Chapter 170: Grand Wedding 3

Ye Jingchuan was eager for the two of them to quickly leave and bring the dowry to the Chen Wangfu, not wanting to bother with the red envelopes at all.

He took out two red envelopes, which had already been prepared, and handed them to Ye Chutang and Qi Yanzhou respectively.

“I hope you two will be united and live a happy, fulfilling life.”

Ye Chutang happily received her red envelope.

Qi Yanzhou, knowing she liked money, handed her his red envelope.

“From now on, the Chen Wangfu will be under your management, my lady. Please take good care of it.”

At these words, the guests once again felt the weight Ye Chutang held in Qi Yanzhou’s heart.

The matchmaker handed the other end of the red silk to Qi Yanzhou.

“Please, groom, lead the bride out!”

As soon as the words were spoken, Ye Anling, who had remained silent until now, suddenly shouted, “Wait!”

She intended to expose Ye Chutang’s dowry being stolen in front of everyone and claim that the dowry contained nothing but worthless junk.

Ye Jingchuan guessed that Ye Anling was trying to stir trouble and threatened, “Ling’er, do you want to sever ties with us?”

Ye Anling was not intimidated by this threat.

She only had one goal: to ruin Ye Chutang’s reputation in front of everyone!

Not only would she embarrass her in front of the guests, but also make her unable to hold her head high in Chen Wangfu!

“One hundred and twenty items in the dowry…”

Slap!

As soon as Ye Jingchuan heard “dowry,” he knew what Ye Anling was about to do.

Luckily, his reflexes were faster than his thoughts, and he slapped her across the face, interrupting her words.

“Shut up! The dowry belongs to your elder sister, and it is perfectly acceptable for her to take it back. Do not cause any more trouble.”

Ye Anling covered her swollen face and scoffed, “Father, don’t deceive yourself…”

Before she could finish, Ye Jingchuan slapped her twice more.

“Chen Zhong, take the second miss out!”

Chen Zhong covered Ye Anling’s mouth and dragged her out through the back door of the main hall to the courtyard.

Ye Jingchuan immediately apologized to the guests.

“Ling’er is mischievous and has been holding a grudge against Chutang for taking back her dowry. She is just causing trouble. I apologize for the disturbance.”

Qi Yanzhou deliberately asked, “Father-in-law, I do not understand. The madam of the mansion does not seem like one to cause a scene. Could it be that there’s something wrong with Chutang’s dowry?”

Hearing this, Ye Jingchuan broke into a cold sweat, afraid Qi Yanzhou might uncover the truth.

He quickly replied, “Your Highness, do not listen to Ling’er’s nonsense. She is just seeking revenge on Chutang, not wanting the wedding to proceed smoothly.”

He then looked toward Ye Chutang.

“Chutang, you should explain to the prince.”

Although Ye Chutang couldn’t see Ye Jingchuan’s expression, she could imagine how panicked he must be at this moment.

“If the prince suspects there’s an issue with the dowry, perhaps he should take a look himself,” she said.

Upon hearing this, Ye Jingchuan broke into a cold sweat, his breath catching.

What did this unfilial daughter intend to do?

As he scrambled to think of a way to stop Qi Yanzhou from inspecting the dowry, Qi Yanzhou smiled indulgently.

“Ah Tang, you jest. Your dowry should have no problems.”

He then gently tugged at the red silk.

“Come with me.”

Amid the cheerful sounds of the wedding and the matchmaker’s auspicious words, the newlyweds left the Shangshu Mansion.

Ye Jingchuan watched their departing figures, feeling a sense of relief, as though they had narrowly escaped a disaster.

Outside the Shangshu Mansion stood a magnificent carriage, drawn by eight horses.

There were no walls on the carriage; it was completely surrounded by light red silk curtains.

The gentle breeze made the thin silk sway, filling the air with a sweet fragrance.

Qi Yanzhou helped Ye Chutang into the carriage, where they sat on a twin-seat bench in the middle.

He instructed the driver, “Please, go a little faster.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

The matchmaker waved a handkerchief and called, “Start the journey!”

The coachman cracked the whip, and the carriage headed toward the lively streets.

Ye Chutang’s dowry, however, did not follow; it was directly taken to the Chen Wangfu.

Officials also bade their farewells and headed for the Chen Wangfu.

Song Jingning and Liu Junzhi stood at a spot where the carriage would pass, watching Ye Chutang, who was sitting upright.

“Junzhi, how does it feel to see your elder sister married off?”

Junzhi’s eyes were blurry with tears, and his voice was choked.

“Reluctant, happy, and relieved.”

He felt reluctant to see his sister leave, happy that she was marrying the man she loved, and relieved that Chen Wang treated her with complete devotion.

Song Jingning, listening to these heartfelt words, felt a strange sensation rise in his chest.

Although he had hardly interacted with Ye Chutang, why did he care about her so much?

If it weren’t for his certainty about his life in Liangzhou, he would almost suspect that he was her unfortunate twin brother who had tragically died!

He watched the slowly moving carriage and said to Liu Junzhi, “Let’s go back to the academy.”

Before leaving, he looked at the carriage one more time.

Ye Chutang and Qi Yanzhou were receiving the blessings of the people.

The carriage passed through the most lively part of the street and arrived at the Chen Wangfu.

“Ah Tang, it’s time. Please wait for a moment.”

Ye Chutang understood that getting off the sedan was an important ritual, so she nodded.

Qi Yanzhou stepped out first and took the bow and three arrowheads from Nan Xiao.

He pulled the bow and shot the arrows.

Shooting at the celestial, terrestrial, and sedan stars, he dispelled evil spirits.

The matchmakers from both the Shangshu Mansion and the Chen Wangfu simultaneously helped Ye Chutang out of the sedan.

Ye Chutang walked toward the door of the Chen Wangfu.

She noticed a stone placed in front of her, with a saddle and a string of copper coins on it.

“Please, bride, step over the saddle for safety and good fortune.”

Ye Chutang stepped over the saddle.

Before her heels even touched the ground, the saddle was removed, symbolizing that a virtuous woman does not marry a second man, and a good horse does not wear two saddles.

Next, she stepped over a brazier.

This symbolized the removal of bad luck and the hope that her future life would be prosperous.

The officials had already arrived at the Chen Wangfu and were chatting happily about the events at the Shangshu Mansion.

“How strange that neither the prince nor the princess offered tea to Ye Shangshu. It’s very odd!”

“Any discerning person can see that Liu Junzhi asking for a letter of disownment was instigated by the princess.”

“As for the princess’s dowry, I always feel that Ye Shangshu is hiding something.”

“Do you think something will go wrong with today’s wedding?”

The noisy discussions came to an abrupt halt as Qi Yanzhou led Ye Chutang through the door.

As the couple entered the front hall of the courtyard, the last of the dowry entered the Chen Wangfu, being taken to the courtyard where Qi Yanzhou resided.

It had once been called Qingfeng Courtyard; now it was named Tangzhou Courtyard.

The old prince and the Chen Taifei looked at the slowly approaching newlyweds, tears of joy streaming down their faces.

They had thought that the second son’s life would be short, but here he was, not only surviving but marrying the woman of his dreams so quickly.

Wonderful! No regrets in death!

Ye Chutang and Qi Yanzhou stood in front of the two elders.

The matchmaker’s voice echoed.

“First bow to heaven and earth!”

“Second bow to your parents!”

“Spouse’s bow!”

“Proceed to the bridal chamber!”

Ye Chutang was led by the matchmaker into the new room in Tangzhou Courtyard.

She sat on the edge of the bed, feeling as though the heavy phoenix crown was about to crush her neck. She turned slightly, uncomfortable.

The matchmaker immediately reminded her.

“Princess, please mind your posture. The prince has not yet lifted your veil, so you cannot move recklessly.”

Qi Yanzhou had arranged for two servant girls in the room. Hearing this, one of them replied, “The prince said that the princess is the head of the household, and she may do as she pleases.”

The servant girl then gently asked Ye Chutang, “Your Highness, if the phoenix crown feels heavy, I can help you take it off.”

The matchmaker was horrified.

“No, that would not be…”

The word “auspicious” was on her lips but was swallowed when the servant girl shot her a cold glance.

Ye Chutang watched the servant girl offer her hands and declined, “It’s fine. The prince should be here soon.”

This was a once-in-a-lifetime wedding, and she didn’t want the groom to lift the veil only to find her disheveled.

The servant girl withdrew her hands and brought over a tray.

“Princess, the prince has prepared some tea and snacks for you. Please have some.”

Ye Chutang, feeling a bit hungry, lifted the veil slightly and took a piece of delicate osmanthus pastry.

When she

tasted it, it was as soft as clouds, with a faint sweetness. She closed her eyes, savoring the taste.

The sound of footsteps came from outside, and Ye Chutang opened her eyes.

Her heart leapt, anticipating the moment Qi Yanzhou would lift her veil.