allonlinenovel Chapter 121 The Big Wedding
Chapter 121 The Big Wedding
The Crown Prince stood there quietly, waiting for He Lingyi to walk over.
He was not supposed to be present on the wedding day, but he still came. Therefore, everyone present knew how much the Crown Prince valued this Crown Princess, and they couldn't help but think more highly of He Lingyi.
"Why is Your Highness here?"
"We've come to take you inside."
Hearing the Crown Prince's words, He Lingyi couldn't help but feel flattered.
She hadn't spent much time with the Crown Prince, but she could tell he was a cold and aloof person. She certainly wouldn't think it was because of her that he was suddenly "putting on an act."
Thinking that perhaps it was for the benefit of those in the court, he respectfully bowed in reply.
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Then, the two entered the East Palace together, where dragons and phoenixes were carved and the place was spotless.
There were many differences in the details compared to when He Lingyi first came.
What's most unique is that even in winter, there's no chill in the air, only a constant warmth, which puzzled He Lingyi.
"Knowing that you grew up in the southern region, you may not be used to this cold weather. So I had the ditches in the backyard of the East Palace modified and filled with hot spring water. So you can get used to the natural warmth and humidity as you walk through them sooner."
Altering the backyard of the Eastern Palace sounds like no small undertaking.
But there was no news from the outside world, which shows how tightly the Crown Prince guarded the Eastern Palace.
Putting everything else aside, it wouldn't be good if word got out about what she was about to do, so the more secure the situation was, the better.
"Thank you for your consideration, Your Highness."
The two didn't seem like newlyweds at all; rather, they were like an old married couple having a casual chat, without the slightest hint of shyness.
Upon reaching the main hall, under the guidance of the master of ceremonies, they respectfully kowtowed to the imperial city facing north, and then continued to kowtow to the imperial mausoleum facing west.
The two were supposed to enter the palace to pay their respects, but the old emperor was ill. If they had to go through all the formalities, he might not have been able to get up. Therefore, they simplified the ceremony and simply kowtowed instead.
In accordance with the rituals for the Crown Prince's wedding, the entire Eastern Palace was bustling with activity.
"It's done."
With a long thud, He Lingyi became the crown princess of Dalong.
A life of glory and wealth.
This was a marriage that He Lingyi had never even imagined in her previous life. She wondered if Heaven had taken pity on her and given her this wonderful dream today, so that even if she were to dissipate into nothingness in the future, she would not be without any hope.
Those who came to offer their congratulations today included not only court officials but also their families.
The Crown Prince was escorted by Qiao Er, Hai Yu, and others to the front courtyard to celebrate and drink. As for He Lingyi, unlike the other newlywed wives who were sent to the bridal chamber to wait, she changed into the Crown Princess's attire and then received the wives of the officials in the main hall of the back courtyard.
This is a national gift unique to Dalong.
He Lingyi only found out a few days before the wedding, but she didn't feel uncomfortable at all; she would deal with it as it came.
The family members' visit was not as grand as when they went to the palace to offer congratulations; most of the elderly ladies sat in the side rooms waiting.
Then, guided by He Lingyi's head maids, they went to see each other in turn.
She came from Nanzhou and had no personal servants by her side. Therefore, before the wedding, the Crown Prince sent more than thirty people with detailed records of their contracts, backgrounds, and kinship ties.
It can be said that any one of them can be used to ward off evil spirits and protect the home.
Xingluo and Yunzhi were responsible for taking care of He Lingyi's daily life, while Jiaoyue was responsible for going out and delivering and receiving gifts. Chensha was responsible for the medicine and meals that He Lingyi was given, as well as taking her pulse every day.
These four were all handpicked by the Crown Prince; they were all exceptionally capable and well-mannered.
Even Lady Qin, the wife of the Marquis, praised them highly upon seeing them, and naturally, the four of them quickly became He Lingyi's right-hand women.
I took a sip of tea to moisten my throat.
He Lingyi glanced at Xingluo and saw her shout out to the outside.
"The old ladies of the Duke of Xuanqing, the Duke of Li, the Duke of Zhong, and the Duke of Yong are here to pay their respects."
After saying this, the crowd filed in and bowed in turn.
Today was a chance for He Lingyi to get acquainted with the faces of the officials' wives, so when they came forward to introduce themselves, He Lingyi looked them over carefully.
Seeing and hearing are different.
Soon these people transformed from the "so-and-so lady" in Xingluo's mouth into vivid, three-dimensional figures. With the help of their distinctive characteristics, He Lingyi was able to remember them quickly, even though they had only met once.
And every now and then she would speak a few words to them, her accurate and flawless answers astonishing everyone, making them realize that they no longer dared to underestimate this Crown Princess.
Among them were many young ladies from noble families who had to find a suitable husband again after the autumn election was abolished. They and their families were naturally eager to see who could defeat everyone without lifting a finger and successfully marry into the Crown Prince's palace.
But once I saw them and paid my respects, the pent-up frustration in my heart seemed to vanish like smoke.
It must be said that the daughter raised by the great Confucian family in the south may not be the most beautiful, but when she sits there, she seems to be a perfect match for the crown prince.
She possessed a natural and self-assured grace as an empress.
Therefore, as they stepped outside and walked in the courtyard, a noblewoman sighed softly, "As expected, she was personally chosen by the Crown Prince. We are indeed no match for her."
"Not necessarily. Marrying into the Eastern Palace isn't a skill; being able to hold onto the Eastern Palace is what's impressive. I'd like to see what this newly appointed Crown Princess is capable of."
His tone was laced with a sour, sarcastic tone, but he only dared to say it.
As soon as someone arrives, they immediately shush and quiet down.
The visitors were none other than the Qiao family of the General of the State's Mansion.
Old Mrs. Qiao, Madam Qiao, Madam Qiao, Second Madam Qiao, and the second aunt of the Qiao family, along with the four children of the Qiao family, all came together. The sheer size of the procession clearly indicated that they were there to bolster the family's influence.
Since falling ill at the beginning of the year, Mrs. Qiao has not appeared in public for a long time.
Even when his second grandson got married, he only saw some close family members. Today, his sudden appearance in high spirits naturally attracted the attention of others.
After all, those who can stand here must have a high status.
But she's the only one who's stood here by her own abilities!
Therefore, even the old ladies of the four great dukes greeted her with smiles, making the scene quite lively.
"I'm feeling restless at home, so I've come to visit the Crown Princess today. She's the granddaughter of a great Confucian scholar from the Southern State. She does seem quite different from the girls we raise at home."
"Who can disagree? Just looking at them inspires a sense of respect."
Old Madam Qiao's words were clearly meant to boost He Lingyi's prestige. After all, as all the old ladies who knew her well knew, when the Marquis of Haibo's mansion recognized He Lingyi as their goddaughter, they invited Old Madam Qiao to be the head of the banquet.
In addition, her newly acquired second young mistress is a close friend of the Crown Princess, so everyone knows, though they don't say it, that the Qiao family is about to rise to prominence again.