Ye Jingchuan just wanted the two of them to hurry out the door and have the dowry carried to Prince Chen's Mansion, not bothering to quibble over minor matters like red envelopes.
He took out two red envelopes he had prepared earlier and handed them to Ye Chutang and Qi Yanzhou respectively.
"I hope you will be of one heart and mind, and enjoy a blissful, complete union."
Ye Chutang accepted the red envelope with a pleased heart.
Qi Yanzhou, knowing her fondness for silver, offered his own red envelope to her.
"From now on, my lady will manage the household of Prince Chen's Mansion. Please keep this safe."
Upon hearing this, the guests once again sensed Ye Chutang's weight in Qi Yanzhou's heart.
The wedding matron handed the other end of the red silk to Qi Yanzhou.
"Please lead the bride out, groom!"
As soon as the words fell, Ye Anling, who had been silent all along, suddenly shouted, "Wait!"
She wanted to expose, in front of everyone, that Ye Chutang's dowry had been stolen and was filled with worthless junk meant to pass as the real thing!
Ye Jingchuan guessed Ye Anling was about to cause trouble and threatened, "Ling'er, do you also wish to sever family ties?"
Ye Anling was not frightened by these words.
She now had only one thought: to make the arrogant Ye Chutang lose all face!
Not only humiliated before the guests, but also unable to hold her head high in Prince Chen's Mansion!
"One hundred and twenty-eight dowry items..."
Slap!
Upon hearing the word "dowry," Ye Jingchuan knew what Ye Anling intended to do.
Fortunately, his body reacted faster than his mind, and a slap cut off her words.
"Silence! The dowry was originally your elder sister's. Her taking it back is only right and proper. You are not to make any more trouble."
Ye Anling, covering her swollen red cheek, snorted coldly, "Father, don't deceive yourse—"
Before she could finish, she was struck twice more by Ye Jingchuan.
"Chen Zhong, take the Second Young Miss away!"
Ye Anling was gagged by Chen Zhong and taken from the main hall's back door to the rear courtyard.
Ye Jingchuan immediately apologized to the guests.
"Ling'er is unruly and has held a grudge against Chutang for withholding the dowry. She deliberately caused this disturbance to make trouble. Please excuse this embarrassment."
Qi Yanzhou deliberately asked, "Father-in-law, why does this prince feel that the Grand Supervisor's wife doesn't seem to be making trouble without reason? Could there be something amiss with Chutang's dowry?"
Ye Jingchuan felt his hair stand on end, terrified that Qi Yanzhou would discover the truth.
He hastily said, "Your Highness, please do not listen to Ling'er's nonsense. She is simply seeking revenge against Chutang, not wanting your wedding to proceed smoothly."
After speaking, he looked at Ye Chutang.
"Chutang, quickly explain to His Highness."
Although Ye Chutang could not see Ye Jingchuan's expression, she could imagine how panicked he must be at this moment.
"If Your Highness suspects an issue with the dowry, perhaps you should take a look yourself."
Upon hearing this, Ye Jingchuan broke out in a cold sweat, his breath catching.
What was this wretched girl trying to do?
As he was pondering how to dissuade Qi Yanzhou from inspecting the dowry, Qi Yanzhou gave a doting smile.
"A-Tang, you jest. Your dowry naturally cannot have any problems."
After saying this, he gently tugged the red silk.
"Come with me."
Amidst the lively, joyous wedding music and the auspicious words of the wedding matron, the newlyweds left the Minister's Mansion.
Ye Jingchuan watched their departing figures with a sense of relief, as if having narrowly escaped disaster.
At the entrance of the Minister's Mansion waited an exquisitely luxurious flower carriage, pulled by eight horses.
It had no carriage walls; all four sides were draped with light, sheer red gauze curtains.
A breeze stirred the thin gauze, wafting out waves of floral fragrance.
Qi Yanzhou helped Ye Chutang onto the carriage, and they sat together on the central double seat.
He said to the coachman, "Proceed at a slightly quicker pace."
"As you command, Your Highness."
Hearing this, the wedding matron flicked her handkerchief and called out, "Set forth!"
The coachman cracked the whip, and the carriage headed towards the bustling streets.
Ye Chutang's dowry, however, did not follow directly but was instead carried straight to Prince Chen's Mansion.
The officials also took their leave one after another, heading for Prince Chen's Mansion.
Song Jingning and Liu Junzhi stood at a spot the flower carriage was sure to pass, looking towards the solemnly seated Ye Chutang.
"Junzhi, how does it feel to see your elder sister off to her marriage?"
Tears blurred Junzhi's eyes, his voice choked with emotion.
"Reluctance, happiness, relief."
Reluctant that his elder sister was leaving, happy she could marry the one her heart desired, relieved that Prince Chen was wholeheartedly devoted to her.
Hearing these three words with which he deeply empathized, that strange feeling once again rose in Song Jingning's heart.
He had clearly met Ye Chutang only a few times, so why did he care for her so much?
If he weren't certain he was born in Liangzhou, he would almost suspect he was her tragically murdered twin brother!
Watching the receding flower carriage, he said to Liu Junzhi, "Let's go, back to the academy."
Before leaving, he glanced once more at the flower carriage.
Ye Chutang and Qi Yanzhou accepted the blessings of the common people.
The flower carriage traversed the liveliest streets and arrived at Prince Chen's Mansion.
"A-Tang, we've arrived. Please wait a moment."
Ye Chutang knew there were many customs involved in alighting from the bridal carriage and nodded.
Qi Yanzhou stepped down first, taking the bow and three blunted arrows handed to him by Nan Xiao.
He drew the bow and released the arrows.
Shooting at the heavenly demon, earthly demon, and carriage demon, to drive away evil influences.
The wedding matron from the Minister's Mansion and the one from Prince Chen's Mansion simultaneously stepped onto the flower carriage to help Ye Chutang down.
Ye Chutang followed them to the entrance of Prince Chen's Mansion.
She saw a stone placed just before her toes, on which rested a saddle, and on the saddle lay a string of copper coins.
"Please step over the saddle, bride, for peace in your onward journey!"
Ye Chutang stepped over the saddle.
Before her heel even touched the ground, the saddle was whisked away, symbolizing that a chaste woman does not marry twice, just as a fine horse does not wear two saddles.
Next was stepping over the brazier.
Symbolizing the removal of bad luck, for a prosperous and flourishing future life.
The officials had all arrived at Prince Chen's Mansion, eagerly discussing the events at the Minister's Mansion.
"How strange that the Prince and Princess did not offer tea to Minister Ye!"
"Anyone with eyes can see that Liu Junzhi demanding the severance document was done on the Princess's instruction."
"Regarding the Princess's dowry, I always feel Minister Ye is hiding something."
"Will today's wedding ceremony encounter any mishaps?"
The clamor of discussion ceased abruptly as Qi Yanzhou led Ye Chutang through the gate.
By the time the couple entered the main hall of the front courtyard, the last case of dowry had also entered Prince Chen's Mansion and been taken to the courtyard where Qi Yanzhou resided.
It was formerly called Breeze Courtyard, but now named Tang-Zhou Courtyard.
The Old Prince and Concubine Chen watched the slowly approaching newlyweds, moved to tears of joy.
They had once thought their second son was nearing his end, never expecting he would not only escape death's door but also marry the woman of his heart so soon.
Excellent!
They could die without regrets now!
Ye Chutang and Qi Yanzhou came to a stop before the elderly couple.
The wedding matron's voice rang out.
"First bow to heaven and earth!"
"Second bow to parents!"
"Husband and wife bow to each other!"
"Escort to the bridal chamber!"
Ye Chutang was escorted by Prince Chen's Mansion's wedding matron to the bridal chamber in Tang-Zhou Courtyard.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, she felt her neck was about to break under the weight of the heavy phoenix crown. She shifted uncomfortably.
The wedding matron hastily reminded her.
"Princess, please mind your decorum. You must not move about before the Prince lifts the veil."
Qi Yanzhou had arranged for two maids to serve in the room.
Hearing this, one of them retorted, "His Highness said the Princess is the mistress of the mansion. She may do as she pleases."
Then, the maid gently asked Ye Chutang, "Princess, if the phoenix crown feels too heavy, you may remove it. This servant will help steady your veil."
The wedding matron, upon hearing this, was horrified.
"That won't do, it's inausp—"
The words "inauspicious" died in her throat, swallowed back under the maid's icy glare.
Ye Chutang looked at the maid's outstretched hand and declined, "It's alright. The prince should be here soon."
This was a once-in-a-lifetime wedding. She didn't want the groom to lift the veil and see a bride with disheveled hair.
The maid withdrew her hand and brought over a tray.
"Your Highness, the prince instructed this servant to prepare some tea and pastries for you. Please have some."
Ye Chutang was indeed a little hungry. She lifted a corner of the veil and took an exquisite osmanthus pastry.
As she was reaching for a second piece, hurried footsteps rapidly approached.
The maid reminded her, "Your Highness, the prince is here."
Ye Chutang placed the pastry back on the plate and sat up straight.
A pair of black brocade boots embroidered with auspicious clouds came to a stop before her, accompanied by the faint scent of agarwood.
Qi Yanzhou said, "All of you, leave us."
"Yes, Your Highness."
The maids and the matron of honor offered a few words of congratulations before quickly leaving the bridal chamber.
Qi Yanzhou looked at Ye Chutang sitting upright on the bed, joy seeming to overflow from his eyes.
He picked up the ceremonial wedding scale from the small table and lifted the bright red veil.
The beaded tassels of the phoenix crown could not obscure her breathtaking beauty, making the glittering jewels in her hair instantly pale in comparison.
Seeing Qi Yanzhou momentarily lost in a daze, Ye Chutang said with a smile, "Stop staring. Hurry up and drink the nuptial wine so we can remove this phoenix crown."
Qi Yanzhou snapped back to reality, sat down beside Ye Chutang, and handed her a cup of mellow fruit wine.
Their arms intertwined, they drained their cups in one go.
Ye Chutang handed her cup back to Qi Yanzhou. "You should go attend to the guests now. Don't let anyone notice anything amiss."
With that, she prepared to go to the dressing table to remove her headdress.
Qi Yanzhou caught hold of Ye Chutang's wrist.
"No hurry. Let me help you remove the phoenix crown first."
His movements were extremely careful, his breathing light, as if afraid of hurting her.
Ye Chutang asked, "How is the plan proceeding?"
"Your maid has already been escorted out of the city. Liu Junzhi has entered Huating Academy. The weapons in the dowry chests are being dealt with. At most, in another half hour, we can execute the plan."
"There won't be any unforeseen changes, will there?"
Qi Yanzhou thought of the message he had received before coming to Tangzhou Courtyard and shook his head with certainty.
"No!"
Ye Chutang detected a slight hesitation in his answer and turned her head to ask, "Has something changed?"
With her movement, the phoenix crown caught on her hair, pulling it and making her gasp softly.
Qi Yanzhou gently turned Ye Chutang's head back.
"Don't move. Let me get this crown off first, then I'll explain in detail."
"Does the emperor have any other moves planned?"
Qi Yanzhou didn't answer Ye Chutang, focusing on carefully removing the phoenix crown.
Soon, her head felt light, and her neck was relieved.
As the golden hairpins were removed, her neatly coiled black hair cascaded down one by one.
After Qi Yanzhou finished removing all the hair ornaments from Ye Chutang's head, he picked up a pair of scissors and cut off a lock of her hair.
Then he handed the scissors to Ye Chutang.
Understanding his intention, Ye Chutang also cut a lock of Qi Yanzhou's hair.
"I don't know how to tie a love knot."
Qi Yanzhou took the lock of hair from Ye Chutang's hand, smiling. "I do."
He had practiced for a full hour just to tie this knot perfectly.
After tying the two locks of hair into a love knot, he placed it into a small pouch that had been prepared earlier.
"Joined by hair as husband and wife, in love and without doubt."
After saying this, he cupped Ye Chutang's face and kissed her lips.
It was a deep, devout kiss, brief yet tender.
Seeing Qi Yanzhou's reddened ears, Ye Chutang playfully flicked his burning earlobe.
Qi Yanzhou's whole body tensed, and he grasped Ye Chutang's hand.
His heart pounded like a drum, his voice husky.
"A-Tang, I owe you a proper wedding night. I will definitely make it up to you in the future. I'm sorry for making you marry me amidst such danger and hardship."
Ye Chutang pecked Qi Yanzhou's thin lips.
"Family shouldn't speak like strangers. Now, can you tell me what other moves the emperor has planned?"
Kissed, a blush appeared on Qi Yanzhou's handsome face.
"Besides rebellion, collusion with the enemy, and witchcraft, the emperor wants to pin another charge on me."
"What is it?"
"Accomplice to the 'Ghost Thief'."
Ye Chutang raised an eyebrow. "Framing you?"
"Yes. I can handle it. It won't affect our plan to request exile."
After saying this, Qi Yanzhou stood up.
"I had the kitchen prepare some food. Eat well. The next few days will be a bit difficult."
"Alright. You go attend to the guests. I'll cooperate with the plan."
"Be careful in all things."
After Qi Yanzhou left, the kitchen soon delivered a table full of delicious delicacies.
Looking at the visually appealing and aromatic dishes, Ye Chutang found her appetite whetted.
But she didn't dare eat too much, lest it hinder her mobility later.
After eating, she said to the maid, "Clear the dishes. I'd like to rest for a while."
"Yes, Your Highness."
The festive bridal chamber was soon left with only Ye Chutang.
Following Qi Yanzhou's instructions, she entered a secret chamber and hid the voodoo doll meant to curse the emperor.
As for the letters implicating Ye Jingchuan in collusion with the Crown Prince and the Second Prince, she placed them on a roof beam.
After finishing her tasks, she lay down on a reclining couch for a pretended nap.
Just as drowsiness began to set in, the sound of uniform, marching footsteps jolted Ye Chutang awake.
She opened her eyes and murmured, "The damned emperor is here."
To prevent the Qi family from escaping, the emperor had brought five thousand Imperial Guards to Prince Chen's Mansion under the pretext of attending the wedding banquet.
As soon as the matter of the treasonous letters came to light, the Imperial Guards could immediately surround the mansion.
The door to the bridal chamber was pushed open, and Concubine Chen's personal maid, Yunying, entered.
"Your Highness, His Majesty has arrived in person. This servant will help you with your makeup so you may go and welcome His Majesty."
Ye Chutang got up and sat before the dressing mirror.
"The phoenix crown is cumbersome. A simple hairstyle will do."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Not daring to delay, Yunying quickly gathered Ye Chutang's hair and secured it with two golden hairpins, adding an ornate golden hair ornament.
"Your Highness, please!"
By the time Ye Chutang arrived at the front courtyard, the Imperial Guards had already taken control of the wedding banquet.
The officials and their families who had come to offer congratulations were all gathered in the front courtyard, not daring to make a sound.
The emperor sat in the master's seat in the main hall, his face dark with anger.
He stared coldly at Qi Yanzhou. "Explain yourself to me!"
"Your Majesty, please see clearly. Prince Chen's Mansion harbors no rebellious intent. These two maids are speaking nonsense!"
The maids Qi Yanzhou referred to were the ones Ye Jingchuan had given Ye Chutang as part of her dowry.
The two knelt trembling before the emperor.
"Your Majesty, please see clearly. This servant is not lying. If we are falsely accusing Prince Chen, may we die a horrible death!"
"Rebellion is a crime punishable by the extermination of nine clans. We wouldn't dare speak falsely."
As she spoke, the maid raised her hand to point at Ye Chutang.
"Your Majesty, Her Highness also saw those treasonous letters!"
