Chapter 690: The Grand Wedding (3)
This spectacle of ten miles of red dowry would be remembered for many years, much like when the Duke of Anguo's household married off their daughter. Yet there were differences. Though the Hua family daughter's status might be slightly inferior, her importance was entirely incomparable. The reason Ling Wang dared treat his first wife so poorly was primarily because the Duke of Anguo's household had relinquished power years ago and was gradually declining in court influence - but the Hua family was not.
Not to mention the Hua family's inherent foundation, just the Hua daughter's position as the Emperor's Grand Tutor made her impossible to underestimate. This was no longer merely the Regent King's family matter, but concerned the entire imperial household. If the Regent King treated the Grand Tutor well, all would be fine; if not, the charge of mistreating a meritorious official could cause the imperial family to lose popular support.
Many believed that what they clearly understood, the Regent King couldn't possibly be unaware of. Yet he still insisted on marrying her. It was said they had already performed the wedding ceremony when the Grand Tutor was critically ill, proving the Regent King must deeply cherish her. Otherwise, why would he place himself in such a position?
Countless women thought to themselves that such a deeply devoted Regent King could serve as a model for all men.
Meanwhile, this exemplary Regent King had already donned his bright red groom's attire, his expression tense. Those who didn't know might think he was unhappy about becoming a groom, but those who had served him long knew their master was simply nervous.
Chen Qing turned away to stifle his laughter. Heaven be praised - in this lifetime he actually got to see his master like this, hahaha!
"His Majesty arrives!"
Gu Yanxi hurried out to welcome him, somewhat surprised that the Emperor had come so early, well before the auspicious hour.
The Emperor quickly stopped the groom from kneeling, smiling as he said, "Today, Brother Yanxi and Sister Hua take precedence."
The address "Brother Yanxi and Sister Hua" made Gu Yanxi look up. This form of address... hadn't been used for a long time, and shouldn't have been used anymore.
As if reading his thoughts, the Emperor's lips curved upward. "The Grand Tutor once said that when I became strong enough, I could change the rules. Though I'm not there yet, on a day like today I'm just here as a younger brother to drink wedding wine. Who could possibly find fault with that?"
Some words, though seemingly ordinary, were more moving than any flattery. Gu Yanxi's usually stern demeanor softened. "As long as Your Majesty treats me as an elder brother, I will treat you as a younger brother."
The Emperor's smile widened, his face regaining some of its youthful spirit. He knew many people believed that due to his youth, he had no choice but to rely on the Regent King, and that once he grew stronger he would inevitably become intolerant. The Regent King must be aware of this too. Yet even as the Grand Tutor was gradually withdrawing from politics under various pretexts, the Regent King remained as before - neither deliberately retreating nor ever coming before him to pledge loyalty.
He simply gradually dispersed the Seven Constellation Bureau's authority back to various ministries, established the Military Department to solve the Great Qing's shortage of military generals, and added an extra class himself to teach military strategy beyond the Grand Tutor's lessons...
His Heir brother never said much - he only acted, urgently addressing all of Great Qing's current problems as if rushing to complete everything so he could resign. After observing for two years, the Emperor had come to understand: in the Regent King's heart, the Grand Tutor was more important than the empire. So as long as he could govern himself properly, in the future his elder brother wouldn't abandon him, and his Grand Tutor wouldn't abandon him either.In his delight, the Emperor's heart grew unrestrained. "Why don't I join the wedding procession to fetch the bride?"
The more he thought about it, the better the idea seemed. Before Gu Yanxi could object, the Emperor turned and instructed Xiao Shuang, "Quickly fetch me some ordinary clothes—nothing too flashy that might steal the groom's thunder."
The increasingly inscrutable Xiao Shuang could only convey his dismay through his eyes. Wasn't the Emperor here to officiate the wedding? How had he become part of the procession?
"What are you standing there for? Hurry up."
"...Yes."
Seeing the youthful Emperor's eyes sparkling with joy, Gu Yanxi swallowed his objections. So be it—how often could an emperor afford such willfulness? While he was still young enough to act recklessly, he should seize the moment. The older he grew, the more constrained he would become.
The wedding procession swelled to an unprecedented size. Gu Yanxi rode Shadowtreader at the forefront, the horse adorned with a large red flower like its master, making its coat gleam brilliantly. Behind them followed an exquisitely crafted, meticulously detailed eight-carrier sedan chair.
With the Emperor joining them, even confident as he was about the capital's security, Gu Yanxi didn't dare be careless. He tacitly allowed twenty hidden guards to reveal themselves, donning the uniform of the Regent's Estate servants to blend into the procession. Additionally, he assigned twenty Seven Constellation Bureau agents to guard the Emperor closely.
The Emperor, having gotten his wish, was overjoyed. Seated on his horse, he gazed left and right—it had been so long since he'd ventured out like this, so long since he'd witnessed such lively, bustling scenes. So many people! A veritable sea of humanity!
The streets were lined with commoners, crowds stretching as far as the eye could see. They were all smiling, as if this joyous occasion concerned them personally.
And indeed it did. Were it not for the couple being wed today, the very existence of the Great Qing might be in question. They had every reason to rejoice.
Lost in these wandering thoughts, the Emperor didn't realize his expression had softened into the same simple joy worn by the ordinary people around him.
The lengthy wedding procession arrived at Hua Lin Alley amid the clamor of gongs, drums, and celebratory music, firecrackers roaring to the heavens. Gu Yanxi steadied Shadowtreader, his expression as taut as if he were on a battlefield.
The Hua family's gate was slightly ajar, with children occasionally peeking out excitedly. Their hair tied in little buns, they'd glance outside, whisper among themselves, then look again—utterly adorable. The onlookers couldn't help but smile.
First obstacle: blocking the sedan chair.
Gu Yanxi dismounted, took a bundle from Chen Qing, and approached. He directly handed over a bag full of red envelopes.
The children giggled as they accepted them but didn't move aside.
A six-year-old looked up and asked, "Brother-in-law, can Elder Sister come home often from now on?"
Gu Yanxi recognized them as children from the Hua Clan School who'd learned some martial arts from him. His tension eased slightly as he corrected, "From now on, your elder sister's home will be at the Regent's Estate. This is her family home. Whenever she wishes, she can return."
"Can we often visit Elder Sister at the estate?"
"Of course."
Hearing what they most wanted, the children contentedly opened the gate. The first barrier was cleared.
Gu Yanxi exhaled deeply and stepped into the home of his in-laws, now so familiar to him.The bridal sedan chair was carried through the main gate and halted in the front courtyard, where Old Madam Shi had long been waiting. As soon as the sedan steadied, she lit red candles and approached holding a mirror, meticulously shining it several times into the sedan’s interior—a ritual to expel any malevolent spirits hiding within, known as "searching the sedan." While others could perform this task, having the "Complete Blessings" elder do so carried greater solemnity. The Hua family naturally wished to give Hua Zhi the very best of everything.
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