Chapter 250: Chapter 188: Hooray (A Perfunctory Title)

Early in the morning, Wen Ranchen led a large entourage to the Imperial Palace to greet his bride.

The wedding customs of Yunyi Country were quite similar to Shen Jingxian’s modern traditions. If the bridegroom wished to collect his bride, he would have to face various “difficulties” set by the bride’s family, overcoming numerous challenges before he could take his bride home.

Wen Ranchen initially thought he would face challenges from the Empress and Emperor at most, but he did not expect that, as soon as he approached the Imperial Palace, he realized things were not so simple.

Today was a day off from court duties, yet from the palace gate, it was densely packed with people. Wen Ranchen roughly glanced over and realized that nearly all the civil and military officials were present.

“General Wen, to marry a Princess, one must put in some effort,” Vice Minister Gao, who stood closest to Wen Ranchen, said with a smile, his words full of excitement.

Oh, daring to marry a Princess, let’s see how I skin you alive.

Other officials obviously had the same thought, looking at Wen Ranchen with bright smiles.

The Military Officers were slightly better, giving Wen Ranchen some face considering his general’s title, but the Civil Servants racked their brains to block Wen Ranchen’s path.

Couplet writing, poetry composition, various obstacles came one after another. If Wen Ranchen were indeed just a simple Military General, he might have been unable to move forward even an inch.

But this was Wen Ranchen.

On this day, Wen Ranchen demonstrated to the civil and military officials that in this world, one could surpass the typical categories of civil and military, exist beyond them; he was not just a mere Civil Servant or Military General! He was Wen Ranchen!!

With a composed face, Wen Ranchen cut through the officials and continued towards Yi Fen Palace, but only he knew how anxious he really was inside.

He hadn’t slept all night, and when he went out this morning, he changed into five different wedding attires in front of the mirror before he was barely satisfied.

The closer he got to Yi Fen Palace, the more nervous he became, fearing this was all just a dream.

Especially when he reached outside Yi Fen Palace and saw that it was guarded by the Second Prince and Emperor, his anxiety intensified. Of course, he didn’t show it.

Appear strong even if you aren’t.

Must not let the Princess see any of his shortcomings.

The Emperor only troubled Wen Ranchen for an hour before letting him in, as he was no devil after all.

The Second Prince stood beside the Emperor, constantly wanting to speak but never finding the chance until Wen Ranchen politely expressed his thanks to him, seizing the moment to say, “General Wen, there’s no need for politeness, just promise to treat my little sister well in the future.”

Highlight: little sister, not Princess.

Wen Ranchen was puzzled by the Second Prince’s attitude but solemnly nodded, “To be able to marry…”

“Save your sweet words for Yi Fen,” the Emperor interrupted Wen Ranchen, gesturing for him to quickly proceed inside.

Wen Ranchen, eager as he was, immediately led the bridal sedan chair inside.

When Shen Jingxian got onto the bridal sedan, she didn’t cry much, since the Empress had talked with her the whole night before, making Shen Jingxian feel like she was just visiting a relative at Wen Ranchen’s place.

If she felt uncomfortable at a relative’s home, she could simply return, no big deal.

Of course, Shen Jingxian wouldn’t actually do that, but it did make her feel as confident as if she had swallowed a calming pill, making her think that marriage wasn’t such a big deal.

In common tradition, the new bride would be carried to the bridal sedan by someone close, but given the Emperor’s status, there was no need to follow the common customs. As a monarch, he only needed to hold Shen Jingxian by the hand, which was a great honor for a Princess.

But the Emperor didn’t care about others’ opinions; he bent down before Shen Jingxian and steadily carried her on his back.

“When you were naughty as a child, you would always run to jump on Father’s back…”

Because running to your back, you would protect me even if you were submissive.

“Now that Father has grown old…”

Nonsense, not even forty; how is that old?

“Yet for this journey, Father still wishes to carry you.”

“My Yi Fen, suddenly you’ve grown so much, if you ever feel wronged, come back to Father anytime.”

Alright.

The Emperor carried Shen Jingxian onto the bridal sedan.

With a veil over her head, Wen Ranchen couldn’t see Shen Jingxian’s expression, imagining her as “small, weak, and helpless.” As the sedan was lifted, he softly comforted her, “Don’t be afraid, Your Highness, and don’t cry.”

Saying this, he placed a package into Shen Jingxian’s arms.

As the sedan curtain fell, Wen Ranchen feigned nonchalance, mounting his horse.

Shen Jingxian squeezed the package Wen Ranchen gave her; it felt soft.

Upon sniffing it, there was the sweet fragrance of osmanthus and the fresh scent of flour.

She had risen early that day, with the makeup artist styling her face and applying makeup, preventing her from eating anything afterward.

Partly to avoid messing up her makeup, and partly to prevent any embarrassing incidents from eating the wrong thing, as well as avoiding nausea from the bumpy ride.

Was Wen Ranchen worried she might get hungry?

Shen Jingxian’s heart felt a sudden warmth.

Wen Ranchen, riding on horseback, occasionally looked towards the direction of the sedan, suddenly feeling a bit regretful.

Even though he had made the pastries small enough to eat in one bite, avoiding smudging the lip color, what if the princess didn’t like the flavor? Why hadn’t he prepared a few more flavors!

He felt like a negligent husband.

From picking up Shen Jingxian at the Imperial Palace to arriving at the General Mansion, it was just noon.

Attending as a senior from Wen Ranchen’s side, the Empress had already been at the General Mansion to host. Seeing Wen Jingming appear alone without bringing any unlucky things, she nodded approvingly, thinking there was hope.

The General Mansion was bustling with high-profile guests, just awaiting the bride and groom to complete the wedding ceremony before commencing the feast.

Shen Jingxian, assisted by the Wedding Maid and veiled, couldn’t reveal her expression. Next to her was the Princess’s dowry, being carried into the General Mansion one after another, but no one cared about the dowry at this moment; all eyes were on the veiled Princess.

Why? Even with the veil, the Princess seemed so adorable?!

The Emperor, at some point, sat beside the Empress as Wen Ranchen and Shen Jingxian began the wedding ceremony.

The guests, upon seeing this, suddenly felt as if they were attending a wedding banquet in the Imperial Palace.

Perhaps…wherever the Empress and Emperor are, there’s the Palace!!

Both Wen Ranchen and Shen Jingxian were a bit nervous and paid no mind to others’ thoughts.

After the ceremony, Wen Ranchen was whisked away by the Military Generals, while Shen Jingxian first entered the bridal chamber.

A Princess’s bridal chamber was not to be taken lightly by ordinary people, but Pan Jiaojiao and Song Yan weren’t ordinary people. To them, wherever Shen Jingxian was, it was an excellent place, and in a flash, they darted to Shen Jingxian’s side.

This behavior led the other noble women to think something was happening around the Princess and they slowly shuffled in, only to find the Princess wasn’t as aloof as imagined and was rather amusing. They all then surrounded Shen Jingxian, chattering away.

So when Wen Ranchen, drunk and staggering, returned to the bridal chamber, he found himself facing a bunch of unfamiliar young women.

Wen Ranchen: Oh, how difficult this is.

After much ado, Wen Ranchen finally sat beside Shen Jingxian.

The Wedding Maid took Wen Ranchen’s left lapel and placed it over Shen Jingxian’s right lapel, signifying Wen Ranchen’s authority in the household henceforth.

This was called sitting for fortune.

As soon as the lapels touched, Wen Ranchen moved his hand, causing them to slip apart.

Everyone laughed heartily, saying Wen Ranchen would be afraid of his wife in the future.

Wen Ranchen, however, was unfazed, replying with a loud and clear voice, “Yes, I’ll be managed by my wife.”

The word “wife” from Wen Ranchen’s lips seemed to carry a special charm, making Shen Jingxian blush inexplicably, luckily concealed by the veil.

Everyone was also struck by Wen Ranchen’s shameless candor, no wonder he managed to marry a Princess?

The Empress smiled knowingly: She had indeed judged correctly.

The Emperor looked pleased: Good boy, carrying my style.

After a bout of laughter, they finally spared Wen Ranchen.

“Now, the groom shall lift the veil.”

A red paper-wrapped scale was handed to Wen Ranchen.

Wen Ranchen’s hands, capable of wielding a sword, slaying enemies, writing poetry, and painting, now trembled lightly.

“Look, the General’s hand is shaking, hahaha!”

“Shh, quiet!”

Wen Ranchen, with a pilgrim’s reverence, gently lifted the red veil.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep