ASTRP -Chapter 228 Finally, the Wedding Went Smoothly

They had stayed here for over half a month, idling away their days.

Every day was either eating or going out sightseeing with the prince.

Although they also had to help Xi Liyue deal with the emperor, that was ultimately someone else’s matter.

Most of the time, she and Xiao Jinghan did not get involved.

After the wedding, she and Xiao Jinghan would also be able to leave this place.

Then they would head to Prince Chen’s territory.

“Imperial Uncle, Imperial Aunt… I… I’m a bit nervous.”

The two of them paused at his words.

Xiao Jinghan coldly threw out two words: “Useless.”

“……”

Feng Jingge smiled. “The one who should be nervous is Yue’er.”

“After all, she’s marrying into the Jing Kingdom, not you marrying over here.”

“She stays in my residence in Jing Kingdom and feels even more comfortable than in her own princess manor.”

“I just keep feeling uneasy for no reason. I don’t even know if tomorrow’s wedding will go smoothly.”

“With your Imperial Uncle and me here, there’s no need to worry.”

Even though Feng Jingge said that, Prince Yu still felt uneasy.

“But I don’t know why my heart just keeps jumping around.”

Xiao Jinghan poured a cup of tea for Feng Jingge and said calmly,

“Relax. Nothing will go wrong with the wedding.”

“However, the emperor might find an excuse to prevent Xi Liyue from marrying into Jing Kingdom.”

Prince Yu didn’t quite understand this, and even Feng Jingge was a bit confused.

“Your Highness, do you mean the emperor doesn’t want Yue’er to marry Prince Yu?”

“An alliance between Xi Qing Kingdom and Jing Kingdom would only benefit him.”

“But he would absolutely not allow Xi Liyue, who knows his secret, to leave Xi Qing Kingdom again.”

“That’s also why he secretly arranged for Liu Rujun to cause trouble.”

“You mean… the emperor agrees to Yue’er marrying Prince Yu, but the wedding must be held in Xi Qing?”

“And even after marriage, she still has to stay here?”

“If she goes to Jing Kingdom, how would he get another chance to deal with Xi Liyue?”

Xiao Jinghan let out a cold laugh.

“If it weren’t for us, Xi Liyue would have already fallen into his hands.”

“Also, if Xi Liyue refuses and insists on going to Jing Kingdom, then her mother will be in danger.”

Only then did Prince Yu understand.

“Imperial Uncle, I get what you mean now.”

“So he wants me to become a live-in son-in-law!”

Xiao Jinghan glanced at him. “Don’t worry. With me and your Imperial Aunt here, this arrangement is only temporary.”

“You just need to focus on today’s wedding. Everything else will be dealt with later.”

With those words, Prince Yu finally felt a bit more at ease.

Soon enough, Xiao Jinghan’s prediction proved correct.

Eunuch Hai came to deliver a message, and everything he said matched Xiao Jinghan’s words almost exactly.

Prince Yu said nothing and simply nodded in agreement.

Very soon, the wedding hour arrived.

Prince Yu, dressed in a bright red wedding robe, rode on horseback in front of Xi Liyue’s bridal sedan.

Xi Liyue lifted the side curtain and looked out, but she could only see people and scenery on both sides—she could not see Prince Yu at all.

She pouted slightly and let the curtain fall again in displeasure.

Drums and gongs sounded, and flowers were scattered in the air.

The procession circled the capital city.

Prince Yu greeted the citizens by waving, while a maid lifted the curtain so Xi Liyue could show her face.

Someone in the crowd said, “Isn’t the Jing Kingdom’s Prince Yu five years older than Princess Liyue?”

“He still looks so youthful, not old at all.”

“That’s right, I heard he’s already twenty-two.”

“In ordinary families, he’d already have two or three children by now.”

Prince Yu felt displeased hearing this.

But when people later praised that he and Xi Liyue looked like a perfect match, he became happy again.

The ceremony was extremely complete.

Eight-carriage bridal sedan, stepping over a brazier, and auspicious blessings were all performed.

The emperor even sent Eunuch Hai with a thousand-year ginseng as a gift.

Fang Dijiun also sent high-quality agate jade pendants and bracelets.

The maid loudly announced each step.

Feng Jingge and Xiao Jinghan sat above in newly made formal attire.

“Bow to Heaven and Earth!”

“Bow to the High Seats!”

When bowing to the high seats, Prince Yu and Xi Liyue bowed toward the ginseng and jade gifts instead.

“Couple bow!”

After completing the ritual, the bride was sent to the bridal chamber.

This time, their marriage was officially complete.

Inside the room, the wine for the ceremonial toast was neatly placed.

Prince Yu entered first and sat down directly.

Royal brides did not need to go out and entertain guests, which was a rare blessing.

“My legs… are completely stiff. They’re useless now.”

“Hey, hey, speak properly.”

Prince Yu spat three times, looking annoyed.

“But my legs really…”

She stopped herself, remembering she couldn’t say words like “pain” or “die.”

So she changed it. “They really can’t hold on anymore.”

Prince Yu laughed, then felt a bit of pity.

“Lie on the bed. I’ll massage you.”

Xi Liyue felt embarrassed and turned away, eating pastries instead.

She was hungry—she hadn’t eaten all day.

“You’re still shy?”

“We’re already husband and wife. What’s there to be shy about?”

Prince Yu handed her a plate of pastries.

Xi Liyue looked at him, then at the wedding wine, and clicked her tongue in annoyance.

“I hate seeing that wine.”

“Then we won’t drink it tonight. Just eat.”

“I’ll massage you, then we’ll sleep. I’m exhausted.”

He yawned.

Seeing the dark circles under his eyes, Xi Liyue felt a bit of heartache.

After all, he had worked harder than she had that day.

She could at least sit most of the time, and when the curtain was lowered, she could even relax her posture.

But Prince Yu couldn’t.

He had been riding on horseback all day, maintaining composure in front of the entire city.

She didn’t want him to massage her anymore.

So she said, “Let’s just eat and sleep.”

“No. I’ll still massage you, then we’ll drink the wine.”

“You… are you serious?!”

“Are you crazy?”

Prince Yu laughed. “Yes. Is that not allowed?”

“You’re already mine.”

“I… I…”

Xi Liyue looked like she wanted to throw a pastry at him.

“You’re fine… I’m not… I still have to go to the palace tomorrow to meet the emperor and my mother.”

“If you want me to even be able to kneel, then behave yourself…”

Prince Yu laughed so hard he clutched his stomach.

“So you call me useless? Look who’s the coward now!”

In the end, Prince Yu said the wine had been changed for meaning’s sake but still had to be drunk for good luck.

“I won’t tease you. Don’t worry.”

Xi Liyue lay down at last, but immediately frowned again.

“What is this?! It’s poking me!”

She sat up abruptly.

Under the bedding were red dates and chestnuts.

Prince Yu quickly removed them all.

“Alright, now you can sleep.”

Xi Liyue lay in his arms, feeling completely happy.

“Husband… I thought after marrying you, you’d still be the same as before—always teasing me.”

“Saying I was a coward and not caring about me.”

“And that you wouldn’t be considerate at all.”

“So it turns out… my husband is actually this good.”