General, Your Wife Is Requesting Your Return Home For Farming Chapter 1463: Grand Wedding (1)
Chapter 1463: Grand Wedding (1)
Editor: Atlas Studios
Three years had passed since Emperor Jing He ascended the throne. With the borders fortified and the nation in a state of tranquility, the seas remained calm and the people lived in harmony. Throughout the land, the commoners sang the praises of the imperial lineage.
Lately, a festive spirit had permeated these songs of praise.
The reason was simple: the two princesses were finally entering into matrimony.
The word "finally" carried weight, tracing back to events from three years prior. At that time, the Saint Empress Dowager, who then held the title of Empress, had gathered the realm's most promising young talents. Her intention was to select a worthy prince consort for each of the two princesses.
However, just days before the grand selection, Emperor Jing Xuan fell ill and passed away shortly thereafter.
Out of respect for the late emperor, the two princesses remained in mourning until the present day.
While the public assumed a new search for the emperor’s sons-in-law would commence, the Saint Empress Dowager surprised everyone by issuing an imperial decree that betrothed the princesses directly.
This news shattered the aspirations of many young noblemen in the capital. They had spent three years in rigorous preparation, showing more dedication than they ever had for the scientific examinations, only to find the opportunity had vanished in an instant.
Despite their private grievances, the grumbling ceased the moment the identities of the two chosen prince consorts were revealed.
Comparison was futile; they simply could not measure up to those two men!
Because the weddings of both princesses were scheduled for the same day, the Saint Empress Dowager found herself buried under an immense workload.
“These belong to Huahua. Examine them, and if everything is in order, have the chest sealed.”
Within the walls of the Kang Shou Palace, the Saint Empress Dowager passed a golden ledger to Empress Dowager Jing.
Empress Dowager Jing, formerly known as Consort Xian, was the biological mother of Xiao Zhonghua and Princess Hui An.
Looking somewhat exhausted, Empress Dowager Jing remarked, “Sister, you may simply review these matters yourself. There is truly no need to consult me.”
Life had been far more relaxed as Consort Xian, where she had no responsibilities or burdens to manage.
The Saint Empress Dowager countered, “I would agree if it were anything else, but Huahua is being wed. As her mother, you must exert yourself for her sake.”
The primary perk of becoming the Empress Dowager for Consort Xian was the end of her daily ritual of paying respects at Kunning Palace. Furthermore, the Grand Empress Dowager rarely summoned them, allowing her to sleep until she pleased every morning.
Yet, over the last few months, her daughter’s impending nuptials meant she was constantly summoned by the Saint Empress Dowager to deliberate over wedding arrangements. She hadn't enjoyed a full night's sleep in three days!
“Well...”
Empress Dowager Jing offered a non-committal mumble, her head beginning to nod as she drifted off.
With a helpless sigh, the Saint Empress Dowager instructed a palace maid, “Go and summon Lord Chu.”
Upon hearing this, Empress Dowager Jing’s eyes snapped open with sudden energy. “Does that mean I am free to go?”
The Saint Empress Dowager was left speechless.
Empress Dowager Jing hurried back to her quarters to reclaim her lost sleep.
Shortly after, the palace maid escorted in a woman dressed in the scarlet robes of an official.
The woman offered a respectful salutation. “Feifeng pays respects to the Saint Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager.”
The Saint Empress Dowager gave a friendly nod. “The ceremony is the day after tomorrow. Please verify that nothing has been overlooked.”
Chu Feifeng answered, “Understood.”
Having assisted the Saint Empress Dowager with internal management during the period of the state funeral, Chu Feifeng’s talents had been recognized. The Saint Empress Dowager had made a rare exception, appointing her as a female official.
Taking a seat across from the Saint Empress Dowager, Chu Feifeng picked up the ledger she had already memorized and began a meticulous final review.
The process lasted four hours.
By the time the final annotations were made, the Saint Empress Dowager had already fallen into a slumber on her chaise longue.
When a palace maid began to speak, Chu Feifeng signaled for silence.
With a meaningful look, she prompted the maid to escort her out of the palace.
As they traversed the imperial garden, a stealthy figure trailed them in the shadows.
Chu Feifeng turned to the maid and said, “You may stop here. Return quickly to attend to the Empress Dowager.”
“As you wish, Lord Chu.”
Once the maid had departed, Chu Feifeng smiled. “Princess Hui An, you can come out now.”
Princess Hui An poked her head out from her hiding spot. “Sister Chu, how were you able to identify me?”
Chu Feifeng replied, “Your Highness has a distinct gait. Your steps are exceptionally light.”
Princess Hui An lifted her chin proudly. “Indeed! I have been practicing qinggong!”
She neglected to mention she hadn't quite mastered it yet.
Smiling, Chu Feifeng asked, “What brings the Princess to see me?”
Princess Hui An questioned, “Has my sidekick returned yet?”
With a look of regret, Chu Feifeng answered, “There is still no word regarding Seventh Sister-in-law.”
A worried frown creased Princess Hui An’s brow. “Why is there no news? She took the Crimson Shadow Army to deal with those bandits, didn't she? What kind of outlaws could be so difficult to suppress?”
Chu Feifeng offered a comforting smile. “Do not fret, Princess. Little Seven and Young Marquis Jing are accompanying Seventh Sister-in-law. Their victory and return are certain!”
“I suppose so.”
Princess Hui An remained somewhat dejected.
Only two days remained. If her sidekick failed to return in time, she wondered if she should consider postponing the wedding date.
Meanwhile, at the Su residence, Madam Tao and her servants were busy preparing the bridal chamber.
“Spread them out!”
Madam Tao commanded a maidservant.
With a smile, the maid emptied a basket of peanuts and dates onto the marriage bed.
Madam Tao glanced toward the doorway and spotted three children standing there.
In the center stood a four-year-old girl, radiant with beauty and featuring two soft dimples when she smiled. Her large eyes sparkled like a vista of the stars.
She was holding the hands of two younger boys.
They were Little Wei Qing, aged two, and Little Ghostfear, who was a year and a half.
Wei Xiaobao announced with great spirit, “Grandma! We’ve arrived to press the bed!”
Little Ghostfear looked a bit overwhelmed. “Press...”
The word for bed escaped him.
Little Wei Qing added, “Press the bed!”
With a joyful heart, Madam Tao ushered the three youngsters inside.
Wei Xiaobao braced herself against the bed frame and executed a graceful leap. Her pearl-encrusted shoes were kicked off mid-air, and she landed on the mattress with a perfect somersault, ending in a heroic kneeling pose.
She looked incredibly stylish!
“Wow!”
Little Ghostfear clapped enthusiastically, his gaze full of hero-worship for his older sister.
Wei Xiaobao beckoned to the boys. “Little Six, Little Seven, get up here!”
Little Wei Qing approached with a calm demeanor and tried to lift his short legs onto the bed, but he struggled to make the climb.
Without a hint of embarrassment, he smiled at a nearby maid. “Sister, would you mind lifting me up?”
No one could possibly refuse such a polite and charming child.
The maid smiled and hoisted him onto the bed.
As she moved to help Little Ghostfear, the boy shook his head.
Using the same accent as Brother Xiaohu, Little Ghostfear insisted, “I’ll do it myself!”
Dahu, Erhu, and Xiaohu had been sent to perform the bed-pressing ritual at the other consort’s residence.
Because the three brothers and Wei Xiaobao had performed this duty for others many times before, the Wei family had decided to split the siblings up this time.
Soon, the night before the grand wedding arrived.
Neither princess could find sleep.
The Saint Empress Dowager arranged for a specific manual to be delivered to Princess Jingning.
The palace maid whispered, “Princess, there is no need for embarrassment. If you find anything confusing, you can…”
Princess Jingning replied with total composure, “Oh, I understand it.”
The maid was left at a loss for words.
Princess Jingning had witnessed far more scandalous things years ago; to her, these erotic illustrations seemed rather crude and unrefined.
In the quiet of the night, Princess Hui An paid her a visit.
“You are supposed to be in your own chambers. What are you doing here?” Princess Jingning asked, her face unreadable.
Princess Hui An flopped down beside her, tugging away her pillow. “I can't sleep,” she admitted.
Princess Jingning closed her eyes with regal poise. “I intend to rest early.”
Princess Hui An gave a small huff. “You’re pretending.”
Princess Jingning chose not to respond.
Turning toward her, Princess Hui An whispered, “Jingning, are you excited for it?”
“Excited for what?”
“For our wedding night.”