IDWBE -Chapter 380 The Grand Wedding

Of course, more often than not, he could understand his mother being blinded by family affection.

After all, her surname was Yuan. She had always taken pride in being a member of the Yuan family. Asking her to betray the beliefs she had upheld her entire life—to carry out so-called “righteousness above kinship”—was simply impossible for her.

“Elder Brother flatters us,” Old Twelve said. Hearing Lin Yi speak this way, he finally let out a long breath of relief.

His mother had been right: never try to present yourself as a perfect man in front of the elder brother.

The more small flaws you show, the more he might like you.

If a prince were not greedy for money, not fond of women, not lazy—then what would he be plotting? Surely something grand!

Thus, while growing more convinced of his mother’s wisdom, he also came to admire his Sixth Imperial Brother, the Prince of Dai, even more.

Ever since entering the capital and relinquishing his military authority, the first thing the Prince of Dai did was renovate his residence.

At the time, Old Twelve had thought it excessive—the Prince of Dai’s manor was even more extravagant than Prince He’s!

Moreover, his Sixth Brother had bought two estates outside the capital.

After that, he indulged in nightly revelry, becoming a thoroughly dissipated prince.

In Ankang City, every courtesan considered it an honor to be summoned to the Prince of Dai’s residence.

Whether one had performed there had practically become the standard for being a top courtesan.

If you couldn’t even enter the Prince of Dai’s residence, how could you call yourself first-rank?

“The money from the Wadan—don’t refuse it,” Lin Yi said with a smile, patting his shoulder. “If you have money in hand, eat well and drink well. The mortal world is bitter, beauties are few—life is short, so seize your pleasures. Don’t just stand beneath the flowers counting romantic exploits.”

“You speak wisely, Elder Brother,” Old Twelve bowed. “Your younger brother will certainly heed your instruction.”

Lin Yi nodded in satisfaction.

Yu Xiaoshi was squatting on the steps, frowning, occasionally glancing at Lin Yi.

Lin Yi said impatiently, “If you’ve got something to say, say it now. Miss this chance and it’s gone.”

“Your Highness…”

Yu Xiaoshi muttered for a long while but failed to form a complete sentence.

“Even a mute speaks better than you,” Lin Yi said. Seeing he couldn’t get the words out, he turned to Jiao Zhong. “You must know. You say it.”

Jiao Zhong smiled. “It’s nothing much. He had a quarrel with his wife and hasn’t gone home for two days.”

Lin Yi frowned. “Pang Zhirou is already pregnant. A bit of temper is only natural. A grown man should give way. Being petty doesn’t make you manly. Go home later—stop mooching meals here.”

The marriage between Pang Zhirou, daughter of Pang Geng, and Yu Xiaoshi had been arranged by Lin Yi himself.

Seeing Yu Xiaoshi still silent, Jiao Zhong added, “Your Highness, Pang Geng is still in the northern frontier. As his daughter, Pang Zhirou is naturally worried. She’s pressing Yu Xiaoshi to find out news.”

Lin Yi snorted. “She wants her father transferred back, doesn’t she?”

“Yes, yes, Your Highness!”

Yu Xiaoshi sprang up. “I truly don’t know what to do.”

Lin Yi smiled. “Go back and tell your wife: her father may be spared death, but he won’t escape punishment.”

“Exactly,” Jiao Zhong soothed. “Your father-in-law keeping his life is already the Prince’s mercy. Don’t be ungrateful. If your wife pushes further, that’s too much.”

Like Jiang Yi, Liu Boxian, and Ma Jie, Pang Geng had surrendered before the overwhelming might of the Sanhe army.

But while Jiang Yi and Liu Boxian rose step by step, Pang Geng was stripped of his post as Commander of Wuzhou and sent to the northern frontier.

He had dared to obey openly while resisting in secret—utterly ignorant of his own limits.

He Jixiang had not executed him for two reasons: to stabilize Wuzhou’s army and populace, and because he was Yu Xiaoshi’s father-in-law.

“I understand,” Yu Xiaoshi muttered and left dejectedly.

“Damn. Fools have fool’s luck,” Jiao Zhong sighed.

On the day of the wedding, Prince He’s Avenue was packed solid.

Jiang Yi and Zhang Mian led officers from the Military Commission to manage the crowds.

Zhang Mian said, “Even the Prime Minister’s sedan cannot enter today. All must stop outside and walk in. Otherwise, if the Princess Consort’s carriage cannot pass, we’ll be in trouble. And stop letting in idle onlookers. If any senior officials are harmed, we cannot bear the responsibility. Be careful—careful again. No negligence.”

Jiang Yi replied, “Rest assured, my lord. Guards every ten paces. Anyone without a token won’t get through.”

Zhang Mian nodded. “Tonight people will surely set off fireworks. Increase patrols and beware of fires.”

The best solution would have been to ban fireworks outright.

But how could they?

People were celebrating Prince He’s wedding. Neither he nor He Jixiang dared issue such a ban.

If word reached Prince He, how would he take it?

Near noon, firecrackers exploded in celebration.

Though now the pillar of the Liang State, Lin Yi still had to act like a puppet, manipulated by the aunts his mother had sent over.

What to wear, how to bow—everything was decided by them.

It left him dizzy and overwhelmed.

By the time all the ceremonies were completed in a haze, he was starving.

After greeting guests for a while, he began eating heartily.

Then came the toasts—he refused none.

By the end, he had no idea how much wine he had drunk.

When he awoke the next morning, he pushed aside the light gauze canopy. Sunlight streamed softly through the lattice window.

Seated upright on a chair was Hu Miaoyi, still fully dressed in her phoenix coronet and red wedding robes.

Lin Yi smacked his forehead in annoyance. Don’t drink and drive; don’t drive after drinking. He shouldn’t have been so greedy with wine.

“Your Highness,” Mingyue helped him from the bed with a smile. “You were happy yesterday. It’s rare—you drank too much.”

“Drank until I passed out.”

He looked at Hu Miaoyi, whose face was frosty. “You didn’t sleep all night?”

“I would not dare disturb Your Highness’s rest,” she replied coolly.

“Very good.” His face darkened instantly. “Since the Princess Consort has such abundant energy, go study etiquette thoroughly with the aunts. We’ll enter the palace shortly. If you offend any noble personages, it won’t be good.”

Hu Miaoyi’s expression changed drastically.

Before entering Prince He’s residence, she had already suffered much under the palace matrons’ strict discipline. She knew well how formidable they were.

But she could not openly defy Lin Yi. Steeling herself, she replied, “I understand.”

Afraid the matrons might be standing outside, she spoke far more cautiously than before.

Lin Yi nodded in satisfaction. After washing and dressing, he ate two full bowls of lotus seed porridge.

Jiao Zhong hurried in. “Your Highness, Princess Consort, the carriage is ready.”

Lin Yi wiped his hands. “Let’s go. To the palace.”

As custom dictated, after the wedding they had to enter the palace to pay respects to his imperial father and mother.