area51novel Page 140
Page 140
Chen Qingfeng didn't hesitate and went straight forward.
Upon realizing that Chen Qingfeng was standing in front of her, Fan Ruoruo was so nervous that she didn't know what to say.
At this moment, Chen Qingfeng glanced around and saw the peonies blooming outside the courtyard, and softly recited:
"When I first saw you by the Peony Pavilion, your smile was captivating."
"Today, you are my wife in your beautiful dress; I will never fail your love in this life."
Hearing Chen Qingfeng suddenly recite poetry, Fan Ruoruo was taken aback, but her initial tension eased considerably.
"My wife, let's go!"
Chen Qingfeng said with a smile, and then pulled up Fan Ruoruo, who gave a soft "hmm".
According to etiquette, the bride must bid farewell to her parents before leaving home.
Soon, Chen Qingfeng led Fan Ruoruo to the main hall of the Fan residence.
At this moment, Fan Jian was already seated at the head of the table.
Red candles burned brightly in the hall, and incense smoke swirled around.
Fan Xian, Fan Sizhe, Liu Ruyu, and others stood on either side.
With the help of her maid, Fan Ruoruo slowly knelt down and performed the three-kowtow ceremony to Fan Jian.
When she raised her head, the veil was slightly lifted, and her eyes were glistening with tears.
"Daughter bids farewell to Father!"
Fan Ruoruo's voice was choked with emotion.
Fan Jian nodded, his eyes reddening, and said earnestly:
"Ruoruo, today you are getting married and starting your own family. As your father, I only wish that you and Qingfeng will treat each other with respect and grow old together."
As he spoke, Fan Jian turned his gaze to Chen Qingfeng:
"Qingfeng, from now on, Ruoruo is in your care."
Chen Qingfeng knelt down solemnly and responded:
"Father-in-law, rest assured, your son-in-law will cherish Ruoruo for the rest of his life and never let her suffer the slightest grievance."
Fan Jian nodded in satisfaction, stood up, and handed Fan Ruoruo's hand to Chen Qingfeng.
The moment their hands touched, Chen Qingfeng felt the slight tremor in Fan Ruoruo's fingertips and unconsciously tightened his grip, as if silently conveying a promise.
After the farewell ceremony, the auspicious time arrived.
Chen Qingfeng, holding a red ribbon, led Fan Ruoruo toward the bridal sedan chair outside the gate.
At the same time, firecrackers went off and drums and music filled the air in front of the Fan residence.
Soon, the two arrived in front of the bridal sedan chair, and Chen Qingfeng personally lifted the curtain for Fan Ruoruo.
Just as Fan Ruoruo was about to step into the sedan chair, a gentle breeze swept by, lifting a corner of her red veil.
Chen Qingfeng got a good look at her face. Beneath her willow-leaf eyebrows were a pair of affectionate eyes, her cheeks were as pink as peach blossoms in March, and her lips were a touch of red. She was so beautiful that it was breathtaking.
Fan Ruoruo seemed to have noticed as well, and lowered her eyes shyly, her long eyelashes trembling like butterfly wings.
After getting into the sedan chair, Chen Qingfeng mounted his white horse and headed to the Prime Minister's residence.
They also had to go and welcome Lin Wan'er.
Before long, the wedding procession arrived at the Prime Minister's residence.
Golden nails gleamed on the vermilion gate, two stone lions in front of the gate were tied with red silk, and thirty-six palace lanterns under the eaves swayed gently in the breeze.
"The son-in-law has arrived!"
As the emcee drew out his words, the pavilion door slowly opened.
Soon, Lin Wan'er emerged gracefully, supported by her maid.
She wore a gold-embroidered phoenix gown made of fire silk, with a lifelike pattern of hundreds of birds paying homage to the phoenix on the skirt, and the gold threads shimmering brilliantly in the sunlight.
A section of her snow-white neck was visible through the edge of the red veil, as if carved from jade.
Upon seeing Lin Wan'er, Chen Qingfeng also presented her with a poem:
"Red gates and golden locks herald the auspicious day; jade trees and jeweled branches joyfully welcome the bride."
"It takes a hundred years of cultivation to share a boat ride, and a thousand pieces of gold cannot buy a single heart."
Hearing Chen Qingfeng's recitation, Lin Wan'er, under her red veil, felt a surge of warmth in her heart.
Soon, Chen Qingfeng and Lin Wan'er arrived at the main hall of the Prime Minister's residence.
At this moment, Prime Minister Lin Ruofu sat in the head seat, his dignified face revealing a kind heart.
With the help of her maid, Lin Wan'er slowly knelt down and performed the three bows and nine kowtows to Lin Ruofu.
"Daughter... bids farewell, Father!"
Even Lin Ruofu's usually resolute eyes welled up with tears as he said:
"Wan'er, your father only wishes for your...peace and happiness."
This short sentence perfectly encapsulates the hearts of parents everywhere.
Then, Lin Ruofu turned to Chen Qingfeng, his expression becoming more serious, and said again:
"Qingfeng, I entrust Wan'er to you, and I hope you will not fail me!"
Lin Ruofu's tone was meaningful when he said this.
He had met Lin Qingfeng earlier and discussed the matter of the most powerful minister in the world with him.
Chen Qingfeng nodded slightly and said:
"Father-in-law, rest assured! From now on, I will protect Wan'er with my life and never fail her in this life."
Lin Ruofu smiled with satisfaction, stood up and stepped forward, placing Lin Wan'er's hand in Chen Qingfeng's palm.
Soon, Chen Qingfeng led Lin Wan'er out of the Prime Minister's residence and personally escorted her onto the gilded sedan chair.
After the two women were greeted, the wedding procession paraded through the streets toward the mansion on the banks of the Liujing River.
Under the ten-mile-long red bridal procession, the entire capital city was in an uproar!
The banks of the Liujing River were crowded with people eagerly waiting, children climbed to the treetops to look out, and countless heads peeked out of the teahouse windows...
"Young Master Chen is marrying two beauties; it is truly a match made in heaven!"
"It's a gift from heaven! It was bestowed by His Majesty."
"I thought Chen Qingfeng was just a playboy, but I never expected him to be so talented in poetry."
"If Daqing's literary fortune were measured in 1 dan (a unit of volume), Chen Qingfeng would probably have eight dou (another unit of volume) of it."
"I've been fooled by this guy all along!"
"Such a grand wedding, even a prince's wedding would be nothing special, right?"
"..."
The people were abuzz with discussion, all astonished by the grand wedding.
At this moment, Fan Ruoruo and Lin Wan'er were each sitting in their respective bridal sedan chairs.
Even through the sedan curtain, one could sense the bustling activity outside.
After the procession through the streets, the wedding party arrived at the gates of that grand mansion.
Chen Qingfeng dismounted and helped Fan Ruoruo and Lin Wan'er down from the sedan chair, holding Fan Ruoruo in his left hand and Lin Wan'er's hand in his right.
At this time, Chen Pingping, Fan Jian, and Lin Ruofu had already arrived at the residence, and other guests had also gathered there.
Then, Chen Qingfeng prepared to lead Fan Ruoruo and Lin Wan'er into the mansion.
The auspicious time will arrive soon, and there are still some formalities to attend to.
Just then, a rich fragrance of roses wafted on the breeze.
Immediately afterwards, the crowd outside the mansion parted like a tide.
Upon closer inspection, Li Yunrui, dressed in a crimson palace gown, gracefully descended from the carriage, with golden peonies blooming on her skirt. Every step she took seemed to touch the very heart.
"My son-in-law will surely like this gift from me today."
As she spoke, Li Yunrui lightly raised her hand, and then a maidservant presented a gilded wooden box.
"Ok?"
Upon seeing this, Chen Qingfeng frowned slightly, not expecting that Li Yunrui would actually come to the wedding today.
Lin Wan'er's face, hidden beneath the veil, revealed a hint of worry and unease.
She knew her mother very well.
I'm terrified I might do something unexpected at the wedding today.
At this moment, Li Yunrui gracefully walked up to Chen Qingfeng.
The maid opened the gilded wooden box.
With a "clang," the nine-inch-tall coral tree in the box suddenly bloomed, each branch hanging with a thumb-sized crystal bottle, the dark blue liquid inside swaying slightly.
“Son-in-law, this contains Qiluo Fragrance; a single drop can intoxicate.”
Li Yunrui looked directly at Chen Qingfeng as she spoke, her eyes revealing a seductive allure.
Chen Qingfeng remained expressionless and spoke in a cold voice:
"The princess's use of poison as a congratulatory gift is truly an unexpected honor."
Li Yunrui covered her mouth and chuckled softly, her nail-painted fingertips tracing across Chen Qingfeng's wrist.
Then, in full view of everyone, she leaned close to Chen Qingfeng's ear and whispered:
"I haven't yet created an incense that could poison you!"
Just as everyone present was wondering what the Princess and Chen Qingfeng had said, a loud announcement suddenly rang out:
"Your Majesty has arrived——!"