Chapter 79 Grand Wedding Grand Wedding

Inside Fengyang Pavilion, the palace lamps were just lit. The palace, which should have been filled with joy, was now shrouded in a gloomy silence. The palace servants knelt on the ground, trembling with fear, not daring to breathe heavily, afraid that one careless move would anger the master inside the hall.

In the hall, Yue Guanyi sat upright in the main seat, dressed in moon-white brocade. His handsome face, slightly pale, was cold and aloof. On his waist was embroidered a slender winter plum branch, with a spot of remaining snow hanging on the white plum, giving people a feeling similar to him – elegant yet cold.

“Servant Yu Ye pays respects to His Highness the Crown Prince.” Yu Ye gracefully bowed to Yue Guanyi, with another splendidly dressed person following behind.

Yu Ye smiled: “The wedding date for Your Highness and Lord Qiu has been set. The Empress Dowager has already chosen a prince for your trial marriage. Liangchun, come forward and pay respects to His Highness the Crown Prince.”

The man called Liangchun stepped forward slightly. He appeared to be only seventeen or eighteen years old, dressed in blue clothes like a blue lotus in a pond, graceful and extraordinary. Yet amid his grace was a hint of allure, which, due to his young age, appeared charming rather than vulgar. His beautiful eyes shone brightly in the candlelight, like a night-blooming cereus quietly blooming under the moonlight, silent yet attracting countless gazes.

“Servant Liangchun pays respects to His Highness the Crown Prince.” When he spoke, his voice was as sweet and charming as an oriole’s.

Both pure and seductive, from the inside out, he was exactly the type women liked. One look and it was clear he had been carefully trained to serve women.

The trial marriage prince is sent to the consort’s mansion before the prince’s marriage to share the bed, as a way to verify whether the future consort has any hidden ailments unfit for human relations. Only after the trial marriage prince verifies can the prince marry in grand style.

Usually, the trial marriage prince is selected by the Empress Dowager or Empress from among the palace servants. Therefore, their status is not high. Since they have lost their virginity, they cannot marry others and can only be taken into the consort’s mansion to serve the wife-master along with the prince.

But in previous dynasties when princes married, whether it was the Empress or Empress Dowager, as long as it was the prince’s birth father, when selecting the trial marriage prince, they would never choose one with a beautiful appearance or quick wit, but would only select someone docile, honest and with a sturdy appearance.

Only in this way could they ensure harmony and love between the prince and consort after marriage, without the trial marriage prince dividing their affection.

But the Empress Dowager deliberately chose such a beautiful young man for Yue Guanyi. Not only beautiful, but also so young, tender enough to squeeze out water, with eyes full of allure.

Yue Guanyi’s eyes were full of viciousness. That old widower, unable to gain Lady Qiu’s favor himself, wanted to fill his side with beautiful servants to share his exclusive favor.

“No need for formalities, rise. What was your original position? How old are you?” Yue Guanyi took a sip of tea and smiled coldly.

“Reporting to His Highness the Crown Prince, this servant is seventeen years old this year. I was originally a study companion serving the Empress Dowager in Qingning Palace. The Empress Dowager elevated this servant and allowed me to serve Your Highness and… the future consort,” Liangchun smiled softly, his eyes filled with the innocence and radiance unique to young boys.

He hasn’t even served in bed yet but is already putting on such a coquettish act. When he is deflowered by Lady Qiu in the future, his foxy scent will be overwhelming.

A cold light flickered in Yue Guanyi’s slender phoenix eyes. Qin Qing, you really know how to set up obstacles for me.

Usually, the trial marriage prince would become the consort’s side husband. Qin Qing chose a seventeen-year-old pretty boy. Although his looks were not as good as Yue Guanyi’s, Yue Guanyi was after all older than Liangchun. When he turned thirty and his looks faded, Liangchun would be in his prime.

Plus he was born with a foxy, alluring appearance. Most likely by then, Lady Qiu’s heart would always be on him.

“Seventeen is too young,” Yue Guanyi said slowly. “Still a child, with a mischievous personality who doesn’t know how to serve women. How can he take on the responsibility of serving the consort? Go back and have father choose someone older and more steady.”

“Your Highness, seventeen is not young. In common households, seventeen-year-old men are already married with children. At seventeen, this servant would have no one wanting him in ordinary homes,” Liangchun smiled coyly, the rouge on his lips making his smile even more dazzlingly bright. “Moreover, this servant came from the Empress Dowager’s palace, how could I act improperly?”

Chang’an silently rolled his eyes.

Ignorant thing, daring to contradict His Highness to his face, and even talking back. What do you mean no one would want you at seventeen? His Highness is in his twenties, and still married the talented and beautiful Lord Qiu.

You’re just a lowly servant basking in His Highness’ afterglow, stealing a bit of flavor!

A faint smile appeared on Yue Guanyi’s pale face as he lightly tapped his fingers on the table: “Quite a glib-tongued thing.”

Chang’an’s face remained expressionless as he suddenly remembered that the last person His Highness praised for being glib-tongued, Official Li, had his tongue cut out and lead water poured down his throat, his larynx brutally scalded, a fate worse than death.

Official Li merely verbally offended Lord Qiu and ended up like that.

This Liangchun is ignorant of death, not only daring to talk back to His Highness, but also potentially serving Lord Qiu alongside His Highness in the future, competing for Lord Qiu’s favor. His fate will surely be no better than Official Li’s.

Yu Ye had already noticed Yue Guanyi’s unfriendly expression. Originally, the Empress Dowager had him bring Liangchun here to put Yue Guanyi in his place, but they couldn’t anger him too much. Yet this Liangchun was ignorant of death, thinking he could escape slave status and climb to a higher branch.

Yu Ye quietly tugged at Liangchun’s sleeve, signaling him not to say more, but this Liangchun was truly ignorant of death.

“As long as I can please Your Highness, that’s good. After all, we will all be serving the same wife-master in the future.” Liangchun smiled smugly, his allure even more pronounced. If there were a woman present, she would surely be tempted by his every look and smile. But all those in the hall were men, and seeing his brothel-like demeanor only made them nauseated.

Serve the same wife-master!

Yue Guanyi’s face instantly turned gloomy, so fierce it was frightening.