly, her gaze falling on the red figure slowly walking towards her.
She immediately dismounted and walked over quickly.
Taking Wei Jing Mo from the matchmaker’s hands, she wrapped an arm around his waist and lifted him horizontally.
Instantly, another wave of exclamations rose from the surroundings.
Feng Bai Su, however, curled her red lips indifferently and walked to the bridal sedan, placing him inside.
She then mounted her horse, turned it around, and headed towards the Seventh Princess’s mansion.
Upon arriving at the Seventh Princess’s mansion, after performing the ceremonial bows, Feng Bai Su led Wei Jing Mo to the bridal chamber.
Dong Qing, Dong Gua, and Cong Bai all tactfully withdrew.
Feng Bai Su sat down next to Wei Jing Mo on the bed and whispered in his ear, “I’ll go out first to toast the guests. If you need anything, call the guards outside the door, and they will immediately notify me.”
After speaking, she squeezed his hand hidden in his sleeve. She let out a low chuckle before standing up and walking out.
After hearing the door close, Wei Jing Mo, sitting on the edge of the bed, shifted slightly.
After a while, he reached out his right hand and quietly moved a small corner of the red veil on his head, revealing his flushed face.
Wei Jing Mo curiously looked around the room’s decoration.
Apart from the red silk on the bed and the “double happiness” characters on the window, the room’s furnishings were quite simple. The inner and outer rooms were separated only by a simple landscape screen. The tables, chairs, bed, and couch were all in subdued, dark colors.
His cool ink-black eyes couldn’t help but show some confusion. This room didn’t look like one for a man in the back courtyard, but more like one regularly inhabited by a woman.
“Young Master, do you need anything? Cong Bai Miss just sent a message saying that Her Highness won’t be back for a while.”
Dong Qing asked softly, leaning against the door.
“No need, I’m not hungry.”
Wei Jing Mo put away his thoughts and replied to the outside.
Hearing this, Dong Qing said no more and stood up straight again.
For a moment, the room fell silent again.
Time ticked by slowly, and the room gradually darkened. Dong Qing and Dong Gua came in to light the lamps, then quietly retreated.
Wei Jing Mo sat on the bed, feeling a bit bored, and slightly twisted his stiff waist.
Just as he was about to raise his arm to stretch, a small booklet slipped out from his sleeve.
He immediately froze, his gaze involuntarily falling on the small booklet on the ground. His mind suddenly recalled what Shen Ke had told him before leaving the mansion.
He turned his head to look at the sky outside, seeing that it had completely darkened.
Wei Jing Mo bent down to pick up the small booklet from the ground and placed it neatly on his knee.
He lightly pursed his thin lips, his expression very serious as he opened the first page.
As his gaze moved down, his jade-like face suddenly flushed red, as if on fire!
He quickly closed the small booklet.
He couldn’t help but bite his thin lips, and the tips of his ears hidden behind his black hair were so red they seemed about to drip blood.
A wave of embarrassment hid in his usually calm and peaceful eyes.
Wei Jing Mo threw away the small booklet with trembling fingers, but then thought this was too obvious. He picked it up by a corner and got up to find a more hidden place.
He hid it in several places, but feeling they weren’t concealed enough, he took it out again.
He stood hesitantly in place, looking left and right.
Suddenly, the door creaked open.
Wei Jing Mo’s eyes widened, and without time to think, he hastily stuffed the small booklet somewhere and sat back on the bed.
When Feng Bai Su pushed the door open and entered, she saw the young master sitting quietly on the edge of the bed. Only the red veil on his head was strangely folded at a small corner.
She couldn’t help but smile, her eyes twinkling as she slowly walked towards him.
Wei Jing Mo lowered his head, looking at the embroidered boots that suddenly appeared before him, his hands on his knees nervously twisting together.
Suddenly, his vision brightened as the red veil was lifted from his head.
Wei Jing Mo slowly raised his head, instantly meeting Feng Bai Su’s smiling peach blossom eyes.
She must have drunk quite a bit of alcohol outside. Her usually indifferent and lazy peach blossom eyes were now covered with a layer of intoxication and mist, hazy, making her upturned peach blossom eyes inexplicably alluring.
Feng Bai Su threw the red veil in her hand aside, turned to the table to pour two cups of wine, then walked back to Wei Jing Mo’s side.
“The nuptial wine.”
She extended her hand to Wei Jing Mo, bending down to his face.
Wei Jing Mo, with a blushing face, took it and drank it down, reaching through her arm.
Perhaps because he was too hasty, he couldn’t help but cough softly after drinking.
Seeing this, Feng Bai Su immediately sat down beside him, raising her hand to pat his back, her voice low and gentle: “Are you feeling better?”
Wei Jing Mo stopped coughing and softly responded to her: “Thank you, Your Highness.”
Seeing this, Feng Bai Su withdrew her hand.
She stood up to place the cup in her hand on the table. When she turned around, she saw Wei Jing Mo still sitting there motionless, his body somewhat stiff. His whole being radiated the four words “I am very nervous”.
Seeing him like this, the smile in Feng Bai Su’s eyes deepened. The alcohol went to her head, and she suddenly wanted to tease this young master!
She slowly walked in front of him, suddenly lowering her body and whispering close to his ear: “After drinking the nuptial wine… do you know what we’re supposed to do next?”
Wei Jing Mo’s eyes instantly widened, his body instinctively leaning backward, his face turning even redder.
Clearly, the young master had thought of something embarrassing.
Seeing this, Feng Bai Su couldn’t help but laugh softly, pushing her luck by directly pressing him down onto the bed.
In the end, she didn’t forget to tease him by his ear: “It seems our Jing Mo knows quite a bit…”
“Your… Your Highness…”
Wei Jing Mo used his hands to push hard against her shoulders, trying to struggle and sit up.
However, he was held down by Feng Bai Su, who gripped both his hands and fixed them above his head. His wedding clothes gradually loosened with his struggle.
A series of light pants sounded…
The bed curtains on both sides had fallen at some unknown time, concealing the infinite spring scene inside…
