Chapter 35. Grand Wedding “Gu Sui, I’ve come to marry you and take you home.”…

On the tenth day of the fourth month, under clear skies with golden sunlight spreading, the perfect weather laid out a canvas for this wedding.

Chengtian Avenue was adorned with lanterns and decorations, vibrant red silk extended from the Regent’s mansion all the way to the city gates. The streets were filled with the sounds of drums and music, bustling with people.

In the morning, a modest sandalwood carriage passed through the crowd at the west city gate, slowly entering the city.

“Your Highness, have we arrived in the capital? Why is it so lively?”

A weak male voice came from inside the carriage. Mu Jingyao helped him up and lifted the curtain by the carriage window, revealing the prosperous scenery outside.

“We’ve arrived at a good time. Today is the wedding day of my ninth imperial sister, naturally it’s lively.”

The man leaning in her embrace showed a hint of pleasant surprise upon hearing this, but couldn’t hide the paleness of his face.

“It’s indeed a joyous occasion, but for a dying person like me, if I were to offer congratulations, it would only bring bad luck, alas.”

Mu Jingyao frowned in displeasure.

“What nonsense are you speaking? This King has come to the capital to seek the National Preceptor’s help. We will certainly keep you safe.”

She held the person in her arms tighter, but her eyes showed no ripples of emotion, dark as ink.

The man clutched her sleeve tightly and lowered his eyes.

“But wife-master is the Prince of Liangzhou. Entering the capital without an imperial edict… if the Emperor finds out, there will be punishment…”

Mu Jingyao pinched the corner of the carriage curtain, quickly letting it fall back down as the carriage continued forward.

“Ning’er, don’t worry about these things. This King will definitely not let anything happen to you.”

At the Regent’s mansion.

Mu Jiulu was already fully dressed, wearing a bright red ceremonial robe, her long hair tied up, adorned with a coiled dragon crown inlaid with gold filigree. Every movement exuded a natural elegance and nobility.

She was preparing to personally go to the General’s mansion to welcome her prince consort.

“Your Highness, the Prince of Liang has entered the capital, just now.”

Yan Wu suddenly entered Weirui Hall and whispered in her ear. A deep meaning immediately appeared in Mu Jiulu’s ink-black eyes, which had been brimming with joy.

“She dares to enter the capital without an edict?”

Yan Wu handed over a memorial.

“This is a memorial sent by the Prince of Liang from Liangzhou half a month ago. It says that the Prince Consort of Liang has fallen gravely ill, and even after summoning all the doctors in the city, they couldn’t cure him.

A Taoist priest said that the Prince Consort of Liang was possessed by evil spirits, which is why he’s in such a state. The Prince of Liang had no choice but to enter the capital to seek the National Preceptor’s help.

Because the Prince Consort of Liang’s condition was too dire to wait for the Emperor’s approval, she set out with the Prince Consort after sending the memorial, arriving in the capital today.”

Mu Jiulu opened the memorial and quickly scanned through it. In the end, her vermilion lips curled into a meaningful arc.

“Evil spirits? I think it’s her heart that’s evil.”

“Any news from Yingge?”

Mu Jiulu asked lightly. Yan Wu pulled out another secret letter from her sleeve.

“The Prince of Liang sent someone to Chaoyang City several months ago to meet with people from Kucha in the Western Regions. What exactly was said, Yingge is still investigating.”

“Indeed, the thief’s heart never dies.”

Mu Jiulu snapped the memorial shut and tossed it back to Yan Wu. The wide and magnificent wedding robe sleeves traced a cold arc in the air.

“We won’t deal with her today. This King wants to see what tricks she can play. Let’s go to the General’s mansion.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Yan Wu put everything away and followed Mu Jiulu out of the mansion, mounting their horses. The grand wedding procession set out in the morning light, making its way to the Gu family’s gate.

Gu Sui had been bustling about since early morning. Applying makeup, changing into wedding clothes, and putting on an incredibly ornate floral crown – he hadn’t even left the house yet, and he was already exhausted.

“Is getting married always this troublesome?”

Gu Sui couldn’t help but sigh. But when he heard the attendant announce that the Regent had arrived, he immediately straightened his back, his peach blossom eyes filled with anticipation.

Even if it was tiring, this was his and Mu Jiulu’s big day. It only happens once in a lifetime, so he absolutely couldn’t be negligent.

“Should I go out now?”

Gu Sui asked. Sui Yu beside him rubbed his forehead.

“Young Master, did you not read the booklet I gave you yesterday? You’re supposed to wait until the Regent passes the welcoming challenges and comes to escort you personally before you go out.”

Gu Sui laughed awkwardly, “Oh, is that so? That booklet of yours was too much, over ten volumes, who could finish reading all that?”

Yun Mu took a deep breath, “So the young master didn’t read the one that was absolutely necessary to read?”

Gu Sui looked a bit confused, “Which one?”

Yun Mu’s hands were a bit restless, not knowing how to describe it.

“That one… you know!”

Gu Sui looked bewildered, “Which one exactly?”

“The one with the fire avoidance diagram.”

Sui Yu chimed in, his voice crisp. Yun Mu nodded. Gu Sui immediately felt more embarrassed.

“Um…”

He had actually only read that one volume.

Who could resist not looking when he happened to flip to that indescribable book? Who could hold back from reading it?

As for those rules and procedures, he got sleepy after reading just two pages. Whoever wanted to read that could read it themselves!

“They’re here, they’re here!”

Li Fuyu, who was welcoming the bride’s party in the front courtyard, ran in holding up his clothes. Before his words faded, the familiar figure had already appeared in Gu Sui’s line of sight.

Mu Jiulu crossed the deep courtyard, climbed the steps, and came straight towards him. Her usually imperious and proud expression had been replaced by tenderness, her ink-black eyes gilded with a layer of gold in the sunlight.

According to the customs of this dynasty, men wore veils instead of full face coverings when getting married, allowing Gu Sui to clearly see her appearance.

He had imagined many times what she would look like in wedding clothes, but nothing compared to the shock of seeing it with his own eyes.

It was as if the usually cold and noble crane had transformed into a burning flame, its scorching temperature enveloping him, almost melting him.

Gu Sui felt his blood begin to boil, his heart starting to beat faster in his chest.

“Gu Sui.”

The low, melodious voice sounded by his ear as Mu Jiulu came before him.

Her cold and beautiful face magnified infinitely in his eyes, making Gu Sui’s breath catch.

“I’ve come to marry you and take you home.”

Mu Jiulu reached out her hand to him, her affectionate gaze focused on his alluring face, her vermilion lips curling into a satisfied arc.

Li Fuyu tied a bright red silk ribbon around their wrists. She led him all the way to the main hall to perform the farewell ceremony to Gu Tingsong.

Gu Tingsong was originally very reluctant to let his son marry out, and had put effort into setting up welcoming challenges. Who knew that Mu Jiulu would pass through so quickly and be allowed in.

Gu Tingsong could only accept the tea offered by the two with a melancholy air.

After the farewell ceremony, Gu Sui left the mansion. Seeing the bridal sedan chair on the street, the corner of his mouth twitched slightly as he glanced sideways at Mu Jiulu.

Mu Jiulu’s lips curled into a smile, “Want me to carry you?”

Gu Sui’s expression stiffened, and he quickly held up his hand, “That won’t be necessary.”

He resigned himself to getting into the bridal sedan chair. The sixteen-bearer sedan was stable, except for some shaking at the beginning, he felt no jostling afterwards.

The festive sounds of gongs and drums spread along the street, with many commoners gathering around to watch the excitement.

Jiang Fu had people scatter money along the street. The commoners offered their congratulations and blessings, wishing the couple a hundred years of good marriage.

Hearing this, Gu Sui felt a hint of sweetness in his heart.

They arrived at the Regent’s mansion. Mu Jiulu helped him out of the sedan chair. Gu Sui slipped his five fingers between hers, and they entered the mansion hand in hand.

The guests had already gathered, and the mansion was now bustling with activity. Upon hearing the doorman’s announcement, everyone quieted down.

They saw the Regent walking along the wide red carpet with her prince consort. In red clothes glowing brightly, with noble brows and eyes, they looked perfectly matched in every way.

A few gasps of admiration that couldn’t be suppressed came from the quiet grand hall, countless people feeling envious.

“The auspicious time has arrived!”

The official’s chant called everyone’s attention back, their gazes towards the newlyweds at the front becoming even more reverent.

“First bow to Heaven and Earth–”

The deep voice rang out to the sky. Gu Sui felt a surge of emotion in his heart, enveloped by an unrealistic feeling of lightness.

They were starting to bow to Heaven and Earth already?

This was his first time bowing to Heaven and Earth, so some nervousness was inevitable. It was almost by Mu Jiulu’s guidance that he completed the turning motion, bowing towards Heaven and Earth.

“Second bow to the elders–”

The Empress Dowager sat solemnly on the high seat, her gaze full of contentment as she watched the two bow deeply, the smile at the corner of her lips unstoppable.

“Bow to each other–”

As they reached this final bow, Gu Sui finally felt a sense of reality.

He looked into Mu Jiulu’s eyes, which were filled with tenderness, shimmering with fragments of light, yet still captivating.

They were really getting married.

“Ceremony complete–”

“Send them to the bridal chamber!”

Cheers rose all around. As Gu Sui straightened up, he was bumped by someone and fell straight into Mu Jiulu’s arms.

The golden curtain in front of the groom swayed with an alluring curve, and beneath it, their lips met in the right place.

The commotion around them grew even more intense.

Mu Jiulu’s eyes curved slightly. One hand gripped his shoulder as she bent down slightly, the other arm passing under his knees, lifting him up in her arms.

Gu Sui: “!!!”

There were so many people!

“Wow, Imperial Sister is truly mighty. Is she personally escorting the Prince Consort to the bridal chamber?”

Mu Congfeng said, fanning herself, a flirtatious look flowing through her brows and eyes. Mu Jiulu glanced at her carelessly, her voice containing a warning.

“If you want to drink the wedding wine, behave yourself.”

“Yes, yes, yes, Imperial Sister, walk slowly. Imperial Sister, you must come out again, okay? Drinking the wedding wine alone is no fun, right, Imperial Sister…”

Mu Jiulu strode towards Weirui Hall, leaving Mu Congfeng’s voice behind.

However, a voice with even stronger penetrating power came from the person in her arms.

“Mu Jiulu! Why are you carrying me! It’s not like I can’t walk!”

Mu Jiulu pressed down the corners of her lips that couldn’t help but curl up.

“On such a joyous day, it’s not good for the groom to walk into the bridal chamber himself.”

Gu Sui glanced at her sideways, “Where did this rule come from!”

Mu Jiulu spoke seriously, “It’s my rule.”

The maids opened the door. Mu Jiulu eagerly placed Gu Sui on the wedding bed, holding him down and kissing him for a good while, swallowing all his complaints, leaving only sticky gasps.

“Mmm… Mu Jiulu, restrain yourself, it’s still daytime!”

Gu Sui’s cheeks flushed lightly. Mu Jiulu reluctantly got up from him, licking her lower lip.

“But you’re too tempting.”

“…I.”

Gu Sui lay on the bed and rolled his eyes. Mu Jiulu’s right hand traced his face, seemingly unable to let go.

“I still need to go out and deal with those guests outside. Wait for me to come back.”

Mu Jiulu’s kiss this time was very light, filled with affection. Gu Sui became a bit addicted again, grabbing her sleeve.

Mu Jiulu turned back to look, instantly catching the anticipation that flashed in his peach blossom eyes.

“Then hurry back.”

This was his wedding night after all!

The corner of Mu Jiulu’s lips curled up, her voice gentle to the bone.

“Of course.”