Phoenix Hairpin

Half a month later, Empress Qiao ordered Qin Tianjian[1] to set a wedding date for the three princes on an auspicious day.

  According to folk customs, the man will send three auspicious days to the woman’s home. Then, the woman chooses one of them as the wedding date.

  Once at the imperial family’s residence, it was the Qin Tianjian that calculated the auspicious dates and directly sent them to the bride’s family home.

  Following the principle of respecting seniority, the auspicious date for the wedding of the Second Prince was set in the second month of the following year. The wedding date for the Third Prince was set in the third month. As for the Fourth Prince, his wedding date was scheduled for the end of the second year.

  Speaking of the wedding of the Fourth Prince, there was also a story in it.

  Originally, Empress Qiao planned to set the Fourth Prince’s wedding in two years’ time.

  Empress Qiao asked Concubine Qin first. Concubine Qin who had been left alone by Emperor Yongjia for more than a month, was recently very honest and peaceful. When Empress Qiao asked about the wedding date of the Fourth Prince, Concubine Qin replied respectfully: “Everything is decided by the Empress.”

  The Fourth Prince didn’t say a word.

  On the contrary, Empress Dowager Zhao opened her mouth and ordered: “The Ai family is in a hurry to embrace the emperor’s grandson, so the wedding date should be set earlier. Don’t wait two years, let’s set it at the end of next year!” Empress Qiao felt that it was not appropriate, and said tactfully: “At the end of the year, the Fourth Prince will be fifteen years old. It is not good to spread the news about getting married so early. It is better to wait until the age of sixteen before getting married.”

Empress Dowager Zhao insisted: “Girl Yu is one year older than the Fourth Prince. The sixteenth year at the end of the year is the right time to get married. Another year, it will be seventeen. This matter is up to the Ai family.”

Such a matter was not big or small, and it was not worth arguing with Empress Dowager Zhao about it. Empress Joe agreed.

  Later, Empress Qiao found out that it was Zhao Yu who entered the palace to beg Empress Dowager Zhao.

  Empress Qiao was dignified and self-restraining. It was both strange and ridiculous to hear about such women voluntarily asking for marriage. She couldn’t help but babble in front of her son: “Women should be more reserved. There is no one like Zhao Yu who asks for marriage.”

  Li Jing said, “I wish Xiaoyu could be like Zhao Yu.”

  Empress Qiao: ” …”

  …

  For sending off the wedding day, if it was in the family of ordinary officials, the elders of the family will come forward, bring their sons, and be accompanied by the matchmaker to the woman’s side.

  When it came to the Royal family, Emperor Yongjia and Empress Qiao didn’t need to show up. Empress Qiao sent a few matrons-in-charge to accompany the princes to the future in-law’s house.

  Lu Lin deliberately came back to the mansion one day earlier and opened the front door early the next morning.

  Not long after, Li Jing came.

  Today was a happy day, Li Jing came with a grand procession befitting a prince. There were over a hundred personal guards leading the way, clearing the path. They were followed by accompanying guards. The guards rode majestic horses with high heads, showcasing a remarkable display with ceremonial flags and an impressive presence.

  The four matrons-in-charge from the palace got out of the carriage first and saluted King Xingyang.

  Li Jing also got off his horse, cupped his fists, and saluted.

  Lu Lin smiled and cupped his hands to greet him: “The Lu family welcomes His Royal Highness the Second Prince.”

  Li Jing smiled and said, “Father-in-law, please.” With a flick of his gaze, he looked to Lu Mingyu who was at the side.

  On ordinary days, Lu Mingyu usually dressed modestly. However, today she made a deliberate effort to dress up. Her appearance was radiant and captivating, with her eyes glimmering and a slight smile that exuded infinite charm. In an instant, she exuded unparalleled grace and elegance.

  Li Jing took one look, and couldn’t help but take another look.

  Everyone saw it in their eyes and couldn’t help but be secretly amused.

  The crowd surrounded Li Jing and entered the main hall. Lu Lin asked Li Jing to take the seat, but Li Jing naturally refused and respectfully asked his father-in-law to sit on the head, and sat beside him.

  Lu Mingyu’s six siblings sat down opposite Li Jing one by one. Together with the eldest brother-in-law, seven pairs of eyes fell on Li Jing’s body.

  On that day, Zhou Li came to send off the wedding dates, and it was the same battle. Zhou Li was watched so coldly that his palms broke out in cold sweat.

  Li Jing was very calm, smiling and letting everyone look at him.

  Everyone was so familiar, so there was no need to show off or something!

  Lu Fei coughed and broke the silence with a smile: “His Royal Highness the Second Prince sent the wedding dates, which day is the lucky day?”

  A matron-in-charge handed the red and golden paper to Li Jing’s hand. Li Jing took it, and then handed it to Lu Lin: “Please look at it with father-in-law.”

  Lu Lin happily took it.

  In the ninth year of Yongjia, on the sixth day of the Second Lunar Month.

  Lu Lin was mentally prepared, and said with a smile: “It’s indeed a good day.” Then he gave it to Lu Mingyu again.

  Lu Mingyu glanced at it, feeling somewhat complicated.

  In her previous life, she also got married on the sixth day of the Second Lunar Month. Unexpectedly, Qin Tianjian chose this day again.

  Li Jing looked over and said, “Qin Tianjian calculates auspicious days, and the first month is not suitable for weddings. In Second Month, the sixth day is the best auspicious day. By the way, the wedding day of the third brother is set on Third Lunar Month’s 18th.”

  Lu Mingyu came back to her senses, smiled, and nodded slightly.

  At this time, it was customary to ask the future son-in-law for lunch on this day. The Lu family had already prepared for it. The cook showed his housekeeping skills and prepared delicious food and wine.

  The Lu family did not have the habit of having separate seats for men and women, as usual, a family group sat at one seat.

  Li Jing sat beside Lu Mingyu. The future lián jīn[2], xiǎo jiùzi,[3] and dàjiùxiōng[4] came to toast, and Li Jing would not refuse anyone who came and drank very refreshingly. By the time Lu Mingyu realized something was wrong, Li Jing was already drunk.

  Li Jing’s drunk appearance was also very interesting.

  Drunken people usually have red faces, straight eyes, and slurred speech.

  However, Li Jing looked as usual; his black eyes were clearer than before, and he spoke clearly and fluently. At first, no one thought that Li Jing was drunk. Until…

  Li Jing suddenly turned his head, and said to Lu Mingyu with a serious face: “Xiaoyu, I have something very important to tell you.”

  Lu Mingyu raised her eyebrows: “What is it?”

Lu Mingfang, Lu Fei, and others all pricked up their ears in curiosity.

  Li Jing still had that serious expression: “I’ve liked you since a long time ago.”

  Lu Mingyu: “…”

  Lu Mingyu’s heart stirred up waves.

  A long time ago?

  How long ago?

  Also, how could he like her? In her previous life, she was his dìxí[5]. More importantly, he was killed by her hands. How could he still be pleased with her?

  On the contrary, Lu Mingfang and the others were somewhat disappointed. They thought His Royal Highness the Second Prince was going to say something secret! Wasn’t this obvious? Say in front of everyone, tsk tsk!

  At this moment, Li Jing’s body shook suddenly.

  When his mind was in turmoil, Lu Mingyu was still sensitive, and without thinking, she stretched out her hand to support Li Jing, avoiding the tragedy of His Highness the Second Prince getting drunk and falling to the ground.

  Even so, Li Jing also lay down on the table. Eyes closed and asleep.

  Everyone almost broke their stomachs with laughter.

  ”Drinking one cup after another non-stop, everyone thinks that His Highness is good at drinking.” Lu Fei laughed loudly: “It turns out that I have to pretend to face it.”

Lu Mingyu smiled and glared at her elder brother: “You have the face to smile, if you hadn’t deliberately taken the lead in drinking, how could he be so drunk.”

  Lu Fei sighed deliberately: “With a fiancé, I won’t turn to my elder brother. Girls turn their elbows out,[6] this is a true saying!”

  It made everyone laugh again.

  It was impossible to go back to the palace if you are so drunk.

  Lu Mingyu thought for a while, and called two soldiers: “Carry Your Highness to the guest room in my courtyard, and let him rest for a while.”

  Everyone: “…”

References

References↑1the department of astrology. The Imperial Observatory was an institution in ancient China responsible for astronomical observations, including determining auspicious dates for various events.↑2husband of your wife’s sister↑3wife’s younger brother↑4wife’s elder brother↑5Younger brother’s wife↑6that is they prefer outsiders over their blood relatives