Chapter 140

Chapter 140: Entering the Bridal Chamber

Wang Yi Yue stood firm.

Lu Jing Yun could only turn to Steward Zhang.

Steward Zhang said: “Madam said the bridal sedan may only enter by the side gate.”

A maid said: “Our miss must enter through the main gate!”

Neither side would yield, and Lu Jing Yun, caught in the middle, was at a loss: [His head was pounding.]

Steward Zhang said: “Use the side gate!”

A Wang Clan maid shrilled: “Open the main gate!”

With his head aching, Lu Jing Yun raised his voice to cut them off: “Enough! Open the main gate!”

Steward Zhang still wanted to argue. Lu Jing Yun said in a low voice: “Is this the Lu Residence or the Ji Manor?”

Steward Zhang paused.

Lu Jing Yun ordered a servant: “Go tell them to open the gate.”

Seeing his temper flare, the servants hurried to open the main gate, and Steward Zhang rushed off to report to Madam.

The bridal sedan had already waited a long while because of the quarrel over which gate to use.

The wedding matron called to him: “Lord Lu, hurry and kick the sedan door!”

Lu Jing Yun had no mind for ceremony; he reached in, helped Wang Yi Yue out, and led her toward the estate.

Just as the gate swung wide, Ji Ru Zhen rushed out with a crowd of maids and servants: “Shut the main gate! I want to see who dares let her go in by the main gate today!”

Those inside, following Madam’s order, moved to close the doors.

Wang Yi Yue said: “Let me see who dares shut them!”

The Wang Clan maids and the bridal escort surged forward to brace the doors.

People inside tried to close them; people outside forced them open. They clashed at once.

Lu Jing Yun called out to Ji Ru Zhen: “Ru Zhen, don’t let outsiders laugh at us.”

Ji Ru Zhen said: “Since I married you, have we given people too few reasons to laugh?”

When Grand Preceptor Wang visited the Chancellor’s Manor, they had indeed agreed to let Wang Yi Yue enter properly as a new bride. But over the last few days, the more Ji Ru Zhen thought about it, the angrier she grew, and she could not bear it.

For a moment Lu Jing Yun had no words, and those inside and outside were on the verge of a fight over the doors.

Passersby gathered and whispered; some even burst out laughing.

Lu Jing Yun could not endure the disgrace. Holding Wang Yi Yue, he pushed inward, thinking that no matter what, they should get inside and then shut the doors.

But in Ji Ru Zhen’s eyes, that meant he wanted the new woman and not the old one.

Ji Ru Zhen shouted: “No one is allowed to let the Wang Clan go in through the main gate today!”

Wang Yi Yue said: “Open the main gate wide for me!”

At their orders, the two sides began to throw punches. With Lu Jing Yun leading Wang Yi Yue through the doorway, they were caught between both sides and struck by mistake.

“My lord! Stop fighting! You hit the lord!” his personal servant cried in panic.

Seeing Lu Jing Yun take a blow to the head while shielding Wang Yi Yue, Ji Ru Zhen finally cried: “Stop, all of you!”

Wang Yi Yue had not expected him to be hurt protecting her, and she called in alarm: “Husband!”

Both sides stepped back at once. Wang Yi Yue reached out to steady Lu Jing Yun.

Ji Ru Zhen hurried over: “Jing Yun, how are you?”

Lu Jing Yun held his head, too pained to speak.

Wang Yi Yue said quickly: “Call a physician, hurry!”

The Lu household was in chaos.

Meanwhile, the Prince of Chang’an Manor was full of joy and harmony.

The bridal sedan stopped at the gate of the Prince’s Manor.

Following custom, Huo Zheng kicked the sedan curtain, then offered his hand to help Chun Zhi step out.

He slowed his pace and, holding her hand, led her one careful step after another into the Prince of Chang’an Manor.

They stepped on the jade stairs and crossed the saddle.

To host this wedding, the Prince of Chang’an Manor spared no expense.

From the gate to the wedding hall, attendants lined the way, scattering flowers and bearing incense, each at their post.

Guests offered congratulations in chorus, and the air echoed with: “Grow old together,” “Joined hearts forever.”

Emperor Huo Yuan and Empress Wang attended in person, seated upon the dais.

Several princes and ministers offered their blessings, brightening the hall.

Although Empress Wang did not like Chun Zhi becoming the Princess Consort of Chang’an, today she still wore a smile and blessed the newlyweds.

The emperor, watching his son take a wife, was all smiles.

The wedding matron placed the red silk tied with the Red Embroidered Ball into the couple’s hands and sang out: “First bow to Heaven and Earth!” “Second bow to the Emperor and Empress!” “Husband and wife bow to each other—enter the bridal chamber!”

As Huo Zheng and Chun Zhi finished the bows, he kept stealing glances at her.

Sensing his gaze, Chun Zhi smiled.

The hall brimmed with richly dressed guests, far grander than their simple wedding at the tofu workshop before.

[Yet she felt as if it were her first time marrying, her heart tight with nerves.]

At last the rites were done. Huo Zheng led her toward the bridal chamber, and a crowd followed, laughing that they would tease the new couple.

After he sent Chun Zhi into the room, Huo Zheng had the people behind them stopped at the door.

People shouted: “Prince Chang’an, why won’t you let us make merry in the bridal chamber?”

Ninth Prince Huo Yan, closest to Huo Zheng, called: “Teasing the bridal chamber is an old custom. Seventh Imperial Elder Brother, you must not break it!”

Huo Zheng said: “If you like teasing so much, Ninth Imperial Younger Brother, when you marry I will find people to tease you to your heart’s content. As for today, spare me.”

The guards of the Prince of Chang’an Manor barred the princes and young lords like an iron wall.

Huo Yan kept shouting: “How can you be like this, Seventh Imperial Elder Brother?”

Huo Zheng ignored him. He helped Chun Zhi sit inside the bridal canopy and took the Bridal Fan from her hand.

Her delicate makeup framed a face of striking beauty, and she appeared before him like a painting come to life.

He stared, dazed, for a long moment before the corner of his mouth lifted.

Flushed under his gaze, Chun Zhi asked softly: “Why are you looking at me like that?”

With a smile, Huo Zheng said: “I am looking at my princess consort.”

Back in Linshui Town, even without makeup and dressed in plain clothes, she had already been called the Tofu Beauty. Today, with arched brows and bright eyes painted, she looked even more lovely.

Chun Zhi raised a brow at him and said: “Who was it before who said I only had clear features and was quite ordinary? Now you stare without blinking.”

Huo Zheng gave a small laugh: “I was wrong.”

He leaned in to kiss her lips, but she slipped aside.

With a finger against his mouth, Chun Zhi said with a laugh: “How could Prince Chang’an be wrong?”

“Anyone can be wrong,” Huo Zheng said, bowing lightly: “I misspoke back then. I beg the princess consort’s forgiveness.”

Chun Zhi drew back her hand: “Enough. People outside are still clamoring to tease the bridal chamber, and the guests are waiting for the groom. If you linger here, people will talk.”

“Let them talk,” Huo Zheng said, stealing a quick kiss: “Count it up. Since you moved back to the Mu Residence, how many days have I not seen you?”