mesbooks Chapter 296 I've finally married you, my queen.
Chapter 296 I've finally married you, my queen.
Zhai Rongyu lowered the sedan curtain, somewhat speechless.
"The bride is being carried in her sedan chair—"
The ten-mile-long procession of red bridal procession, a magnificent spectacle, made even the spring flowers of the capital pale in comparison.
The people crowded the street, discussing the matter animatedly.
"Hey, that's strange. Why isn't the Regent coming to the Minister's residence to pick up the bride?"
"Don't you know? When Princess Yongning got married, His Majesty bestowed Minghua Palace upon her and personally escorted her with the rites due to a princess. That's an unprecedented favor! This sedan chair is going to the palace."
"Oh? So, the Regent Prince is receiving the bride at Minghua Palace?"
"That's right! I've heard that Minghua Palace is magnificent and very beautiful!"
"Princess Yongning is truly blessed."
"In my opinion, it is the Regent who is blessed to marry such a wonderful woman as Princess Yongning. Look at how much glory and honor the Zhai family has enjoyed ever since the Minister's Mansion recognized Princess Yongning! It is clear that our Princess is a lucky star!"
"That's absolutely right! Not to mention the Minister's Mansion, our Longyan also benefited from the County Princess's influence; otherwise, how could we have won over Nansang?"
"Hey, hey, stop chatting, that sedan chair has already gone far away..."
The crowd surged, and the people joyfully lined up to see them off, all watching this grand wedding that was a once-in-a-century event.
Zhai Rongyu sat in the bridal sedan chair for a long time before being informed that they had arrived at the palace.
"Miss, we have arrived at Minghua Palace."
She helped Shuang'er out, and following the palace servants' directions, they walked for a while before arriving at the main hall of Minghua Palace.
Zhai Rongyu quietly lifted a corner of her veil.
Wow! So rich?!
The palace in front of me was spacious and bright, with its walls inlaid with gemstones and jade. In the center of the palace stood a huge jade screen, which was also carved with a pattern of a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix. Beaded curtains hung low, and a fragrant aroma wafted through the air.
Looking around at the furnishings and decorations, everything exudes a royal grandeur.
"Shuang'er, is it really appropriate to build Minghua Palace like this?"
Poverty truly limits my imagination.
So this is how the word "extravagance" is written.
As she walked along, she peeked through the gap in her veil and saw that the stone steps were made of white marble, each carved with auspicious clouds and mythical beasts. This showed that the Emperor had spent a lot of money to build this palace.
Seeing her lift the veil, Shuang'er quickly came over to stop her, "Miss! Why did you lift the veil! Put it back on quickly, the Emperor and the Regent's wedding procession will be here soon!"
Zhai Rong stuck out her tongue and lowered her veil.
Shuang'er breathed a sigh of relief and then smiled and said, "Miss, you don't know, when His Majesty discussed the renovation of Minghua Palace, none of the civil and military officials disagreed. Only one minister had an objection, but His Majesty rebuked him."
"His Majesty said that Miss has made a great contribution to Long Yan in conquering Nan Sang. He is merely using the resources of a city to build a palace for you. What is wrong with that?"
"That minister was immediately criticized by the entire court. I heard that he couldn't stand it and resigned."
"It was only later that we found out that they were former subordinates of the Fifth Prince."
Zhai Rongyu was somewhat surprised, "When did you become so well-informed? How do you even know about these things happening in the court?"
Shuang'er chuckled, "If Miss wants to know my sources of information, that's a different price."
Zhai Rongyu almost burst out laughing.
Why do you choose bad habits over good ones?
"I know without you saying it, it must have been Zhiying whispering in your ear."
Shuang'er immediately felt embarrassed and annoyed, her face flushed as she stomped her foot, "What are you saying, Miss! What pillow talk... I and Zhiying are completely innocent, Miss, please don't tease us anymore!"
Zhai Rongyu, with her veil covering her face, chuckled casually, "Yes, yes, you are all innocent, it's all my fault for being impure~ alright?"
Shuang'er wanted to say something more, but a loud voice came from outside the door from the eunuch.
"The Emperor has arrived——"
She immediately stood respectfully to the side.
Zhai Rongyu heard footsteps approaching from afar, and under the veil in front of her, a pair of bright yellow boots appeared.
The Emperor's gentle voice rang out, "Yongning, I will escort you out."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Zhai Rongyu rose and bowed, Shuang'er supporting her hand, and followed the Emperor out of the main hall.
She listened to the emperor speak as she walked.
"I have already sent the Empress Dowager to Anping Temple. From now on, no one in the palace will make things difficult for you and Huaixu."
"If Huaixu bullies you in the future, come back to Minghua Palace, and I will stand up for you."
Zhai Rongyu was somewhat moved.
"He wouldn't dare to bully me."
"However, Your Majesty has treated us sincerely, and Ah Xu and I will always remember it. We are extremely grateful to Your Majesty."
The Emperor paused, his expression softening as he said, “Although I am the supreme ruler, I have had little family ties since childhood. My mother was busy vying for favor and didn’t pay much attention to me. Huai Xu, on the other hand, grew up with me and spent a lot of time with me. Although we are not blood brothers, he is better than a blood brother.”
"The palace is ruthless, but he is the only one who truly cares for me."
He turned to look at Zhai Rongyu.
"He is the family member I will protect for the rest of my life, and from now on, there is another one: you."
"Rest assured, as long as I am alive, I will not allow anyone to harm you."
Zhai Rongyu was deeply moved.
"Huai Xu is here." The Emperor smiled and looked ahead. "Go quickly, don't keep him waiting."
Outside Minghua Palace.
Jun Ce sat on his horse, followed by a long wedding procession.
He wore a purple-gold crown and a bright red wedding robe that was both solemn and dazzling. His handsome, chiseled face had thin lips that were tightly pressed together, exuding nobility and extraordinary qualities.
He only put on a smile when he saw Zhai Rongyu come out.
He dismounted hastily and walked steadily and powerfully to Zhai Rongyu, extending his hand to her.
"Rong'er, I'll take you home."
His voice was deep and gentle, filled with endless love.
Zhai Rongyu's lips involuntarily curved into a smile.
"Okay, let's go home."
She placed her hand in his palm.
Jun Ce's heart stirred, and he firmly grasped her hand, finally feeling at ease.
He helped her into the bridal sedan chair.
Zhai Rong, feeling both lightheaded and dizzy, followed him back to the Regent's Palace. They stepped over the fire basin, bowed to heaven and earth, and then paid respects at the ancestral hall. After performing the last ritual, they finally heard cheers from the hall.
Amidst cheers and applause, Jun Ce took her hand and whispered in her ear, "I've finally married you, my queen."
Zhai Rongyu blushed slightly.
"With such a lively occasion, how could our dragon clan be absent from offering their blessings?"
Suddenly, voices came from outside.
The crowd was suddenly in an uproar.
"Look, it's suddenly gotten dark!"
"Yes! Did you hear thunder?"
"Look! There seems to be someone in the sky!"
When everyone looked up, they saw several figures standing in the dark, cloud-covered sky!
Zhai Rongyu panicked and pulled down her veil, meeting Jun Ce's cold gaze.
The two arrived outside and saw Long Zhuochi standing in the air, with Suo Ze and Long Qianxue standing beside him.
Long Qianxue stared venomously at their tightly clasped hands.
Long Zhuochi pointed at the guests below and said with a sinister smile, "I have prepared congratulatory gifts for you. If you don't want these people to suffer, come and meet me in the East Sea!"
After saying that, the group disappeared from the spot.