King Xiang of the Red Chamber

Chapter 398 Welcome
Not long after staying at the pergola, the ceremony was over, so Zhu Jinghong hit the road again, heading towards Yingtian Mansion.

After entering the city from outside the city, Zhu Jinghong's team arrived at the palace, where he had been staying in recent days.

Of course, he was neither the emperor nor the prince, so he could only live in the side halls of the palace, and he was not qualified to live in the main halls.

This place has been cleaned up in advance, so Zhu Jinghong can check in directly when he arrives.

Jinling was in a troubled time, so many officials wanted to come to see him, but Zhu Jinghong saw no one.

Firstly, it was inconvenient for him to get involved in these matters, and secondly, the purpose of his trip was only to get married.

After resting in the palace that day, Zhu Jinghong went to Xiaoling the next day. This was a normal routine for worship.

It is pitiful to say that Lao Zhu overcame all obstacles and conquered the country, but he was lying alone in Yingtian. The other dozen emperors were buried in Luoyang.

After the worship was completed, Zhu Jinghong returned to the palace. According to the rules, he had to start fasting until the day of the wedding.

Like him, Baochai was now deep in the Xue family's inner house, having been instructed by the female official of the Shangyi Bureau, having finished bathing under the service of all the maids, and was waiting for the wedding in two days.

At this moment, except for Ying'er and Wen Xing, the other people serving her were from the palace.

Even the outside of the small courtyard where she lived was guarded by eunuchs and royal guards, so the Xue family's slaves were naturally isolated.

So it's no wonder that when Aunt Xue and Xue Pan come to see her, they always feel like they are coming to see the princess.

"Girl, if I welcome you the day after tomorrow, we can go to the capital?" Outside the curtain, Wen Xing couldn't help but ask.

"Do you like the capital so much?" Baochai asked with a smile.

Wen Xing replied: "The capital has everything. It is the best place in the world!"

At this time, Ying'er interjected: "Look at how you look like you have never seen the world. Our girl is going to be a princess. Don't lose your girl's face!"

These words seemed to frighten Wen Xing. Thinking that there were people from the palace everywhere, Wen Xing thought that she was going to be driven away.

"Girl...you won't want me, will you?" Wen Xing was a little scared.

Baochai said half-jokingly: "If you talk about being greedy again, I won't want you anymore!"

There were hundreds of chambermaids and maids in the palace, and she would have to take care of everything inside and outside the palace. There were only a few trustworthy people around her, so it was impossible for Baochai to abandon Wen Xing.

Remembering that she had been a lot more reckless recently, Wen Xing immediately promised: "I won't dare to do it again!"

Seeing her serious look about to swear, Baochai couldn't help but feel a little funny, and felt much more relaxed.

In this way, two days passed quickly, and the time came to July 21.

Early in the morning, everyone inside and outside the palace was busy. The formal ceremonial books were lined up outside the palace, and the flags and flags were fluttering, all showing the majesty of the royal family.

In the dormitory at this time, Zhu Jinghong was wearing a four-cup dragon round collar robe, soap boots and a leather belt, and took over the Wusha Yishan crown from the eunuch.

Looking at himself in the mirror who was both graceful and dignified, yet cold and handsome at the same time, Zhu Jinghong slowly put on his official hat.

He spread his arms, and after the waiter arranged his clothes, Zhu Jinghong said, "Let's go!"

When Zhu Jinghong set off, at the other end of the Xue family's inner house, Baochai was also served by the female officer of the Shangyi Bureau, and put on the dress of the princess for the first time.

Looking at herself in the mirror with a phoenix crown and a beautiful robe, she felt a little confused for a moment, fearing that everything was just a flower in the mirror.

Immediately afterwards, Baochai was led to the main hall and took a seat, waiting for the arrival of Zhu Jinghong's wedding team.

I don't know how long I sat there, but finally there was faint music outside, and everyone knew that the wedding team had arrived.

The female officer of the Fashion and Etiquette Bureau reminded: "Girl, get ready to go to the back hall!"

The so-called back hall is actually the main hall of the Xue family's inner house, which will serve as a temporary residence for Baochai before the wedding.

Under the guidance of the female officer, Baochai walked out of the courtyard where her boudoir was located for the first time in nearly two months. Her mother was waiting outside the courtyard door.

After a while, Aunt Xue will accompany Baochai to complete a series of welcoming ceremonies.

Besides, outside the Xue Family Mansion, two ceremonial officers knelt in front of the carriage and knelt to ask Zhu Jinghong to get out of the carriage. This was also one of the fixed rituals.

Stepping out of the carriage, Zhu Jinghong stood outside the door of the Xue family's house. At this moment, the inside and outside were filled with guards and honor guards, and the Xue family had no place to stand.

Of course, many local officials from Jinling also came and were waiting outside the middle hall (the Xue family reception room).

Under the guidance of the etiquette officer, Zhu Jinghong came to the outer hall of the Xue family. At this moment, he heard the etiquette officer read loudly: "The king of Xiang is here to marry you!"

Under the guidance of the courtesy officer, Zhu Jinghong crossed the Xue family's outer hall and came outside the Xue family's front hall.

Seeing him appear, all the officials present kowtowed, and then Zhu Jinghong signaled everyone to get up according to the etiquette, and then he continued to the front hall of Xue's house.

Standing in the hall, the place has been rearranged at this moment, making it festive and solemn at the same time.

Zhu Jinghong stood in the middle of the hall. At this moment, Baochai was led to the right side of the hall by the female officer, and Aunt Xue was also with her.

Next came the tedious etiquette, mainly writing documents and exchanging gifts. Zhu Jinghong and Baochai didn't have anything to do with the whole process.

But at this time, they could already see each other. Amidst the peaceful and joyful music, they both showed knowing smiles.

Soon after the ceremony was over, the ceremony officer led Zhu Jinghong out of the hall. At this moment, there was a sedan waiting outside, and the people carrying the sedan were all women.

The officials who were outside for the ceremony had all retreated outside the Xue family's gate.

Zhu Jinghong was led to the front of the sedan, and Baochai also walked out accompanied by the female officer and came to the front of the sedan.

At this time, a courtesy officer reminded: "Your Highness, please lift the curtain!"

Zhu Jinghong did as he was told and raised the curtain of the sedan. Then Baochai was supported by the female officer, bent down and entered the sedan to sit down.

"Your Highness, please raise the chariot!" the ceremony officer reminded again.

The so-called lifting of the carriage is to let Zhu Jinghong get on the carriage. After a while, Baochai's sedan will follow behind his carriage, and then the two of them will embark on the road back to Beijing.

When Zhu Jinghong walked out of the Xue family's gate, Baochai's sedan followed him out, and Aunt Xue stopped at the Xue's family gate.

Seeing Zhu Jinghong get on the carriage, the welcoming team began to change direction, and then gradually left in the distance, tears filled the corners of Aunt Xue's eyes.

As the welcoming team left, the palace people staying in the Xue family also evacuated one after another, so that the Xue family gained control of the house.

Different from Aunt Xue's sadness, Xue Pan was as happy as a child at this moment, and was congratulating each other with a group of tribesmen, old relatives and friends.

"Brother Xue, congratulations..."

"A phoenix has emerged from your residence, and it is on its way to becoming a prodigy. I will need Brother Xue to take care of me for a while in the future..."

Hearing these words, Xue Pan was overjoyed. He cupped his hands and replied: "You are all friends. If you have any difficulties in the future, just come to me!"

Thinking that my sister is now a princess, Xue Pan is not an ordinary person in Jinling. He can help people eliminate disasters with just a flick of his finger.

However, Xue Pan didn't know that his character was very clear to Zhu Jinghong, so Zhu Jinghong had already told various government offices in Jinling that he must strictly control the Xue family in the future, and he must not let them do evil for the sake of his own face.

In addition, Zhu Jinghong also specially ordered the Jinling Qianhu Office of the Jinyi Guards to keep an eye on Xue Pan and the Xue family, but if they commit crimes, they can be arrested directly.

In other words, the Xue family's life will be even more difficult after the princess is born, unless they become law-abiding and good people.

It took Zhu Jinghong more than a month to return to Beijing from Yingtian Mansion. Fortunately, the whole journey was safe and smooth.

On August 27, the [-]th year of Orthodoxy, Zhu Jinghong’s wedding team returned to the capital.

In fact, he arrived outside the capital yesterday, but the auspicious day determined by Qin Tianjian was the 27th, so he could only enter the capital today.

He left the capital on the eighth day of June and spent more than 80 days going back and forth. Zhu Jinghong couldn't help but lament that it was really difficult to find a wife.Although they arrived in Beijing, they could not return to the palace. Instead, they had to continue completing the corresponding rituals, so they had to go to the palace first.

At this moment, in Kunning Palace, all the high-ranking wives of the royal family have arrived, and the scene is just like the concubine selection in April.

The prince and his wife and Prince Rui were also there, but they stayed outside the main hall of Kunning Palace, while Zhu Yunsheng stood in the hall with three attendants.

The scene was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop because the emperor and empress had already ascended to their thrones.

No matter how unreasonable Baochai's choice as the princess was, the marriage was a foregone conclusion at this point, and the emperor and empress could only follow the system.

At this moment, Zhu Jinghong and his wife had already got off the sedan and entered the palace. After passing the Qianqing Palace, they arrived outside the Kunning Gate.

Stopping outside the door, waiting for the female officer's guidance, Zhu Jinghong glanced at Baochai beside him, but saw that the latter's face was condensed at this moment.

"Bao girl, are you afraid?" Zhu Jinghong asked in a low voice.

Baochai replied in a low voice: "Your Majesty and the empress do not like me..."

Unexpectedly, Zhu Jinghong said seriously: "You are not marrying them, why are you worried about this?"

Although she was worried, Baochai still smiled after hearing this and her mood improved a little.

At this time, a female official said: "Your Highness, please bring your bride into the palace!"

Although the wedding has been completed, there are still some procedures missing, so the female official calls Xue Baochai "the bride".

After he finished speaking, Zhu Jinghong walked forward first, followed closely by Baochai.

When the two entered the palace gate, they attracted hundreds of pairs of eyes, but they didn't feel anything at all. This kind of situation happened to them every day these days.

When they walked through the courtyard, all the wives were paying more attention to Baochai, the new princess who had successfully counterattacked.

On the steps, Chen Zhi looked at Baochai who was approaching slowly, but she felt a little uncomfortable in her heart. From now on, she would no longer be the leader of foreign wives.

Looking at Baochai who had already put on the princess's phoenix crown, Chen Zhi still felt that it was not real. This girl actually became a princess instead of being deposed by the emperor and empress.

Yuan Chun was in the same complicated mood as Chen Zhi. At the moment, she was both happy for her cousin and heartbroken because of her original unhappiness.

Although Baochai has resolved their grudges with the Jia family, Yuanchun knows that people's hearts are unpredictable, and she is not sure whether Baochai is really relieved.

"Congratulations, Sister Xue!"

These words were not spoken by Yuanchun, but Chen Zhi's own words of congratulations when Baochai stepped onto the steps.

Zhu Jingyuan also said: "Thirteenth brother, your long-cherished wish has come true. Sixth brother wishes you congratulations!"

Unexpectedly, Zhu Jinghong stopped at this time and whispered to his brother: "Thanks to the encouragement of Sixth Brother, I can be where I am today!"

Good guy, just this sentence made Zhu Jingyuan's smile disappear, and his whole mentality was confused.

Of course, in comparison, the silent prince and his wife lost more points in wooing Zhu Jinghong.

"Thirteenth brother, now that you have a family, you must lose your temper. Don't..."

The prince is good at everything, but the preaching tone makes it sound like it's not really a good experience.

The three brothers here are arguing, but on the throne in the palace, Zhu Xianming still has a cold face.

"I said... you've come to this point, why can't you be happy? Who are you showing off to?" Yang Qingyin said angrily.

Unexpectedly, Zhu Xianming said: "That bastard is disobedient, why can't I show off to him?"

"you……"

Just as he was about to argue with the emperor, Yang Qingyin started coughing before he could say anything, causing Zhu Xianming's expression to change and he quickly asked: "Are you okay?"

The surrounding female officials also came forward, but Yang Qingyin waved them back.

After taking a few breaths, Yang Qingyin said: "If you are angry, I will be fine!"

"Humph……"

Although he snorted coldly, Zhu Xianming's expression looked slightly better, obviously giving his wife some face.

"Prince Xiang brings his bride into the palace!"

With the female officer's shout, Zhu Jinghong stepped into the hall first, and then Baochai followed behind him. The two were connected by a red silk tied with a hydrangea.

On the side of the main hall, looking at Baochai walking into the hall, Zhu Yunsheng always felt strange in his heart.

The former attendant has now become her sister-in-law, and from now on she will become someone like an "elder". Where can she put her face as a princess...

Of course, the most uncomfortable one among them is Zhen Qin. What she said when she first met Baochai is currently being recalled in his mind.

"With the help of my aunt, maybe I will become a princess next year, and then you and I will no longer be sisters, but kings and ministers..."

It is true that they are king and minister now, but it is a pity that Baochai is the "king" and she is the minister.

At this moment, only Daiyu and Xiangyun were really happy for Baochai, with little stars popping out of their eyes.

When Zhu Jinghong and Zhu Jinghong stood still, the female officer said: "Bye..."

Zhu Jinghong could kowtow by himself, but Baochai's headdress and other items were too complicated, so a female official came forward to help her.

They were required to bow to the emperor four times, and each time they had to listen to the instructions of the ceremony officer, so the whole process was very time-consuming.

Looking at their son and daughter-in-law who were kneeling in front of them, the emperor and empress had a very different mentality.

Looking at the graceful and generous Baochai, Yang Qingyin became more and more satisfied. It was obvious that she had accepted this daughter-in-law.

As for her biological niece, whom she once had high hopes for, she could only not think too much about it now.

After Zhu Jinghong and his two men finished their obeisances, a table was placed in front of them, and two female officials brought two trays with dates and chestnuts on them.

Date chestnuts represent the royal family's expectations for Baochai. After the palace officials gave them to Baochai, Baochai placed them on the table one by one, and then knelt down to thank the emperor for his kindness.

The whole process was tedious and solemn, and it took about twenty minutes for the ceremony to meet the emperor and empress to end.

As usual, the emperor and empress encouraged the new couple, but the emperor said it more meaningfully, asking Baochai to abide by his "wifely duty."

This seemed strange, but he and his wife didn't have time to think about it because after the ceremony at the Empress' place, they had to worship their ancestors in the temple.

After the two people left Kunning Palace, they rushed to Fengxian Palace surrounded by ceremonial guards. They were cleared in advance along the way.

Therefore, there are no "miscellaneous people" hanging around.

Originally, it was troublesome to worship the emperor, but worshiping the ancestors in the Fengxian Hall made the process even more troublesome.

It was probably around noon that Zhu Jinghong and his wife finished the ceremony, and at this point they could finally return to the palace.

After leaving the palace, Zhu Jinghong got on the carriage again, while Baochai was helped into the sedan by the female officer, and rushed to the palace under the guard of honor and the bodyguards.

At this moment, outside the palace, more than 200 maids and eunuchs from Prince Xiang's palace, as well as a large number of guards, were waiting outside the door. This was the highest etiquette to welcome the princess into the door.

In addition to the people from the palace, a large number of guests came to the scene, mainly clan members and nobles. Instead, they stood on the periphery.

The atmosphere at the scene was majestic and solemn, and everyone in the palace had different thoughts.

The guards were better off, but most of the eunuchs and maids in the palace felt uneasy because they didn't know what the princess's temperament was.

(End of this chapter)