N-M Chapter 161 Clingy Person
Chapter 161 Clingy Person
The atmosphere in the East Palace study was heavy.
The Vice Minister of Rites stood below, wiping the sweat from his forehead repeatedly.
He had been standing there for a full hour, and his legs were numb, but the gentleman at the head of the table was still flipping through the wedding program booklet.
Turning the pages one by one.
His brows furrowed deeper and deeper.
The Vice Minister's heart was also filled with anticipation.
To be honest, he was never this tired when he was arranging the emperor's wedding.
Back then, the procedures were rigid; you just had to follow them. The Emperor didn't have time to worry about these trivial details.
But this Crown Prince...
"Your Highness," he began cautiously, "these are all... the procedures that must be followed on the wedding day."
Xiao Chenyuan raised his eyes.
With just one glance, the Vice Minister swallowed back what he was about to say.
"I can read."
"My question is—why are there so many?"
The Vice Minister of Rites broke out in another layer of sweat.
"Your Highness, this is ancestral custom. The Crown Prince's wedding has always been conducted in this manner. First, a sacrifice is offered at the Imperial Ancestral Temple, then the betrothal ceremony is performed, followed by the personal welcoming of the Crown Prince, the wedding ceremony, the nuptial cup ceremony, and the audience with the Emperor—"
"Alright," Xiao Chenyuan interrupted him, "Get to the point."
The Vice Minister of Rites swallowed hard.
"The key point is... from 5 AM to 9 PM, Your Highness and the Crown Princess... must stand."
Xiao Chenyuan's face darkened.
Such a long time!
He was heartbroken.
My own little darling, she's not happy if she sleeps a little less, but you want her to stand all day?
He opened the booklet, picked up a pen, and began to sketch.
"Remove this, this, and this—all of them."
The Vice Minister of Rites peeked out and almost fainted.
His Highness crossed out all the most tedious etiquette procedures!
"Your Highness! This...this—"
Xiao Chenyuan looked up at him.
His gaze was indifferent, yet the Vice Minister of Rites managed to discern the words "You have a problem with this" within it.
He silently swallowed his words.
"I will change it! I will change it as soon as I get back!"
Xiao Chenyuan nodded in satisfaction before continuing to flip through the pages.
After flipping through a few pages, his brows furrowed again.
"This, the 'wedding night ceremony'—"
"Your Highness!"
The Vice Minister of Rites was anxious.
"This absolutely cannot be changed! This is a matter of utmost importance concerning the royal bloodline!"
Xiao Chenyuan looked at him, his gaze deep and unfathomable.
"...I never said I wanted to change it."
The Vice Minister of Rites was taken aback.
Xiao Chenyuan looked down at the page, his thin lips slightly pursed.
"Your Highness," the Vice Minister spoke again, "this is already the simplest possible; any further reduction would be against protocol..."
Xiao Chenyuan remained silent for a moment.
"Is conforming to etiquette more important, or conforming to my own wishes?"
Vice Minister: "..."
Your Highness, isn't your doting on your wife a little too much?
Xiao Chenyuan continued flipping through the booklet, making changes every now and then, while the Vice Minister of Rites kept wiping his sweat beside him.
Finally, the thick etiquette guide was completely altered beyond recognition.
Xiao Chenyuan closed the booklet and handed it to him.
"Do it this way."
The Vice Minister of Rites accepted it with both hands and carefully put it into his pocket.
"Yes, Your Majesty, I will take care of it immediately."
He turned to leave, but was stopped by Xiao Chenyuan.
"etc."
The Vice Minister of Rites turned around.
Xiao Chenyuan looked at him and said seriously, "We need to prepare soft cushions for every step. Her back hurts from standing for too long."
Vice Minister of Rites: "..."
"Yes."
"The tea should be warm, not too hot, and not too cold."
"Yes."
"If she gets tired, she can rest at any time; she shouldn't push herself too hard."
"Yes."
"besides--"
"Your Highness," the Vice Minister of Rites finally couldn't help but speak, "may I ask a question..."
Xiao Chenyuan raised an eyebrow.
The Vice Minister of Rites cautiously asked, "Are you... too nervous?"
Xiao Chenyuan was stunned for a moment.
nervous?
He thought about it and readily admitted it.
"Yes."
Vice Minister of Rites: "…………"
Your Highness, you admitted it far too readily.
Xiao Chenyuan, however, did not feel that anything was wrong.
"I'm taking a wife," he said. "Isn't it normal to be nervous?"
The Vice Minister of Rites was speechless.
Indeed... that's quite normal.
The problem is, your nervous approach has caused the entire wedding ceremony to be rewritten from beginning to end!
The Vice Minister of Rites silently withdrew, secretly vowing never to accept any more assignments from His Highness the Crown Prince.
too tired.
It's more tiring than serving the emperor.
---
The study door closed.
Ling Feng emerged from the shadows and gave Xiao Chenyuan a wink.
Xiao Chenyuan leaned back in his chair and rubbed his temples.
"Speak."
Ling Feng said in a low voice, "Lord Jiang and Miss Chu were assassinated tonight."
"How badly are you injured?"
Ling Feng recounted everything that happened in the alley last night.
Xiao Chenyuan listened calmly.
"Is everything ready?"
Ling Feng nodded.
"It's all prepared. We've sent people to secretly protect Lord Jiang and Miss Chu, and someone is also keeping an eye on the unconscious woman."
Xiao Chenyuan was silent for a moment, then said, "Protect them well, and don't alert them."
"Yes."
Ling Feng accepted the order and was about to leave when he suddenly heard Xiao Chenyuan speak.
"What did Yaoyao do all day?"
Ling Feng was stunned for a moment.
"The Crown Princess stayed at the Marquis's residence today and did not go out."
"What did you do?"
"I heard that... he slept until noon, then ate some snacks, then read a storybook, and then went back to sleep."
Xiao Chenyuan's lips curled up slightly. How adorable.
Ling Feng looked at him like this and sighed silently in his heart.
Your Highness, could you please stop being so clingy?
We've only been apart for a day!
You asked three times!
But he dared not say it.
He took an envelope from his sleeve and presented it with both hands, saying, "This is a letter from the Crown Princess to you."
Xiao Chenyuan took it, glanced at Ling Feng, and looked at him with an expression that seemed to say, "Why did it take you so long to take this out?"
I unfolded the letter and read it again.
The handwriting was crooked and messy, clearly written while lying on a soft couch.
It's not advisable to meet before the wedding. Your Highness, please behave as a monk for a few days. Be good~
P.S.: I can't find my little coat again. Did His Highness hide it again? Don't do anything bad, okay?
——Yao]
Xiao Chenyuan: "..."
He smiled helplessly, picked up his pen, and began to reply.
Ling Feng stood aside, looking down at himself, pretending to be a pillar.
A moment later, Xiao Chenyuan put down his pen, folded the letter, and handed it to him.
"Send it over."
Ling Feng took the letter and silently walked out.
As he reached the door, he couldn't help but glance down.
The letter was not sealed.
He swore he really, really didn't want to see it, but those words were just too conspicuous—
[My graceful wife:
I was a monk for twenty-three years, and I only broke my vows after meeting you.
Making me a monk again is harder than killing me.
However, since the lady has given the order, I will endure it.
I miss you. I miss you so much I'm going crazy.
I want to kiss you, hug you, and hold you tightly on the bed.
Xiao Yi was kept hidden away, why?
Ling Feng: "…………"
This is so cheesy!!! Your Highness, which scoundrel has possessed you?!
He tucked the letter into his pocket without expression and strode out.
I am a dignified first-rank bodyguard with a sword.
I am not a carrier pigeon.
I'm not!
---
The Yongning Marquis's Residence.
Su Yaoyao was nestled on the soft couch, cracking melon seeds, while Chuntao peeled walnuts for her.
"Miss," Chun Tao asked softly, "Is it really impossible for you and His Highness the Crown Prince to meet?"
Su Yaoyao nodded.
"It's the rule. The newlyweds can't see each other before the wedding." She ate some sunflower seeds, her tone casual. "But it's okay, we'll write letters."
Chuntao blinked.
"Can writing letters... really ease lovesickness?"
Su Yaoyao smiled.
"Silly girl, it's better to write letters." She smiled like a fox. "There are some things you're too shy to say when you meet in person. But with letters, you can write anything."
Chun Tao still didn't understand, but she always felt that the young lady's smile was a little... wicked.
Just then, a report came from outside.
"Miss, a letter from the Crown Prince's Palace!"
Su Yaoyao's eyes lit up. She put down the melon seeds and snatched the letter.
Upon opening it, her face flushed red.
"This person..." she murmured, "why write this..."
Chuntao leaned closer: "Miss, what did His Highness say?"
Su Yaoyao hid the letter behind her back and coughed lightly.
"It's nothing. Kids shouldn't watch."
Chuntao: "???"
Su Yaoyao calmed her racing heart and picked up her pen to reply.
Your Highness:
When did you become so indecent?! What if someone sees you?! Don't you care about your image anymore?!
Also, that little garment is my favorite—Your Highness, how can you be so self-righteous!
Give it back!
——Yao
Also: When you're a monk, you have to be obedient and not think about anything else.
After she finished writing, she folded the paper and handed it to Chuntao.
"Send it over."
Chuntao took the letter and ran out.
Su Yaoyao leaned back on the soft couch, recalling the words in the letter, and couldn't help but smile again.
This person usually seems cold and aloof, but when they write letters...
They say everything.
---
The Eastern Palace.
Ling Feng reappeared in the study, holding another letter in his hands.
Xiao Chenyuan took it and opened it.
After reading it, a slight smile appeared on his lips.
I picked up my pen to reply:
Yaoyao:
I can't help but think about it.
I dreamt of you last night, and when I woke up my arms were empty. It hurt.
Nine days to go.
I can't wait any longer.
--deep
I will keep your little garment safe. Want it? Come to the Eastern Palace to get it.
After finishing writing, he folded the paper and handed it to Ling Feng.
Ling Feng took the letter and walked out expressionlessly.
He stopped abruptly as he reached the doorway.
"Your Highness."
"Um?"
"I have a question."
"explain."
Ling Feng took a deep breath.
"I am a first-rank bodyguard with a sword, not a carrier pigeon."
Xiao Chenyuan looked up at him.
"so?"
Ling Feng met his cold, clear eyes, and swallowed the words that were about to come out.
"...It's nothing. I'll go deliver the message right away."
Night was falling.
After reviewing the memorials, Xiao Chenyuan returned to his bedchamber.
The room was empty, and he was the only one on the bed.
He lay down and looked at the empty space next to him, suddenly feeling that the bedchamber was excessively large.
I used to sleep alone for over twenty years and never thought anything of it.
Now that she's gone, why do I feel so unaccustomed to it?
He turned over and reached out to touch the pillow next to him.
It's cold.
He sighed.
"Yaoyao..." he murmured softly, "Nine more days..."
Nine days later, she will be able to stay here.
He closed his eyes and forced himself to sleep.
But all I can think about is her.
The way she smiles.
The way she acted coquettishly.
The way she flirted with him.
The way she glared at him when she was angry.
……
Xiao Chenyuan opened his eyes and looked at the top of the tent.
It’s over.
He's really screwed for life.