Chapter 373: Chapter 369: The Grand Wedding (Part 2)

Taixing, Year Sixteen, the second day of the fourth month.

The Crown Prince’s consort is bestowed.

Outside the Duke Yan Mansion, the roads are concealed by drapes. Inside, palace attendants line up, gravely solemn.

Tang Xiaobai gazes outside, suddenly feeling a bit lost.

The Crown Prince’s grand wedding is indeed grand, but it lacks cheerfulness. No one dares to breathe loudly, fearing any mistakes.

“What are you staring at?” Tang Jiaojiao pulls her head back.

In the bronze mirror, a face without makeup is reflected.

Her eyebrows are delicately arched, and her almond eyes are round.

Without rouge, her cheeks are already slightly flushed, like the pink of spring cherry blossoms.

“Second Miss is truly beautiful!” Cheng Zi praises from the side.

Tang Xiaobai smiles bashfully, glancing at Gu Ning and Tang Jiaojiao in the mirror.

Is her beauty only at the bottom of the family?

If not compared with her family, she also feels she is quite good-looking, but—

Her long hair flows down like an ink stream, making her face look even more youthful.

Is she really getting married now?

Tang Xiaobai feels a bit bewildered.

Nearby, Gu Ning lets out a soft sigh, “Xiaobai is just fourteen and already getting married…”

Yes, she’s just fourteen.

Her groom is only seventeen.

Why are they getting married already?

She even strangely feels that her marriage has been delayed for a long time.

But thinking about it now makes no difference.

“Crown Princess Consort, please change your attire!”

Rising, extending her arms, layer upon layer is applied, and the youthful innocence on her face slowly fades.

When the splendid ceremonial robe is draped over her, even she feels a bit unfamiliar with her reflection in the mirror.

As Tao Zi presented the final hairpin to place on her, Tang Jiaojiao extended a hand, “Let me!”

Receiving the hairpin, she stood before Tang Xiaobai, measuring it against her hairdo.

She measured for quite a while, yet couldn’t find a suitable place as Tang Jiaojiao’s expression gradually turned anxious.

Tang Xiaobai suddenly felt her nose sting, and softly said, “Sister, it’s alright.”

Tang Jiaojiao’s movements paused for a moment before finally placing the hairpin on.

Afterward, her gaze dropped, meeting Tang Xiaobai’s eyes.

She blinked, her lashes quickly moistened.

“Sister—”

“Don’t embarrass the family when you leave!” Tang Jiaojiao said fiercely.

Tang Xiaobai nodded.

The eldest miss was still dissatisfied, “Why are you so timid?”

Tang Xiaobai was silent for a moment before speaking softly, “Take care of Mother. I might come back to visit tomorrow.”

“How will you have time to come back tomorrow?”

“If I want to come back, I will.”

“Don’t mess around.”

“Didn’t you say don’t be timid?”

“You—”

“Crown Princess Consort, please come forth!” The reminder of the lady-in-waiting interrupted the sisters’ exchange.

Tang Jiaojiao pursed her lips, squeezing her hand tightly, “Go.”

…

Receiving the envoy, bowing for the bestowed tokens.

The few lines on the ceremonial document were actually lengthy and tedious to perform. Fortunately, Tang Xiaobai had thoroughly memorized the ritual for the consort.

Even if she hadn’t, it wouldn’t be much of an issue since someone would prompt her throughout the process.

Despite this, Tang Xiaobai was still extremely cautious, for such a grand occasion allowed no room for error.

This careful vigilance continued until Li Mu arrived.

As the sun slanted west, Tang Xiaobai straightened her back, her legs almost numb from standing indoors for so long, when she finally heard the loud announcement from outside by the ritual officer, “The Crown Prince enters—”

She unconsciously let out a long breath, following the lady-in-waiting out of the east room.

Looking up, she saw Li Mu standing on the steps by the door.

White beads, nine tiles, black clothes, and dark-red robes.

His posture is tall and commanding, like a prominent unsheathed sword, noble and sharp.

Half of his face was shrouded by the beads, reflecting sunlight, obscuring his eyes, but revealing an attractive jawline.

Upon seeing Tang Xiaobai, he suddenly broke into a grin.

Like a fool.

Tang Xiaobai couldn’t help but chuckle, as if, at that moment, her wedding suddenly became joyful.

At this time, the Crown Prince, who should have been waiting for her in place, unexpectedly lifted his feet and walked toward her.

“Your Highness…” The ritual officer hastily reminded, wanting to stop him, but it couldn’t sway the steps of the Crown Prince.

Tang Xiaobai had already stopped, watching him approach her.

His face lowered slightly, the beads swaying, his eyes shining amazingly bright.

“What are you doing?” Tang Xiaobai asked softly, her heart racing.

Li Mu grinned again, slightly leaned over, and took her hand.

“Sorry for keeping Ah Jiao waiting,” he said.

Tang Xiaobai couldn’t help but smile too, gripping his hand, letting him lead her outside.

Soon after, she stumbled slightly, not used to the sudden movement after standing indoors for so long, but quickly adjusted herself.

Though only a small misstep, it made Li Mu stop and turn to look at her.

Tang Xiaobai shook her head to show it was nothing.

He didn’t say a word, his gaze lowered, he looked at her feet.

Then he bent down, and lifted her up.

The atmosphere around them froze instantly, all silent.

Even Tang Xiaobai was stunned.

By the time she regained her senses, she had already been carried around ten steps.

“Your Highness, Your Highness, this is not appropriate…” The ritual officer shouted from behind.

“Shut up!” Li Mu replied, not hesitating for a step.

Tang Xiaobai clutched tightly onto his clothes, burying her face in his chest to avoid it, pretending to be a delicate flower.

What else could she do?

Having been carried already, wouldn’t putting her down now make the young ancestor lose face?

Besides, the bridal carry is quite touching…

Let her be a delicate flower for now…

…

Thus, the Crown Prince directly carried the little delicate flower, Crown Princess Consort, onto the carriage.

Once on the carriage, Tang Xiaobai secretly glared at him.

But her glare lacked any deterrence.

The almond eyes seemed to contain a pool of spring water, teasingly alluring.

Li Mu felt a surge in his heart, supporting her to sit properly, his hand slipped down lightly resting on her lower leg, asking softly, “Upset? Were you tired of standing?”

Tang Xiaobai lightly huffed, “Standing so long is to ensure nothing goes wrong with the wedding, isn’t it? This is the Crown Prince’s grand wedding, such a formal and grand occasion, yet you came and made a big mistake right away!”

Li Mu lowered his head, pinching her leg lightly, seeing her shyly withdraw, his gaze paused for a moment, before raising his head, “This is the Crown Prince’s grand wedding, but I am the Crown Prince.”

Tang Xiaobai paused in surprise.

The suddenly domineering Crown Prince had already turned, sitting at the front of the carriage.

According to rules, the Crown Prince was to ceremonially drive the carriage for a few steps, before handing it over to a designated driver and riding back on horseback.

However, when the Crown Prince directly drove the carriage away, Tang Xiaobai wasn’t surprised.

She clicked her tongue twice, “Can the Crown Prince just steal someone else’s role?”

“Ah Jiao’s carriage was also driven by me before.”

Before, referring to when he was still hiding his identity, working as a servant at the Duke Yan Mansion.

“Proud to be a coachman now, are you?”

“Yes.” he replied with a single word.

Tang Xiaobai couldn’t help but laugh, those days spent together suddenly flashed before her eyes.

Studying together, doing homework together, were she and the little ancestor high school sweethearts?

Though back then, she considered everything ordinary, without any ill intentions toward the young ancestor.

How could she have expected today back then?

How did today even come to be?

“Are you tired?” Li Mu asked, hearing no sound from behind.

Tang Xiaobai snapped out of her wandering thoughts, ready to reply “not tired,” when a thought struck her—

Today she is a delicate flower!

“Yes—” Tang Xiaobai said coquettishly, “I’ve been up since early morning, bathing, dressing. Standing for so many hours in these heavy clothes. I’m exhausted!”

The Crown Prince, driving seriously, suddenly turned his head to glance at her.

That glance was quick, and before Tang Xiaobai could react, he looked away.

“I’ll help you take them off later,” he said.

Tang Xiaobai: ???

Did he mean what she thinks he means?

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep