General, Your Wife Is Requesting Your Return Home For Farming Chapter 1464: Grand Wedding (2)
Previously on General, Your Wife Is Requesting Your Return Home For Farming...
Chapter 1464: Grand Wedding (2)
Editor: Atlas Studios
Princess Jingning chose not to respond to that particular inquiry.
Finding the silence dull, Princess Hui An let out a dissatisfied huff. “Why are you keeping secrets from me? My sidekick is always the most blunt!”
The atmosphere turned quiet between them at the mention of Su Xiaoxiao.
When Su Xiaoxiao and Wei Ting had their wedding, the two princesses had seen her off together. Now that it was their turn to marry, she was absent from the capital.
“She promised she would return once the bandits were wiped out.”
After Princess Hui An finished her grumbling, a sudden wave of anxiety hit her. “Could it be that my sidekick actually…”
Princess Jingning replied, “She is intelligent. Even if everyone else met with disaster, nothing would happen to her.”
Having known her for years, Princess Jingning possessed complete confidence in Su Xiaoxiao’s capabilities.
Furthermore, this mission to suppress bandits wasn't particularly grueling; His Majesty had arranged it with specific intent.
The reason for her long absence was likely because she had been sidetracked by other matters during her travels.
After all, beyond being the commander of the Crimson Shadow Army, that girl was a skilled physician in her own right.
–
Su Xiaoxiao arrived just in time.
Having traveled without rest for several days, her dark hair was a wild mess. When Princess Hui An and Princess Jingning looked up, they were met with the sight of a small, panting, and disheveled lion-like figure.
Princess Hui An was lost for words.
Princess Jingning was equally stunned.
“Little sidekick!”
Princess Hui An cried out, “What took you so long? If you had arrived any later, Jingning and I would already be married!”
Su Xiaoxiao dropped into a chair, gulping down the cold tea offered by Taozhi.
“My apologies, I’m late. I’ll make it up by drinking three cups as punishment!”
Seeing Su Xiaoxiao’s exhausted state, Princess Hui An’s irritation softened into concern. “Actually, being late isn't a big deal…”
Su Xiaoxiao patted her chest proudly. “That won't do! I gave you my word that I would hurry back!”
The two princesses were meant to depart for their weddings from their own separate chambers, but Princess Hui An’s secret visit to Princess Jingning the night before hadn't escaped the Saint Empress Dowager's notice.
The Saint Empress Dowager was known for her strict adherence to protocol. While the palace servants anticipated a reprimand, she surprised everyone by simply ordering Princess Hui An’s belongings to be moved over.
Thus, two groups of women were currently busy in Kunning Palace, dressing both princesses simultaneously.
“Ow! That hurts!”
Princess Hui An yelped as her head was being handled.
“How come she isn't in pain?”
She gestured toward the silent Jingning.
It wasn't that Jingning felt no pain.
She simply endured it in silence.
The attendants were charmed by Princess Hui An’s lively behavior.
Su Xiaoxiao noticed Princess Jingning watching her through the bronze mirror without speaking.
She stepped closer, leaning down to meet Jingning’s reflection. She whispered, “What is on your mind, Ningning?”
Princess Jingning started to speak but then paused.
Understanding her worries, Su Xiaoxiao said with sincerity, “Ningning is breathtaking. The Fuma will surely be captivated by you.”
Overhearing this, Princess Hui An turned to look at Jingning and was struck by her beauty.
She nodded emphatically. “Jingning, I agree completely.”
Princess Jingning looked down, her lashes fluttering. “Yes.”
The auspicious hour soon arrived. Draped in red veils, the princesses were escorted by palace staff to Zhaoyang Hall to kowtow to the Grand Empress Dowager. Afterward, they proceeded to Shoukang Palace to pay their respects to the Saint Empress Dowager and Empress Dowager Jing.
The Saint Empress Dowager glanced at Empress Dowager Jing, who had seated herself nearby without an invitation. “You have your own quarters for this.”
Empress Dowager Jing dismissed the comment with a wave. “They’ve been waiting for three years. The children have waited long enough. Don’t make them take two separate trips!”
Princess Hui An nodded in total agreement!
The Saint Empress Dowager was left speechless.
A princess’s wedding was a grand affair managed by the Ministry of Rites, with the Imperial City Division and Imperial Guards providing constant protection. It was impossible for anyone to cause trouble; Su Cheng would have dealt with them instantly!
Indeed, Su Cheng had received a promotion and now served as the official commander of the Imperial City Division.
Xiao Zhonghua had specifically assigned him the duty of securing the wedding to keep the Wei and Su families in check.
In all the capital, only Su Cheng had the authority to keep them under control.
Two wedding processions waited patiently at the palace gates.
A suspicious figure was peeking from behind a sedan chair.
Su Cheng, mounted on a tall steed, moved behind the person. “Show yourself.”
Su Li froze. “No way… how did you spot me…”
Su Cheng grabbed him by the ear and pulled him out.
He scanned the surrounding area and snorted. “And the rest of you—did you not get enough to eat while in prison?”
“It wasn't my idea! Big Brother told me to come! Right, Big Brother?”
Wei Liulang, disguised as a guard, blurted out the truth.
Wei Chen smacked his own forehead in frustration!
He had been set up by that fool!
And so, before the brides had even entered their sedans, the brothers were caught.
But the surprises didn't end there.
A moment later, the composed Jing Yi stepped out from the crowd.
Wei Liulang was stunned. “You didn't get caught…”
Jing Yi replied with total honesty, “Oh, I gave myself up for the greater good.”
Wei Liulang was speechless.
Wei Chen felt the same way.
Su Ergou, Su Qi, Su Yu, Mei Ji, and Cheng Xin… none could hide from Su Cheng’s sharp eyes.
Brandishing his saber, Su Cheng declared with authority, “As long as I am here, no one will disrupt the princesses’ wedding day!”
At the head of the procession, Su Xuan heard the chaos behind him.
He smirked and looked at the other groom in his wedding attire. “Brother Qinghe, are you feeling anxious?”
“I am not.”
Shen Chuan replied with a calm expression, “Brother Su, are you?”
“Not at all.”
Su Xuan’s voice was even steadier.
The head of the Internal Affairs Department, standing across from them, remarked, “You two top scholars, could you please stop picking at the tree? The young saplings are going bald because of you!”
Both Shen Chuan and Su Xuan stopped immediately.
Su Xuan lowered his hand and instantly shifted the blame. “He did it.”
Shen Chuan was speechless.
–
In common tradition, when a sister marries, her brothers personally escort her from the home.
Two years prior, Xiao Shunyang had been stripped of his status by Emperor Jing He for treason. Xiao Duye had been sent to his fief as an idle prince, forbidden from entering the capital without a summons.
While there were other younger princes, they lacked the status to see off the two eldest princesses.
Thus, Emperor Jing He came to Shoukang Palace in person to collect his sisters.
Usually, when daughters of common families marry, there is a lot of weeping.
Emperor Jing He expected a sentimental scene, but the women in the hall were remarkably composed.
Empress Dowager Jing glanced at her son and whispered, “Hurry up and take your sister!”
It was exhausting; she had raised the girl for twenty years. If she didn't marry now, she’d be impossible to manage!
Princess Hui An tugged on Jing He’s sleeve and urged, “Brother, let’s go. I want to see Ah Xuan!”
Emperor Jing He’s lip twitched.
On the other side, the Saint Empress Dowager and Princess Jingning were also poised, their behavior formal and slightly distant.
Princess Jingning bowed deeply. “Farewell, Mother.”
The Saint Empress Dowager’s eyes wavered as she gripped her handkerchief tightly.
Emperor Jing He looked at the mother and daughter, telling the Saint Empress Dowager, “I have known Shen Chuan since youth. He is a man worthy of trust.”
The Saint Empress Dowager’s expression shifted several times. Finally, she looked at Jingning and said, “Don’t think I’m unaware… this was your own choice. I hope you don't grow to regret it.”
Princess Jingning replied, “Mother, please take care.”
–
In a forest thick with blood-colored mist.
A girl, drenched in blood but still radiating pride, sat upon a cold hill clutching a box.
A frail, handsome young man held a water skin, taking careful sips without touching the rim to his lips.
He looked at the girl in the fading light. “To save that box, you nearly died at the hands of those bandits. But wealth is only a temporary possession.”
The girl answered with gravity, “This isn't about money; it is my home. I am traveling far away and may never return. If I die one day and am buried with this, I will be at peace.”
The youth handed back the water skin. “I thank you for the water, Miss.”
“Keep it,” the girl said. “My people will arrive soon with plenty of supplies.”
The young man studied her. “Miss… do you wish to go home?”
The girl paused, a flash of inner conflict crossing her features before she shook it off. “I am tired of home. I’ve heard the Southern Wilderness is a fine place. I’m sure I’ll like it there.”
The young man bowed his head in farewell.
He had slipped away in secret; it would be troublesome if his uncle or grandfather found out.
He began to cough weakly.
His poor health was truly a burden.
“Wait.”
The girl called out to him.
“Yes?”
The youth turned back, his sickly face flushed from the coughing fit.
The girl stared at him for a long time, seemingly lost in thought. “You resemble an old friend of mine… never mind, it must be a coincidence. What is your name?”
“Ah Xuan.”
“Huahua. My name is Huahua.”
The young man nodded politely.
The girl smiled. “I am heading to the Southern Wilderness to be a bride. I’m getting married.”
“Congratulations,” the youth replied with a polite nod.
“They’re coming! The bride is here!”
“Get out of the way, that’s my sister-in-law!”
Su Xuan could hear the playful bickering of Wei Liulang and Su Li.
Su Xuan gathered his thoughts and watched as the two princesses emerged from the palace gates, adorned in phoenix coronets and ceremonial robes.
Despite the veil, he recognized her instantly.
Her measured steps couldn't hide her underlying excitement.
From beneath her veil, Princess Hui An softly called, “Ah Xuan.”
Even amidst the noisy crowd, Su Xuan heard her clearly.
He gave a quiet smile. “Princess, Ah Xuan is here.”
In this lifetime, Ah Xuan was always right there.