Unparalleled Beauty

Chapter C057 pt1

Prince Wei was also dressed in his princely attire today, a round-collared robe of imperial red with four embroidered dragons in gold thread, topped with a winged yishan* crown, and a jade belt cinched at his waist.

TN: something like this 

The only difference from his usual appearance was the addition of a red embroidered ball on his chest.

Nowadays, during weddings, both men and women could wear clothing that exceeded regulations on their wedding day. Men could wear ninth-rank official attire, and women could wear a phoenix coronet and rose-colored robe. Of course, these would not be genuine official attire or phoenix coronets and rose-colored robes, but rather imitations.

Prince Wei's attire today accentuated his jade-like complexion, making him exceptionally handsome.

According to custom, before leaving her home, the new bride must bid farewell to her parents. Wushuang, having lost both parents, could only bid farewell to her uncle and aunt.

The newlywed couple was escorted towards the main hall. Mei Zong and Cao shi, dressed in formal attire, sat at the head of the hall. Mei Zong's expression was one of gratification, with a hint of excitement, while Cao shi also smiled, though her smile seemed to betray a trace of awkwardness.

Cao shi hastily offered Wushuang a few words of encouragement before yielding to Mei Zong.

Mei Zong had intended to speak his mind freely, but after Cao shi subtly tugged at him, he realized that the person standing before him was Prince Wei, not a junior he could encourage, especially with the presence of the Master of Ceremonies.

The Master of Ceremonies announced, "The ceremony is complete, the bride departs her home!"

Following the loud pronouncement, another deafening round of firecrackers erupted outside. Prince Wei, holding Wushuang's hand, used his other hand to lower her veil. Before stepping out, he whispered, "I will guide you, watch your step."

In that instant, Wushuang realized that this Prince Wei was not the Prince Wei she knew, but Ji Yang.

She couldn't help but move her hand slightly, and he responded by squeezing it. Her heart was immediately filled with joy and delight. Even though her face was hidden by the veil, and she couldn't see the path ahead, she no longer felt so afraid.

***

By the time the wedding procession returned to Prince Wei's mansion, it was precisely the auspicious hour.

Wushuang was guided through a series of grand ceremonies, far more intricate and complex than those of common weddings, before finally being escorted to the bridal chamber.

Upon entering the bridal chamber, there was still the bed-sitting ceremony.

The newlyweds sat side-by-side on the wedding bed, while the Master of Ceremonies recited auspicious verses. Maids carried a golden basin adorned with red silk, filled with auspicious grains such as red dates, longans, lotus seeds, and peanuts, to be presented to relatives and guests for the scattering of the bed.

Those chosen to scatter the bed were all aware of proper decorum and did not dare to act recklessly, mostly scattering a handful or two before stopping. Afterward came the unveiling of the veil and the drinking of the nuptial wine, which were not for public viewing. Thus, someone came forward to dismiss the guests, inviting them to the front hall for the banquet, where Prince Wei would join them after the ceremonies were complete.

The room grew quiet, and the Master of Ceremonies handed a jade ruyi scepter to Prince Wei.

Prince Wei took it and lifted the veil.

Wushuang raised her eyes, feeling a sudden brightness before her. The figure she had not had a chance to see clearly was finally in focus.

Prince Wei looked both noble and festive today. His imperial red wedding attire enveloped his slender and upright frame, and his handsome face appeared even more fair and refined against the red backdrop, almost otherworldly.

At this moment, he was looking down at her. The dragon and phoenix candles burned brightly throughout the room, casting a fiery reflection in his eyes, and within that firelight was a person.

It was her.

Wushuang's cheeks flushed red, and she said, "You..."

At this moment, the tactless Master of Ceremonies spoke again.

"The newlyweds shall drink the nuptial wine."

Someone brought the nuptial wine. Wushuang and Prince Wei each took a cup and drank it in one gulp. After drinking, the Master of Ceremonies took the cups and threw them to the ground. They landed one upright and one upside down, and he chanted about the harmony of yin and yang, and great fortune.

Only after the Master of Ceremonies had withdrawn did the room finally become quiet.

"Today there are many guests. I will go to the front courtyard to entertain them. If you are hungry, have someone bring you some food. You need not wait for this Prince."

Wushuang saw that his expression was calm and composed. He lacked the spiritedness he had shown when speaking to her at Marquis Changyang's mansion, and instead possessed a more steady and collected demeanor. She couldn't help but be momentarily stunned once more.

She could not speak plainly, and could only subconsciously grasp his hand, squeezing it lightly. He did not respond to her. Was this Prince Wei? How had he changed again?

To conceal her actions, she hastily said, "Then, Your Highness, please return soon."

Prince Wei nodded and departed.

Only after exiting the door did he raise his hand to examine it. What was the meaning of her earlier action?

***

Wushuang felt a slight headache, but more than that, she was weary.

The imperial rituals were truly cumbersome, especially with her wearing such heavy clothing and bearing the weight of the crown. She was just about to call for someone to attend to her when Linglong led Meifang and the others in.

"Your Highness, Princess Consort."

"You've finally arrived. Help me remove these clothes."

Linglong and the others worked together to help Wushuang remove her garments and belts, taking down the nine-pheasant crown and the Princess Consort's ceremonial attire to put away. Wushuang, disliking the greasepaint on her face, had water prepared for her to cleanse and bathe.

The Prince's mansion was naturally different from the Marquis's residence. The bridal chamber even had a dedicated bathing room, with a pool made of white jade, four meters square. Not only was there running water, but it was also hot.

Linglong and the others had come along when the dowry was laid out, so they naturally knew the layout of the bridal chamber. They attended to Wushuang as she went to the bathing room. After a thorough wash, Wushuang finally felt much more comfortable, and at this point, she also felt hungry.

While having her evening meal, Wushuang was still troubled by the earlier matter.

She did not know why Ji Yang was switching places with Prince Wei. Was it because neither could endure it for long, or had the two of them discussed it privately? Wushuang had no way of knowing. Ji Yang, mindful of the wedding ceremony, was also annoyed by the tediousness of the rules and customs. Therefore, he was the one who greeted Wushuang at the door and performed the wedding rites, while Prince Wei took over at other times.

Prince Wei was also truly vexed, but today, with all eyes upon them, he could not afford any mistakes, and could only indulge the willful and capricious Ji Yang.

However, Wushuang was thinking of something more. Tonight was their wedding night; who would appear?

Thinking about it, she felt she was overthinking things.

Given Ji Yang's personality, it would naturally be him, and no one else. Yet, for some reason, Prince Wei's all-knowing eyes kept flashing in her mind.

***

Today, Prince Wei's mansion was truly lively, a stark contrast to its usual solemn and desolate appearance.

All the servants in the mansion were mobilized. When there were not enough hands, they were supplemented by the Black Armor Army. Therefore, the guests who came to offer congratulations often saw people of unusually tall and robust stature, yet dressed in servant's attire, moving about among the tables. Moreover, there were many such people. One could only say that the Prince's mansion was different from others; even the servants were taller and stronger than those of ordinary families.

One table, set up in the main hall, was particularly different from the others. While other tables seated ten people each, this table seated only four, and the number of attendants beside it was even greater than the number of people seated.

Seeing Prince Wei, dressed in his wedding attire, walk in, Prince Qin laughed, "Third Brother is truly a busy man today. It seems he has drunk quite a bit outside."

On a joyous day, all taboos were disregarded.

Those who usually dared not drink with Prince Wei were today tasting the experience of drinking with him. However, toasting was a matter of etiquette. Given Prince Wei's status, one cup of wine per table was sufficient. The wine cups used for toasting were also not large, so it could not really be said that he had drunk much.

However, when Prince Qin spoke, there was always a deeper meaning. He was likely laying the groundwork for urging him to drink more later.

Prince Jin, from the side, jokingly teased, "It seems Third Brother must be careful tonight. Second Brother is planning to use your joyous day to ply you with wine, intending to get you so drunk that you won't even be able to consummate the marriage."

Unlike Prince Qin's burly and robust build, Prince Jin was rather refined and scholarly. He was not Emperor Taihe's eldest son. Emperor Taihe had another eldest son, who was the First Prince, but unfortunately, the First Prince had died in childhood. Originally, according to the order of the princes, Prince Qin was the Second Prince, and Prince Wei was the Third Prince. This was all arranged, but then Prince Jin, who was slightly older than them, appeared out of nowhere.

This matter was a secret of the imperial family, and not many people knew about it in the early years. It was not until recent years, when Prince Jin gradually began to distinguish himself, that it became known to the public.

It turned out that Prince Jin's birth mother was a palace maid in the imperial retreat. Emperor Taihe, in a drunken stupor, mistook her for someone else and slept with her. However, at that time, Emperor Taihe and Consort Chen were deeply in love, so he naturally cast this woman to the back of his mind. Later, the palace maid became pregnant and gave birth to Prince Jin, but Emperor Taihe did not bring him back to the palace.

It was not until two years after Consort Chen had passed away that someone reported the matter to the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager, unable to bear the thought of imperial blood being left outside, brought Prince Jin back.

However, the order of the princes had been in use for many years, and the First Prince, who had died young, was the son of Emperor Taihe's first empress. Naturally, the order could not be given to another. Thus, Prince Jin's ranking remained ambiguous. It was not until he came of age and was granted a princedom that he was no longer vaguely referred to as prince Yan.

***

Hearing Prince Jin's words, Prince Qin was not angered, but instead laughed, "Ji Yan, if you want Third Brother to be unable to consummate the marriage, just say so directly. Don't push it on me. I don't believe you don't have that intention."

Prince Jin feigned a shake of his head and a bitter sigh, "It seems Second Brother, you are determined to drag me into this?"

Saying this, he was not annoyed, and raising his wine cup, he said, "Since I am older than all of you, then I shall start first. Third Brother, I offer you this cup, wishing you and your sister-in-law harmony and happiness, and the early arrival of a son."

Prince Wei's eyes flickered, "Thank you."

Both of them drained their cups in one gulp.

After drinking, it was Prince Qin's turn.

Prince Qin was extremely skilled at urging others to drink, seemingly having completely forgotten that he and Prince Wei had a conflict three months prior, and that he had been confined to his mansion for over two months. It was only recently that Emperor Taihe had lifted his confinement. In any case, Prince Wei drinking one cup was not enough, and the two of them went back and forth, drinking five or six cups, until Prince Zhao and Prince Han at the side came forward to offer toasts, finally stopping him.

In the middle, Prince Wei took the opportunity to go out for a while to sober up.

"How is it outside?"

While handing him the sobering tea, Fusheng said, "Everyone is watching, ensuring that no mistakes will occur." At least, the kind of thing that happened more than ten years ago would absolutely not happen again.

Prince Wei was silent for a moment, then said, "Keep a close watch on Prince Jin's people."

"Yes."

This wedding banquet continued until the end of hai hour (9-11pm), and fortunately, nothing happened.

Wushuang, who was in the bridal chamber, did not know that the courtyard she was in, seemingly with few people, was actually heavily guarded outside, making it as secure as an iron barrel.

Wushuang was truly too tired, and in the end, she accidentally fell asleep, until she was awakened by a wave of alcohol fumes.

Prince Wei had ultimately drunk too much. He forcefully endured not changing to another person, until he entered the bridal chamber and saw the person lying on the bed.

The dragon and phoenix candles burned brightly, illuminating the room. The person on the bed was hidden behind the curtains, her cloud-like black hair scattered on the pillow. Underneath the scarlet wedding robe, a section of her fair and delicate collarbone was exposed, while the rest of the beautiful scenery was concealed beneath the red wedding quilt.

Prince Wei was not particularly accustomed to this overwhelming red, but his nature was always one of restraint, and even if he was uncomfortable, he would not show it.

His usually clear eyes were somewhat clouded with drunkenness. He rubbed his forehead, sat down by the bed, and stared at the person on the bed for a long while, unable to resist reaching out to touch her breath.

The warm breath brushed against his fingertips, and his hand naturally fell onto her face.

A voice sounded in his mind—

[You've had enough, go to sleep if you're drunk.]

Perhaps it was the alcohol, but Prince Wei was a bit more unrestrained today.

[If I leave, will you consummate the marriage?]

The voice in his mind was silent for only a moment.

[Why wouldn't I? What difficulty is there in consummating the marriage?]

Prince Wei chuckled, leaving a sentence as he 'left', [Tomorrow, someone will come to collect the wedding cloth.]