Chapter 678: Tang Li’s wedding 3 (2/2)
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On the 28th day of the third lunar month, the bridal procession arrived on time at the foot of the Tang Clan’s Reclining Dragon Range. The carriage slowed to a stop as Ning Jing stole a peek outside. But there were no decorations on the Tang Clan’s gates at all, nor any sizable crowd. There was zero signs of festivities in the air. She gave a snort before putting on her wedding veil and resuming her seat. Soon enough, the wedding nanny came to help her off the sedan chair and onto a bridal carriage that would take her up the mountain.
Han Yunxi and Long Feiye observed the scene from one of the mountain’s overhanging cliffs. Tang Li led the procession while the carriage brought up the rear. The wedding nanny jogged beside it. There wasn’t even festive music in the air. It was hard for any observe to recognize this as the arrival of the new bride to the young clan head.
“I never expected someone to have a worse wedding procession than me,” Han Yunxi said with amusement. At least her ride through the city had been a lively affair. Entire streets were emptied out to watch her arrive at the groom’s house.
Actually, Ning Jing wasn’t too much worse off. At least Tang Li had gone to pick her up personally. At least he’d spent time planning this whole trip out so he’d disappoint her first and surprise her later. When Han Yunxi had gotten married, she’d stepped into the groom’s house by herself. Long Feiye stood behind her with hooded eyes. It wasn’t clear whether he heard her words, but he reached out to hug her at the same time she turned around. At this, he averted his gaze and withdrew his hands, feeling a little flustered. What was I doing just then?
Meanwhile, Chu Xifeng had arrived by their side. He was crowing with delight. “Your Highness, esteemed wangfei, Ning Cheng’s surrounded the Chu Clan troops Now Chu Tianyin’s gone to ally himself and his soldiers with Western Zhou.”
Long Feiye was very pleased. Everyone was going according to plan. He was certain that Emperor Kangcheng wouldn’t refuse Chu Tianyin’s surrender now, even if he didn’t truly accept them. A little bit of pretending now didn’t hurt anyone. In the end, Empress Xue’s death would still be blamed on Ning Cheng’s head. Meanwhile, Ning Cheng would stop suspecting them once Chu Tianyin allied with Western Zhou. Of course, he’d have even less time to suspect the Tang Clan.
Chu Tianyin’s actions didn’t disappoint him.
A shadow guard arrived in the wake of Chu Xifeng with a report. “Your Highness, esteemed wangfei, Lady Lianxin has already told a few deputy directors of Medical City about the induced labor issue. News will spread fast!”
Long Feiye nodded, while Han Yunxi broke into a smile. It had to be said that Long Feiye’s chess moves had been exquisite. Of course, Gu Qishao had helped them immensely, too! Once Lady Lianxin exposed the issue of the forced labor, it’d both unmask Head Elder Ling’s crimes and put blame on Chu Qingge and Ning Cheng as well. Even though the original culprits were the Chu Clan elders, Ning Cheng would end up shouldering their guilt instead!
Once news broke out, many people would believe that Chu Qingge had allied herself with Ning Cheng on purpose to commit regicide and put her son on the throne. Long Tianmo would seize the change to use this as an excuse to solicit Emperor Tianhui’s former subordinates. Soon, Ning Cheng would have to deal with both internal and external threats. Long Feiye would only have to watch and reap the rewards as Western Zhou, Tianning, and Tianan started fighting amongst themselves.
This was the true manifestation of the idiom, “planning strategies within a command tent while determining victory from a thousand miles away!”
Ning Cheng might have won last time, but now his losses would be even more severe!
“Issue orders to keep a close eye on developments in Northern Li. The Baili Navy should be prepared to move out at any time,” Long Feiye commanded.
“This subordinate understands!” Chu Xifeng immediately withdrew.
Northern Li was the greatest variable during this critical time. Naturally, Long Feiye would take measures to guard against them. If the country tried to send troops south to interfere with the western regions, the Baili Navy would travel north along the eastern sea to attack them. Long Feiye was about to reap his rewards from the chessboard, so he would allow no one to mess up the game. Of course, with Northern Li still recovering from its losses, it was likely they’d just sit and watch for now.
Once everything was taken care of, Long Feiye and Han Yunxi put on special, skin-thin face masks to head to the peak of Reclining Dragon Range. There, they would join in on Tang Li’s wedding. Long Feiye wasn’t very interested, but he was there to keep Han Yunxi company.
Ning Jing was still ignorant of the troubles coming for the Ning Clan. Currently, she was exchanging bows with Tang Li at the altar. In the massive hall, Tang Zijin and Lady Tang presided in high seats with other elders from the clan flanking them on both sides. It was a solemn affair without a hint of cheer. Ning Jing couldn’t see her surroundings beyond the red wedding veil, but she could sense the serious atmosphere. Once she finished her three bows, she allowed the wedding nanny to lead her towards the bridal chamber.
But Tang Zijin suddenly stood up and cried, “Hold on!”
What for? Is he going to cause trouble for me in front of everyone here?
Ning Jing mentally prepared herself, but Tang Zijin simply stood up and announced, “Today is Tang Li’s wedding day. He’s become an adult with a family now, so this old man and her ladyship have a big gift to give him.”
Lady Tang was bewildered. She glared unhappily at her husband. Did Tang Zijin truly mean to give a gift, or was he just going to create difficulties for Ning Jing? Whichever the case, shouldn’t he have discussed this with me first? Instead, he was putting her name with his! She was about to stop him when Tang Zijin suddenly took off his ring symbolizing the status of clan head and announced, “Today, this old man shall give the position of clan head to Tang Li. From this day on, Tang Li shall control the entire Tang Clan in my place!”
A commotion rose from the crowd at his words. Lady Tang could only gape. “Zijin, you…”
Tang Zijin gave her a warm smile before turning to regard Tang Li sternly. He walked in front of his son and personally put the ring over his thumb.
“Tang Li, father will leave the Tang Clan in your hands. You must be worthy of our thousands strong disciples.” So speaking, he patted him on the shoulders and added, “Don’t throw so many tantrums from now on, or run off the mountain whenever you want.”
Hearing this, much of the stunned crowd began to understand what he meant. The former Tang Clan head was using this method to keep Tang Li in line so he’d stick around the Tang Clan. He’d really given thought to this!
Lady Tang covered her mouth, feeling touched by the scene. She always thought that Tang Zijin didn’t dote on their son, but now she realized he spoiled him even more than she did. Of course, Tang Li could only hide his own bitter suffering since he already knew the truth. He cast a resentful glance towards Long Feiye and Han Yunxi, who were hidden amongst the crowd. In the end, the one who truly considered his sake was Long Feiye, but it was unclear whether Tang Li realized this fact.
Ning Jing’s fingers turned cold upon hearing the announcement. If Tang Li’s the clan head now, does that make me the lady mistress of the clan? Will I be stuck looking after Reclining Dragon Range with him from now on?
While she was still in a daze, sounds of congratulations filled the air. Of course, the wedding nanny soon spoke over them all. “Send them into the bridal chambers!” she cried.
1. Zhang Shihong (张世鸿) – Zhang is a surname, Shi is “lifetime, generation,” Hong is “swan goose, letter.”