Madam Miao took the bright red wedding veil and covered Qin Yining with it.

Qin Yu was already standing at the doorway, his back to the room, saying, “Fourth little sister, come, big brother will carry you on his back.”

Qin Yining then supported herself on Madam Miao and the wedding attendant’s hands, walked to the door, and climbed onto Qin Yu’s back.

Qin Yu steadily carried Qin Yining down the steps, walking along the bright red carpet all the way outside.

In the cacophony of joyous music, Qin Yining heard Qin Yu’s instructions.

“If you’re bullied at your in-laws’ house, don’t be afraid. Though the prince holds high position and great power, our family isn’t to be trifled with either. Three cobblers can match one Zhuge Liang, not to mention uncle is so capable. If you suffer any grievances, don’t keep them bottled up inside, and don’t compromise yourself by considering too much. Whatever happens, come back and tell the family. We’re all family and can stand up for you.”

Qin Yining’s heart felt like it was soaked in hot springs during the depths of winter.

Though this family had already been battered and scattered by reality and disasters, and there were indeed some people in the house with petty thoughts, overall, her family was very warm, and her family members all treated her well.

“Thank you, big brother. I understand. Big brother must also take care of yourself. When I have free time, I’ll come back. If anything happens at home, don’t hide it from me either. If father won’t say anything, big brother can also come tell me.”

“Sigh, just rest assured. If anything happens, I’ll definitely come find you. I was a bit worried at first, but seeing how the prince looks at you, I’m relieved.”

While speaking, Qin Yu carried Qin Yining to the palanquin.

The wedding attendant and the auspicious matron supported Qin Yining from left and right as she entered the palanquin, then handed her the precious vase, instructing, “Hold it steady, absolutely cannot drop it.”

Qin Yining acknowledged, and the palanquin curtains were closed.

Before Qin Yining’s eyes was only a brilliant expanse of red. Though curious about the outside, she couldn’t lift the curtains to look out.

But Bingtang, Qiu Lu, Xian Yun, Ji Yun, and Lian Xiaozhou all followed beside the palanquin. They were all part of the dowry, accompanying Qin Yining to the prince’s mansion.

Bingtang held Lian Xiaozhou’s hand, looking around excitedly with eyes sparkling with light.

“Miss, what the prince scattered into the crowd along the way wasn’t peanuts and red dates, but copper coins! Handful after handful of copper coins! Listen, such loud cheering outside – everyone who got money is congratulating the prince!”

“That’s right, miss.” Ji Yun looked back into the distance, amazed, “Behind our palanquin are the musicians, and behind them is the dowry procession. Master prepared one hundred and twenty-eight palanquin loads of dowry for you, plus two hundred and ten loads of betrothal gifts. A total of three hundred and ninety loads! The prince hired elite soldiers to transport the dowry, two people per load, trailing behind us in a long tail of bright red. We’ve already turned two corners, and I estimate the dowry at the back probably hasn’t even left the mansion yet!”

“Is that Prince Consort Ji?” Xian Yun also stretched her neck, saying in surprise, “Miss, Prince Consort Ji is leading the Huben Army to escort us!”

…

Qin Yining in the eight-bearer palanquin listened to her maids’ surprised and delighted tones, feeling somewhat regretful that she couldn’t see such a grand spectacle. The melancholy in her heart from bidding farewell to her parents and her past had already been completely washed away by this joyous atmosphere.

What awaited her was a brand new identity, a brand new life. She was Pang Xiao’s princess consort, Pang Xiao was her husband. They would support each other, share honor and disgrace, they would sweetly and lovingly stay together until old age.

Qin Yining smiled joyfully. She felt once again that the hardships she endured in her first ten-plus years were meant to be exchanged for future happiness.

If time could go back to when she was seven years old, she definitely wouldn’t have imagined that the beautiful brother who extended a helping hand to her in her time of crisis would actually become her husband.

The common people of the capital hadn’t seen such a lively scene for a long time. Even when Princess Imperial married last year, it wasn’t arranged so grandly.

The high-spirited groom on his tall horse, the dowry stretching for miles behind the eight-bearer palanquin, and the troops escorting alongside the procession with their handsome commanding general. All of this could only be summarized in four words – ten li of red splendor.

The prince’s mansion was within reach, and the joyous music became lively again. Firecrackers thundered at the entrance of the prince’s mansion. When the procession stopped, Pang Xiao dismounted, took the bow and arrows, and casually shot three arrows at the top beam of the palanquin.

The arrows were arranged neatly, nailed into the top of the palanquin at consistent angles, drawing continuous applause from all the guests. Especially the Huben Army and Elite Tiger Guards, seeing their god of war so high-spirited and graceful as always, all cheered enthusiastically.

The palanquin bearers steadied the palanquin, and Qin Yining walked out with the wedding attendant’s support. She stepped over the fire basin, handed the precious vase to the wedding attendant, and then took one end of the red silk.

From her angle, she could see the large silk flowers in the middle of the red silk, as well as Pang Xiao’s bright red python robe hem and black boots.

The one leading her was her husband – he would bring her completely into his life.

Qin Yining stepped through the entrance of the prince’s mansion, walking on the red carpet all the way, heading toward the main hall amid the cheering.

The crackling sounds of firecrackers came to an end, followed by the whistling sounds of fireworks shooting into the sky and the sounds of large fireworks continuously exploding in the sky.

The brilliant light of the fireworks illuminated the brocade on their bodies and also lit up the courtyard of the prince’s mansion.

The group came to the great hall, where Yao Chenggu, Madam Ma, and Yao Shi, all dressed in red, had already been seated in the seats of honor according to their status.

The guests packed the front hall to capacity.

The master of ceremonies called out loudly, “First bow to heaven and earth!”

Qin Yining was supported by the wedding attendant as she turned around and bowed down.

“Second bow to…”

“His Majesty the Emperor arrives!”

Just as the master of ceremonies hadn’t finished his second call, the sharp voice of an inner palace attendant covered his words.

Everyone was greatly startled and hurried to look outside, seeing a bright yellow figure striding forward under the protection of numerous guards.

“Your Majesty, long live, long live, long long live!”

The guests all performed obeisance, calling out three times “long live.”

Pang Xiao and Qin Yining also had to perform obeisance.

But Li Qitian had already arrived in front of them, putting his arm around Pang Xiao’s shoulder and laughing, “Good brother, you’re dressed really spiritedly today. I came late – it’s not too late, is it?”

“Your Majesty, why did you leave the palace? Your safety…”

“Ah, no matter. When I’s sworn brother is getting married, how could his elder brother not come for a cup of wedding wine?”

Li Qitian also smiled and looked toward Yao Chenggu, Madam Ma, and Yao Shi. Seeing that Pang Xiao’s legitimate mother wasn’t here, he paused for a moment but didn’t show it.

Yao Chenggu hurriedly led his wife and children to perform obeisance to Li Qitian.

Li Qitian wouldn’t accept it, helping the three people up. At the three people’s invitation, he sat in the seat of honor.

Li Qitian smiled, “Continue, don’t let I delay the auspicious timing.”

The master of ceremonies, upon seeing Li Qitian, was at a loss for words. It was the Grand Eunuch Li Guanwen who was clever, smiling as he said, “Second bow to sovereign and parents!”

Qin Yining turned back around and bowed together with Pang Xiao.

“Husband and wife bow to each other!”

Qin Yining was supported by the wedding attendant as she turned around and bowed again.

“Escort to the bridal chamber! The ceremony is complete!”

Just as Li Guanwen’s words fell, the fireworks outside suddenly became more frequent.

Under the guidance of the red silk, Qin Yining headed toward the back. Before long, she arrived at the bridal chamber.