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Chapter 371: Consummation on the Wedding Night
Chapter 371: Consummation on the Wedding Night
The Retired Emperor's most beloved legitimate princess was getting married, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Rites spared no effort in creating an extravagant wedding procession. A thousand Imperial Guards were deployed just for the princess's procession to welcome her Imperial Consort, making it the most sensational wedding the Retired Emperor had ever arranged for his daughter.
Wanping Princess sat in the Imperial Phoenix Carriage, a gift from the Retired Emperor.
Meng Qianqian hurriedly caught up, her footsteps echoing, "Princess."
The princess's veil was made of transparent shark silk, revealing her stunning beauty.
She turned her face towards Meng Qianqian, "What is it?"
Meng Qianqian smiled, "I want to accompany the princess to welcome the groom."
Wanping Princess said, "You just want a ride back to the Duke's Mansion, don't you?"
Meng Qianqian thought, "Indeed, the princess without romantic delusions is so smart!"
Wanping Princess gathered the wide sleeves of her wedding dress, "Come on then."
The Phoenix Carriage was spacious, accommodating not only the princess but also the female official.
The princess's procession was indeed impressive.
A servant was about to fetch a carriage stool, but Meng Qianqian effortlessly jumped into the carriage.
The servant thought, "Oh... I forgot that Madam Lu is one of the Twelve Guards."
The Imperial Phoenix Carriage differed from the flower palanquins of commoners. Beneath the dazzling canopy adorned with pearls and gems, instead of three walls and a curtain on one side, it had curtains on all four sides.
Layer upon layer of silk curtains and beaded curtains.
The beaded curtains were rolled up high, and the golden silk curtains danced in the cold wind.
Meng Qianqian asked with concern, "Princess, are you cold?"
Wanping Princess, holding a hand warmer, glanced at her, "What do you think?"
"It is cold. Should we lower the curtains?" Meng Qianqian asked.
Wanping Princess said, "It's the royal family's wedding. The common folk rarely get to witness such an event."
Meng Qianqian sighed, "The princess is truly dedicated to her duties."
Wanping Princess said, "Don't flatter me so much."
Meng Qianqian jumped out of the carriage and left.
Wanping Princess pinched her fingers, feeling annoyed, "I only said one thing, and even this is too much for her? She's getting spoiled!"
The female official cautiously asked, "Princess, the auspicious hour has arrived. May we set off?"
Wanping Princess, without turning her head, watched as Meng Qianqian entered the Duke's Mansion's carriage and said coldly, "Let's go."
The female official announced, "Let the carriage proceed."
The Phoenix Carriage was lifted by sixteen Imperial Guards with steady hands.
Wanping Princess was known for her aloofness, and many in the capital city tried to curry favor with her. There were frequent banquets at her mansion, and each one was a grand affair.
However, those who truly understood her were few and far between.
Others had their mothers to manage their weddings, and friends to send them off, but she was all alone.
She didn't feel lonely on regular days, but on the happiest day of her life, she suddenly felt a sense of solitude.
Whoosh! The silk curtains were lifted, and a small figure darted in.
Meng Qianqian, breathless, sat down and emptied a pile of brocade pouches with a rustle onto the cushion.
"Hurry, hurry."
She rubbed her hands and used her cloak to cover the princess's dress.
Wanping Princess was taken aback, "You... didn't leave? What's all this?"
"I went to get some things!"
Meng Qianqian grabbed a brocade pouch and stuffed it into Wanping Princess's hand warmer, "This is a hot water bag, made by Manager Cen. It's small and can be carried in your pocket or hung like a brocade pouch, keeping you warm."
Wanping Princess's palm felt the warmth.
Meng Qianqian, using the cloak as cover, placed the hot water bag under the princess's wedding dress.
"I'll tie a few to your legs as well."
This was an invention of Li Mumu, allowing Lu Yuan to keep warm when he attended court.
Although Lu Yuan didn't use it much, Li Mumu always prepared it for him.
And now, it came in handy.
Wanping Princess felt warmth spreading from her palms to her feet, and even her long-sealed heart seemed to be touched by a hint of warmth.
Wanping Princess's lips moved, "Meng Xiaojiu, are you this nice to everyone?"
Meng Qianqian, imitating the Majestic King, waved her hand, "I'm very picky. I don't think highly of ordinary people."
Wanping Princess hummed, "You have good taste."
---
After being blocked by the Majestic King and the Celestial Dragon, Ji Li was forcefully sent back to Fengshui Hutong.
The Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Internal Affairs had already renovated his residence, painting it red, pasting double happiness characters, and hanging large red lanterns.
He had a fate of five flaws and three deficiencies, with no father, no mother, and no siblings.
The double happiness characters in the courtyard seemed especially desolate.
Ji Li, attended by palace maids, changed into his wedding attire.
His white hair and exquisite features, set against the bright red wedding clothes, gave him an extremely enchanting appearance.
The palace maids blushed and couldn't bear to look at the bridegroom again.
The Celestial Dragon stood guard at the door, his heavy sword at the ready.
Ji Li huffed, "Why are you guarding? I won't run away!"
Having been bewitched by the Majestic King, he dared to try running?
The Celestial Dragon said, "I'll send you to the flower palanquin."
Ji Li retorted, "Your grandpa!"
Soon, Ji Li realized that not only the Celestial Dragon was there to send him off, but also the long-absent Wei Yang and Hai Zhu had arrived.
Wei Yang had joined Chancellor Xun but hadn't been involved in the Chu family's case or participated in the Chancellor's immoral deeds. He was released after receiving a hundred lashes.
As for Hai Zhu, he had been granted a special pardon and temporarily regained his freedom.
Wei Yang said, "As fellow members of the Twelve Guards, we must come to congratulate you on your wedding."
Ji Li turned away, "I don't need your congratulations."
After a pause, he glared at the three of them, "Where's the wedding gift?"
The Celestial Dragon tossed him a brocade box.
Ji Li opened it and his eyes widened in surprise, "A fengshui compass? It looks even more powerful than my previous one... Could this be the rumored Heavenly Pole Compass?"
Where did you get this from?"
Celestial Dragon replied, "I stole it from the Thousand-Mechanisms Pavilion."
Ji Li's expression changed in an instant. "Good brother!"
With the Fengshui Compass, his luck would return!
"What about the two of you?"
His face darkened as he looked sternly at Wei Yang and Hai Zhu.
Wei Yang shook his head. "I was with the Chancellor, but before I could get rich, something happened to him. However, I can still contribute to the cause."
As he spoke, he tossed five copper coins to Ji Li.
Ji Li exclaimed, "Are you trying to get rid of me like a beggar?"
Wei Yang replied, "I do have some gold."
Celestial Dragon and Hai Zhu rushed forward, pinning down Wei Yang who was about to take out his gold.
Finally, it was Hai Zhu's turn.
Hai Zhu scratched his head. "You can't accept my contribution anymore. I'm not as capable as Celestial Dragon in stealing treasures from the Thousand-Mechanisms Pavilion. I can only give you a wooden sculpture I made myself."
He took out a carefully wrapped wooden sculpture from his wide sleeve.
As they unwrapped the silk cloth layer by layer, everyone was shocked to see that the sculpture depicted none other than Commander Chu, wearing a conical hat and standing with a sword on a mountain peak.
Looking at the lifelike sculpture, everyone's minds flashed back to their shared experiences.
Those were the days when they were forced to risk their lives, but they were also the most passionate days of their lives.
"Old Pig, Old Sheep, come back."
Ji Li suddenly spoke up.
The two men were taken aback.
Celestial Dragon also turned to look at Ji Li.
Ji Li said, "Don't you think that the death of the Commander was also part of his plan?"
Hai Zhu asked, "What do you mean?"
Ji Li analyzed, "The Black Armor Army disappeared overnight. Have you ever wondered where they went? Outsiders may not know, but we are clear that the Black Armor Army is the Black Armor Army, and the Twelve Guardians are the Twelve Guardians. There is no hierarchical relationship between them, and we have no authority over the Black Armor Army. Therefore, it must have been the Commander who gave the order."
Wei Yang asked, "What does this have to do with us?"
Ji Li held up the wooden sculpture in his hand. "Don't you want to know what arrangements the Commander made? Perhaps even the split within the Twelve Guardians was part of his plan. Only when the Twelve Guardians reunite will we have the qualification to see him, or rather, to see the new master he has chosen for the Twelve Guardians."
After hearing his words, the three of them fell silent.
Wei Yang smiled. "I've never been one to meddle in others' affairs. I only care about my own freedom. I don't have the same loyalty as you, but your words have piqued my curiosity. I really want to know what kind of scheme the Commander has set up, and I'm in."
Ji Li looked at Hai Zhu. "What about you?"
Hai Zhu sighed. "I'm different from you. Not only am I disloyal, but I'm also a complete traitor. My existence only brings shame to the Twelve Guardians and prevents Commander Chu from resting in peace in the afterlife. He probably wouldn't want me back."
Ji Li spread his hands. "Confessing to us is useless. You need to confess to the Commander and the new master he has chosen for the Twelve Guardians. Let him decide your fate."
Hai Zhu asked suspiciously, "Will there really be a new master for the Twelve Guardians?"
Ji Li replied, "Whether there is or not, we'll find out by trying."
Hai Zhu hesitated for a moment and shook his head again. "I'm afraid I won't live to see the day when the Twelve Guardians are reunited. The Snake will kill me."
Ji Li said to him, "You don't need to worry about that. I'm only asking you, are you willing to join us?"
Hai Zhu looked at the three of them and made up his mind. "You probably don't know that after I betrayed the Chu Family, I repented every night. I wanted to end my life at any moment, but in the depths of my mind, I felt unworthy of doing so."
"My life doesn't belong to me, it belongs to the Commander. Only he can take my life. If Ji Li's guess is correct and he has chosen a new master for the Twelve Guardians, then let him judge me. No matter how he decides my death, I will be at peace."
"So, if you all don't object, I'm willing to come back."
---
The grand wedding procession arrived at Fengshui Hutong with drums and gongs, attracting the attention of the onlooking commoners.
"Is this the second grand wedding in Fengshui Hutong this year?"
The first one produced a Duke's wife.
The second one produced a Princess Consort.
What happened to the haunted house?
Are you sure this isn't a blessed Fengshui location?
"Li Baoren, are there any houses left for sale in the hutong? I want to buy one."
"Me too!"
"No, Brother Hu, Brother Zhang, you two don't need any more houses. I've just arrived in the capital and am looking for a place to settle down..."
Li Baoren replied, "Sorry, they're all sold out."
"What do you mean by sold out?"
Li Baoren explained, "All the houses in the hutong have been bought!"
The buyer was Meng Qianqian.
Auntie Feng and Uncle Lei were happy with the peace and quiet, so Meng Qianqian bought all the empty houses, ensuring that the neighborhood remained undisturbed.
In hindsight, their decision was absolutely correct.
Princess Wanping gave the Princess Consort enough face by personally welcoming him at the door. If the roles were reversed, it would be like the bridegroom personally carrying the bride onto the flower carriage.
According to custom, they should have blocked the door to make things difficult for her, but no one dared to do so.
When Ji Li emerged from the alley, the commoners exclaimed in surprise, even louder than their cheers for Princess Wanping.
"The Princess Consort is so handsome!"
"The Princess Consorts of Princess Anyang and Chengyang are also good-looking, but compared to the Princess Consort of Princess Wanping, they pale in comparison."
Ji Li loved hearing this.
He snapped open his folding fan and boarded the Phoenix Carriage with an air of handsomeness.
Meng Qianqian couldn't help but ask Wanping Princess in a soft voice as she watched his showy demeanor, "What do you see in him?"
Wanping Princess replied without hesitation, "He's handsome, easy to take care of, and won't covet the princess's possessions."
He could only receive five copper coins a day, and even his private allowance couldn't be hidden, or he'd be struck by lightning.
If anyone dared to covet her possessions, they'd also be struck by lightning.
Compared to those who schemed for the princess's dowry, even the heartless imperial consort who wished for the princess's death couldn't compare to Ji Li, who was as rare as a lantern in the dark.
"Since I have to marry an imperial consort, I might as well marry him. At least he's pure-hearted."
Meng Qianqian blinked, "Is the princess implying that Ji Li is foolish?"
Wanping Princess: "... You must not speak of my imperial consort in that manner."
A grand wedding ceremony caused a stir throughout the capital city.
The welcoming crowd along the streets exceeded that of the Emperor and Empress's procession.
It wasn't surprising; one was a princess of noble birth who had nearly become an old maid, and the other was the mysterious Twelve Guardians. Who wouldn't want to catch a glimpse of their splendor?
The common folk came for the spectacle, not expecting the couple's appearance to be exceptionally stunning. Yet, they were genuinely captivated by their beauty.
The princess was as beautiful as a celestial fairy, and the imperial consort was like an exiled immortal. They were truly a perfect match, a union made in heaven.
The couple entered the palace for the wedding ceremony.
Fu Gonggong: "First bow to Heaven and Earth—"
The Retired Emperor was overjoyed.
Finally, the old maid was married off.
Wanping Princess and Ji Li bowed to Heaven and Earth.
Fu Gonggong: "Second bow to the Ancestors—"
The couple turned around and faced the Retired Emperor.
Wanping Princess bowed without hesitation.
Ji Li's heart was filled with uncertainty. He had no family in his destiny, and the last person he acknowledged as an uncle was struck down by his own misfortune the very next day.
By now, the grass on the grave was probably seven feet tall.
Fortunately, after nervously bowing to the Retired Emperor, nothing happened.
Fu Gonggong: "Third bow to each other—"
The couple bowed to each other without incident.
Ji Li thought to himself, "Could it be true that only the imperial family can suppress his fate?"
After all the ceremonies were completed, the couple returned to the Princess's Mansion.
"Hahaha! Is this Wanping's imperial consort? Good brother-in-law, from now on, we're family!"
A man in luxurious clothing approached with a beaming smile.
Wanping introduced him, "My third brother."
Ji Li cupped his hands in greeting, "Greetings, third brother."
Crack! A tree branch, weighed down by accumulated snow, snapped and crashed down on the Third Prince.
The Third Prince was struck, his head bleeding, his limbs trembling, foaming at the mouth, and his eyes rolling back—
Ji Li thought to himself, "It seems not just any imperial family can suppress his fate..."
The Princess's Mansion was filled with a grand banquet, with guests overflowing and a lively atmosphere.
Wanping Princess went to the bridal chamber for a brief rest.
Meng Qianqian came to see her, "Princess, what are your plans now?"
Wanping Princess gave her a strange look, "Of course, it's time for the wedding night."
Meng Qianqian was taken aback, "The wedding night?"
That wasn't what I was asking about; it was about the story you just told.
Wanping Princess said, "After the wedding ceremony, it's time for the wedding night, isn't it?"
Meng Qianqian stammered, "You're serious?"
Wanping Princess was puzzled, "Can there be fakes in such matters?"
Meng Qianqian: "..."
Wanping Princess looked deeply at Meng Qianqian, "You two... aren't you just pretending to be married?"
Meng Qianqian said solemnly, "How is that possible? My husband and I are in tune with each other, and we've already consummated our marriage!"
Wanping Princess asked a female official to bring a blue and white porcelain candy jar, "This is for dispelling the cold. I don't like drinking ginger soup, so I had the royal physician make ginger pills. You gave me your hot water bag, and I got cold on the way. I don't want to owe you a favor."
Meng Qianqian tried one, "It's really spicy."
The ginger flavor was intense, and her frozen body instantly warmed up.
Wanping Princess handed her the jar, "Take it and eat, but remember not to be greedy. Be careful not to catch a cold."
"Thank you, Princess."
Meng Qianqian held the jar of ginger pills, eating them as she walked.
Wanping Princess watched her eat, hesitating to say, "Aren't you leaving yet?"
Meng Qianqian: "Are you kicking me out?"
Wanping Princess: "What else? Do you want to stay and watch me consummate my marriage?"
Meng Qianqian, holding the jar, quickly left.
Another female official brought over a different candy jar, puzzled, "Princess, this jar contains the ginger pills for dispelling the cold. The one you just gave to Lady Lu was—"
Wanping Princess explained, "She hasn't consummated her marriage with Lu Yuan for so long, and with her lack of motivation, who knows when she'll finally take a man. I'm helping her out."
The female official cautiously asked, "Is it... the Freedom Pill you gave her?"
Wanping Princess confirmed, "Yes, it's the Freedom Pill."
The Freedom Pill was a stimulating medicine used on the wedding night to alleviate the pain of deflowering, without harming the body. However, its effects were too strong, and excessive consumption should be avoided.
The female official said, "You only needed to give her one or two pills, but you gave her an entire jar?"
Wanping Princess replied, "Can't I even be stingy with an entire jar of Freedom Pills? Besides, I warned her not to be greedy."
Meng Qianqian held the jar, walking and eating the pills, "They taste so good."
Meng Qianqian gobbled down half a jar with effort.
The 4600-word chapter is coming to an end, and tomorrow's double-length chapter will conclude the story. Dig deep into your pockets and see if you've missed any votes! It's time to clear the votes!
(End of Chapter)
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