N-M Chapter 174 At the Wedding
Chapter 174 At the Wedding
The main hall of the East Palace.
The Emperor, Empress Dowager, and Imperial Concubine sat at the head of the table.
The courtiers lined up on both sides, their eyes all fixed on the wide-open palace gate.
"Newcomer here—!"
The master of ceremonies chanted.
Xiao Chenyuan held one end of the red ribbon, while the other end was tied to Su Yaoyao's hand.
The red carpet stretched out, and Su Yaoyao, supported by the matchmaker, completed the complicated rituals step by step.
Xiao Chenyuan's pace was a bit faster than usual.
He wanted to hurry.
Hurry up and marry this person.
Through the gap beneath the veil, Su Yaoyao watched the boots move forward step by step.
She felt a sweet warmth in her heart.
Why is this person in such a hurry?
There's no escaping it.
The master of ceremonies began chanting.
"Bowing to Heaven and Earth—"
Xiao Chenyuan bowed solemnly and performed the ceremony. With his careful guidance and the slight support of the nanny beside her, Su Yaoyao also slowly bent her knees.
This bow is a gesture of gratitude to Heaven for bestowing this auspicious union.
"Bowing to the parents twice—"
The two turned to the Emperor and Empress, who were seated on the throne. The Emperor beamed with joy, and the Empress looked pleased. The Empress Dowager, still with her kind and benevolent expression, held her Buddhist prayer beads in her hand.
Although Grand Tutor Jiang and his wife were not allowed to sit in the same hall as the royal family due to etiquette, they were seated in the closest position to the Empress Dowager. At this moment, looking at their granddaughter, they were also moved to tears and nodded repeatedly.
This bow is a tribute to the imperial favor and the kindness of elders.
"Husband and wife bow to each other—"
The two stood facing each other.
Xiao Chenyuan looked at the person in front of him with a red veil, his gaze burning and focused. He stared at the blurry outline under the veil, his gaze so tender it could drown a person.
He bowed slowly, his movements displaying an unprecedented seriousness and solemnity.
My heart was pounding like a drum, and my love was almost overflowing.
Su Yaoyao also bent down.
Even through the red veil, the two could feel each other's heartbeats.
Very close.
They were so close they seemed about to merge together.
With this bow, they made a vow to grow old together, a promise that would never be broken.
The ceremony was complete! Cheers and applause instantly filled the hall!
Anar stood in the crowd, so excited that she kept pinching the arm of the person next to her.
"Brother! Brother! They've gotten married!"
Su Qingrun looked down expressionlessly at her hand, which had been pinched red.
"...You pinched me."
Anar looked down and quickly let go.
"Oh, I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry."
Su Qingrun rubbed her arm, looking helpless.
Xie Yu stood a little distance away, holding a glass of wine in his hand.
He looked at the newlyweds bowing to each other, smiled, raised his glass, and offered a toast from afar.
"I wish you happiness," he said softly, downing his drink in one gulp.
---
On the other side of the crowd, Xiao Qiming clenched his fist.
He watched the newlyweds bow to each other, and saw Su Yaoyao standing in front of Xiao Chenyuan in her bright red wedding dress. The jealousy and hatred in his heart almost burned him to ashes.
She should have been his.
That wedding dress was meant for him.
Su Yun'er stood beside him, her eyes fixed on the emerald green bracelet on Su Yaoyao's wrist.
I've put it on.
She put it on.
A barely suppressed smile appeared on her lips.
just wait.
There's going to be a good show soon.
Just then, the Empress Dowager suddenly spoke.
"On Yuan'er's wedding day, I have a gift to offer."
She clapped her hands, and several palace servants carried in a sandalwood box and placed it in the center of the hall.
The box was opened, and the entire hall was astonished.
It was a magnificent headdress set—gold hairpins, jade hairpins, earrings, and a necklace, each piece exquisite and clearly from the palace.
"This was left behind by the late Empress." The Empress Dowager looked at Xiao Chenyuan and smiled kindly. "Today, passing it on to Yaoyao can be considered as returning it to its rightful owner."
Xiao Chenyuan's eyes turned slightly cold.
He looked up at the Empress Dowager, whose kind face showed no sign of distress.
He lowered his gaze and bowed.
"Thank you, Grandmother."
Su Yaoyao also curtsied through the veil.
The Empress Dowager smiled and nodded, but her hand holding the prayer beads tightened slightly.
This child is more composed than she imagined.
---
The newlyweds began to walk around the room, receiving congratulations from the guests.
Supported by the wedding attendant, Su Yaoyao slowly walked through the crowd. Her veil obscured her vision, but she could feel every gaze upon her.
That gaze was so intense, it felt like it was going to pierce her.
She knew who it was without even looking.
Xiao Qiming and Su Yun'er were standing in the crowd, their eyes fixed on the bracelet on her wrist.
She was about to walk past—
suddenly,
She stumbled and fell to the side.
"So graceful!"
Xiao Chenyuan caught her.
Su Yaoyao leaned against him, her body weak and her face flushed.
She looked up at Xiao Chenyuan, her eyes already somewhat unfocused, but she still smiled at him.
"Your Highness..."
A gasp of surprise rippled through the crowd.
The officials began to whisper among themselves.
"What's wrong with the bride?"
"Your complexion doesn't look right..."
"Are you feeling unwell?"
Xiao Qiming stepped out from the crowd, his face full of concern.
"What's wrong with the Crown Princess?" He strode forward. "Are you feeling unwell?"
His tone and expression perfectly captured the voice of a worried younger brother.
But the smugness in his eyes was impossible to hide.
Become!
He almost burst out laughing inside.
Su Yun'er stood behind him, trembling with excitement.
Su Yaoyao, you've finally met your match!
Once the medicine takes effect, you can act wildly in front of all the civil and military officials.
Then we'll see how she can still be the Crown Princess!
Let's see if His Highness the Crown Prince still wants you!
Just then, a lazy voice suddenly rang out.
"what?"
Everyone looked in the direction of the sound.
Helian Qing approached a few steps closer, his crimson robe revealing his slightly narrowed peach blossom eyes and gently flaring nostrils as if he were sniffing something.
He looked at Su Yun'er.
"The fragrance on this concubine..." He paused, a half-smile playing on his lips, "is rather strange."
The emperor frowned.
"What does the princess mean by that?"
Xiao Chenyuan spoke calmly.
"I smelled it too." He looked down at the bracelet on Su Yaoyao's wrist. "This fragrance is coming from the bracelet on Yaoyao's wrist."
He looked up at Su Yun'er.
All eyes turned to Su Yun'er.
Su Yun'er's face turned deathly pale instantly.
"What nonsense are you spouting?!"
Helian Qing raised an eyebrow.
"Am I talking nonsense?" He pointed to the bracelet on Su Yaoyao's wrist. "The fragrance on that bracelet is clearly the same as the fragrance on the concubine's body."
He paused, then smiled meaningfully.
"These two fragrances are fine to use on their own. But if you mix them together, it will make people... well, feel unwell."
His gaze swept meaningfully over Su Yaoyao.
"It seems Miss Su has fallen for their trap."
The crowd erupted in uproar.
The emperor's face darkened.
"A bracelet? What bracelet?"
Su Yaoyao leaned against Xiao Chenyuan's chest, took a deep breath, barely suppressed the heat, and raised her wrist.
The emerald green bracelet was clearly visible in the sunlight.
"Your Majesty," her voice trembled slightly, yet each word was clear, "this is a keepsake from my mother. Consort Su specially brought it over yesterday, saying it was for my dowry."
She looked at Su Yun'er, her voice soft and delicate.
"Little sister, is there something wrong with this bracelet?"