Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 807: Chapter 803: The Grand Wedding

Chu Liechu frowned, ”Are they really going to cause trouble? Did you get any news?”

Chu Zhiyuan nodded, ”They might not cause trouble at the wedding to avoid being attacked by both of us, but they will definitely create problems elsewhere.”

”Yuanzhen!” Chu Liechu showed a look of disgust, ”I wish they could just be wiped out!”

The Yujing Dynasty’s most hated and disliked rival wasn’t the Phoenix Dynasty, which always seemed to overshadow them, but rather the Yuanzhen Dynasty, their equal in strength.

The Phoenix Dynasty was strong and domineering, but straightforward and disdained intrigues.

In contrast, the Yuanzhen Dynasty often resorted to schemes, causing the Yujing Dynasty many unseen losses.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Elder brother should be careful of those around him, so as not to be sabotaged.”

Chu Liechu’s expression changed slightly.

Then he shook his head, ”You can’t easily suspect the people around you.”

When he was attacked before, he had suspected once, but it was later proven that it was not the work of those around him.

Now, feeling quite guilty, he didn’t want to easily doubt their loyalty again.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”It’s never wrong to be cautious... Did Father have any instructions?”

”Oh, right.” Chu Liechu slapped his forehead, ”I almost forgot.”

He turned and walked into the room.

A moment later, he returned with a letter in his hand and handed it to Chu Zhiyuan, ”This is written by Princess Consort Hui, to be given to you before your wedding.”

Chu Zhiyuan raised an eyebrow.

Was this the Emperor speaking to him through Princess Consort Hui?

He directly tore open the wax seal, pulled out the letter, and quickly skimmed through it.

Chu Liechu turned away.

After skimming it, Chu Zhiyuan shook his head and chuckled, shaking the letter into tiny pieces.

Chu Liechu looked over curiously.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Father is preparing to make me an internal spy to probe the secrets of the Phoenix Dynasty.”

Chu Liechu frowned.

Chu Zhiyuan snorted, ”Does he want me dead faster?”

Chu Liechu sighed and shook his head, not speaking.

This act was indeed no different from sending the ninth brother to his death.

The Phoenix Dynasty would not care whether the ninth brother was a prince or not; if confidential information was truly leaked, they certainly wouldn’t show mercy.

But this effort would be in vain.

The Phoenix Dynasty, as long as they’re not foolish, wouldn’t let the ninth brother know confidential information and would guard against him.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Elder brother, go back and tell Father, I’ve already done my utmost by serving as a hostage; I can’t do more, forget about being a spy.”

”Ninth brother...”

Chu Liechu didn’t know what to say.

Since childhood, the ninth brother had been despised by Father, always treated coldly, facing isolation and mockery.

If it were him, he would have long been frantically hateful, and even if he had the ability to vanquish the demon clan in the grotto heaven, he wouldn’t have acted, only watched idly.

Yet the ninth brother acted without hesitation, possessing an open-heartedness that truly surpassed his own.

Perhaps it’s precisely for this reason, Father presses him further, actually making him spy on the secrets of the Phoenix Dynasty.

Father indeed went too far.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, ”Elder brother, you must take care in the future; the second, third, and fourth brothers are all watching intently, all wanting to vie for the imperial throne.”

Chu Liechu waved his hand, ”It has nothing to do with them, I just need to do my best.”

He had superior aptitude and an initial advantage, his cultivation always suppressing them.

Even if they all became Venerables, they wouldn’t threaten his imperial throne.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”It’s not that simple; guard against the third brother causing trouble, he’s very underhanded.”

”He suffered a heavy blow.” Chu Liechu shook his head and laughed, ”It’ll be a while before he recovers.”

Chu Zhiyuan chuckled.

This Chu Liyang seems forever determined, never giving up.

Seeking trouble for oneself, a glutton for punishment.

”I don’t have much to concern myself with, but you, ninth brother, must take care,” Chu Liechu said.

He can imagine the difficulties Chu Zhiyuan will face in the future, certainly not living comfortably.

Being in the Phoenix Imperial City, Chu Zhiyuan will find himself unwelcome both inside and out.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”I’ll seek my own fortune; I can’t rely on others.”

Initially obtaining the jadeite ring, he was a bit surprised, was it the Emperor’s conscience suddenly awakened?

Now he realized this wasn’t to aid him at all, but rather to have him aid the Yujing Court.

Facing such a father, he felt sorrow for the original host.

Chu Liechu then spoke of the ceremony’s order and matters needing attention.

”Eighteen chests of items will first be sent to the Prince Consort Mansion, and tomorrow morning, they’ll be carried to the Princess Mansion.”

”Hmm.”

”Today, there will be ceremonial officials from the court and the Phoenix Dynasty to instruct on tomorrow’s rituals; you won’t be idle today.”

Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

The princess’s wedding is naturally different from ordinary families.

——

As the morning light broke, five hundred Silver Armor Guards were already lined up at the Vermilion Bird Gate.

In their hands were gold basins filled with spring water brought overnight from Yuquan Mountain, and in white jade pots were petals freshly picked, as they performed synchronized pouring, the entire Imperial Street rose up with a mist carrying gold foil remnants.

This was the Gold Basin and White Jade Pot Street Cleansing, for the Twelfth Princess’s bridal send-off ceremony.

The viewing crowd was kept far away, some craning their necks to see, others standing upstairs to watch.

Seeing such a spectacle, they discussed and marveled endlessly.

...

Twelfth Princess Mansion

Li Miaotan stood before the Seven Treasure Glazed Mirror, her reflection full of spirit and vigor.

She ultimately chose to attend the wedding ceremony in person, not using a substitute.

Li Yuzhen, Li Yuchun, and Chang Xihua stood beside her, close at hand.

Eight female officials from the Shangfu Bureau entered in succession, carrying gilded trays.

The foremost tray bore a Phoenix Crown.

The bright pearls on the Phoenix Crown were as large as pigeon eggs, with twelve curtains of Dragon Eye-sized pearls hanging down.

The beaded curtains swayed gently with movement, reflecting a swirling brilliance in the sleeping hall.

”Your Highness.” The leading female official, graceful and poised, bowed slightly with a smile, ”Please allow us to serve you in dressing.”

”Hmm.” Li Miaotan nodded lightly.

The female official carefully placed the Phoenix Crown on Li Miaotan’s head, checking one last time to ensure everything was in order.

Li Miaotan looked at herself in the mirror, more stunningly beautiful under the luminescent aura of the bright pearls.

A female official brought forward a gilded makeup case, containing a bright red garment.

Like a clutch of rosy clouds gathered and placed inside the case, the light played and shifted, magnificently captivating.

”Boom boom boom boom...”

Suddenly, the sound of ceremonial cannons rang out, startling nearby birds into flight.

Li Yuzhen said, ”Your Highness, the Prince Consort has already set out.”

Li Miaotan gently nodded.

...

At this time, outside the Prince Consort Mansion, knights formed by the Yujing Imperial Guard were already lined up.

Their armor glistened with golden light under the sun.

Even though there were only thirty-six knights, their presence was as overwhelming as a grand army.

Behind the knights, eight people carried a Seven Treasures Glazed Carriage, with intricate patterns shimmering faintly under the sun.

Inside the carriage, a Purple Gold Incense Burner was burning ambergris, wafting a gentle, lingering fragrance.

Chu Zhiyuan, riding a majestic white horse beside the carriage, wore a red robe and a golden-winged headpiece, radiating joy.

He was originally graceful, and with the transformation from the Heavenly Dragon Introduction, he appeared even more striking, riding like a divine presence in the world.

All those witnessing the ceremony could not help but praise.

No matter his status or reputation, his mere appearance made it understandable why the Emperor chose him as the Prince Consort.

Indeed, he was excessively handsome.

Behind him, a series of red lacquer boxes were carried by four people each, totaling eighteen boxes lined up in a long row.

The red lacquer boxes were open for all to see.

Ancient paintings, antiques, exotic treasures, and in just one box, gold ingots.

Under the sunlight, each box sparkled with a brilliant glow that dazzled those around, making it hard to look away.

Due to Li Miaotan’s injuries, the ceremony had been simplified.

Many tedious rituals were directly canceled, leaving only the Silver Armor Street Cleaning, Golden Armor Silver Kin, and three days of celebration with performances outside the city.

Despite this, the grandeur of the Imperial Family was still evident.

Behind each red lacquer box was a group of musicians, playing flutes, beating drums, strumming zithers, or plucking guzhengs.

They played joyously in the sunlight, their melodies spreading far and wide.

These were masters of their crafts, their inner True Yuan allowing their music to linger, enveloping the entire Imperial City.

The whole city was immersed in a festive and joyous atmosphere.

Listening to the cheerful music, seeing the treasures in the boxes, and looking at Chu Zhiyuan commanding his white horse, the people couldn’t help but join in the joy, discussing and praising.

Chu Zhiyuan sat atop his horse, utilizing Super Sensing Illumination.

He saw city guards moving in the shadows, subduing some martial arts masters who were about to stir trouble.

Even experts from the Heavenly Palace had been mobilized.

The control of the Phoenix Dynasty over the Imperial City was indeed beyond imagination.

Those from the Demon Clan had been deliberately let in.

...

Prince Consort Mansion

Red candles illuminated the bridal chamber as though it were daylight.

The wedding wine was held in a Nine-Curves Mandarin Duck Pot.

Li Miaotan, wearing a phoenix crown and glowing garments, draped in a red veil, sat quietly on the bed.

Her feet dangled off the edge, with her pearl slippers glistening in candlelight.

Li Yuzhen and Li Yuchun stood by, smilingly listening to the sounds outside.

Due to her injuries, Li Miaotan had sent away the palace maidservants, leaving only Li Yuzhen and Li Yuchun.

Her usual assertiveness made the maidservants comply with her orders.

...

Chu Zhiyuan entered the room amidst footsteps.

The two ladies bowed slightly, greeting with a cheerful ”Prince Consort.”

Along the way, Chu Zhiyuan utilized his cultivation, dispelling the scent of alcohol, his red robe setting off his jade-like face.

He smiled and waved, looking at Li Miaotan.

Li Yuchun handed him a jadeite Ruyi.

Chu Zhiyuan took it, gently lifting the red veil to reveal Li Miaotan’s stunningly beautiful face beneath the phoenix crown.

Li Miaotan blushed, glanced at him briefly, and then averted her eyes.

”Your Highness, Prince Consort,”

Li Yuzhen offered the Mandarin Duck Pot, pouring two glasses of wine, handing them over respectively.

Chu Zhiyuan and Li Miaotan took the wine glasses, their arms crossing and entwining as they drank the wedding wine in one go.

”The ceremony is complete!” Li Yuchun announced with a smile.

With that, the wedding ceremony officially concluded.

Chu Zhiyuan looked at Li Yuzhen.

Li Yuzhen nodded slightly: ”The people the Prince Consort mentioned have indeed been dealt with.”

”It all went smoothly,” Chu Zhiyuan nodded, looking at Li Miaotan: ”Are you tired, my lady?”

Li Miaotan, after a day’s adjustment and still unused to her new role, nodded gently.

Chu Zhiyuan said: ”Then rest quickly, the palace maidservants are no problem, right?”

Li Yuchun quickly replied: ”They had no chance to get close, but due to Imperial orders, they have to wait until tomorrow to return.”

This grand wedding was outwardly relaxed but inwardly tense, her nerves tightly wound.

Their scrutiny of these maidservants was stringent, closely monitoring their every move, and once the ceremony concluded, they were immediately sent away to prevent any approach.

Li Yuzhen said: ”Prince Consort, you rest, we and Yuchun will stand guard outside, Mr. Chang is also here.”

At this critical moment, caution was paramount, for although the Demon Clan and others had no opportunity to act, who knew if they might emerge at this time.

Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

Li Yuzhen tugged at Li Yuchun, and they quietly withdrew.

Li Miaotan parted her cherry lips, wanting to ask them to stay.

But thought it inappropriate, hesitated for a moment, and the two were already gone.

The door was closed.

The room instantly fell into silence.

Suddenly, the crackling of red candles was clearly heard.

Chu Zhiyuan looked at the bashful Li Miaotan.

Li Miaotan’s bright eyes flickered, looking elsewhere, avoiding Chu Zhiyuan’s gaze.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled.

After all, they had only met for a dozen days. Their previous knowledge of each other had been through Li Yuzhen.

Despite being mentally prepared, they were still not very familiar.

Under the red candlelight, Li Miaotan appeared even more enchanting and gentle, her eyes radiant and captivatingly beautiful.

He could tell Li Miaotan was now bewildered, possibly feeling everything was an illusion and not entirely real.

Chu Zhiyuan knew this was no time to delay; quick action was the best course.

He softly called ”My Lady,” then blew out the red candles, pulled down the drapes, and entered the inner chamber.

...

Dawn broke through the mist, shining on the Prince Consort Mansion.

Chu Zhiyuan, dressed in a red robe, stood before the mansion, greeting a eunuch in a purple robe and two in red robes.

The Emperor’s Imperial Decree had arrived again.

He knew it must be regarding his appointment.