Yet she felt no great nervousness in her heart, only hearing the wedding coordinator beside her laughing and shouting, “Please have the groom kick the sedan door.”
Then came the sound of the sedan door being kicked three times in succession with great force.
Perhaps because this was a ritual custom meant to intimidate the bride, Prime Minister Quan kicked with particular earnestness and ferocity, causing the sedan chair to tremble slightly. This realization made Suzhen’s lips curve upward slightly, and that thing that had been pressed deep in her heart seemed to be pushed even deeper by these sounds.
Finally, after the door kicking finished, the curtain was lifted. What appeared before her eyes was a blazing fire basin, along with countless exquisite shoes and boots. The celebratory music and suona sounds had stopped, and despite so many people, the surroundings were remarkably quiet.
Just looking at this fire basin, though there was nothing truly frightening about it, Suzhen felt somewhat startled – the fire at the Court of Judicial Review constantly reminded her.
She couldn’t step over it.
“What’s wrong?”
Sounds of surprise and questioning came from all around.
“Aiya, Prime Minister, what are you doing? This doesn’t follow proper etiquette…”
The wedding coordinator’s voice was still in her throat when a slender, pale hand reached under the wedding veil.
Without hesitation, Suzhen placed her hand in his.
She thought he would just pull her across, but unexpectedly her waist sank as his arm encircled her waist, lifting her up bodily. Amid many gasps, he carried her in his arms, his black boots taking one step to cross over steadily.
Perhaps their movements were too dramatic, or perhaps there was a sudden gust of wind – the wedding veil embroidered with twin lotus flowers on satin silently fell to the ground.
“This…”
In the wedding coordinator’s cry of alarm, Suzhen saw clearly the scene around her while she herself fell under countless gazes.
Among these were understanding looks, complex ones, disdainful ones, and even more shocking ones. After all, only a few court officials knew of her marriage to Quan Feitong, so seeing this now, how could they not be astonished on the spot?
What shocked them wasn’t that Li Huaisu was female – after all, this was already an open secret – but that she was actually marrying Quan Feitong!
What did this marriage truly mean?!
The seating arrangement in the courtyard was peculiar, with clear distinctions of rank. Sitting in the center was Lian Yu, with Xiao’an and Consort Dowager Ai positioned on either side of the Emperor. Standing in order were Murong Chen, Aluo and five or six women in magnificent attire whom Suzhen didn’t recognize – the latter seemed to be Lian Yu’s imperial concubines. On the right side were Lian Jie, Lian Qin, Lian Yue, Lian Xin and seven or eight men and women, presumably imperial family members.
On both sides were important court ministers, all of considerable rank, but they could only stand before the Emperor. The wine banquet was set up separately in the central courtyard.
As an elder of the Quan household, Tingyu was the only one arranged with a seat, with old friends Mingjing and Shiyu positioned behind her.
Huang Zhongyue, seeing Suzhen, showed great surprise across his brows and eyes. When Quan Feitong’s invitation arrived, the old gentleman truly thought it was some maid from his deceased nephew’s household, and had even questioned the treacherous minister’s taste. Now… his expression looked somewhat unpleasant, though his lips still wore a few traces of hypocritical smile.
Surrounding them were over a hundred servants of the Quan mansion led by several stewards.
Because the Emperor was present, commoners couldn’t approach the imperial carriage. Though the Quan mansion’s gates were open to let the people share in this prosperous celebration, they were surrounded by heavy troops and could only watch from outside the gates. Yet this couldn’t hide their faces full of joy – far purer than all the gazes present!
“Huai… Zhu’er, you look so beautiful today!”
In this stiff silence, Lian Xin’s voice seemed particularly loud.
She was immediately glared at harshly by Xiao’an and fell silent, but still raised her thumb stubbornly, nodding and smiling at Suzhen.
Suzhen smiled slightly back at her. Before getting in the sedan, the wedding coordinator and Little Zhou had helped her dress. Quan Feitong had given her a delicate pearl phoenix crown, outlined her eyebrows and eyes, applied rouge, and put on lipstick. Unlike her usual plain appearance, she had looked in the mirror and seen herself with some delicate beauty. Whether she was pretty or not, she didn’t know, but unlike before, she could barely be presentable now.
However, she still couldn’t catch some people’s eyes. Among the assembled ministers, Li Zhaoting’s gaze was coldly deep, with a trace of mockery in his eyes.
She wasn’t trying to annoy him – it was just that Quan Feitong happened to walk by at that moment.
Everyone was staring intently, observing and sizing them up. She lowered her head – not out of fear, but because she very much didn’t want to make eye contact with that person sitting in the center. She really didn’t want to!
But she knew he was staring at her, those eyes like two sharp swords, scraping across her and Quan Feitong with incomparable sharpness. Inexplicably so.
At this point, at the wedding coordinator’s signal, Little Zhou hurriedly picked up the wedding veil and handed it over.
“Prime Minister, quickly cover the bride again…” the wedding coordinator followed in small steps, extremely anxious.
Quan Feitong was now walking to the center of the courtyard, setting her down. Hearing this, he took the wedding veil but smiled with raised eyebrows, stuffing the veil into his chest: “Rules are made by people. My wife has both talent and beauty – she’s not afraid of being seen.”
He never acted according to convention, shocking everyone. Over there, Consort Dowager Ai laughed and spoke: “Excellent. Today with His Majesty and the Empress Dowager present, what could be more auspicious than this?”
“Exactly,” Xiao’an pressed down the angry Murong Chen beside her, saying indifferently with unclear meaning in her eyes, “Don’t delay the auspicious hour – quickly perform the wedding ceremony.”
“Yes, yes!” With the Empress Dowager speaking, how dare the wedding coordinator delay? She quickly made eye contact with Huang Zhongyue: “My lord—”
So Lord Huang, with five parts unwillingness and five parts surface respectfulness, began presiding over the ceremony.
After bowing to heaven and earth, they should have bowed to their elders, but with the Emperor present, this second bow instantly became bowing to the Emperor!
“Bow to the Imperial Sovereign—” Huang Zhongyue stared at this treacherous minister before him with some satisfaction.
Quan Feitong looked at Suzhen. Suzhen indicated it didn’t matter. Quan Feitong supported her lightly, and the two bent down to bow to Lian Yu.
As this bow began, pearl curtains brushed against faces, and this time Suzhen had no choice but to meet the eyes of the man before her.
His chin was slightly raised, the line incomparably sharp and cold, but his eyes contained thin traces of smiling intent.
“We wish you both to grow old together with white hair.” His eyebrows lifted bit by bit as he spoke each word deliberately.
His expression showed no trace of pain. Suzhen smiled inwardly, but there was probably still a bit of unwillingness – after all, this was someone who had shared her bed and pillow. No matter how worthless something one had used was, giving it to someone else would still cause some discomfort!
How had she ever thought he loved her deeply?
If he could have given her so much before, then as long as Aluo was willing, he could give her ten times more. She had thought Aluo had replaced her, but actually, Aluo was right – she had been a substitute for when Aluo wasn’t there.
She quickly turned around and bowed to Tingyu again with Quan Feitong.
When the final spousal bow began, Quan Feitong pressed his head against her forehead, deliberately reminding her: “My wife, show your courtesy.”
She smiled at him as their eyes met.
The wedding coordinator then called out: “The bride enters the bridal chamber.”
Her voice had some tension. Having presided over many weddings, she had developed keen observational skills. This hall’s atmosphere seemed relaxed but was actually full of undercurrents. Combined with the wedding veil falling unexpectedly – not a good omen – it made her extremely uneasy, wanting to complete her task as quickly as possible.
“Brother Quan, congratulations on your happy marriage today. I wish you and your new sister-in-law harmonious music and harmonious phoenix and phoenix calls.”
As the two were about to leave hand in hand, a voice drifted over from behind them.
Suzhen’s heart felt as if something had scraped across it. Before she could answer, Quan Feitong had already pulled her around to face back, his lips curving slightly: “Thank you, Consort Chen.”
“That’s not right—” After finishing his bow of thanks, he seemed to suddenly realize something and touched his forehead: “Since you call me elder brother, it should be younger sister Aluo who is the fellow disciple. This elder brother was mistaken, always thinking it was Consort Chen who, as Noble Consort, had the qualification to speak, so unconsciously…”
This statement shocked everyone present. No one expected Quan Feitong to be so merciless, not leaving the slightest face. Even Tingyu stood up with some surprise. Aluo’s face changed color slightly, but she said nothing. At this moment, a voice timely spoke up: “Consort Chen is feeling unwell, as Consort Gu knows. She’s sending blessings on her sister’s behalf – what impropriety is there in that, Prime Minister Quan?”
This person wore flowing white satin today, her eyes clear and bright, seeming to ask without any scheming, but Quan Feitong momentarily couldn’t gain any advantage verbally. Suzhen then bowed her head and said: “Naturally there’s nothing improper at all, Your Majesty. The consort’s blessing is excellent indeed. This commoner woman is deeply grateful and also wishes Your Majesty and the consort lasting affection, not fighting over morning and evening.”
Lian Yu had been smiling as he asked, but seeing her response, his lips slowly pressed into a line.
Suzhen didn’t look at him, only smiled sweetly at Quan Feitong: “Let’s go.”
Prime Minister Quan’s heart was filled with joy – his usually self-absorbed little wife was now protecting him too!
“Your Majesty, Empress Dowager and Consort Dowager, this subject will first escort my wife to the bridal chamber and return shortly to toast. Please, all my colleagues as well.”
He bowed his farewell, and under everyone’s gaze, put his arm around Suzhen and walked out, planning to exit through the side door. Wuqing was male and couldn’t accompany them further. Little Zhou was the only female family member by Suzhen’s side, so naturally she followed to attend them, going with the wedding coordinator and the couple.
But the wedding coordinator, whether because that strange feeling in her heart was growing or for some other reason, actually stumbled and kicked the fire basin. The burning tongues of flame in the basin immediately flew toward the backs of Quan and Suzhen.
“Big brother, be careful!”
Chao Huang shouted in alarm and leaped into the air. Here, with the Emperor’s imperial carriage present, they absolutely couldn’t be disrespectful. The imperial guards also moved extremely quickly – Qinglong and Baihu had already jumped out. However, both sides were too far away. Little Zhou was close by, but because she was lost in thought about something, she was a step slow. Quan Feitong had just turned around upon hearing the call. Seeing the fire about to splash onto both of them, Quan Feitong frowned and without hesitation stepped forward to shield Suzhen.
But Suzhen’s reaction was extremely quick. She pushed forward with her palm strength, already pushing him aside, while simultaneously, a red silk ribbon was suddenly flung out. For an instant it was like a fire tree with silver flowers, brilliantly beautiful, and the fire scattered gracefully in all directions.
That was the sash she had suddenly torn off! The courtyard was open to the sky, and as wind passed through with hunting sounds, her bright red dress swayed slightly. Seeing that the sash had been burned through by flames, she said quietly, “What’s the point of keeping something that’s ruined?” and let go without attachment. The satin ribbon drifted away with the wind, landing right in front of Si Lanfeng.
Everyone watched with considerable shock, and for a moment the great wedding hall fell into complete silence, until people outside the mansion, who hadn’t heard the earlier verbal sparring in the hall, finally saw something interesting and applauded one after another, competing to say that Prime Minister Quan’s wife was a master.
The always supremely proud Minister Si finally seemed to wake from a dream, somewhat embarrassedly picking up the silk ribbon and walking out.
Though Suzhen’s poor martial arts were praised for the first time, she felt no joy, only stopping Si Lanfeng with her words: “No need, Minister Si. Just keep it for good luck and may you marry soon.”
Minister Si was immediately stunned: “Ah, this… thank you…”
Quan Feitong, his eyes bubbling with delight yet wearing a worried expression, came over and cut off his words, quietly scolding his little wife for disregarding danger, then extremely quickly took her hand and turned into the inner hall.
Watching the two figures, everyone felt these two were truly the most unconventional newlywed couple in the world – the type who made their own rules about what was auspicious or proper. At first glance it seemed abrupt, but looking again, they actually matched quite well!
Aluo unconsciously glanced at Lian Yu, only to see that at some point he had quietly stood up.
Suzhen was once again brought into Quan Feitong’s bedroom.
The bridal chamber.
The courtyard was full of guards, plus skilled soldiers sent by Chao Huang. This was just within the courtyard – outside there were countless more officials and soldiers.
Seeing this formation, the wedding coordinator couldn’t help but look mournful. How were accidents happening one after another? Though none were major, they were embarrassing enough, and these two masters didn’t follow rules either. Could wedding veils be casually stuffed into one’s chest? Could sashes be casually thrown away?
If anything else went wrong and angered Prime Minister Quan, that would be no joke. She had a headache thinking about quickly getting them into the bridal chamber, when unexpectedly Quan Feitong suddenly spoke coldly: “Keep making that face and there’ll be no red envelope – instead you can have a beating and get thrown out of the mansion.”
The wedding coordinator trembled all over in fright, but Suzhen patted her shoulder: “Don’t be afraid, Auntie. My husband is just joking with you. The red envelope will still be doubled to calm your nerves.”
“Aiya, that won’t do, that won’t do. Prime Minister celebrating his wedding and this old woman getting to share in the… share in the good fortune is already a tremendous honor. What reward money or red envelopes…” Hearing this, the wedding coordinator immediately shook her head with a bitter face, her expression full of fear.
“It’s fine. I’m the one who makes decisions in this household. Don’t worry.” Suzhen looked up, smiling as she met Quan Feitong’s gaze: “This money, and you too, are all under my command, isn’t that right, treacherous minister?”
The wedding coordinator was so frightened by this young lady she almost wanted to hug a pillar and refuse to leave. She appreciated this kind gesture, but where were there powerful noble families ruled by women? There were some, but only in ordinary wealthy families where the woman’s family background was prominent. This young lady was said to be of maid origin. These past days the capital had been saying that Prime Minister Quan wanted to form a marriage alliance with old minister Lord Huang, but since Lord Huang’s daughter was already married, he married this maid from the Huang household instead.
But this Lord Huang ultimately wasn’t as high-ranking as Prime Minister Quan, and a little maid was too ignorant of proper etiquette! Yet these past days she seemed different – her speech and behavior were no inferior to the capital’s young ladies from great families, quite distinctive from ordinary people.
No matter how different, she was ultimately a little maid… she finally thought tremblingly, and to avoid being implicated, she almost hid behind Little Zhou.
But Quan Feitong’s phoenix eyes curved upward with delight.
For a moment, Suzhen had the illusion of phoenixes flying together, dependent on the parasol tree.
“Didn’t you also take the account room keys? Didn’t I also write that guarantee? And you still ask me?” Quan Feitong’s heart melted, though his words were deliberately full of arrogance: “Say that sentence from earlier again for me to hear.”
The wedding coordinator was so shocked she let go of the pillar she’d been hugging. Little Zhou, watching the two of them, was also greatly surprised, her lowered eyes quickly showing traces of complexity.
But Suzhen smiled slightly and urged him on: “The guests in the main hall are still waiting. Go quickly.”
Prime Minister Quan was reluctant to leave, but no matter how long the road, they had reached the bridal chamber door, and the front courtyard was still waiting for him to toast. Besides, the sooner he toasted, the sooner things would finish, and the sooner they could consummate the marriage! He somewhat reluctantly stroked her hair and kissed her temple: “I’ll be back soon.”
The tenderness in his eyes left the wedding coordinator stunned! Everyone said Prime Minister Quan was a moody person, a… treacherous minister…
Suzhen watched him walk away quickly, then suddenly called out softly: “Treacherous minister!”
Hearing her voice, Quan Feitong almost immediately turned around, looking back with a smile: “What, can’t bear to part with your husband already?”
“There’s something I want to ask you.” Suzhen also lifted her lips slightly.
“Go ahead.” Quan Feitong’s expression was simply that of spring breezes and proud horses at full gallop.
“If I said that right now we should leave here together, would you be willing?” Suzhen looked at him as she asked.
Quan Feitong’s gaze flickered slightly. After a brief hesitation, he said gently: “After we finish things here, then we’ll leave – wouldn’t that be just as good? By then, with thousands of miles of rivers and mountains, when we’re tired of traveling, we can return to the capital anytime. Isn’t that wonderful?”
“Returning to the capital anytime – that’s indeed what you have in mind. It certainly is wonderful.” Suzhen nodded: “When I first arrived in the capital you looked after me, when Young Master Pei was chasing me you came to my aid, knowing I intended to enter the Imperial Sky Fortress you still let me go, when I deceived and saved Lian Yu you didn’t retaliate, when Murong Chen punished me you used schemes to transfer him away, you had Little Xian bring me into the palace for banquets, you mocked Li Zhaoting several times for my sake, you shielded me from Gu Xiluo’s reproaches, and so much more. The Jade Consort’s case – you were the one who arranged the settlement, weren’t you?”
Quan Feitong was stunned for a moment: “You remember all of that…”
“Remembering is easy – doing it might be the hard part. I just want to say that no matter what you say, I may never be able to understand how you once stood with Pei Fengji and Huang Tianba, but I’ll always remember your kindness to me in my heart. Go quickly now.”
She smiled at him as she spoke, then turned and lifted her skirts to enter the room.
For an instant, seeing her smile like that first day they met – mischievous and cunning, clear and innocent – Quan Feitong felt something wanting to burst from his lips! But ultimately, he swallowed the words back. The road still lay ahead. He took steady, powerful steps, just like every step he’d taken before, and left the central courtyard.
After entering the room, for some reason, Little Zhou’s expression was somewhat cold, while the wedding coordinator became increasingly respectful toward Suzhen.
“Little Zhou, could you get me the four treasures of the study? After Quan Feitong finishes toasting, I’ll also go out to toast His Majesty and the various consorts.” Suzhen smiled.
As long as the timing was handled appropriately, after they forced her to reveal the antidote and then killed her, Aluo would wake up. With Chao Huang’s soldiers present, Quan Feitong would be fine. With Consort Dowager Ai there, she could be certain this treacherous minister absolutely wouldn’t rebel over her at this moment, and could even take the opportunity to accuse the imperial family of killing yet another of his wives.
The wedding coordinator wanted to say that women going out to toast was somewhat improper etiquette, but thinking that these two never avoided anything anyway, she simply kept quiet.
Little Zhou didn’t immediately go get paper and ink, but asked with an unfriendly tone: “Wasn’t it foolish to ask Quan Feitong those questions? How could he possibly be willing to leave the capital?”
“I understand very clearly in my heart. I was just asking to be even more certain. Abandoning vast territories for a beauty only happens in theatrical stories, not in reality. Besides, I’m not some stunning beauty anyway.” Suzhen answered somewhat carelessly, removing the phoenix crown from her head.
Little Zhou seemed somewhat puzzled, but the fierce look in her eyes had softened considerably. There was a table full of wedding banquet food on the table by the bed. She walked to the table, sat down, and grabbed a bowl of lotus seed and lily soup to eat heartily, sighing as she ate: “Not a drop of water all day – I’m starving.”
Seeing the wedding coordinator about to say “improper etiquette” again, she pushed over a bowl of white fungus and bird’s nest soup: “Auntie, you eat some too. You’ve been busy all day – aren’t you hungry?”
The wedding coordinator was indeed hungry. After declining briefly, she began eating. After all, rules didn’t exist here anyway. Little Zhou brought Suzhen another bowl: “What are you writing? Write it after eating. Huaisu, once your wedding is finished, I’ll be taking my leave. Consider this soup in place of wine – I toast to you.”
“You’re leaving too?” Suzhen was somewhat surprised, then nodded understandingly: “Yes, where there are gatherings, there must be partings. You and Wuqing should leave together.”
“I don’t know…” Little Zhou smiled bitterly.
“Take care.” Suzhen said no more, slowly drinking the soup. But suddenly she saw Little Zhou’s expression change as she pointed at the bowl in her hand, her body falling backward to crash to the ground…
Half an incense stick’s time later, several maids entered the room conveying Consort Dowager Ai’s imperial decree – she had something to bestow upon the new bride. However, upon seeing the scene in the room, everyone was greatly shocked, screaming as they ran from the room.
In the main hall, the wine banquet was at its peak, the atmosphere intense. Quan Feitong was being mercilessly plied with drink by Lian Jie, Lian Qin and others, with Li Zhaoting, Chao Huang and others desperately helping him deflect the alcohol. Just as Prime Minister Quan’s handsome, pale face had turned slightly red from drinking, a group of maids came running out, breaking the tranquility of the wedding hall.
The lead maid anxiously whispered in Quan Feitong’s ear.
“What’s wrong?” Consort Dowager Ai and Chou Jing exchanged glances, both somewhat surprised.
All the guests also stopped their toasting in shock.
Quan Feitong’s face actually turned somewhat pale. He even improperly failed to answer Ai and Chou’s questions first, instead walking to the silver-white clad figure in the central position.
That person slowly stood up, picked up a wine cup, and said lightly: “Speaking of which, I haven’t toasted Prime Minister Quan tonight. Come, I’ll drink first as a sign of respect.”
Amid the entire hall’s surprise and confusion, the young sovereign drained his cup in one gulp. As the cup came down, his eyes showed no surprise, yet seemed to hold depths of something – endless dark silence, quite dangerous.
“Little Zhou, what’s wrong with you? Are you alright?” Suzhen, holding her aching forehead, slowly opened her sore eyes and called out softly. She dimly saw gauze curtains hanging askew, half-open and half-closed, with a tall figure standing with hands behind his back. That misty indistinctness gave her an extraordinarily oppressive and panicked feeling. Hearing her call, that person slowly turned sideways.