Chapter 31

Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW

Chapter 31: Title

Before dawn, Gu Hengbo was woken up by Qingfeng. A large group of maids moved back and forth in the room. After getting dressed and washed, Gu Hengbo began to apply her makeup. Several maids surrounded her, applying rouge and powder haphazardly. The reflection in the bronze mirror became clearer; her already pretty face appeared even more beautiful with the makeup, though her expression seemed a bit wooden.

Gu Hengbo pouted. "Qingfeng, can I eat something? I’m hungry."

Qingfeng, busy checking the phoenix crown, almost jumped at her words. "No! You can’t eat at this time! Just endure it, okay?"

Gu Hengbo yawned. "They won’t let me sleep well, nor will they let me eat. By the time I enter Prince Rong’s residence, I might drop dead."

Having been with Gu Hengbo for some time, Qingfeng understood her well. She quickly spat several times, "Miss, today is your big day! You can’t say such unlucky things. You all, hurry up! The sky will brighten soon, and everything must be ready before the bridal procession arrives!"

With her eyes half-closed, Gu Hengbo let the maids fuss over her face and head. Getting married made her feel unexpectedly calm. After today’s wedding, she would ask Lian Rong to bring Madam Dou into Prince Rong’s residence and care for her health.

After an unknown amount of time, while Gu Hengbo was in a daze, she heard a commotion outside. She opened her eyes to find her makeup complete and the phoenix crown on her head, which felt rather heavy.

Qingfeng was even more excited than she was. "Miss, after today, you will be the Princess of Prince Rong! You used to teach me, but now you’re breaking the rules first!"

Gu Hengbo looked at her in confusion. "What did I teach you?"

"Just…"

"Hurry, hurry! The bridal procession is coming! Qingfeng, quickly put the wedding veil over Second Miss!" a maid rushed in.

Qingfeng forgot everything else and hurriedly placed the wedding veil on Gu Hengbo’s head.

"Meisheng, you’re getting married already, and I have nothing to give you. Just keep this jade bracelet," Madam Qin said, entering the room and taking Gu Hengbo’s hand.

Under the bright red wedding veil, Gu Hengbo frowned slightly as the cool object settled on her wrist. "Thank you, Aunt."

Gu Ran, standing nearby, added, "Sister, you must come back and visit often."

Gu Hengbo smiled. "Of course."

Qingfeng nodded at Madam Qin and Gu Ran and, with another maid’s help, led Gu Hengbo outside.

Madam Qin watched Gu Hengbo’s figure dressed in the bright red wedding attire and sighed. "If Madam Dou wakes up and finds out her daughter is marrying someone like Lian Rong, she will surely faint again."

Gu Ran helped Madam Qin sit down. "Mother, why do you think Prince Rong is doing this?"

"Who knows? Although this Prince Rong is a woman, there’s no man in our Dongyin quite like her; perhaps none of them finds her appealing. Poor Gu Meisheng! Thankfully, Prince Rong didn’t choose you."

Gu Ran nodded, recalling Gu Hengbo’s words and still feeling uneasy. She said anxiously, "Mother, about my relationship with the First Prince…"

Madam Qin patted her hand. "Don’t worry about that. Once this is over, I will discuss it with your father. We’ll also need to find a way to resolve the matter with Cheng’er."

Outside the sedan chair, the sound of gongs and drums filled the air, and many people were gathered to watch. Gu Hengbo’s thoughts drifted back to her childhood with Gu Ran. Since they lived in a less affluent area, they would often join in the celebrations whenever someone got married, hoping to catch some wedding candies. Many years later, each time they recalled such events, both would burst into laughter.

Gu Hengbo smiled again and remembered the old turtle’s admonitions before she boarded the sedan chair—nothing but simple, conventional advice. As for Madam Qin, she glanced at the jade bracelet on her wrist, chuckling to herself. At last, both mother and daughter had something to celebrate.

The dowry from Prince Rong’s residence was quite considerable. When she saw the gifts, Gu Hengbo couldn’t help but feel a pang of sadness. How wonderful it would be if all that gold and silver jewelry were given to her instead, leaving that old turtle, Gu Yuanqing, with nothing.

She took out the preserved plums she had secretly tucked away earlier and smiled foolishly, thinking that she hadn’t eaten much last night and might not get any food today. Weddings truly were a pity. She brought the plums to her mouth, but before she could eat one, the sedan chair suddenly stopped, followed by the deafening sound of firecrackers. Gu Hengbo kicked the edge of the sedan chair in annoyance and popped a plum into her mouth.

The sedan curtain was lifted, revealing a long-fingered hand. Gu Hengbo stared at that hand beneath the wedding veil for a moment, silently admiring its elegance, especially the jade ring on the thumb.

“Your Highness seems very hungry,” the hand’s owner chuckled lightly.

Gu Hengbo, hearing the voice, retorted through gritted teeth, “I am very hungry, so what?”

Lian Rong playfully squeezed her soft hand, saying, “I’ll make sure you eat plenty tonight.”

Gu Hengbo tried to pull her hand away but failed. Lowering her voice, she said, “By tonight, the prince will probably come looking for me in the underworld.”

Lian Rong smiled and said nothing more.

Outside Prince Rong’s residence, many people gathered, as shown by the vibrant array of colorful feet. Gu Hengbo rolled her eyes, knowing that since she didn’t have to greet guests, she had nothing to fear.

Lian Rong led Gu Hengbo inside, stopping just after a few steps. Gu Hengbo stared at the bright red hem of Lian Rong’s robe, wondering why they had suddenly stopped.

“Your Highness, the crown princess is invited into the sedan,” said Qian Yue’s voice. Gu Hengbo mumbled privately about that beautiful housekeeper.

Inside the soft sedan, Lian Rong continued to hold Gu Hengbo’s hand. Feeling a bit frustrated, Gu Hengbo complained, “We’ve arrived at the door; why are we still sitting in the sedan?”

Lian Rong squeezed her hand and said, “Your Highness has such soft hands.” After a moment, she added, “It’s a bit far, so this saves you from getting too tired.”

Gu Hengbo said “oh” and suddenly recalled, “Then why didn’t I have a sedan last time?” That journey had nearly worn her out.

Lian Rong chuckled, "You were just the Second Miss of the Prime Minister’s residence back then."

Gu Hengbo was taken aback.

“Now you are this king’s crown princess; how could I bear to let you tire yourself?” Lian Rong teased.

Gu Hengbo swallowed her frustration and said nothing.

All the way until the wedding ceremony was completed, Gu Hengbo didn’t say a word. Only the emperor officiated their wedding today, as the empress did not attend due to illness. Behind the wedding veil, Gu Hengbo could not see the emperor’s expression, but his voice sounded quite cheerful. Of course, what could he do if he wasn’t happy?

Gu Hengbo sat at the edge of the bed, which she estimated could comfortably hold seven or eight people. She listened as the room fell silent, guessing that everyone had left. Letting out a breath, she pulled off the wedding veil and felt a rush of brightness. Her first reaction was to check the bed beneath her; indeed, it was large enough to set up two tables for mahjong. Looking around, she saw that the room’s decorations were extremely luxurious, with several corners adorned with fist-sized pearls, likely those legendary night pearls. The floor glittered with jade that could reflect a person’s image.

Gu Hengbo smacked her lips, wondering why the decorations were even more splendid than in the palace, and she thought about how she would make her escape when the time came.

In Mingluan Palace, several palace maids stood quietly, afraid to breathe.

“Your Highness, you haven’t eaten anything all day; this could make you ill,” one slightly older palace maid finally spoke up to persuade her.

“Bring her to see me,” the empress commanded.

The palace maids exchanged worried looks. They knew their empress had been repeating that phrase for almost a day, and they all understood who she meant but felt helpless.

“Your Highness, don’t forget today is the prince’s wedding day; she cannot come right now. Have something to eat first, and I’ll send someone to Prince Rong’s residence tomorrow,” the maid urged gently.

“A wedding? Yes, she is getting married today. How could she remember me, her sister-in-law?”

“Your Highness, I had the kitchen prepare your favorite dishes; please eat a little, or the emperor will be displeased when he returns.”

The empress gazed at the table full of dishes, muttering, “Why? Why is she doing this?”

“Your Highness,” they replied.

"Everyone, get out!"

"Your Highness."

"Leave, just go away!" She didn’t understand, "A-Rong, aren’t you always obedient to sister-in-law?"