Chapter 168 – The Grand Wedding 1

The next day.

It was past the half-hour of the Yin hour.

The Shangshu Mansion began to bustle as Jin Zhi came to wake Ye Chutang.

“Miss, it’s time to get up and begin your preparations.”

The wedding attire was layered, and the makeup was delicate, including certain customs; it would take at least an hour.

Recently, Ye Chutang had been feeling a little drowsy, and when she woke up, she was still groggy.

Fortunately, after drinking a few sips of spiritual spring water, she became more energetic.

Jin Zhi assisted her with washing up.

Shan’er asked, “Miss, what would you like to eat? I will have the kitchen prepare it for you.”

Ye Chutang had little appetite, but she knew she had to eat something or else she’d be hungry.

“Make some mushroom chicken porridge, and bring two side dishes.”

Side dishes were usually meant to stimulate the appetite, and they were more suitable for her.

“Understood, Miss.”

Not long after Shan’er left, Ye Jingchuan arrived with two women.

“Chutang, these two are blessed women in the household; they will help you with your dressing and makeup.”

On the wedding day, it was customary for women who had both elder and younger family members and were in good family harmony to assist the bride with her attire and makeup, thus bringing good fortune and auspiciousness.

Although the wedding was a calculated arrangement, the traditional customs had to be observed so as not to make the people of the Chen Wang Mansion feel neglected.

Ye Chutang nodded, “Alright.”

As Ye Jingchuan was about to leave, he couldn’t help but ask, “Chutang, did you go see your grandmother last night?”

“No, why?”

“It’s nothing, just asking.”

Last night, Madam Ye had been shocked and fallen seriously ill, but Ye Jingchuan kept it from her.

The official excuse was that she had been worn out from organizing two weddings and needed rest.

Ye Chutang pretended to know nothing and let the two women assist her in dressing and putting on the phoenix crown and red bridal attire.

Jin Zhi watched from the side, her eyes turning red without her noticing.

While the two women dressed Ye Chutang, they also taught her the art of harmonizing the Yin and Yang.

Ye Chutang paid no attention, letting the words go in one ear and out the other.

As for the joys of the bridal bed, she knew much more than these strict women!

Shan’er returned with the porridge and side dishes to Ningchu Courtyard, just as Ye Chutang had completed her bridal attire.

She was already a breathtaking beauty, with skin whiter than snow, and in her bright red wedding gown, she looked even more otherworldly.

Even though her hair was still unstyled and loose, she could easily captivate anyone.

The two women were mesmerized and couldn’t help but exclaim, “Miss is truly beautiful!”

Ye Chutang gazed at her reflection in the mirror, admiring the opulent wedding gown.

The skirt was embroidered with auspicious clouds and peonies in gold thread, and the wide sleeves featured lifelike golden phoenix tails, elegant and airy.

In the Northern Chen Kingdom, only the empress could wear an entire phoenix design on her clothing.

Women of high status could incorporate parts of the phoenix design, embroidered onto their clothes to signify their position.

Now that Ye Chutang was the Princess Consort of Chen Wang, she naturally enjoyed this privilege.

The collar was embroidered with intertwined golden branches and jade leaves.

The back shoulders were embroidered with the words “Flying together in unison.”

Although the wedding was a bit rushed, the bridal gown was made meticulously.

Ye Chutang was very pleased and told the two women, “You two take a break, I’ll eat something first.”

After she finished her breakfast, the women continued to do her makeup.

She kept her distance from the makeup products of the ancient times.

“Ladies, please keep the makeup simple. I don’t like it too heavy.”

“Miss, you are naturally beautiful, and light makeup suits you best.”

As daylight fully broke, Ye Chutang’s makeup was nearly done.

She had intentionally left a lock of hair at the back, which was meant for auspicious sayings during the hair combing.

“Combing once brings prosperity, no worries about wealth… Combing twice brings harmony, everything in balance… With both beginning and end, this life will be rich and noble.”

The two women repeated seven auspicious phrases before finally finishing her hair.

Ye Chutang looked at the solid gold phoenix crown and quickly said, “Let me wear it later when I leave.”

It looked very heavy, and wearing it for too long would surely cause a sore neck.

“Understood, Miss.”

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The emperor had instructed the Bureau of Astronomy to select an auspicious time at noon.

It was said that it was based on the birthdates of Ye Chutang and Qi Yanzhou.

In reality, the emperor just wanted to seize the chance to annihilate the Chen Wang Mansion as soon as possible.

The Shangshu Mansion and the Chen Wang Mansion had an alliance, so officials from both sides had to congratulate them, running back and forth.

Fortunately, this time they wouldn’t have to dine at the Shangshu Mansion, and when Qi Yanzhou came to fetch the bride, they could go straight to the Chen Wang Mansion.

As time passed, the Shangshu Mansion became more lively.

By the time of the Si hour.

Ye Jingchuan came again to Ningchu Courtyard, entering Ye Chutang’s boudoir.

“You all leave, I need to speak with the young lady.”

The two women immediately left.

Jin Zhi and the others remained where they were.

Ye Chutang waved her hand, “You go out too and close the door.”

When the door was closed, she asked, “Lord Ye, do you have further instructions?”

Ye Jingchuan, worried that Ye Chutang might cause trouble, specifically came to warn her.

“Don’t do anything foolish if you want to stay alive, follow the emperor’s arrangements!”

Ye Chutang smirked mockingly, “Don’t worry, I’ll be obedient enough to make you spit blood.”

Ye Jingchuan: “…”

What nonsense is this rebellious daughter speaking?

“Chutang, the emperor is not someone you can offend, think carefully before you act!”

“Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing.”

Ye Jingchuan didn’t feel reassured at all.

“Don’t court death!”

With that, he went back to the front hall to attend to the guests.

Ye Chutang, now bored, turned to Shan’er, “Has anything exciting happened today?”

Shan’er thought for a moment and shook her head, “No, the second young miss has returned to the mansion. She’s lost a lot of weight, it seems she hasn’t had a good time in the palace.”

“Serves her right!”

“You’re right, Miss. The second young miss returning today is probably not for congratulations.”

Ye Chutang guessed correctly.

Ye Anling had no brains and loved causing trouble for others.

“Don’t worry about her, Ye Jingchuan won’t let her make a scene.”

Shan’er remembered something. “Miss, Young Master Haoyue came to offer his congratulations.”

The Song family had never interacted with officials, this was their first time.

The officials were discussing amongst themselves, while also trying to build connections with Song Jingning.

The Song family was no ordinary scholarly family.

They had nurtured countless officials and scholars, controlling the highest echelons of society!

One word from the Song family could shake the very foundation of the nation!

Ye Chutang was quite surprised and turned to Shan’er, “Did Young Master Haoyue come alone?”

Shan’er nodded, “It seems so. If you want to know more, I can go find out.”

Suppressing the impulse to pull at Song Jingning’s clothes, Ye Chutang nodded, “Go ahead.”

She and Song Jingning were not very familiar, and even if the Song family was coming to offer congratulations, it should be Song Zhiyan coming. Shan’er was a good source of information, and would quickly return with an answer.

“Miss, I heard that the Song family came to offer congratulations because you’re teaching calligraphy at Hua Ting Academy. The person who came was originally Director Song, but he caught a cold, so Young Master Haoyue came in his place.”

This explanation made sense.

However, Ye Chutang, who was suspicious of Song Jingning’s identity, felt there was something off about his visit.

Unfortunately, as the bride, she could not move around freely and couldn’t investigate Song Jingning’s real purpose for coming to offer congratulations.

Meanwhile, in the front hall, Song Jingning also felt his visit to the Shangshu Mansion was inexplicable.

Normally, the Song family did not associate with officials. Even if Ye Chutang were teaching at Hua Ting Academy, the Song family only needed to send formal greetings.

But for some reason, the Song family had insisted on sending him personally.

Song Zhiyan had readily agreed.

He still hadn’t given up on establishing a women’s academy and wanted to get closer to Ye Chutang to continue convincing her.

However, just as he was about to leave, he suddenly developed a high fever, vomiting and having diarrhea.

Thus, it was Song Jingning who came to offer congratulations.

At the time of the Si hour and a quarter.

The matchmaker came to announce: “Miss, please wear the veil, the Prince of Chen has come to fetch you.”

The women quickly helped Ye Chutang put on the phoenix crown.

The bright red double mandarin duck veil covered her stunning face.

A red silk ribbon was handed to Ye Chutang’s hand. “Miss, please follow me.”

The joyful music began to play.

Although the veil blocked her view, by keeping her head down, she could still see the ground beneath her feet.

Since she was familiar with the

route, she didn’t need someone to guide her.