Chapter 52 (1/2)

Chapter 52: Mingling among the Courtiers

Nan Guyue winked at Jun Huang and gave her a mischievous smile. ”I'm pretty good-looking,” she whispered into Jun Huang's ear. ”Why do I need to cover up my face? I have nothing to hide.”

”The princess is right. However, it's a tradition in Northern Qi that a bride's veil should only be taken off by her husband. The princess is bolder than most women here, but it's better to follow the tradition on occasions like this.”

Nan Guyue c.o.c.ked her head and gave it some thought. Jun Huang had a point. She stuck her tongue out and put the veil back on. Then she extended her hands to let the maids help her walk.

Jun Huang whipped open her fan and smiled, but her smile didn't reach her eyes. She looked over at Qi Chen, who was greeting the guests, then she looked back at Nan Guyue. What will their future entail, she wondered. Whatever was going to happen, their future was theirs to worry about. It had nothing to do with her.

Not far away from Jun Huang, a man was staring at her with great interest. His pale fingers wrapped around a white jade cup. There was a faint smile at his lips.

Nan Xun was also watching Jun Huang. He looked at her with such concentration he didn't even notice that Shangguan Yue had been staring at him with adoring eyes.

Shangguan Yue brought a jug of wine to Nan Xun. She bent down to refill his cup, but she was too focused on his face that she didn't realize the cup was full.

Jun Huang approached them with an eyebrow arched. ”Is Lady Shangguan trying to flood Prince Chen Manor with wine?”

Nan Xun s.h.i.+fted his focus to what was in front of him. Shangguan Yue suddenly realized what she was doing and she dropped the jug. It fell onto the table, making a loud clunk and spilling wine everywhere. Nan Xun frowned at the mess.

”I – I didn't mean to – ” Shangguan Yue said nervously. She took out her handkerchief and was about to wipe the table clean, but Jun Huang stopped her.

Shangguan Yue glowered at her. Jun Huang smiled a little. ”You don't have to do this Lady Shangguan. This is a servant's task. No need for you to dirty your hands.” Jun Huang gestured at a maid next to them. The maid obediently started cleaning the mess with a rag.

There was a hint of smile in Jun Huang's tone. Shangguan Yue had always been cherished and protected like a precious flower. No one ever dared to mock her like that. She clenched her teeth and gave Jun Huang a scornful look, silently accusing Jun Huang of embarra.s.sing her in front of Nan Xun.

Jun Huang didn't care if Shangguan Yue liked her or not. She only threw Nan Xun a fleeting glance before leaving. Afterwards, Shangguan Yue didn't think there was anything she could say to make the situation better, so she went back to her seat, biting her bottom lip in worry.

”Here comes His Majesty! Here comes Consort Zhen!” A eunuch cried out with a high-pitched voice. The guests inside the manor fell quiet. Neither Emperor Qi nor Consort Zhen had shown their faces often to the public. One was the supreme Son of Heaven, while the other rarely left the palace. Many would like to catch a glimpse of them. There were also l.u.s.tful men who just wanted to see for themselves just how beautiful Consort Zhen was.

Time took no prisoners. Even the most beautiful women aged. Consort Zhen didn't seem all that old despite being at her forty, however. Her grace gave her a unique charm.

Consort Zhen smiled, enjoying the admiring looks she was getting. Her adorned attire made her even more eye-catching. She walked up to Nan Guyue. Qi Chen cupped his hands in greeting, while Nan Guyue bent her knees. Everyone present paid their respect for her.

”Be at ease,” the consort said. ”It's my son's wedding today. You don't need to be so formal. Enjoy the celebration.” That got a round of cheers from the crowd. Even Jun Huang had to admit that the consort's almond-shaped eyes were bright and beautiful. The emperor remained silent. He remained seated on the main seat without showing any of his emotions.

After Qi Chen told everyone to take a seat, there were a great deal of rituals to go through. Jun Huang was lulled into drowsiness and kept yawning. Nan Xun had to try really hard not to laugh. Feeling his eyes on her, Jun Huang raised an eyebrow at him. She raised her cup to him from meters away and finished the wine.

Qi Chen and Nan Guyue were face to face, but he couldn't see her expression, and she couldn't see his smile. Nan Guyue could only look at Qi Chen's black boots adorned with gold silk. An unfamiliar feeling filled her heart. So this is how it feels to be in love, she thought. This is how it feels to get married to the man you love.

After the ceremony, the emperor and the consort left together. The rest of the guests became much more at ease and their interactions far more lively. People were having a good time chatting and drinking.

Qi Chen had a servant help Nan Guyue to their new bedroom. Then he walked up to Jun Huang. As his honored guest, Jun Huang naturally had to get up to greet him. She smoothed out her wrinkled robe and raised her cup at him. ”Congratulation, Your Royal Highness. You have married a lovely woman.”

Qi Chen gave her a wide smile and led her to outside the building. ”You and I call each other brother. I'd like to introduce you to some people. It'll be good for your career.”

Jun Huang could tell what he was thinking. She nodded and followed Qi Chen with a bottle of wine. She greeted every one of the guests Qi Chen led her to meet.