Chapter 128: Bridal Escort
The sunlight gradually slanted, and Ning Yunzhao had finished studying a volume of books, completing his coursework for the day.
He stretched slightly and his gaze fell onto the calendar on the table.
"Xiaoding, Xiaoding," he called out.
Xiaoding rushed in from outside.
"What do you need, Young Master?"
"Has the congratulatory gift been sent?" asked Ning Yunzhao.
"Of course it's been sent, Young Master. You've reminded me so many times—I couldn't possibly forget," Xiao Ding said, somewhat aggrieved.
Ning Yunzhao smiled.
"Then, has the clinic opened its doors?" he asked.
"It has," said Xiaoding. "I've already informed you, haven't I?"
Ning Yunzhao rose and walked to the window, gazing at the dense greenery.
Yes, Xiao Ding had said that the congratulatory gift had been sent, the doors had opened particularly early, and there weren't many people.
Practically no one at all.
This was probably for the best; keeping a low profile would mean less attention from others.
After all, this wasn't Runan, nor was there a time constraint to settle the Fang Family's matters in secrecy; this time he truly intended to run a medical clinic. Let it grow steadily and gradually accumulate strength.
"Let's go take a look," he said, turning and stepping forward.
"Look at what?" Xiaoding asked.
"To see how the medical clinic has been organized," replied Ning Yunzhao.
After asking his question, Xiaoding immediately regretted it, feeling that he was still too young and naive. Such questions should never have been asked.
What could they look at? They could look at anything, even if they had already checked the day before and the day before that; it was still proper to check again today.
Aren't there always those scholars who say, "A single day apart feels like three autumns"?
He smiled and responded affirmatively.
But what came into view in front of Miss Jun's Jiuling Hall was a closed door.
Both Ning Yunzhao and Xiaoding were taken aback.
"That's right, isn't it?" Xiaoding quickly raised his head to look at the signboard, then at the traces of firecrackers scattered in the gaps on the ground.
Why would they close just as they opened?
Where had she gone?
Ning Yunzhao stood in front of the door with a slightly uneasy frown.
The usually quiet Imperial Street was packed with people, and soldiers on city patrol were lined up on the street, but this time they did not disperse the crowd, instead blocking them on both sides of the road.
"They're coming! They're coming!" a commotion erupted at the head of the street.
As the sound dissipated, the people all strained their necks to look, seeing a procession emerge from a residence, with Lu Yunqi, riding his tall horse and clad in his broad-robed, wide-sleeved groom's uniform, leading them.
The noise instantly faded away, and all eyes fell upon Lu Yunqi.
Today, Lu Yunqi was not dressed in the ostentatious and flamboyant flying fish uniform but in deep black garments with yellow undergarments, and on his head a headdress with hanging pearls and jade.
Amidst the heaviness of his wedding attire, his face still alarmingly pale, but its contours had softened considerably.
Lu Yunqi was not donning the groom's attire for the first time, but it seemed like such a long time ago, and over these years, his fame had grown remarkably. At first glance, the townsfolk felt unfamiliar with Thousand-Man Commander Lu in this appearance.
The festive procession moved oddly through the silence.
"Congratulations to the one-thousand man commander," someone shouted first, and soon after, those words began to spread among the crowd in a scattered fashion.
Many onlookers who meant to gawk felt a firm poke on their shoulder or back.
"What for?" they turned around discontentedly, only to see a face with a fierce gaze.
"Congratulations to the one-thousand man commander," the owner of the face said.
"Congratulations to..." the people stuttered, following suit.
These hesitant voices gathered together, bringing life back to the whole street.
"Congratulations to the one-thousand man commander."
"Congratulations to the one-thousand man commander."
Lu Yunqi was expressionless, indifferent to whether the streetside was quiet or lively.
The street wasn't very long, and soon, they reached the other end where Prince Huai's mansion, also decked out in celebration, awaited.
The doors of Prince Huai's mansion had already opened, with rows of eunuchs and palace maids standing by. The bright yellow banners and flags clustered together, epitomizing the grandeur of the royal family.
Lu Yunqi dismounted at the entrance and entered alone.
He had no friends, and aside from the Jinyiwei accompanying him, there were no other companions for the bridal procession.
The crowd surged in front of Prince Huai's mansion, craning their necks to catch a glimpse inside as Lu Yunqi walked in.
Prince Huai's mansion in the capital was like a forgotten place, only remembered by everyone at times like these, times when they recalled there was a prince living there.
A prince who should have been the Emperor.
The last time Prince Huai's mansion opened its doors was when Princess Jiuli married, and the curious, excited populace tiptoed to catch a glimpse inside.
The lengthy, spacious path, the red walls, and yellow tiles—it was said the Emperor had specially made this place a miniature version of the imperial palace, complete with the front hall and the harem, opulently splendid.
All of this was hearsay, as the people never had the chance to see it themselves.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, they peered inside while chatting idly, and even the children boldly squeezed through the guards' blockade to sneak a peek at the plaques and banners, only to be quickly scolded and sent back.
This added even more bustle to the entrance, and the lively atmosphere of the wedding.
They didn't have to wait long before the crackling of firecrackers and the sound of gongs and drums rose again.
"They're coming out!"
"Quick, look, Princess Jiuli is out!"
The crowd in front of the mansion shouted, causing a stir, and many were caught off guard and jostled about.
"Oh dear, you little girl."
They watched the person squeezing past, a girl about fifteen or sixteen, dressed neatly, slender and graceful, but barging through the crowd like a brute, surprisingly strong, and quickly taking a spot at the very front amidst curses.
The groom, Lu Yunqi, had already stepped across the threshold, and behind him, the bride was carried on someone's back.
The bride's veil covered her face, and she was dressed in the black and yellow grand ceremonial gown that obscured her figure; even though she was being carried, she maintained a dignified posture.
Miss Jun's breathing became rapid, her throat dry, as she clenched her clothes and stared intently at the new bride.
"It's the third prince who has come to escort the bride."
The people murmured in low voices around her.
Carrying Princess Jiuli was the current Emperor's third son, who had yet to be married or titled a prince, and was deeply loved by the Emperor and the empress, a few years younger than Princess Jiuli.
Following the bride and groom were other princes, princesses, County Magistrates, and relatives from royal families, making the front of Prince Huai's mansion shine with precious radiance, provoking continuous awe from the public.
"The Emperor really gave Princess Jiuli a grand procession."
"Not just the procession, did you see the dowry earlier?"
"Truly of golden branches and jade leaves."
"I heard that the Noble Princess Consort personally came to Prince Huai's mansion on the Emperor and empress' behalf to escort the princess."
Indeed, many people came, but one was missing.
The most crucial and most important person.
Miss Jun's gaze swept over these individuals, but Jiurong was not among them.
He was a person meant to be forgotten by the people, unable to appear before the eyes of the world.
Even on his sister's wedding day, he could not come to send her off personally.
Princess Jiuli had already seated herself in the bridal palanquin, a splendor reserved for the Royal Princess' wedding, which began its journey amidst enviable exclamations and gasps.
The crowd on the street surged along with the procession like a tide, leaving Miss Jun, standing still, being knocked about as if she were a small boat lost at sea.
The bridal procession would circle half the city.
She watched Princess Jiuli's carriage disappearing into the distance, then retracted her gaze back to Prince Huai's mansion.
Princes, princesses, and nobles laughed and chatted as they boarded their own vehicles.
They certainly wouldn't follow the wedding procession; either heading straight to Lu Yunqi's mansion or leaving directly.
As these nobles departed, the doors to Prince Huai's mansion closed once more. In the blink of an eye, the previously lively entrance fell silent, leaving behind only scattered petals, colorful scraps, and traces of firecrackers.
"Miss, Miss,"
Liu'er finally squeezed through the crowd to stand beside Miss Jun.
"Hurry up, let's follow quickly."
She pointed eagerly at the proceeding carriages on the street, her voice full of excitement, the sight of a princess's wedding unlike any she had seen before.
Miss Jun looked towards the procession in the distance, and then abruptly turned and hurried in the opposite direction, finally lifting her gown to run.
"Miss," Liu'er, left behind, called out in confusion, trying to catch up.
Miss Jun ran swiftly and soon turned the street corner.
"Miss, where are you going?"
Liu'er's voice called from behind.
By dodging down an alley and scaling a low wall, one could reach the back courtyard of Prince Huai's mansion; in the mansion's backyard stood an artificial hillock with a small pavilion on top, commanding a view half a street wide.
At that moment, the silhouette of a young child perched in the small pavilion.
Miss Jun halted abruptly in her footsteps.
Even though she couldn't make out his features, she knew he was focused on the wedding procession moving through the street below, just like when she had her own wedding.
Only that time, his sister had been by his side, but this time, he was all on his own.
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Wednesday already, let's keep going! ↖(^ω^)↗