Chapter 12: Chapter 12: The Princess’s Wedding

Emperor Xiaozong would never realize how disreputable it was to place two young male shadow guards by his unmarried daughter’s side. If he didn’t notice, then Yu Xiaoxiao was even less likely to understand. One had the “golden mouth and pearly words” and insisted on giving a gift, while the other didn’t want to defy a decree and earn capital punishment in its place. As a result, the exchange left both father and daughter quite satisfied with the results.

Back at Resplendence Palace, Yu Xiaoxiao stood with two tall, strong shadow guards flanking her sides as she told Wang momo, “My imperial father said we can ask Consort Zhao for as much money as we want.”

Wang momo had been fretting over the guards shadowing the princess until she heard those words. When it came to vexing Consort Zhao, she was always ready to fight at the front lines. Her spirits roused and the shadow guards suddenly unimportant, she pounded her chest and vowed, “Don’t worry, princess. This servant will find Consort Zhao tomorrow right away!”

Like that, Yu Xiaoxiao could stop worrying too. The following days were filled with daily visits from Wang momo to Consort Zhao’s palace. At this rate, she was going to take away everything of value in the palace. Consort Zhao only endured it all. Once the Gu Clan was found guilty of ambitions for the throne from hoarding the dragon robes, all of their property would be returned to the palace, including the ones brought away by this fat nanny.

“Give them to her,” Consort Zhao instructed her underlings. “His Majesty only has Her Royal Highness for a daughter. Whatever she wants, she can have.”

This went back and forth a few times until Consort Zhao was able to sit up in bed. By now, it was already Princess Linglong’s wedding day. On a crisp autumn morning, Yu Xiaoxiao put on a set of bright red wedding robes. Xiaozong’s younger brother, Prince Rui of the First Rank, had his eldest son formally piggyback the princess out of the palace gates and into her carriage.

Members of the Gu Clan that came to pick up the bridal party were led by Second Young Master Gu Xingyan, who was riding astride a tall horse. He was very respectful, yet didn’t smile.

“Is there no improvement in Gu Xinglang’s injuries?” Xiaozong asked from his vantage point atop a gatetower within palace grounds. From here, he could see Gu Xingyan leading along his daughter with a length of red silk. “Didn’t the imperial physicians say he was getting better?”

Behind him, Jing Zhong replied, “To reply Your Majesty, supposedly the royal son-in-law can already get out of bed with difficulty. However, he can’t ride horses just yet, so Second Young Master Gu’s come to pick up the bride.”

Xiaozong nodded, his worries set at ease.

Jing Zhong added, “Your Majesty, this servant will be escorting Her Royal Highness to the Gu Estate. Is there any further instructions?”

Xiaozong only waved a hand at Jing Zhong. Any father would have mixed feelings sending their daughter off in marriage. Even though he was a self-indulgent ruler, he was still a father. Seeing the joyous music accompanying the bridal sedan chair as it drew farther and farther away from the palace, Xiaozong’s heart was left with a mixture of happiness and grief. He only sighed and said, “The empress should be able to rest in peace now.”

The various eunuchs and retainers flanking the emperor, along with the guards behind, all felt their mouths twitch. That’s hard to say.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Ten li of red followed the eldest princess on her wedding day, attracting all the citizens along the way. They only sighed at the imperial family’s honor and respectability, but few envied the princess for her marriage. When the bridal sedan chair embroidered with golden phoenixes stopped in front of the Gu Estate gates, strings of firecrackers went off to greet them. Little children cheered and jumped for joy while the adults clapped and whistled. Although the bride was a royal princess, there were still a few daring men who called out for the girl to remove her veil and show them her looks.

Gu Xingyan led Yu Xiaoxiao off the sedan chair with the length of red silk. When her feet touched the ground, she finally stopped feeling so queasy. Who would have thought? She wasn’t carsick, airsick, or seasick, but here she was actually carriage-sick!

“Princess,” Wang momo supported her as she murmured, “The estate doesn’t look half bad. It’s just a little small.”

Yu Xiaoxiao didn’t reply. She had no thoughts about her groom, much less his house. Meanwhile, Gu Xinglang had already been settled into the bridal chambers at the back of the estate. When he heard the sounds of celebration outside, his expression remained indifferent. Old Madam was sitting by his bed and muttered, “Her Royal Highness has entered the estate.”

“Mm,” Gu Xinglang replied.

Old Madam said, “This is your wedding day. Once you’re married, you’ll enter adulthood and spend happy days with the princess. Since she’s married you, you have to take responsibility.”

Gu Xinglang’s eyes drooped. “Grandmother, I understand. I’m afraid I’ll be the one who’s a burden.”

Old Madam nearly shed tears at his words. Although Gu Xinglang looked a bit better after a few days of bedrest, his leg injuries had only worsened with time. Not only had the wounds failed to heal, but started to fester and pus. The doctors they’d invited to examine him all shook their heads and said there was no cure. Old Madam had silently cried to herself many times, but she couldn’t very well shed tears in front of her grandson. Forcing a smile, she said, “My grandson is so great, how could you be a burden? Who says you can’t live happily even if you can’t fight or ride a horse! Foolish boy!”

Gu Xinglang only chuckled at his grandmother’s words. Before Old Madam could coax him further, the wedding nanny’s voice sounded from outside.

“The bride is here!”

Quickly, Old Madam rose to her feet. Covered in her wedding veil, Yu Xiaoxiao stepped into her bridal chambers and caught the strong scent of medicine and incense within. Wang momo helped her to the bedside and saw the groom half reclining on the bed. Her heart chilled at the sight. Although the man was dressed in red wedding robes, his complexion was like death. He’s not about to die, is he?