mtl008 Chapter 291 The Prince’s Wedding
Chapter 291 The Prince’s Wedding
Ling Yao had already entered the front hall. As the Crown Prince, the gatekeeper and steward dared not stop him in the slightest.
He bowed and scraped as he ushered the person in.
"Today, Lingyao is a junior, and he pays his respects to Mother and Aunt Liu."
Ling Yao clasped his hands in a fist salute to the two ladies.
Lu Tao quickly supported him, "Your Highness, you mustn't."
“My mother married Tian Tian to me, so I should perform the proper rites.” Ling Yao insisted on completing the junior’s rites.
"well."
"Madam, the Duke has come carrying the Princess on his back."
Ling Yao looked towards the door. The Duke had arrived at the door and stepped steadily across the threshold.
Tian Tian knelt on the prayer mat, kowtowed to Lu Tao and Liu San Niang to say goodbye, and finally bowed to the Duke.
Ling Yao stepped forward and personally carried Tian Tian on his back.
Once outside, the two boarded a gilded carriage, which was surrounded by curtains.
The red wheels rolled over a path of festive red and arrived at the Imperial Street.
"The granaries are full, laughter fills the hall, the Rice Flower Goddess is matched with the Dragon Husband!"
"One grain of rice yields ten thousand grains; Your Majesty's blessings cover the entire land!"
"Red silk spread out in the sun, golden ears of grain pressing down on the sedan chair bring a hundred years of good fortune!"
Suddenly, a large crowd of people gathered in the street, chanting blessings and placing straws they held onto the gilded carriage.
These straws were given to the people by Ling Jun.
The people threshed the rice and kept the straw, all for today's occasion, when the golden ears of rice would weigh down the sedan chair, a blessing for a sweet and prosperous year.
Tian Tian was extremely surprised. She looked at the people on both sides of the road, tears welling up in her eyes.
"The embroiderers of Caixiu Tower are embroidering golden tassels on gauze to celebrate the wedding of Princess Fufeng and His Highness the Crown Prince!" Suddenly, several more charming voices rang out.
Tian Tian looked up and saw the embroidery shop she had frequented before.
At this moment, the embroiderers stood on the second floor, holding up a ten-foot-long piece of gauze, which was covered with rice ear patterns.
They timed it perfectly, and with the wind, they tossed down the veil, which covered the gilded carriage.
Suddenly, a flock of white doves flew in from the sky, each with a bell tied to its leg.
Strangely, these white doves kept circling above the gilded carriage, their bells ringing clearly!
It also attracted some other birds.
"A magpie carrying a tassel flies over the wall, landing on the golden beam to announce good news!"
"A hundred birds pay homage to the phoenix!! Congratulations on the wedding of Princess Fufeng and His Highness the Crown Prince!!"
A dozen or so young girls followed on either side of the gilded carriage, each carrying a small flower basket filled with flower petals.
They scattered the flower petals they had picked that morning into the air!
"Ten thousand acres of fertile land are the dowry, and ten thousand bushels of joy are the addition to the dowry!"
"Congratulations on the wedding of Princess Fufeng and His Highness the Crown Prince!!"
The thousands of acres of fertile land the little girl spoke of were the people's thousands of acres of fertile land.
It was the 10,000 mu of fertile land that Tian Tian contributed rice seeds to, and it was the dowry she brought to the Daqi Dynasty.
The joy of Wan Dan also reflects the happiness of the people for this marriage, and it is an addition to Tian Tian's dowry.
"The rice stalks bend low, and the Qilin brings a child to the gatehouse!"
"Sow a single grain in spring, reap a thousandfold blessing in autumn!"
"Plant rice in March, and it will turn yellow in September; when the goddess enters the door, the descendants will flourish!"
Tian Tian glanced at Ling Yao, and the two held hands tightly.
These people... are truly talented.
Lu Tao and Liu San Niang followed behind in sedan chairs. Hearing the voices of the people, they lifted the curtains and looked out.
When they saw that Tian Tian was loved by so many people, they were also happy.
"I never expected the people to be like this..." Liu San Niang sighed.
Lu Tao nodded in agreement.
When they first arrived, many people looked down on them.
Unexpectedly, so many people came to celebrate Tian Tian's wedding.
And so, the wedding procession turned around on the Imperial Street, walked around again, and returned to the palace gate.
Ling Yao signaled all the musicians to stop.
He stepped out first, the sun and moon patterns on his dark ceremonial robes shimmering in the sunlight.
He turned and reached out his hand to Tian Tian inside the car. The instant their fingertips touched, a wave of cheers erupted from the crowd—
"Congratulations on the wedding of Princess Fufeng and His Highness the Crown Prince!!"
"Congratulations on the wedding of Princess Fufeng and His Highness the Crown Prince!!"
Ling Yao gripped Tian Tian's hand tightly and landed steadily with her.
The rice-patterned satin fabric on the train fluttered in the wind...
The two men smiled at each other, then turned to face the people and bowed deeply, their bodies bent like ripe ears of rice in autumn.
The crowd fell silent for a moment...
"This gift is to thank you all for adding to our joy today."
*
The commotion at the palace gates reached the palace.
Empress Li's handkerchief was never dry...
"The people are happy for the children."
She said to Ling Jun.
Ling Jun held her hand and nodded repeatedly.
The ministers offered their congratulations, but the King of An and the Qi family looked rather displeased.
But this meant nothing to Ling Jun and Empress Li.
The worse their expressions were, the happier they were.
The wedding in the palace was actually similar to that outside, except that officials from the Ministry of Rites accompanied the ceremony throughout, and there were many more people watching.
But Lu Tao was right about one thing from the very beginning.
tired!!!
It was five or six times more tiring than the day the Cui family proposed marriage.
Ling Yao is even busier than Tian Tian.
He also had to deal with the palace banquet.
Tian Tian exhaled and took out the jujube cake that Tian Xiang had given her from her sleeve.
She ate something in the morning, and it's already past 7 PM now; she's so hungry her stomach is cramping.
"Your Highness, are you hungry?" a palace maid asked softly in the East Palace.
Tian Tian awkwardly held the jujube cake, wondering, "Have I been found out? Can't I eat it now?"
The palace maid continued, "Your Highness, His Highness has already instructed that food be prepared for you in your room."
"Please have something to eat first, Your Highness."
Tian Tian felt a surge of joy; Ling Yao was so busy yet still managed to think of this.
A palace maid approached and said, "Princess Consort, let me help you remove your crown."
Tian Tian touched the crown on her head. "Is it alright?"
A palace maid stepped forward and said, "His Highness has instructed that there aren't many rules. The key is that the Crown Princess must not go hungry."
She gently removed the headdress, loosened Tian Tian's collar, and rolled up her sleeves before stepping back.
Hot porridge, side dishes, tea, and snacks were prepared on the table.
"His Highness the Crown Prince said that the Crown Princess must be exhausted from today's wedding and will be hungry for so long, so she can't eat too much meat."
A palace maid ladled some porridge and placed it in front of Tian Tian. "Your Highness, have some first to warm your stomach."
Tian Tian scooped up a mouthful of porridge, and her stomach immediately felt better after taking a sip.
After finishing a bowl of porridge, Tian Tian wanted to go back to sit on the edge of the bed.
Unexpectedly, the palace maid then said, "Your Highness, if you feel tired, you may take a nap."
"His Highness said that Your Highness does not need to wait for him."
Tian Tian blushed... "I understand."
The palace maid seized the opportunity to ask, "Then...should we prepare hot water for Your Highness?"
Tian Tian nodded, "Mmm."
It was hot, and she would sweat on her body, which would then dry and then start sweating again, leaving her feeling sticky and uncomfortable.
Regardless of whether I'll go to sleep first, I'll take a shower first; at least I'll feel more comfortable.
But after being subjected to all sorts of fussing in the morning, Tian Tian was a little scared.
The palace maid seemed to have noticed something, "Your Highness, don't worry, we'll just have a simple bath for now."
Although it was just a simple bath, everything that was necessary was included.
They have things like flower petals and soapberries for bathing.
After showering, my body smelled wonderful and felt so comfortable.
Tian Tian, who was already feeling sleepy, felt even more tired after taking a shower.
The palace maid pushed aside the dates and fruits on the bed, saying, "Your Highness, please rest."
"If you're worried, I'll wake you up when His Highness returns."
Tian Tian thought for a moment, then nodded, "Okay."
*
The red candles in the hall had burned down to almost nothing, and the candle wax silently accumulated on the gilded candlesticks.
When Ling Yao returned, he brought in a wisp of night breeze, causing the curtains to sway gently and the candlelight to flicker for a moment.
Tian Tian was already asleep.
She lay on her side in the brocade quilt, her breathing light and even. Her hair, which had been neatly combed during the day, was now loose, with a few strands of black hair falling beside her pillow.
Ling Yao came to the bedside and looked at it for a while, unconsciously slowing his breathing.
"Your Highness, Her Majesty is very tired and will rest now," the maid said softly. "I have prepared hot water in the inner room."
After saying that, the palace maid sensibly withdrew.
Ling Yao sat down by the bed and looked at Tian Tian, who was asleep with a relaxed expression.
The corners of her mouth still held a slight curve.
Ling Yao reached out and gently stroked her hair, his movements very light, so as not to wake her.
He quickly withdrew his hand and turned to go into the inner room.
Hot water was already prepared in the bathtub in the inner room. Ling Yao took off his clothes and immersed himself in the water.
He closed his eyes, thinking about the hustle and bustle of the day.
The music, cheers, and officials' congratulatory speeches have all faded away, but the happiness in his heart has not.
Especially when you hear Tian Tian's calm breathing coming from outside.
After setting the wedding date, he often counted down the days.
Today! Finally!
He married the girl he loved and brought her into the Eastern Palace.
Ling Yu washed up quickly, changed into soft nightgown, and tiptoed back to the bedside.
In her dream, Tian Tian unconsciously turned over, and the blanket slipped down a little, revealing half of her fair shoulder.
Ling Yao's breath hitched!
His Adam's apple bobbed as he barely managed to suppress the agitation within him before tucking the blanket around her.
My fingers accidentally touched her skin; it was warm and soft.
He lifted a corner of the blanket and carefully lay down inside.
Tian Tian mumbled a soft "hmm" in her sleep, but didn't wake up. She just unconsciously leaned closer to him.
Ling Yao chuckled and reached out to pull the person into his arms.
Her body was soft and carried a faint floral fragrance.
Not wanting to wake her, Ling Yu lowered his head and gently kissed her forehead, whispering, "Sleep."
Tian Tian adjusted her position in his arms, her breathing remaining even.
Ling Yao closed his eyes as well, listening to her breathing...
*
At 3:45 AM the next day, Tian Tian woke up groggily.
The morning light had not yet pierced through the window lattice, and the bedroom was still a dark, bluish hue, with only a few red candles remaining.
Tian Tian stirred and realized that she was completely nestled in Ling Yao's arms.
His arm was across her waist, his palm pressed against her back.
She raised her head slightly, and her forehead brushed against his chin.
Ling Yao's heartbeat was close to her ear, steady and strong. Suddenly feeling playful, Tian Tian pressed her ear against his chest.
Tian Tian unconsciously tightened her grip on Ling Yao's nightgown...
"woke up?"
A low, husky voice came from above, carrying the languor of someone still half asleep.
Tian Tian looked up and met Ling Yao's gaze.
His eyes were darker than the night, reflecting the faint glow of red candlelight.
"Mmm." Tian Tian didn't realize anything yet, responding softly, still drowsy.
Ling Yao chuckled softly, raised his hand to brush away the strands of hair from her cheek, and his fingertips brushed against her earlobe.
Tian Tian unconsciously shrank her neck, but Ling Yao grabbed the back of her head and gently pulled her forward.
As his lips touched hers, Tian Tian instinctively closed her eyes.
The kiss was light and shy, slowly caressing her lips.
Tian Tian was a little nervous...
"Don't be afraid." Ling Yao stepped back slightly, his nose brushing against hers.
Tian Tian opened her eyes and saw the affection surging in his eyes.
She suddenly stopped being nervous, and leaned forward, her lips slightly parted.
The fuse ignited instantly.
Ling Yao's breathing suddenly became heavy, and the hand holding the back of her head tightened abruptly. His other hand slid down to her waist and lifted her up a little.
His kiss deepened abruptly, his tongue prying open her lips and teeth, relentlessly invading her breath.
Tian Tian's body went limp from the kiss, and her fingers unconsciously climbed up his shoulders, her fingertips sinking into his taut muscles.
The ties of her nightgown had come undone at some point, and Ling Yao's palm slowly moved upwards from her waistline, his rough fingertips brushing against her delicate skin...
Tian Tian felt like her whole body was on fire...
*
The two fell asleep in each other's arms, and when they woke up, the morning light was already shining through the window onto the blankets.
Tian Tian curled up in Ling Yao's arms, her black hair scattered messily across the pillow, and red marks remaining on her snow-white shoulders and neck.
She groggily tried to sit up...
She still remembered that from today onwards, she was the Crown Princess.
The palace rules... all the palace maids have read them aloud, one of which is to greet the guests with a good morning greeting.
"No need to get up." Ling Yao pulled her up. "My mother specifically instructed me last night to exempt you from the daily morning greetings."
Tian Tian blinked sleepily, "Not even every day?"
Ling Yao's warm palm caressed her waist, "Mmm..."
"The Empress Dowager said that there aren't so many rules in the palace."
"My father also exempted me from morning court for half a month."
"Sleep a little longer."
Tian Tian pushed him away, "The morning court session is long over. We should be going to the Imperial Study to discuss matters now."
"go quickly."
Ling Yao reluctantly let go of her.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Tian Tian rolled onto the inside of the bed, wrapped herself in the quilt, and smiled drowsily.
Ling Yu leaned down and whispered in her ear, "Let's continue tonight."
The words were so hot that Tian Tian buried her face in the mandarin duck pillow.
The next second, he ordered the maid, "You are not allowed to go in and disturb the Crown Princess."
*
In the imperial study, Ling Jun and Empress Li were present, with no ministers discussing matters nearby, only an old nanny.
"Oh dear, it's already past 3:45 AM, and finally there's some movement!" The old nanny beamed with joy. "And the commotion... it was quite something."
Empress Li held her handkerchief tightly, both nervous and expectant.
"This old servant can finally put his mind at ease."
"I'm sorry I failed to meet Your Majesty's expectations," the old nanny said obsequiously.
She was a governess in the palace, originally meant to educate the princes and princesses about adult matters.
But Ling Yao was the only son in this huge palace.
After all these years, she finally has a chance to use her skills.
Before the marriage, she put in a lot of effort to explain the relationship between men and women to His Highness.
During the first half of the night, when there was no sound from the bridal chamber, she became extremely anxious, wishing she could go in and ask His Highness what the problem was.
Until the hour of Yin...
Finally, there's some movement!
This really put her on edge.
That's good now, I can relax.