https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-233-The-Governor-and-Your-Wedding-Night/12935701/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-235-Nuptial-Wine-The-Ceremony-Concludes/12935703/
Chapter 234: Lu Yuan's Impatience
Chapter 234: Lu Yuan's Impatience
September 24, 2024
On the way back to the main courtyard, Meng Qianqian slapped her own hand, "Letting you hug me, letting you hug me! You're really good at adding drama to my life!"
"Alas."
"One wrong step, and everything goes wrong, all my plans have failed!"
"If I had known this would happen, I shouldn't have flattered him so much... Now I'm in deep trouble..."
"Miss."
Ban Xia came over, "Why are you still here? Madam has been looking for you for a long time."
Meng Qianqian felt like crying, "I'm as good as dead!"
Ban Xia looked at her mistress strangely, then raised her hand to touch her forehead, "You're not sick, is your hand hurting again?"
"My hand doesn't hurt."
Meng Qianqian stood there like a lifeless puppet, dazed and confused as she walked back.
Ban Xia was puzzled, "Miss, you're acting strangely."
On the other side, Lu Yuan mounted his horse, looking refreshed and cheerful. Those who didn't know might have thought it was his wedding day.
The Jin Wu Wei had arrived at the Duke's Mansion the night before, heavily guarding the entire mansion. Even birds flying overhead would be slapped by the Jin Wu Wei.
Han Ci patrolled the entrance and saw Lu Yuan approaching. He quickly stepped forward and saluted, "Grand Marshal."
Lu Yuan nodded slightly.
Han Ci looked up at him, "Grand Marshal, you seem very happy today."
Lu Yuan said, "The Emperor and Empress's Wedding is a national celebration, of course, I'm happy."
Han Ci's face was filled with doubt. Aren't you a treacherous minister?
Lu Yuan turned and frowned, "Have the Ministry of Rites officials and the eunuch with the royal proclamation arrived yet?"
Throughout history, the procedures for the Emperor and Empress's Wedding have varied. In this dynasty, if the Empress is not a selected maiden but enters the palace through the Three Books and Six Rites, there will be an official ceremony held by the Ministry of Rites before she enters the palace, where the Grand Supervisor will read the imperial edict of her appointment.
Han Ci said, "It's still early."
Lu Yuan hummed.
Han Ci was confused. Is the Grand Marshal... complaining that the ceremony is too slow? It made sense; the Grand Marshal had always disliked excessive formalities. If it weren't for the Retired Emperor's decree, entrusting him with the security of the Emperor and Empress's Wedding, he probably wouldn't even bother passing by the Duke's Mansion.
Lu Yuan dismounted and handed his horse to Han Ci's personal guard.
Then, he waited impatiently for the ceremony to begin.
After an unknown amount of time, the officials from the six ministries, led by the Ministry of Rites, finally arrived with their grand procession.
The eunuch with the royal proclamation was Qin Zong Guan, the foster father of Xiao Dezi.
Just as the ceremony was about to start, a cry came from Yao Qingluan's courtyard.
Lu Yuan frowned, "Qing Shuang."
Qing Shuang, hidden nearby, immediately used her light skills to enter Yao Qingluan's courtyard.
In a moment, she came out and reported to Lu Yuan in a low voice, "Miss Yao is missing."
Han Ci, standing nearby, heard this and couldn't help but feel his heart skip a beat. He whispered, "The Jin Wu Wei are heavily guarding the mansion. How could they lose a person?"
Lu Yuan calmly scanned the officials present, as well as the servants and family members of the Duke's Mansion, and said, "Qing Shuang, change into the Empress's attire, and let the ceremony continue."
"Yes."
Qing Shuang entered the courtyard.
Han Ci said, "I'll send people to search the mansion."
Lu Yuan said indifferently, "The person is no longer in the mansion."
"Then..."
"I'll go out for a while. You go and warn the Duke and the Duchess not to let the news spread."
"Yes."
Han Ci agreed.
Lu Yuan left the Duke's Mansion with Yu Zichuan.
Yu Zichuan asked, "How do we find her in this vast sea of people?"
"I've made preparations in advance."
Lu Yuan took out a bone whistle from his wide sleeve and blew it with force.
Accompanying the eagle's cry that seemed to pierce the sky, the Miao King's Hai Dong Qing spread its wings and soared into the clouds. Its sharp eagle eyes searched for new "prey" around the Duke's Mansion with incredible speed.
Yu Zichuan's eyes couldn't hide his admiration.
He also wanted to.
"Does it know Yao Qingluan?"
Yuzichuan asked.
Lu Yuan smiled, "It doesn't know Yao Qingluan, but it knows the person who abducted her."
Yuzichuan: "Who is it?"
Lu Yuan: "You'll know when you see him later."
Yuzichuan: I hate all suspense.
The Miao King's Hai Dongqing seemed to hover in mid-air for less than three circles before suddenly diving towards a small alley!
Lu Yuan and Yuzichuan tacitly blocked both ends of the alley.
The alley was empty.
Hai Dongqing stood motionless on a tree branch.
Lu Yuan gave a cold smile, "Come out, Chen Long."
Yuzichuan frowned, "Is it him?"
Chen Long leaped down from the treetop and turned towards Lu Yuan, "How did you know it was me?"
Lu Yuan folded his arms across his chest, a smile tugging at his lips, "You managed to deceive Si She, and under the noses of so many Jin Wu Wei, you took away a living person. Aside from you, I can't think of anyone else. Ever since Meng Xiaojiu mentioned the plan to have Si She protect Miss Yao, you infiltrated the Duke's Mansion that very night. No wonder you haven't returned to the Governor's Mansion for some time."
"You can leave, I don't want to fight you."
"Hand over the Empress."
"Impossible."
Lu Yuan's smile remained unchanged, "You're the Chancellor's adopted son. By obstructing this marriage, it seems the Chu family's case is indeed connected to the Chancellor."
Chen Long didn't deny it, "Aren't you also the Chancellor's adopted son?"
Lu Yuan spread his hands, "I was forced, but what about you? Surely you didn't do it willingly?"
Chen Long said, "It's none of your business."
Lu Yuan raised an eyebrow, "I once thought that you stayed by the Chancellor's side to investigate the Chu family's case and also to collect evidence of the Chancellor's crimes. But today's actions have truly confused me."
Chen Long's expression turned serious, "The Chancellor must not be implicated."
Lu Yuan: "Oh? Does he have some leverage over you?"
Chen Long didn't answer, "In any case, I won't let you take the Empress today."
Lu Yuan understood, "You also said she's the Empress. Since she's the Empress, I must take her."
Chen Long drew his heavy sword from his back and said with determination, "You can try."
"It's indeed a good sword." Lu Yuan's gaze swept over the blade, catching a glimpse of a familiar name, and his lips curved slightly, "But who said I wanted to fight you?"
Chen Long looked at Lu Yuan in confusion.
Lu Yuan: "Ruan Qian, Ruan Er."
The Miao King's trusted bodyguard descended from the sky, blocking Chen Long's path.
Lu Yuan entered a courtyard with a light and carefree demeanor, looking at the terrified Yao Qingluan, "Empress, it's time to enter the palace."
Before the coronation ceremony ended, Yao Qingluan was secretly carried back to the Duke's Mansion by Yuzichuan, and with Han Ci's cooperation, her identity was switched back with Qing Shuang.
Yuzichuan complained, "Why did you make me carry her? Can't she walk by herself?"
Lu Yuan: "Wait."
Yuzichuan pouted, "The Emperor's wedding isn't your wedding."
Lu Yuan stood in the courtyard and waved to the Minister of Rites, "How much longer?"
The Minister of Rites opened the ceremonial document and carefully checked it, then smiled and said, "Next is the reading of the imperial edict, accepting the officials' bows. First, by..."
Lu Yuan put his hands behind his back, "Skip it."
The Minister of Rites thought he had misheard, "Huh?"
Lu Yuan glanced at the book in his hand and coldly humphed, "Red tape! Such a thick edict, by the time you finish reading it, the auspicious time will have passed. Do you want the Emperor to wait an entire night? Hurry up and bow to the Empress, then enter the palace!"
"This..."
The Minister of Rites was completely lost, turning to exchange glances with the officials.
Does the Grand Marshal have some urgent matter tonight?
(End of Chapter)
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